April 2011 - Gil's Thrilling (And Filling) Blog

Albuquerque Closed in 2012 Gone But Not Forgotten Japanese Vietnamese

Hakata Asian Cuisine & Grill – Albuquerque, New Mexico (CLOSED)

Gil GardunoApril 28, 2011July 19, 20185:37 PM

“Grrr! What’s wrong with those Vietnamese?” That’s not a bad bowl of pho prompting a xenophobic rant on my part. Those were the words of my friend Huu Vu when I told him a new Vietnamese restaurant by the name Hakata Asian Grill had opened up on Albuquerque’s west side. A proud native of Vietnam, Huu wasn’t upset at the launch of another restaurant showcasing the cuisine of his homeland. He was unhappy about the name. Hakata Asian Cuisine & Grill is the third restaurant featuring Vietnamese food to open in the seven month period which ended in April, 2011. That’s great news for all adventurous Duke City Diners, and you would certainly think my pho fanatic friend would be…

Albuquerque Burgers Closed in 2016 Gone But Not Forgotten New Mexico Green Chile Cheeseburger Trail: 2011 Pizza

Doc & Eddy’s – Albuquerque, New Mexico (CLOSED)

Gil GardunoApril 25, 2011July 19, 201811:50 AM

Making your way in the world today takes everything you’ve got. Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot. Wouldn’t you like to get away? Sometimes you want to go Where everybody knows your name, and they’re always glad you came. You wanna be where you can see, our troubles are all the same You wanna be where everybody knows Your name. –Cheers Lyrics America has become increasingly homogenized as corporate chains have used catchy jingles, universal name recognition and multi-million dollar media budgets to spread their tentacles across the fruited plain and entice gullible customers into their copycat restaurants. Despite the boring sameness perpetuated by corporate chains, Americans still crave a familiar, comfortable and welcoming…

Albuquerque Closed in 2012 Gone But Not Forgotten Italian Pizza

Amici – Albuquerque, New Mexico (CLOSED)

Gil GardunoApril 11, 2011July 19, 201810:10 PM

“There are two laws of the universe — gravity, and everyone likes Italian food.” Neil Simon, American playwright and screenwriter A 2007 Harris Poll declared Italian food the most popular ethnic food in America, revealing that when Americans eat out, the cuisine of choice for nearly a quarter of them is Italian food. Among the youngest group of respondents, those aged 18-30, the percentage is even higher. Famous oenophile and food writer Dino Romano believes Italian food is so popular because humans are genetically predisposed to eat as many things that are good for us as possible. Romano believes Italian cuisine lends itself to an anthropological need to eat a large variety of foods in many ways. Perhaps the operative…

Breakfast New Mexican New Mexico New Mexico Green Chile Cheeseburger Trail: 2011 Rating: N/R (Not Rated)Santa Fe

Atrisco Cafe & Bar – Santa Fe, New Mexico

Gil GardunoApril 10, 2011April 5, 20269:10 PM

From the snow-capped mountains to the coral shores You’re the only one my heart adores You’ve only got three competitors Tacos, enchiladas and beans From the Mississippi to the Amazon There’s not much we don’t agree upon Wish we could get together on Tacos, enchiladas and beans Love ’em, dozens of ’em I consume them by the score And when I’m through, what do I do I stamp and holler for more You can have the fourth position on my list Must admit your kisses would be missed But how in the world could I exist Without tacos, enchiladas and beans Doris Day In the dark ages when I was growing up in the high mountain community of Peñasco, the…

Closed in 2011 Gone But Not Forgotten New Mexico Pizza Rio Rancho

Rocco’s Pizzeria – Rio Rancho, New Mexico (CLOSED)

Gil GardunoApril 4, 2011July 19, 20186:16 AM

In an age of sensory bombardment, we all occasionally experience a phenomenon known as an “earworm.” Earworm is a literal translation of a German term for a song (particularly an annoying one) stuck in someone’s head. For some it’s the Gilligan’s Island theme song. For others, it might be “It’s a Small World” or the Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine.” In the 1960s, one television commercial was responsible for an earworm that afflicted many of us in the Albuquerque viewing area. It was a commercial for Peppino’s Pizza Joint and the words to its annoyingly catchy jingle were “The p-pizza’s p-perfect at Peppino’s, the p-pizza’s p-perfect at Peppino’s p-pizza joint.” I’ll bet some of the more “seasoned” (geriatrically advanced like me) members…

New Mexican New Mexico New Mexico Culinary Treasures Trail Rating: Excellent

Pete’s Cafe – Belen, New Mexico

Gil GardunoApril 1, 2011March 31, 20262:09 AM

Located along the braided routes of the historic Camino Real (the Royal Road) which skirts the Rio Grande, Belen remains the hub for two major rail lines. To this day, an average of 70 trains travel through Belen every 24-hour period. In 1901, to capitalize on the railway traffic, the Fred Harvey Company built one of the sixteen Harvey Houses it would build in New Mexico. Belen’s Harvey House provided lunch and dining facilities in close proximity to the tracks. The Harvey House was bustling with railroad crews well into the twentieth century’s fourth decade and served as a social center for the community until its closure shortly after World War II ended. Four years after the war to end…