Favorite New Mexican Restaurants (Albuquerque, Santa Fe: high school, move to, license)

[jazzlover]

Northern New Mexico food is a delight. As others have said, IT'S NOT TEX-MEX (thank God)! My idea of heaven is stacked (not rolled) green chile enchiladas with a fried egg on top. You know you're in northern New Mexico when you order enchiladas and the waitperson asks "Red or green?" and "Do you want an egg with that?"

My favorite restaurant in northern New Mexico for years was Vera's in Chama. For many years, she had a small restaurant on the south side of town. Some people said the food wasn't quite as good when she built a new, larger restaurant farther south of the main part of Chama. I liked the atmosphere at the old restaurant better, but the food stayed good when she moved to the new one. Unfortunately, Vera passed away a couple of years ago and her family decided not to keep the restaurant open. Too bad, but I don't think anyone could have done it as well as Vera. She was an institution.

I would also second that Blake's Lot-A-burgers have good burgers. You know you're in one of them when you order a burger and they ask, "Do you want green chile on that?" Yes, of course. Their milk shakes are pretty good, too.

[EnjoyEP]

Originally Posted by onelilredrose

I have only found ONE restaurant that serves REAL Gorditas...that is Papa Nachos in Albuquerque off Paseo Del Norte. I grew up with a Mexican-national stepmother that would make real gorditas...kinda like stuffed sopapillas, but made with corn tortillas instead of flour and a "cooked so tender it pulls-apart" beef. ohhhhh...my mouth is watering!

Hey onelilredrose -

I LOVE gorditas! And unlike in El Paso (where the food is typically Mexican...not New Mexican of course) where gorditas are available all over, sometimes in Albuquerque they are hard to find...thanks so much for this tip!! I will be sure to check out Papa Nachos to eat some gorditas!

I know this is slightly off topic as this is more Mexican cuisine (Norteno) rather than New Mexican...but RUBEN'S MEXICAN GRILL...on Eubank and Candelaria - a small place with incredible food - also serves gorditas which are good as any I have ever eaten! He also does serve some great New Mexican items like Breakfast Burritos and the like in addition to his Mexican cuisine (including mariscos).

[onelilredrose]

Thanks for the additional restaurant on the gorditas! I love New Mexican cuisine, but I gotta have my Mexican fix every now and then!

[adam_2010]

Dude the best NM food is at Ranchos Plaza Grill in Taos.

[uggabugga]

Originally Posted by cbill

Rancho de Chimayo Restaurant --
Ah, the memories:
Best atmosphere in the world (climatalogically and culinarily speaking).
Go there in September or early October.
Eat in the patio / garden. Wear a sweater.
Bon appetit!

i agree, great place. i swear it used to be better a few years ago, i don't know what happened. their tortilla soup used to be out of this world, now it's merely - good.

[tito]

Originally Posted by onelilredrose

Thanks for the additional restaurant on the gorditas! I love New Mexican cuisine, but I gotta have my Mexican fix every now and then!

Come on! You find "Gorditas" all over Mexico because Mexicans invented them. There is no such a thing as "New Mexico cuisine", which is a bland, less spicy version of Mexican cuisine. All the New Mexican dishes are found in Mexico in their original form. A lady from Norway who writes in this forum and doest know the history of the Americas, insisted that the difference between the foods of New Mexico and Mexico were the same as the difference between German and Italian foods, which come from two different races. I would say that the difference between New Mexico and Mexican food is more likely between Norway's and Sweden's (both Vikings). It's funny, the American Indians from New Mexico prefer the original Mexican cuisine because and they know that the white men modified it to please their taste.

[InTheDesert]

Has anyone ever been to "The Double Eagle" in Mesilla? It is in the plaza. The atmosphere is awesome! Beautiful 1800's wood-work, paintings, etc. They have a solarium and an old bar, tons of different rooms and I hear a couple are haunted.

The best time to eat there is brunch in my opinion. I think it is something like $20 or so a person. They have an amazing buffet with tons of New Mexican delights, plus fresh fruit, a chef who makes omelets, etc. on the spot, and they have a champagne toast.

If you ever passing through little Mesilla make sure to stop and check them out and then go for a stroll on the plaza! Some beautiful old buildings there too! If you go to the "History" section on their site there are pics of some of the rooms. Website:

http://www.double-eagle-mesilla.com/

[tito]

"INTHEDESERT" Is quiet right, I was there exactly two weeks ago, after the brunch you can go store shopping for souvenirs, there are lots of stores and the prices are lower than in Santa Fe. The plaza is a very relaxing spot and you don't see the hordes of tourists like in the Northern towns of NM.

[ibarrio]

Chopes
Nellies

[InTheDesert]

OK guys, got the in-laws coming in this weekend and since we have to go to Albq. to pick them up we want to do a nice "New Mexican" dinner in Albuquerque.

Where would be a good place to take the family? We want good New Mexican food and a nice setting. DH does not like Gardunos or whatever that place is called. I saw a lot of places mentioned but I need a place that is nice too with drinks!

Any other ideas? Not super fancy because we will be taking the tram at Sandia and be hiking around out there first.