El Pinto
April 14, 2011 by Foodie
El Pinto
10500 4th Street NW
Albuquerque, NM 87114
(505) 898-1771
Hours: Mon-Thu 11am-9pm; Fri-Sat 11am-10pm; Sun 10:30am-9pm
El Pinto restaurant has been serving local New Mexico eats for over half a century now. The restaurant has been host to Presidents, celebrities and world dignitaries.
The five acre complex is huge, you get a feel of its size when you first enter the parking lot. Its classic front entrance is adorned with potted plants, vines and black iron lighting fixtures. You are greeted in the lobby by a gigantic waterfall and front desk that would rival a large hotel.
While the overall restaurant is huge, it is comprised of many smaller rooms, bars and patios.
While El Pinto is an attraction worthy of a look, it just didn’t live up to reputation of having award winning food. It was middle of the road at beast and the prices were ridiculous. $14 beef nacho appetizer and a $18 dollars combination plate!
I had the combination numero tres, which was comprised of a small portion of carne adovada, enchilada, relleno, and a rolled taco (aka Taquito).
Pros: Atmosphere and the salsa
Cons: Price, portions and too much cumin in their red chile.
Popularity: 3% [?]
The worst tasting food ever, $17.00 enchiladas that taste like a $5.00 meal. You pay for the astmosphere not the food.
El Pinto is like the prettiest opera singer, with the prettiest dress, who can’t sing a single pretty note. Food is what you do, El Pinto, and you can’t do it, and it seems you don’t even want to try. Just content with being pretty. Place Looks great, and gives a fully underwhelming eating experience (even if it were cheap, I’d say avoid the food- go for a drink with a date, then get the hell outta there).