As New Mexico’s largest city, Albuquerque also provides its most plentiful and diverse dining opportunities. Lying in the Chihuahuan Desert near the geographical center of New Mexico, the “Duke City” is situated on a plain along the banks of the Rio Grande and at the base of the Sandia Mountains to the east.
Historically a tricultural city representing a synergy of Native American, Hispanic and Anglo cultures, both modern and traditional cultures coexist in a relatively easy harmony. As a result, Albuquerque is very accepting to diversity in dining.
Less than 20 years ago “diversity” was not a term you could ascribe to the Albuquerque dining scene. Aside from a preponderance of New Mexican and American restaurants, the only other ethnic restaurants represented in appreciable numbers were Chinese and Italian.
Burgeoning growth over the past three decades resulted in a population, which in 2002, surpassed half a million. It also meant the introduction into our dining scene, of restaurants crossing many ethnic groups and demographics.
Bigger is not always better and with an increase in population, Albuquerque also has seen the onslaught of many nation-wide franchise restaurants, most of which dot the frontage roads visible from the city’s freeways.
Some of these interlopers have essentially driven long-established “mom and pop” restaurants out of business. During the 18 month period starting at about January, 2003, the number of chain restaurants in the Duke City doubled, adding over 5,000 seats to an already glutted market. At the same time, the number of new seats for restaurants not in the “chain gang” increased by just over 200.
Several years ago some innovative Duke City restaurateurs fought back, forming the “Albuquerque Originals”, one of sixteen chapters nationwide dedicated to promoting the independent restaurant. Many of the city’s best restaurants belong to the Originals: Artichoke Cafe, Ambrozia, Graze, Great American Land & Cattle Company, Indigo Crow, McGrath’s, Rancher’s Club, The Range Cafe, Scarpa’s, Seasons, Yanni’s and others among them.
It baffles me as to why the local populace would prefer to eat at a copycat chain when they could dine at a wonderful original. For a lengthier diatribe on my opinion of corporate restaurants, please read my ratings page.
Albuquerque’s mantra should be “pansa llena, corazon contento,” a Spanish “dicho” or saying which means, “full stomach, happy heart.” That’s because Duke City residents have over 1200 restaurants from which to choose–and choose they do–to the tune of about $1400 per diner in 1994.
In fact, New Mew Mexicans in general like to dine out. In fiscal 2003, New Mexicans spent $1.6 billion in eating and dining establishments (considering the disgraceful amount of alcohol consumed by New Mexico residents, I’d love to see the true break-down between alcohol and food).
Other cities may have more restaurants and restaurants with much more acclaim, but Albuquerque holds its own and often surpasses the culinary culture at larger cities.
NOTE: The awe-inspiring polychromatic photo of downtown Albuquerque is courtesy of my friend Sarah Rose, a very talented and creative artist whose lenses capture her subject matter in a unique light.
Try it: You’ll like it. I used to have a deal with the owner, where I would buy all of the ones that didn’t sell by New Year, and then freeze them. I think that my record was ten (lol).
Now she is better at planning (unfortunately), so she sells them all.
Alas…lest ya missed it on the news last(?) night, YELP (who I believe Gil has referenced once in awhile) is offering this list of “Top 50 Places To Eat In Albuquerque!” http://tinyurl.com/y8rctdmk albeit the tv station chided them a tad for listing Joe’s PH @ #1 cuz it is in Rio Rancho, albeit the List’s author tried to account for that.
In any event and moving right along: Gil has indeed visited many. If I may highlight one given many affinities for the GCCB, it would be The Toro Burger at #17…interesting for example, to read what out-of-towners have to say…or perhaps just to disagree with the list all together.
Say, check out this great pic of a Diablo Burger and Fries a Customer took http://tinyurl.com/y7eee3no
For those Sheldon’s herein or who otherwise fancy themselves as having a scientific bent,
click the Wilson Score hotlink therein to see how they reached their listings. (I’d’ve included it but it didn’t copy well.)
As Always,
“Chow!”
And Happy MOM’s Day to those so serving!
Does anyone know if San Pedro Mart has closed? I drove by there this afternoon and it looked dark and bare.
Sad to report that the SE Heights seems to have lost 2 restaurants: Leilani’s and Senor Torta.. Rumor has it, but not confirmed, that Leilani’s rent was raised to a level that forced them out. I hope all of them find another location. I enjoyed the food at all of these restaurants.
San Pedro Mart, now Alquds Middle East Restaurant, has relocated. It’s now on the northwest side of the Montgomery-San Pedro intersection, walking distance from California Pastrami. I’m sorry to hear about Leilani’s and Senor Torta’s closing. It’s always sad when independent restaurants don’t make it in this tough market.
Thought I’d take a break from doing Income Taxes while awaiting 10AM to call library to see if it (or is it “they”?) still have forms, i.e. I don’t understand why the State of New Mexico has started economizing per having only 1 PIT form vs having a second for a taxpayer’s records…i.e. I made mistakes on that one and can’t find an eraser in my house and so must get a new PIT to submit which means “wasting” a whole new booklet…Gosh ding it….my printer is messing up, so I can’t make a copy off the internet! Woe is me!
Anyway, ran across this, some might say, prestigious survey: Open Table’s Diners’ Choice of Best Overall Restaurants in ABQ http://tinyurl.com/ycf4rqfw
Bravo caught my eye in comparison to what Gil and diners had and didn’t have to say: https://www.nmgastronome.com/?p=1037#comments
And Trombino’s https://www.nmgastronome.com/?p=1037#comments
BTW, can’t imagine T’s is more expensive per $$$ than Elaine’s or Indigo Crow at $$.
Alas for Newbie’s herein: M’Tucci therein (which is the restaurant) should not be confused with the recently noted disappointment herein with the M’Tucci Market & Pizzeria.
Also, Gil notes his reviews are but one snapshot in time.
There is a direct connection between M’Tucci’s deli and pizzeria and their flagship restaurant. Period.
Newbies should know that even though you’ve made an erroneous point about some separation.
Re your tax problems, how was the meal?
For those of Y’all who like to express your support of your FAVs, it is time for the ABQ Journal’s Reader’s Choice Awards http://readerschoice.abqjournal.com/ (apparently even if you not be a reader.)
http://www.kob.com/albuquerque-news/which-seasons-restaurants-is-which/4840039/
Season’s vs Season’s 52
How did this happen?
I just had a Philly Cheesesteak at Philly’s Steaks, 2520C Juan Jabo NE, formerly the home to The Grill before it moved to San Mateo. Now since I am a novice at PC’s, having never eaten one before, I thought it tasted pretty good. It was made from thinly sliced ribeye, which was chopped on the grill with onion and pepper and I added mushrooms, because I like them. It was all served on a fresh, substantial “hoagie” roll, probably special order bread that held together pretty well, IMHO. They also offer other toppings, Deli Sandwiches, other types of Hoagies, 3 Hot sandwiches, including a meatball/provolone, 1/2 lb hamburger, alone or as a combo, several plain and topped french fries, onion rings, chips, soup, salads and an assortment of beverages. I would be interested to know how other folks feel it compares to others purveyors, like Itsa or AK.
Hello Roland
We visited Philly Steaks yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed our experience. Owners Joe and Jim Lelii could not have been any friendlier. I’ll be publishing my review sometime this week. It will be very favorable. For years the green chile Philly at Philly’s N’ Fries (formerly Itsa) has been my favorite sandwich in New Mexico. The cheesesteak at Philly Steaks ranks way up there, too, though we had it sans green chile.
AK Deli doesn’t offer cheesesteak sandwiches, but its Italian beef and combo sandwiches are every bit as good as any sandwich in the city.
Gil
Hi Roland,
Having gone to school in Philadelphia and eaten my share there is one original component I don’t think has reached the Duke City. The cheese in the Original as served at Pat’s and Gino’s in Philly is Cheez Whiz. Plain old heated Cheez Whiz.
Call me old fashioned but the Philly Cheesesteak is from Philly. All others can be good/great but it’s just not the same. Like bagels or cheesecake, it’s always NY bagels and NY cheesecake. Like shows “direct from Broadway” there’s that certain cachet added to them.
Guess what? Cheez Whiz is one of the choices on the menu. I saw it but didn’t try it. Maybe I will have to give it a try next time. Since I am a native NM, never having been to Philly limits my perspective, but not my curiosity. I hope to get there someday and try a REAL Philly.
As I do so often when trying someplace new (for us) I checked your blog this morning for a review of “Downtown Java Joe’s”, a breakfast and lunch place on Park Ave.
I couldn’t find one so it appears that you have not published a review.
I’ve known this place for several years, but have never made the effort to go there before today.. We went and were pleasantly surprised. What a great place and I kick myself for not ever trying them before.
http://downtownjavajoes.com/
Soozi and I both had their Turquoise Trail Omelet (sautéed mushrooms, bacon, avocado & Swiss cheese). Excellent!
The omelets were both perfectly cooked (IMHO)! Absolutely not overcooked – which unfortunately has been something in our recent experience has been very difficult to find on a consistent basis.
The omelets were preceded by raspberry scones which were also very very good.
If you haven’t yet you should give them a try. I’m so glad we did!
Thank you, Bruce. Java Joe’s is on my radar now.
Tasting Table recently had a very interesting feature on the culinary scene in Santa Barbara: https://www.tastingtable.com/travel/national/santa-barbara-restaurants-chefs. You might want to visit some of these next time you’re back there.
Thanks Gil – we have been to Lark – it’s sort of in the center of an area now called the Funk Zone. We tend to head this area more and more on our latest visits. Lots of restaurants, wine bars, breweries, art etc. We will have to check out some of the others mentioned in the article. It’s always hard to balance old favorites against new experiences but we do our best.
Here is one I may have mentioned before you might find enjoyable – nice outdoor patio!
Shalhoobs Meat Company: http://www.funkzonepatio.com/#funkzonepatio
Caveat: For Purists, this may be offbase, Pardon!
Need a somewhat unique Carino (If you be a NM Newbie, it’s a small token of “caring” for e.g. a co-worker, a neighbor, a mail or paper or shoeshine person, etc.) for Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa/Holiday/Festivus?
Consider Beef Jerky http://newmexicobeefjerkycompany.com/ Click on “Online Store”. Of course while there, ya might munch after clicking “Restaurant” as well.
In addition, consider http://tinyurl.com/yb6xwknb (The “Christmas” (chile) popcorn is excellent IMHO, tho the Carmel Corn…oh heck, get both!!!!
Then there is http://tinyurl.com/y7vgxkzb and Cookies/Empanadas from http://goldencrown.biz/wp/?page_id=774 Probably best given on the day of purchase. (Tip of the Day? The latter is a great excuse to get one of their fabulously (expensive)…to die for….Shakes!
Oh yes! Gil has reviews of all venues!
Lastly, for a Carino or being stumped for a Major Gift, consider strolling around the Shoppes around Olde Town in our beautiful weather for some Unique gifts…even beyond Indian/New Mexican! Some great places to dine as well!
Feliz Navidad!
PS: On a budget and a Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa/Holiday/Festivus Day Honey Glazed Spiral Ham is pushing the budget? Check this out http://tinyurl.com/ybvypjrd
New poll meister
Seems like the poll’s sayonara incarnation.
It’s okay, I’m just hungry, sorry Schuyler.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
The King is dead, long live the King.
I find this newest poll missing the most important point in one’s selection of a restaurant. What type of food do I want to eat. Be it American, Italian, Asian, Steak, Mexican, French, New Mexican or even Ethiopian, I believe most folks on an eating blog look for the best of the best, except those who look for the buffet at El Cheapo’s House of Mediocrity.
I have my preferences for most cuisines and I see no need and little incentive to try a new place. There are few folks whose culinary expertise leads me to try a new restaurant when I think my own choice can’t be beat. Egotistic? Perhaps but I know what I like and have been disappointed too many times to want to try a new place just to try it.
After that the rest is unimportant, the important thing is a personal desire to have the best meal again. And again and again. I tend to cross off more establishments than I add to my favorites. Another choice for this poll could have been, “I go where great food is combined with great service in a great environment that adds to the fine dining experience”.
So what do I feel like eating tonight? Then, where shall I go to get what I’m craving.
It’s that simple.
Had dinner at Elaine’s.
Just our table and one (1) other and an eerie silence.
Elaine is gone. Wonder why?
ART is going to change the area and I don’t think for the better. The current administration seems to have forgotten and not care about what happens to the establishments along the stretch of Central. I don’t understand how many of our old favorites can survive with the obvious dearth of customers with no quick end in sight and with that HOHO (hop on, hop off) center bus lane. The number of potential diners in from the outskirts can’t be helped by the HOHO and the last thing the locals need is for folks who have to drive downtown to give up due to a greater lack of parking.
Central will never be Rodeo Drive or Fifth Avenue and the only bright spot is there’ll never be a Trump Tower or a stand alone Tiffany’s.
Why not a pedestrian night on the weekends? The dilatory effect of making travel difficult is hard to gauge for the establishments at the ends of the ART Route, let alone on the entirety. Its something that seems to have been forgotten by the powers that be.
I won’t be voting in the tipping poll. I have always felt that leaving tipping to individual diners opens the door for the most frugal amongst us to stay that way when the bill comes. This frivolous poll makes light of someone’s lively hood.
Maybe one of the choices should be “my mother never expected a tip for serving me my food so why tip a stranger?” And “I only go to inexpensive restaurants so I can tip less and not look like a cheapskate”. I would like to see tipping eliminated and pay servers a better wage. It’s rediculous to tip based on the cost of food.
Left up to some folks servers wouldn’t get a thin dime.
In no way is this poll intended to make fun of anyone’s livelihood. If anything, it skews toward making fun of people who don’t tip (and hopefully not those who can’t tip).
Tipping is a very personal matter and thankfully not something mandated by government. Being a personal choice means generous diners will tip well and frugal diners will not. There are also diners who don’t have the financial means to tip as generously as they might like. I don’t make personal judgements in either case.
First let me say I like polls, all sorts of polls.
I vote in those polls here on the blog.
Unfortunately my reaction after voting and looking at the results is So What?
I don’t know of any restaurant that doesn’t serve adult beverages with the exception of McDonaldsChucky Cheese, and that ick, I mean ilk.
I’m interested in the nuts and bolts of dining at reviewed restaurants and suggestions for places where the commenters have dined both here and other states, cities and even foreign dining experiences. I learn a lot from other commenter’s choices and reactions.
8, what might have you confounded at the moment, is that BOTVOLR has been suggesting polls to our beloved food blogger. This has shades of him thinking of, or wanting others to think of, PBR – his favorite adult beverage.
If it makes you feel any better, the majority of Gil’s readers are confounded after reading comments by BOTVOLR, so you can consider yourself one of the family…kind of like a rite of passage around here at Gil’s Thrilling (And Filling)…:-)
I like PBR especially as a mixed drink. BOTVOLR, you should try this one: https://ratedrcocktails.com/2013/05/15/hipsters/.
I also like BOTVOLR’s posts and have no problem understanding what he has to say. Of course, I’ve had more than thirty years of deciphering Gil’s 50-character words. After living in Texas for a few years now I can even understand Texican. What I can’t understand is wifespeak so I just nod my head alot.
Whoa…an interesting by-play that beats watching cable per the shenanigans in Hollywood as a break from those in The Swamp.
– BTAIM, mixing beer with other stuff? Thank you for that link Schu. While I tried Tomato Beer just once, I did find the beer-into-a-Margarita of all things interesting and was particularly intrigued by the inventiveness of someone creating a holder for the inverted bottle into the Margarita as seen here: http://tinyurl.com/ybmgfa32 In this case, t’would be a Coronarita: The beer doesn’t come out all at once, but as your ‘rita goes down, you simply raise the Corona just enough to let some spill into your margarita. (Alas, some Sandia Lab or Academic type can feel free to explain the “aerodynamics” of that.)
– Elsewise, I am not “really” a beer drinker but prefer/require an ice cold one to water with lemon/cucumber or a coke…Oooeee. BTW, when having a Dog House’s Foot Long Chile Cheese Dog con onions, I find their Orange drink is the best pairing to enhance the Red.
Salud, Na Zdrowie, Slainte!!!
Surveys of this type tend to have about a 13% response rate. In order to achieve even that low rate, the number of respondents would have to be in the hundreds based on the number of unique visitors to the blog. It seems to indicate visitors don’t frequent the blog to respond to or read surveys (but I’d have to survey readers to find out for sure).
I don’t usually pay attention to which restaurants do or don’t serve adult beverages, but it seems to me some Asian restaurants have rather limited adult beverage selections (Tsingtao beer maybe). As with you, I learn and value most the comments about restaurants. Whether or not respondents agree with my reviews, feedback is a gift.
I know that there can be glitches at every restaurant and the more times you dine at even the better ones the better the chance of encountering one.
That happened at the original M’Tucci.
Went with friends, one of whom had never been there.
Ordered the fish special, Ahi Tuna on a bed of mashed potatoes with vegetables.
That was the wait person’s description.
I asked if the tuna could be seared on the outside and beautifully red on the inside and was assured it was no problem.
When the dish came the tuna was a dull grey, over cooked, and on a bed of couscous.
Deciding to push thru the overcooked meat but wanting the mashed potatoes I pointed out the couscous to the wait staffer who offered to take the plate back and make the change or bring me the side of potatoes.
Told him whatever was easier and faster. A minute later a side of mashed arrived.
Jump to the bill, I asked my friend to divide it up which he did and we left quickly being late for our next stop. My friend then said to me, “you know they charged you for the side of mashed potatoes.”
What? I did notice the owners who always patrolled the dining room were absent the last two times I’ve dined there. Perhaps they have spread their growing empire too thin???
Very astute comments, 8. As you point out, even the best restaurants can experience glitches. I believe there’s a Murphy’s Law about taking friends to a restaurant at which they’ve never dined. Essentially the more you brag about the restaurant, the better the chances that something will go wrong: poor service, bad food, etc.
Thanks for recommending the green chile cheeseburger at Frenchish. I hope to try it someday soon…and hope we hear much more from you.
The best burger in Albuquerque?
Try the daily special at Jennifer James latest eatery frenchish.
The Green Chile Cheeseburger is now my favorite. The beef exceptional, the green Chile has the perfect bite and there is a basic juice absorbing bun.
Outstanding quality by one of the Duke City’s best chefs, a James Beard nominee.
Ms. James knows what she is doing and does it so very well.
Yes I’m aware some Folks don’t like Best of stuff.
Pardon, for others it’s the Alibi’s re eats http://alibi.com/index.php?scn=BOBR D
DEADLINE Wed. 20th, midnight.
(Pardon Gil, could not find a Comment section ala your Bob’s Burgers review site.)
Pardon my blatant bias as an ABQ Foodie, but I’d like to ask for the support of Foodies herein for Bob’s Burgers, a local small business of untold years here, by going out and buying a Burger given what they have had to resort to: http://tinyurl.com/y8q2qwyx E.g. as seen on KOB news this very day.
With various non-foodie businesses considering moving from downtown of late per so called rampant crime and, for example, a potential UNM student considering crime stats as to whether enrolling here, I’m (hysterically or not) hoping Y’all will let the Mayor know your feelings….whether Pro or Con via https://www.cabq.gov/mayor/contact-us or me for that matter.
Thank you!
Que estraño, Roberto. Twelve comments follow my review of Bob’s. Does anyone else out there not see them?
I see all 12 comments, and in fact the last one dated (May 25, 2012 at 3:38 PM) is from non other than Mr. BOTVOLR…though he went by Bob Of The Village Of Los Ranchos back then…
Ha ha Gil n Captain: If I use Albuquerque Restaurant index to click on Bob’s Burgers, I get this, i.e. with the 12 Comments https://www.nmgastronome.com/?p=221
If I use the Search Box on an opening page, I get this: https://www.nmgastronome.com/?s=bob%27s+burgers
with no Comment hotlink at the bottom of the review. However, if I keep scrolling down through Tia Betty’s, there is a Comment hotlink there!
Bottom line….one of us has an inconsequential “bug”, I think….LOL
Roberto – When you search for Bob’s, it merely gives you what it thinks you are looking for. In order to see the comments, you have to select Bob’s, and it will take you to the Bob’s page (complete with Comments section). It is the one with the URL of ?p=221.
This will be the case with any searches. Hope this helps.
Yo, WestSiders lest you don’t get the AJ paper…http://tinyurl.com/ybch8w96
Lest ya can’t access the article without a subscription: Besides the recently opened Range on Rio Grande and I-40, they are revamping the former Lone Star Steakhouse on outer Coors by Cottonwood and hope to open the end of August.
OMG! a belated Father’s Day dining last eve at…where else?….Antiquity with Daughter and S-i-L tucked in one of their cozy booths. S-i-L scarfed down a “plain” Filet while Daughter swooned over the smashed potatoes accompanied by the Tenderloin and Shrimp Brochette. All were preceded by a right-sized salad medley of various greens, shroom and tomato slices, and carrots done up special. Did I mention the Green Chile heat buns?
Alas, I had The Classic Henry IV which I do not think any place else in the Metro takes the trouble to prepare! It is utterly Primo year after year as a filet set upon the leaves of an artichoke with its heart being a cap atop the filet drizzled with Bearnaise, e.g. http://tinyurl.com/y9ob9smo . All served by tux-shirted, attentive waitstaff.
Sorry to say “Pardon!”, but I have to send Y’all here http://tinyurl.com/y8yz6tbm …dig ):-) …. to read about this Local eatery!
Green Goddess Salad Dressing/Anchovies!; Sr. Plata; LA Amiga Sandy;
Anyone remember Green Goddess Salad Dressing? Does anyplace in town still serve it?
Why might it have fallen out of favor? Mayonnaise, sour cream, chervil, chives, anchovy, tarragon, lemon juice, pepper. (Some recipes include Tahini, also known as Ardeh, a condiment made from toasted ground hulled sesame seeds.) Aha! anchovy! Seems many Folk dislike anchovy as may be akin to cumin/cilantro! I like it, albeit….LOL…diced up a bit…maybe on pizza once in awhile? Whoa! I see Il Vecino no longer has it as an extra, but still lists chopped anchovies, as has been traditional, in their Caesar’s Salad….LOL
RE Sr Plata: Just happened to run across this site about “early” Hollywood restaurants thought you might enjoy: http://tinyurl.com/y86rz8az
RE: Gil said: My LA Amiga Sandy isn’t the only friend of mine who swears by Langer’s. Within the above, Sandy might find this of interest….love the spelling of “Deli” ….http://tinyurl.com/y8tsn9yt
Hola Roberto
Check out The Kitchn which lists Green Goddess and Ranch dressings as among the ten food items which defined the 1970s. I don’t believe even The Cooperage offers Green Goddess dressing and it’s got the most vintage salad bar in Albuquerque. The Cooperage does offer another of your favorites, Ambrosia salad.
Gil
Indeed! Clicking on your “Kitchn” or this http://tinyurl.com/zaege2y was a fun trip (with all due respect to Dr. Leary) down memory lane. Alas, while not a “recipe” per se, brings back sweet memories of gathering with Folks to fondue some meat, bread, etc. (while sipping Mai Tais) for which you could create your own dipping recipes! I remember going from the sterno heated pot to the more sophisticated, electronically controlled pot http://tinyurl.com/y8okzwj6 with (WOW) color coded spears !!! Some would say http://tinyurl.com/l5zxc68
I think fondueing is a “lost” great medium for camaraderie.
Thanks!
While I don’t know of any restaurants serving it, I get it from Albertson’s (and occasionally some Walmart carry it too). It is a Kraft item.
It was my dad’s favorite dressing, so I’ve recently decided to start putting it on my salads, and I’ve grown fond of it as well.
Whoa! Thanks! How cool is that?! WallyMart has several choices including a Gluten Free Lite!!! http://tinyurl.com/yaqp8mbp Doesn’t get any better than that!
Salud!
Yo….as Y’all know, every little bit helps in this competitive dining market and despite what might be opined about “popularity” votes, IMHO, I’m not sure how not participating helps our FAV eateries. Indeed, my Daughter can attest that putting the “Best of….” etc. decal on their door, website http://www.foundon4th.com/, etc. makes them feel good and gets commented upon.
As such please consider taking a moment to fill out abqjournal.com/readerschoice Per concerns, multiple entries are said to be blocked.
Thanks….
For your time, let me share a Word of the Day LOL: acnestis (ak-NEES-tis) noun: The part of the body where one cannot reach to scratch.
IMHO, I think many Folks avoid ethnic restaurants per embarrassment of not knowing how to pronounce options let alone what they are eating. Can’t help but to think an astute restaurateur would do well in “educating” Folks to bolster their customer base.
As such and pardon my presumptiveness, let me share this with Newbies to Italian dining: http://tinyurl.com/kk4r8pn and regarding creations from the country of India: http://tinyurl.com/kbnvk5h
Gil, here’s another place to add to your ever-growing list of places to try: El Payaso. It’s on 4th Street, a little south of Montaño. It once housed a non-descript Chinese restaurant. Just had a very enjoyable lunch there. Gorditas! You have your choice of flour or corn and multiple fillings to choose from. Of course they also have tacos, burritos, tortas, and other things I will try on future visits. A word of warning when you venture over to their salsa bar: The red sauce is **hot**!!! You can take stuff pretty hot, but I still suggest you proceed with caution. The ambience is pretty simple, but it’s more about the food, isn’t it?
Thank you, Sarita. I’ll try El Payaso soon.
My friend Ryan “Break the Chain” Scott recently reminded me that I’m getting close to my 1000th review (974 reviews as of this reply). I’d like to make my 1000th review memorable and would appreciate any ideas my readers might have as to where I should go.
Since this is such a momentous occasion, I must add another place to your list: Cafe Laurel. It’s it the Downtown area. Here’s their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cafelaurelnm/
Hey! This could be your next poll question! Once you’ve got it narrowed down to a few places to choose from, of course.
That would make a great poll question (which restaurant should have the honor of being Gil’s 1,000th review).
Nice one Sarita!
Quite Frankly: A Musing per Marcello Chop House (MCH) has died.
Alas, in its decade here, I never managed to get there! Elsewise, I suspect…LOL…it was a fine dining venue deserving of my patronage.
Where is this leading? MCH said a difficult leasing arrangement and increased competition in the marketplace, i.e.. CheeseCake Factory and Ruths Chris played a role.
Yo…I am nowhere near an expert when it comes to financial restaurant strategies…LOL Vernon’s Steakhouse trucks on sorta secluded down here on 4th. Just up the street, tasteful/well priced OMs bombed as so many…even lowly…. others have in the village. Does Vernon’s subsist on Rio Grande Blvd Folk?
Whatever. Look west of the Rio Grande. No offense intended and thanks they be here, but does Indigo Crow in Corrales have the exclusivity for being the fine dining, go to place? (Whoa…back when https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3KEhWTnWvE circa ’70s when Corrales was way out in the boonies, there was fine dining at Casa Vieja, Rancho de Corrales, and ????? for most Albuquerquians!)
Whatever the next Level may be called, certainly today Joe’s Pasta House is IT! Maybe M’Tucci? Indeed, there are several more nice casual venues to follow at another level.
However, is West of the River so demographically depressed? Seriously, with money seemingly in Ox Bow and environs, La Luz, newbies along the Bosque, Corrales, money growing old in Paradise Hills, sprinters across the river from Los Ranchos….can’t a Marcello’s Chop House, including for but just special occasions for many, be supported here albeit we just lost a Steakhouse, Zio’s, etc.? My naive sense is The Falls was a few years before its time as it lays fallow today!
Could Chez Axel or Le Troquet Bistro or a Le Crepe Michel or an Antiquity make it over here? Was Bouche on Coors just lacking in marketing? Chez Bob: Is there an opening waiting to happen?
How about a revival of a place with the “exotic” ambiance (i.e. for newbies new to that sort of schtick) of Trader Vic’s or Don the BeachComber’s?
Alas, is eating out or is it ‘fine dining’ no longer in?
Chop Suey? Chow Mein?
If memory serves me correctly and given a bent of many of the Readership suggesting an affinity for Asian cuisine, I don’t think I’ve read any Comments about the best places to enjoy these dishes!
In addition, and given we seem to be a Readership of Diversity of ethnicity and birth, T’would seem we have some Readers who have possibly grown up on American Chop Suey. For those unfamiliar with ACS http://tinyurl.com/gtrk5th
Does any enjoy Chop Suey? Chow Mein? and, most importantly, why is it called American Chop Suey and is it served anywhere here?
My only contact with Chow Mein was lunch in the Richfield, MN public schools. It was only regular items that I hated (the other being stewed tomatoes). I like tomatoes today but am certain I would still hate the RPS Chow Mein. I have never run across Chop Suey.
Welcome home.
One of the first things taught/learned in the early days of college as given as a Tip of the Day by a Prof: If you don’t understand something, turn the page. Indeed, I got off my Como se llama and searched Google and found Chop Suey/Chow Mein can be found here in River City by Googling
“Chop Suey in Albuquerque” of all things!
– Alas re American Chop Suey: I email this off to:
Yo… Daniela and Maxime:
In discussing Chop Suey and Chow Mein over on Gil’s website, I was reminded of American Chop Suey. As I don’t recall seeing it around Albuquerque, thought I’d pass it on to Y’all for consideration as a possible addition to your list of Comfort Foods that you serve on occasion (besides pizza and Fish n Chips) like Kielbasa and Kapusta (aka Polish Sausage and Sauerkraut).
Why Y’all? Well, a) its main ingredient is ‘Italian’ per being a pasta as Elbow Macaroni!!! LOL b) t’would seem to be in the spirit of the word “Eclectic” as an offering c) might be of interest to some of the many transplants here from “back East”. Elsewise, I don’t see it on the menu online for e.g. Capo’s nor Buca di Beppo of all places! Lest you don’t have your own family recipe from Italy: http://www.afamilyfeast.com/american-chop-suey/ http://www.food.com/recipe/american-chop-suey-416373 and many variations on the internet. Alas, if truth be told, don’t think it was my FAV as a kid…LOL
Bob
Roberto, the truth is all chop suey is American chop suey. Chop suey is a Chinese-American dish believed to have been invented in San Francisco not long after the gold rush. Per Snopes: “According to a favored bit of lore, chop suey is a mispronounciation of “chopped sewage,” an angered Chinese cook having mixed together the day’s garbage in a bit of broth and presented it to San Francisco restaurant patrons who’d earned his ire.”
Insofar as the American chop suey you grew up with in New England, there may be restaurants in the Land of Enchantment serving a close relative–chili mac. Elsewise, Chef Boyardee’s Beefaroni is a canned approximation.
OMG! I stopped my O-CD meds for a moment to offer more splitting of hairs. Indeed, while I often rely on Snopes to calm my Family/Friends who are cautioning me about such things as “It is dangerous to buy whole fish or even raw potatoes because their eyes are actually observing and recording inside your pad”, I also, because of the reported bias of Snopes, often double check other sources such as the case regarding American Chop Suey https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chop_suey !
Lest this gets published: I know, I know, this is way off track, albeit I can’t help to think Cabbies probably take tourists to our Fav restaurants to thus support them for our future dining pleasure.
As a late teen, I drove a cab from 4pm to 2am, albeit only for a summer per school. “In those days” had concerns, but unlike this cabbie where someone got in the back seat and cut his throat to leave his wife a widow with 2 kids, boggles my mind in a town that I like to think of as safe despite just under 70 killings this past year! As such, if ya got a couple of spare bucks, please consider giving this GoFundMe site: http://tinyurl.com/zrqa3ed as a boost and maybe ask Friends to.
I checked with a news reporter who confirms it is legit. Thanks
Thank you, Bob. Like you, I have a soft spot in my heart for cabbies. One in particular–Leonard Danemann–is a huge supporter of Gil’s Thrilling… He’s made it a point to know where all the great restaurants are in the Albuquerque area and uses the blog as a resource.
In addition to the tragic loss of life to which you refer, the Albuquerque Cab Company recently laid off all its 70 employees and shut down after 40 years of serving the community.
To get in practice for Albuquerque the Magazine’s “Best of….” survey, consider taking time for The Alibi’s Best of Albuquerque which purports to count one vote per person after signing in for a free account. If you go to the very end there’s an option for Best “Best Of” Category We Forgot wherein I chose to put in Best Restaurant/Foodie Blogger accompanied by Gil’s web address. Earlier, was given the OP to vote my FAV Ethnic/Specialty shoppe being Red Rock Deli and a chance to indirectly comment re ART. Thanks
Sorry….Go either http://tinyurl.com/zjvr7ls (click on text “Best of Burque 2017 Ballot” under the picture) or if cookies interfere, start at http://alibi.com/
DEADLINE is 3/15/17.
Alas, Lone Star Steak House by Cottonwood is Closed Down. It was the first steak restaurant I experienced here in The Land of Enchantment soooo long ago and I thought it was a lot of fun. I guess they couldn’t compete with new Texas Roadhouse or The Longhorn…RIP oh Lone Star RIP
Fishing for Reactions: When I was a kid and spent time in the surf at Hampton Beach, NH, it was interesting to catch on/learn how to “read” the incoming water to body surf. Standing chest high, you quickly learned what swelling of the approaching water was best to be patient to “catch” a great surfing wave and how approaching Hi v Lo Tides affected outcomes. Don’t know if I can apply that to ABQ’s restaurant scene, but this “There’s a Massive Restaurant Industry Bubble, and It’s About To Burst” http://tinyurl.com/hjvkspr is kind of in sync with my sense of the coming year(s). Obviously hope, like many cultural fads and many snow storms that literally pass over and miss the ABQBowl, we’ll be spared. If not, any thoughts by Readers how Foggers of Gil’s Blog, can help minimize it, bolster the best of all restaurants? (In the article, there are several banners to be sure to scroll below.)
While the 66 Diner on Rt 66 just east of Pres Hosp has a fairly OK one, is it the only one in town or do any Foggers have a Premier…to-die-for place for a Sloppy Joe that they’d recommend?
Roberto
Alas, the Sloppy Joe is an anachronism. It may have been possible to find a “to die for” Sloppy Joe in the 1960s, but for the most part they’ve gone the way of the dinosaur.
The best we’ve found is at Circle T Burgers in Belen and it’s listed on the menu as a jumbo barbecue burger.
Billy’s Long Bar on San Mateo offers Spicy Sloppy Joe Slyders though we’ve never had them. My friend Ryan “Break the Chain” Scott has long told me Billy’s Long Bar has some of the best wings to be found. Perhaps the Sloppy Joes are imbued with similar excellence.
Reply back if you try Billy’s and let us know what you think.
Gil
Thanks for the heads up RE alternative Sloppy Joe’s. (The linkage per your comment doesn’t get one directly to the comment. Folks need to click New Comments then again on New Comments to get to the latest date.)
Elsewise, Billy’s Long Bar is on the order of an EveryDayMan’s Pub per guests and the woodsy and wall paraphernalia, decor making for a bit of Hygge! I can only imagine what the place might be like in terms of it’s craic on a Friday/Saturday night, so if one is a bit more staid, visiting during the week might be best. Speaking of decor: while I could possibly spend time going into detail about my attentive, California style, blond wait staff, suffice it to say, her ensemble of a serape-style top kept her white tights intriguing, I mean modest, as she promptly came to take/bring my order. (Uh, I’m thinking RE Ryan noting “….some of the best wings to be found….” is his using “code” to get you to go!!!)
-RE The Spicy Sloppy Joe Slyders: “They” say that one often measures ‘whatever’ by one’s first experience. I’m seeing most recipes are probably like what my college roommate made from scratch and served on a hamburger bun, as composed of chopped onion and bell pepper mixed with ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, brown sugar, salt/pepper mixed with slightly drained, browned, ground beef. His mixture was more “fluid” so it was best eaten with a knife/fork inside a hamburger bun with chips. BLB’s mixture tended to be slightly more compact (as distinct from a burger) whereby it did not ooze out of the bottom of the bun however, when held. Thus, IMHO, while it might have been made by Joe, it was in no way “Sloppy” which was fine for eating “as “Slyders” from one of those faux woven plastic baskets. Interestingly, there was a sprinkling of a mixture of grated cheeses atop the meat. While I couldn’t see any bell pepper and onion, it has a familiar reddish coloring confirming it has been flavored with ingredients I’m not expert in IDing which gives a tangy taste. Also of note, they’ve taken the trouble to toast the bun and slath with some melted butter!
Bottom line: tho I’ll probably stick with 66 Diner for my fix (they serve chips with it) I could envision pearls and suits dropping in BLBs after work to rag on an especial hard day of office politics by sharing several baskets brought sequentially (to save the heat) of these Spicy Joe Slyders.
It also baffles me why local New Mexicans would eat at a copycat chain! I love southwest food and New Mexico has some of the finest America has to offer.
It’s easily explained.
Blakes Lotaburger, a perpetual winner of NM’s Best GCCB, outsells every other chain and non-chain by a mile statewide.
While Sparkys in Hatch, which has a GREAT GCCB, sells hundreds of burgers every week, Blakes sells thousands.
We are a very large, very poor state and most of our residents only experience Blakes.
They vote only what they know.
Vernon’s Open Door now closed where Quarters was in Cottonwood area. When will this ever end. FOG, we need to figure this out so all doesn’t close and only BK is left…
SP, we live in a very complex state. One of the poorest states in the union with an ever growing food scene. It is the survival of the fittest.
With so many good and varied types of eateries combined with the pervasive poverty there are just so many dollars to spread around. And when Blakes Lotaburger is a perennial winner of the coveted GCCB of the Year contest it easy to see why non chain establishments have a difficult time surviving.
Like you, we all have our go to places and we miss them when the disappear from the landscape.
I think Gil has kept some of out favorites alive beyond the life expectancy but there is no guarantee of success in the food world.
In our 10 years living out here the quality and number of good to great restaurants has increased by leaps and bounds. That’s a very good thing. Losing a favorite is not.
FBFABQ, thanks so much for your reply, it’s good new know there are FOGer’s who feel the same angst as I do. It seems we need to be key folks to help lift our fair state from low on the economic list to a higher level. Not sure of the answer but perhaps we need to be much more vocal about awesome foods so those born outside of NM as well as inside can have a set of ‘Go To’ places handy in their minds. Maybe we pseudo sponsor them and let owners in on it. I see the steak chains packed, same as the Flying Star ( I always ask myself where did these people eat before the one in Corrales was built??). Maybe Gil needs a moving FOG Top Ten Restaurant List and its food category at the top of the Blog so best are always displayed at all times. I don’t know. Should FOGer’s invest in a centrally located area and open a site that has the best of local foods. Kind of like s food court? But I do know our fair city needs a real Jewish Deli that has hints of L.A. And New York. I wrote too long, let’s hear from FOGers some great suggestion to make New Mexico Eateries Great Again…
Yo if Y’all are a Peeler to traditionally have a stash of Green Chile for the yearlong:
Just got off the phone with Rosales Produce. The north 4th St. “roadside stand” will be opening on Monday, the 8/22/16. (Psst! For those who are Chile-masochists, it is still a bit too early to have some Lumbre…always under the counter, of course!)
– Never been from the Heights or West Side? Easy access via Paseo! http://tinyurl.com/zvqfo8h
– For those who wince that it’s all the way over there, consider we typically have cheaper gas, it’s an Op to wind down for an hour by enjoying the iron/fiberglass sculptures at the Unser Museum, sip some world class awarded wine at Casa Rondena’ Tasting Venue, an op to try Down & Dirty Seafood Boil, margaritas at Sadie’s, a casual and unique GCCB at Papaburgers or a Stuffed Sopaipilla of Chicharonnes con beans/onions/red on the secluded “tropical-like” patio of Casa de Benavidez after exloring a 1/2 doz antique shoppes within a mile, or dine Farm and Table next door to another vintage place which also offers scads of ephemera to be Found on 4th for your own collage creations….http://tinyurl.com/jkfn4m4 …I.e. tired of taking a bottle of wine/a wallymart bouquet to a friend’s homedinner? They’ll teach you how as well!
Bob, I found the comments rather amusing. I, of course, recognized they had nothing to do with the new restaurant, but thought it was reminiscent of the feat pulled off by the late great Orson Welles years earlier only less scary.
On a somewhat sad note, I am afraid today’s society has lost the art of laughing at itself when spoofs like this are put forth for our entertainment.
Since this blog is for public comment, I mostly read detractors comments and slough them off as people who are trying to pull someone’s chain or someone who needs to get a life. I got a chuckle from it. Thanks for sharing.
I thought it was reminiscent of the last time BOTVOLR posted something about “Swiss spaghetti” ” relative to Joe’s Pasta House.
I haven’t heard any comments re Daniella and Maxime’s latest venture, Eclectic, an “urban pizzeria” said to be opening this month on Mebaul near I40.
The prospect of their pizzas is exciting, especially if it’s as good as the excellent fare they turned out at Torinos@ home.
I wish them best of luck.
Yo FGFABQ,
The latest I read, 8/6: http://tinyurl.com/zy9aqlu .
– Not being privy to the dynamics of the “selling” of TH and not implying Maxime can’t bring something especial to “pizza”, I haven’t however been impressed with nouveau pizzas elsewhere. Whoa! has anyone had the Orsetto Gommoso Pizza?
Indeed I empathize with Maxime in having the gumption to ‘take a Sabbatical” to hopefully return to his expertise in tweaking Italian fare. One never knows what one never knows! I only recently learned about this http://tinyurl.com/qb6uhkc (which I tried to pass on) which might bring a whole new perspective to the taste/flavor of such a simple fare as spaghetti: i.e. I do not think Swiss Spaghetti has been offered anywhere in the US! (Alas, Kassie of Joe’s PH shooed me away with a broom even suggesting such a thing!)
Perhaps you can explain why Swiss Spaghetti has been called an April Fools Day hoax going back to photos in the ’50s.
Gummy Bear Pizza and Swiss Spaghetti?
I just don’t get it.
What does your comment have to do with Maxime and Daniella’s new venture, Eclectic?
We all know you are of exceptional intellect, you don’t have to prove it time and time again.
I feel like you constantly play us and I don’t know why.
FGFABQ…Per your question regarding the Spaghetti hoax: It was presented by the BBC on April Fool’s Day, ’57. Per Wikipedia (& others): “….At the time spaghetti was relatively little known in the UK, so that many Britons were unaware that it is made from wheat flour and water; a number of viewers afterwards contacted the BBC for advice on growing their own spaghetti trees…. The report was made more believable through its voice-over by respected broadcaster Richard Dimbleby….Pasta was not an everyday food in 1950s Britain, and it was known mainly from tinned spaghetti in tomato sauce and considered by many to be an exotic delicacy. An estimated eight million people watched the programme on 1 April, and hundreds phoned in the following day to question the authenticity of the story or ask for more information about spaghetti cultivation and how they could grow their own spaghetti trees. The BBC reportedly told them to “place a sprig of spaghetti in a tin of tomato sauce and hope for the best”.
Decades later CNN called this broadcast “the biggest hoax that any reputable news establishment ever pulled”.” The Museum of Hoaxes rates it #1 as well. In addition to the BBC having a highly regarded reputation for accuracy, many might consider it staid or even frumpy, all of which I believe added to the presentation being so great. I swear it was reshown here on old Allen Funt’s Candid Camera when I first saw it. When greeting tourists from Italy, I often share it which they play on their cells/tablets and find hilarious.
What does your comment have to do with Maxime and Daniella’s new venture, Eclectic? Gummy Bear pizza? Alas, I’m being facetious and reflecting broadly in terms of what is sometimes passed off as a great, nouveau pizza where I’ve, IMHO, been “burned”. While we might never get to great things like a GCCB or Bernaise sauce unless people experiment, I, egotistically, think some pizza experiments are as ridiculous as Orsetto Gommoso Pizza. No offense is intended re Maxime’s adventure as it is not open yet.
Sorry you have concerns that I am trying to prove my “exceptional intellect” or trying to “play” anyone. As I can’t dissuade you of that, I suggest you don’t read my blatherings; I promise, I won’t take offense. I enjoy coming across new things in the world (well to me anyway) and pass them on lest some might find them interesting as well, with there being some thread of relevance and if not, I’ve tried to note a caveat.
I often intend humor as laughing feels good, but I realize some things might fall flat and hope Folks who find that too, will cut me some slack.
Sorry that my intent to support your concerns for M & D’s new adventure missed the mark for you.
Adios.
#1 OMG! Despite probable, vehement protestations/denials to the contrary, I’m 87% sure, I can’t help but to think, some of Y’all within, will be ecstatic to hear of the launch of El Whopperito by Burger King this coming August 15th!!!! See here: http://tinyurl.com/h6rlnf6 “They” say “El Whopperrito is made with many of the same ingredients as the namesake cheeseburger, but with a couple of exceptions. Instead of mayonnaise and cheese, it comes “smothered” with a layer of creamy queso sauce; and instead of the same old Whopper burger patties, it comes with flame-grilled burgerbeef that’s seasoned with a blend of spices for a Tex-Mex flavor. Oh, and it comes in a tortilla instead of on a bun, of course. ”
Whoa! No Green Chile? That’s what I said! Am looking forward to Y’alls’ Reviews! No, I haven’t seen a coupon.
#2 Ya know, nothing goes with a good meal like some Mitote http://tinyurl.com/zxuxkye , at least here in NM…IMHO!
Recently, i.e. the past few days, there have been articles in the ABQ Journal about Wise Pies is about to launch actually serving Wise Pies pizza in The Pit as run by Mike Baird. Elsewhere, it says that Mr. Keith Baird, Mike’s Dad, has taken over iconic Vernon’s SteakHouse from Mike Baird due to financial stuff http://tinyurl.com/zxhk6ly. As Y’all know, UNM ala the Pit, recently offered name-rights for the Pit which Wise Pies “bought” for $5 million of which they’ve only paid a couple of hundred thou toward so far http://tinyurl.com/hjgvnre. Is there cause for concern here that we might have missed a more solid, less fluid, naming rights gig….(which might positively impact UNM’s budget and thus student’s Fees) or am I way off base of the intent of what might/might not be up for discussion on the Blog?
In terms of Full Disclosure: I did not think much of Wise Pies offerings way before the UNM PIT-schtick; I have a G-daughter starting UNM in The Fall; I’m now stuck with a prepaid chit (Whoa that UNM might end up with the same!!!) for the now closed Vernon’s Open Door.)
Eh! ya win some, ya lose some….
In “Open Table”‘s listing of The 100 Best Al Fresco Dining Restaurants in America 2016 http://tinyurl.com/hn3rzwb they claim Farm & Table AND Indigo Crow !!!
What is your definition of “ya lose some” considering our small state
Who should be on the list that missed out? How do NM eateries compete with coastal oceanfront restaurants?
Or are dismayed that your fave one trick pony, el Pinto with their one trick red chile rack of ribs, paid for with a Journal Press pass discount didn’t make it?
Whatever else one feels about Farm/Table their outdoor patio s beautiful and their food crushes El Pinto.
I’m not sure the outdoor dining at Indigo Crow is that great but the food certainly is terrific.
So instead of just supplying others with countless links and few personal opinions perhaps you can add to the discussions with your own words providing your own choices or disagreements.
When I see the results of some of these polls in your links such as “100 best eateries under 2 bucks” I cringe. Or the usual GCCB winner Blakes Lotaburger, really?
Gil’s thrilling is our oasis providing first person testimony exploring the virtues or minuses of local dining spots. A perfect way of finding good food from locals with good tastes.
Again, Ya Win some, ya lose some.
(Ooops! Before I again offend FGFABQ: Alas previously, I was so presumptive to presume that readers would be “in the know” of what I meant by “Ya lose some”: e.g. or i.e. being #1 for Pedestrian deaths in the US; being #4 as the most dangerous state in the US; the worst in the nation for childhood poverty; the #1 State with highest teen pregnancy rates; poor college and high school graduation rates while tops in High School dropout rates; being #2 per capita for the most opioid ODs nationally; do I even need to get into DUIs? yada yada. Ergo, for brevity, I did not spell it out. Alas I presumed, given I may not be known for often dinging places or try to do so gently, I presumed Folks would “get” that the reference was being positive when I attempted to highlight/tout the national recognition Farm and Table and Indigo Crow received being amongst top “al fresco places”, nationally!
As I tried to imply, I was offering Kudos to those places OBVIOUSLY in the desert for making a “list”. I had no reservations about them. If I’d recently been to Sandiago’s to sample their food, I might have opined that their ‘al fresco’ dining setting, IMHO, could also match many on that list in terms of view.
In this email, I’m trying to give Giovannis a bit of a “spotlight” per a “list” Gil seems to hold well overall…. http://tinyurl.com/hr7ehhx . Alas, I’ve never been there to comment on its offerings. I’m trusting Gil’s and Commenters notes. Indeed, I now must wonder to go to see if it beats Saggio’s El Milano that no one herein has ventured to try and therefore comment on. Kinda like my one-trick-pony, that FGFABQ maligns…The Red Chile Ribs of El Pinto which have received national recognition…that he nor anyone has challenged me with a better choice in the City. BTW FGFABQ, Press Pass never applied! In the past, and their Ribs being well worth paying the full price otherwise, they’ve generously offered a 1/2 price pre-buy deal….per profits from their otherwise pricey offerings. BTW, currently, Scalo’s is no longer part of Journal Rewards, but I continue to enjoy and comment on their Filettos. Yo, ya gotta keep up on things…lest I’m doing it for ya! (Sorry that my trying to cobble together a few shekels in savings for some inheritance to my Kid’s/G-kids always seems to offend you!)
Speaking of Commenting and that I should Comment on the food besides noting some things Folks might find of interest: Per trying to overlook it was a glitch, I held off (at least herein) commenting on your beloved Farm and Table. Originally in Gil’s blog, I ‘extolled’ the tastiness of the Filet I had and tried to mince words about it being small for the price https://www.nmgastronome.com/?p=15644#comments that others have noted as well. RE an experience a couple of weeks ago: If ya can’t send out an excellent “To Go” (even it is only ‘going’ for 5 minutes!), perhaps don’t offer anything at all: 26 bucks (for two) of their Breakfast Biscuit Sandwiches, each squished in a cardboard box!: “Farm eggs”: Duh….I challenge anyone to taste a difference with the eggs I buy at WallyMart and then scramble, which I presume came from “a Farm”, and then put in a non-descript ‘bun’; “Bacon” (crispy?): mine miked are better; “Tucumcari Cheddar”: give me a break and pre-shredded cheese from “Wisconsin”; and the “Farm Fries”? must be made by one really old farmer or “chef” not on Viagra!
In addition about commenting on “food”: if you, FGFABG, review all your Comments throughout Gil’s Blog, most of them are bashing….no longer playfully razzing me….and have nothing to do with food! Apparently my comments somehow cause you discomfort. I can only imagine what might happen if you were to go to your healthcare provider. E.g. A Scenario:
FGFABQ: Yo “doc”, I get this terrible discomfort/pain when I do this!!! What can I do?
HealthCare Provider: Stop hitting yourself in the head with a hammer!!! (i.e. stop reading BOTVOLR’s Comments!)
As such, I tried to take the healthcare provider’s advice by stopping Commenting. Alas, FGFABQ came back by offering to “bury the hatchet” if I’d come to the FOG at the IPCC. I did and I offered to even shake his hand. Little did I realize, he, like Lucy http://tinyurl.com/jnuz98o, were going to bury the hatchet again and again…in my back. Razzing is one thing; being snarky is another.
Several years ago, I immediately desisted when FGFABQ took umbrage with a light-hearted, political jab I tried to sneak in a Comment. I have no problem with you disagreeing…politely…with my assessment of a venue nor its offerings, but otherwise, I think you do a disservice to Gil’s Blog with your attacks on me. I.e. there is enough hostility going on in the current campaigns to turn people off whereby Folks may avoid listening/reading hostility and thus possibly miss being exposed to “worthwhile” info…i.e. in this Blog. As such, I feel that a Newbie checking out Gil’s Blog, let alone Regulars herein, become disenchanted seeing FGFABQ/BOTVOLR, FGFABQ/BOTVOLR, FGFABQ/BOTVOLR going back and forth in the “Your Feedback” section and they quit following the Blog. To avoid that and if this will help to get you off my butt like an unwanted boil: OK…I am thin skinned…it comes with aging. I do not like being Bullied. You WIN. You are The Champ at being Snide! Oh…Oh…re your recent comment of “I’m sure you’ve looked up your new derogatory term (Meschugener) before using it. So thanks for that.” Indeed I did…http://www.dictionary.com/browse/meshugana and found no mention of it being derogatory. Oh, I didn’t take it that way when my Jewish friends would… good naturedly… razz me with it in the past. But, as you apparently misinterpreted it, I APOLOGIZE and for similarly, if need be, using “Gumba” http://tinyurl.com/jemejdu and even tho, per an altered spelling, some Folks offer it is least of all derogatory e.g. http://tinyurl.com/z8kstj9 and ESPECIALLY from this Goomba http://tinyurl.com/hbgrb2f contrary to your taking offense! Such an apology is much akin to when I tried to apologize to Shawne, but you continued to harp about my tactlessness with even another Comment after that!
Alas, the main point of that Comment was to chide readers to Comment….given Gil notes his visits are but a brief snapshot in time and he touts other people’s opinions are of equal import, as well as to recruit New Readers. Hers was the only Comment for Le Troquet at the time in 2 months, despite it had also been open for several months!!!! The whole schtick…inane as it might have seemed Bubba….and if I explained it, that would have taken the “whatever” out of it….was for us to meet up at Le Troquet (and then maybe elsewhere)…separate from your reference of it being a “date”. The May and December element, was to be part of the schtick!!!! It was to try to move things along in terms of readership and comment wise! Separate from the romantic tease in the following, didn’t you ever see the dozen or so Taster’s Choice commercials that went on…OMG….from ’87- ’93 like a soap opera???? http://tinyurl.com/z7brfep Geesh, they used to even advertise when the next such “advertisement” was to be on and ended with 30 million viewers for the last one???? Lo that readers herein might have become enraptured to check Gil’s Blog more often as well as enlist friends to check out how Shawne and I “got along” as might be evidenced in our “individual reporting” of our impressions of different venues and offerings!!!! But that is all for naught as you’ve possibly scared her off. Ok, maybe I could have scripted my Comment better, but couldn’t you have been a bit more reflective? And…Lest I be critiqued that we might not always have “gotten along”, I’m reminded of one episode of the series http://tinyurl.com/z86gsgp
Bottom line: given the amount of comments that are generated on Trip Advisor/Yelp/Zomato/etc. and while recognizing they reach a national population base and given the number of Folks who’ve put their “life savings” on the line in NM/ABQ in trying to satisfy our palates (even tho they may be lacking/naive as to running a business), I…egotistically if you must….hope my Comments contributed to Gil’s Blog reaching more of ABQ’s spending population.
Oh Oh! Almost lastly FGFABQ: I think your comment of “And to compare Vicki Yada Yada Yada Carr to Edith Piaf is like comparing Brittany Spears to Renee Fleming or Ella Fitzgerald.” was utterly snotty, let alone disrespectful . First of all, I wasn’t comparing Carr’s version. It came unconsciously to mind during sleep. I followed that up with (despite your finding including links abhorrent) links to several songs of Ms. Piaf and apparently you “missed”/didn’t fathom the implication within “No way the offerings at Le Troquet are going to disappoint!”, that Piaf’s music in the background would certainly serve to maximize the food/ambiance/service of Le Troquet. Oh, and by the way, after you consider this https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vikki_Carr review of how Carr has been respected, what are you implying by “Yada Yada Yada”? Seems a bit on the unPC side, IMHO…especially being in New Mexico! While she went by Vikki Carr, she often was Up-Front letting audiences know in public or TV appearances…..she was not ashamed of…her Mexican/Hispanic roots….especially in an era when Cesar Chavez was shocking Anglos by urging a Boycott of Lettuce and Grapes from the region where most of the US got them, while he was working legally (born in AZ) as a farm worker in California, but protesting the long hours working in the sun with limited water, toilets, breaks for low wages in the (desolate?) fields of central California.
Lastly, I know it is “small” of me, but, upon reflection, I see why I’ve been avoiding going to a previous, periodic FAV of mine, per your FAV being Blade’s Bistro in Placitas.
OMG…lastly lastly….consider increasing salads, prunes etc as I’m thinking you might be roughage challenged which might contribute to your crappy comments! “Just sayin.”
Jeez Bob! You shouldn’t be so succinct. I feel like you left out some important details and references (and sub-references, and sub-sub-references.) Remember, language is free and that means you can use as much of it as you want. The simplest detail can change the whole message, so I suggest you include all of them so you’re not misunderstood.
Seriously, have a great day!
Apparently forgotten are my complicity in the Kennedy assassination, the 2008 financial meltdown, the disappearance of Judge Crater and the Jimmy Hoffa case, an the Lindbergh kidnapping.
Guilty as charged.
I’ll be ordering the red chile crow at El Pinto.
Ya win some, ya lose some.
How was the food?
Several Folks have noted taking umbrage, understandably, with different “Best of…..” surveys, especially when it comes to our GCCB. Lest you missed it, here’s your chance to change that as well as possibly help some Local ventures. The Journal reports it accepts only one use of the site http://www.abqjournal.com/readerschoice/ for an entry.
For better or worse or if you choose not to vote, the “notoriety”/5 minutes-of-fame of others, still may generate business.
Thanks
Caveat:
For those of Y’all into occasional dining at home and into the Farm-to-Table Schtick:
It’s that time of year to check out http://www.losranchosgrowersmarket.com/
(Free tip: Wet/shake off excess and wrap Artichokes individually in saran-wrap to store in frig to keep freshness, IMHO, for a few xtra days in our dry clime!)
Yup! I went to a chain last night! Darn right! Why? Cuz ain’t close to e.g. http://tinyurl.com/z4xfkoc and, well no-one, e.g. a FOGGER, will share their best place for Fried Clams hereabouts! So went to Red Robin where they’ve encrusted something a tad less than rubbery, in a coating for frying! Eh, it beats Red Lobster’s version (in the appetizer section) which seems like simply fried batter! (Yes, tried Down n Dirty’s over a year ago.) Nice serving of string onions at RR if requested instead of fries, plus some slaw. Can’t believe price has gone up about 3 bucks in a short time, but they do have the market cornered!
My answer is the closest you can find them would be the Howard Johnson’s on Hempstead Tpke in Levittown, NY in 1954 thru the early 60’s.
For what it is worth this mornings Journal says that The Cooking Channel (212 on DirecTV, not on Comcast) will air Cheap Eats featuring Beautiful Sunny Albuquerque restaurants Tia B’s La Waffleria, 66 Pit Stop-Home of the Laguna Burger, Rebel Donut and Papa Felipe’s. This marvel of Television production will air at 8pm tomorrow, April 28.
Indeed, I found the ‘behind the curtain’ look at the preparation of things we delight in at these places an eye opener in terms of techniques, e.g. the meat squishing at the Pit-Stop, and “machinery” used, e.g. the carne adovada gizmo at Felipe’s, etc.
– I’d presume you might catch a repeat on Direct TV, but here’s info on times/place via Comcast http://tinyurl.com/j4xlj6o
– (Not much to say RE the host.)
“Chow!”
Caveat: somewhat off center:
If Y’all have a desire to share your positive experiences and knowledge of local eateries* while PRIMARILY focusing on what’s to see/do in Albuquerque and environs, there have been some recent openings to Volunteer at the Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) sites in Old Town, the Sunport, or various conventions. * Tourists seem to have an obsession to know “Where do The Locals eat the best Mexican food?” which let’s you shine your expertise re the difference between Mexican and New Mexican, including cautioning Folks about the “dangers” of cumin!
Volunteer Shifts are uncompensated, altho twice a year there’s an appreciation luncheon where businesses that partner with ACVB, do pass along some door prizes, e.g. from a hotel stay to dinners to spa treatments. E.g. I just received one for a dinner for two at the Andaluz joint.
Shifts are mostly for 4 hours usually with another Volunteer. Most Vols are “of an age” and some have been doing it since the late ’80s!!! http://tinyurl.com/hhydd3t
Folks can have a set day/time shift, while others substitute. Currently, there is only one “permanent” shift opening: At the Sunport, 4:30 – 8 pm on Sundays.
A few openings for being a substitute remain.
All sites have some form of a free parking arrangement.
Sante Chihuahua: This month I’ve found out I’ve been doing it for 8 years! Starting it, was my way of appeasing my kids nagging me that I had to get a job for some reason. As pay-back nowadays, I can often put off their asking me to do a favor by saying “Sorry, I gotta ‘work’ today!”
Actually, it is a lot of fun. Tourists are most often in a “good mood”. While often times many are just passing through heading elsewhere, e.g. Santa Fe/Taos or “doing” Route 66, it is fun to watch their interest grow when YOU turn them on to unknowns like The Dog House (LOL), The Kimo’s Pueblo Deco decor where “Ethel Mertz” performed in a place with a 6 yr old ghost; Bill Gates’ ABQ-APD mug shot http://tinyurl.com/z5akm6c while he and Paul Allen futzed around ABQ and Allen later set up a computer Hx exhibit at our Natural History & Science Museum; or hand them a layout for Br Ba backdrops; or tell them where Rte 66 crosses Rte 66; or point them to the Lourdes of the North – Chimayo (and Rancho d C). You’d be surprised how many sheepishly admit to having seen Wild Hogs and are now happy to learn they can visit Laguna SW as the opening scene http://tinyurl.com/crdlg7v along with the Library bar and scene on Tijeras by the E. convention center.
Training is pretty much limited to co-hosting with a Regular which….IMHO…is an advantage because you can develop relying on your own “knowledge” of hereabouts to develop your “spiel”.
Any questions, just ask me.
Elsewise, for information and/or an interview on volunteering, contact Roxane Cisneros at 222-4304.
I hope that a great FOG turnout will show up for the Souper Bowl this Saturday. It is hard to believe that you can become stuffed on such small samples of soup but after 50 or 60 samples it is hard to walk. Advance tickets are $40 at http://www.rrfb.org/giving-societies-events/annual-events/souper-bowl/. They are $45 at the door.
Hola Chicas i Chicos….Merry Christmas/Hanukkah/Holidays/Bah Humbug Remembrance to/for You!
$25 for $50 Gift Certificates http://tinyurl.com/h5p6wpn at the newly opened Vernon’s Open Door (not to be confused with Vernon’s SteakHouse). Must be purchased online by 12/11/15 for use during 2016.
(What others are saying: http://www.yelp.com/biz/vernons-open-door-albuquerque
Get in the New Mexican Spirit!
http://tinyurl.com/o7kka26
or if still homesick or Nostalgic http://tinyurl.com/dx5xehs
(Sorry…just saw the notice!)
DiGregorio and the Freight House gang must be devastated by your reluctance to dine there based on a picture on Yelp, a picture that might as well have been a section of you floor.
And moved by your nostalgic trip back to your younger days, stuck in the mud, whatever that has to do with food and the Freight House.
Gotta give credit/Kudos to DiGregory for another of his explorations to risk his ‘bread’ to bring us another dining destination given the popularity of The Range and Standard Diner. While this pic of the interior http://tinyurl.com/q3b2j35 looks nice, I’m ‘iffy’ to go “all that way” to try the grub, despite what’s been said. Maybe it can’t work “there” in today’s market…hep Millennials being too busy to ‘travel’… let alone the ‘everyday’ populations of outer Rio Rancho, Mariposa, and Bernalillo still not being ready to support such a genre. Gotta give credit to Placitasians staying faithful to their great place of Blade’s Bistro which we can travel to as a respite from The City.
Admittedly, I am often stuck in the mud* of NM, and otherwheres, nostalgia, but wish he would have “revived” what was an “in” dining venue circa ’69 http://tinyurl.com/pdnn6wb (aaah, nobody remembers…LOL) with its Southwestern ambiance, across from our Lady of Sorrows church. In lieu of that, wonder why he X’d off what’s been several things http://tinyurl.com/oqg4mqf (including the Milagro Winery?) which has a really nice (seemingly turnkey) interior as well as a to-die-for patio view of the Sandias. Same for the old Coronado restaurant across the way.
*(Always remember running across a dirt parking lot in Barelas to my car… before it was paved over to be the Nat. Hispanic Cultural Center…to end up hopping around as my shoe got sucked off for the first time into that mud, i.e. never experienced that in MA, CA, nor KS!)
Had dinner last week at Freight House, the new restaurant started by Matt DiGregorio of the Range and Standard Diner.
Opened in the space formerly occupied by the Flying Star in Bernalillo it had a physical overhaul that mostly works.
The former entrance has be modified, eliminating the “lending library” and magazine rack, the center tables have become a game center with board games provided and the former food ordering area is a long bar. One problem for diners and waitstaff is the wooden wall in the cavernous main dining area that prevents seeing either the waitstaff or the open kitchen. Tough to get the attention of a server who can’t see you and vice versa.
Hopefully the menu is still in the development stage. I was slightly underwhelmed by the choices. I opted for a burger. It was unlike any I’ve had. It was comprised of two individual patties on a brioche bun with all the trimmings. The waitperson explained that distinction and might have mentioned a knife and fork was required and picking it up was virtually impossible. Tasty but very difficult to eat. It’s a burger, not an eating challenge, for goodness sakes.
Tacos were okay. Appetizers okay. Several things seemed missing, a good steak, perhaps a roasted chicken or a good basic fish dish.
The restaurant has a clubby feel, they are trying to be a bar scene destination in an area that doesn’t seem to support one.
I hope that they tweet the menu, make it less kitschy.
They have brought over waitstaff from the Range and they remain very, very good. Attentive, knowledgeable, and caring.
I wish them well and hope the very large space is kinder to them than to TFS.
Hello Bruce
After hearing how much they enjoyed the Freight House from a couple food professionals for whom I have immense respect, we, too, visited last week. Our experience was very much like yours. Although we found ourselves underwhelmed by our meal, we were thoroughly impressed by the wait staff and manager. Rarely have we seen such “aim to please” attitudes and such willingness to accept constructive feedback. I expect that in time the Freight House will fix the “start-up” issues so common in new restaurants and will be worthy of a future visit.
Gil
Even though it has never been reviewed in this blog India Kitchen was the first Indian restaurant in Albuquerque and has been in continuous business for over 33 years and has been my favorite for about 25 of those years. It was the first Indian food I ever ate.
December 12 will be the last day as Ajay and Rajul will finally be retiring. I am sure that most regular customers know that Rajul has been working through considerable pain for the past many months due to a pinched nerve in her neck. Their kids who worked there have long grown up to be successful professionals (doctors etc) but when they are back in Albuquerque visiting they pitch in waiting tables. I will certainly be there for the last day.
Yo…Rosales Produce just opened their stand (See reviews: http://tinyurl.com/qdud95h for the Aug-Oct season for Roasted Green Chile…40# sack, $28.
This will be my Family’s 4th or 5th year of using them for us to then peel for our year long stash and I assume their medium will be with a zing and flavor as in the past. They can mix “Hot” with medium. They already have Lumbre! (under the counter of course) and you can get a 1/2 sack for $20….tell ’em I sent ya!
From the Westside or Heights using Paseo: get off at 2nd. Go immediately west on El Pueblo to go south on 4th a couple of blocks south of the traffic signal at Los Ranchos Rd. For those using Montano, get off at 4th and go North. Lest you might think it is way outta the way….combine it with a trip to your first visit to the Unser Museum http://www.unserracingmuseum.com/; a tasting at Casa Rondena Winery http://www.casarondena.com/; antique hunting along 4th; a pricey steak at Vernon’s http://www.thehiddensteakhouse.com/ ; or a stuffed sopapilla with to-die-for chicharrones/beans/red on the lush patio of Casa de Benavidez http://www.casadebenavidez.com/!
(Disclaimer: I aver & avow that I am not having a liaison with anyone named herein.)
For Folks who have never peeled, but want “to learn” or Folks who like to peel in a group, let me know if you wish to peel with my Familia and Friends at an unyet known time!
Kudos and Thanks to all Y’all Newbies who have come out of the booths the past several days, to share your experiences of dining!!!!
A couple of times a month, I volunteer for the Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau (in Old Town or the Sunport) passing out brochures and answering questions including where to eat. What I’ve garnered over several years by spontaneous statements/requests for validation from visitors or by questioning them, is that many Folk rely on the recommendations of what they read about online including what people comment….whether it be detailed outlining all the spices within “a dish” or whether just saying a certain dish was really yummy and well presented.
While I may not have a personal taste for some things, I value your recommendations to pass on as well, especially when asked about ‘little known places where the Locals eat’.
“Chow!”
“For better or for worse” regarding “surveys”, am thinking your Local Fav would still appreciate your support in Albuquerque the Magazine’s Best of the City where they claim only one of your entries will be counted http://abqthemag.com/events/best-of-the-city/
An afterthought to just writing a comment about Saggio’s pizza:
While eating, I was chuckling while reading the winners of the Journal’s annual Readers Choice Awards until I noted Saggio’s wasn’t even on the “Notables” list despite my sitting in a Full House with people streaming in. Obviously, that strikes a chord for some who question the veritable reality of such rankings anyway. On the other hand, if you were to name our State’s Best 3 Restaurants, I can only imagine you’d probably say: “See, I told ya so!” given this: http://tinyurl.com/olrwaby was one. Contrawise, I know some would claim dismay given making hay, as they say, is being a measure of Success and then chide me re who is only #2 too…… http://tinyurl.com/qdq8ddr LOL!
Hasta!
You use words and nicknames for reasons that remain yours and yours alone.
I’m saying that there are folks who have been on the receiving end of those derogatory terms who just find them obnoxious while you find them strangely cutesy.
In your haste to sound cute you seem to have made me out to be a good ol’ southern boy with that “bubba” thing.
Want to explain that affectation.
Perhaps you and your buddies took liberties around each other to show both a bit of intolerance and some misplaced machismo.
Did you look up “mick” and decide wrongly that a person of Irish heritage would find it just plain adorable?
Bubbala?
Mensch?
Neither is bad.
Polack, mick, goombah?
To a lot of people, not nice.
But don’t let that stop you from trying to be cutesy.
Alas Bubbala/Mensch FGFABQ: I’m a wondering: Is it all in the eyes of the Beholder?! I take pride in my Polack/Mick American referents…maybe it’s the contrarian in me!. I know of a lot of Folks who do the same.
– Why heck, my Chicana Vieja had no problem with her being my “Vieja” nor I with being her “Gavacho” or “Gringo”! (Ok, “Cabron” and you be pushing it!!!) As I tried to share eons ago with you Bubba, perhaps the neighborhood you grew up in, with all due respect(!), was different, but I knew where my Bronx Italian friend, Fast Eddie, was coming from when he addressed me as “Eh… Goombah! Come over to our place tonight! “My Strauss will be cooking up a plate of ‘Chef Boyardee’ or, at other times, a “Festa dei sette pesci!”
– Perhaps “back when” Bubba, you were disinclined to check out my “references” for “Goombah” i.e. http://tinyurl.com/my7doud
Yo…hope this time ya ain’t gonna hide behind being owed respect per being a Zayde to take the time to look http://tinyurl.com/my7doud!
Nevertheless…Shalom
“Mick”?
Bobo, you should look up the word “mick” and at least give the illusion of embarrassment.
I have read your terms like pollack, goombah, and now mick and wonder why you feel free to use the derogatory terms with such impunity?
You look up hundreds, if not thousands of sites on the Internet and I’d suggest you should look up some of those terms on your journeys through the web.
One site indicated that “mick” led to the uber nasty term “sp–k”.
I suggest you stick to that cutesy “Bahstahn” thing.
A little of ABQ’s nostalgic “Foodie” trivia: What was a “Popular”, blatantly Mexican restaurant on San Mateo just north of Montgomery? No! it was not Panchos with its little flags-for-service system!!! Clue: it was here http://tinyurl.com/on7bulq behind the sign of what is now, ironically, a Hooters!!! LOL
Yes! Give that Person a cigar for calling out Chi Chi’s!!! Lo, I never knew this till today, it was started by a couple of Micks of all things and their adventurous/entrepreneurial/visionary spirit kinda lives to this day!!!!: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chi-Chi's
Caveat: Only indirectly Food/Restaurant related:
Given 1) we get so much infamy for our being one of the poorest states with poorest graduation rates and highest teen pregnancy rates yada yada, and 2) despite many of Y’all finding “Best of…Lists” highly suspect, I
nevertheless, with all due respect and audacity, ask Y’all to consider voting at least once on this one as it may help to get a few more tourists here spending money to help support the longevity of some of YOUR Favorite eateries. (I know, I know…what’s the Balloon Fiesta got to do with being a “cultural” thing is possibly weird!!!)
Be that as it may: Please…for 15 seconds of FREE National Recognition…..click the ‘bar’ that says “VOTE” http://tinyurl.com/owxunjm As of approx. 12:30 pm MDST, WE ARE NOW #2!!!! of 20! Help get us to #1!
While we just missed being #1 as we are only #6, so good to see we are not somewhere above 48th on most other kinds of lists. I can only imagine the Folks at Travel and Leisure mag have read some of my Comments (blush) herein in their search for America’s Best Cities for Food Snobs http://tinyurl.com/n2jbjvd After you read their erudite rationale, I’m sure Y’all will probably express your aghastness there’s no mention of our burgeoning Craft Breweries!!! at the least.
Eh Lassies & Laddies who will be wearin’ 50 Shades of Green on St. Paddy’s Day, Tues. the 17th, and who be wishin’ to raise a Guiness or fork full o’ corn beef n cabbage to wish “Slainte” (http://tinyurl.com/kyyxnlo) to Friends n Family! Several places (feel free to add to of course) will offer their regular or Especial offerings, e.g.:
Blade’s Bistro in Placitas https://www.nmgastronome.com/?p=3252 . Anja, out in a more rural setting befitting the Day for some, says Kevin will be doing their version while offering some Irish Red from their featured stock of their adopted Craft Brew: Bosque Brewery!
O’Hare’s https://www.nmgastronome.com/?p=172: What could be more Gaelic sounding(?), has CB&C as a regular item.
Fat Squirrel https://www.nmgastronome.com/?p=1886 also has CB&C as a regular item (in addition to its oft touted Fish n Chips oft eaten on the Emerald Isle!) http://www.fatsquirrelpub.com/
O’Neill’s Pub http://oniells.com/food-menu/#celtic-favorites….that’s sounds Irish, has an interesting offering for some of Y’all with an Oriental Bent…. Corn Beef n Cabbage Egg Rolls!!!! at its two locales. (Reminds me of a neighborhood pub of “Diversity” in Vegas…Eli & Wong’s… who used to do FREE CBnC dinners on St. Paddy’s Day!!!! (OMG…watched the Bronco Chase there!!!)
Two Fools https://www.nmgastronome.com/?p=417 where ya can always share some Craig!!!
Slainte to Y’all!!!! http://tinyurl.com/mrwg3d5
Right Bobo, you’re going to ignite a groundswell of folks up in arms and you are willing to lead the protest march to the offices of the Huff Post over its article about what a good/great destination Albuquerque is for travelers.
I do admire your boundless knowledge of all things ABQ but I would have thought you would realize the limits of space alloted to all 5 of the choices.
And per your affinity for telling restaurants what they should be doing you seem to have shifted to travel information.
I believe you just want to show us once again how much you know and don’t see the importance of being named one of 5 (five) places named by a national source even if it leans in a direction you don’t.
Be happy with the positive light cast on the Duke City. There are a zillion cities that didn’t make the list.
Groupon Guide just named ABQ the friendliest city in America. I hope that doesn’t irk you as much as the Huff Post article did…….
Sorry for your bald spot FGFABQ.
Purpose in sending 1) “…thought some Folks might smile/shake their heads for what it highlights!
I.e. per many Comments herein, I went off a ledge in being presumptive that Folks could read between the lines, i.e. I didn’t need to be so concrete… and 2) some might take exception to ABQ being “just” noted for ‘fried chicken fingers, sopas (albeit they are our uniqueness), and golf courses, and thus our Reader’s might pass on to the Huff. Post and its readers some more traditional attractions for which to come to ABQ, e.g. the weather this time of year for Folks snowed in with cabin fever; the ABQ Museum; The Natural History and Science Museum with e.g. its unique history of computers courtesy of Microsoft’s original Paul Allen; the BioPark/Zoo (with e.g. its unique Tasmanian Devil); the all-encompassing, (one of a kind?) Turquoise Museum as well as Rattlesnake Museum; the unique National Hispanic Cultural Center and especially the fresco in the torreon; the proximity to some great skiing and natural hot tubbing in winter; the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History (per it being a satellite of the Smithsonian); the Petroglyph National Park; Sandia Peak Tram with its longest ‘free
span’ for a cable car; the preservation of the unique interior of The KIMO of “Pueblo-Deco decor dating back to ’27; miles of off-road jogging/cycling; a chance to dine on cuisine rarely found elsewhere in the country per New Mexican red and/or green chile (i.e. not just jalapenos), let alone munching in an almost 60 yr old Icon of iconic Rte. 66, The Dog House; yada yada yada as I have faith ya get the point by now. Oh Oh….I forgot, the one of a kind Hot Air Balloon Museum, let alone the International Balloon Fiesta itself!!!! NO! before you even ask…I would not point out where a homeless person or two have been shot by APD or where they seemingly ran roughshod over the “death” of a lawyer gal, let alone the locale where some cops have been sucker-shot.
Regarding continuing dinging me in the New Year: sorry you missed/didn’t get that I, in fact, was trying to hype that “… finally, we made a “Good List”…” Also, I am befuddled that you toss “There is an old saying….” at me, given how you abhor vintage references I make and thus chastise me for
living in ‘old times’! By the way, I tend to disagree with the saying given what ya see…albeit it is reality….when you click on “Albuquerque” to see some of these stories http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/albuquerque/
“Chow!”
Bobo,
I don’t get what you are trying to say.
There is an old saying that any publicity is good publicity and having read the Huff Post naming Albuquerque one of the 5 places worth visiting I don’t get what you’re trying to convey.
Does anyone but you give a rat’s patootie about the Post’s picks?
It was good for Albuquerque and that’s positive, period.
Again, Bobo, what are you trying to say? You could have, at the very least, noted the specifics to which you are taking exception, if you’re taking exception at all.
Would you have preferred to not be on the list?
I’ve developed a bald spot from the combination of reading, re-reading your peculiar ramblings, and then vigorously scratching my head in total confusion.
Hi…I don’t normally check out the Huffington Post but saw this blurb in the Journal and per suspecting some don’t ‘take’ the Journal, am including it http://tinyurl.com/nf8htfb for a smile for what it highlights. Alas and be that as it may, we made a “Good” list versus “poorest States; poorest education rates; highest teen pregnancies; States selling most Immodium, yada yada. As I do not do “Facebook” which is needed to make a comment on the site, hope someone will step up to the plate and make a comment at the bottom of that review to please include an invite to Gil’s https://www.nmgastronome.com/ and this http://www.visitalbuquerque.org/ besides your own stuff…Thanks! (Pray that no one clicks on the “Albuquerque” link in the Huff’s list.)
Of course you are the real BOTVOLR.
After I posted my comment I noticed that it had your commenting name attached to it. And it still appeared in the comments info lines along with your email address. Obviously a glitch.
I was tempted to respond to me/you as you but there is only one BOTVOLR and only scientific cloning would work.
Hello Dolly comes to mind.
This is the real BOTVOLR. I think that Name/Sig in the post of 12/21 @ 12:16 was unintentionally/mistakenly used.
In any event, the comment re retirees could have been better stated that lacking kids, they aren’t a burden…a cost…on the educational system. Sorry if that sounds like political hay; it isn’t the intent.
Bobo, there you go again with disparaging students claiming they “suck up extras” .
And folks on Medicade the same sucker uppers. Shame on you for making political hay during this holiday season. Bah humbug, eh?
Yo BREAKERS OF THE CHAIN!
Still in a last minute Quandry if you be into Gifting…. And ya want to support Local?
Yo, certainly chime in with your own “chestnuts” http://tinyurl.com/oalne6z lest ya let this play in the background as ya read below…..
From the mundane like Carinos at http://www.thepopcorncannery.com/, nm beef jerky https://www.nmgastronome.com/?p=28825 to the sublime (e.g. The Filetto at Scalo’s), think also of Local Gift Certificates perhaps as ya stroll shoppes in Nob Hill including e.g. Two Fools, Zinc, Nosh, Orchid Thai, O’Niell’s etc.) or stroll Olde Town for uniquenesses therein in addition to/beyond the stereotypicalness of Indian/Mexican as well as for Certificates for classic eateries like Antiquity, Church St. Cafe, La Placita, Le Crepe Michel…Monte Carlo’s just a stone’s throw away. Don’t forget to push Folks (family/friends) out of their ruts to “get away from it all” at the likes of e.g. Blade’s Bistro http://www.bladesbistro.com/ , Luna Mansion http://lunamansion.com/ just up or down the road!!! While too late now, I’ve bugged Kassie to stimulate Joe Pasta to think of doing the Christmas Eve dinner of Fishes. Once he gets better settled, I must do the same to Mark of Red Rock Deli to consider doing a Polish Wigilia next year. Even if not held quite Christmas Eve, wouldn’t it be great to have ABQ be known for a variety of such ethnic celebrations for ourselves let alone as a complimentary/supplementary draw for Folks ($$$ spending tourists) who come for the Luminaria Tour? I.e.Why can’t we be amongst the Top 10 “Best Place to Spend Christmas Week!”? ala Conde Naste/USA Today/Sunset/Gourmet/Every Day with Rachael Ray mags/ yada yada Do you know that many of our everyday “Quality of Life” amenities like the Zoo, Bio Park, etc. are supported through tourist generated dollars?
Pardon, but may I urge you to Comment on Gil’s site and then on things like Urbanspoon http://www.urbanspoon.com/c/60/Albuquerque-restaurants.html, Yelp http://www.yelp.com/ (there was a Rep at the RailYards this past Sunday!!!); Trip Advisor http://tinyurl.com/c8ewljw Into Tweeting? Compliment a news Commentator about a feature or story they did and throw in a reference and/or link to http://www.visitalbuquerque.org/ and/or http://www.newmexico.org/
Seriously, Tourists come/see and thus leave $$$ per sales Tax and for shoppe owners to be able to continue in business for your enjoyment. Alas, some come back to start a business or branch of a company they are in which means Jobs for Folks here, and a few retire here, i.e. without sucking up extras like kids in school, on Medicaid, etc.!!!!
Thanks!!!!
I will be eating Turducken this Thanksgiving but there will be no crow on our menu.
I wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving filled with happiness anfd good wishes and good eating.
I will continue to read the comments of BOTVOLR because he takes the time to comment. I’ll continue to read the comments of everyone even if they disagree with my methods. Thanks to Gil for providing this forum that welcomes everything from poor imitators of his wonderful prose to playfull chiding.
For those of you who are offended the only answer is don’t read my comments.
For those of you who are offended ask yourselves why isn’t Bob?
He gives and takes and I do the same.
I like Bob, I’ve had dinner with Bob one on one which may come as a surprise to some of you.
So I wish you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving with family and friends, I know that every Thanksgiving gives me more to be thankful for.
And please, no crow recipes. It’s simply a waste of your and my time.
That said, I do enjoy the spirited repartee that goes on between these gentlemen. It’s like The Odd Couple if they were both Felix.
Internet Rule #593: When your comments regularly go over 100 words, it’s time to stop commenting and start a blog.
Yo Michael & Schuyler: upon further reflection: PLEASE suggest and encourage and/or suggest ways to encourage Folks like yourselves/others who may sit “on the sidelines” (if you will) to venture in with Comments that I, and I’m sure FGFABQ would Welcome without being persnickety about! I want to learn and…while presumptive…I’m sure he does too…about Yum Yums here in ABQ and environs!
I know I personally just don’t read the back-and-forth comments anymore. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice…you’re not gonna fool me again…
A shame because I probably miss some good food suggestions/reviews sometimes by not bothering, but I guess that’s why I read Gil’s writings :-).
With apologies to Jim “Tex” Millington, unfortunately I’m stuck in Grand Prairie, Texas and can only eat vicariously through those of you lucky enough to live in NM. Because Albuquerque was my home for more than half my life and Gil has been my friend for most of that time, I care very much about Gil’s blog.
The truth is, Bob, I enjoy most of your comments. The only other person I’ve ever met who talks about dichos, mitote and cariños is Gil and he probably knows more about New Mexico than anyone.
I’ll give you the same advice I give my students: brevity is the soul of wit. Don’t use 800 words to say something that can be said in 200. There are a lot of hidden gems and much wisdom in your words, but most of us don’t have the time to wade through those 800 words and attempt to decipher your cutesy folksy terms.
And because we live in such a PC world, avoid topics that will set people off; e.g., Wal Mart, the economy, politics, etc. There is so much to be shared about Albuquerque’s restaurants (which I miss so much, it hurts) that you don’t need to venture off that path.
Schuyler,
Jim “Tex” Millington? I was in a strange, bazaar foreign land when you posted this and did not notice it until today while chasing a BOTVOLR comment. Be careful who you call “TEX.” Even though I lived there for 20-years I never really identified myself as a Texan. I could not assimilate into the culture nor did I ever pick up the accent. I did however adopt some of the vocabulary (She looks like a hundred miles of thunderstorm and other depraved sayings). I have now lived here for 39-years but probably still consider myself a child of the “Land of Sky Blue Waters” where I lived for my first 13 years despite having been born in the Jim Millington Birthplace State Park near beautiful downtown Brownsville. The food up there wasn’t particularly wonderful except for the pies, gooseberry, rhubarb, blueberry, etc. etc. etc.
Sorry, Jim. Half the people (women, too) I’ve met in Texas call themselves “Tex” while the other half are called Bubba. You don’t strike me as a Bubba.
Schuyler: Finally (albeit not sure about being a “sycophant”! LOL):
Well said!
Gil, my friend, I’m probably not the only reader of your blog who’s tired of the back and forth bickering between BOTVOLR and El Brute. They remind me of Statler and Waldorf, the two disagreeable old men on the Muppets who sit on their balcony seats and criticize everyone else.
Your blog has always been a light-hearted escape from politics and the ills of the world, but those two grumpy sycophants are trying to make it another platform for the talking points of their respective political views.
I know you personally think very highly of both of them, but they really do need to take their bickering elsewhere and should contribute to Gil’s Thrilling…only when they have something constructive and non-controversial to offer!
Excelsior!
I could not agree more. The sniping is tiring and annoying and we can do without it. This blog is supposed to be about the food, be it a chain or a locally owned restaurant.
Bobo, as you must know the addition of “ly” at the end of words can connote “the appearance of” as in “chocolately” tasting.
Mom and Pop stores like Wal-Mart benefit from the utter destruction of local Mom&Pop stores. And have none of the concern for their employees like typical Mom & Pop store weho treat employees as family members not ways to increase their revenues by decreasing benefits and wages. Even you should admit that.
How foolish can you be equating the maturation process of liquors and wine that rely on in the barrel time to come of age to the salsa produced under factory circumstances in places like el Pinto. Do you really think that the have elves chopping and dicing in their kitchens?
“Are you seriously telling me you will eat and enjoy eating in every Local and even when in your Favs you relish Every dish they serve?’ Bobo, I have read, re-read and re-read again your line and I have no idea what you mean. Perhaps you can translate it for me.
It is a shame that low prices dictate your buying habits and leave your conscience unmoved.
The point of all the Dichos El Brue? Obviously most ethnic groups have sages (or even stupid people) who have provided us with wise sayings, bon mots, adages, terse observations as guides for live. Being in New Mexico, they are called “Dichos”. I included some as examples for Newbies to NM, albeit many were just translated into Spanish from Anglo ones. As I’m lacking in Spanish, I do not know local ones. Given Gil’s recounting of Mr. Morales’ sorrowful tale, I was wondering if Gil might know of one…just for my selfish amusement and interest in the “local” heritage/culture.
~~”I’m really wondering if the housemade chicken salad at Chick-fil-A comes in 55 gallon drums as does El Pinto’s famous housemade salsa?
Alas FGFABQ, Chick-fil-A’s website says “Freshly made at each Restaurant, this tasty sandwich is made with ….” Given their purported ‘leanings’ and questioning why risk printing that to be proven untrue, I’m thinking it is. However, am not sure that includes the wheatberry bread being made there. If I come up with something different, I’ll let you know. Say, speaking of 55 gallon drums, I’ve actually seen such casks holding Jack Daniels in its distillery in Tennessee…the gall of them!
Additionally, and regarding “I really would have thought you were more of a shop local, Mom and Pop type.”
Du…uh! El Pinto is a Local and Mom and Pop type restaurant!!! Re the drums of salsa: Lest you don’t know, please take a moment to “open” yourself up and view this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yf-bPYUzFow For a more intense, detailed look at those drums and El Pinto’s “other” salsas, please do this one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQf2vHD-xAE
I believe I do I support Locals, but I’m thinking I try to also be more flexible, liberal if you will. While I might go along with the naysayers about many items per cost/taste (eh! I didn’t care for all my Mom’s recipes either), I still haven’t read anyone disclaim El Pinto’s offering of a 1/2 rack of Red Chile Ribs with bountiful salad nor paying a buck more for the ambiance of the Fiesta Patio while even just enjoying a house margarita with complimentary chips n salsa. Are you seriously telling me you will eat and enjoy eating in every Local and even when in your Favs that you relish Every dish they serve?
For brevity, I wont repeat my exceptions regarding we all use forms of chains and recount how most started out as Moms & Pops who then, as a genre sorta speak, dared to risk and venture forth to provide jobs for a few or a hundred or thousands as millions despite views to the contrary.
(((Es como hablar a la pared! LOL)))
——30——
Oo Oo! Thank you very much for the update on PBR!!!
An interesting backstory per the career of the new owner, an American citizen of Russian descent, is http://tinyurl.com/nrleyr9
Bobo,
Great news for low cost swill drinkers: PBR is not being sold the the Russians. The former chairman of the
russian company Oasis resigned and Oasis is not in the mix.
Now you can add PBR to your swill and shill list. I’m happy for you.
What’s the point of all the Spanish sayings? Does Gil pay you by the word? (Just kidding Gil, nobody could afford to do that).
I’m really wondering if the housemade chicken salad at Chick-fil-A comes in 55 gallon drums as does El Pinto’s famous housemade salsa?
Does C-f-A make it from scratch? I doubt if it’s made in house, Don’t know a chain that does.
Do you prefer it in the 1st week of opening the drum or later so that the different ingredients call meld with each other forming the melange of flavors that only time in drum,like a fine wine in an oaken cask, can create?
Now I think you’rer a shill for both Wal-Mart and Chick-fil-A. And possibly many other chains that you seem to admire.
I really would have thought you were more of a shop local, Mom and Pop type.
Sorry to find out I’m wrong.
Yo Gilberto:
~ Poor Senor Mares. Alas, I can’t find my volume of “Dichos” by Roberto Mondragon’s (former NM Lt. Guv; espied in Redford’s iconic The Milagro Bean Field War (of Truchas); and First Recorder of the State’s Spanish language State Song. Mustn’t he have a Dicho to cover that kind of happening?
Don’t think these quite cover that:
When it rains, it pours.
Siempre llueve sobre mojado.
No hay dos sin tres.
Misfortunes always come in threes.
Lo hizo sin querer,queriendo.
He did it accidentally,on purpose.
Otherwise, maybe Roberto’s done a Folk song http://tinyurl.com/pc8qk4r ?!!?
(If truth be told, I might use this Dicho at other times!!!!
Es como hablar a la pared.
It’s like talking to a brick wall.
~ Thanks for the Joe S-Sausage reminder. Unfortunately, his process for sausage that I tried was not “ground” as ‘fine’ as I’ve liked, albeit it was tasty. A couple of years ago, I checked if he was still doing pierogies but his machine was broken and he wasn’t sure about moving forward…Sad.
~ Oh Oh…great reminder about Roma Bakery & Deli! T’will be obviously interesting to have their “Tangy Chicken Salad” with chopped Celery and sliced Almonds on a lusty “croissant” for comparison, given Chick-fil-A is no slouch by serving its melange of dices of Chick-fil-A chicken breast, chopped eggs, celery, sweet pickle relish, and mayonnaise served chilled with Green Leaf lettuce on lightly toasted Wheatberry bread. Whoa, I’ve never had that (tasty) Wheatberry before, but Google says it is a ‘healthy’ bread . Indeed, I might be in a bind with it going up against a croissant tho!
Bobo, the reference to oil as a frying medium was to say that yoiur turkey fyer in your Wal-Mar catalog was not anywhgere close to the original turkey fryer..
I don’t like Wal-Mart because of their business practice and because my taxes are needed for most of their employees who are on food stamps and need assistance as full time employees while the Waltons are billionaires many times over.
Who gives a rat’s behind about good oil versus bad oil ikf you only use olive oil?
Anything else, like Mr. Chow’s still being a top pick for chinese food in Los Angeles and your french dip emporium registers an empty look and is just a memory of yours?
Seems like you are headed back to the 20th century, early part while trying to be a socially unconsious hipster.
“Anything else?”
Uh, as a matter of fact and as someone once chimed: Depends how you define “oil”. Consider checking several articles within this one site re “healthy?” oil http://www.turkeyfrying.net/newsroom.html. Then there is http://tinyurl.com/md9um5l or http://tinyurl.com/oncuu3q Obviously, check with your cardio man!
~ Per your WallyMart phobia, check this out then at Amazon http://tinyurl.com/l3kse7t where 30 bucks more will give you peace of mind. Comes in larger sizes as well.
Salud!
Bobo,
At least to me “frying” indicates oil.
Re the dungarees, whoosh.
I did go on you referenced site as got off it as soon as I saw it was Wal-Mart.
Mr. Chow’s remain on the list of Best in Los Angeles.
Anything else?
Oh my, Oh my FGFABQ! Re Igniting comments: Thanks, but Sorry, simply had wished to acknowledge awareness of some Folks’ displeasure/umbrage with Chick-fil-A’s owner so as not to be possibly dinged for ignoring the chupakabra in the room. Least of all, I also prayed not to be taken to task for it being a ‘chain’, so Thanks for not going there!
~ Turkey Fryer: Sorry to see you apparently again ah “overlooked” the convenience link to the Butterball Turkey Fryer so that it could be seen that it was not the kind operated by a flame akin to what sadly produced household fires when they came out more than a decade ago. I.e. apparently things can improve and many people take delight enjoying this juicy and tasty alternative to oven or smoked turkey; 14#s in less than an hour! Presumptively, you’ve never exposed yourself to some fried turkey, having been caught up in the fire reports of yore for which I wouldn’t blame ya…albeit ya haven’t looked further. BTW, don’t know about Twinkies, but if you use water instead of peanut oil, you can enjoy a Seafood Boil or steam crab legs for example. Unfortunately, if I were to mention Ms Rachael had 4 of them on her kitchen set last week, that would certainly put the kibosh on them as far as you’d be concerned!!! LOL Oh Oh, while writing this, I Googled “dangers of Butterball turkey fryer”; nothing dastardly came to the fore on the first page!!! So as you say Pilgrim: “….join the rest of us who have crossed the bridge into the 21st century.” I’ll be there to welcome you too!
~ Stock: Nope, no WallyMart stock…gave up white collar gambling ages ago. If you have a top rated Mutual Fund, you might check it however, to see if You have some WallyMart stock!
~ Dungarees??? Talk about me being in my dotage! Check paragraph 4 http://tinyurl.com/pqctayj Thanks tho, I’ll bring up pre-creased Jeans with management.
~ ‘Will be trying Mr. Chow’s… top 10 in La for a hundred years and it’s time to try it.’ ???Whoa! Now I’m completely discombobulated!!! Recently you abased/chided me for even thinking of asking you to update that dining experience… “Re the French Dip,there are so many excellent restaurants in the Los Angeles area it seems silly to keep going backward to the old standbys.” Why not? If it’s still good, what is this family owned, single place doing right to maintain its 100+ years of existance. Like Pinks, it may be a dud, but if not, can something be learned from The Masters? If it is a dud, then I’d know (possibly…LOL) better to not return. Again, I don’t prompt tourists coming here from metro LA, but simply ask, “What’s the best place for a French Dip in LA?” Speaking of “Top Rated” how about 10 Best Sandwiches in LA http://tinyurl.com/mm8eb3a or Trip Advisor http://tinyurl.com/k5rewdb or http://tinyurl.com/ltj82te Just sayin!
“Chow!”
Bobo,
Here’s some simple, uncomplicated advice: If you don’t want to ignite, per your comment above, negative comments regarding companies who have ignited their own negative press, don’t remind folks and thereby rehash. Simple.
Re frying turkeys, it’s akin to deep fried bacon or twinkies except that people end up burning their homes to the ground and thereby have nothing to be thankful for. And since when are you a shill for Wal-Mart? Do you own stock? Do you recieve pre-creased dungarees in exchange for mentioning them to your large following?
And since when are you willing to pay $4.25 a pound for anything but $5.00 in loose change? By my figures a small 10-12 pound turkey would use up way too much of your beloved tube steak budget and I don’t see you doing that.
We will be trying Mr. Chow’s this week, the restuarant has been a top 10 in LA for a hundred years and it’s time to try it.
Thank you, Bruce
You’re very civic-minded in wanting to prevent Bob from burning down his mansion in Los Ranchos. A few years ago a man in Fort Sumner burned down his home doing something far less dangerous than trying to fry a turkey. Here’s an excerpt from the news article:
A homeowner tried to dispose of a mouse in a pile of burning leaves. The blazing creature ran back to the man’s house and set it on fire. Luciano Mares, 81, of Fort Sumner said he caught the mouse inside his house and wanted to get rid of it.”I had some leaves burning outside, so I threw it in the fire, and the mouse was on fire and ran back at the house,” Mares said from a motel room Saturday. Village Fire Chief Juan Chavez said the burning mouse ran to just beneath a window, and the flames spread up from there and throughout the house. No was hurt inside, but the home and everything in it was destroyed.
Proceed with caution, Bob.
Gil
1) Has anybody heard of “tomato sausage”? My Bro-i-Law was thrilled to find some recently back East at a Local butcher shoppe, per having enjoyed it in his youth. What’s your opinion? Is it available in ABQ?
2) Without meaning to stir up any Chain, let alone ‘religio-political’ controversies, I’m fixin to go to Chick-fil-A this week to have another Chicken Salad Sandwich http://tinyurl.com/mmv8qpk to see if it is as Yummy as the one I first tried a couple of weeks ago cuz my G-daughter works there. Eh…I’m open if anyone has a comparative Local Chicken Salad Sandwich to compare! As I’ve blathered before, one’s ‘first experience’ often overrides things, e.g. my Mom’s Chicken of the Sea Tuna (after drained of oil) mixed with Mayo, relish, and sprinkle of sugar on white Wondaah Bread (with Wise Chips as a salty contrast on the side)was the best.
3) Sooo? nobody is “into” Deep Fried Turkey? What’s with that?
In any event to amend my previous query, Ragin Shrimp http://www.raginshrimp.com/ is also doing it To-go (tho I’ve never had it) and ya can even pick one up on T-Day. Ya gotta call in a few days B4hand and order tho – $4.25/#
(For a bit of ABQ History: Owner of RS is a son of the Nellos Family that gave us The Quarters….of ‘the old days’. Shrimp wise, he’s trying out NM “farm” raised shrimp (ala NMSU research as it has done for our Chile!) vs what he gets from down Brownsville, TX’s way.
(While the family forgives, another son was shot dead after getting out to inspect his car and seeing if others were OK after being broadsided on Silver SE many years ago http://tinyurl.com/l8yzhj6.)
Yo, some might say you ain’t a Lobo…woof woof… if ya hadn’t in days gone by, bought some threads from Brother Basil in the Lobo’s Men Shop…a Gentlemen’s Tailor of old Rt. 66!
Roberto
The last time we had tomato sausage was at the Summerfest in Milwaukee several years ago. It was a pork-based sausage with tomatoes mixed in and was quite good. I’ve seen it on the menu at 315 Restaurant in Santa Fe, but never in Albuquerque. Perhaps if you ask Joe S. Sausage nicely he can create it for you.
Though I’ve not had the chicken salad at the Roma Bakery and Deli, I’m confident it’s infinitely better than the chicken salad at Chick-Fil-A. Oscar and Bruce make the very best tuna salad in town. Their deli counter is replete with deliciousness.
The folks at Los Ranchos De Albuquerque New Mexico Deep Fried Turkey seem to offer deep-fried turkeys for sale and preparation at home, but they don’t fry it for you.
Meaning no disrespect nor being unPC to those having a different view/opinion about the celebration of Thanksgiving Day, but:
Help! Besides Pepper’s and Dickey’s BBQs, does anyone know of and recommend a place doing Deep Fried Turkeys? Has anyone gotten one from Pepper’s?
(FYI…Powdrell’s, Rub n Wood, Rudy’s, Sprout’s, Keller’s don’t do them, but smoke.)
Has anyone used this seemingly safer, indoor, kitchen counter top Turkey Fryer http://tinyurl.com/n9jlykt? If so, how did it go/turn out?
Lastly, let me be the first: http://tinyurl.com/lzdh5gx
OMG…I thought Gil had done a review of The Popcorn Cannery and I was going to do a reliability note per having just bought another big bag of Christmas (Chile) flavor figuring teens at my G-daughter’s 18th might think it’s funky enough for a “WOW” rating this coming weekend.
Oh well…LOL In any event, in these days of alfresco BBQing Gatherings…from burgers to filets….thought Y’all might have Comment Opines ready for after Gil’s critique, per having found the variety of flavor offerings might make an amuse-bouche!!!
The website is here: http://www.thepopcorncannery.com/flavors.html Just off 40, a couple of blocks south on 4th to Haines, west to 7th south. Or use 4th vs 7 when coming from the downtown area.
(Man, writing this seems so Deja-vuish!)
Yo Brute!
You da man! I agree folks get stuck in their ways – they have a natural aversion to being out of their comfort zones. I don’t usually like sharing a table with them – the Chili’s/Appleby’s crowd unless they are fun people and the food is secondary.
Foodies would be a much better demographic to poll, and would be the type of people whose opinion I would value over the hoi polloi. Just like I would rather take the word of a master gardener over a group of regular folks about the best tomato plants to grow around here.
Restaurants that did not place on the media polls should not feel bad. Luckly they have Gil’s Thrilling Blog and the foodies who contribute comments to measure themselves against.
BTW, I was blown away by the list that Jim Millington recounted from the ABQ Urinal. Oh, the humanity! Suzie Queue must have voted multiple times.
The results say more about the folks eating out than where they dine.
When Blake’s wins the “Best Green Chile Cheeseburger” in a statewide poll it simply means the respondents from all over the state voted what they knew, and Blake’s sells 1000 for every 1 Santa Fe Bite (formerly Bob Cat Bite) sells.
And folks don’t like to try new places once the find something they like. No adventures No gain.
It seems that every food poll, especially readers choice types, have surprises everytime.
Foodies would be a much better demographic to poll. We’re more focused, more adventurous.
Holy cow! Suzie Queue must have a lot of relatives.
Jim, if you think Albuquerque doesn’t measure up to a lot of cities, try Grand Prairie, Texas, a true culinary wasteland unless you like cumin and Tex-Mex cooking. Other local favorites include IHOP, Popeye’s Chicken, Texas Roadhouse and Cheddar’s. I have to drive to Irving, Arlington and Dallas for decent food, but no green chile anywhere.
I lived in the sweathole of Dallas for many (20) years but in all that time don’t think I ever made it to Grand Prairie. Back then it was pretty much dry thus no decent restaurants. Now it is the source of half the world’s chains. Ina minor defense I used to regularly eat at Steak and Ale when there was only one in the world and Brinker had yet to start his world of chains. He used to have a Greek restaurant in Oak Cliff where Little Mo waited tables. I understand that she pretty much originated the Steak and Ale concept but died before it opened. Recently I found a few really good places. Try Rex’s Seafood, Royal Thai on Greenville, OMI Korean Grill or the Dodie’s a mile or so south of Mockingbird. And I don’t hate decent Tex Mex.
How many of you read the 2014 Albuquerque Journal Readers’ Choice Awards! in Sunday’s paper? See it at http://www.abqjournal.com/readerschoice. It is hard to believe and they claim to have thousands of entries. It reads like a list of the most mediocre places in the city. An occasional “favorite”makes a little sense but the decent place usually ended up 3rd or in the “notables”. No wonder our restaurants don’t measure up to those in so many other cities! Nobody cares if a place is really good.
Donut Shop- on this I don’t know or care because I don’t care about any donuts
First Place Rebel Donut
Second Place Donut Mart
Third Place Dunkin’ Donuts
Bakery/cupcake/cake-another one that doesn’t much interest me
First Place ABC Cake Shop & Bakery Second Place
Flying Star Café
Third Place Le Chantilly Fine Pastries
Coffeehouse- I will give Starbucks some credit because until they came along it was virtually impossible to get a decent cup of coffee in America
First Place Starbucks
Second Place Satellite Coffee
Third Place Flying Star Café
BBQ-OK, I wouldn’t pick Rudy’s but it isn’t a stupid choice. 2 & 3 are
First Place Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q
Second Place Quarters BBQ
Third Place The County Line
Pizza-Is this a joke?
First Place Dion’s Pizza
Second Place Pizza 9
Third PlaceFarina Alto Pizzeria & Wine Bar
Sushi-I don’t hate Sushi King, at least the downtown one but the best?
First Place Sushi King
Second Place Japanese Kitchen Sushibar
Third Place Shogun Japanese Restaurant
Sunday brunch-Surely people voted for Weck’s as a joke
First Place Weck’s
Second Place Grove Cafe & Market
Third Place Farm & Table
Sandwich-Got to be kidding!
First Place Dion’s Pizza
Second Place Jason’s Deli
Third Place Subway
Chinese-There must have been a counting mistake
First Place Chen’s Chinese Food Restaurant
Second Place Best Lee’s Asian Gourmet (tie)
Second Place Budai Gourmet Chinese (tie)
Italian-I am speechless
First Place Trombino’s Bistro Italiano
Second Place Olive Garden Italian Restaurant
Mexican/New Mexican-Is it possible to be more ridiculous than the Italian?
First Place Sadie’s of New Mexico
Second Place El Pinto Restaurant
Third Place Los Cuates
I can’t go on without crying!
Jim, your breakfast looks awesome! And thanks for the kudos!
Congratulations to Hannah & Edward for getting their Carnitas Omelet recipe published in Albuquerque the Magazine as a Breakfast Club winner.I am however very resentful that my wold famous typical Albuquerque Breakfast was not selected; in fact they did not even send a photography and tasting team by my house. I am willing however to share it with the world as a truly typical recipe:
1. Have a wife who doesn’t eat much at dinner and bring her leftovers home.
2. The next morning reheat in microwave, an oven at 325 or frying pan as appropriate depending on what it is. If reheating in frying pan use a little olive or sesame oil depending on flavor you are trying to achieve (this may depend on whether your ancestors were of the European or Asian persuasion).
3. If appropriate add a sauce. Depending on leftover food select from Red Chile, Sriracha, Chipolte garlic or a mayo mixed with cayenne and/or sesame oil and/or Sriracha.
4. If volume is low add fried egg or egg scrambled with sesame oil, chopped onion, green chile, steamed diced potato and anything else you have around that looks good.
5. Eat
If you are one of the rare people in Albuquerque who has not been using this typical recipe for years feel free to use it without a royalty fee.
Yo: re Liquid Foods:
Coffee: if you are an aficionado wannabe, New Mexico Pinion Co., right here in ABQ!, offers a 1 1/2 to 2 hour ‘class’ about coffee including a “back room” tour of coffee processing; a bit of ‘cupping’; tasting; etc. If you aren’t, but want a couple of hours of personal space from those out-of-town guests while impressing them with a rather unique life experience, drop ’em off to a Saturday class (held 2X/month) offered FOR FREE! Say, didn’t have time to whip up some biscochitos for the holidays or for an anytime New Mexican ambiance? THERE’S EVEN AN APP, I mean coffee, FOR THAT! amongst others, e.g. Mexican; Apple Empanada, etc. nmpinoncoffee.com There’s even a Bacon blend whereby ya only need to scramble eggs thereby eliminating the grease spattering frying of bacon and its clean up!
Urban myth buster: They do not recommend you store your coffee in the Freezer!!! I.e. I just freed up space for more food for ya!!!
You can check it out at with many stores carrying it including Trader Joe’s across the country.
Beer: Are you hip/hep? Whether you drink this substitute for unsafe drinking water which goes back for centuries or not, do you know these local, fast growing, Micro Breweries are not called that? They are now known as Craft Breweries or Beer. I just learned that on a tour of a local one besides the fact they are one of the last bastions from government regulation. i.e., except for your local health department inspection, no one comes to inspect!!!!
Well Brooklyn Bruce, I beat ya to the punch…I mean a Dr. Brown’s Creme Soda when I munched at Noon today with a NonGente from Brooklyn at the new “Nosh” in the old Papers store at Amherst & Silver SE (Nob Hill). The NonGente hadn’t found it as yet and just about wet his pantelones when he looked at the Menu Board. You can check the offerings out here http://noshnobhill.com/Menu.htm
NB: certain items only before 11; also, suggest go before or after the Noon hour as limited seating as is traditional(?). Had the excellent Egg salad sand on challah with cole slaw. See if you too can beat The Gil!
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Re missing Y’all at Blade’s. So Sorry: I looked, but didn’t see… possibly overwhelmed by the beautiful Harvest/Halloween decor on the patio. In any event: Salud on your birthday courtesy of Ed Sullivan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6h7ihHZ-L5s . As Topo Gigio would say….”Chow!”
Eeek!!!Pardon, but I almost forgot to submit my ‘ballot’ for Albuquerque the Magazine ‘Best of…” survey which ends August 1st!!! Besides your astute opine re Yum Yums and related stuff, I just now noticed there is a Best BLOGGER category under “People”!!!!
Ok, OK! Some will curse it I’m sure for its overly scientific underpinnings, but if you got nothing better to do whilst on the john with your laptop, what better way to spend your time…do your stuff…and especially for those lengthy moments while doing your colonoscopy prep, the only challenging part of the proceedure http://tinyurl.com/buf8wvg !!! Its time for filling in your choices for Albuquerque Magazine’s Best of the City ’13.. http://www.abqthemag.com/bestofsurvey2013a.php Voting ends August 1st!
Update on Notchamamaspickles (sp?):
The Range has stopped carrying the product due to “health department regulations”.
We were told they lacked the proper licenses and had to be pulled from the shelves.
Too bad, they are good pickles!
Alas Bruce…I had a committment to my daughter to stand-by for ever changing kidlet schedules on Sat. As such, bashed and dashed were my plans to bring a basket to ‘abscond’, sorta speak, with dessert Yum Yums as I can only enjoy one or two at a sitting, if that!
Speaking of Saggio’s cannolis: I’ve never sampled them per otherwise being sated by their ‘entrees’ when in the mood for rollicking ‘eating’ which Saggio’s ambiance offers. Your ‘plus’ gives me an idea to explore next time I ‘dine’ on Scalo’s Filetto (which no one seems to have tried using their PressPass discount). Maybe the drive-time after to Saggio’s would be ample to hit it for a cannoli dessert!
Also regret, in addition to your Fly-Gal, meeting for the 1st time some of the other Comment-Celebs you noted. That leads me to offer a side business or post retirement venture for The Gil or Anyone: Once or so a month (depending on ‘demand’), the public can reserve seating in the ‘company’s’ rented stretch limo for a (varying) Rolling Gourmet Dining Night Out devised (for Newbies and/or Gourmands (who may vote on menu possibilities as an option), e.g. diners learn about the varieties (not just the brands beyond Jose Cuervo) of Tequila by the 1st stop being at Rio Chile to try their new “Tequila Flight” offering; next, on to a best salad in town place or how about a “Soup Flight”?; Entrees could sample a Seafood night or a night of meat slabs of different presentation/sauces, e.g. Wellington,Chateaubriand, King Henry IV etc. or Ethnic offerings; and then on to places of dessert specialties; followed by options for an outstanding flick; Popejoy offering; or an overnight at a B&B (exclusive of an AM pickup for the latter…LOL). Well, just a thought.
The 20th Annual Road Runner Souperbowl is history and once again proves the local folks come out for good causes and what cause hits home more than hunger in New Mexico.
Forty plus chefs representing the best of the Duke City came out to show off their wares.
One point to note is that this year there was an abundance of chile stews. The two winners, one the people’s choice and the other Best voted on by a panel of judges including Gil, Larry M, and Andrea Feucht. Andrea was kind enough to sell her copy of Food Lovers’ Guide to Santa Fe, Albuquerque & Taos to my wife and me with a person annotation and autograph.
Back to the winners, Bein Shur’s White Chocolate Chili “Soup” which to me was more of a dessert than a soup, and the Green Chile Cheeseburger soup by Flamez, which was just one of the many of its ilk with the difference being a chunk of cheeseburger. I would have appreciated more varieties. There was a sameness that was prevalent in the Chef’s choices.
But fortunately there were some outstanding desserts, my two favorites being a Marshmallow Gelato by Van Rixel that had my wife’s complete attention and a fabulous eclair (cream puff) that suffered the same fate of the cannolis from Sacchios, they disappeared faster than the proverbial speeding bullet of Superman legend.
Good soups, good desserts and help for NM’s hungry, a win, win, win all around plus got to say hello to Gil, Larry M and Andrea F, got to meet Bill Resnick, and at 6′ 2″ I felt short.
But alas, no BOTVOLR…….
Let’s do it again next year!
Some Good Food made even better by being infused with costumed carolers, barbershop quartets, classical and mariachi music; dancers; a munifescent (shop-owner sponsored) “towering” Christmas Tree; holiday appetizers; the smell of pinon in the air, all as you stroll (even hand-in-hand if you be so lucky) on traffic-free-streets on a whimsical, mild pre-winter’s eve Dec. 7th among the Locally owned shoppes of Olde Town for FREE* to take a bit of the edge off…to get away from…. the histrionic harangues of the harbingers of ‘We’re going over the cliff!!’ by way of a dose of “New Mexican Enchantment”. What a great ambiance to enjoy a wonderful way to update Comments on several long time (casual or fine dining) restaurants either before or after strolling, e.g. La Crepe Michel, Church St. Cafe, La Placita, High Noon, Quesadilla Grille etc… or not yet reviewed Folks like the venerable Antiquity or the new Red Feather Diner which features an untried Buffalo (patty) Burger.
Olde Town for presents? Bah Humbug!….It’s all Southwestern (albeit there is nothing wrong with that!) NO! It’s a panoply of ecletic shopping experiences/choices from unique inexpensive stocking stuffers for kids through the exotic, kitschy ‘coffee mug’ with a snake wrapped around it http://tinyurl.com/aje5nj3 which what’s-his-name proudly displays on his Late Late Show desk as being from ABQ, to a pricey painting/sculpture/jewelry of an established or up-n-coming artist you’ll pass down to your kids!
If ya can, go by 5 at the least to find parking. To orient Y’all if you haven’t been in awhile re P for Parking http://tinyurl.com/cx35t75 as the inner streets will be closed. Also, click on the Shopping tab to click Coupons to print out for some Discounts.
(*I’m trying to “encourage” The City to have their parking lots by the museum and right off Romero on Central be free as its unclear right now. Others are privately owned. I.e. bring some dollar bills in case.)
PS: Please take a moment to remember it’s Dec. 7th – Lest We Forget those Galz n Guyz http://tinyurl.com/ahhlyde.)
“Chow!”
Pardon, but I’d like to ask Y’all if you are eating out next week to consider this ‘annual’ fundraiser: “Dine Out for Popejoy will be held on Thursday, October 25.2012. Participating restaurants will donate a portion of their proceeds that day to Popejoy Hall. Individual restaurants determine their contribution percentage. Last season, Popejoy contributed an estimated $10,000,000 to the economic impact of the city of Albuquerque.”
For Participating restaurants, please go here: http://tinyurl.com/9tfr8q3
or http://www.dineoutforpopejoy.com/index.html
Thanks,
“Chow”!
(Disclaimer: I have no connection with Popejoy nor am I in a liaison with any staff/Board member/performer etc. nor even hold season tickets to events. It is just something that makes ABQ a rounded place to live.)
Yo Bruce…despite Gil’s best efforts to suggest otherwise, I guess its a no brainer re cannoli or tiramisu, unless I jury rig one of those ‘cones’ from the DQ or add some pizazz by getting the ice cream drumsticks with peanuts in the frozen food section of WallyMart.
Indeed the Chef/Spouse/SO partnership should have good potential to produce some good results.
BOTVOLR,
Having grown up and worked in The Empire State and more specifically, the theatre district of the Big Apple I hardly ever met a waitstaff member who wasn’t waiting for their big break on Broadway or a shot at TV.
There are a few establishments that still have professionals serving their clientele like Peter Lugers where the staff remembers the “regulars” their likes and dislikes,etc.
I much prefer professional service to the touchy feely staffers who are my best friend for an evening.
Look to France where working in a restaurant is a career not a stop along the way and you’ll get true professionalism in the dining rooms.
And finally, look again to the chef and wife combos where there is constant supervision and constant scrutiny by the wife who patrols the dining room.
Its a combination that is a winner.
BOTVOLR, I’ll take a good cannoli or tiramisu over Tartufo any day.
Anyone know where they serve Tartufo around ABQ? Gil defined it as ‘Italian ice cream dessert composed of two flavors of ice cream–an adult dark chocolate and a nutty vanilla covered with a dark chocolate shell.’ which he apparently indulged in in IL Mulino in Vegas… the review of which I happened upon recently.
The only place I ever got to enjoy it often was at the ‘fine dining’ Italian restaurant (in the ‘classic’ tradition of red tufted leather booths and ‘room expanding’, gilded or etched mirrors) at the top of the escalator of Binion’s Horseshoe, well….in days of yore in Vegas .
Long ago I gave up asking everywhere if a place had it after getting too many “deer in the headlights” stares from our ever increasing youthful waitstaff. Thought I’d give it a shot here as I’m thinking of substituting this http://tinyurl.com/9vu6ca3 from one of our very own, albeit ‘chained’, La Reine Laitiere by cutting off the cone from the bottom to “float” the top atop some tart, currant-like liqueur (for the sweet/tart clash) in a saucer I’d bring along…. as I’ve previously had it served!!!!
Further mutterings:
Speaking of ‘vintage’…the ’50s fading into more my of the ’70s-’80s LOL: How many places do you find the same server anymore! When making a reservation back when, many folk would only opt for a time so they’d have their favorite wait person who apparently made a “decent” living being so employed. Was it just Vegas when the mobs ‘ran’ things and paid how they paid? We wring our hands today about our high unemployment….is one variable that we just employed more Folk a few years ago? Check this ‘dining room’ staffing* at the Desert Inn http://tinyurl.com/9aacdfw (you may have to click http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_vegas/3268132937/in/photostream to get the pic) where Frank’s Rat Pack oft enjoyed themselves where Sicilian Lois and that Irish-Indian vixen Keely were playing in the lounge. Oh heck, and going off on a tangent, anyone ever remember dancing cheek-to-cheek to this great song sometime in your life where herein Keeley is doing her enigmatically, (is it Irish?) dead-pan shtick
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kTcjXhGbxU&feature=related
Lest you wish to have seen her showing off her real ‘magic’ as a songstress, you could go see it here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfNgcDvPn1M
* A Miatre D’ who diligently kept track of which seatings were filled/empty and who thus found one for you, The Captain who explained the offerings on the menu and Specials and took your order, a lesser known who presented your salad along with a frozen fork, one who served your entree, and one who made your finished plates disappear and whisked off any…how shall we say…well… crumbs. My most impressive event (and tell me where this commonly happens today) as a wet behind the ears ‘kid’ from New England, was when a server held a saucer between my Love and her cup to prevent any splash when he poured after-dinner coffee to be enchanted by ‘pourings’ of Galliano that my new father-in-law orderd as we supped down in The Garden Room of The Tropicana where a roving violinist played. Ooo ooo…Don’t forget the guy in the bathroom who….let’s not go down that road, nor let alone the Sommelier….Rose d’Anjou was ‘in’ at the time…and he’d nod approval as a wise choice to accommodate both seafood and beef selections!!!! Some may complain finding this pic staffing ‘biased’. Alas, Ladies were commissioned to offer “Cigars, Cigarettes,……” and some places even let waifs in so Y’all could exhibit your humanity buying a Rose for MyLady!!!
But I ramble…..
“Chow!”
Hola Roberto
The summer menu at Lucia in the Hotel Andaluz offers a “pecorino tartufo cheese.” It’s a cheese made from sheep’s milk.
Kaune’s Neighborhood Market, a Santa Fe institution does feature a recipe for tartufe ice cream in its Web site. It doesn’t sound quite as decadent as the Tartufo we had in Vegas, but it may be worth trying.
Interestingly, while in Chicago, we had a salami also named Tartufo which goes to show the versatility of that word. Tartufo apparently can be an ice cream dessert, a cheese or a salami. Add a little green chile and the combination would probably be to die for.
Gil
Blade’s Bistro has a lovely patio and provides music on Saturday evenings.
Great food and terrific music, can’t be that combo.
This weekend features Chef Kevin’s fabulous Prime Rib.
BOTVOLR, the parking lot is blocked by the wall around the patio and all tables face the musical guests.
Sorry, no Karaoke.
Yowza Yowza Yowza !!! It’s the start of this year’s Albuquerque The Magazine ‘Best of _ _ _” Poll (6/1-8/31) http://abqthemag.com/bestofsurvey2012a.php .While this might not be “very” scientific, they apparently try to limit stuffing’ by checking your computer’s internet address. As such, I’m thinking most places that “Win” may not turn it down.
If nothing else, checking out the Poll may provide a bit of fun making Y’all ponder or be vexed by your own multi-choices….E.g. Patios: My #1 No-no is if the view is onto a parking lot, therefore would not eat my fav Filleto on Scalo’s patio; love the Fiesta patio’ at El Pinto, but not necessarily the food and especially for the prices…ergo, enjoy a margarita con chips n salsa there while reading the Sunday paper on a balmy afternoon or eve!!! But Eeek Nicky V’s…and various sundry spots along Coors’ ‘restaurant row’….looks onto a parking lot, BUT what about the sparkling jewels across the valley or the Purple Majesty of the Sandias on a balmy winter’s sundown?….LOL !
“Chow!”
Monroes on Osuna has a lovely patio, so does Flying Star at Juan Tabo. Then there are Savoy and El Patron in the area.
Ok, no one wants to go for a List of the Best Foot Long Chile Cheeze Dogs, ergo The Dog House is declared the Weiner!!!
However, now that it’s summer, how about Best Patio Dining ? A listing as X/Y: 20 points for ambient patio + 10 points for food = rating or some other rating system Y‘all suggest!!!
For example : El Pinto 18/4 = 22. Casa de Benavidez 17/7 = 24. Sandiago’s 18/7 = 25. Church St. Café 16/7 = 23. Sophia’s 7/8 = 15. Sadie’s 11/6 = 17. Coorz ala Zio’s, Garduno’s, Los Cuates ???; Corrales Bistro Brewery or Indigo Crow???; 4th St. Farm and Table, Prime???; Nob Hill places like Scalo‘s, Standard Diner, etc.??; various Flying Stars plus fill in the blank???. Keeping the emphasis on “patio” however, where for example, if on a patio in ABQ, would you propose????
Roberto, the Duke City area has a number of excellent milieus for al fresco dining, some perhaps even proposal worthy. For a combination of ambiance and cuisine, my favorite might just be the Indigo Crow in Corrales, especially on a dark, moonlit, crisp autumn evening. Other options worth mention are The Grove, Hannah & Nates (also in Corrales), Duran’s Central Pharmacy, Bailey’s on the Beach, Torinos @ Home, Hello Deli, Zorba’s Fine Greek Cuisine and the Bricklight Dive. Surely there are dozens of others.
Yo…in my continuing efforts/aspiration to become a Foodie, I’m passing on what I saw this AM in my Foodie 101 class at CNMCC. Unfortunately, I have no way of knowing how long this http://tinyurl.com/76hjveo
will be ‘viable’ on the internet. It is supposed to relate to “American” Food: The Foreign Origins Of Many U.S. Favorites” e.g. has anyone asked Y’all over, and especially here in the SouthWest, to that Great All-American fete of a backyard Bar-B-Q to watch the Ring-O-Fire eclipse this Sunday?
BOTVOLR, I scrolled down very slowly to take in the entire process.
Wow.
Once more, WOW!!!!
Besides WOW I am speechless.
Upon haphazardly running across this today http://imgur.com/a/ahZOF (use the scroll bar on the right), I was reminded of returning to the Big City….San Francisco…somewhere in the ‘70s and being awed seeing/having my first sourdough, bread-bowl of clam chowdah on the pier.
Am I sleeping under a rock cuz I haven’t seen this sandwich here in ABQ? I can’t imagine Commentators herein would not have already expressed their glee or revulsion (LOL) re just the idea, let alone for some, that there is no green chile! If it’s not in ABQ, will venues here be soon to follow? ….LOL
(In lieu of fries, I’m think a mayo variety coleslaw or potato chips.)
Yo BOTVOLR,
Your posts serve as a reminder of things I do love to eat.
Pierogis!!! potato and onion pierogis!!!
I have loved them since I was a kid in Brooklyn and my mother and my aunts took the kids to Junior’s Restaurant near Erasmus Hall High School.
Pierogis seemed like the perfect food.
I ate mine with the accompanying thick sour cream.
Thanks for the memories.
Yo, Thanks a lot (X2) Bruce for that cooking class update as I’ve often thought of using such classes offered by several folks as ‘gifts’. In addition, in checking out Torino’s at http://torinosfoods.com/ , I viewed the video there from KOB and was delighted to see they used a ravioli maker as it gives me confindence to send a similar manufacturing device, but for Pierogis, to some Polish Panis in MA who ‘hand make’ them for various fundraising events. Last year they sold-out 6,000 in the first day and a half of the annual Lowell Folk Festival. Like some of us get roasted green chile to peel-bag-freeze here for a legal stash for the year, my Sis hits several ‘events’ back there (per only ‘x’ number to a customer) to stockpile a stash of pierogis .
– Re the Gorgonzola Sauce: sure got my mouth watering. Actually, I think I can make that!!! Next Wednesday gotta get me some Prince Macaronies http://tinyurl.com/86zcjcf . If worse comes to worse, I’ll get me a can of the Chef’s ravioli http://tinyurl.com/3nlmec8 to rinse off in order smother with that Sauce!!! Sauce Caveat: only 1/2 the calories if eaten while standing in the dark.
In any event, when thinking of what’s to eat, let’s always keep in mind this phlegmatic comment: “Everything you see, I owe to spaghetti!” Sophia Loren! http://tinyurl.com/6rsfw3b and http://tinyurl.com/83w33ub
On the other hand however, keep a stereotypical ‘Mama Mia or Leoni’ image in mind as well!!!! Buon Appetito!
“Chow!”
Thanks BOTVOLR,
I saw the offer this AM in a Groupon offering.
Apropos to that offer my wife and I along with 2 other couples took advantage of the cooking lessons from Daniella of Torino’s @ Home.
We made homemade pasta along with Bolognese and Gorgonzola sauces.
We each made a large lasagna that we took home.
We dined on our homemade pasta and sauces with a lovely red wine in Torino’s with Daniella.
I was surprised that there was a conspicuous lack of seasonings with just some salt added.
The flavors were derived from the ingredients not from heavy seasoning.
The spectacular Gorgonzola sauce had three ingredients; Gorgonzola cheese, butter and heavy cream.
What could be bad, eh?
As I kinda suspect that some of youz guyz n galz do a bit of especial or exploratory or inventive cookery at home, thought I’d pass this on, which I have nothing to do with: Jane Butel’s Southwest Cooking School 2.5-Hour Cooking Class ($30 (reg. $65); offer expires in 6 days.) See details http://tinyurl.com/72n2e37
(Chow!)
The Souper Bowl was terrific.
Some excellent soups, desserts, music, and for me, I got to meet names behind the faces.
Gil (!!!!!), Bob, (BOTVOLR), Larry M.
A treat for my wife and me.
So nice and so very approachable, real gentlemen.
There were approximately 1200 happy campers taking part in Road Runners largest fundraiser. It warms my soul the way the soups warmed my body.
Let’s all do it again next year.
It’s a wonderful cause, one that should be supported by all Duke City folks.
I must say though I missed the cannolis from Saggio’s.
I’ve never seen cannolis disappear as quickly as did the 100’s from Saggio’s a few years ago.
It was like locusts swarmed in and POOF gone.
Ambrosia/nectar whatever, SOUP today is what the gods would have gotten sloshed on as did I this elongated noon hour at the annual Souper Bowl fundraiser for the RoadRunner Food Bank…WHOA The creams, enhanced broths, stews, bisques easily intoxicate your way about the cavernous warehouse. Indeed, while a sense of trepidation may creep into your awareness as you contemplate the line awaiting entry or attendance figures, once inside everyone ‘fans’ out and you will have a delightfully social (“waitless”) time making the rounds. Maybe I’m just not discriminating enough, but I only encountered one sampling I would have been a bit disappointed in while eating out, but that’s my excentric taste…confession: I can’t eat oysters let alone steak tartare con huevo!!!!!. I don’t think it had anything to do with its preparation, just not my cup of tea.
Ok, but what about the deserts you ask? Same assessment for the ones I sampled, altho I tend to go “lightly” on sweets in general. Suffice it to say, I ended up securing a sample of a half dozen to try later at my leisure at home. I found my taste buds getting overwhelmed, albeit enjoyably so, by the spice ladened zoups and couldn’t alternate between soups n sweets to do justice to each. If you are a ‘chocaholic’, you will find your nirvana here!!!!
Upon reflection for next year, and while Starbucks hosted samples of coffee, tea, and water, I’d take a bottle of water (a ‘hoodsie’ of sorbet?) for a modicum of palate cleansing while making the rounds.
Bravo to anyone who made it to all 40 plus offerings!!!!
http://www.rrfb.org/wp-content/upload/SB-Flyer1.pdf and Mega-Kudos to the purveyors for their excellent offerings as well as the corporate sponsors of the event.
Hey, t’was a great opportunity to also jostle and put a “face” with the likes of, besides The Gil who I met earlier this week, The Andrea, The Larry, The Bruce and his ebullient Squeeze, La Grace. If others of you were there, sorry we didn’t meet up. (Lest some “skeptics” might ask or if there be a stereotype floating about, these folks all appear to practice “moderation”, given the object of our mutual desires!!! LOL)
“Chow!”
Your Opinion Matters:
IQ Locals “Best” stuff
http://local-iq.com/smartlist/
Just hoping Sensei is feeling better after having some health issues resolved. I pray he and his family have a blessed Christmas!
Not to worry, young grasshopper. All that rich food turned my gall bladder into sludge and slurry, but the miracle-working Dr. Abbott fixed me up and certified me for another 20,000 miles or 8 engorgement orgies at those megalithic all-you-can-choke down Chinese buffets-whichever comes first.
A Flash for you Cave-Man/Lady, Prehistoric types; or for those thinking about dipping your toe into opening your own exquisite dining venture, but don’t have enough cash yet for purchasing the Ultimate Range/Grille and can’t wait any longer to offer your creations to us all; and for others of Y’all who fret last year’s Gas-Outage that happened around the State might hit ABQ this year and you want to know how to prepare meals to survive, Blade’s Bistro is featuring Beef Carpacio tonight and Sat. !!! I can only say ‘Do It! and let us know, albeit, like the fretters, I’ll just keep my WallyMart mini-grille with propane canister at the ready for any Outage!)
“Chow!”
Re today’s Travel Section of the newspaper of record, the New York Times.: The Duke City was featured in its 36 Hours: Albuquerque.
Among the dining and drinking spots highlighted were Parq Central, Grand Crown Panaderia, the Marble Pub, Kelly’s, Ezra’s Place (Jo’s and Sophia’s too), Mary & Tito’s, The Grove and the Frontier Restaurant.It’s nice to know our city is getting more national recognition which it so richly deserves.
Photos include the Parq Central rooftop lounge, the Albuquerque Museum of Art and the beautiful KimoTheater.
(Sorry if I put this accidently somewhere else…blush)
Regarding whether reading this blog does or doesn’t have a good effect on us…well me: Prior to Gil and his infamous(?) commentators, I would look…but I didn’t see! Sunday night was another affirmation I was ‘seeing differently’! Aha, picture your sizzling filet seated upon a bed of dark emerald (i.e. signifying royalty) petals…OK ,‘leaves’….of an artichoke which, itself, certainly proffers a regal aura. Add its ‘heart’ to the filet’s top and you can readily image a crown! Drape it all with a cape of Béarnaise and obviously it should be called…and is known as…. Henry IV in the world of cookery! Am not sure why him as he wasn’t particularly known for “excesses”! Reportedly, he’d hoped there‘d be a chicken in every pot of every
w o r k i n g (French)man.
In any event, it was a regal meal with a bountiful salad included(!) along with warm bread and ‘button’ buns sprinkled with cheese and embedded with green chili(sic) awaiting a dab from the ramekin of softened butter!
Anyway, I’m still trying to figure out what watching a rerun of Newman and Redford’s ‘The Sting’ that I’d stumbled onto while flicking amongst erudite NewsChannels, prompted me to urgently boogie on down to Old Town’s 50+ year old Antiquity restaurant to delight in such a repast. Maybe it was the faux “opulence” (given its era) of the ‘prop’ bookie joynt they’d set up for the sting or just the quality acting and story line being without “Efin this!” and “Efin you!” that stimulated my appetite for some ‘good eats’ in an “Albuquerquean” setting of days of yore (e.g. not many wait-folk wear a tux shirt and bow tie) with service reminiscent of same…and especially if you have a “squeeze“ you’d like to impress or rekindle with! Alas, tucked away in my semi-private booth for two, I just had Leslie (as in Linthicum) to titillate me while awaiting my salad of fancified lettuce; well Eh!, Leslie via her column in Sunday’s AJ recounting the obamanation of Chaco Canyon by the Feds’ new water tank atop a mesa.
(A Foodie apparently put up this pics/menu site of Antiquity http://tinyurl.com/4optjq “a few years” ago as Henry (an Antiquity Classic) has now been “adjusted” by 5ish pesos….LOL)
“Chow“!
(UrbanSpoon: http://tinyurl.com/3ff2m9d )
Hola Folks…If Y’all are going to eat out on Oct. 27th please consider supporting Popejoy and all its programs simply by having breakfast, lunch or dinner — or all three! — at participating restaurants….a percentage of their day’s proceeds go to Popejoy Hall. (Click on “Participating Restaurants” here http://dineoutforpopejoy.com/
Thanks/”Chow”
The new website image is very clean and simple. As an engineer, I have to go with the philosophy, ‘if it’s not there, it can’t break.’ So, I think the new format is great. Gil, thank you for 606+ reviews. You are renown among Duke City connoisseurs and proprietors. Quite a few people appreciate your warm, enriching, and enlightening reviews. You’ve married sitting down and enjoying the emersement of the reliving the pages of a fine novel with the beauty of what a commercial chef can offer. From simple to super-intricate, it is wonderful to see great aspects of all of these places. I would imagine you and Guy Fieroi are going to duel it out one of these days. Anyway, have you considered book, television, or radio? If you have a book – what’s the isbn?
I just love that pic of Downtown Albuquerque!!!
Why have El Mezquite and Pro’s Ranch Market stopped roasting chicken in the parking lot on weekends? Thought perhaps you would know.
Thanks,
Joe
Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog. 🙂 Cheers! Sandra. R.
After watching Guy Fierri on TV this week end Had to take a trip to Silver and 6th. Yes taht is home to Cecelis Cafe. If you believe everything you see on TV you might do as I did and order the 9.95 Bean Chicharrone burrito plate. One thing is for sure the first ingredient listed is the primary, BEANS were the larger majority of the meal. NOT like on tv, boy did I take it hook line and sinker! I ordered the same to go, got back to work top see if there was just a bad order comming out of the kitchen,,, no it was not what was ordered, but a string beef burrito, at least more meat! POOR service, no refills on drinks, no parking, they could be open 8days per week i would never go back! Sory my 40.oo dollars will be spent some where at least you get a second glass of ICED tea!
Hi Gil, I find your site very interesting and informative only rarely disgreeing significantly. After a disappointing visit to Duran’s my other and I really needed a good chili fix so we tried Seferino’s on Central. It was terrific! Great salsa and green chili sauce, and their carne adovada is excellent smothered in very tasty red chili. Give them try.
Gil,
Your Blog is the best Albuquerque Food resource available to date. You have exceptional talent and actually know food & service. Too many of the so called Food Critics in the Albuquerque area should be so skilled. The research is very helpful I have shared your blog with many & will continue to do so. Most of us know how to use a computer so the alphabetical listing is not missed. At the office I chuckle to myself now when we are searching for a lunch spot at the office and I find co-worker using your site as a resource.
Rock on Gil!
Gil:
I’ll second Kidder, above. I just had lunch at Cafe Jean-Pierre and it was delicious! A ratatouille crepe…simple and generous and good. White tablecloths, too. Give them a look.
Dave P.
Hi Gil,
We tried the Yummi House and it was very good. However, give Best Lee’s (7906 Carmel Ave NE, #7 –behind the Smiths at Paseo and Wyoming) a try. The food is scumptious with very interesting and tasty sauces, eg the schrimp with garlic sauce or their Thai curry. We’ve only done lunch there. Portions are generous and the prices reasonable. Their website says there is another one at 2003 Southern Blvd. Ne Suite 127 in Rio Rancho but we’ve never been there. John L
Gil, I want to thank you for your tip about Vernon’s Hidden Valley Steakhouse.
I’ve got a restaurant for you. Cafe Jean Pierre just opened a few weeks ago in the location recently occupied by The Cup. As you may know Jean Pierre has created many outstanding restaurants here in the Duke City for the past quarter century. His latest creation, Cafe Jean Pierre, is no exception. Excellent crepes, entrees, pastries. I had the French onion soup – absolutely amazing.
Hi Gil, Looking at your picture on this page you appear to be my doppel ganger tho of several years ago. Anywho, you seem to have some interest in green chili cheeseburgers. Might I draw your attention to The Little Red Hamburger Shack (formerly Wimpys) at the corner of Sawmill and Mountain NW. Good burgers with terrific chile and great fries. John L
Ditto to the above compliments and thanks (and i am not a Rush Limbaugh fan). I too however am having trouble finding things as easily as before. Maybe I’m getting slower but I always consulted the highest rated in Albuquerque listings. Now I can’t find them. Maybe you’re still building the links. Anyway, thanks again your ratings are right on.
What does “Rush” have to do with this restaurant review site? Absolutely nothing! Please take your political commentaries to appropriate sites.
For many years I have enjoyed reading your useful, trusted restaurant reviews. I’ll continue to read your reviews, but I really miss the alphabetical index that was a part of the former format. It’s harder to find particular eateries now.
New is always hard to get used to, but in this case, the old was much easier to use. Although the reviews are still excellent, the pictures seem over-sized for the text (using Firefox & IE), overwhelming the words. Also, looking up restaurants by type isn’t nearly as concise as it was. But, playing with website content and html is an ongoing effort, requiring constant care and attention. So, thank you for the eating and the writing. The rest can be sorted out.
Where is the best of the best?
I used to pick a new place to try in 10 minutes, now it takes over 40 minutes?
No thanks, I have the yellow pages to replace what used to be a usefull tool, and is now only a time consuming useless search.
It WAS good, now I am sorry to say, the format sucks.
Thanks for trying, but your “improvement” ended it all for me.
thanks for what used to be – I hope you paid out no cash this this horrendous change.
The new website is very nice looking and more sophisticated than the old one, though the old one seemed more colorful and energetic.
My only complaint is that the alphabetical index is no longer there, and I used it a lot! PLEASE bring it back!! Also, I entered Perea’s in the search box and got Chili Stop instead, several times, in fact.
Thanks for doing what you do. I think we in ABQ are really lucky to have a foodie of your caliber telling us all about our local restaurants. You make it so much easier to pick a place to eat with your in-depth reviews and passion for what you do.
Thanks,
Linsley Denning