Eating & Dining in Albuquerque

Eating & Dining in Albuquerque

Albuquerque is a place to enjoy a relatively inexpensive and often casual dining experience, often in an outdoor setting.

New Mexican dining

New Mexican cuisine is unique. Be ready for the question "Red or green?" which refers to the chile based sauce included in or used to smother various menu items. There are constant arguments as to which is hotter, the ripe and often dried red chile, or the immature green chile; however, spiciness depends much more on the strain of pepper and how the chile is prepared rather than the color, and varies greatly by restaurant, so inquire and experiment. Many meals will include sopaipillas, the characteristic New Mexican fry bread, as a side. The characteristic dessert is flan, a type of custard.

Budget

• Acapulco, 840 San Mateo Blvd SE (near the Kirtland AFB Truman Gate), +1 505 268-9865; 2617 Wyoming Blvd NE, +1 505 237-8044. Serves excellent New Mexican cuisine from a stand.
• Church Street Cafe, 2111 Church St NW (in Old Town behind the church), +1 505 247-8522. Th-Sa 8AM-8PM, Su-W 8AM-4PM. A cozy little restaurant with good New Mexican food tucked away down a side alley of Old Town. $6-$15.
• Dos Hermanos, 6211 4th St NW, +1 505 345-4588; 7600 Jefferson NE, +1 505 828-1166; 2435 Wyoming NE, +1 505 294-8945; or 5010 Cutler NE, +1 505 881-2202. M-Sa 7AM-3PM, Su 9AM-3PM (Wyoming location opens at 6:30AM M-Sa, and Cutler location closes at 8PM on Friday and Satruday). Deli-style New Mexican food. Tends towards the spicy side. $5-$9.
• Juan's Broken Taco, 2740 Wyoming Blvd NE (NE corner of Wyoming and Candelaria behind Sandia Area Federal Credit Union and next to Bibles Plus), +1 505 296-5211. M-F 11AM-7:45PM, Sa 11AM-4PM. All plates can be made vegetarian. $3-$8.
• Little Anita's, regional chain, original in Old Town at 2105 Mountain Rd NW, +1 505 242-3102. Daily 7AM-8PM. Consistent, great quality food with great service and atmosphere. Check out the one in Corrales on Alameda and Coors-Bypass. $3-$7.
• Los Cuates, 5016-B Lomas NE, +1 505 268-0974; 4901 Lomas NE, +1 505 255-5079; 8700 Menaul NE, +1 505 237-2800. Every day, 11AM-9PM (4901 Lomas location opens at Noon). 4901 Lomas and Menaul locations are newer facilities and serves milder chile, 5106 Lomas is an authentic diner experience. $4-$10.
• Milly's, 7308 Jefferson St NE, +1 505 345-9200. Flavorful but not-too-hot chile. $3-$8.
• Ortega's, 3617 Wyoming Blvd NE (north of Comanche), +1 505 298-0223. Whole grains, low fat.
• Papa Felipe's Mexican Restaurant, 9800 Menaul Blvd NE, +1 505 292-8877. Every day, 11AM-9PM. Home-cooked authentic New Mexican cuisine since 1977. $5-$10.
• Pericos, 109 Yale Blvd SE (near the intersection of Yale and Central), +1 505 247-2503. Has possibly the most delicious burritos in town.
• Perea's, 5801 Central Ave NE, +1 505 232-9442. Every day, 7AM-2PM. May have the hottest green chile in town.
• Sadie's, 6230 4th St NW, +1 505 345-5339. M-Sa 11AM-10PM, Su 11AM-9PM. Consistent quality. Often a long wait. Hot chile. $5-$9.

Mid-range

• Barelas Coffee House, 1502 4th St SW, +1 505 843-7577. Daily 6AM-3PM. This place, for those who know how to find it (it is tucked in a corner) is a local favorite, serving menudo, chile, and a wide range of other both Mexican and New Mexican foods. They are also locally known for their tea, a blend of chamomile teas, always served hot and fresh. Also, as you are about to pay, make sure and check out the candy table right in front of the cash registers, as you might just spot an old favorite such as Sugar Daddys and Nickle Nips! $12+ (varies on party size, and do tip well. If you come back, the servers will literally run for you!)
• Cervantes, 5801 Gibson Blvd SE, +1 505 262-2253. Excellent menu, ala carte items, full bar, World Record Margarita. Local's favorite!
• Garduño's of Mexico, regional chain, original at 8806 4th Street NW, +1 505 898-2772. M-Th 11AM-9PM, F-Sa 11AM-10PM, Su 11AM-6PM. Consistent, good quality food with some Mexican and Arizonan influence to go with the New Mexican standards. The Garduño's at the airport is one of the better airport restaurants you'll find in the United States; unfortunately, its hours are limited.
• Monroe's, 1520 Lomas NW, +1 505 242-1111; 6051 Osuna NE, +1 505 881-4224. Great carne adovada Indian tacos. $4-$11.

Non-New Mexican dining

Budget

• Bob's Burgers, several locations around town. Daily 10:30AM-9PM. A home-grown chain of burger stands with a New Mexican flair. The ones west of the river are owned by Bob, the ones east of the river by his son-in-law Clifford. Bob makes some of the hottest green chile sauce in the state; Clifford flat out tries to kill you. A "chile-head"'s paradise. Try a foot-long chile-cheese dog with green sauce instead of traditional red.
• The Dog House, 1216 Central Ave SW (in between downtown and Old Town), +1 505 243-1019. Daily, 10AM-10PM. American food, but best known for their grilled foot-long hot dogs. Very recognizable place with its dog neon sign. The dining room is very small, you may want to just eat in your car. Cash only.
• Federico's Mexican Food, 1109 Juan Tabo NE, +1 505 271-6499. Open 24 hours. The place is a little bare-bones, but the food is excellent (and shows the difference between "Mexican" and "New Mexican" cuisine), not to mention cheap. Get a horchata as your drink. $3-$6.
• Frontier Restaurant, 2400 Central Ave SE (at Central & Cornell), +1 505 266-0550. Daily 5AM-1AM. One of the most popular restaurants in Albuquerque, a big hangout for the college students at UNM. Good American & New Mexican food, the breakfast burrito here is one of the best in Albuquerque. Casual atmosphere. If you can't make it to the Frontier, you can go to one of the several Golden Pride chain places around Albuquerque, which is owned by the same family and serves much of the same food. $2-$9.
• Grandma's K and I diner, 2500 Broadway Blvd SE, +1 505 243-1881. Enjoy some authentic Albuquerque cuisine, restaurant is best known for serving a fry covered, football sized burrito called the Travis. They can be ordered in eighths, quarters, halves or whole; consumption of an entire travis is sometimes used as a fraternity hazing. The breakfast skillet meals are wonderful.
• Lee's Bakery, 230-C Louisiana Blvd SE, +1 505 232-0085. Excellent Vietnamese sandwiches. Get the #6, grilled pork on a French style baguette with French-inspired style mayo (aioli), cucumber, cilantro, strips of pickled carrots, and slices of jalapenos. Bakery also carries various Vietnamese desserts, steamed sweet/glutinous rice with mung beans, and Vietnamese steamed pork sausages.
• Pho #1, 414 San Pedro Dr SE, +1 505 268-0488. Pho: Vietnamese noodle soup. Also grilled pork / chicken / beef noodle bowl and rice plates. Great friendly service. Don't miss the Vietnamese cold coffee with condensed milk.
• Que Huong, 7010 Central Ave SE, +1 505 262-0575. Vietnamese.
• Route 66 Malt Shop, 1720 Central SW. Exceptional home-made root beer, burgers, floats, etc. $3-$6.
• Rudy's Country Store and BBQ, 2321 Carlisle NE, +1 505 884-4000; 10136 Coors NW, +1 505 890-7113. Daily, 10AM-10PM. Casual, relaxed, and wonderful self-serve BBQ. Don't miss the beef brisket! $3-$6.
• Saggio's Pizza, 107 Cornell Dr SE (at Central & Cornell, across the street from the Frontier), +1 505 255-5454. Su-Th 8AM-10PM, F-Sa 8AM-11PM. Some of the best pizza in Albuquerque. The atmosphere is wonderful, with statues, murals, plants, and televisions everywhere. There is a sports bar in here, but the place is still very kid-friendly.
• 66 Diner, 1405 Central Ave NE (between I-25 and University Boulevard), +1 505 247-1421. M-F 11AM-11PM, Sa 8AM-11PM, Su 8AM-10PM. A Route 66 themed restaurant serving classic American dishes. Big portions, great atmosphere. $5-$9.

Mid-range

• Bangkok Cafe, 5901 Central Ave NE +1 505 255.5036. M-Th 11AM-9PM, F 11AM-9:30PM, Sa Noon-9:30PM, Su Noon-9PM. Some of the best Thai food in town! The larb (meat salad), chicken and basil, and yellow curry are excellent! Basic divey atmosphere but the food can't be beat. $4-$12.
• Cajun Kitchen, 4500 Osuna Rd NE, +1 505 344-5355. Good Cajun food.
• County Line BBQ, Tramway Blvd at Tramway Rd, +1 505 856-7477. Spectacular views of the city from the picture windows in the main dining area. For weekend dining, be prepared to wait a bit. Good Texas-style BBQ, relaxed atmosphere and large portions for your dollar. $10-$20.
• Dion's, multiple locations. Su- Th, 10:30AM-10PM, F-Sa, 10:30AM-11PM. Best pizza in Albuquerque? They also have sandwiches.
• India Palace, 4410 Wyoming NE, +1 505 271-5009. Indian.
• Flying Star Cafe, multiple locations. Su-Th 6AM-10PM, F-Sa 6AM-11PM. Wide variety of salads, sandwiches, entrees, New Mexican food, and superb desserts. Rated 'Best Bakery' in Albuquerque. Daily and weekly specials. Free wi-fi. Vast selection of magazines. $3-$11.
• Ninja Sushi, 6205 Montgomery Blvd, +1 505 830-2507. Innovative, "avant garde" sushi and Japanese food. Wide selection of sushi and sashimi.
• Pars Persian Cuisine, 4320 The 25 Way, Suite 100, +1 505 345-5156. M-Th 11AM-9PM, F-Sa 11AM-10PM, Su 5PM-9PM. Persian. Cushion seating available, bellydancing on weekend nights. Hookah available for rental. Wonderful Persian classics. $4-$20.
• Rasoi, 110 Yale Blvd SE (just south of Central), +1 505 268-5327. Lunch daily 11:30AM-2:30PM, Dinner daily 5PM-9PM. An excellent Indian restaurant with a lovely atmosphere and delicious food. The dishes are referred to by their actual Indian names. You can order from the menu, or you can go for the buffet (all you can eat, around $9). $8-$18.
• Slate Street Cafe, 515 Slate NW, +1 505 243-2210. Breakfast/Lunch M-F, 7:30AM–3PM, Brunch Sa, 8AM–2PM, Wine Loft W–Sa 4PM-10PM, Dinner Tu–Th 5PM-9PM, F–Sa 5PM-10PM. American. They have a nice wine list and a wine bar loft too.
• Taj Mahal, 1430 Carlisle Blvd NE, +1 505 255-1994. Lunch 11AM-2:30PM, Dinner 5PM-10PM. Indian. $3-$15.
• Thai Tip 1512 Wyoming NE, +1 505 323-7447. Thai. Loyal local following, and for good reason. Friendly owners and relaxed atmosphere.

Upmarket

• Artichoke Cafe, 424 Central SE (corner of Central & Edith), +1 505 243-0200. American. Great creamy artichoke soup, the salmon is great. Good ambience. $9-$30.
• Emilie's French Restaurant, 6209 Montgomery NE, +1 505 881-8104. Lunch Tu-Sa 11AM-2PM, Dinner Tu-Sa 5PM-9PM. French.
• Eurasia Bistro, 10701 Montgomery NE (just west of Juan Tabo), +1 505 299-9898. Japanese with European influence. Large portions, excellent sushi and sashimi. The ceviche is not to be missed.
• High Finance, atop Sandia Peak, +1 505 243-9742 (reservations advised). American. You pay for the view as well as the food, but it's an interesting experience. Lunch and dinner 7 days. $7-$29.
• The Rancher's Club, Albuquerque Hilton, 1901 University Blvd. NE, +1 505 889-8071. Lunch, Tu-F 11:30AM-2PM, Dinner M-Th 5:30PM-10PM, F-Sa 5:30PM-10:30PM, Su 5:30PM-9PM. The Rancher's Club is a repeat winner of the prestigious DiRoNA Award. The only AAA 4 Diamond Award Winner in Albuquerque. "American" cuisine, serving prime aged beef, seafood and poultry grilled over aromatic woods.
• Terra American Bistro, 1119 Alameda Blvd. NE, +1 505 792-1700. Lunch Tu-F 11AM-2PM, Dinner Tu-Sa 5:30PM-close. American. $7-$25.
• Tucanos Brazilian Grill, 110 Central Ave SW, +1 505 246-9900. Excellent salad bar, and a variety of meats brought to your table. $12(lunch)/$20(dinner) per person, all you can eat.
• Zinc Wine Bar and Bistro, 3009 Central Ave. NE, +1 505 254-9462 (reservations advised). Lunch M-F 11AM-2:30PM, Dinner M-Th 5PM-10PM, F-Sa 5PM-11PM, Sunday brunch 11AM-2:30PM. Located in Nob Hill, Zinc is pleasant and well-appointed inside. American cuisine, with a touch of French; excellent appetizers. Don't miss the wine bar and jazz in the basement. $8-$27.

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