{"id":306,"date":"2022-07-16T01:30:41","date_gmt":"2022-07-16T07:30:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/?p=306"},"modified":"2026-04-05T11:49:04","modified_gmt":"2026-04-05T17:49:04","slug":"ki-diner-albuquerque-new-mexico","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/?p=306","title":{"rendered":"K&I Diner – Albuquerque, New Mexico"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"\"
The World-Famous K&I Diner, Serving Albuquerque Since 1960<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In 1960, Albuquerque’s population reached 201,189, more than doubling the city’s tally from the 1950 census. The start of a new decade began an era of expansion, a construction boom in which the burgeoning city began experiencing unprecedented growth. A proliferation of shopping centers was built to serve new neighborhoods. Albuquerque was not yet overrun by horrendous, copycat chain restaurants.\u00a0 Family owned and operated mom-and-pop dining establishments–like the K&I Diner–were (and still are) your best bet for a great meal.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
The Front Dining Room of the Rustic Restaurant<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1960 (March 2nd to be exact) was also the year in which Irene Warner opened Grandma’s K&I Diner (named for her daughter Kay Hess and herself) in the heart of Albuquerque’s industrial district in the far South Valley. She ran the eatery with her family for 39 years until her death at age 82 in 1999. The matronly Irene was a fixture at her restaurant, a kind and gentle woman who made everyone welcome at her restaurant home. With a pronounced Southern drawl, she and her family kept things lively, often addressing their faithful patrons by “honey” or “sugar.”\u00a0 Kay passed away in 2018.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Painting by Bill Resnik of the K&I Diner Hangs on the Foyer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The restaurant has undergone several ownership changes since Grandma Warner passed away, but other than some polish and veneer, pretty much left everything the same at least in terms of ambiance. The decor features antique brickerbrack donated by customers. Old stoves, a Pepsi dispenser (from back when a bottle of cold Pepsi cost ten cents), tube-operated radios and more eye-catching antiques will keep your interest while some placards may surprise you at how ribald humor was fifty or sixty years ago. One placard reads “big busted women float better<\/em>.”<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
A Western-Themed Dining Room<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ask anyone who’s been in Albuquerque for a few years and they can all recount their favorite memories of dining at the K&I. Most of them probably involve the “Travis,” a bean and seasoned beef burrito topped with cheese and chile then piled high with French fries. It’s an unlikely combination, but also a uniquely New Mexican one. The Travis is available in five sizes, the descriptions below of which are taken from the menu:<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
My Dear Friend John Holmes-Bennett Returned to the K&I in July, 2019 — Nearly 40 Years After His Last Visit<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n