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Capitan is the place for Smokey Bear fans to pay respects to an icon and enjoy a meal at a 鈥渂eary鈥� good mom-and-pop restaurant.

The first place to visit is the , which recently turned 50. It pays homage to Smokey, a months-old orphaned cub who was found with burned paws after a in the Capitan Mountains in 1950.

After the fire, he was taken to Washington, D.C. 

A June 13, 1950, Santa Fe New Mexican article said Smokey was 鈥済oing into the publicity game: use of him is restricted to propaganda purposes, in the interest of fire prevention and wildlife conservation.鈥�

He would move to the National Zoo, where he lived for 26 years before dying from natural causes on Nov. 9, 1976, The sa国际传媒官网网页入口 Tribune reported. Smokey鈥檚 remains would be buried at Smokey Bear Historical Park.

The legendary bear may have died five years before I was born, but I remember watching commercials featuring his popular slogan, 鈥淥nly you can prevent forest fires,鈥� and thinking he was cool.

When I moved to New Mexico in 2021, Capitan was on my list of places to explore. And while I have since visited his burial site, I had not eaten at the  until Memorial Day weekend.

When I walked inside, the place was packed. Two separate groups of eight people were waiting for their tables. Staff not only accommodated them quickly, but found the time to seat this lonely traveler.

I ordered a Smokey Bear Burger 鈥� two patties and Tater Tots 鈥� which was good. But if burgers are not your thing, the restaurant has other options like Pecan Waffles, Chicken Fried Steak, Beef Stew and the Nachos Bear Grande, a dish featuring tortilla chips covered with refried beans, spicy taco meat, tomatoes, lettuce and queso. 

The kiddos can order items like a Baby Bear Burrito (a warm tortilla with beans and cheese) or Chicken Fingers from the Cub Menu.

The Smokey Bear Restaurant is not only a place to fill up on a road trip, but relax and shoot the bull with loved ones.

鈥淚t鈥檚 our gathering place,鈥� Catie Greseth, Capitan village clerk, said.

It may be time to take another drive to Capitan.

Gregory R.C. Hasman is a general assignment reporter and the Road Warrior. He can be reached at ghasman@abqjournal.com or 505-823-3820.