Little Anita's

I get the impression that some people dismiss Little Anita's as a legitimate option for New Mexican food, and while I won't deny that the usual heavy hitters (Mary & Tito's, El Patio, Perea's, Duran's, etc.) are fantastic, they all have their signature quirks, leaving Little Anita's in some ways as the quintessential Platonic Ideal of New Mexican food. It's Northern New Mexican cuisine done by the book and done very well. Their red is great, their green is great, their carne adovada is great, their sopaipillas are great… even their rice is great. There's just absolutely nothing dissatisfying about the experience. Don't let the food snobs bring you down; Little Anita's is fantastic, and remains one of your better options to satisfy a New Mexican craving.

I don't know what one you frequent, Betty, but I've never had a gross meal at the one in Old Town. Everything I've ever eaten there has been decent. It's better than some Garcia's dishes.

I particularly like the carne adovada and also the cheese enchiladas with green and red. I like their beans, rice and their chips. I can't remember the salsa, it wasn't great enough to be memorable.

Is it the best New Mexican food I've ever had? No. But I personally would not classify it as gross. It's good food for the price. And the portions are hefty.

...is barely passable, but in my decades of giving them many second chances, I find the service to be consistently shitty and inattentive.

I visited the Old Town location and it was Horrible. The fish that they use in their fish tacos is the frozen-breaded kind that you get at the grocery store and the tortillas were not cooked and soggy. When I tried to pick up the tacos they just felt apart and the rice and beans were not hot. The manager did not care about it. This place used to feel more authentic New Mexican, now after the renovation looks more like a Taco Bell, even the music was changed. They used to play more classic Mexican music now they play salsa and merengue. Pretty sad, because this restaurant will give a bad impression of our city to tourist.

The one on Alameda/Coralles rd is excellent for example, while the one on North Fourth is horrible. And the North Fourth one used to be excellent while the Alameda one used to not exist.

The Little Anita's here in Ventana Ranch sucks.

I'd much rather drive 20 minutes and go to Sadie's.

To call Little Anita's "New Mexican" is shameful.