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Down N Dirty Seafood Boil – Albuquerque, New Mexico

Gil GardunoFebruary 27, 2022November 26, 202211:19 AM

Seafood boil in the Duke City! If the notion conjures visions of heading to Tingley Beach and embarking on an unappetizing repast of catfish, rainbow trout and silvery minnows boiled together in a large pot of green chile seasoned broth, you’re in for a treat. As of September, 2013, it’s possible for expatriates from any of America’s coastal regions to indulge in authentic seafood boil…and it’s very good. So good, in fact, that since its launch, copycat restaurants have spawned throughout the Duke City. Down N Dirty Seafood Boil was the first–often duplicated but never replicated. Albuquerque’s very first seafood boil restaurant launched to very little fanfare. The event should have been celebrated with ceremonial splendor and rejoicing. Think…

Albuquerque Dog Friendly National Chain New Mexico Pizza Rating: Very Good

California Pizza Kitchen – Albuquerque, New Mexico

Gil GardunoFebruary 19, 2022April 3, 20266:51 PM

No, your eyes aren’t deceiving you. This is Gil’s Thrilling (And Filling) Blog, champion of the mom-and-pop restaurant, defender of the independently owned eatery, supporter of the family owned and family operated diner…and this is a review of a chain restaurant. No, this blog has not been hijacked by some corporate cabal bent on corrupting the American diet with homogeneous mediocrity…and no, this review was not written under duress or the promise of free food. It was written of my own free will, sound mind and full accord. Lest you condemn this seemingly traitorous affront, hear me out. Several years ago, I made my own version of a Faustian pact. Faust, for the non-English majors among you was a scholar…

Albuquerque Bakery Mexican Rating: Very Good

Panaderia El Dorado – Albuquerque, New Mexico

Gil GardunoFebruary 13, 2022April 5, 20265:42 AM

“Over the Mountains of the Moon, down the Valley of the Shadow, ride, boldly ride…if you seek for El Dorado.” ~Edgar Allan Poe In the 16th century when the Spaniards reached South America, natives regaled them with tales about a tribe with profligate wealth living high in the Andes. According to raconteurs, when a new chieftain ascended to the throne, he was covered in gold dust. Gold and precious jewels were then tossed into a lake to appease a god who lived underwater. The Spaniards called this golden chief “El Dorado” which translates to “the gilded one.” Legends of El Dorado fueled the Spaniards insatiable lust for gold, an effort they pursued for more than two centuries. Though they found…

Buffet Indian Rating: Excellent Rio Rancho

Namaste Restaurant – Rio Rancho, New Mexico

Gil GardunoFebruary 12, 2022April 5, 20264:37 AM

Several years ago while leading my organization’s e-business marketing and communication effort at Intel, I had the great fortune of hiring a phenomenal Web developer recently arrived from India. In the process of filling out one of our complicated employment forms he transposed his name, writing his last name then his middle initial and first name instead of the way hinted at on the complicated form. As a result, during the entire time he worked for us we all called him Kolli, his last name. He was too polite to tell us his first name is actually Srini. Over time Srini became more acculturated, maybe even a bit “Americanized” (he’s now a huge Dallas Cowboys fan), but he’s never lost…

Albuquerque New Mexican New Mexico Rating: Good Rio Rancho

Stripes Burrito Co. – Albuquerque & Rio Rancho, New Mexico

Gil GardunoJanuary 28, 2022April 5, 202610:44 AM

A survey of the eating habits and lifestyle preferences of various burrito consumers was recently commissioned by a fast food chain. The survey of than 1,000 respondents between the ages of 13 and 50 unveiled especially surprising revelations about the culinary habits of millennials. As Mic, an online presence which purports to “help young people process the present” noted: “Millennials apparently don’t have a lot of sex or money, but boy do they make out well in the burrito department.” For millennials, the burrito is not just a source of delicious sustenance. It’s a panacea for dateless nights, awkward conversations and pockets with more lint than coins. It’s also a buffer for some of the adverse effects associated with alcohol. A whopping 53% of…

Albuquerque Chicken Closed in 2024 Gone But Not Forgotten New Mexico Specialty

Roti NM Rotisserie Chicken – Albuquerque, New Mexico (CLOSED)

Gil GardunoJanuary 26, 2022May 22, 202412:01 AM

Google “the history of rotisserie chicken” and you’re likely to read something along the lines of “Back in 1985 a fast casual chain called Boston Market (formerly Boston Chicken) specialized in the sale of rotisserie chicken. People would pick up a pre-cooked bird along with several side dishes, and have a family dinner that felt homemade. The concept caught on quickly and 35 years later you can find these pre-cooked birds sold throughout the country in virtually every supermarket.” While the last part of that statement–“you can find these pre-cooked birds sold throughout the country in virtually every supermarket“–may be true, one megalithic retailer may be responsible for their continued growth in popularity. According to Reader’s Digest, “Costo sold approximately…

Albuquerque Chinese New Mexico

Zu Hot Pot – Albuquerque, New Mexico

Gil GardunoJanuary 17, 2022February 4, 202212:01 AM

“You have tattoos and others have piercings, but for me, there’s nothing that says more about me than the food I choose to carry every single day. As a kid trying to maintain my identity in America, my Chinese was passable, my history was shaky, but I could taste something one time and make it myself at home. When everything else fell apart and I didn’t know who I was, food brought me back and here I was again.” ~Eddie Huang, Fresh Off The Boat Food: It triggers memories that provide a sense of identity and belonging. It feeds the soul and nourishes the body. It impacts the environment and geopolitical politics. It inspires song, art and lore. It affects…

Albuquerque Chicken Dog Friendly New Mexico Specialty

KūKri – Albuquerque, New Mexico

Gil GardunoJanuary 15, 2022January 24, 202212:01 AM

In one of the most famous soliloquies ever penned, Juliet Capulet pondered “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” As restaurateurs know, the success or failure of a new restaurant can hinge on many factors, not the least of which is an intriguing name. Great restaurant names can create an aura that elicits salivation even before a guest has stepped through the door. A restaurant’s name should add to its allure not cause potential guests to ponder what the heck it means. That is…unless you’re a logophile (someone who loves words). Those of us with that particular affliction try to figure out a word’s etymology (study of the meanings…

Albuquerque Dog Friendly Food Truck Mexican New Mexico Rating: Very Good Tacos

Don Choche Tacos Y Cerveza – Albuquerque, New Mexico

Gil GardunoJanuary 13, 2022April 3, 20267:40 PM

“Well, there’s not a taco big enough for a man like me That’s why I order two or three Let me give you a tip, just try a nacho chip It’s really good with bean dip.” ~Weird Al Yankovic – Taco Grande Philosophers and scholars have long pondered just what Rodin’s The Thinker was thinking about. Okay, some people were probably wondering why he was naked, but mostly we wondered what deep philosophical ruminations occupied his mind. Theories abound. Was he contemplating the meaning of life? Musing about what is truth? I have my own theory. I believe The Thinker was wondering why the heck anyone would eat at Taco Bell when there are so many better options–especially in New…

Albuquerque Bakery Jewish New Mexico Rating: Excellent

Ruthie’s Bagels – Albuquerque, New Mexico

Gil GardunoJanuary 11, 2022March 31, 202612:01 AM

George: “I came this close last night, and then I just sort of chickened out.” Jerry: “Well, that’s a big move, Georgie boy. Are you confident in the “I love you” return?” George: “Fifty-fifty.” Jerry: “Because if you don’t get that return, that’s a pretty big matzo ball hanging out there.” ~Seinfeld The 1980s comedy Seinfeld has been described as “a show about nothing” largely because it focuses on the minutiae of daily life. A show about nothing is, of course, a faulty premise. In the case of Seinfeld, the “nothing” may have referred to the simplicity of each episode’s narrative. More often than not, each weekly show focused on four people coming in and out of Seinfeld’s apartment or a…

Albuquerque American Bakery Breakfast Dog Friendly Rating: Excellent

The Flying Star – Albuquerque, New Mexico

Gil GardunoJanuary 5, 2022April 5, 20264:39 PM

In the ancient Chinese art and science of Feng Shui, flying stars are used to assess the quality of the energy flow (qi) in a given place at a given time. The positive and negative auras of a building are charted using precise mathematical formulas to determine the wealth, academic, career, success, relationships and health of a building’s inhabitant. By understanding the course of harmful and beneficial flying stars, appropriate Feng Shui cures can be employed to mitigate the effects of those harmful stars while enhancing the positive effects of the beneficial stars. While owners Jean and Mark Bernstein may not have renamed their successful local restaurant chain for the Feng Shui principles of flying stars, there’s no denying the…