Amidst the vast, rolling desert landscape, just east of Deming, New Mexico, sits a unique establishment that blends hearty Western cuisine with a dash of the paranormal: the Adobe Deli. This isn’t your average roadside eatery; housed in the skeletal remains of the old Lewis Flats School, the Adobe Deli is a rambling steakhouse and saloon brimming with taxidermy, Old West relics, and an undeniable air of mystery.
It’s no surprise that whispers of hauntings cling to this place. Its peculiar charm even drew the attention of Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventures, who dedicated a 2018 episode to exploring the shadowy depths of the saloon.
On a breezy, covered deck, Van Jacobsen, the owner of Adobe Deli since its inception in 1978, shares the captivating history of his restaurant. An antique streetcar, weathered and rusted, stands sentinel beside the entrance, a silent witness to countless stories. As the mellow strains of country music drift from nearby speakers, Jacobsen recounts the building’s transformation.
“The Lewis Flats School was auctioned off when it closed in 1977. We bid and won. And the rest, as they say, is history,” Jacobsen explains. He points to a yellowed newspaper clipping on the wall, a relic from the school’s past, detailing the principal’s routine checks for rattlesnakes before allowing children to play outside – a testament to the wild New Mexico landscape that surrounds them.
While Jacobsen himself remains a skeptic when it comes to ghostly tales, he acknowledges the numerous unexplained occurrences reported by his family and staff over the years. One recurring phenomenon is the faint sound of an old piano filtering through the saloon speakers late at night, when the building is otherwise silent. He recounts local lore that might explain these spectral events, including a tragic heart attack suffered by a dancer during Deming’s centennial celebration in the early 1980s. “He was dancing, had a heart attack, and passed away,” Jacobsen says somberly, “but his wife told us it was the happiest night of his life.”
Today, the Adobe Deli is a beloved destination for both Deming locals and travelers venturing through New Mexico. A quick tour through the dining room and saloon reveals a lively atmosphere, often filled to its limited capacity. Patrons flock here for the renowned rib eyes, generous kebabs, and rich French onion soup, and stay for the distinctive, slightly spooky, roadhouse ambiance that’s hard to find elsewhere near Deming.
Jacobsen leads the way through a long corridor toward the back of the building. Beyond the wine cellar and cigar lounge, adorned with books and curious animal mounts, lies a second, less frequented dining area. It’s here, seasoned ghost hunters suggest, that an unseen “portal” to the supernatural realm may exist.
Earlier in the year, even Jacobsen experienced a peculiar event that nudged him slightly closer to believing. While preparing coffee one morning, he used a rag to wipe up a spill. Upon lifting the rag, he was startled to find the words “van die” imprinted on the fabric. Yet, after forty years at the helm of the Adobe Deli, Jacobsen remains playfully undecided about whether such incidents belong to the realm of the unexplained or simply to the quirks of an old building in the New Mexico desert. Ultimately, his focus remains on the tangible: running a successful business and grilling those famous T-bone steaks that keep customers coming back to this unique spot just outside Deming, New Mexico.
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