Spring Rollin’ – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Reclusive American poet Emily Dickinson insisted a light exists in spring that’s not present at any other time of year. …
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The Last Call – Albuquerque, New Mexico
“Ah, but after the sunset, the dusk and the twilight, when shadows of night start to fall. They roll back …
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Ana’s Kitchen – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Several ominous scenarios went through my mind when Ana told me, “I’m sorry. We don’t accept credit cards.” Would I …
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FireBird Nashville Hot Chicken – Albuquerque, New Mexico
My brother Mario–seven years younger, much better looking and quite a bit smarter–and I have shared many memorable firsts. There …
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ABQ BBQ – Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, New Mexico
“It was Kansas City but it was North Carolina I wanted; whole hog smoked low and slow over fruit woods …
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Juanita’s Comida Mexicana – Albuquerque, New Mexico
When writer Jeffrey Steingarten was named food critic for Vogue in 1998, he made it his quest to overcome any …
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Duke City Kitchen – Albuquerque, New Mexico
In the 1970s and 1980s, Reese’s Peanut Butter cups commercials consisted of a series of vignettes. Each vignette depicted the collision …
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The Range – Bernalillo, New Mexico
The phoenix of ancient Egyptian mythology was a sacred firebird of beautiful red and gold plumage said to live for …
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Mad Jack’s Mountaintop Barbecue – Cloudcroft, New Mexico
Whether it’s movies, Uber drivers or restaurants, human beings seem to predisposed to take stock in rankings and ratings. Be …
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Henry’s Barbecue – Artesia, New Mexico
“Texas. It’s Like A Whole Other Country.” That slogan, conceived by the Texas Tourism Department, appeared on television commercials, billboards, …
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Chef Toddzilla’s Gourmet Burgers – Roswell, New Mexico
Roswell, New Mexico is a stodgy conservative town where sidewalks are rolled up early. Change comes to the state’s fifth …
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Gil’s Thrilling (And Filling) Year in Food: February, 2019
If it’s on the internet, it’s got to be true, especially if it comes from Google, that infallible source of …
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Bonchon – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Hawkeye Pierce had a very unique (and very sarcastic) take on the Korean War: “I just don’t know why they’re …
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Albuquerque / New Mexican / New Mexico Culinary Treasures Trail / Rated 27 / Travel Channel Eats New Mexico
MARY & TITO’S CAFE – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Old-timers whose opinions I respect consistently rate Mary & Tito’s as Albuquerque’s best restaurant for New Mexican food, a restaurant …
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The Farmacy – Albuquerque, New Mexico
In this age of “fake news,” biased media slants and unabashed tell-alls, the one recent headline which has pleased me …
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Cantina Nueva – Garduños – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Garduños just can’t seem to keep up with the Joneses, at least in terms of familial propagation. The 2010 United …
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The Kitchen by 135 Degrees – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Once described as the “enfant terrible of the gastronomic scene,” curmudgeonly English food critic Jay Rayner pondered “Why would anyone …
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Bubblicitea Cafe – Albuquerque, New Mexico
According to the United States Census Bureau, by 2016 the Asian American population–including those of multiracial, Hispanic and Latino ancestry–had …
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Sixty Six Acres – Albuquerque, New Mexico
My high school football coach used to call his team “chiquitos pero picosos,” a Spanish term meaning “small but piquant” …
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Gobble This – Albuquerque, New Mexico
“Is there a sound on Earth as joyous as the pat-pat-pat from a Salvadoran kitchen, the gentle rhythm of a …
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CAFE DALAT – Albuquerque, New Mexico
While the term “Vietnamese cuisine” is broad and overarching, any attempt to pigeonhole this very diverse and eclectic culinary culture …
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High Point Grill – Albuquerque, New Mexico
If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?” …
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Mac’s La Sierra – Albuquerque, New Mexico
But the Lights of Albuquerque, will soon be shining bright, Like a diamond in the desert, like a beacon in …
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Punchy’s Wood-Fired Pizza – Albuquerque, New Mexico
In the parlance of the pugilist, “punchy” is synonymous with punch-drunk, the result of having been battered violently by an …
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The Kosmos – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Even though New Mexico’s license plates have been graced with the sobriquet “Land of Enchantment” since 1941, it didn’t become …
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Pho Kobe – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Jim Millington, a long-time friend of this blog, contends that “there must be a bad Vietnamese restaurant somewhere on this …
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Gil’s Thrilling (And Filling) Year in Food: December, 2018
Over the years perhaps no restaurant across the Land of Enchantment has garnered as much acclaim as Santa Fe’s Geronimo. …
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Gil’s Best of the Best for 2018
“Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens.” Sound of Music fans will recognize …
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AC3 – Palm Desert, California
Hollywood’s movie studio system of the 1920s and 30s contractually required its greatest glitterati to remain within 100 miles of Tinseltown’s …
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Sherman’s Deli & Bakery – Palm Springs & Palm Desert, California
Not everyone appreciated my friend Bob’s stark honesty as much as I did. For nearly twelve years, Bob was my …
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Grill A-Burger – Palm Desert, California
California may not have invented the hamburger, but a strong case could be made that no state has and continues …
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LULU CALIFORNIA BISTRO – Palm Springs, California
How many times have you heard a transplant to the Land of Enchantment say it just doesn’t feel like Christmas …
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JAKE’S – Palm Springs, California
“Now i lay me down to sleep And pray the Lord my soul to keep If i die before i …
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Workshop Kitchen + Bar – Palm Springs, California
“Good restaurant design is about achieving equilibrium between the food, service and design – in effect telling a complete story.” …
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Shanghai Reds at the Fisherman’s Market & Grill – La Quinta, California
For years, fish tacos have been one of those popular, almost faddish obsessions which have garnered more attention and affection …
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Sammy C’s Rock ‘n’ Sports Pub & Grille – Gallup, New Mexico
Gallup, New Mexico is a city of dichotomies, contrasts and contradictions. As recently as the 1990s, Gallup was known as …
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