{"id":65548,"date":"2025-01-02T00:01:24","date_gmt":"2025-01-02T06:01:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/?p=65548"},"modified":"2025-11-09T12:02:35","modified_gmt":"2025-11-09T18:02:35","slug":"red-and-green-new-mexicos-culinary-scene-is-on-fire-january-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/?p=65548","title":{"rendered":"Red and Green: New Mexico’s Culinary Scene Was on Fire in 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"
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MILF Redefined – My Friend Marie Yniguez of My Moms<\/strong><\/a> Gave Me This Shirt I Wear Proudly<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

T\u2019was the year that was, a banner year for Gil\u2019s Thrilling (And Filling) Blog with more milestones having been achieved. Most significantly to your friendly neighborhood restaurant review blogger was the continued dialogue\u2013your sharing of comments noting contentment, humor, news or displeasure with me or some other food topic. There are now 14,455 comments on 1,442 reviews. My edacious publicist Bob of the Village of Los Ranchos (BOTVOLR) retains the lifetime commenter achievement award with well over 1200 comments over the life of the blog. \u00a0In 2024, however, he was supplanted by the always clever and witty Lynn Garner as the year\u2019s most prolific commenter.<\/p>\n

2024 saw the launch of several new restaurants, several of which appear to have long-term appeal. \u00a0The year also saw the closure of several stalwarts, some of whom served the Duke City for decades.\u00a0 Among those are Monica\u2019s El Portal<\/a> and Caruso\u2019s Italian Restaurant<\/a> in Albuquerque and Mucho Gusto<\/a> in Santa Fe.<\/p>\n

Here is a list of the most popular reviews on Gil’s Thrilling…<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
MOST POPULAR REVIEWS: 2024<\/strong><\/td>\nMOST POPULAR REVIEWS: ALL-TIME<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gimani: A Slice Bar<\/strong><\/a> – Albuquerque<\/td>\nMary & Tito\u2019s<\/a>\u00a0(Albuquerque)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
East Ocean Chinese & Seafood<\/strong><\/a> – Albuquerque<\/td>\nBuckhorn Tavern<\/a>\u00a0(San Antonio)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mulas<\/strong><\/a> – Corrales<\/td>\nThe Owl Cafe & Bar<\/a>\u00a0(San Antonio)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Red Chilli House<\/strong><\/a> – Albuquerque<\/td>\nLaguna Burger<\/a>\u00a0(Albuquerque)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Il Localetto Rossi Italian Cuisine<\/strong><\/a> – Albuquerque<\/td>\nThe Burrito Lady<\/a>\u00a0(Albuquerque)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rio Grande Social<\/strong><\/a> – Albuquerque<\/td>\nK&I DIner<\/a>\u00a0(Albuquerque)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
La Zenita<\/strong><\/a> – Albuquerque<\/td>\nBudai Gourmet Chinese<\/a>\u00a0(Albuquerque)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Burque Bakehouse<\/strong><\/a> – Albuquerque<\/td>\nCecilia\u2019s Cafe<\/a>\u00a0(Albuquerque)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rio Tacos<\/strong><\/a> – Albuquerque<\/td>\nPerea\u2019s Tijuana Bar & Restaurant<\/a>\u00a0(Corrales)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Horizon Bagels & Cafe<\/strong><\/a> – Albuquerque<\/td>\nMonte Carlo Steakhouse<\/a>\u00a0(Albuquerque)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

December, 2024<\/strong><\/h1>\n
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Chilaquiles from My Moms<\/strong><\/a> (Photo Courtesy of Sarita)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

CHERYL’S VILLAGE TABLE<\/strong>:\u00a0Just in time for the Christmas season, Cheryl Alters Jamison released a “rough cut” of a sample episode for Cheryl’s Village Table<\/strong><\/a>, themed for the holidays.\u00a0 For a rough cut, the episode is remarkably polished as well as entertaining, refined and easy to watch. The scintillating four-time James Beard award-winning author’s hospitality and warmth are showcased as Cheryl welcomes friends and family to her beautiful\u00a0 home, a century-old converted dairy farm in Tesuque.\u00a0 The inaugural episode of Cheryl’s Village Table celebrated Northern New Mexico foods and Christmas traditions, the most important of which is gathering of friends and family.<\/p>\n

SPENDING TIME WITH LA PATRONA DE RANCHO DE CHIMAYO<\/strong>:\u00a0 Among the most revered culinary icons in the Land of Enchantment is Florence Jaramillo, owner of Rancho De Chimay\u00f3 which has been serving incomparable traditional New Mexican food since 1965.\u00a0 Who better than scintillating author Cheryl Alters Jamison, another New Mexico culinary icon to profile Florence and her landmark restaurant.\u00a0 \u00a0Cheryl penned a magnificent article for The Santa Fe New Mexican’s Pasatiempo<\/strong><\/a> in which she chronicled the restaurant’s history–from struggling upstart to James Beard award-winning restaurant.\u00a0 Fittingly she described the first lady of Chimay\u00f3 as “the gracious Mrs. J herself, the nonagenarian dynamo, who still oversees operations today, just as she has since 1965. She has persevered against enormous odds to make Rancho de Chimay\u00f3 a national treasure. She too is a national treasure<\/em>.”\u00a0 (So is Cheryl)<\/p>\n

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Red Curry From Thai Spice<\/strong><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\nLOTABURGER NOT JUST A SKYLER WHITE FAVORITE<\/strong>: It could be argued (and many of us do) that Lotaburger is the best regional fast food burger across the fruited plain.\u00a0 It’s better than California’s In-N-Out Burger and far superior to Whataburger, a Texas tradition.\u00a0 The Takeout, an online presence with a mission of\u00a0 improving ‘people’s lives through food, celebrating gourmet and everyday dishes with equal enthusiasm \u2014 and sharing the latest food trends, cooking advice, and taste tests in an authoritative and accessible way” profiled LotaBurger in a feature titled “The New Mexico Fast Food Spot With A Nationally-Known Cheeseburger<\/strong><\/a>.”\u00a0 According to the feature, Lotaburger was the first fast food operation anywhere to offer a green chile cheeseburger.\u00a0 The article also noted that “Blake’s is so ingrained in New Mexico culture that Skyler White is seen chowing down on Blake’s food in multiple episodes of famously NM-based “Breaking Bad.<\/em>“<\/div>\n
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NEW MEXICO CHINESE RESTAURANT AMONG AMERICA’S BEST<\/strong>: \u00a0There’s a long-standing notion that Jewish people like Chinese food because Chinese restaurants are among the few restaurants open on Christmas.\u00a0 That notion seems to have credibility in large metropolitan areas.\u00a0 I would argue that Jewish people–like the rest of us–like Chinese food because its delicious and affordable.\u00a0 \u00a0Yelp recently compiled “an all-time list of the best Chinese restaurants in the United States<\/em>.”\u00a0 The ranking is based\u00a0 on a number of factors including the total volume and ratings of reviews.\u00a0 Only one Chinese restaurant across the fruited plain made the list and it’s not in Albuquerque or Santa Fe.\u00a0 Ranked number 58 on the list is Tasty Kitchen Chinese Restaurant<\/span><\/a>,<\/strong> in Grants.<\/p>\n

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Sunday’s Bagel & Lox From Sammy’s Cafe & Deli<\/strong><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

ALBUQUERQUE VEGAN RESTAURANT AMONG AMERICA’S TOP 100<\/strong>:\u00a0In its compilation of the Top 100 Vegan Restaurants in the US for 2024<\/strong><\/a>, Yelp elaborated: “Once a niche cuisine, plant-based food\u2014free of animal ingredients\u2014is now a top dining trend, as more consumers choose diets for a healthier body and planet<\/em>.”\u00a0 Everyman philosopher Homer Simpson continues to resist that trend, preferring pork-based products to health: “I’d be vegetarian if bacon grew on trees<\/em>.”\u00a0 One point Yelp didn’t make is that vegan and vegetarian restaurants are serving food that’s absolutely delicious–whether it’s Mediterranean, Mexican or Moroccan.\u00a0 \u00a0As Albuquerque’s Vegos Vegan New Mexican<\/strong><\/a> has proven, even New Mexican cuisine can be made deliciously vegan style.\u00a0 Vegos ranked 66th in Yelp’s compilation.<\/p>\n

TALKING ABOUT TACOS<\/strong>:\u00a0 Tacos aren’t just for Tuesdays anymore.\u00a0 Mexico’s most popular import is now an everday food for breakfast, lunch, dinner and even dessert.\u00a0 The versatility of tacos has made them one of America’s most popular foods with an estimated 4.5 billion were eaten last year alone.\u00a0 \u00a0So, it wasn’t just me.\u00a0 Yelp’s compilation of the Best Taco Spot in Every State for 2024<\/strong><\/a> sure got it right in naming Santa Fe’s El Chile Toreado<\/strong><\/a> as home to the Land of Enchantment’s best tacos.\u00a0 Operating out of a food truck, this denizen of terrific tacos was a James Beard Best Chef: Southwest semifinalist in 2023.\u00a0 El Chile Toreado has been serving the City Different for nearly three decades and it’s not solely tacos being proffered.\u00a0 Their burritos are fabulous.<\/p>\n

November, 2024<\/strong><\/h1>\n
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Green Chile Biscuits with Honey Whipped Butter from Tula’s Kitchen<\/strong><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

TOP 100 US RESTAURANTS FOR 2024<\/strong>:\u00a0 With the year’s end quickly approaching, Yelp has been busy wrapping up its “top 100” lists for the year.\u00a0 Perhaps the most coveted of Yelp’s lists–because it covers restaurants of every genre– is Yelp’s “Top 100 US Restaurants for 2024<\/strong><\/a>.”\u00a0 Only one restaurant from the Land of Enchantment made this hallowed list.\u00a0 I can’t tell you if that honor is warranted as Albuquerque’s St. James Tearoom<\/strong><\/a> is a restaurant we have yet to visit (much to my Kim’s chagrin).<\/p>\n

AMERICA’S GREATEST BURGER–A NEW MEXICO STAPLE<\/strong>:\u00a0 As a native of Southern California who grew up in the shadow of the almighty In-N-Out Burger, Ken Hulsey has probably been unfriended on social media because of his choice for America’s best burger.\u00a0 When his family moved to New Mexico he discovered what he now considers the best hamburger in America<\/strong><\/a>: the mighty Blake’s Lotaburger<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0 Hulsey, a tremendous blogger who invites readers to share in his travel journeys, has profound fondness for other New Mexican staples: “Blake’s culinary greatness extends well beyond their acclaimed green chile cheeseburger, which has captivated the taste buds of explorers and nature photographers alike. Their fries are also exceptional, and I would pit their breakfast burrito against any other contender – with the possible exception of the legendary offerings once sold at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta<\/em>.”<\/p>\n

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Korean Fried Chicken from K-Style Kitchen<\/strong><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

NEW MEXICO CHEF CELEBRATES NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH<\/strong>:\u00a0 In 2023, New Mexico’s own Chef Justin Pioche was a finalist for the prestigious James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef: Southwest.\u00a0 Don’t discount him earning top honors in the near future.\u00a0 Chef Pioche recently collaborated with Chef Elena Terry<\/strong><\/a> on the James Beard Platform, Resurgence \u2018A Culinary Celebration for Native American Heritage Month<\/strong><\/a>.”\u00a0 Terry, a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation living in Wisconsin Dells, is a chef and founder of Wild Bearies, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing and educating about Indigenous foods and the culture around those foods.\u00a0 The two Native American chefs prepared a special dinner that honors the rich tapestry of Indigenous ingredients and culinary traditions, highlighting traditional ingredients and cooking techniques passed down through generations.<\/p>\n

SANTA FE RESTAURANT AMONG AMERICA’S TOP 100<\/strong>:\u00a0 Some “best restaurant” lists are decided by critics.\u00a0 Some “best” lists are derived from social media crowd-sourcing. OpenTable boasts that its Top 100 list is “driven by diners.”\u00a0 OpenTable\u2019s Top 100 Restaurants in America for 2024<\/strong><\/a> list is generated from over 14 million verified OpenTable diner reviews and dining metrics from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024. Factors taken into account include by a compilation of unique data points, including diner ratings, the percentage of five star reviews, the number of alerts set, the percentage of reservations made in advance, percentage of capacity and direct searches. Metrics were weighted to comprise an overall score, used to rank the list.\u00a0 Only one restaurant across the Land of Enchantment made OpenTables top 100.\u00a0 That restaurant is Santa Fe’s heralded Geronimo<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Bowl of Green Chile and Beans from Mick’s Chile Fix<\/strong><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

KINDNESS IN SANTA FE<\/strong>:\u00a0 Visit Santa Fe’s Escondido<\/strong><\/a> between now and December 13th and order off the “World Kindness Menu”<\/strong><\/a> and you’ll be supporting two amazing non-profit organizations and their programs and causes!\u00a0 All money raised from the World Kindness Menu will be split between the Entrepreneurial Institute of Northern New Mexico Reentry Program, directed by Chef Fernando Ruiz<\/span> and the Street Homeless Animal Project<\/span> (SHAP).\u00a0 The three-course World Kindness menu includes an appetizer, entree and dessert for only$80.<\/p>\n

MORE HONORS FOR ALTRUISTIC CHEF<\/strong>:\u00a0 Chef Fernando Ruiz of Santa Fe’s Escondido<\/span><\/span> earned the Corazon de Cultura Award<\/a><\/strong> in the Culinary Arts division for 2024.\u00a0 It was awarded and presented by the New Mexico Hispanic Heritage Committee, as it recognizes outstanding individuals, businesses, and nonprofits within our Hispanic community.\u00a0 The December, 2024 issue of New Mexico Magazine<\/em> profiled Chef Ruiz, naming him one of the Land of Enchantment’s “2024 True Heroes.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Two Meat Platter from Duke City BBQ<\/strong><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

STUFF YOURSELF OVER THE HOLIDAYS<\/strong>: Campbell\u2019s Company recently released its third annual State of the Sides report, which examines Thanksgiving side dishes and recipe trends.\u00a0 The study also ranked the country\u2019s favorite Thanksgiving side dishes<\/strong><\/a> by state.\u00a0 Stuffing, or dressing, depending on where you live, dominates the map with only a few states crowning mashed potatoes, as the top Thanksgiving side.\u00a0 New Mexico was not among the states preferring mashed potatoes.\u00a0 The Land of Enchantment’s favorite Thanksgiving side is (gasp) not red or green chile as you might expect, but stuffing.\u00a0 Stuffing is the preferred side among all demographics: Millennials, Gen Xers, the Silent Generation and even Baby Boomers.\u00a0 Interestingly 56% of respondents prefer sides to turkey.<\/p>\n

October, 2024<\/strong><\/h1>\n
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Won Ton in Chili Oil From Red Chilli House<\/strong><\/a> in Albuquerque<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

DEFINITIVE TEXAS BARBECUE IN NEW MEXICO<\/strong>:\u00a0 After scouring the country for sixteen months, traveling to 37 states to try 149 Texas-style barbecue joints, Texas Monthly’s barbecue editor (the job I’d love to have) learned that Texas barbecue has become so influential that it is now THE definitive barbecue style<\/strong><\/a> of America.\u00a0 Only one barbecue restaurant in New Mexico made the list, but it’s a great one.\u00a0 Fittingly it’s got its roots in Lockhart, Texas, the legislatively decreed “barbecue capital of Texas.”\u00a0 That anointed restaurant is Mad Jack’s Mountaintop Barbecue<\/strong><\/a> in Cloudcroft.\u00a0 It’s the closest to Texas barbecue as there is in the Land of Enchantment.<\/p>\n

HONORING NEW MEXICO’S BEST<\/strong>: The New Mexico Restaurant Association (NMRA) hosted its annual Hospitality Industry Awards. Five awards were given to restauranteurs for their contributions to New Mexico’s food and hospitality industries.<\/p>\n