Favorite New Mexican Restaurants (Albuquerque, Santa Fe: work, home, college)

[Un Hombre]

If your ever in Santa Rosa, NM stop by the Commet and have some blue corn chicken enchalladas. We eat there evertime we go home to visit! There's noting like them across the other 49 states!

[snomom2000]

I LOVE Little Anita's! Garduno's is my second favorite.

We are currently in Virginia, the Washington DC area, and saw a restaurant called Anita's New Mexican Cuisine. We heard that Nachos there come with a processed cheese slice ontop of some chips.

[nmguy]

Just got back from a delicious steak dinner in Albuquerque at the Monte Carlo Steakhouse, on Central just over the Rio Grande.

The place has been around for a while --35 years-- and looks it. The food, however, is superb and reasonably priced.

We had a Greek appetizer that was tasty and filling. Apparently, the owner is from Greece.

The service was attentive, the steaks were cooked just as we had requested, and we left with smiles on our faces.

It was out first trip there; I'm looking forward to many more.

[Chaparral]

Originally Posted by nmguy

Just got back from a delicious steak dinner in Albuquerque at the Monte Carlo Steakhouse, on Central just over the Rio Grande.

The place has been around for a while --35 years-- and looks it. The food, however, is superb and reasonably priced.

We had a Greek appetizer that was tasty and filling. Apparently, the owner is from Greece.

The service was attentive, the steaks were cooked just as we had requested, and we left with smiles on our faces.

It was out first trip there; I'm looking forward to many more.

nmguy, sounds like you enjoyed the Monte Carlo as much as I do when I go. I'm glad you looked past the "unnappealing exterior" to try these guys out. The folks who grill the steaks there are truly artists...

Chap

[bigduly]

Originally Posted by Chaparral

Hadn't seen anyone post to this thread for awhile, so I thought I'd throw a few more out for consideration!

Gallup: Check out El Sombrero. My wife grew up in Gallup, and she insists on having either lunch or dinner there whenever we pass through. She has even asked the owner for their green chile sauce recipe, but they won't reveal their "secret recipe" . Pretty good food overall.

Albuquerque: These places don't necessarily serve "New Mexican" food, but are locally owned and some of the more distinctive places to eat around town...

The Frontier restaurant (across from UNM): THE university area restaurant. Good food, always busy (open 24 hours), attracts people from every segment of the city. Be sure to try one of their famous butter and sugar laden "Frontier rolls" (sweet rolls) if you think your arteries can stand it!

Monte Carlo Steak House (Central & Atrisco): be forewarned, this place has "dive" written all over it (including the package liquor store located at the front of the building). The inside is pretty dark too. But in ABQ, you cannot beat this place for great steaks! Best in the city, period.

Chap

I agree El Sombrero in Gallup is the best place. There Stuff Sopapilla is Great and Smother it with Red Chile. Mmmm!!!

[Chaparral]

Originally Posted by 1of3

Hi All,
Being a bit of a good dining experience fan, I found this forum refreshing. Usually when I travel I look for dishes that are unique to the area. Which Brings me to Lucy's Mexicali Restaurant in Carlsbad, NM. There is also one in “t” town (Artesia, NM). The last I hear they were supposed to open one in UFO Town (Roswell). The meal is called “Asado” It is red pork chilly, usually served in a bowl or as a burrito. Asado is very common at most places including the Alsups’ C stores in Carlsbad. However I have not found this dish anywhere outside of the S.E. corner of NM.

I would be tempted to classify this dish as authentic South Western. But maybe it is best to classify it as a Eddy Co. phenomenon. Any opinions on Asado? One thing I learned from the locals was that Asado is NOT chili con carne, the only difference being pork vs. beef. Go figure. All the same I found Asado to be a tasty if not addictive meal, as I make it a point to eat it every time I am in Carlsbad.

Don't know why but I just noticed this post today.

Anyway, this "asado" dish you describe sounds suspiciously like what I know as "carne adovada", basically pork marinated/cooked in red chile. Tasty and addictive no matter what you call it!

Chap

[nmguy]

Chaparral,

Like you, I'm an aficionado of Mexican and New Mexican foods.

From what I know, asada is grilled beef --usually flank steak or "carne arrachera". Carne adovada is pork combined with red chiles and lots of spices. It gets its name because it's the color of adobe.

Either way, they're both delicious.

BTW, if you're a BBQ aficionado, go to your local carnicería and ask for some carne arrachera preparada (marinated, thinly-sliced, flank steak). Throw it on the grill, chop it up, and put it inside a warmed up tortilla. Add some salsa, onions, cilantro, and lemon juice, and you've got yourself a tasty treat.

[pchavez]

I recently moved to the Pacific Northwest from Albuquerque, NM. There is no other kind of spicy food that compares with NM food!! I am a native of NM and I do miss the green chile here. We can cook most of the dishes we are familier with except for the ones that require green. We brought some with us frozen and use it very sparingly. Relatives are setting us up with a " chile connection" and hope that works for us. Does anyone know of a New Mexico style of cooking dining place up here? There are lots of Mexican food places but for the most part don't bear much of a resemblance to what we like. We have even thought of opening our own place and introduce this cuisine to the locals. Bet they would love it!!! People come from all over to partake in good New Mexican food while visiting that state, I'll bet they would go for it here.

[humster]

Since I loooove food I had to post...

Favorite New Mexican (albuquerque)- No one has mentioned La Salita, which has the best cheese in the world. Only open weekdays! For atmosphere I like El Patio (can be hot!) and El Pinto (beautiful).

Favorite restaurants overall- Chens on Juan Tabo and I-40 (chinese), Shogun in Nob Hill (Sushi), Olympia Cafe in Nob Hill (Greek), Capo's Hideaway, downtown (Italian), The Ranchers Club for a fancy, expensive night out (steaks), Venizia's (pizza)

Wish we had/I miss: more tapas, good German food, real Philly cheeseteaks, good seafood like New England (not possible, I know)

I'm really excited to check out all these other recommendations! Any more???

My side of the Red/Green debate...yummy, fresh roasted GREEN! But I love both.

[Firecracker]

From east to west:

Tucumcari:
Dinner- Dean's Restaurant (Green enchiladas...Kind of Tex Mexy but good)

Taos:
Breakfast- Taos Diner (Chorizo and eggs with green chili and a big flour tortilla)
Lunch- Tims Stray Dog Cantina, Taos Ski Valley (Excellent green chili cheeseburgers)
Dinner- Old Blinking Light (Steaks, fish tacos, green chili stew, calabacitas, great atmosphere + wine shop)

Gallup:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner- Ranch Kitchen (If you're snowed in for two days on I-40 like I was) (Navajo Tacos, lamb stew, steaks, great breakfasts)

Four Corners Area:
Durango, Co:
Lunch & Dinner- Francisco's- (Everythings good... I'm particularly fond of the carne adovada)
Farquahrts Pizza Mia- (Great Pizza, Cold Beer)

Greer, Az:
La Salsa at Sunrise Park Ski Resort, Midway Lodge (Excellent giant burritos, you can also get some great indian tacos at the resort)

Show Low, Az:
Lunch & Dinner- Licano's (Tasty Mexican food, good bar)