You find eateries where these two words go together throughout New Mexico.

But add a third word ~ Mexican ~ to the mix, and Southern New Mexico is the place to be. So if you’re in Las Cruces and in need of a quick but filling fix, Saenz Gorditas signature gordita is your huckleberry.

Some have called the Saenz gordita the best tasting gordita in the state. Others claim it is the best they’ve eaten outside of Mexico.More mochi . . .

I don’t like gourmet cooking or ‘this’ cooking or ‘that’ cooking. I like good cooking. ~ James Beard

QUESTION: What kind of person drives two or even four hours from home just to eat dinner?

ANSWER: A hungry one who likes really good cooking. And from Las Cruces and Albuquerque, respectively, two and four hours is how long it takes to drive to the Curious Kumquat in Silver City, New Mexico.

The city was once a center for silver mining as its name suggests. Young William McCarty, who would later gain fame as “Billy the Kid” also called it home.

Now Silver City is a regional mecca for adventurous travelers seeking something new in food and art and The Curious Kumquat is the place to find them both.

What has made the ‘Quat, as locals affectionately call it, a serious foodie favorite? More mochi . . .

It’s mid-winter in Las Cruces and you wake to the sound of an engine starting. The neighbor kiddos are laughing, a car door slams, then pulls off. You manage to roll over towards the window, part the blinds for a peek ~ and jump out of bed.

There’s snow on the ground!

And within minutes, you, too, mug of hot coffee in hand, are heading east on the Interstate 70 to play More mochi . . .