Double Eagle Restaurant

The Double Eagle Restaurant and Peppers Cafe, located in Historic Old Mesilla, New Mexico, have played witness to many colorful and historical events, including the Treaty of Guadalupe Hildago -- which ended the Mexican-American War in 1848, the negotiation and confirmation of the Gadsden Purchase in 1854, Confederate Army occupation in 1861 and the incarceration and trial of Billy the Kid in 1881. Mesilla is now a tiny town sitting next to the much larger Las Cruces, New Mexico. Mesilla has become the ?little secret? of Las Cruces.

The restaurants and shops of Mesilla have become a must stop for travelers along Interstate 10. With the Texas-New Mexico border only 30 minutes away, both New Mexican and Texan tourism professionals send visitors to the sleepy little town. Mesilla has become famous for strolling. Time seems to slow down as you browse the shops and restaurants of Mesilla.

Until acquired by Robert O. Anderson in 1972, the property was a private residence. Anderson is to be congratulated for his far-sighted wisdom in preserving this National Registered Historical site. Major restoration was completed in 1984 by the present owner, C. W. "Buddy" Ritter, a fifth generation New Mexican.

Double Eagle Restaurant's name was derived from a United States gold piece minted in the 1850's. The Ten Dollar coin was known as the "Eagle" and the Twenty Dollar coin as the "Double Eagle."

The antiques found throughout the building have been painstakingly collected over several years. The post-Civil War cast-iron entry gates each weigh 1,000 pounds. The back lights in the Imperial Bar are French "Corones" with Lalique shades dating from the 1890's. Highlighting the decor of the Maximilian Room are the classic French baccarat chandeliers measuring seven feet by three feet, each containing more than 1000 hand-cut glass crystals. The solid gold ceiling was hand-gilded with 18- and 24-karat gold leaf. The 20 gold leafed French mirrors are ornately carved in Greek Revival style. The many paintings, several of which have their equal only in the finest museums, express the charm and ambiance of a bygone era.

In addition, a romantic legend is part of the history of this 150-year-old home. This legend tells of the tragic deaths of two young lovers with their eternal ties to each other and The Double Eagle. We believe that the friendly spirits of Armando and Inez walk with us to this day...