Best Dessert? (Albuquerque, Bernalillo: buy, casino, to live in)

[jrod2828]

I didn't even mention my sweet tooth. I am a sugar fanatic. My wife has finally realized that is one part of me that she can't change. We often head out on weekday evenings just to hit a restaurant we've never been to just to get dessert and a drink. I LOVE dessert. Some of my favorite desserts are soapapillas and mexican fried ice cream. This place in Indy called Chi Chi's had the best but they went out of business. I haven't been able to find a replacement ever since. So I'm thinking this trip may be my chance. So my question is this... which restaurant in ABQ has the best soapapillas and/or mexican fried ice cream?

[mortimer]

https://www.city-data.com/forum/new-m...nalillo-2.html

Nuff said.

Have a coconut cream pie for me.

<or>

Key Lime pie

<or>

..... aw heck, *you* pick the pie!

[penelopelp]

I agree with the Flying Star endorsement, although you won't find sopapillas or fried ice cream there. Regarding fried ice cream, does anybody know how authentic that is? I used to eat it all the time in Los Angeles, but my bf said that he never saw it when he lived in Mexico.

We went to Los Equipales yesterday evening. They have really, really good flan.
http://www.nmgastronome.com/abq/mexican/equipales.htm

[_yb]

The flying star in Bernalillo is done building wise. They still have not opened it yet. It's getting real close.

The Range in Bernalillo also has a good dessert selection.

[EnjoyEP]

Originally Posted by jrod2828

This place in Indy called Chi Chi's had the best but they went out of business.

Jrod, good Lord are your taste buds in for a treat in Albuquerque!!

You know I think you are a great fellow, so take my good-natured ribbing for just that - very good natured ribbing. But holy cow, man, we had Chi Chi's up here in Milwaukee, and holy cow do they not even hold a candle to what you get in ABQ. Don't get me wrong...when 'Chi's still existed and prior to my ABQ residency, I made a few good-hearted runs to Chi Chi's as well. However, NOTHING CC's could give you would even come close the authentically or the delicious nature that is *real* Mexican / New Mexican cuisine in ABQ.

(A very popular drive time talk show host on ABQ's biggest station - 770 KKOB - Jim Villaneuci - used to live in Ohio. They had Chi Chi's there too. I have died of laughing more than once at 'Nuc's open mocking of Chi Chi's.)

Trust me jrod, I am just giving you heck here and totally used to do Chi Chi's like crazy, but once you settle into ABQ dom, you would never want to go back!!

Originally Posted by jrod2828

I LOVE dessert. Some of my favorite desserts are soapapillas and mexican fried ice cream. I haven't been able to find a replacement ever since. So I'm thinking this trip may be my chance. So my question is this... which restaurant in ABQ has the best soapapillas and/or mexican fried ice cream?

My first reaction to the "dessert" question is what mortimer also suggested:

Originally Posted by mortimer

https://www.city-data.com/forum/new-m...nalillo-2.html

Nuff said.

My only caveat is like others have noted, the Flying Star isn't for sopapillas. For more "conventional" deserts though, it is hard to beat.

My other note is that the FS has like 4 or 5 "metro area" locations, and you can go to any of them - the quality is great in them all. My personal favorites are the one Downtown, the one on Rio Grande (the most favorite one) and the one on Juan Tabo and Montgomery. Heck, pretty much any of them!!

Originally Posted by penelopelp

Regarding fried ice cream, does anybody know how authentic that is? I used to eat it all the time in Los Angeles, but my bf said that he never saw it when he lived in Mexico.

Not very if at all.

I still remember the Chi Chi's cheesy chain commercials singing "I-I-I I, I-I-ah-Icream"...terrible.

It IS delicious (when done well) but more of an American creation. I am with Jrod here...it can be so well done. But it is more of American thing (like fajitas).

Originally Posted by penelopelp

We went to Los Equipales yesterday evening. They have really, really good flan.
http://www.nmgastronome.com/abq/mexican/equipales.htm

Good call penelope. Jrod, take fried ice cream out of your wish list and insert "flan"...more of a Mexican desert than New Mexican, but it is a common Mexican desert and soooo good. Carmelized custard (not frozen custard, real custard)...excellent.

Pronounced "flon"...

Fried ice cream is going to be next-to-impossible to find on ABQ restaurant menus.

Originally Posted by _yb

The flying star in Bernalillo is done building wise. They still have not opened it yet. It's getting real close.

The Range in Bernalillo also has a good dessert selection.

Good call by _yb. Even again, if the Bernallio location isn't finished, again, there are 4 or 5 other metro area locations that you can pick from - all perfect.

And darnit all, I forgot to recommend the Range Cafe for dinner. That is another great, great call. Dessert at the Range would also be great.

For sopapillas, most any New Mexican restaurant in ABQ has them (usually free of charge after the meal)...and yes, they are incredible. One of the "staples" of ABQ dining. In fact, I don't think you'd find a better city in the USA for sopapillas than ABQ - it is kind of an ABQ thing.

Sadies and El Pinto both would have 'em. Throw some honey on those sizzling hot-out-of-the-fryer-fatty-goodnesses and you'll be in heaven.

Other good places for sopapillas I have gone are Los Cuates, Garcias (both with multiple locations), Papa Felipe's.

If you like sopapillas, Albuquerque is the city for you. (Honey bottles are usually mandated on tables in NM restaurants for simply this reason!!).

[ksbyndsea]

I consider sopapillas as the bread with my combo plate sans honey, I never consider them desert.

[yukon]

The Range Cafe - Death by Lemon. It's to die for. The Life by Chocolate is a very close second - yum! The coconut cream pie is not so hot however. For coconut cream pie, go to Flying Star. Although their cake soaked in orange juice with the strawberries is awesome too.

Yes, I admit it, some friends and I are making our way through Albuquerque, dessert by dessert.

[ABQ in 2008]

I don't know about the sopapillas or fried ice cream either, but when I made my trip to check out ABQ, the desserts at Flying Star were calling my name when I walked in. If you want to be tempted, they even show some of the desserts on the website: flyingstarcafe.com Click on "specials" and scroll down.
By the way, a big Thank You! to everyone for suggestions on this message forum. I have been reading for a few months and learning a lot, but never posted.

[abqsunport]

Well, first, if you love Sopapillas, you are in luck because they were invented in New Mexico. However, do not think you are going to get those jokes with Cinnamon Sugar or anything like that. For fried ice-cream, you can go to Gardunos. Some of the locals don't like it too much, but I like it alright. I think it is better than El Pinto. The Range and Flying Star all have good deserts. Perhapsa stop at a local bakery would give a good variety of deserts.

Perhaps a dinner at Sandia Casino (preferably the restaurant at the top) would be a nice treat. Very pricy though.

[trappedinNM]

There is a Flying Star on Paseo and Wyoming which is quite close to the Nativo. Take San Antonio east (toward the mountain) to Wyoming, then north to Paseo. It is on the corner. The homemade ice cream at County Line is great, and the views are spectacular. It is near the base of the tram. They have great BBQ by the way. The cherry cobbler at Rudy's is worth the drive, and they have great food as well. All of the chains have their version of Death by Chocolate - take your pick. If you are set on fried ice cream, Gardunos, Los Cuates, and El Pinto all have a reasonable version.

For my money, here is the best dessert: Stop at Costco and buy the $10 frozen Key Lime pie (it is fantastic). Grab a thermos of coffee, and head for the foothills. Hike up White Wash. Twenty to thirty minutes up should do it. Find a rock, cut the pie, pour the Joe, and watch the sunset. If you see a nutty couple with three kids doing the same thing, that is me and the family. Don't forget to take your trash. My kids love "pie night" in the foothills. Watch your step going down the trail - take a flashlight just in case.

Peace.