Las Cruces Dining (Albuquerque, Mesilla: rental car, rental, university)

[dmderosa2k]

I am in Cruces for a few days taking a class at NMSU. Where are the good places to eat? Mexican? Italian? Near the University? Any suggestions are welcome.

[TKO]

Mexican - Chachie's on Locust, Chilitos on Valley & Main, Mariachi's in Mesilla (if you can make it that far)

Italian - Lorenzo's, across University from NMSU sucks IMO. Their pizza is edible if you have to have italian but the rest is awful...green chile lasagna???? I like both those things, just not together.

If you have a rental car I can expand the list some.

[Towanda]

I don't know anything about restaurants in Las Cruces, but if I were visiting there I would ask the locals where I could get the best New Mexican cuisine.

Heck with Mexican or Italian....you can get that kind of food anywhere.

[TKO]

In the southern part of the state there is not as much distinction between Mexican, New Mexican and Spanish as there is up north. The restaurants I listed could all be considered New Mexican as well. It's the style of food we eat here where we grow the chiles. It's different than Alb or SF food.

One of the major distinction I think is the choice of meat with the color of chile. Up north they do beef with red and pork with green. Down here it's the opposite. There are many other differences too, I think the food here is more similar to the food in the "campo" of northern Mexico, Chihuahua state in particular. I find in southern CA their Mexican food reflects Sonora more. Just sayin'.

[dmderosa2k]

I am from Albuquerque so I have my car. I grew up in southern NM and Mexican, New Mexican, Spanish is all the same to me. I want good food, not looking for a specific brand. Just want the best food for the dollar.

[TKO]

LOL. Like I said, not too much of a distinction down here.

Cha Chi's is good and really close. If you've got a bit more time for dinner, take the drive down to Chope's and eat at the bar. You have to at least have the relleno on the side there if you don't get the plate, it's their specialty. It's about 15 miles or so through really nice farmland. Just take Hwy 28 south from Mesilla until La Mesa. It's on the west (right as your going south) and you can't miss it. Well worth the drive.

There really is no good italian food here, there's a new place on N. Telshor that's a la carte. Haven't been myself, but I've been told it's overpriced.

The Mix is upscale asian food and is on University by the Kinko's. There's also an east Indian restaurant in the same strip mall that I hear is good.

If that's not enough I could probably come up with some more. Enjoy!

[ibarrio]

In the southern part of the state there is not as much distinction between Mexican, New Mexican and Spanish as there is up north.

I was about to say that as well. Of course the standards. Nellies and Chopes. Servanos is good as well (almost across from chopes).

None that I mentioned are near the Campus.

[lastra]

TIFFANY'S ( Greek Food ),Near University - 5 Brothers ( Chinese food ), Gardunos ( Mexican ).

[dmderosa2k]

Where is Nellies? We have Gardunos in Albuquerque and my honest opinion is that they are a little over commercialized. I have heard from other people that Nellies is good. I almost ate at Lorenzos but I was waiting to hear if it was any good. I wanted to see if it came up without me asking about it. I am looking forward to getting good food in Juarez by the city market but I think I can try out Nellies first.

[TKO]

Nellie's is on 1226 W. Hadley a block east of Valley. Take University west to Valley and then a couple miles north on Valley then right on Hadley. It's probably the best around along with Chope's, as the other poster said. Problem with Nellie's is they're only open for lunch and it's soooooo packed you either have to go at 10:30 to get a table or wait outside in 100 degree heat until they have a table for you. It is worth it though, I just figured you probably couldn't commit the time if you're having to return to class. If you can do it...do it...it's that good. Red enchie's with an egg over easy. That's the ticket at Nellie's. Making me hungry just thinking about it.

Garduno's = Yuck. I don't know a single person that's gone more than once. At least to eat, they do have a decent happy hour. I think their clientele is mostly people who have just moved here.

Like I said about Lorenzo's the pizza is decent I get the syracuse. The rest garbage, their sauce is sweet and they put raisins in their meatballs. They are consistently busy though, different strokes I suppose.