Whiptail – Rio Rancho, New Mexico (CLOSED)
We all know New Mexico has an official state aroma (green chiles roasting), an official state cookie (biscochito), official state vegetables (chile and pinto beans), but did you know the Land of Enchantment has an official state reptile? Chastity Bustos does. In fact, in she named her new eatery in honor of that reptile, the New Mexico whiptail (Aspidoscelis neomexicanus). When I asked Chastity if she knew the New Mexico whiptail is a female-only species that doesn’t need male lizards to reproduce, she jokingly replied “it’s all about girl power.” Don’t get the impression that Chastity subscribes to the slogan popularized by feminist icon Gloria Steinem: “A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle.” Chastity and her husband Brian have an egalitarian business relationship. She manages day-to-day operations for Whiptail and he does the same for their other restaurant, Philly Steaks on Albuquerque’s east side. As soon as work began on the Highway 528 restaurant that for years had housed Banana Leaf, City of Vision residents became giddy with excitement. It’s not everyday a new restaurant opens up in Rio Rancho. Social media postings, particularly on Nextdoor swelled excitement and divulged revelations. “Visionaries” not only learned the new…
