In the Style of Judd

Judd’s influence is evident in several of the newly emerging establishments in Marfa. As a result of institutions like the Chinati and Judd Foundations, the town has encountered a boom in tourism, a direct result of the presence of Judd’s permanent collection.

It is clear that Marfa’s collection is compelling to visitors because of the town’s secluded location. Marfa is located two hours from El Paso, the site of the closest airport, suggesting that visitors come with the intent to stay. Marfa’s undersized population includes a significant amount of permanent residents who visited to view Judd’s work and stayed because of Marfa’s other absorbing qualities. Many of these transplants pioneer Marfa’s trendiest eateries and accommodations. Each of the highlighted locations encompass the cosmopolitan standards desired by Marfa’s artistically aware clientele combined with a distinctly Juddian aesthetic. Judd’s work provides inspiration and rationale for the gentrification of Marfa.

Maiya’s

Located on Marfa’s main street, Maiya’s restaurant combines new-Italian fare with a distinctly Judd-inspired atmosphere. The restaurant serves a variety of intriguing combinations like Pecos melons and Prosciutto di Parma and includes a sizeable wine list. The interior space resembles Judd’s aesthetics, exhibiting concrete floors and white walls. Maiya’s successfully combines the cravings of the cultured tourist with an unexpected interpretation of Donald Judd’s work.

Maiya's Restaurant
103 North Highland Street
Marfa, Texas 79843
432.729.4410 (T)
432.729.4439 (F)
info@maiyasrestaurant.com

The interior of Maiya's Restaurant.

Food Shark

Adjacent to the railroad tracks that run through town, the Food Shark serves “Mediterranean-by-way-of-West-Texas” eats during lunchtime. Food Shark specializes in several Mediterranean treats including artfully presented hummus, pita, and falafel. The food is made inside a metal-clad truck that arrives a half-hour before it opens for business. The intermingling of Mediterranean with Marfa creates the cultured flair appreciated by tourists. Lunch is served in a shaded pavilion dotted with five large tables designed by Donald Judd and donated by the Chinati Foundation.

Contact: foodshark@foodsharkmarfa.com

The eating pavilion for Food Shark Marfa.

A Mediterranean delight from the Food Shark.

The Thunderbird Hotel

Converted from a tired roadside motel, the restored Thunderbird embraces the bare-bones quality of Judd’s interior spaces in Marfa. The hotel offers unique accommodations including typewriter and bicycle rentals and includes stark minimalist furnishing. The hotel also makes an effort to incorporate the work of other artists featured at the Chinati Foundation into the guestroom décor. The Thunderbird marries an original Marfa structure, a Minimalist aesthetic, and the desires of a fine-arts traveler proving Judd’s long-lasting ability to gentrify Marfa.

Thunderbird Hotel
601 West San Antonio
Marfa, TX 79843
Telephone: 432.729.1984
Facsimile: 432.729.1989
reservations@thunderbirdmarfa.com

A guest room at the Thunderbird Hotel.

The exterior at the Thunderbird Hotel.

Sources

Photo Credit 1: Maiya's Restaurant
Photo Credit 2: Food Shark Marfa
Photo Credit 3: Food Shark Marfa
Photo Credit 4: Thunderbird Hotel
Photo Credit 5: Thunderbird Hotel