Favorite Las Cruces Restaurants (Albuquerque, Alamogordo: mall, best, locations)

[mike0421]

Originally Posted by tecpatl

Are you guys talking about the newish place, the Rib Cage, just north of Main/Picacho?
We got some ribs, brisket and pulled pork there a few days ago to check it out. Quality was good, sauce was good (if stingy in our takeout cup) and I'll go back for sure. Plus, it's a lot closer than Sunland Park.
You're right about State Line being a good spot, though ribs from there have been uneven in my last few visits. Just a bit further down 10 (at Artcraft, I think ) there is a Rudy's BBQ which is also pretty good.
I always want to like the ribs from Ranchway on Valley, but they always seem to disappoint. The Mex food there is fine though.

That would be the one. It was over 20 bucks for two small kids and my wife. I think I shared off of the three plates. Two of them were macaroni and cheese. Just too expensive.

Speaking of expensive, you'd be happy to hear that my sister bought me a gift certificate to Cattleman's Indian Cliffs for my xmas present. I didn't even bring it up to her, it was totally by initiative. We are headed over there tomorrow. Any recommendations on what I should order?

[brendiej]

I am usually disappointed in NM food outside of Santa Fe. There is not enough heat in the red or green. The closest to a perfect hot red is El Comedor, but the restroom makes me want to cry when I have to go.
The Little Diner in Canutillo is worth a visit if you like gorditas.

[Spoonman]

I had a great lunch at La Posta once and have heard good things about the High Desert Brewing Company.

Has anyone ever eaten at the Herbal Hand in Mesilla?

[kathleenssal]

Yes, this place was fabulous! Sitting on the roof top with a bottle of wine and watching the Organ mountains! Too bad it closed.
There is another place that is very nice - great bar with bartenders that know how to mix a drink - with some reasonable California wine selections.
It's called RISOTTOS and is next to the Mesilla Valley Mall.

[brendiej]

Today my husband I went to High Desert Brewery...
Great things: super waitress and the beer was worth the visit
Bad things: pretty dingy little place, but the worst is that it is New Mexico and people EXPECT you to know green and red chile. DON"T BOTHER WITH EITHER. The food was not at all on the scale of even mediocre. The french fries were OK, so eat before you go and have some fries and beer. Another bad thing was the older lady behind the bar; she was short and seemed angry with her patrons.
In a nutshell: go for a beer and you will leave happy

[fnord]

I have to say High Desert makes one of the most fantastic (and one of the only) veggie burgers in Cruces. I go about once a month - a treat to myself. I don't drink beer often, but their beer is damn good. Once in a while I get a growler to go, 9 bucks. I've ordered the sweet potato fries a couple times and they were way too greasy, so I stick with plain fries.

I do agree with you on the "dingy little place". It is far too small for the level of popularity that place has. If I go, it's usually early on a Sunday afternoon because every other time it's just packed and I hate that.

If the older lady behind the bar is the one I'm thinking of, she makes me feel nervous and unwelcome. Twice she has given me a strange look when I ask to sit out on the patio, like I'm doing something wrong or I shouldn't be there. All the rest of the staff is awesome.

I have a suspicion that as Downtown comes back to life High Desert will relocate somewhere along the Downtown Mall, and I think that would be a very smart move.

[brendiej]

Interesting, fnord. I will try again on a Sunday. My husband thought about the growler, but the mean woman intimidated us and we left. You are absolutely right about the other staff, the waitress was so friendly and very attentive.
It would be nice to see something nicer come out of their modest beginning, so I will hope they can fix things up soon.

[mike0421]

Originally Posted by fnord

I have to say High Desert makes one of the most fantastic (and one of the only) veggie burgers in Cruces. I go about once a month - a treat to myself. I don't drink beer often, but their beer is damn good. Once in a while I get a growler to go, 9 bucks. I've ordered the sweet potato fries a couple times and they were way too greasy, so I stick with plain fries.

I do agree with you on the "dingy little place". It is far too small for the level of popularity that place has. If I go, it's usually early on a Sunday afternoon because every other time it's just packed and I hate that.

If the older lady behind the bar is the one I'm thinking of, she makes me feel nervous and unwelcome. Twice she has given me a strange look when I ask to sit out on the patio, like I'm doing something wrong or I shouldn't be there. All the rest of the staff is awesome.

I have a suspicion that as Downtown comes back to life High Desert will relocate somewhere along the Downtown Mall, and I think that would be a very smart move.

If they moved just about anywhere from their current location, that would be a smart move! Well, maybe not Vado...

[gabygirl]

Originally Posted by kathleenssal

Yes, this place was fabulous! Sitting on the roof top with a bottle of wine and watching the Organ mountains! Too bad it closed.
There is another place that is very nice - great bar with bartenders that know how to mix a drink - with some reasonable California wine selections.
It's called RISOTTOS and is next to the Mesilla Valley Mall.

And now Risotto's has shut down too....

[kathleenssal]

hey gabygirl

I heard that Meson de Mesilla has been bought and will re open in May!!

Yes, tears for Risottos. It was busy every time I went in but I think too many staff and perhaps not managed well. My last drink there was prepared by someone NOT AT ALL a bartender so I knew things were not good.

The new pizza place and bread bakery is very good! Always busy. It's on Water on the Water side of the downtown mall.