Archive for the 'New Mexican' Category
1800 Rio Grande blvd. nw
87104-2606
242-6334
Las Mananitas is a restaurant in the north valley area of Albuquerque which combines Mexican cuisine with a very homelike atmosphere. The restaurant was actually built in the mid 19th century and remodeled a few times since. However, the old stagecoach stop still reminisces of history as you duck under the low doors and look at the wooden floors with heel marks still left in the old dancehall.
I have to say that the food here was very good. I have gone several times and had the meat and potato floutas, combination burrito, and chicken enchiladas. You are started with homemade posole and each entrée is served with a sopapilla (thick and not greasy, just the way I like them). Now, I have worked in a Mexican kitchen before and this restaurant does not fall under the faults of some of the bigger and more popular restaurants. The kitchen is just a room away and everything is made from scratch, no bins full of bean or trays full of food under a heat-lamp, and yes there is a big difference. I saw the kitchen, met the cooks and was very impressed by how they operated. The owners are there all the time, stopping by to make sure everything is fine, serving your food with a smile on their face, and making good conversation. The servers are really laid back and funny. They will go out of their way to make you comfortable and I have not been to another restaurant in this city that offered the same hospitality. They were happy to give me a tour of the restaurant and enjoyed explaining the history of the old building and its area. To me, this is what makes me go back time and time again, the feeling of being a guest to a family.The only drawback is that the price is a bit higher and the portion sizes are smaller than what you may get somewhere else.
For most the best part of Las Mananitas is feeling like you are part of the history, which is why old town is so popular. For those who want a break from the contemporary, the restaurant stays true to its origins with the original old adobe walls, roof beams, fireplaces, wooden floors. There are two main rooms with six tables in each so it is very quiet. The walls have historic paintings and iron works true to the stagecoach origins. So if you feel like a relaxing dinner of good Mexican quisine with a homelike atmosphere, I would recommend Las Mananitas.
Taste:
[rate 8]
Service:
[rate 9]
Ambiance:
[rate 9]
Overall Reader Rating
[ratings]
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]
Dos Hermanos has four locations.
6211 4th NW reviewed.
Do you like huge breakfast burritos with fresh homemade tortillas? If so Dos Hermanos is the place for you. The restaurant is in a strip mall and a little hard to find. The burritos are huge. You could split one with a friend. They offer a wide variety of meats and sides. I regularly stop in for a chorizo breakfast burrito with red chile. One of the reasons why I like their burritos is because they have fresh real homemade tortillas. It is hard to find a burrito place that still makes their own flour tortillas. The tortillas taste wonderful. Sometimes you can buy a whole bag of one day old tortillas for $1.00.
The workers are helpful and welcoming. The burritos are a little pricey at around $5.00, but they are still a good value for the size. There is seating, but you order at the counter and have to serve your own drinks. Although they are not my absolute favorite, if you are hungry, and in the mood for a good breakfast burrito, this is a great place to stop.
Taste:
[rate 8]
Service:
[rate 8]
Ambiance:
[rate 8]
Overall Reader Rating
[ratings]
5016 Lomas Blvd. NE
www.loscuatesrestaurants.com
Los Cuates has three locations. Two of them are on Lomas, west of San Mateo, on opposite sides of the street. The other new location is on Menaul. They serve quality New Mexican food. The larger location on Lomas is usually very crowded, but the food is worth the wait.
The food is wonderful. I have tried almost everything on the menu and have never been disappointed. The chile, both red and green, is outstanding. I love the enchiladas and chile rellenos. After work I frequently pick up the fajitas to go. The chips are the best in town and they are always hot. Some people swear by the salsa, however I am not fond of it. They also have burgers and other american favorites for the non chile lovers. The portions are very large and inexpensive. The service is good, especially considering how busy they can be. I have never felt neglected and there is always someone nearby to refill your water.
If you have visitors from out of town, I would make this a stop so they could try some “real” New Mexican food. Los Cuates is a great place for lunch or dinner. I think the crowds speak for themselves. The prices are very reasonable, around $8 a plate.
Taste:
[rate 9.5]
Service:
[rate 8]
Ambiance:
[rate 9]
Overall Reader Rating
[ratings]
1736 Central Ave SW
Garcia’s Kitchen has several locations. I usually go to the location on Central near 12th. Garcia’s serves New Mexican food and they are very popular for breakfast and lunch. The atmosphere is casual, with lots of tables so you could take a large group. Garcia’s is very colorful with lots of interesting New Mexican items, perfect for tourists.
The food is classic New Mexican. I usually get a burrito and opt out of the beans and rice. The chile is tasty, with a moderate heat. The portions are a decent size. My family enjoys their hot link breakfast. I enjoy the flavor of the food, but I have found that the quality is not always consistent. One time all the food at our table was cold, fridge cold. Another time the carne adovada was hard as leather. The service is not outstanding. I have had to wait a considerable amount of time whenever I go.
I would recommend going to Garcia’s if you are not in a hurry. There are several locations around Albuquerque, and I think that the overall experience is worth a try. Garcia’s would be a nice place to meet a friend for a casual lunch or to take the family out to breakfast. The prices are reasonable.
Taste:
[rate 8]
Service:
[rate 4]
Ambiance:
[rate 7]
Overall Reader Rating
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