{"id":63477,"date":"2023-07-13T00:01:48","date_gmt":"2023-07-13T06:01:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/?p=63477"},"modified":"2026-04-03T12:18:20","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T18:18:20","slug":"foodtopia-albuquerque-new-mexico","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/?p=63477","title":{"rendered":"Foodtopia – Albuquerque, New Mexico"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Foodtopia Mexican Cuisine Off the Pan American Highway<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When a restaurant with the curious name “Foodtopia” surfaced in 2022, long-suffering readers of Gil’s Thrilling… probably realized an etymology lesson would soon be in order. \u00a0 If the suffix “topia” intrigued you as much as it did your grandiloquent blogger, hang on.\u00a0 First, a review of what we all know.\u00a0 Utopia is “a seemingly perfect society, one without flaws, where everyone is content and conflict and strife are unknown<\/em>.”\u00a0 One example of a Utopian society is the movie Zootopia in which animals live in harmony and lions sing kumbaya with antelope.\u00a0 More common than movies about Utopian societies are movies and literature about dystopia, “societies that are either extremely chaotic or extremely authoritative, a hellish place where most people suffer<\/em>.”\u00a0 No, it’s not your place of employment, but rather something like Planet of the Apes or George Orwell’s 1984.<\/p>\n

The common element in these two opposite societal types is the suffix “topia<\/em>,”\u00a0 a Greek word meaning “a place with specified characteristics<\/em>.”\u00a0 An imaginary society with both good (Utopian) and bad (Dystopian) features might be called a \u201cmixtopia.<\/em>\u201d Some posit an imaginary place where everything (especially the government) is as bad as it can be.\u00a0 Fittingly, the term for this increasingly real place is “cacatopia<\/em>.”\u00a0 The polar opposite of a cacatopia would probably be a “polytopia<\/em>,” a place without jealousy or possessiveness.\u00a0 It’s a concept by which hippie communes in the 1960s tried to live–where everyone could be who they wanted to be.\u00a0 Now, some of you will be consulting your dictionaries (especially for cacatopia).\u00a0 First let me tell you about Foodtopia, an Albuquerque place serving Mexican cuisine.<\/p>\n

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Colorful Dining Room<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On Foodtopia’s Yelp page<\/strong><\/a>, one reviewer lamented “the name does not scream “authentic Mexican food<\/em>.” Another posted “With a name like “Foodtopia” I went in expecting a wide selection of cuisines, or something more special than generic Mexican\/American diner fare.”\u00a0<\/em>Yeah, the name “Foodtopia” may be a bit on the confusing side.\u00a0 Thankfully it’s not an imaginary place. Foodtopia is (to paraphrase yet another quote from Seinfeld<\/strong><\/a>) “real and it’s spectacular<\/em>.” \u00a0 Okay, maybe not spectacular, but it’s very colorful and it’s immaculate.\u00a0 Moreover, the Zacatecas style Mexican cuisine is quite good even though Foodtopia’s Facebook page<\/strong><\/a> lists “burgers” as an example of its Mexican food.<\/p>\n

Foodtopia has a Pan American Freeway address, but it doesn’t really have an ideal storefront presence.\u00a0 In fact, it’s somewhat hidden behind Tomasita<\/strong><\/a>‘s and M’Tucci’s Twenty-Five <\/strong><\/a>and faces the Century Rio 24 multiplex.\u00a0 Some of you might remember Foodtopia’s location as once having been the home of Gigi Italian Bistro<\/strong><\/a>, a restaurant which initially showed a lot of promise only to fall out of favor with diners.\u00a0 This location has actually been home to several restaurants, none of which had staying power.\u00a0 Perhaps the proven real estate rule “right restaurant at the wrong location” may be fitting here.\u00a0 In any case, here’s hoping Foodtopia not only survives, but thrives.<\/p>\n

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Left: Dr. Horchata
Right: Horchata<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We were greeted warmly by a very friendly server equally conversant in English as she is in Spanish. For most of the duration of our meal, we were the only diners in the space. Our server shared that a bustling dinner crowd–especially on weekends–keeps Foodtopia jumping.\u00a0 Even without other diners, it wasn’t all quietude and crickets.\u00a0 Well-positioned flat screen televisions were tuned to Mexican cinema masterpieces featuring El Santo<\/strong><\/a>, one of the greatest masked luchadores of all time.\u00a0 One thing we missed is watching as dishes were ferried to diners’ tables.\u00a0 You’d be surprised how often dining choices are influenced by seeing dishes delivered to another table.<\/p>\n

Insofar as Zacatecas style Mexican style cuisine<\/strong><\/a>, traditional dishes from that region are listed on the menu, but for the most part the menu will be familiar.\u00a0 Perhaps resultant from the influence of American food culture, the menu also includes corn dogs, chicken nuggets, burgers (including a green chile cheeseburger), eggs and pancakes. \u00a0 Tacos, perhaps the most popular of all imports from the Land of Montezuma, feature prominently on the menu.\u00a0 Served on crispy or soft tortillas, the tacos are constructed with chicken, carne asada, birria, carne adovada, barbacoa, al pastor or shrimp.\u00a0 They’re available a la carte or as part of a plate that includes beans and rice. Other items include such popular dishes as enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas and much more.<\/p>\n

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Salsa and Chips<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Atlas Obscura<\/strong><\/a> describes Mexican horchata as “the agua fresca that dreams are made of.”\u00a0<\/em> It’s been a while since dreams of horchata invaded my sleep, but that’s only because over the years we’ve ordered it so often that it’s no longer a novelty. \u00a0 We know what to expect. That doesn’t mean horchata is “getting old.”\u00a0 There’s no way it can do that.\u00a0 Sweet (like the milk on a child’s breakfast cereal) and slightly creamy, horchata<\/strong><\/em> is vaguely reminiscent of a rice pudding with a more delicate texture.\u00a0 Few things in life are as refreshing than a cold goblet of horchata.\u00a0 Alas, some restaurants take a shortcut and use a powdered mix instead of the more laborious–and infinitely more delicious–process of soaking white rice in water and cinnamon for several hours, straining, and adding sugar.\u00a0 Foodtopia’s version is of the latter variety.\u00a0 Quality tells.\u00a0 It’s absolutely delicious. \u00a0During our second visit (13 July 2023) to Foodtopia, we espied several changes to the menu. \u00a0Among them was a new “aqua fresca” called Dr. Chata<\/strong><\/em>. \u00a0Quite simply it’s half Dr. Peppe and half horchata. \u00a0It’s reminiscent of an ice cream float. \u00a0My Kim immediately declared it her favorite aqua fresca.<\/p>\n

19 April 2023<\/strong>: During the timeless Christmas Classic Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, when crooner Burl Ives sings “Silver and Gold”<\/strong><\/a> my mind somehow translates that to “Salsa and Chips.”\u00a0 Talk about an ear worm.\u00a0 Talk about food obsessed.\u00a0 Even though there are several appetizers and “munchies” on the Foodtopia menu, you owe it to yourself to have the salsa and chips<\/strong><\/em>.\u00a0 The salsa is about as piquant as ketchup, but it’s fresh and delicious.\u00a0 Texturally, it borders on pureed which means some salsa may run off your chip.\u00a0 Remember, salsa is silver so you want to minimize waste.\u00a0 Fittingly the chips are gold, both in color and in deliciousness.\u00a0 The chips are crisp, low salted and triangular for optimum scooping capabilities.<\/p>\n

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Two Al Pastor Tacos and Two Birria Tacos with Consomm\u00e9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

19 April 2023<\/strong>: Not that very long ago, Mexican restaurants and taquerias were frequented primarily for their carne asada and carnitas tacos.\u00a0 With the continued exposure social media has given the diverse potential of Mexican tacos, more and more people are exploring other taco fillings.\u00a0 Two beneficiaries have been al pastor<\/strong><\/em> and birria.\u00a0 Al pastor (literally “in the shepherd’s style”) is pork marinated in achiote and other spices and small pineapple chunks.\u00a0 Foodtopia serves them with onions and cilantro in a soft corn tortilla.\u00a0 The pork is terrific, some pieces bordering on crackling.\u00a0 There’s just enough pineapple to provide a contrast in flavors, but not so much that you’ve got a meat dessert.<\/p>\n

19 April 2023<\/strong>: Somehow al pastor tacos have not received the level of nationwide attention and adulation that birria tacos<\/strong><\/em> have.\u00a0 Call it fervor if you will, but birria tacos may be Mexico’s version of The Beatles, an export that makes diners swoon.\u00a0 Foodtopia’s menu describes birria as “shredded Angus beef cooked in our Foodtopia red chili sauce<\/em>.”\u00a0 Traditionally birria was made with goat or lamb, but increasingly (especially in America) it’s made with beef.\u00a0 It should have the consistency of stewed beef.\u00a0 Not so at Foodtopia where it could well be that the moistness usually found on birria is intended to be gleaned from the accompanying consomme.\u00a0 Dipping the tacos into the consomme does indeed provide that moistness, but our preference would have been for birria not quite so dependent on the consomme.\u00a0 Still, this is a good taco.<\/p>\n

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Barbacoa Burrito with Refried Beans<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

19 April 2023<\/strong>: Similar to the birria, the barbacoa within my barbacoa burrito <\/strong><\/em>was somewhat lacking in the characteristic moistness of barbacoa, a slow-cooked beef, lamb or other meat prepared in seasonings and typically shredded as a filling in tacos and burritos.\u00a0 Though still tender, the Angus beef was a bit on the dry side.\u00a0 Fortunately other ingredients–guacamole, pico de gallo, rice and cheese inside a 12-inch flour tortilla–provide the moistness absent in the barbacoa.\u00a0 You can have your burrito smothered with red and (or) green salsa or have the two incendiary sauces on the side.\u00a0 These salsas are liquid napalm, not for the faint of heart.\u00a0 The accompanying refried beans are terrific.<\/p>\n

13 July 2023:<\/strong> In Spain (and in some Spanish restaurants in the States), a mollete<\/strong><\/em> is an open-faced sandwich constructed from a rustic, oval-shaped bread and topped with olive oil, tomato and garlic. \u00a0If that sounds somewhat like bruschetta, it’s because commonalities among culinary cultures often \u00a0transcend borders. \u00a0Leave it to Mexico to enliven and enhance what you might consider a fairy mundane item. \u00a0Foodtopia lists the mollete as an appetizer, but it’s easily large enough for one. \u00a0Outwardly it resembles a huarache, but it’s even more generously topped. \u00a0Picture rustic bread sliced into two halves then topped with refried beans, cabbage, queso fresco, sour cream, pico de gallo and a fiery red chile. \u00a0 Unless your mouth is as big as the Grand Canyon (or Guy Fieri’s), there’s no way you can eat it like a sandwich. \u00a0It’s too big and too messy. \u00a0If possible, it’s too delicious. \u00a0 With this find, I may finally kick my torta habit and look for mollete on every menu.<\/p>\n

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Molletes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

19 April 2023<\/strong>: While the menu didn’t offer capirotada, a specialty of Zacatecas, it did have one of the very best tres leches cakes <\/em><\/strong>we’ve had in years.\u00a0 All too often the\u00a0 tres leches cake served at restaurants is of the same quality as supermarket cakes.\u00a0 Foodtopia’s version showcased the moistness that characterizes the traditional Mexican cake made with three milks: whole milk, condensed milk, and evaporated milk.\u00a0 With every press of your fork you’ll be rewarded with those milks seeping out, coalescing with the drizzle of chocolate and especially the layer of strawberry in the cake.\u00a0 That layer reminded us of tres leches cakes restaurants used to serve before finding a mass-produced version that just isn’t nearly as good.\u00a0 Foodtopia’s version would be served in Utopia!<\/p>\n

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Tres Leches Cake<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

13 July 2023<\/strong>: One of the very few benefits of the planet’s recent record-setting heat is that even trenchermen don’t want to be weighed down by eating too much. Instead of our usual belly-busting portions that call to mind a bear loading up on calories for a long hibernation, we look for smaller portions of light and refreshing treats. Fresas con crema<\/strong><\/em> (strawberries with cream) fit the bill perfectly. They satisfy you sweet tooth while having a cooling effect. \u00a0This popular Mexican no-bake dessert is made from freshly sliced strawberries mixed into a sweetened cream sauce. \u00a0Foodtopia sprinkles crunchy granola on top to give you a contrast in textures and flavors. \u00a0The freesias con crema are served at room temperature, the only downer in an otherwise excellent heat breaker.<\/p>\n

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Fresas Con Crema<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In keeping strictly to the spirit of the definitions I introduced in the first two paragraphs, the better definition of foodtopia might be something like “a civilization in which nutritious, safe, delicious and affordable food is sustainably produced and available to all<\/em>.”\u00a0 We don’t currently have that, but we do have Foodtopia, a restaurant specializing in very good Mexican food.<\/em><\/p>\n

Foodtopia Mexican Cuisine<\/strong>
\n4959 Pan American Freeway, N.E.
\nAlbuquerque, New Mexico<\/strong>
\n(505) 554-3698
\nWebsite<\/strong><\/a> | Facebook Page<\/strong><\/a>
\nLATEST VISIT<\/strong>: 13 July 2023
\n1st VISIT<\/strong>: 19 April 2023
\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 experience2
\nCOST<\/strong>: $$
\nBEST BET<\/strong>: Tres Leches Cake, Chips and Salsa, Barbacoa Burrito, Al Pastor Tacos, Birria Tacos, Con Queso, Dr. Chata, Mollete, Fresas Con Crema
\nREVIEW #1,329<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When a restaurant with the curious name “Foodtopia” surfaced in 2022, long-suffering readers of Gil’s Thrilling… probably realized an etymology lesson would soon be in order. \u00a0 If the suffix “topia” intrigued you as much as it did your grandiloquent blogger, hang on.\u00a0 First, a review of what we all know.\u00a0 Utopia is “a seemingly perfect society, one without flaws, where everyone is content and conflict and strife are unknown.”\u00a0 One example of a Utopian society is the movie Zootopia in which animals live in harmony and lions sing kumbaya with antelope.\u00a0 More common than movies about Utopian societies are movies and literature about dystopia, “societies that are either extremely chaotic or extremely authoritative, a hellish place where most people…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":64159,"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":[440,540,703,57,141,5631,727],"tags":[1086,1382,1561,896,922,999,3230,2953,856,3231,993,2866,1000,2046,1828,857,2865,2952],"class_list":["post-63477","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-albuquerque","category-breakfast","category-dog-friendly","category-mexican","category-new-mexico","category-very-good","category-tacos","tag-al-pastor","tag-barbacoa","tag-birria","tag-burritos","tag-chips-and-salsa","tag-con-queso","tag-dr-chata","tag-el-santo","tag-enchiladas","tag-fresas-con-crema","tag-horchata","tag-molletes","tag-pan-american-freeway","tag-quesadilla","tag-refried-beans","tag-tacos","tag-tres-leches-cake","tag-zacatecas-style"],"yoast_head":"\nFoodtopia - 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Please take a few minutes to tell me what you think. 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