Zebs’ Sam and Carolyn Macias Angel Fire angels

Byvirginial.clark

VERYBODY LOVES ZEBS — MOST DEFINITELY BECAUSE OWNERS SAM AND CAROLYN MACIAS HAVE MADE IT THE PLACE TO EAT AND SOCIALIZE IN ANGEL FIRE SINCE THEY BOUGHT IT IN 2010.

Originally known as Zebadiah’s in the late ’80s to all us Colfax and Taos County residents, Sam said they bought it from Rocky Thompson et al, owners of K-Bobs spots in Texas, Colorado and New Mexico – in Clovis, Hobbs, Farmington and Angel Fire.

Sam said he was Zebadiah’s General Manager since late 1991 when he was brought to Angel Fire from Farmington to “turn a bar with food into a restaurant with a bar” – basically shutting down what was a biker bar known for booze, gangs and violence.

Longtime locals remember well the heavy patrolling by New Mexico State Police and sheriffs to quash now infamous Memorial Day biker bashes around the Enchanted Circle. Originally called

Ethe Hitching Post Saloon & Dance Hall in 1984 and ’85, the Maciases halted all that at Zebadiah’s when they took over in ’91.

“We shut down the dances and music,”

Sam said. “We shut it all down and turned it from a biker bar to a family restaurant.” Now they have music like Jimmy Stadler evenings, New Year’s Eve, a Toy Run and host numerous Chamber of Commerce events.

Named after a Thompson relation, when they bought it the Maciases formally changed the name to Zebs “which everyone called it anyway” Sam said with a smile.

Sam shows up daily to check the menu, do the books, some ordering and check on staffing; but they have three managers: one each for the front of the house, the bar and the kitchen. Though semi-retired, the couple have a huge fan base built from decades of downhome service to the community.

Lisa Sutton, a 29-year Angel Fire resident and Coldwell Banker owner in Angel Fire, Taos and Santa Fe, just can’t say enough good things about Sam and Carolyn Macias.

“Sam and Carolyn have been many things to me over the years,” Sutton said. “As I first arrived in Angel Fire they were my first job. I waited tables at Zebs which gives you some idea of how long Zebs has been an established restaurant in the Valley. Years later they hosted a benefit for Casting for Recovery at Zebs that raised thousands for a cause dear to my heart. They are a backbone family of this community. Their family has many businesses that keep this community alive and they are always working to better our town. Carolyn is also the Christmas decorator extraordinaire. If you walk into Zebs in the month of December you will find a Christmas wonderland. I am always amazed at the length Carolyn goes to decorate and always appreciative that our out-of-town visitors get to see a business going out of their way to make it feel like a ski town. Truly a great family and so happy they chose the Valley to put their roots down!”

“Everybody knows me but I don’t know everybody else,” Sam remarked humorously about the couple’s popularity in town. In the beginning he was so busy making food he couldn’t sit down and get to know people. “Carolyn was out in the dining room. She met everyone who came in and served meals now and then.”

Mary Harms, an Angel Fire local with three different businesses since the ’70s, said Carolyn created a meeting place for the whole town at their movie house rental space. “We’d all stand around and talk. She’d have all kinds of snacks. She just has a sweet way of pulling you in. Sam and Carolyn are awesome. Sam is so accommodating. He knows everyone who have businesses in the village. That environment is totally carried into Zebs. It makes you feel at home.”

Equally heartwarming is commentary by Keith Boggs, now Angel Fire Village Clerk. He’s worked for the Village of Angel Fire for about two years. Originally in the finance department, he just became clerk six months ago. Boggs first moved from Virginia Beach to Angel Fire because his sister told him how beautiful it was here and wanted family close by. He said he dropped everything and moved out here and fell in love with the place.

“I have known Sam and Carolyn going on six years. I first met them in 2017 when I moved to New Mexico from the East Coast. I already had a job at Zebs before I even made it to New Mexico. Sam and Carolyn hired me without even knowing me. This, of course, was because my sister already worked for them at the time and they adored her. When I did finally meet them, they welcomed me with kindness and warmth. Zebs is one of the greatest places I’ve ever worked because of them. They treated me and my sister like family and even to this day they still do. Over the years, I have worked on and off at Zebs. I know that I always have a job there. From time to time I still go and help out because that’s what family does.”

Zebs Restaurant & Bar, 3431 Mountain View Blvd, hours daily 11 a.m-9 p.m.; the bar open til 2 a.m. 575-377-6358