{"id":344,"date":"2023-08-24T04:48:04","date_gmt":"2023-08-24T10:48:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/?p=344"},"modified":"2026-04-04T13:34:44","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T19:34:44","slug":"344","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/?p=344","title":{"rendered":"Monte Carlo Steakhouse – Albuquerque, New Mexico"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
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The Famous Monte Carlo Steakhouse on Central Avenue<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“Last night I broke the seal on a Jim Beam decanter
\nThat looks like Elvis.”
\n<\/span><\/em>~George Jones<\/strong><\/span>
\n<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Having spent much of his career in an inebriated state, Country music icon George Jones actually lived the life experiences that inspired much of his music. After one of his four divorces, Jones sat alone in a rather empty home, his ex-wife having absconded with almost everything–furniture, china, glassware and more. Among the few items left behind were a small table, a Jim Beam whiskey decanter bearing the likeness of Elvis Presley, and a Fred Flintstone jar of jelly beans. After dumping the jelly beans, the “Possum” used the jar as a glass into which he poured the entire contents of the Jim Beam decanter. The imaginary conversations he had with Elvis and Fred during his impaired state were the inspiration for the song “The King is Gone.”<\/p>\n

\"\"
From the Back Entrance<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Only among avid collectors will you generally find Jim Beam decanters sporting the likeness of The King. The Duke City’s most prolific collectors of vintage adult beverage decanters, bottles and signage is the Monte Carlo Steak House on Route 66. Kitschy mirrors emblazoned with the logos of beer distributors, anthropomorphic alcohol decanters, faux wood walls, garish neon signs, Velvet Elvis and stereotypical “leatherette” booths may have been born in another era, but they never go out of fashion because the Monte Carlo is one of the most comfortable and welcoming restaurants in the city. To those in the know, it’s also one of Albuquerque’s very best steak houses.<\/p>\n

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This Guy is a Huge Monte Carlo Steakhouse Fan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“Those in the know” now include a nation-wide audience who watched the Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives episode in 2008 entitled “Where the Locals Go” in which “local hot spots” got the inimitable Guy Fieri treatment. Contrary to the episode’s title, not all locals go to the Monte Carlo–or at least they didn’t until after the show’s premier. In fact, many people–even within the confines of the Duke City–had never heard of the Monte Carlo until the Food Network introduced it to them. It truly was one of Albuquerque’s best kept secrets.<\/p>\n

As Fieri did, you can enter the steak house through a bustling package liquor store (which doubles as a veritable museum for even more collectibles). You can also enter directly through an entrance on the restaurant’s west side. One of the first things you’ll notice is a full-service bar which probably can’t concoct the libation of your choice, but can dispense long-neck Budweiser, Schlitz and Pabst like there’s no tomorrow. The volume is turned way down on the restaurant’s televisions, but then you probably couldn’t hear them amidst the din of an eclectic crowd.<\/p>\n

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Frank, the Indispensable, Most Valuable Employee at Monte Carlo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Monte Carlo’s indisputable, indispensable, most valuable employee is Frank who’s been manning the grill since 1990. \u00a0That’s 33 years of making people happy. \u00a0Frank hand-cuts every single steak and grinds steak into the famous and fabulous Monte Carlo burger. \u00a0You might see other employees in the grill area, but it’s Frank who does all the hard work. \u00a0He doesn’t ever seem to take a break or slow down. \u00a0That’s because the volume of guests asking for his steaks and burgers is pretty heavy during peak hours. \u00a0Modest almost to a fault, Frank is reserved about compliments. \u00a0When Sarita and I visited his station to praise him on our burgers he \u00a0accepted our thanks with humility and kindness, but wouldn’t talk much about himself.<\/p>\n

During his inaugural visit, one of my propeller-headed, Jedi-worshiping, 40-something Luke Skywalker wannabe colleagues at Intel uttered “come out of the light and into the darkness, Luke<\/em>” when he stepped into the Monte Carlo Steakhouse from a bright, sunlit Duke City afternoon. It takes a few seconds for your eyes to adjust to the dimly lit beef and beer palace by the Rio Grande–and when they do adjust, you’ll wonder if you stepped out of a portal into the 1960s. The Monte Carlo Steakhouse is an anachronism, a bona fide throwback to a bygone era–and indeed, the restaurant has been in business since 1970.<\/p>\n

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Bruce “Sr Plata” Silver, Bob of the Village of Los Ranchos (BOTVOLR) and Thomas Molitor Stand In Front of Monte Carlo’s Grill<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There are no distinctions between the lunch and the dinner menu and even though the menu stipulates that baked potatoes and rice pilaf are available only after 5PM, you can usually have either with your lunch. Lunch specials are available Monday through Friday while a prime rib–regarded by many as among the city’s very best–is the evening special Thursday and Friday. Aside from the aforementioned baked potato (perfectly done) or rice pilaf, each dinner also includes one slice of Texas toast.<\/p>\n

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Greek Appetizer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The parking lot is generally crowded with motorized conveyances of every type, size and description and waiting lists tend to be long, especially on weekends. Despite nearly overflow crowds, the wait staff is among the most accommodating and friendly in the city. Many regulars opt for the bounteous Greek appetizer plate<\/strong><\/em> in lieu of the standard fried appetizers (zucchini, onion rings, mushrooms and mozzarella cheese sticks) and are rewarded with a platter of salami strips, Greek olives, pepperoncini, tomatoes and one solitary dolma (stuffed grape leaf) all drizzled with Kalamata olive oil. Sadly, this otherwise outstanding precursor does not include pita bread.<\/p>\n

\"\"
The Biggest Greek Salad You’ll Ever See<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Steak dinners are accompanied by your choice of soup or a fresh dinner salad<\/em><\/strong> (perfunctory iceberg lettuce only, not the fancy designer lettuces upscale steak houses proffer) made with tomatoes and your choice of dressing. For a full Greek experience, a good bet is the zesty Greek dressing which is liberally sprinkled with bits of fetid Feta cheese. \u00a0Even better is the blue cheese dressing. \u00a0Ask your server to bring as much as he or she can carry. Among the restaurant’s most popular soups is the creamy green chile chicken soup<\/em><\/strong>, a swimming pool-sized bowl of soul-warming soup served hot. Thickened heavily, it is replete with chicken pieces. The green chile lacks piquancy but has a nice flavor. Soup and salad not withstanding, this is a meat and potatoes establishment in the anachronistic traditions of the 70s. Observing the offerings–burgers, steaks, ribs and even a cheesesteak, Fieri noted “you don’t come to this joint for a tomato and avocado on whole wheat<\/em>.”<\/p>\n

24 August 2023<\/strong>: The charbroiled\u00a0<\/strong>Monte Carlo Burger with green chile and cheese (by any name a green chile cheeseburger) <\/strong><\/em>is an exemplar for how this most sacrosanct of New Mexico’s great burgers should be prepared. There are too many green chile cheeseburgers in which green chile barely registers on the Scoville scale with about as much piquancy as a bell pepper.\u00a0 The Monte Carlo’s green chile bites back with a pleasant piquancy heat lovers will respect. What really sets this cheeseburger apart, however, is the freshness and moistness of the beef patty which is essentially ground steak, a thick third-pound of beef prepared to your exacting specifications. \u00a0Our friends John and Lynn have fallen in love with this burger, rating it even higher than they do the legendary Bobcat Bite’s world renowned burger. \u00a0Lynn likes it so much that she passed on the nine-ounce filet, her previous favorite item at the Monte Carlo. \u00a0John calls Monte Carlo “the full Monte.” \u00a0He loves the burger, too.<\/p>\n

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The Monte Carlo Burger with Green Chile and American Cheese<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Wholly unlike the desiccated frozen Frisbees served at some burger establishments, Monte Carlo’s meaty orbs are oh so wonderfully juicy–especially if ordered at medium or medium-rare. Monte Carlo’s green chile cheeseburger was selected for inclusion on both the 2009<\/a><\/strong> and 2011<\/a><\/strong> editions of the New Mexico Green Chile Cheeseburger Trail. It’s one of the favorite green chile cheeseburgers of Cheryl Jamison<\/strong><\/a>, the scintillating four-time James Beard Award-winning author and architect of the New Mexico Green Chile Cheeseburger initiative. Mine, too<\/strong><\/a>…and don’t forget to read what fellow burger aficionado Tom Molitor has to say in the comments below. \u00a0Make sure to add fries to your burger order. \u00a0They’re some of the best you’ll find.<\/p>\n

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Another Delicious View of the Monte Carlo Burger (Photo Courtesy of Sarita)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

24 August 2023:<\/strong> Friends of Gil (Bill, Lynn, John and Kim) introduced the sensational Sarita, a long-time contributor to Gil’s Thrilling… to the Monte Carlo Steakhouse. \u00a0Though she’s lived in Albuquerque for her entire life (20-something), she’d never visited the Monte Carlo. \u00a0For years she’s heard what a great restaurant it is. \u00a0Friends of Gil were out to show her it’s better than the hype. \u00a0As the three guys at our table did, she ordered the fabulous Monte Carlo burger. \u00a0 You can read her assessment in the comments below.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Monte Carlo Burger with Green Chile and Cheese<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

17 August 2023<\/strong>: My Kim, a carnivore from Chicago grew up surrounded by some of the best chophouses in the country. \u00a0It’s rare that she visits a steakhouse and doesn’t order steak. \u00a0On those rare occasions, she’ll likely order pork chops. \u00a0Monte Carlo’s offering are 12-ounce center cut pork chops<\/strong><\/em> “char-broiled to seal in the flavor.” \u00a0It’s a thing of beauty with prominent, perfectly spaced grill marks showcasing the chef’s skills. As they approach your table, you’ll probably swear you’re about to be served one of the restaurant’s magnificent steaks. \u00a0 \u00a0These chops are tender, most and very well seasoned.<\/p>\n

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12-Ounce Center Cut Pork Chops<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The menu defines the degree of doneness for each charbroiled steak–from the “cold center” of a rare steak to the “cooked throughout” description of a well done steak–and includes a disclaimer that the restaurant is not responsible or meat ordered well done. The chef is truly master of his broiler domain, typically achieving the exacting specifications requested by discerning diners who would think nothing of sending back a steak not prepared the way they asked for it.<\/p>\n

3 November 2016<\/strong>: If you have to work overtime to make up for an extended lunch hour to drive across town for a lunch special, it’s worth it, especially if the lunch special is the hamburger steak<\/em><\/strong> with grilled onions. My friend and frequent dining companion Bill Resnik describes it as “75-percent as good as its counterpart at San Antonio’s fabled<\/em> Owl Cafe<\/a><\/strong>.” Bill, who matriculated at New Mexico Tech loves the Owl’s hamburger steak almost as much as he loves his car. To compare the Monte Carlo’s rendition is a high compliment indeed. Bruce “Sr Plata” Silver had his hamburger steak smothered in grilled onions and roasted green chile, two components which made his lunch even more memorable though the incendiary green chile did have him reaching for coffee more often than usual.<\/p>\n

\"\"
3\/4 Pound Hamburger Steak with Fries<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We can’t imagine ever sending the steak back. The bone-in 20-ounce Porterhouse steak<\/strong><\/em> is charbroiled to perfection with just enough marbling for flavor. Unless otherwise requested, each steak is prepared with Seasonall, an all-purpose seasoning (no MSG) used liberally. An excellent alternative is asking for salt, pepper and garlic on each side of your steak. While on the grill, the chef will also brush on some melted butter.<\/p>\n

One of the things that makes a Monte Carlo steak stand out is the fact that the restaurant still cuts its own steaks fresh daily, a practice begun by founder Michael Katsaros when the restaurant launched nearly thirty years ago. The Katsaros family still runs the restaurant. After his first bite of a ribeye, Guy Fieri’s uttered then reiterated the statement “that’s just great<\/em>.” You’re probably thinking “he’s the host of the show and is supposed to be enthusiastic about the restaurants featured,” but his sentiment pretty much echoes that of most people who discover the Monte Carlo Steak House.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Greek Olives and Feta Cheese<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fieri also pointed out that “it ain’t just killer steaks that get hand-cut here<\/em>.” The souvlaki<\/strong><\/em>, “made with mama’s classic Greek recipe with a family twist<\/em>” is made from pork tenderloin cut at the restaurant. Each souvlaki portion is 12 to 14 ounces of some of the most tender and delicious, albeit non-traditional, skewered meat you’ll ever have. The souvlaki is allowed to age for five to six days in a marinade of lemon juice, white wine, salt, pepper, garlic salt, oregano and vinegar before it hits the grill. After it’s done on the grill, it’s brushed on with a mix of olive oil, oregano, salt, pepper and lemon juice. Watching this inspired creation, Fieri exclaimed “I hear the national anthem of flavor town going off right about now<\/em>.” In between utterances of “wow<\/em>” and “this is monster flavor<\/em>,” he called the flavor “so deep and so rich<\/em>” and after a few forkfuls, he proclaimed “I’m moving in<\/em>.”<\/p>\n

Another “not to miss” entree is the Greek style chicken,<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0a Thursday special. The loquacious Fieri admitted to “not having talked much or taken a breath<\/em>” while sampling this perfectly prepared poultry which he described as “killer,” one of the adjectives he uses effusively when he really likes something. He also noted that “it’s about as basic as you can make it<\/em>” and “as tender and juicy as you can get it<\/em>.” The key is getting it. If you haven’t visited the Monte Carlo Steakhouse, it’s worth the drive from anywhere in the Duke City area just for this chicken.<\/p>\n

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Greek Style Chicken with Baked Potato<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

17 August 2023<\/strong>: It wasn’t until this once naive, Spanish only speaking child started school that I ever heard any Spanish invectives and exclamations. \u00a0One that confused me (and does to this day) is the term “a la modey<\/em>.” \u00a0 It’s used as an exclamation of surprise or amazement and I suspect is based on “a la mode<\/em>,” the North American term for “served with ice cream.” \u00a0Both “a la mode” and “a la modey” are appropriate when you order Monte Carlo’s\u00a0apple pie a la mode<\/strong><\/em>. \u00a0 It’s literally bursting at the seams with apples. \u00a0A crumbly crust provides a savory complement to the sweet, juicy apples. \u00a0 If you’ve got room left after a bounteous meal at Monte Carlo, this is one dessert you can’t pass up.<\/p>\n

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Apple Pie A La Mode<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The meats are so well flavored, the service so accommodating and the ambiance so 60s, you’ll wonder why anyone would visit an inferior chain restaurant for a lesser steak or spend nearly $100 for a steak dinner at one of those hoidy toidy, fancy schmanzy restaurants. Fieri called the Monte Carlo “just an average off-the-hook steakhouse with homemade Greek<\/em>.” Everyone else calls it special.<\/p>\n

Monte Carlo Steak House<\/span><\/strong>
\n3916 Central, S.W.
\nAlbuquerque, New Mexico<\/strong>
\n(505) 831-2444
\nFacebook Page<\/strong><\/a>
\nLATEST VISIT<\/strong>: 24 August 2023
\n# OF VISITS<\/strong>: 9
\nRATING<\/strong>: Excellent<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u2013 High quality dining experience; very good to excellent food, attentive service, and a well-maintained atmosphere; worth a detour.
\nCOST<\/strong>: $$$
\nBEST BET<\/strong>: Greek salad; Greek Appetizer Plate; Porterhouse Steak; Green Chile Cheeseburger; Hamburger Steak, Apple Pie A La Mode, 12-Ounce Center Cut Pork Chops<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

“Last night I broke the seal on a Jim Beam decanter That looks like Elvis.” ~George Jones Having spent much of his career in an inebriated state, Country music icon George Jones actually lived the life experiences that inspired much of his music. After one of his four divorces, Jones sat alone in a rather empty home, his ex-wife having absconded with almost everything–furniture, china, glassware and more. Among the few items left behind were a small table, a Jim Beam whiskey decanter bearing the likeness of Elvis Presley, and a Fred Flintstone jar of jelly beans. After dumping the jelly beans, the “Possum” used the jar as a glass into which he poured the entire contents of the Jim…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":64413,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[440,1762,544,574,588,563,79],"tags":[3314,3310,1701,1678,2652,3309,3308,3313,3305,749,3311,3306,3307,851,3312],"class_list":["post-344","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-albuquerque","category-diners-drive-ins-and-dives","category-food-network-eats-new-mexico","category-new-mexico-green-chile-cheeseburger-trail","category-new-mexico-green-chile-cheeseburger-trail-2011","category-rating-excellent","category-steak","tag-apple-pie-a-la-mode","tag-baked-potatoes","tag-diners-drive-ins-and-dives","tag-food-network","tag-french-fries","tag-greek-appetizer-plate","tag-greek-salad","tag-greek-style-chicken","tag-green-chile-cheeseburger-trail","tag-guy-fieri","tag-hamburger-steak","tag-monte-carlo-burger","tag-porterhouse","tag-prime-rib","tag-souvlaki"],"yoast_head":"\nMonte Carlo Steakhouse - Albuquerque, New Mexico - Gil's Thrilling (And Filling) Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/?p=344\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Monte Carlo Steakhouse - Albuquerque, New Mexico - Gil's Thrilling (And Filling) Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"“Last night I broke the seal on a Jim Beam decanter That looks like Elvis.” ~George Jones Having spent much of his career in an inebriated state, Country music icon George Jones actually lived the life experiences that inspired much of his music. After one of his four divorces, Jones sat alone in a rather empty home, his ex-wife having absconded with almost everything–furniture, china, glassware and more. Among the few items left behind were a small table, a Jim Beam whiskey decanter bearing the likeness of Elvis Presley, and a Fred Flintstone jar of jelly beans. 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Please take a few minutes to tell me what you think. 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