{"id":64790,"date":"2023-10-14T00:01:28","date_gmt":"2023-10-14T06:01:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/?p=64790"},"modified":"2026-04-23T13:37:38","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T19:37:38","slug":"al-quds-mediterranean-grill-ii-rio-rancho-new-mexico","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/?p=64790","title":{"rendered":"Al-quds Mediterranean Grill II – Rio Rancho, New Mexico"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"\"
Alquds Now Has a Home in Rio Rancho<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The penultimate day of the 2023 International Balloon Fiesta will be memorable for many reasons. \u00a0Foremost may be the 2023 annular eclipse<\/strong><\/a> whose path took it directly above the Balloon Fiesta Park, host of the world’s largest ballooning event. \u00a0That day will be imprinted on our minds for another reason–our inaugural visit to Al-quds Mediterranean Grill in Rio Rancho. \u00a0 The second instantiation of perhaps Albuquerque’s most popular Middle Eastern restaurant is located on The Village on Rio Rancho, a timeworn shopping center that flourished in the early 1990s when Intel’s Fab 4 was fully operational.<\/p>\n

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One of Two Well-Appointed Dining Rooms<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Neither owner Mohammad Abdeljalil or his son were in Rio Rancho during our inaugural visit. \u00a0Our server assured us that the menu at the original Al-qud’s is available. \u00a0That means Al-qud’s II assumed only the spot which previously housed Jerusalem: Taste of the Holy Land<\/strong><\/a>. \u00a0In all other respects it’s the Al-qud’s we’ve known and loved since discovering the original in November, 2018 when it was situated on the south side of San Pedro.\u00a0 In subsequent visits, we were greeted by and well taken care of by Mohammed’s eldest son whose wife bakes all the magnificent pastries on display in a glass case.<\/p>\n

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Baba Ghanoush and Pita<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Al-Qud, by the way, is \u00a0the Arabic name for the city of Jerusalem, literally meaning \u201cThe Holy One.\u201d The city of Jerusalem is sacred to many religious traditions, including the Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam which consider it a holy city. Some of the most sacred places for each of these religions are found in Jerusalem. \u00a0The one shared between all three is the Temple Mount. \u00a0It saddened us to contemplate that while we were about to dine on our favorite Middle Eastern fare, a deleterious conflict was raging along the Gaza Strip.<\/p>\n

Dine-in and carry-out options abound. Should you decide to dine in, there are several comfortable booths and tables available. \u00a0Booths face east, providing panoramic views of the Sandias. \u00a0The space is actually more commodious than the first instantiation of the restaurant. \u00a0 Some of the Middle Eastern accoutrements on the walls was inherited from Al-qud’s predecessor. \u00a0 They paint a picture of a very vibrant culture.<\/p>\n

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Tabouli<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

14 October 2023<\/strong>: Baba ghanouj is a signature grilled eggplant pur\u00e9e found across the Middle East. \u00a0It’s enriched with tahini and seasoned with lemon juice and lots of garlic. The dish has a smoky, pungent flavor and makes a wonderful dip for the accompanying pita. \u00a0In my case, it’s scooped up in generous mouthful portions. \u00a0Each bite is an adventure in appreciation. \u00a0With enough garlic to ward off a family of vampires, \u00a0breath-wrecking notes of the baba ghanouj<\/strong><\/em> will remain with you long after your meal. \u00a0It’s probably not a good idea to plan any romantic overtures after enjoying it.<\/p>\n

Abraham once told me he makes some 700 pieces of pita on an average day. I\u2019ll typically have four of them each visit and we take home another half dozen. It’s among the very best pita in New Mexico, especially when it’s warm and fresh. \u00a0 Though the pita at Al-qud II arrived warm at our table, it wasn’t exactly fresh. \u00a0When pita dries, it not only loses its pliability, but it becomes stiff and (dare I say) tastes like store-bought pita. \u00a0 I suspect the pita wasnt made on the premises as it is at the original Al-qud’s.<\/p>\n

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Fatoush<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

14 October 2023<\/strong>: Sprigs of parsley are a very common “plate decoration” at restaurants across the country. \u00a0It likely became de rigueur so reduce empty spaces on the plate and to add color to dull looking food. \u00a0At American restaurants, parsley is a supporting actor, never the star. \u00a0In Middle Eastern cuisine, parsley turns the tables around. \u00a0Dishes like bakdunecea (parsley with tahini and lemon juice served with olive oil) and tabouli<\/strong><\/em> (parsely, cucumber, tomato, mint, onion, garlic, bulgur, and tossed with olive oil and fresh lemon juice are centered around parsley. \u00a0Al-qud’s tabouli is superb. \u00a0Ingredients are in perfect proportion to one another to impart a fresh, herbaceous and lemony.\u00a0 Two portion sizes are available.\u00a0 Even the small portion will feed everyone at the table.<\/p>\n

14 October 2023<\/strong>: Al-qud’s may bill itself as a Mediterranean grill and indeed, it is that–but it’s also a wonderful restaurant for salads. \u00a0You won’t find the usual salad suspects so common in American restaurants nor are Mediterranean salads bathed in fatty dressings. \u00a0Freshness is a hallmark of Al-qud’s salads. \u00a0Fattoush<\/strong><\/em> is is basically a Mediterranean fried bread salad that typically includes lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes parsley and fried pieces of pita bread. \u00a0The pita is somewhat like croutons only much better. \u00a0 The dressing is a bright, fresh Mediterranean olive oil, lemon juice and garlic dressing. \u00a0This is a delightful salad.<\/p>\n

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Beef Kabob with Hummus<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

14 October 2023<\/strong>: As is common in the world of food and menu writing, there exists somewhat of a debate as to whether “kebab” or “kabab” is the proper spelling for the delicious marinated meat chunks skewered then grilled over a fire. \u00a0Frankly if you delve into the origin of both spellings, you’re likely to come away more confused. \u00a0Rather than risk confusion, just enjoy them. \u00a0Al-qud’s beef kabobs<\/strong><\/em> are \u00a0encircled by a lagoon of hummus sprinkled with sumac. \u00a0The hummus<\/em><\/strong> (ground chickpeas with tahini sauce, lemon juice and garlic) is superb as a dip for warm, fresh pita. \u00a0The marinated grilled beef cut into bite-sized shunks is grilled to about a medium-well degree of doneness.<\/p>\n

14 October 2023<\/strong>: “But of all the things I’ve learned, I never learned how to say that word out loud. \u00a0I just want something to eat made with a vertical rotisserie of lamb meat<\/em>.” \u00a0 How many of us have experienced the dilemma that plagued Country singer Luke Bryan in this hilarious video<\/strong><\/a>. \u00a0 It’s likely most of us took for granted that “gyros<\/strong><\/em>” was pronounced the same way as the first part of the word gyroscope. \u00a0Over time we learned the proper pronunciation is actually “yee-roh.” This flavorful dish gets its name from the Greek “gyros,” meaning “turn.” \u00a0This refers to how the succulent slices of meat are prepared, gently rotating on a vertical spit, their flavor deepening with each turn. \u00a0Al-qud’s version of gyros is terrific especially with lots of tzadziki (try pronouncing that).<\/p>\n

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Gyros with French Fries<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

20 April 2026<\/strong>:\u00a0 Celebrity chef and author Anthony Bourdain was undoubtedly one of the world’s most adventurous (and opinionated) eaters.\u00a0 Take, for example, his missive on vegetarians:\u00a0 “Even more despised than the Brunch People are the vegetarians. Serious cooks regard these members of the dining public\u2014and their Hezbollah-like splinter faction, the vegans\u2014as enemies of everything that\u2019s good and decent in the human spirit. To live life without veal or chicken stock, fish cheeks, sausages, cheese, or organ meats is treasonous<\/em>.”\u00a0 It’s been my experience that many people share Bourdain’s dislike of vegetarians.<\/p>\n

I’m not of the ilk that dislikes anyone so passionately declarative of their favorite foods or eating philosophies.\u00a0 In fact, I’ve been known to eschew carnivorous favorites for vegetarian foods.\u00a0 That’s especially true at Middle Eastern restaurants where incomparable deliciousness is part and parcel of all vegetarian entrees.\u00a0 Take, for example, the vegetarian extravaganza<\/strong><\/em> (dolmas, hummus, falafel, baba ghanoush, rice and tabouli saiad served with two pita breads) at Alqud’s.\u00a0 It’sa a very well balanced dish abounding in flavor.\u00a0 One of the reasons it’s so dear to my heart is that it’s easier to order this platter than to order these items as separate appetizers.\u00a0 This platter is overly generous in portioning the tabouli and rice.\u00a0 My preferenfe would be for more falfafel and dolmas, but that’s a nit.\u00a0 This is an outstanding vegetarian platter (even if Bourdain might not agree).<\/p>\n

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Vegetarian Extravaganza<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

14 October 2023<\/strong>: Al-Qud\u2019s is no slouch when it comes to desserts. Trays of baklava behind a glass pastry case may elicit involuntary salivation. Don\u2019t hesitate to order the pistachio baklava<\/em><\/strong>. This baklava is (along with the pistachio baklava at Anatolia Mediterranean<\/strong><\/a>)\u00a0 the very best in New Mexico. The salty pistachios are a perfect foil for the cloying honey, making this a dessert of complementary and contrasting flavors which go so well together. Bite into the layers of luscious flaky phylo and you\u2019ll be rewarded with a moist, delicious, wonderful way to finish an outstanding meal.\u00a0 Al-Qud’s also offers walnut baklava and chocolate baklava, the latter a relatively new addition.<\/p>\n

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Pistachio Baklava<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

20 April 2026<\/strong>:\u00a0 Among the new desserts offered at Al-Qud’s is a Dubai chocolate cake (not available during this visit).\u00a0 It’s by far the most expensive dessert on the menu, on par with some entrees.\u00a0 Virtually every dessert made with Debai chocolate is in the same price ballpark.\u00a0 Since it wasn’t available, my Kim had the pistachio cheesecake<\/strong><\/em>.\u00a0 It’s an unbelievably light cheesecake, especially when compared to the dense slabs most restaurants serve.\u00a0 This cheesecake is three layers deep, each layer providing its own unique flavor profile.\u00a0 Pistachios crown the edges of this beauteous cheesecake, offering a little contrast to a mostly sweet (but not overly so) dessert.<\/p>\n

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Pistachio Cheesecake<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Al-qud’s Mediterranean Grill has found a second home in Rio Rancho, a home denizens of the City of Vision will find welcoming and wonderful.<\/p>\n

Al-quds Mediterranean Grill II<\/strong>
\n1690 Rio Rancho Blvd., Suite B
\nRio Rancho, New Mexico<\/strong>
\n(505) 896-1964
\nWebsite<\/strong><\/a> | Facebook Page<\/strong><\/a>
\nLATEST VISIT<\/strong>: 22 April 2023
\n1st VISIT<\/strong>: 14 October 2023
\n# OF VISITS<\/strong>: 3
\nRATING<\/strong>: Excellent<\/strong><\/span> \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>: Gyros, Beef Kabob, Baba Ghanoush, Hummus, Fatoush, Tabouli, Lamb & Beef on Greek Flatbread, Pistachio Baklava, Pistachio Cheesecake, Vegetarian Extravaganza
\nREVIEW #1358<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The penultimate day of the 2023 International Balloon Fiesta will be memorable for many reasons. \u00a0Foremost may be the 2023 annular eclipse whose path took it directly above the Balloon Fiesta Park, host of the world’s largest ballooning event. \u00a0That day will be imprinted on our minds for another reason–our inaugural visit to Al-quds Mediterranean Grill in Rio Rancho. \u00a0 The second instantiation of perhaps Albuquerque’s most popular Middle Eastern restaurant is located on The Village on Rio Rancho, a timeworn shopping center that flourished in the early 1990s when Intel’s Fab 4 was fully operational. Neither owner Mohammad Abdeljalil or his son were in Rio Rancho during our inaugural visit. \u00a0Our server assured us that the menu at the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":66556,"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":[489,141,5631,265],"tags":[1716,3413,3412,923,829,3411,3410,1718,4552,1446,5688],"class_list":["post-64790","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mediterranean","category-new-mexico","category-very-good","category-rio-rancho","tag-baba-ghanoush","tag-beef-kabob","tag-fatoush","tag-gyros","tag-hummus","tag-mediterranean-grill","tag-mohammad-abdeljalil","tag-pistachio-baklava","tag-pistachio-cheesecake","tag-tabouli","tag-vegetarian-extravaganza"],"yoast_head":"\nAl-quds Mediterranean Grill II - 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=64790\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Al-quds Mediterranean Grill II - Rio Rancho, New Mexico - Gil's Thrilling (And Filling) Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The penultimate day of the 2023 International Balloon Fiesta will be memorable for many reasons. \u00a0Foremost may be the 2023 annular eclipse whose path took it directly above the Balloon Fiesta Park, host of the world’s largest ballooning event. \u00a0That day will be imprinted on our minds for another reason–our inaugural visit to Al-quds Mediterranean Grill in Rio Rancho. \u00a0 The second instantiation of perhaps Albuquerque’s most popular Middle Eastern restaurant is located on The Village on Rio Rancho, a timeworn shopping center that flourished in the early 1990s when Intel’s Fab 4 was fully operational. 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