www.lotaburger.com
With over 75 locations in New Mexico, Blakes Lotaburger has become a New Mexico institution. Blakes Lotaburger is by far the best chain burger restaurant in New Mexico. Some people call it “Blakes” others call it “Lotaburger” which ever way you call it, people will know what you are talking about. Lotaburger offers good quality food. Many of the location’s now have drive-in’s, but still the fastest way is to go inside and order at the window. Once you order you will be given a number and when your order is ready the number will be called.
The signature burger is the Lotaburger. Most of the time I get it with cheese and green chile. It is not over greasy and the bun’s taste great. Lotaburger contry fries are good, but most the times I order my combo with season fries. I also like Lotaburgers chicken tender combo, which comes with chicken tenders, seasoned fries, and a medium drink. I enjoy their drinks, especially the ice that makes the drinks unique. My wife is an ice conosur, she always goes to Blakes for their drinks. Their shakes are wonderful, especially vanilla, my favorite.
I have to disclose that I worked for Blakes Lotaburger when I was in high school. It was the hardest fast food job I have ever had. They are super clean compared to other fast food places I have worked. Their is very little waste, if an employe dropped something on the ground or their was a order canceled, the employe would have to place the food in a special container and document anything that was to be placed in the trash. This is opposite of all the national food chains that I have worked for, they waste a lot of food. Lotaburger also make everything fresh and use quality ingredient’s, that’s why they are significantly slower. I would highly recommend Blakes Lotaburger if you are in the mood for a good quality green chile cheese burger.
Taste:
[rate 9]
Service:
[rate 8]
Ambiance:
NA
Overall Reader Rating
[ratings]
March 10, 2006 The Carom Club opened its doors to the public. The Club will features professional style pool tables as well a upscale food menu. The club will be serving lunch and dinner in a 100% non-smoking apnosphere. That’s right no smoking is allowed in the Carom Club. The club is owed by a Ramona Biddle a billiard professional for the last 12 years. The club is a breath of fresh air for the downtown area.
Carom Club
Third and Central NW
www.littleanitas.com
Little Anita’s serves New Mexican food. There are several locations around Albuquerque; 2105 Mountain Rd N.W., 3314 Isleta S.W., 2000 Menaul N.E. and 6131 4th St. N.W. I usually go to the location on Rio Grande. The atmosphere is very festive with touristy New Mexican décor. There are plenty of tables and booths as well as a bar. The location on Mountain has an inviting outdoor patio area.
The food is traditional New Mexican food. The portions are decent. I have not been disappointed with the flavor of the dishes. The chile is tasty and about medium hot. Growing up we used to go to the Little Anita’s walk up restaurant on Isleta. I always loved getting the stuffed sopapilla with red chile. The service is not always outstanding, and the wait is usually outrageous. I have received poor service a few times in the past at the Rio Grande location. Try to stay away from the Rio Grande location during high tourist times. All in all, I would recommend Little Anita’s for the flavor of their dishes.
Taste:
[rate 8]
Service:
[rate 7]
Ambiance:
[rate 7]
Overall Reader Rating
[ratings]
8032 4th St NW
Albuquerque, NM
87114
Situated in the far north valley, Casa de Benavidez offers a unique and scenic dining experience. The restaurant is located in an old adobe home, with a spectacular courtyard. The courtyard is larger then the dining room and offers guests a beautiful view with your meal. There is a giant waterfall and pond in the courtyard. In the summer the greenery is amazing. The dining room also has large glass windows facing the waterfall. In the summer you can’t beat dining in the large courtyard. The courtyard is beautiful and one of my favorite places to eat on a warm summer night. In the winter, I really enjoy getting up for breakfast, sitting in the sun filled dinging room and watch the waterfall splash the ice filled pond. The restaurant has many rooms that all have their own unique feel. Casa de Benavidez also offers a large bar in the middle of the restaurant and a separate takeout area.
When you get seated you are given some chips and salsa. I think this salsa is one of the better salsas served at a restaurant. It is fresh hot salsa, with cilantro. I personally don’t care for cilantro, but in this salsa it just works. Last visit me and my husband enjoyed the sampler for two. I came with tamales, enchiladas, tacos, carne adovada, and chile rellenos. The red chile is quite good and hot. Everything tasted good, including the very tender carne adovada. The platter costed $22 dollars and was a little skimpy. I also have had problems on many occasions with the waiter only giving us one sopapilla for the two of us. When asked for more the waiter brings us one more. At most New Mexican restaurants you would expect at least four soppapillas to start off with. the waitstaff is hit and miss. The restaurant is known for having a good bar. Me and my husband ordered margaritas, the magertias came in a huge pitcher for us to share.
In conclusion, Casa de Benividez has a wonderful environment and very good food. The only hangup is the prices are high and the portions are small. It is still worth a try, if you are in the far north valley.
Taste:
[rate 8.5]
Service:
[rate 7]
Ambiance:
[rate 9]
Overall Reader Rating
[ratings]
Walmart has enlisted bloggers to right favourable comments about the company. Brian Pickrell one of the so called bloggers, was feed stories to write the postings, discussing how state legislation around the county was unfairly aimed at forcing Walmart to spend more on employee’s health insurance plans. Their are reports that one of Walmarts PR firm sent an email request to many bloggers and some of the posts were copied exactly from the email. I think this is horrible for the blogging community. I am mostly disappointed in Walmart for enlisting a few unethical bloggers to create buzz. I think the bloggers have the responsibility to disclose any information is coming directly from a company’s PR firm. Well anyway off subject, I think it is important.
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