Abiquiú
This sleepy Northern New Mexico village has a long history along with having been the home of the famous New Mexico artist, Georgia O'Keeffe.
Bode's General Store
21196 US 84 | Abiquiú, NM | 505-685-4422
www.bodes.com
Founded: 1919 as Bode's Owners: Constance and Dennis Liddy
Bode's started as Grants Mercantile in 1890 as a general store, post office, stage coach stop, and jail. In the early 1900s, the Grants sold their store to the Gonzales and Sargent families, and moved to Santa Fe, where they were involved in the process to make New Mexico a state. The Gonzales and Sargent families, holders of large tracts of land in the north, were successful sheep and cattle ranchers, and their families are still active in the rural life of northern New Mexico. Martin Bode, our namesake, was a fresh immigrant visiting a German family member in the New Mexico Territory. He stopped by the store and ended up the owner in 1919. The Bode family continued to run the store until the current owners, the Liddys, took over as keepers of the long and proud legacy in 1994. Come by for their green chile cheeseburgers or other casual foods served all day.
Alamogordo
This desert community lying in the Tularosa Basin is bordered on the east by the Sacramento Mountains.
Hi-D-Ho Drive In
414 South White Sands Blvd., Alamogordo, NM 88310 | 575-437-6400 Hidhodriveinalamogordo.com
Founded: 1952 Owner: Pat Dulany
Albuquerque
New Mexico's largest city is home of the annual Balloon Fiesta held every October.
Casa de Benavidez
8032 4th Street NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114-1011 | 505-897-7493
www.casadebenavidez.com
New Mexican specialties in a historic setting. The Benavidez family and employees at Casa de Benavidez offer excellent food in a delightful and peaceful atmosphere. Here you will find traditional Mexican and New Mexican food in the surroundings of a beautiful garden and waterfall. The full-service New Mexican restaurant also provides a smaller dining area for fast carryout meals complete with a patio.
Charlie's Front Door
8224 Menaul Blvd. N.E., Albuquerque, NM 87710 | 505-294-3130
Owners: Charlie and Jamie Elias
For more than 4½ decades, Charlie Elias has welcomed customers to his Northeast Heights (Hoffmantown Shopping Center) restaurant and bar. These days, it's more often his son Jamie who greets diners in a similarly affable style. The New Mexican comfort food menu has pretty much stayed the same over the years. The expected dishes are on the menu, but so are less common items like quelites, made with wild spinach, and fideos, a vermicelli preparation, and torta de huevo, a traditional Lenten dish made of whisked egg whites enriched with egg yolks, fried, and served with chile. Do try it. Lunch and dinner.
Dog House DriveIn
1216 Central Avenue S.W., Albuquerque, NM 87102 | 505-243-1019
Founded : Early 1950s
This humble spot, with its delightful dachshund sign, has been serving great footlong chili cheese dogs for over 50 years. The Dog House was one of Albuquerque's first "fast food" drive-ins, and it offered car hop service and some indoor seating. The Mead family founded it, and the Hartley family bought the restaurant in 1967 at its original location at 10th and Central Avenue. In 1969, the Dog House moved 2 blocks west on Central Avenue, America's Route 66. They still provide car hops and a handful of inside seats in a space not much larger than a shoe box, and have kept the same beloved chili recipe through the years. Frito pies, fries, and burgers with chili too. Lunch, dinner.
Duran's Central Pharmacy
1815 Central Avenue N.W., Albuquerque, NM 87104 | 505-247-4141
Founded (café): 1942 Owner: Mona Ghattas
The unique 'restaurant and pharmacy' setting of Duran Central Pharmacy is an Albuquerque landmark, a frequent stop for locals and visitors. All of our food is made in-house, including our hand rolled tortillas. We use the leanest meat and freshest ingredients, as well as New Mexican grown chile. Our authentic New Mexican food is a local and international favorite. Sit at the old-fashioned lunch counter, a diner-style table, or on the small patio. Featured on Jane and Michael Stern's roadfood.com and as a Fodor's Choice 2010. Late breakfast, lunch, and early dinner.
El Camino Dining Room
6800 4th Street, N.W., Albuquerque, NM | 505-344-0448
Founded: 1950 Owners: Lydia Sakelaris, daughter and son-in-law Amanda and Gilbert Chavez
A vintage classic, El Camino, was once part of the Route 66 era motel across the road founded by Clyde Taylor. The current family of owners purchased it from Mr. Taylor. Famed for huevos rancheros among other local specialties. Breakfast and lunch.
El Modelo
1715 Second Street S.W., Albuquerque, NM 87102 | 505-242-1843
Founded: 1929 Owner: Virginia Chittim
A true local institution, famous for tamales. The current restaurant sits on the site of the original 3-room home of founder Carmen Garcia. She converted one room into her "factory" and operated out of it until it was bursting at the seams. The current building was constructed in 1947. It remains a take-out operation, owned for many years now by Virginia Chittim, but the menu has expanded to cover other New Mexican specialties. All are served in hefty portions all day.
El Pinto
10500 4th Street NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114 | 505-898-1771
www.elpinto.com
Founded: 1962 Owners: Jim and John Thomas
Since its founding, El Pinto, in the pastoral North Valley, has served the recipes of Josephina Chavez-Griggs. It was her daughter and son-in-law who founded the restaurant. Today her grandsons Jim and John, often known as "The Salsa Twins," run El Pinto, the state's largest restaurant. The 12-acre setting is one of the prettiest in the state too, whether you sit indoors or one of the several patios. Full bar. Lunch, dinner.
K & I Diner
2500 Broadway, S.E., Albuquerque, NM 87102 | 505-243-1881
Founded: March 2, 1960 Owners: Steve and Theresa Payne
Irene Warner founded the K & I and its initials come from her name and that of her daughter, Kay. The Paynes took it over in 2003, but didn't change the essentials. Famed for its unusual platters of New Mexican-inspired specialties like the Travis, the Leo, and Bert's Mess in which French fries usually play a big part. Breakfast, lunch.
La Placita Dining Rooms
306 San Felipe N.W., Albuquerque, NM 87104 | 505-247-2004
www.laplacitadiningroom.com
Founded: 1936 Owner: Dale Elliot
An Old Town classic, sited right on the central plaza, in a series of old hacienda rooms with three foot thick adobe walls surrounding a covered interior courtyard. The original part of the structure dates to the 1706 founding of Old Town, the initial Albuquerque settlement. La Placita serves New Mexican classics. Lunch, dinner, bar.
Lindy's Diner
500 Central Ave. S.W. Albuquerque, NM 87102 | 505-242-2582
Founded: 1929 Owner: Steve Vatoseeo
One of Albuquerque's longest continually operated cafes, recognized on roadfood.com by Jane and Michael Stern and even featured once in Gourmet as a part of a feature in sentimental favorites on America's main streets. Sit at the long counter or in the red vinyl booths for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. American comfort food, sandwiches, New Mexican dishes, and even a few Mediterranean specialties.
Mannie's Restaurant
2900 Central Avenue SE Albuquerque, NM 87106 | 505-265-1669
www.manniesnobhill.com
Founded: 1968 Owner: Joseph Koury
Mannie Gianopolis founded his namesake dining establishment and ran it until retirement when it was taken over by his nephew and Joseph Koury. Koury took over more of the business gradually until he became the sole owner in 1985. Since then, a number of Koury family members have continued to serve guests. Homemade muffins, huevos rancheros, and burritos highlight the breakfast selections. Oversized sandwiches and fresh-cut chicken fried steaks are favorites for lunch and dinner. They make specials daily and are noted for homemade soups, especially the green chile chicken. Not far from UNM, Mannie's has many college customers who remark, "This was my parent's favorite restaurant too. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Mary & Tito's Café
2711 North Fourth St, Albuquerque | 505-344-6266
Founded: 1963 Owners: Mary Garcia Gonzales and Antoinette Gonzales Knight
This charming small café north of downtown has been delighting patrons with its carne adovada, chile rellenos, Mexican turnovers (much like a sopaipilla but inspired by a calzone!) and other New Mexican dishes for nearly 5 decades. Mary and her late husband Tito, started the café. He was the original cook and taught today's kitchen staff how to prepare the dishes to his specifications. Mary still comes to the café every day to oversee things and greet her guests. Her daughter Antoinette capably manages the café with Mary now. Recognized by the James Beard Foundation as an America's Classic in 2010, as well as recognized by the Governor with Mary & Tito's Day. Don't leave without sampling a slice of Mexican wedding cake with its crushed pineapple, walnut, and cream cheese frosting. Lunch, dinner.
Mr. Powdrell's Barbeque House
5209 4th Street N.W., Albuquerque, NM 87107
505-345-8086
11301 Central Avenue Albuquerque, NM 87107 | 505-298-6766
mrpowdrellsbarbequehouse.com
Founding date: 1962 Owners: Powdrell Family
The Powdrell family migrated from Louisiana via Texas in 1958. The barbecue recipe came from great-grandpa Isaac and was passed on to the late Mr. Pete Powdrell, who opened his restaurant in the North Valley in 1962. He arrived in town with his wife and 11 children, and not much else more than the clothes on his back. Through perseverance, Pete Powdrell rose to become the king of barbecue in Albuquerque, and one of the city's most respected restaurateurs. In his trademark overalls, Pete Powdrell welcomed powerbrokers and thousands of everyday folks, and his family continues the warm hospitality today. The 4th Street location is in a historic brick home. At either of the two locations today, expect hickory-smoked barbecued pork, beef, and chicken, and if you can't decide among them opt for a combination plate. Save room for made-from-scratch sides and desserts such as sweet potato pie and peach cobbler. Mentioned by Jane and Michael Stern's roadfood.com. Lunch and dinner.
Murphy's Mule Barn
9700 Second Street, N.W., Albuquerque, NM | 505-898-7660
Founded: 1940 Owner: Bill Crawley
Sadie's of New Mexico
230 4th Street N.W., Albuquerque, NM 87107 | 505-345-5339 and
15 Hotel Circle, Albuquerque, NM
www.sadiesofnewmexico.com
Founded: 1950 Owner: Betty Jo Stafford, Brian Stafford
Sadie Koury launched her original 9-seat Duke City café at Second and Osuna—not in a bowling alley, as many believe, but in a building not much larger than the restrooms in the current westside restaurant. On the rooftop, was a sign that said simply "Hamburgers." Signs reading "Steaks" and "Chops" flanked the restaurant's door. The year Sadie retired, 1979, was when her family moved the establishment into a bowling alley, the location famous in many a local tale. Now run by Sadie's younger sister and her progeny, the restaurant moved in 1990 to the 4th Street setting Sadie would have found palatial. A mural depicts 4th Street as it looked in the 1940s. Sadie's is known for its tasty chile dishes and salsa today, along with prodigious portions. And the green chile cheeseburger is still served on French bread, just like it was in the 1950s.
Taco Sal New Mexican Restaurant
9621 Menaul N.E., Albuquerque, NM 87112 | 505-298-2210
www.tacosal.com
Founded: 1960 Owners: Erma Martinez, Aaron Martinez
Delicious freshly made New Mexican food is cooked and served by the Martinez family, owners of the restaurant for three years. They make efforts to use as much New Mexican grown produce as possible. The original owners were Sally and Felix Gabaldon, who served a similar menu. Sally or "Sal" would greet all the diners with "Hi, Doll!" Sally and Felix had a devoted following and the Martinez family has continued in that same tradition. Sally is now in her mid-80s and continues to visit the restaurant regularly. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Western View Diner & Steak House
6411 Central Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87105 | 505-836-2200
Founded: 1944 Owner: Stavros and Demetra Anagnostakos
The Route 66 classic Western View has been known in previous years as the Ski View and Desert View, which were pretty appropriate names too. It's been the Western View though for more than 40 years, and has had a succession of Greek owners to the present family. It used to be open 24/7 and many older folks remember coming after dancing at the Hitching Post, which was next door, but was replaced by an apartment building. The kitchen is still the original structure and the other exterior walls have been added on through the years. There is a mosaic on the back wall by the register that is still visible today - and has been retained. The Anagnostakos's pride themselves on the family environment (all four of their kids have worked here) and have customers that have had 4 generations of family coming in here. They serve made from scratch gravy, tortillas, dinner bread, salsa, and soups, including the popular chicken. All of our food is prepared fresh daily and they are known for chili and really awesome burgers. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Belen
Belen is Spanish for Bethlehem and over time has gained the nickname "Hub City" because of the Belen Cutoff of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. Belen also has the only Harvey House Museum in the state of New Mexico.
Circle T Drive-In
523 S. Main St, Belen, NM 87002 | 505-864-4135
625 E. Reinken Avenue, Belen, NM 87002
505-864-2929
Owners: Philip and Yolanda Tabet
The original Circle T was begun by Gilbert Tabet and family back in 1958. A burger, fries, and Coke cost about 55 cents. It has always been a hub for locals. The second Circle T began operations in 1978. The menu remains pretty simple, and pretty much the same, with its most requested item being the green chile cheeseburger, in three sizes. The Tabets use only Rio Grande Valley grown chile for this signature item.
Pete's Café
105 North First Street, Belen, NM 87002 | 505-864-4811
Founded: 1949 Owners: Theresa Padilla, Pete Torres Jr, Mercy Howell, and Michael Torres
Following World War II, Pete and Eligia Torres started his namesake one-room café across from the railroad tracks. Known for its New Mexican specialties today, the café served a more straightforward American-style menu for its first 20 years since most of the customers initially were railroad travelers unfamiliar with the state's signature cuisine. Trough hard work, the Torres' café flourished and grew to more than 3 times its original size. Pete and Eligia have passed away, but multiple family members now own the café and continue the hospitable spirit and wonderful homemade New Mexican food with its signature red and green sauces. It is managed by Theresa Torres Padilla and her niece Marie Torres.
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