{"id":61207,"date":"2023-05-22T11:46:09","date_gmt":"2023-05-22T17:46:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/?p=61207"},"modified":"2026-04-05T18:52:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T00:52:00","slug":"turquoise-desert-rio-rancho-new-mexico","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/?p=61207","title":{"rendered":"Turquoise Desert – Rio Rancho, New Mexico"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Turquoise Desert Tap Room in Rio Rancho<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A 2016 online survey conducted by Statista asked 719 adult respondents “What is the maximum length of time that you would drive to a place to eat<\/em>?” More than half (51-percent) of the respondents indicated they would travel 16 to 30 minutes to a restaurant. The limit for another 26-percent was 30 minutes to an hour.\u00a0 Only five percent said they would travel more than one-hour.\u00a0 Even the most prolific driving diners don’t have anything on David Schuler of Mississippi.\u00a0 To sate his cravings for his favorite pizza in Massachusetts, Mr. Schuler drove over 1,400 miles and through 16 states.\u00a0 Even that distance pales in comparison to humpback whales who travel as much as five thousand miles to get their fix of plankton, shrimp and salmon.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The spacious dining room<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Now you know what my argument will be next time my Kim complains about my “end-of-the-Earth” drives to visit a restaurant we haven’t previously visited.\u00a0 Her counter-argument usually involves “all the great restaurants within a couple miles<\/em>” of our Rio Rancho home.\u00a0 She obviously doesn’t enjoy drives of great distance as much as our debonair dachshund The Dude and his dad do.\u00a0 On a lazy August Sunday morning I surprised her by taking her to an eatery almost exactly two miles from our home.\u00a0 It’s not a new restaurant though it’s a place we hadn’t previously even heard of despite the proximity to our home.<\/span><\/p>\n

Had owner Armando Martinez not created a post on Nextdoor, chances are we would never have heard of the Turquoise Desert Tap Room.\u00a0 Armando not only introduced himself, he created immediate capital for his new venture.\u00a0 He indicated the menu would be completely revamped and all meals would be prepared in a scratch kitchen.\u00a0 Whetting neighborhood appetites even further, he spoke about Dulce Capital,<\/strong><\/a> his bakery and coffee shop in Santa Fe and his plans to add a location next door to Turquoise Desert (that bakery Dulce River<\/strong><\/a> opened its doors in May, 2023).\u00a0 Dulce River’s coffee comes from a local roasters, one which boasts of all organic and fair trade coffee. He won my heart by promising to be a “local coffee shop and bakery,” emphasis on “local.” With all the coffee chains opening in the area, his words are music to my ears.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Armando and his family have lived in the neighborhood for years so they’re definitely invested in the area. Turquoise Desert is located at 4405 Jaeger Drive, N.E. Essentially it’s about a mile south of the confusing interchange between Highways 550 and 528. Look for the Defined Fitness and Dollar Tree on the west side of Highway 550.\u00a0 Turquoise Desert had been open for only a few days when we visited, but it operated as if in business for years.\u00a0 Like the ambassador he is for his tap room and restaurant, Armando visited tables to check in on guests and neighbors. The guest demographic included families, couples and groups of friends.<\/span><\/p>\n

All the trappings of a tap room meets sports bar make for a welcoming ambiance that will appeal to a number of demographics. \u00a0Those of us who served our country will appreciate that the flag of our respective service hangs on the wall. \u00a0Flags of the United States and the great state of New Mexico are poised directly over the bar. \u00a0Sports fans will enjoy seeing the logo of their favorite professional sports teams under the acrylic tabletops. \u00a0The University of New Mexico Lobos are similarly honored. \u00a0Sports fans will also enjoy the big screen televisions positioned strategically throughout the dining room.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Beef Fajitas<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Everyone should enjoy the menu. \u00a0It’s not your typical bar fast food menu. \u00a0It’s the type of menu you’ll see at a restaurant. \u00a0Apps and Starters will get you started with seven items from which to choose, a couple of which are rather unique. \u00a0There are four salads and a sour-of-the-day if you’re not in the mood for an appetizer. \u00a0Burgers and Sandwiches constitute the largest section of the menu with a dozen options. \u00a0Lastly there’s a legitimate “Entrees” section that lists such tempting options as fajitas, fish and chips, fried chicken and a fried shrimp basket.<\/span><\/p>\n

7 August 2022<\/strong>: One of the more intriguing starters are buffalo chicken egg rolls<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0(chicken, cream cheese, red hot slaw served with blue cheese or ranch dressing) proof that a creative chef can create egg rolls from virtually anything in the pantry or fridge. \u00a0It’s a good idea, but not quite as good as you might imagine. \u00a0The chicken and red hot slaw, on their own, would have been very satisfactory, but molten cream cheese just renders this appetizer rather dreary–and I’m a bona fide turophile prone to complaining about “not enough cheese.” \u00a0Neither ranch nor blue cheese dressing could do much to improve this so-so starter.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Turquoise Burger With Fries<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

7 August 2022<\/strong>: Much better are the Turquoise fajitas<\/strong><\/em> (your choice of chicken, beef or shrimp served with pintos, green cauliflower rice, tortillas and “all the fixings). \u00a0Those fixings were shredded Cheddar, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream and guacamole. \u00a0In other words, the usual. \u00a0No matter what we add to fajitas what really matters is the protein of our choice and the green peppers and onions with which they’re prepared. \u00a0My Kim raved about both the caramelized onions and green peppers almost as much as she did about the beef and chicken. \u00a0The tortillas were of optimum size to support large scoops without falling apart.<\/span><\/p>\n

7 August 2022<\/strong>: Though there were so many other interesting options on the menu, sometimes you’re just in a burger mood. \u00a0The Turquoise burger<\/strong><\/em> (Cheddar, maple bacon jam, garlic aioli, bacon strips) is no ordinary burger–even though it’s not graced by New Mexico’s sacrosanct green chile. \u00a0Admittedly I’m a shill for maple bacon jam and its sweet meets savory properties. \u00a0This maple bacon jam is reminiscent of breakfast or more specifically maple syrup (on a stack of pancakes) and bacon. \u00a0Every component of this burger is complementary, a melange of ingredients that just work well together. \u00a0Maybe next time I’ll ask for green chile to confirm (as if that’s needed) that green chile improves the taste of everything. \u00a0Oh, the burger buns are sheer artistry–soft and delicious. \u00a0They’re baked in-house, a preview maybe of things to come when the bakery opens up.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Beans and Green Cauliflower Rice<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

7 August 2022<\/strong>: My Illinois born-and-bred Kim has never been a fan of New Mexico’s official state vegetable. \u00a0No, not chile. \u00a0The other official state vegetable–our precious pinto beans<\/strong><\/em>. \u00a0That works to my benefit because (like every true Nuevo Mexicano) I could eat pintos three meals and a snack a day. \u00a0Turquoise Desert’s pintos reminded me just what I love about pinto beans. \u00a0They’re creamy and earthy. \u00a0I should have swiped one of my Kim’s tortillas to form “New Mexican spoons” with which to eat those perfect pintos. \u00a0New to both of us (and something else my bride didn’t appreciate) was the cauliflower rice<\/strong><\/em>. \u00a0It’s somewhat mushy, but surprisingly flavorful. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

7 August 2022<\/strong>: As of our inaugural visit the only dessert being offered was cupcakes. \u00a0My Kim loved the freshness and general deliciousness of the chocolate cupcake<\/strong><\/em> topped with a mountain of buttercream frosting.\u00a0 The chocolate cupcake was a preview of things to come in May, 2023 when Dulce River opened its doors.\u00a0 <\/span>In a Rio Rancho Observer<\/strong><\/a> article, Armando indicated the bakery and coffee house will offer brunch on weekends. \u00a0Should things go well for the restaurant, he also plans to invest in a BBQ smoker to expand the menu. \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Chocolate Cupcake<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

21 May 2023<\/strong>:\u00a0 The<\/a> “Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus<\/a><\/strong>” debate could be summarized in this sentence:\u00a0 “Men and women think differently<\/em>.”\u00a0 Okay, there may be more to it than that, but that sentence is a good start.\u00a0 As an example of how men and women think differently, my Kim wanted the chicken wings<\/strong> <\/em>appetizer from Turquoise Desert.\u00a0 Wings are a favorite for both of us, but the way we look at wings differs greatly.\u00a0 The first thing we both look for is accompanying sauces.\u00a0 My favorite sauces tend to have such names as Diablo, Hell, OMG, Suicide, Napalm and Death.\u00a0 In other words, names that declare boldly that the wings have heat and should come with a warning.\u00a0 In contrast, my Kim would just as soon see wings called Butterfly, Unicorn, Flower and Honey.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

Not surprising, the sauce she requested was a dessert sweet, sticky, lacquered on sweet and spicy sauce. Thank goodness the wings arrived with an accompaniment of blue cheese sauce for me (a typical Martian). The sweet and spicy sauce (emphasis on “sweet”) lacked any heat whatsoever. Any hint at heat and my Kim wouldn’t have been able to eat them.\u00a0 The wings were meaty and tasty.\u00a0 They’re available in quantities of twelve or six and with your choice of several sauces–including one (Red Hot Buffalo) Martians should enjoy.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Chicken Wings<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

21 May 2023<\/strong>: How many of you have ever wondered if a patty melt is just a burger with a few modifications. The Burger Lab<\/a> <\/strong>certainly has pondered that Jack Handey<\/strong><\/a>-level deep thought. In fact, the Lab actually defines the distinction “Unlike a burger, with its distinct patty and bun, a patty melt has no boundaries<\/em>.”\u00a0 Hmm, I don’t believe burgers have any boundaries and have created a few monstrosities replete with sundry ingredients.\u00a0 Burger Lab goes on to define the components of a patty melt: rye bread, cheese, beef patty and onions.\u00a0 Sounds pretty limited to me.\u00a0 To paraphrase Clara Peller “where’s the green chile<\/em>?”.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

Maybe it’s just a New Mexico thing, but it’s becoming increasingly rare to find a patty melt sans our sacrosanct green chile.\u00a0 Turquoise Desert’s version is constructed from Texas toast, Swiss cheese, grilled onions, bacon and green chile with a chipotle aioli (which you can have on the side).\u00a0 What can be better than green chile AND bacon.\u00a0 That, my friends, is something I may never know.\u00a0 My Kim asked that chile be removed from her patty melt.\u00a0 Aargh!\u00a0 This must be another one of those “Men are from Mars…” things.\u00a0 Martians love green chile on their patty melts!<\/span><\/p>\n

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Patty Melt<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

21 May 2023<\/strong>:\u00a0 Chicken and waffles have gone from being a novelty item to becoming almost de rigueur on restaurant menus.\u00a0 It’s hard to argue against that ubiquitous pairing of sweet and savory.\u00a0 When only comfort food will do, chicken and waffles<\/strong> <\/em>should be considered for your short list.\u00a0 Turquoise Desert’s version includes two deep-fried chicken fingers and four triangular waffles (or one waffle sliced into quarters if you prefer). In addition to maple syrup, the plate is served with red chile honey. In fact, the red chile honey was the reason I ordered this dish. Alas, it didn’t have enough red chile even though it was definitely a wonderful honey. The waffles were rather on the soft side. My preference is a bit of crunch, especially around the edges. Still, it’s a comfort food that works well on weekends.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Chicken and Waffles<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Every neighborhood should have a watering hole – restaurant like the Turquoise Desert. \u00a0Everyone should have a neighbor like Armando Martinez. \u00a0When we don’t feel like driving far, it’s comforting to know the Turquoise Desert is just a couple of miles away.<\/span><\/p>\n

Turquoise Desert Tap Room<\/strong>
\n4405 Jager Drive, N.E.
\nRio Rancho, New Mexico<\/strong>
\n(505) 835-4701
\nFacebook Page<\/strong><\/a>
\nLATEST VISIT<\/strong>: 21 May 2023
\n1st VISIT<\/strong>: 7 August 2022
\n# OF VISITS<\/strong>: 2
\nRATING<\/strong>: Very Good<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013\u00a0Good to very good food; generally solid; delivers consistent quality, strong technique, and a comfortable, enjoyable dining experience
\nCOST<\/strong>: $$
\nBEST BET<\/strong>: Fajitas, Turquoise Burger, Chocolate Cupcake, Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls, Chicken Wings, Chicken and Waffles, Patty Melt
\nREVIEW #1287<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A 2016 online survey conducted by Statista asked 719 adult respondents “What is the maximum length of time that you would drive to a place to eat?” More than half (51-percent) of the respondents indicated they would travel 16 to 30 minutes to a restaurant. The limit for another 26-percent was 30 minutes to an hour.\u00a0 Only five percent said they would travel more than one-hour.\u00a0 Even the most prolific driving diners don’t have anything on David Schuler of Mississippi.\u00a0 To sate his cravings for his favorite pizza in Massachusetts, Mr. Schuler drove over 1,400 miles and through 16 states.\u00a0 Even that distance pales in comparison to humpback whales who travel as much as five thousand miles to get their…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":63701,"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":[21,697,703,141,5631,265],"tags":[2212,2210,2213,2452,1034,3014,1980,732,1122,945,3013,1684,791,2215,2209,2211,2214],"class_list":["post-61207","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-american","category-brewery-pub","category-dog-friendly","category-new-mexico","category-very-good","category-rio-rancho","tag-beans","tag-buffalo-chicken-egg-rolls","tag-cauliflower-rice","tag-chicken-and-waffles","tag-cupcakes","tag-dulce-river-bakery-coffee","tag-fajitas","tag-fried-chicken","tag-fries","tag-onion-rings","tag-onion-rnngs","tag-patty-melt","tag-salads","tag-service-flags","tag-tap-room","tag-turquoise-burger","tag-under-new-ownership"],"yoast_head":"\nTurquoise Desert - Rio Rancho, 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=61207\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Turquoise Desert - Rio Rancho, New Mexico - Gil's Thrilling (And Filling) Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A 2016 online survey conducted by Statista asked 719 adult respondents “What is the maximum length of time that you would drive to a place to eat?” More than half (51-percent) of the respondents indicated they would travel 16 to 30 minutes to a restaurant. 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