Sunnyside Up Cafe – Albuquerque, New Mexico

“Keep on the sunny side, always on the sunny side
Keep on the sunny side of life
It will help us ev’ry day, it will brighten all the way
If we’ll keep on the sunny side of life.”
~Keep On The Sunny Side Lyrics

According to Statistica, a leading provider of market and consumer data, in 2019 the per capita consumption of eggs in the United States was 207.1 eggs.  That’s up from 177.7 eggs per consumer in the year 2000.  In a 2019 survey conducted by YouGov, an international research data and analytics group, respondents indicated their most preferred way to consume eggs for breakfast is scrambled eggs (36%).  Other choices were eggs over easy (18%), sunny side up (12%), eggs over medium (11%) and hard-boiled eggs (6%).

In 2021, Zippia, a resource for job-seekers, used Google Trends, to determine what egg preparation each state eats a disproportionate amount of (ostensibly the most popular way to eat eggs).  Google Trends showed that as the favorite egg dish in 18 states, scrambled eggs are the most popular way to eat eggs by far.  Sunny side up is second most popular among 14 states.  New Mexico was one of seven states (along with Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Florida, Pennsylvania, India and Minnesota)  preferring eggs over easy.

Only Eat This, Not That!, a leading health and wellness brand, even listed huevos rancheros as an option for the most popular way to eat eggs in every state.  Using Yelp data, Eat This, Not That! discovered that huevos rancheros was the favorite way to eat eggs not only in New Mexico, but in Arizona, California, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Kentucky and Minnesota.  Only omelets, which ranked highest in 27 states were more popular than huevos rancheros.

As interesting as it may be to cuss and discuss data purporting to tell us how we like  eggs, enjoying them for breakfast or lunch is a better use of your time.  Fittingly, one Albuquerque’s best restaurants in which you can do so is called Sunnyside Up.  With a menu showcasing eggs in just about any way you can have them, Sunnyside Up is an egg-lover’s dream.  Whether you’re craving huevos rancheros, breakfast burritos, frittatas, egg sandwiches, egg scrambles, omelets or just about any other way to prepare eggs, you can find them at Sunnyside Up.

For its first eight years in Albuquerque, Sunnyside Up was a franchised satellite of (and was named) The Egg & I, a Colorado-based chain.  In September, 2019, owners Jessica Tafoya and Brittany Bilek broke the chain and rebranded their restaurant as an independent. Sunnyside Up is located immediately next door to Chili’s, another popular national chain.  Literally across the parking lot is the Sheraton Uptown.   Whether you dine inside the bright and airy dining room or on its patio, you’ll be well attended to.  Katya, our server, was very knowledgeable and accommodating.

You’ll find a whole day’s worth of calories in the Sweet Indulgences section of the menu.  Each item is served with two eggs made-to-order, your choice of two strips of bacon or sausage patties and warm syrup.  Choose one of Sunnyside Up’s large signature pancake breakfasts topped with butter if you’re a professional gurgitator or have an army with whom to share them.  We tried in vain to eat an apple cinnamon pancake (diced apples and crunchy granola baked into one whole wheat pancake sprinkled with cinnamon and topped with housemade cinnamon butter), but gave up after a few forkfuls.  As pancakes go it’s a good one.  As a two-person buffet the size of a manhole cover in one item, it’ll tame even the most hungry.

At the recommendation of the lovely Katya, my entree choice was the Mexican omelette (chorizo, green chiles, onions, Jack and Cheddar cheese topped with red or green chili sauce, sour cream and herbs. Served with seasoned ranch potatoes and a flour tortilla), a crescent-shaped behemoth generously encasing enough ingredients to give the chef a workout.  Despite the atrocious spelling “chili,” both the red and green have enough bite to get your attention.  Your affection will likely be more reserved for the seasoned ranch potatoes, cubed tubers dressed like a loaded baked potato.  These are terrific potatoes.

My Kim’s choice was a special showcased on a table tent.  It’s too bad the Monterey Bacon and Avocado Benedict (diced bacon, green chile, onion, spinach, fresh sliced avocados piled high on two housemade jalapeño corn cakes two poached eggs, Hollandaise sauce, more bacon and dressed greens) isn’t on the daily menu because it’s special–or at least it probably is if prepared the way the chef intended.  Instead of poached eggs, my have-it-her-way bride Kim asked for fried eggs.  She eschewed the Hollandaise sauce altogether.  Prepared to order at her exacting specifications, this modified Benedict dish is still a winner.

For eggs eggsactly the way you want them and portions large enough to feed the UNM Lobo football team, Sunnyside Up is an eggcellent choice.

Sunnyside Up
6909 Menaul Blvd, N.E., Suite A
Albuquerque, New Mexico
(505) 888-3447
Website | Facebook Page
LATEST VISIT: 17 September 2021
# OF VISITS: 1
RATING: N/R
COST: $$
BEST BET: Monterey Bacon and Avocado Benedict, Apple Cinnamon Pancakes, Mexican Omelette
REVIEW #1239