The Downtown Action Team awarded its annual LOOK Awards honoring local downtown businesses. The Awards ceremony’s was held at he convention center on May 13, 2006. The LOOK awards were set up by DAT as a way to showcase businesses around downtown Albuquerque. Here are some of the food related awards.
- The Carom Club won for Best Exterior Design and Best Night Spot
- Gold Street Cafe won for Best Restaurant for Breakfast
- Slate Street Cafe won for Best Lunch
- Sushi King won for Best Dinner
- Java Joe’s won for Best Use of Art in a Business
- Flying Star won for Best Place to Hang Out
More information can be found at the Downtown Action Team and the LOOK Awards websites.
2400 Central Ave SE
frontierrestaurant.com | ~MENU~
The Frontier is located on Central and Yale, across from the UNM bookstore. It is locally owned and has been in business for 35 years. The Frontier is open 24hrs, 7 days a week. It is a popular place for breakfast, lunch, dinner, study groups, and late night dining. When you walk in, there is usually a long line that wraps around the dining room, but it moves quickly. There are several counters and when one of them is ready to take your order, they will flash a green light. Once you place your order, you sit down and wait for your number to show up on one of the screens around the rooms. The various rooms have western paintings on the walls, especially paintings of John Wayne. There are small tables and booths or large tables for big groups. This casual atmosphere makes the Frontier a good place to meet people. You can order what ever you want, you don’t have to worry about splitting the check, and you can stay as long as you want.
The menu offers breakfast, New Mexican food, platters and salads, burgers and sandwiches. My favorite menu choice is Western Hash Browns, which are hash browns smothered with cheese and green chile. The tortillas are freshly made and irresistible. I also like the Frontier sweet roll, which is a huge cinnamon roll with tons of butter. I used to get the Chicken Nachos, but I have to warn you that the jalapenos are super hot because they are fresh. Near the silverware is a huge pot of salsa, which is almost like stew, but it is very tasty. Overall, I would rate the food as above average. It has its own quality and flavor that is not typical New Mexican food and not typical diner meals either.
I grew up eating food from the Frontier restaurant. It was a favorite place to hang out with friends in high school and college. The prices used to be reasonable, but it is no longer very affordable for poor college students. I would consider the portions to be mid-sized. In the last ten years, they have become more and more popular, and much more sophisticated. I think those of us who grew up with the charm of the old Frontier, are not too impressed with all of the changes. However, the food has not changed, just the prices. I would recommend a trip to the Frontier Restaurant, even just to say you’ve been. It is not easy to find parking, and if you are not into crowds, I wouldn’t go there.
Taste:
[rate 7]
Service:
[rate 7]
Ambiance:
[rate 8]
Overall Reader Rating
[ratings]
3200 Montgomery Blvd. NE (Amigo Mart) 872-2109
8101 Harper Dr. NE (Winners Shell Station) 798-1970
sandiachilegrill.com | ~MENU~
Well a lot of times we discuss the under the radar restaurants in this city so people can experience some diversity. How about this for under the radar…located inside of a gas station convinience store! Thats right, I was first introduced to this burrito carry-out restaurant about a year and a half ago when they expanded to their second convenience store. I was told they are the best burritos I would find in Albuquerque, and i agree that these are very good.
For the most part I get the big asada burrito, which has two portions of grilled asada steak, bacon, pico de gallo, potatoe, and cheese. It is a huge burrito and only runs 5.99. They have a menu with mainly traditional burrito items arranged is some pretty good variations and combinations (check out the website for the menu). In general the price range is from 3.99 to 5.99 and all of the burritos are made on a grill right in front of you. Of course for people on the go sometimes they will make breakfast burritos ready for you to just walk in and pick them up. They give you a receipt and you pay at the convenience store cash register.
I have only had a problem during one visit where my potatoes were undercooked and hard. Other than that they are consistent in giving you generous portions and a huge burrito that looks like it might not hold in the tortilla.
What can I say about the atmosphere…its a gas station! You probably don’t want to hang out and enjoy the scenery unless you like looking at the nutritional facts of ranch doritos. Oh and for all of the smooth ones out there, you may want to take your date somewhere else (although the flowers are cheap). But if you have a big appetite and want some good, steaming hot burritos, i would recommend this restaurant.
Taste:
[rate 7]
Service:
[rate 6]
Ambiance:
[rate 3]
Overall Reader Rating
[ratings]
