Gone But Not Forgotten

To visit a restaurant review, simply click on the alphabetical character below that matches the first character of the restaurant in which you are interested then click on the "More" link. To "jump" back to the top of the page, please use the "up" arrow directly below the last restaurant reviewed for a specific alphabetical character.  

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
A
Adam's American Burger Eubank, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	A scintillating January 2003 entrant into Albuquerque's fast food milieu, Adam's beckoned for a return to a simpler time--when burgers were char broiled, potatoes and onions were peeled instead of extricated from a hermetically sealed bag, and shakes were made with real ice cream.	Burgers
Adelita's  5700 4th Street, N.W. Albuquerque, NM	Adelita's is one of the few restaurants in New Mexico we've found which offers parrillada, a mixed grill which can be any combination of grilled meats, poultry and seafood.  Alas, the seafood parrillada may need desalinization.  more...	Mexican
Aling Titay's Lutong Bahay 7638 Louisiana, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	New Mexico's only Filipino restaurant (at the time) would probably have been the state's best Filipino restaurant even without default.  Aside from some of the very best lumpia (Philippine egg rolls) I've ever had, it featured wonderfully refreshing melon and mango beverages.	Filipino
Al Vincenzo's Italian Kitchen & Pizzeria 1435 Eubank, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	Al Vincenzo's was indeed an anachronism because it captured you before the door with wafting emanations that bid you welcome and which had a Pavlovian effect on your taste buds.  Vincenzo's was equally adept at pasta dishes and pizza.  More...	Italian
Alejandro's 5809 Juan Tabo, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	This restaurant which specialized in "anglosized" New Mexican food failed in three locations, including one in Rio Rancho.  Ironically, it had pretty steady business in its initial location in a north Wyoming shopping center and probably should not have expanded.	New Mexico
Ambrozia 108 Rio Grande, N.W. Albuquerque, NM	The word ambrosia literally means "sweet smelling or delicious", an appropriate description of the wonderful meals proffered at Ambrozia.  Über chef Sam Ethridge crafts culinary creations truly fit for the gods of Mount Olympus and us mere mortals of the Sandias.   more...	Fine Dining
Andre West 9401 Coors at Irving Albuquerque, NM	Andre Diddy was long regarded as of Albuquerque's preeminent celebrity chefs.  In Andre West, he lived up to his reputation for being a highly creative, albeit eccentric chef.  Alas, he wasn't as great a business man as he was a chef and couldn't sustain his otherwise excellent restaurant.	Fine Dining
Antonio's 5024 4th Street, N.W. Albuquerque, NM	With a name like Antonio's, you'd think New Mexican food would be the sole featured fare, but this north 4th restaurant was even more well known for its barbecue. The barbecue sauces were, unfortunately, wasted on mediocre meat.	Barbecue
Arel's 6209 Pedmont Plaza Albuquerque, NM	We knew this restaurant wouldn't last when we sent back a rare (raw might be more like it) entree and our haughty hostess's' condescending response was, "We're French; we eat it like that."   Our response (and seemingly that of many) was "We're Americans who didn't particularly like this restaurant."	French
Assets Grill 6910 Montgomery, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	Assets Grill was once considered one of Albuquerque's premier restaurants, but it never deviated from the formula that brought it success and other restaurants caught up and surpassed it.  Despite inconsistency, it remained home to some of the very best appetizers in the city.	American
Aunt Babe's 2215 Broadway, S.E. Albuquerque, NM	In concept (but certainly not in execution), Aunt Babe's reminded us of the soul food restaurants with which we are so familiar from having lived in the Deep South for more than eight years.  Alas, those reminders were very short lived.  more...	Soul
Aussie Cantina 6132 4th, N.W. Albuquerque, NM	Conceptually, the Aussie Cantina should have done well and in fact did pack the crowds during their few weeks of operation.  This restaurant was an entertaining, if not authentic, dining experience that closed within a year of opening.	Australian
Asia Restaurant 4200 Wyoming, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	Although from a small village in South Vietnam, the proprietor worked for years in a Chinese restaurant, hence a menu offering both Vietnamese and Chinese food.  It goes without saying that the Vietnamese food is oh so much better.  more...	Asian
Austin’s Steakhouse 5210 San Mateo, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	We loved the honey sweetened biscuits and salted peanuts at this western themed restaurant.  The steak was maybe not as good as you'd grill at home, but it was relatively inexpensive.  Sandwiches were good, but not memorable.  The pork ribs meaty and tender.	Steak
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Baciu's Bread & Wine 2740 Wyoming NE Albuquerque, NM	Having spent eight years catering to some of America's brightest luminaries (Ronald Reagan, Janet Jackson, Al Pacino, Sly Stallone, etc) at the world famous Jason's in Los Angeles, California, the Bacius knew how to treat their guests--like members of the family.  More...	Fine Dining
Baca's Mexican Restaurant 3311 Central, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	Baca's Mexican Restaurant occupied one of the nicest venues on Central Avenue's Nob Hill district.  For more than 40 years, it fed generations of Albuquerque diners before closing in 1995.  It's surprising how many people still call Baca's their all-time favorite restaurant in Albuquerque.	New Mexican
Bada Bing 1716 Eubank, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	When he first launched his pizzeria in 2001, Dave Poyer franchised from Moe's a popular Los Lunas restaurant whose motto is "New York style pizza with an attitude."   He later struck out on his own with Bada Bing and with a new motto "New York Pizza--Get it!."  I wish we still could.	Pizza
Bavarian Lager Cellar 7120 Wyoming, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	This large microbrewery and restaurant in Northeast Heights saw early success, but didn't sustain its crowds.  As a microbrewery, it was fairly typical, but as a restaurant it lacked the Bavarian pub charm and homey feel so prevalent in great German restaurants.	German
Bavarian Sausage House 1303 San Mateo, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	Despite the name, this deli was all Chicago--from its unpretentious ambience to the aromatic introduction which greeted your entry to the accent on the proprietor's voice.  This deli proffered high quality deli cheeses, meats and condiments.  After nearly 30 years in business, it closed in mid-2001.	Sandwich
Beijing Palace 1551 Eubank, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	To paraphrase an old saying, "never judge a Chinese restaurant by its buffet!"  The Beijing Palace's unremarkable buffet had me thinking this was just another in a long list of terrible Albuquerque Chinese restaurants.  Instead, it turned out to be one of the best restaurants in the city.  More...	Chinese
Big John's BBQ 6724 Central Blvd, S.E. Albuquerque, NM	Nothing is quite as tantalizing as the scent of aromatic smoke, a lesson Dennis Johns learned from his uncle in Austin.  He also learned that nothing imbues meats with a smoky flavor as well as oak, a resin free hard wood.  Smokiness is indeed what sets apart the brisket at Big John's.  More...	Barbecue
Big Mama's B-B-Q 8922 Central, S.E. Albuquerque, NM	Bingo hall style tables and folding chairs were your accommodations and paper plates and plastic dinnerware were your dining accoutrements.  Big Mama's had no pretensions about being fancy.  It let its wonderful barbecue and soul food do all the talking.  more...	Barbecue
The Black Dog 9605 Snow Heights, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	The Black Dog was a throwback to 60s Asbury Heights with pizza on sourdough bread prepared by hippie types.  Although the pizza was good, the service was very slow and seating on grade school type tables and folding chairs added little to the experience.	Pizza
The Blue Dragon 1517 Girard, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	In truth, the Blue Dragon is a coffee house in the style of New Orleans or San Francisco more so than it is a Cajun restaurant, but it serves better Cajun food than anyone else in Albuquerque, including the best muffaletta in town.  more...	Cajun
Bombay Grill 3600 NM Highway 528, NW Albuquerque, NM	The unmistakably pungent aroma of exotic spices wafts through the air and remains with you long after you've finished your meal at the Bombay Grill.  Rich Indian foods brimming with flavor make this one of the city's very best Indian restaurants.  more...	Indian
Bosque Bull 1127 Alameda, N.W. Albuquerque, NM	This Alameda treasure offered some of the most unconventional burgers in New Mexico and that's no bull!  You could, for example, have a buffalo burger, an ostrich burger or a black angus burger.  All three were excellent, particularly if ameliorated by cheddar cheese and green chile.	Burgers
Branding Iron Bar-B-Q 7419 Menaul, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	This tiny hole-in-the-wall featured very good chopped meat and chopped pork sandwiches as well as some of the best ham and baked beans around.  The atmosphere was very nondescript, its location nestled within a small strip mall, but the quality of the food certainly belied its size and facade.	Barbecue
Bubbe's Kitchen 7120 Wyoming, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	An authentic New York kosher style deli and restaurant in the northeast heights, this one lasted just about a year.  We liked Buffe's Kitchen even more for their decadent desserts, the best of which were Taos Cow ice cream and a rich, creamy pastry called the Aztec.	Kosher
Bugsy's Subs 9708 Candelaria, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	This nice family run cafe specialized in subs with a selection that surpassed (over 20 different sandwiches) that of the corporate sandwich kings.  Bugsy's also served breakfast entrees all day long, including an intriguing enchilada pie.  This was a restaurant you'd want in your neighborhood.	Sandwich
The Burrito Company Corrales Center Albuquerque, NM	Albuquerque's Burrito Company closed down in 1998 while the Santa Fe venue continues to thrive.  This was yet another nondescript New Mexican restaurant with tepid (no piquant bite) chile and smallish portions.   Despite its name, burritos weren't memorable.	New Mexican
Butcher & Fisherman Steak, Seafood & Lobster House 3000 San Pedro, N.E Albuquerque, NM	After the xenophobia that followed tension between America and France, this restaurant changed its name and even translated its French entrees into English.  Still, it served a wonderful classically French menu that even a xenophobe might like...if they tried it.  More...	French
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Cafe Bodega 4243 Montgomgery, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	Café Bodega is the type of restaurant in which you would dine with a close friend or family--a relaxing ambience, impeccable service and entrees which captivated all 10,000 of your taste buds will do that for you.  This one is direly missed!  More...	Fine Dining
Cafe Broadway 606 Broadway, S.E. Albuquerque, NM	Cafe Broadway was once renown for excellent Spanish food, serving perfect paella, luscious lamb and terrific tapas while a classical guitarist performed musical magic.  The exclusivity of serving only Spanish food left when this bistro began offering Chinese and Mexican entrees as well.	Spanish
Cafe Del Sol 7923 Menaul, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	Breakfast and lunch were the sole meals offered at this small, artsy restaurant which offered a huge breakfast burrito swimming in thick chile as well as American favorites.  It may not even have been open for a full year, but its absence was noticed by a faithful fan base.	American
Cafe Milagro 1001 Corrales, N.W. Albuquerque, NM	This trendy coffee bar and restaurant is a great place to go for breakfast, hot drinks, grilled panini sandwiches and hot or cold sandwiches.  You can have a pretty good meal or beverage while hooked up to the internet via Cafe Milagro's WiFi connections.  more...	American
Cafe O 8216 Montgomery, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	Cafe O's inspiring menu also offers several freshly prepared hand-rolled spring rolls served chilled and served three per order.  These spring rolls are the antithesis of fried Chinese egg rolls which have become blasé and boring.  more...	Asian
Cafe Spoleto 2813 San Mateo, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	More than perhaps any other restaurant which has closed down over the past several years, I regret not having re-visited this restaurant.  It made a huge impression on me during our one and only visit.  My taste buds can still remember Spoleto's heavenly lamb chops.	Fine Dining
Cafe Voila 7600 Jefferson Street, S.E. Albuquerque, NM	Classic French country cooking is celebrated in the Journal Center.  While this area is not on Albuquerque's "eatin' path" Cafe Voila is becoming a destination restaurant.  Great food, excellent value and hearty portions are just a few of the reasons why.  more...	French
California Witches 7202 Menaul, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	California Witches, "where you can taste California" is the brainchild of two Korean born California transplants who happen to like witches.  They practice culinary magic in the preparation of surprisingly good and diverse cuisine.  more...	Asian
Capo's Hideaway 8938 Fourth Street, N.W. Albuquerque, NM	Capo should hide away--far away--if the meals we had there are an example of his best efforts.  Capo's Hideaway is actually one in a family of five (including one in Red River) restaurants, all of which incorporate Capo into the restaurant's name.	Italian
Carmen's Chicago Style Pizza Montgomery & Tramway, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	Carmen's pizza was not quite Chicago style, but it did beat many of its Duke City competitors, at least in terms of pie thickness.  Thanks to sparse patronage, Carmen's was forced to offer a buffet before ultimately closing.  We miss Carmen's ranch dressing most of all.	Pizza
Cau Garden 5555 Zuni, S.E. Albuquerque, NM	In Vietnam the Cau tree represents honor and pride.  As such it was only fitting that the chefs of this May, 2003 entrant into the Albuquerque dining scene take pride in preparing a sumptuous soiree for the senses with each entree.  Pride wasn't enough to save a great restaurant.	Vietnamese
Cheesecake in Paradise 1706 4th N.W. Albuquerque, NM	Entrepreneurial Vanessa Mills pursued her dreams and shared her 200+ creamy concoctions with the world, albeit in a less than desirable location further cursed by the Big I construction project which closed off access routes to her tiny restaurant.  Her cheesecakes were masterpieces of deliciousness.	Cheesecake
Chianti's 5210 San Mateo, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	In the years since our return to Albuquerque, this restaurant has the singular distinction of being my very least favorite...or at least of serving the very worse food we've had.  Despite the food's shortcomings, the service was unfailingly attentive.	Italian
Chicago Beef 3905 Isleta Blvd, S.W. Albuquerque, NM	Ask any Chicago transplant to list the five things they miss most about the Windy City and it's a good bet the list will include Italian beef sandwiches, a staple in Chicago.  Chicago Beef brings Italian beef sandwiches to the Duke City.  more...	Sandwich
The Chihuahua Buffet 5411 Osuna, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	Ay Chihuahua!  Generally I expect that maybe two or three items on a buffet might stand out and that's pretty much what we found at The Chihuahua Buffet.  Despite a profuse buffet offering, this restaurant closed within a year of opening.	Mexican
China Gate 3600 NM State Highway 528 Albuquerque, NM	What is it about Chinese restaurants that most of them are unable to serve cuisine that sets them apart and distinguishes them from other bad Chinese restaurants.  Despite not offering a buffet, China Gate's cuisine was nearly of buffet quality...and that's not good.	Chinese
Christina’s Restaurant 515-A Wyoming, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	Christina's was an absolutely wonderful restaurant with terribly inconvenient hours, especially if you have to drive from the west side.  The flat enchiladas Nortenas with an egg on top were just like they serve in northern New Mexico.   This was a top five New Mexican restaurant.	New Mexican
Congress Rotisserie 5800 Eubank, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	If "con" is the opposite of "pro" then Congress must be the opposite of progress.  I don't know why an establishment would name itself after a governmental institution with a just barely in double-digits approval rating.  Albuquerque apparently didn't approve of this Rotisserie.	Chicken
Copper Creek Steakhouse 4605 San Mateo, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	This cliché Western themed steak place had a somewhat better than average ambience and provided good service and reasonably priced food of good quality, but it wasn't a dining destination of any frequency.  Their red chile ranch dressing is much missed.	Steak
Country Vittles Cafe 4801 Central, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	Country Vittles featured home cooking that included some of the best chicken-fried steak outside of Texas (albeit with Nebraska style white gravy replete with sausage and bacon bits).  You can still get their delicious, calorie-laden meals at their new location in Moriarty.	American
The Cup 4959 Pan American Freeway, N.E., Suite A Albuquerque, N	In April, 208, The Cup saw a change in concept, menu and ownership.  Now offering an Old World menu in which European cuisine fusion possibilities are extended creatively, it is a "breath of fresh air" on restaurant row.  more...	American
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Damon's Fine Cuisine 1435 Eubank, N.E. Albuquerque,	Damon's Fine Cuisine earned acclaim from the Albuquerque Tribune's outstanding restaurant critic Carrie Seidman as one of the five best restaurants to launch in Albuquerque in 2005.  Impeccable service and an intriguing menu are just some of the reasons.  more...	Fine Dining
Deli Mart West 10131 Coors, N.W. Albuquerque, NM	The lingering aroma of fine deli meats and cheeses is so familiar and enticing it will send your olfactory senses into overdrive trying to ingest them all.  The Deli Mart's well-stocked shelves offered culinary treasures to please chefs of all skill levels.  more...	Sandwich
Doc & Mz. V's Diner 3905 Isleta, S.W. Albuquerque, NM	Dr. Thomas Strain, a respected family practitioner, might not prescribe the quintessential Southern diet of fried chicken, fried catfish, barbecue ribs, etc., but his South Valley restaurant dished up the aforementioned Southern staples deliciously and inexpensively, too.  More...	American
Downtown Gourmet 900 Central, S.W. Albuquerque, NM	It's been said that cheese is milk's leap towards immortality.  If you fancy the fetid fromage, there is no better place to get it in New Mexico than the Downtown Gourmet, a 1200 square foot retail shop with more than 90 cheeses--and an effusive owner you'll love, too.  more...	Cheese
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El Pollo Bueno 2318 Central, S.W  Albuquerque, NM	Admittedly the proprietors of this Old Town area restaurant were not Brazilian, but like me they had a great appreciation for the confluence of distinctive tastes from emerging cultures.  Broiled chicken, Brazilian beef and sensational salsas were the specialty.	Brazilian
El Pollo Rey 5500 San Mateo, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	The best rotisserie chicken in town, its marquee didn't come down for years after this restaurant closed.  The King Chicken was situated in a high traffic location yet business wasn't good enough to sustain it.  This ubiquitous Southwest hain is still thriving in Texas and Arizona.	Chicken
Eurasia Bistro & Sushi Bar 10721 Montgomery, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	Eurasia was situated near some of the city's most expensive real estate (Tanoan and High Desert to name but two) and some of us needed to scrimp and save to dine there, but while your wallet wwas lighter as a result, you were certain of an excellent meal.  more...	Japanese
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Fajitaville 11225 Montgomery, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	One of the best ways to start off at meal at Fajitaville was with a salsa sampler--apple jicama,  salsa fresca, green chili tomatillo, charred tomato chipotle, pineapple and mango--then use these savory concoctions on inspired sirloin fajitas or sirloin quesadillas.	Mexican
The Falls Steakhouse 3771 NM Highway 528 Albuquerque, NM	Launched in November 2006, the Falls Steakhouse is one of the most opulent restaurants in the city, but it's not just a haven for the well-heeled.  Even if you can't afford the luxurious Kobe beef, you can still have a high-quality, reasonably priced lunch.  more...	Steak
Fil-Am Fast Food Mart 600 Louisiana, S.E. Albuquerque, NM	Want to know the secret to a happy life.  That secret is posted for all to see at the Fil-Am Fast Food Mart.  Who wouldn't be happy dining at the Duke City's sole Filipino restaurant.  After all, Filipinos absolutely eat with the gusto of a people who live to eat.  more...	Filipino
Fu Shou House 1414 Valencia, S.E. Albuquerque, NM	This small hole in the wall featured big tastes and was heavily patronized by Kirtland AFB airmen, many of whom served tours of duty in Korea.  Offering both Chinese and Korean entrees, this house served some of the best bulgogi and kimchy in the state.	Korean
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Garbanzo's 10131 Coors, N.W. Albuquerque, NM	Garbanzo's was once a contender for the best carbonara in town.  Salad, soup and bread were part of every meal.   Alas, the Cottonwood Mall and burgeoning west side apparently had no place for a family-owned hole in the wall no matter how good the food was.	Italian
Graze by Jennifer James 3128 Central, S.E. Albuquerque, NM	Graze specialized in tapas, little plates that can also form an entire meal when several are ordered together.  Albuquerque marveled at how such small plates harnessed such tremendous flavor combinations.  That was the talent of Jennifer James.  more...	Fine Dining
Great American Steakhouse 1550 Tramway, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	At the Great American Land & Cattle Company, the New York steak is almost two inches thick and is a full pound of USDA beef, butterfly cut when ordered at medium, medium well or well done.  It may very well be the best steak in the city.  more...	Steak
Gruet Grille 4243 Montgomery, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	Although expected to be a more casual restaurant than the Gruet Steakhouse, its high-end, fine-dining sibling, the Gruet Grille's menu is replete with high-end comfort foods and seafood at greater prices than you'd expect to pay at a conventional bistro. more...	Seafood
The Gulf Coast Eatery 5809 Juan Tabo, N.E Albuquerque, NM	In the Gulf Coast Eatery, we found a restaurant that was better than even some Cajun restaurants on the Mississippi Gulf Coast where we lived for nearly eight years.  From appetizers to dessert to live jazz, everything was first rate.	Cajun
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Harrigans Chophouse Grill 4800 Montgomery, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	In 2000, Harrigans added "Chophouse Grill" to their appellation.  It may have meant Harrigans was making a statement that it should not be considered in the same vein as Chili's, Applebee's and others of that ilk.  The name change wasn't enough to draw a customer base to keep the restaurant open.	Steak
Have Your Cake Bakery & Cafe 10420 4th Street, N.W. Albuquerque, NM	A graduate of the French Culinary Institute of New York, Kathy Medero launched her bakery and cafe in one of Albuquerque's most restaurant deprived areas--the far, far North Valley.  It's so good a visit from anywhere in the city is warranted.  more...	American
Hawaiian Restaurant 7102 Central, S.E. Albuquerque, NM	Chinese, Hawaiian, Thai, and Japanese--155 items in all--under one roof and most of them delicious.  That's what this Asian restaurant delivered.  It's unlikely that their karaoke nights contribute to the demise of a restaurant in a "cursed" location where several other restaurants have failed.	Asian
Hot Diggity 6004 Edith Blvd Albuquerque, N	Hot Diggity is a roadside burger and dog restaurant reminiscent very much in the style of 60s restaurants. Launched in October, 2006, it's been winning over hungry patrons since day one, fill a niche market by offering very good hot dogs.  more...	Sandwich
Howley's Place 521 Central Avenue, N.W. Albuquerque, NM	Bill and Tia Howley captured the hearts and appetites of Albuquerque diners with their own innovative stamp of culinary creations and won over loyal patrons with their genuine, homespun friendliness.  You can't account for a bad location, however.  more...	American
Humphrey's Cafe 3624 Central, S.E. Albuquerque, NM	Formerly owned by celebrity chef Jim White, the menu still bore his name long after his departure.  Humphrey's offered Italian and New Mexican cuisine, gourmet subs, fresh fish and pizza.  This Nob Hill restaurant was hit and miss with its cuisine, but when good, it was very, very good.	American
Hunan's 1218 San Pedro, S.E.  Albuquerque, NM	In the early 80s, Hunan's used to be the best Chinese restaurant in town with its San Pedro location being a Kirtland AFB favorite and a Coronado Mall location drawing in hungry shoppers by the dozens.  No Chinese restaurant in town had a better buffet.	Chinese
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Imperial Lion 601 Juan Tabo, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	The adjectives bland, tasteless, and unimaginative may be too strong, but on the other hand, nothing really titillated our taste buds at this oh-so-typically mundane Chinese buffet restaurant.  Ordering from the menu was no different--a meal, but not a dining experience.	Chinese
Itsa Italian Ice 4520 Lomas, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	We sampled almost every one of their 20 or so Italian ices and they were all great with root beer being my absolute favorite.  There's probably nothing as refreshing on a hot summer day which is why I'm surprised this long established store closed in 1996.	Italian Ice
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Johnny Ray's Bar-B-Que 1601 Broadway, S.E. Albuquerque, NM	Ordinarily I wouldn't return to any restaurant on whose door the previous day hung a sign which read "Closed, Out of Food" and ordinarily I wouldn't wait 85 minutes for my food order.  Luckily, there was nothing ordinary about Johnny Ray's, likely the very best barbecue restaurant ever in the Duke City.	Barbecue
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Kanome, An Asian Diner 3128 Central, S.E. Albuquerque, NM	The restaurant closed on August 17, 2002 and while the owners are still catering their wonderful Asian fusion delights, it's just not the same as partaking of Kanome's fusion of Asian dishes--primarily Chinese and Thai--with a profusion of savory tastes and huge portions.	Fusion Asian
Koury's Deli 5850 Osuna, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	Koury's Deli was like a Mediterranean oasis for Northeast Heights diners in quest for Greek food.  Part Greek grocery store and part restaurant, this diminutive, strictly order at the counter deli served everything from basic gyros and Greek salads to complex phyllo pastries.	Greek
Korean Garden 6609 Fourth Street, N.W. Albuquerque, NM	The Korean Garden was one of the Duke City's very first Korean restaurants, but its big draw was an all-you-can-eat buffet that included Chinese food entrees.  I can still taste the wonderful Mandarin chicken but for the life of me don't remember anything about the Korean items.	Korean
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts 3709 Ellison Road, N.W. Albuquerque, NM	Jay Leno called Krispy Kreme the "Michael Jordan of donuts."  When first launched, lines snaked around the building.  Alas, the parent company which owned Albuquerque's two Krispy Kreme franchises and six more in Arizona, filed for bankruptcy in 2006 leaving a huge (donut) hole in the hearts of loyal donut fanatics.	Doughnuts
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La Casona 3311 Central, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	After a sensational opening in early 1999, this sprawling restaurant in a cursed Nob Hill location went steadily downhill--from having the most fantastic Arracheras (marinated skirt steak) with  terrific beans and rice to being a major disappointment.	Mexican
La Cuisine 3000 San Pedro, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	Albuquerque's many cocinas, cafes, restaurants and bistros proffer meals ranging from simple vittles to sublime cuisine.  Count La Cuisine among the latter.  With a menu offering a wide mix of traditional French dishes done extremely well, this colorful restaurant enraptured many a diner.	French
Lagniappe 1225 Eubank, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	Lagniappe, the Cajun word meaning "something extra" or "something special" described some of the items we found at this restaurant in a cursed location.  The catfish was reminiscent of pond-raised Mississippi catfish with which we are very familiar from eight years in the Delta state.	Cajun
La Mesa Kitchen 4200 Wyoming NE Albuquerque, NM	La Mesa came and went quickly.  That's too bad because they served very good chile and slathered it on generously.  The salsa was almost pureed while the papitas were of perfect texture and seasoning.  La Mesa served Red Cream soda, a big bonus in my book.	New Mexican
L'Opera Cottonwood Mall Albuquerque, NM	The Cottonwood Mall has seen several restaurants open with a flourish then fail miserably.  This was one of the very first to find that a traffic-laden mall can indeed be a restaurant nightmare.  If this had been an opera, we would have left at the first act.	Italian
La Roma Cucina Italiana 7600 Jefferson, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	I don't know what's worse--entrees which don't taste good or those with no taste whatsoever.  That's the dilemma we encountered during our one meal at the short-lived Journal Center Italian restaurant.  It was no surprise when this one closed shortly after an unspectacular launch.	Italian
La Veracruzana 532 Louisiana, S.E. Albuquerque, NM	La Veracruzana was tightly squeezed into a crowded multi-cultural shopping center in a neighborhood comprised primarily of Asian and Latin residents.  Featuring "the authentic taste of Southern Mexico," this tiny restaurant serves food big on flavor. more...	Mexican
Le Cafe Miche 1431 Wyoming, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	Cafe Miche has been regarded as one of Albuquerque's best restaurants since its 1996 launch and according to the Zagat Survey, was the number one rated French restaurant in the state for three consecutive years.  more...	French
Le Marmiton 5415 Academy, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	Le Marmiton was my very favorite French restaurant in Albuquerque thanks largely to the best mushroom soup I’ve ever had anywhere and an excellent menu of savory French favorites.  I wore black for a week after hearing that this wonderful French cafe closed down.	French
Little Saigon 136 Juan Tabo, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	If you were on American time, you did not want to try Little Saigon; no one was in a hurry at this family oriented gem in which occidentals were scarce.  Their food, fortunately was well worth waiting for.  The curry chicken with hot chili lemon grass on steamed rice was among the best curry dishes I've had.	Vietnamese
Los Corrales 5333 4th, N.W. Albuquerque, NM	Despite launching on a very busy 4th street area, Los Corrales could not survive the competition.  That's too bad because this restaurant served pretty good mariscos (Mexican seafood) and seemed to hold the promise of many a good meal.	Mexican
Lo Stivale 1435 Eubank, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	Our first clue that this was not the Lo Stivale of old was the absence of a waiting list at 6:30PM on a Friday evening.  This once wonderful authentic Italian institution (once my favorite Italian restaurant in New Mexico) had been relegated to a pretender of its former self before ultimately closing for good.	Italian
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M & J Sanitary Tortilla Factory 403 2nd Street, S.W. Albuquerque, NM	M&J's was once a perennial listing on Hispanic magazine's annual issue naming the best Hispanic restaurants in America.  It was also renown for having served our most corpulent president during one of his infrequent visits to the Duke City. M&J featured the cheesiest and possibly best enchiladas in town.	New Mexican
Maine-ly Lobster 6220 San Mateo Blvd NE Albuquerque, NM	Our first visit taught us that you shouldn’t order steak (barely passable) at this seafood restaurant.  Our second visit taught us we shouldn't return.  As much as I love fried clams, these were by far, the worse I've ever had, even worse than the clam tips served by some local restaurants.	Seafood
Mama Lou’s Cajun Kitchen 412 San Pedro, S.E. Albuquerque, NM	This great restaurant met its heartrending and untimely demise on December, 31st, 1998--shortly after being featured on an issue of Albuquerque Monthly magazine.  Renown for outstanding praline sundaes and pickled vegetables, it was a wonderful cure-all when we were missing Crescent City cuisine.	Cajun
Marco Pollo Charbroiled Chicken 9880 Montgomery, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	Marco Pollo serves some of the best char-broiled chicken we've had in a long time.  Best of all, Marco Pollo is the first instantiation of a local restaurant chain with the gloss and grandiosity of a national franchise.  It is not related to a similarly named Texas chain.  more...	Chicken
Maria Theresa's 618 Rio Grande, N.W. Albuquerque, NM	On the fringes of Old Town, this restaurant had as many detractors as proponents.  After two very mediocre meals, we counted ourselves among the latter.  An eclectic menu offered some local cuisine, but despite the restaurant's name, New Mexican food was not the featured fare.	Fine Dining
Marie Callendar's 5220 Eubank, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	With more than 130 restaurants in ten states, primarily in the Southwest and West, Marie Callendar's has been a proven success story.  A chain of casual dining restaurants, best known for freshly baked pies, it had two Duke City restaurants before closing in 2004.	American
Mariscos Vallarta 10131 Coors, N.W. Albuquerque, NM	Chef Agustin Lopez learned and plied his trade in the tourist laden Puerto Vallarta area.  Two years later, his wonderful restaurant, Mariscos Vallarta became yet another restaurant casualty, a scant block or two from vastly inferior chain restaurants on the Coors Bypass.  More...	Mexican
Martha's High Desert Cafe 4801 Montano, N.W. Albuquerque, NM	Martha's High Desert Cafe featured home cooking and ethnic cuisine featuring the best of Cuba and Haiti on a daily basis.  You could even expect to be very pleasantly surprised by such exotic offerings as foods from the African sub-continent (would you believe Ethiopian food) as well as South America.	Eurasian
Ma's Garden 412 San Pedro, S.E. Albuquerque, NM	I wouldn't go quite so far as to paraphrase Panamanian boxer Roberto Duran with "No Ma's, but we were never in a hurry to return to Cocinita magazine's Best Chinese honoree in 2000.  It was somewhat better than the stereotypical Chinese buffet restaurant, but not quite enough.	Chinese
Maximito's 606 Broadway, S.E. Albuquerque, NM	Maximito's, the reincarnation of long-defunct Tio Pepe's, had too many tempting entrees and intriguingly innovative salsas not to succeed--yet it failed.  You might attribute its closing (within months after launching) to a restaurant site that has precipitated the demise of many a restaurant.  More	Mexican
Michelle's Cafe & Wine Cellar 6205 Montgomery, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	This restaurant didn't often receive acclaim as one of Albuquerque's best, but it should have.  It earned Wine Spectator magazine's Restaurant Award of Excellence for 2000-2001.  It's perhaps a pity I don't like wine, but a blessing that I do love fine food and Michelle's offered some of the best in town.	European
Minato’s 10721 Montgomery, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	One of Albuquerque's most romantic restaurants, Minato's proffered delightful Teriyaki chicken and steak and gave you the option of communal sitting around the Tappan grill or a more intimate and private seating in which your meals are brought to your table.	Japanese
MJ's Cafe Express 10131 Coors, N.W. Albuquerque, NM	MJ's occupied the former site of a Burger King restaurant. That didn't necessarily mean MJ's let you "have it your way", but you did have many items from which to choose.  This 2002 entrant into the Duke City dining scene offered breakfast entrees, burritos, combination plates and burgers.	New Mexican
Moe's N.Y. Style Pizza 4509-B Alameda, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	I once surmised that MOE was an acronym meaning "more of everything" such as more great taste, more quality ingredients and more reasons to return.  Alas, Moe's regressed from practitioner of pizza perfection to piteous pies to out of business in Albuquerque.	Pizza
Mahogany Cafe 6219 Montgomery, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	In May, 2004, the very first soul food restaurant in the city was launched and for that we were ever so grateful.  Alas, the restaurant accommodated 64 patrons and was hard-pressed to see more than a dozen diners each night.  This was a great soul food restaurant.  More...	Soul
Moni's Place 2002 Bridge, S.W. Albuquerque, NM	Family owned and operated, this south valley restaurant wasn't difficult to find, but you had to be trying to find it.  That's one of the things that made it so good.  It didn't cater to tourist tastes and prepared New Mexican cuisine in much the same manner as your abuelita would.	New Mexican
Monte Vista Fire Station 3201 Central, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	The Monte Vista Fire Station was long considered one of Albuquerque's treasures and was once regarded as the best restaurant in the Duke City.  Set in a historic property, it provided the definitive high-class dining experience and served generally wonderful cuisine.	Fine Dining
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N’awlins Café 1400 Central, S.E. Albuquerque, NM	A Central Avenue setting with poor parking facilities may have helped precipitate this wonderful restaurant's premature demise.  We still miss the outstanding oyster and artichoke stew and the sinfully decadent Bourbon Pecan Pie.	Cajun
Neko Sushi 9421 Coors, N.W. Albuquerque, NM	Albuquerque's burgeoning northwest quadrant can always use another good sushi restaurant so the neighborhood was thrilled when Neko Sushi opened its doors in October, 2006.  Find out why Neko Sushi is truly the "cat's meow" when it comes to sushi and sashimi.  more...	Japanese
New Chinatown Restaurant 5001 Central, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	The New Chinatown Restaurant, owned and operated by the Jew family, was a long time favorite which has had an increasingly difficult time competing with the megalithic corporate Chinese restaurants who offer everything at little cost.	Chinese
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Old Town Cantina 1100 Rio Grande, NW Albuquerque, NM	The Old Town Cantina purported to have served excellent New Mexican food in Albuquerque for 25 years yet committed the cardinal sin of spelling it "chili."  (Hatch residents would die to see Hatch chili on the menu).  Poor spelling was the least of this restaurant's problems.	New Mexican
On The Border 10031 Coors, N.W. Albuquerque, NM	Mercifully this place closed after more than two years of torturing taste buds, confirming that Texans should leave Mexican food to New Mexicans.  I could never understand the sometimes turn-away crowds for a restaurant which offered some of the most disappointing food in town.	Tex Mex
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Pacific Pearl 5411 Osuna, N.E.  Albuquerque, NM	Far from being a pearl, this gigantic restaurant featured an all-you-can-choke-down buffet of typically mediocre quality.  After closing its northeast heights location, a Rio Rancho restaurant met a similar demise and closed within a year.	Chinese
Pasta Brother's Corrales Ave Albuquerque, NM	Pasta Brothers was a poor man's Tomato's--and maybe I'm a poor man because I preferred Pasta Brothers to Tomato's.  This small hole-in-the-wall served  surprisingly good pizza and pasta with lots of variety.  It went out of business within a few months of unspectacular grand opening.	Italian
Pastrami & Things 11200 Montgomery, N.E. #35 Albuquerque, NM	Just as it's debated as to which city--Chicago or New York--makes the best pizza, you'll get arguments from both sides as to which city makes the best pastrami.  For my money, the Windy City beats Metropolis in this area.   more...	Sandwich
Pat’s Place 8216 Montgomery, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	Pat's Place replaced Swensen's at this location as an ice cream emporium that offered a full-service menu.  It was owned by the late Pat McKiernan, a Duke City legend who served as Albuquerque Dukes general manager for over 20 years.	American
The Petroleum Club 500 Marquette, N.W. Albuquerque, NM	The 15th floor of the Marquette Building is where Albuquerque's power players congregated for panoramic views of the Rio Grand valley and the Sandia Mountains.  They also reconnoitered there in coat and tie for reputedly some of the best cuisine in Albuquerque.	Fine Dining
Pier 66 #38 Tramway Road Albuquerque, NM	Situated on the foot of the Sandia tramway in a marvelous setting, this high class establishment was among the Duke City's best dining spots although you wouldn't know it from the sparse crowds.  A fairly limited menu focused on the best—lobster, scallops and salmon.  We loved the scallops most.	Seafood
Pho Huang 1404 Eubank, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	In the same manner as American mothers put their faith in chicken soup, Vietnamese citizens believe pho to be very healthful, particularly in treating fevers or colds.  While I may not put the same stock in pho's healing faculties, Pho Huang was a wonderful departure from soup malaise.	Vietnamese
Pinky's 5200 Eubank, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	Pinky's offered a good, thin-crust combination pizza in a far Northeast Heights shopping center.  An olive oil base and thin, crispy crust made it deliciously different than most Duke City pizzas.  Despite the name, Pinky's served a pizza hungry men could really get into.	Pizza
Pollo A Las Brasas 9901 Central Avenue, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	Pollo A Las Brasas featured foods from coastal Mexico, including such mariscos (seafood) as ostiones (oysters), camarones (shrimp) and more.  The menu also included various pollo (chicken) entrees as well as other traditional Mexican items.	Mexican
Portobello 1100 San Mateo, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	The owners of the Artichoke Cafe had another winner, and even though operating in a cursed location didn't precipitate its demise, it may not have attracted dining patrons either.  Ultimately, the owners moved their operation to the Sandia Casino.	Fine Dining
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Ramon's 6601 Fourth Street, N.W Albuquerque, NM	Despite being crammed into a busy north valley shopping center, Ramon's had a devout following of patrons who appreciated good value and very good food with excellent portions. The stuffed sopaipillas, especially with chicken, were among the city's best while the taquitos almost certainly were.	New Mexican
Rancho Allegre 3230 Coors, N.W. 839-0363	Launched in July, 2005, Rancho Allegre was one of the city's most commodious restaurants, a yawning rancho sized restaurant serving vaquero sized portions.  It was open for less than a year before meeting its demise.  More...	Mexican
Rattlesteaks 1100 San Mateo, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	This upscale restaurant was partially owned by the famous Andre Ditty, Albuquerque's celebrity chef in the 1990s.  It probably could have used his chef’s touch as evidenced by the very unremarkable meals we had.  We were never bitten by this rattler.	Steak
Real Deal Smoke "N" Grill 1813 Broadway, S.E. Albuquerque, NM	The Real Deal wasn't just a barbecue restaurant; it was an off-the-beaten-path Southern restaurant featuring such specialties as gumbo, crawfish, fried shrimp, gator tails and various types of fish.  Only Johnny Ray's surpassed it for putting the 'cue in Albuquerque.	Barbecue
Remo’s on the Boulevard 1306 Rio Grande, NW Albuquerque, NM	In the 60s and 70s, Al Monte's was the place to be when you wanted a relatively inexpensive meal and nice ambience.  When we heard that Remo's was opened by the Al Monte's family, we hurried there.  Alas, it was not destined for longevity.	American
Rex's 6200 Coors, N.W. Albuquerque, NM	With several locations throughout the city and aggressive expansion (even to Santa Fe), Rex's appeared to be a Duke City institution posed to compete with the big boys.  This local franchise served one of the most celebrated green chile cheeseburgers in town.	Burgers
Rio Grande Cantina Bar & Grill 901 Rio Grande, N.W. Albuquerque, NM	The Rio Grande Cantina Bar (isn't that redundant?) & Grill, which closed in 2003, was situated in a great setting in the upscale Rio Grande plaza just on the fringes of Old Town.  Its biggest claim to fame was serving among the very best posole in Albuquerque.	New Mexican
Rio Grande Yacht Club 2500 Yale, S.E. Albuquerque, NM	It's unlikely the Rio Grande could accommodate any decent sized yacht or that any self respecting sea farer would want to traverse its murky waters, but the Rio Grande Yacht Club Chophouse and Grill was an excellent fit for Albuquerque.  It was in a class of its own when it came to seafood.	Seafood
Roberto's 325 Louisiana, S.E. Albuquerque, NM	Roberto's occupied the site of a former Mac's Steak in the Rough, meaning it was strictly drive-up service.  Sitting under a hot summer sun waiting for carne asada, no matter how good it might be, was nobody's idea of a good dining experience.	Mexican
Robb's Ribbs 3000-C San Pedro, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	For nearly twenty years, Robb's Ribbs earned affection and accolades while providing the Duke City with some of its favorite barbecue.  Robb's barbecue was distinctive, the result of a sauce made with habañero peppers.	Barbecue
Roly Poly 11225 Montgomery, #B Albuquerque, NM	For as many tortillas as are consumed in New Mexico, you would think a local entrepreneur might have conceived the idea of franchising a restaurant which serves tortilla wrap sandwiches.  Roly Poly offered 50 imaginative and tasty sandwiches rolled up tight in giant soft flour tortillas	Sandwich
Ron's Camino Real 416 Yale, S.E. Albuquerque, NM	Before closing in late 2003, this UNM area restaurant couldn't seem to recover from inconsistency which plagued what was once my favorite restaurant in Albuquerque.  Ron's 12" tortillas with honey butter remained perhaps the best redeeming tie to days of past glory when Ron's was the best!	New Mexican
Rosa! 1100 San Mateo. N.E. Albuquerque, NM	Along with Andre Ditty, Rosa earned a reputation as one of the Duke City's two preeminent chefs during the 1990s.  It seemed everything she touched was gold...then she launched Rosa! and even an outstanding restaurant wasn't enough to keep her afloat.	Fine Dining
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Salsa Fresca Burritos 120 Harvard, S.E Albuquerque, NM	The menu included "Burritos For Dummies", informative instructional guide for eating (not wearing) a Salsa Fresca burrito.  Open-minded UNM students made this little restaurant a haven and seemed to adore the frou-frou style burritos.	Mexican
Salsa: Grille & Cantina 38 Tramway Place Albuquerque, NM	Occasionally a restaurant will close (usually unnoticed) and I regret not having frequented it more.  This was certainly one of those.  Featuring a fusion of Cuban, Puerto Rican, Spanish, and South American cuisine, this restaurant offered the very best view in town as well as excellent food.	Mexican
Seagull Street 5410 Academy, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	Seagull Street offered some of the best seafood and sourdough bread in town along with very savory clam chowder.  Where Seagull Street stood out is in its preparation of salmon.  The Scotch Salmon (sautéed and topped with an orange Drambuie sauce) was phenomenal!	Seafood
Senor Froggie’s 2509 San Mateo, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	Senor Froggies dared to serve a variety of frog leg entrees in an unsophisticated fried chicken town.  The chili pepper frog legs with strawberry glaze were very good, albeit a little tough.  An all you can eat chicken meal was disappointing to say the least.	American
Shipley Do-Nuts 1450 Eubank, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	Shipley!  Believe it or not, Shipley Do-Nuts has the singular distinction of being the best donuts in town.  Consider it sacrilege if you will, but they were much better than the donuts proffered by the more famous Krispy Kremes and they easily beat out Dunkin Donuts and Winchell's.	Donuts
Sig's 3211 Central, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	Sigs featured an upscale pub menu features Italian specialties as well as American standards done very well.  Despite being in a heavily trafficked Nob Hill area, it never caught on quite as well as its predecessor in the same location.  The chocolate peanutbutter icebox cake was to die for.	American
The Silk Road 5809 Juan Tabo, N.E Albuquerque, NM	For culinary travelers, this high-class establishment offered decadent fare from throughout the old Silk Road: China, Russia, Turkey and Italy.  Despite a somewhat pretentious ambience, there was nothing pretentious about great, albeit very slow, service and superb entrees.	Eurasian
Singapore City 1935 Juan Tabo, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	The best Chinese food in the city and my highest rated restaurant in any category at the time, Singapore City closed down when and obviously evil and depraved landlord attempted to double an already outrageously high mortgage.	Chinese
Smiroll's International Cuisine 108 Rio Grande, N.W. Albuquerque, NM	On the fringes of Old Town this ultra-expensive restaurant often failed to live up to billing and its ultra-expensive menu.  It survived for years in touristy Old Town before succumbing to restaurants which served more reasonably priced cuisine.	Eurasian
South of Santa Fe Grill 6250 Montgomery, N.E Albuquerque, NM	The menu paid tribute to abuelitas, the New Mexican grandmothers whose legacy includes the wonderful foods passed down through the generations.  It's obvious the proprietor paid close attention to his grandmother standing over a hot comal preparing family meals.	New Mexican
Starky's 6910 Montgomery, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	Starky's owners have not only brought a cosmopolitan panache and sophisticated menu to their restaurant, they've invigorated what used to be a dreary and stuffy restaurant edifice and added fun to the dining experience. more...	American
Stephen's 1311 Tijeras, N.W. Albuquerque, NM	Stephens was accorded the distinction of being one of America’s 50 best restaurants according to a 1995 Conde Naste survey.  In my humble opinion and that of my gastronomically erudite father-in-law, the survey had it all wrong—the food was overpriced and mediocre and the ambience was stuffy.	Fine Dining
Stuffed Croissants 5201 Fourth, N.W. Albuquerque, NM	I read somewhere that Chinese invented spaghetti, and the French invented croissants yet the Stuffed Croissants restaurant, had Japanese proprietors serving a French staple--and doing a good job of it.  What's next--visiting a sushi bar for good escargot?	Sandwich
Sugar Plums Coffeehouse 118 Central, S.W. Albuquerque, NM	So close and yet so far away.  That's how we felt when dining at Sugar Plums Coffeehouse, only a stone's throw away distance-wise from the Gold Street Caffe but miles away when it came to the quality of food and service.   It didn't offer enough in a tough market.	American
Sweet Peppers 521 Central, N.W. Albuquerque, NM	Tiny Sweet Peppers, offering Chicago style sandwiches and pasta, had few, if any, vacant tables each time I've visited.  Chicago native, Frank Bellino opened his gem of a restaurant when he couldn't fine good Italian food in the Duke City (tell me about it).  More...	Italian
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TaeJa 6001 Lomas, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	Specializing in bulgogi (loosely translated as Korean barbecue), TaeJa also featured some eye-opening and mouth-watering dishes--like the kimchy was probably the best I've had in Albuquerque--perfectly pungent and searingly spicy.	Korean
Taka Sushi 901 San Pedro, S.E. Albuquerque, NM	From the outside, Taka Sushi lacks the polish and veneer of its competitors, but you shouldn't judge a book by its cover or a great sushi restaurant by its facade.  Boatloads of excellent sushi and so much more can be found at this Southeast area restaurant.  more...	Japanese
Tampico Bay 1306 Rio Grande Albuquerque, NM	Tampico Bay was a mixed bag.  We expected more authenticity and more upscale Mexican seafood (as opposed to Southern style catfish and shrimp).  An eclectic menu included prime rib, steak, chicken fried steak as well as Mexican and New Mexican entrees.	Mexican
Taqueria Jalisco Restaurant 9901 Central, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	This authentic Jalisco style diner had established quite a following.  At dinner time on weekends, strolling mariachis sung traditional favorites while you dined, including a pretty good rendition of "Volver."  Even better was the city's best version of parrillada.	Mexican
Tastee Freez 9358 Eagle Ranch, N.W Albuquerque, NM	Tastee Freez is a burger establishment whose time seems tragically to have passed in New Mexico where most of them have in recent years either closed or been absorbed.  In an age of instant gratification, patrons apparently didn't want to wait for prepare on order service.	Burgers
Tempura House 6001 San Mateo, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	The Tempura House featured an all-you-can-eat Japanese buffet of the quality you might expect for a low cost meal.  Tempura coated vegetables were a specialty, but a decent miso soup could also be found.	Japanese
Teriyaki King 2235 Wyoming, N.E Albuquerque, NM	Inexpensive Japanese food featuring almost syrupy sweet teriyaki entrees has grown in popularity in Albuquerque.  Typical of the genre was the Teriyaki King, hidden away on a Wyoming strip mall.   This restaurant served Japanese fast food that wasn't intended to be fast food.	Japanese
Thai Kitchen 5201 4th, N.W. Albuquerque, NM	The placemats at the Thai Kitchen which explained the medicinal properties of specific ingredients in Thai food piqued my research in Thai food as a healthy alternative.  The wonderful food piqued my interest in return visits.  This was an excellent Thai restaurant in a high traffic area.  More...	Thai
Thai Pepper 1512 Wyoming, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	Thai Pepper launched in 2003--reason enough to light incense and place it on Buddha's altar.  Alas, this excellent Thai restaurant closed within a year.   My early entree favorite was the spicy orange curry with pineapple, lemon leaves and duck, an entree no other Thai restaurant in the city offers.  More...	Thai
Tio Oscar's 5333 4th Street, N.W. Albuquerque, NM	Legally blind, Oscar Calderon pursued his dream of cooking at his own restaurant through the help and training of the New Mexico Commission for the Blind.  His restaurant's menus are printed both in Braille and in a large font for people with visual impairments.  more...	New Mexican
Tio Tito's Mexican Grill 2017 Menaul, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	Tio Tito's was always crowded so its closing was a huge surprise.  The menu featured about 50 salsas from which to choose.  The fire tacos were almost too hot for me to eat, truly living up to their name.  The service was always first rate, prices were reasonable and you never left hungry.	Mexican
Tip's Coffee Shop 9421 Coors, N.W. Albuquerque, NM	Tip's Coffee Shop was one of the anchor tenants of the Sun Country shopping complex on Albuquerque's burgeoning northwest section.  A nifty 50s theme and a varied menu weren't enough to draw in hungry patrons.	American
Tora Bora House 6219 Montgonery, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	In April, 2002, while coalition forces were bombarding Afghanistan's Tora Bora, a terrorist refuge and stronghold, the Tora Bora House began introducing open-minded Duke City diners to sensational Afghani cuisine.  Despite a limited menu (13 items plus vegetarian options), this was a great restaurant.	Afghani
The Townhouse 3911 Central, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	An Albuquerque tradition serving the Duke City for more than 35 years, this charming old world Greek steakhouse replete with tuck and roll oversized naugahide booths is noted for personalized service and the best antipasto in town.  more...	Steak
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Victor's Kitchen 532 Louisiana, S.E. Albuquerque, NM	Victor's Kitchen was named "Best Mexican" restaurant for 2000 by La Cocinita magazine and I couldn't agree more.  Victor's credentials were splayed on the walls of this small, homey diner reminiscent of Juarez, but the greater imprint was left on your taste buds at this excellent Mexican hole-in-the-wall.	Mexican
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Willie Powdrell's Barbecue 5901 Wyoming, N.E. Albuquerque, NM	In Albuquerque, the name "Powdrell" is synonymous with barbecue.  Willie Powdrell couldn't quite capitalize on the famous Powdrell barbecue family name in this small hole-in-the-wall in a nondescript shopping center which served great take-out barbecue.	Barbecue
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