ABQ Restaurants (Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Cedar Crest: racist, free, boat)

[Brixy]

Enjoyed brunch aka breakfast at Farm and Table (up on 4th between Paseo and Alameda) this past weekend. Morning weather was cool enough to sit outside--way relaxing. Nice to see some of the produce you're consuming growing only a stone's throw from your table.

Shared the garden omelet and French toast..yumm! The omelet was great--the chorizo inside was excellent, really fresh, and the veggies were prepared correctly--cut well and a perfect degree of crispness--the little peas inside were really good. French toast was a humongous portion, 3 slices cut into 6 pieces, very good too--we were stuffed. As for the java, excellent and they kept the refills coming.

Prices weren't inordinately high, the atmosphere wasn't pretentious and the service was good. We left the place feeling very content.

[NMHacker]

Originally Posted by Brixy

Prices weren't inordinately high, the atmosphere wasn't pretentious and the service was good. We left the place feeling very content.

I've been wanting to try this place but the reviews of the service, management and ownership have kept me away. For the prices they are charging I want good service which seems to be the biggest complaints I've read and heard.

[Brixy]

I didn't check any reviews prior. We just showed up Saturday morning around 10:00 without a reservation. I had been there once before on Cinco de Mayo for a friend's folkart/music festival that was being held on the grounds and wanted to come back to try the food. It's a pretty plot of land.

Now that I think back on it, the hostess was a bit stiff about us not having made a reservation, but there was a decent amount of outdoor seating, so getting a table wasn't a problem. I dunno, I'm pretty relaxed and shrug off those things, but the service was good. At least the the staff that I dealt with and saw seemed to be putting in the necessary effort to ensure that the peeps on the patio were having a pleasant meal. Can't really comment on what lunch or dinner is like there, but the prices for breakfast for example are basically the same as a place like Wecks.

[BikeFriendly]

I ate at El Charrito almost daily while I was staying in a hotel nearby and apartment hunting. I thought the food was excellent. HUGE portions which I never could finish. Now that I've lived here 8 months, I'd still declare it my favorite NM restaurant in town even though I never travel that way for food.

[Zandyman]

Originally Posted by abqandrea

So tell me your favorite Mac's Steak in the Rough story. I'm curious. Such a fascinating place with all the love/hate normally reserved for Los Betos (Cesar's) or Griff's....

I lived here with just my Mom back in the early '70s, up until she remarried and we moved when I was in 5th grade. Some of my earliest memories are stopping there for steak fingers for me and limeade for her. I don't so much remember it as being 'good' but there's a definite happy nostalgia associated with the place.

We also used to go to arbys, where you go to choose roast beef sandwiches and potato cakes, because that's what they had. That's ALL they had.

-Z

[Poncho_NM]

Chipotle Mexican Grill
6810 Menual Blvd, Albuquerque, NM
WEBSITE: http://www.chipotle.com















We stopped by Albuquerque's first "Chipotle Mexican Grill" to try it out. It was crowded on the Thursday afternoon at 12:40 PM. It only took 6 minutes to get our meal, the staff appeared well trained. We ordered one Carnitas Burrito, Chips and Salsa and two small Cokes. The Burrito was large, had Carnitas, rice and black beans. The meat, rice and beans were good quality, and what I considered to be properly prepared. I grew up on rice and beans. I normally will not eat burrito's with rice in them. The chips which come in a paper bag and cold... People have various tastes for salsa, but the approximately 2 ounces of salsa was not to our liking. The seating arrangements were tight and the entire restaurant was noisy. The noise levels were probably the worst part of the eating experience. There are some small tables outside, but they were all occupied, some were in the hot sun. I have no doubt many will like Chipotle's Mexican Grill as it has been a success at other locations and a new one is being built in Albuquerque. There are too many fine restaurants in the area which we have been enjoying for over twelve years. Chipotle's is not one my wife or I will likely return to.

[rwjoyak]

I'm not a big fan of Chipotle either, dating from when we lived in California several years ago. For fast Mexican food think both Qdoba and Baja Fresh are quite a bit better. The ambiance in the Chipotles we have tried is very poor - seems like they're trying to get you in and out as fast as possible. And you're exactly right, Rich, about the chips and salsa being poor.

That being said, they're already expanding in ABQ, with another location going up on Alameda just north of the Cottonwood Mall. Also heard the other day that another 5 Guys is going in at the same location. Sure hope these chains don't drive the local places out of business, guess I'll have to do my part to eat locally to make up for any business they are losing. Tough job but someone's gotta do it.

[Poncho_NM]

Originally Posted by rwjoyak

That being said, they're already expanding in ABQ, with another location going up on Alameda just north of the Cottonwood Mall. Also heard the other day that another 5 Guys is going in at the same location.

Yes, been watching the construction. It's on the south side of Alameda in front of Jason's Deli and Lowes.

[pams73]

Originally Posted by rwjoyak

I'm not a big fan of Chipotle either, dating from when we lived in California several years ago. For fast Mexican food think both Qdoba and Baja Fresh are quite a bit better. The ambiance in the Chipotles we have tried is very poor - seems like they're trying to get you in and out as fast as possible. And you're exactly right, Rich, about the chips and salsa being poor.

That being said, they're already expanding in ABQ, with another location going up on Alameda just north of the Cottonwood Mall. Also heard the other day that another 5 Guys is going in at the same location. Sure hope these chains don't drive the local places out of business, guess I'll have to do my part to eat locally to make up for any business they are losing. Tough job but someone's gotta do it.

We have a Chipotle here as well, and I have been exactly once. I loved the "real" food I had when I lived in NM, and this was definitely NOT it. Granted, where I live now has a very low threshold for what they consider "good" Mexican food, but I keep remembering the wonderful flavors of NM.

[Chilewhisperer]

Duran's Station is always good, except soapas only on wednesday's and Friday's. locate 4201 Menual NE, no reservations needed. 505-830-0007