Ludlow Cafe — Restaurant in Baker

This review is LONG overdue. Back on May 31st, I experienced one of the most genuine and affecting acts of kindness in my lifetime, thanks to the team at the Ludlow Cafe.

I had gone camping alone in the Mojave so I could catch a meteor shower, when my car got thoroughly stuck in what I now know is referred to as "sugar sand" aka extremely soft sand. As a disclaimer, I highly recommend NOT camping alone in the Mojave unless you are experienced with the area, and/or own an AWD vehicle with rope and/or recovery traction boards.

I spent over an hour (at 3am) trying to dig the sand away from the tires around my car following a four-hour drive. I decided to end my struggle and wait until morning. When I woke up, I managed to flag down an incredibly helpful couple who, using their off-road vehicle, attempted to push my car out of the ditch to no avail. Rather than leave me, they extended a generous offer to drive me to the nearest gas station on their way to Temecula. That gas station was a Chevron nearly fifty miles away, in the same plaza as the Ludlow Cafe.

When I arrived at this cozy diner, teeming with positive energy, I sat at the bar with the day bag I packed, and rotated my stool back and forth looking up possible solutions for my predicament. Service was prompt and friendly, as I was offered iced tea and an ear for me to explain my circumstance.

As I called AAA and a few local tow companies, it became clear how expensive this ordeal was going to be. AAA does not service situations like this, and most tow companies wouldn't touch the situation. I did find one company who was willing to pick me up and service the vehicle, but this would have set me back at least $600.

As my options grew more and more limited, the waitress began to make a few calls to a group of locals who (now unsurprisingly) deal with these situations quite often and have created a task force for emergencies. She felt pretty confident that she could rustle up a helping hand. As things started to look up, I graciously ordered breakfast of eggs, bacon, hash browns, and toast, which was absolutely delicious and well-priced. Exactly the kind of reprieve I needed.

Before long, the owner of the shop stops in, walks right up next to me, and she says warmly, "Hi Eric, so I hear you're having car problems." Still in disbelief that the owner of the shop and her co-worker have agreed to take me to my car and pull it out of the sand, I find myself stepping into the front seat of her Ram 3500 and we set off toward the Kelso Dunes. We talk about the area's history, different types of rattlesnakes, and how to survive out in the desert if you find yourself stranded. Time flies and we reach my car. Within minutes, my Toyota is secured with ratchet straps and the Ram plucks it out like a loose tooth! I'm both shocked and in a near euphoric state of gratitude.

I profusely thank the pair and offer to pay them for their help (gas money, or anything!), to which they politely decline, and just ask that I let people know about their friendly little diner on Route 66. We took a picture to commemorate the moment, and then they set off for another fifty miles back.

At this point I am beside myself. My whole day, week, and possibly even my health was saved because of the team at the Ludlow Cafe. Not to mention, the money saved which could have been $600+, not including any damage to the vehicle.

I immediately scaled the 800 ft dunes fueled by pure excitement and what felt like a new lease on life! This will forever remain as some of the most sincere help I've ever received, and aside from the obvious lessons I learned from camping in the desert, I also learned that you should never underestimate the kindness of strangers and to pay it forward, because you never know how life-saving your act can be.

If I could give this place one hundred stars I would. I look forward to the next time I can...

Absolutely fantastic, this is such a wonderful place the staff is quick to welcome you and you will enjoy the warm caring atmosphere towards serving you. This is real route 66 American history folks. This place has been around since the 40s picture your grandfather pulling up there and an old station wagon with a burlap water bottle tied to the front of his radiator and all your mom wanted to do is go in there and get the kids out of the sun and have some of their delicious iced tea. Yes we all know that there are all these modern wonderful places with all the modern wonderful conveniences, however this is American history at its best kept alive by a wonderful team and staff. Please remember and most of you will do it without question you're in a remote part of the desert. I'm sure that there have been many a weary traveler when they found this place they were so glad. I am disturbed with some of the reviews about the restrooms. It's a small mom and pop place they don't have a great big staff and overhead and all the big luxuries of the big city . These folks really try their best and they really do care about how you feel about their establishment. Just go in there and say hello and you will see what I'm talking about. Your heart will be pleased. This is one of the last truly American mom and pop type of places left in America , please help support them and keep them open, it would be so wonderful that your grandchildren could come there and think of you, and how you were part of...

I had some bad subway back in New Mexico and it was coming back with a vengeance. I tried going to the bathroom at the gas stations next to the cafe but one was occupied by some dude who was basically in the same situation I was in and the other had this guy who looked like he would exchange some sexual favors for meth. next place was this cafe. I rushed in the bathroom there and Jesus Christ words can not describe the horror, the putridness, the borderline sadistic state of this bathroom. I am not over exaggerating in the slightest when I say the smell was about to make me vomit. it didn't even smell like someone just took a dump in there and it stunk or something, this was ADVANCED stink. this is like chemical warfare stink. like all the unholy things in the world had an orgy and this was the smell reek they left. unfortunately for me at there was no turning back, the toilet looked like I needed a condom to be in the proximity of it but it was this or poop myself. I hopped on the toilet and the stench was too much for me, I was about to vomit so I stuck my face in my shirt and opted to breathe in my deodorantless, two day no shower old, armpit and it only slightly masked the smell. that was the worst 4/5 minutes I have had to endure in my life. I think imma go get myself tested for an std thanks to this place, I wish I would have went with the bathroom with...