The High Desert Cafe in Monticello, Utah, is a hidden gem in the West that offers more than just traditional American cuisine, often based on too much meat and Americano coffee.
As a traveler passing through the unremarkable town of Monticello, Utah, I stumbled upon this colorful cafe. I was pleasantly surprised to find vegetarian options on the menu, including veggie burgers and burritos. And for those who prefer a non-dairy alternative, they even offer oat milk cappuccinos.
I wondered how much further I would have to drive in the American West to be served this usual order for any cafe in Manhattan. The restaurant's decor is a mix of Navajo, and Mexican styles, which you would expect to find near Santa Fe, New Mexico, with colorful blankets, local stones, jewelry, and art for sale.
However, what made my visit to the High Desert Cafe truly unforgettable was my encounter with an 80-year-old man named Doug. As I left the cafe, I noticed a man sitting outside his house, directly behind the cafeteria, and he started a conversation with me.
Doug's bright blue eyes shone as he shared stories of his life, beginning with his birth in northern Utah and his 20-year stint as a plumber in New Orleans. He described the city as a wild and lively place, where he found work as a plumber after a week of searching. Doug told me he comes from a long lineage of plumbers in Utah.
Eventually, Doug's first wife finished her education as a nurse, and they moved to Monticello, where they settled down some fifty years ago and raised their family. Doug started his first restaurant in Monticello 30 years ago, in addition to his work as a plumber. 
Aside from his life in Monticello, He also told me about the town's history, mentioning the discovery of uranium in the area, contributing to its growth. But he said that now, looking back over the past 50 years, not much has changed; there were 2000 people in Monticello when he arrived, and that number never changed.
Looking back at his life, he said he was from the Age of Aquarius, from the sixties, and added, "You weren't even born then." He referred to the twelve zodiac signs, the first point of Aries, and reflected on humanity taking control of its own destiny. Doug also shared his travels, including trips to Amsterdam and Northern India.
I shared with him how much I enjoyed the High Desert Cafe, and he was thrilled to hear it. I even took a picture with him and asked if I could mention the cafe in my writing. He graciously accepted and said he loved chatting with people who stopped by, and they could always find him sitting outside his home, admiring the beautiful snowy mountains in the distance.
Photo: Rush hour in the heart of Monticello
Meeting Doug was another highlight of my travels, and I can't recommend visiting the High Desert Cafe and possibly meeting him enough. It's a reminder that even in small towns like Monticello, there are always interesting people and stories to be discovered.
So next time you pass through the area, stop by the High Desert Cafe and see what surprises await you. And who knows, maybe you'll have the pleasure of meeting Doug too; just walk to the house behind the cafe, and he will wave at you.
A few more photos:
Art for sale on the walls of the cafe: "Awakening at Marlboro Point."
Oil on panel / Nancye Culbreath $435
And this is part of the menu:
