Roadrunner Grill happy in new location at Eighth, Main; Lucky Duck food truck gets brick-and-mortar digs
The Roadrunner Grill and Lucky Duck food truck recently moved locations to better serve Artesia.
The Roadrunner Grill, now named Roadrunner Grill and BBQ, has relocated to 811 W. Main St., the former location of Touchdown BBQ. The vacancy left behind at the Pecos Inn has been filled by Lucky Duck, which is now open seven days a week.
According to Roadrunner Grill and BBQ’s manager, Mary Karr, who has been a part of the business for nearly eight years, “Our owner has always wanted to do barbeque so when Touchdown went on the market we knew it was the right move. I called her (Angelia) that night and she called them (Touchdown) the next morning.”
She could not speak highly enough of the new location, where the restaurant has been since August.
Karr explained the new menu by saying, “It’s barbecue but we brought a lot of our Roadrunner menu with us. Everything is cooked on site. There’s a huge smoker here. We’re learning and practicing. All the sides are made from scratch. We have a full breakfast as well.”
According to Angelia Ensor, Roadrunner’s owner, the restaurant has kept all the familiar favorites.
“We’re known for our steak fingers. That’s our number one. Our asado tacos and catfish. We kept all that.”
Ensor moved to Artesia in 2015 to go in on Roadrunner with a business partner who is also still with the restaurant. At first she was hesitant to leave her home in Ruidoso, but “came down to help, met Mary that week, met so many people in Artesia and it completely changed my mind.” Ensor said, “I really liked Artesia’s people. Now Ruidoso’s not home. Artesia is definitely home.”
Drew Reed of Lucky Duck expressed similar sentiments. Reed moved to Artesia in 2017 and his comments included “great people, great support” and “I really, really enjoy it.”
For Reed, serving Artesia’s public is what it’s all about. Reed said, “I decided on this menu because I felt like there needed to be a good homemade burger, chicken sandwich, onion rings… sit down burger place. There was a need for great food, great service, and good vibes.” The Lucky Duck also serves appetizers, such as pickle chips and an onion ring brick, and desserts, including a giant cookie and the “lotta chocolata cake.”
Reed explained the name Lucky Duck was his girlfriend’s idea, and he chose it because he “felt like I was pretty lucky. I’m the lucky duck.”
Both establishments are open from 6 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 6 a.m. – 2 p.m. Sundays. Roadrunner Grill and BBQ now has a food truck that can be seen at many events around the state. Residents can access menus for both on their facebook pages: Roadrunner Grill and Lucky Duck Grill.