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  | $ Restaurants in Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico Albuquerque - Downtown
There are indeed “few choices left to get that cool Haight-Ashbury ’60s feeling.” Don’t get the wrong idea though, this neighborhood coffee shop isn’t overflowing with hippies. It attracts a diverse crowd of cyclists, artists, musicians, hipsters and grown-ups just looking for a cuppa joe (albeit one with in-house roasted beans). The food is simple and satisfying, from freshly baked scones to waffles, sandwiches and salads. Warning: The scrambled-egg breakfast burrito may cause you to moan out loud. Don’t worry though, the people sitting around you will understand. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) The Library Bar and GrillMon-Sat: 11am-2am
Sun: noon-midnight (hours can change without notice) Happy Hour!: every Friday 3:00:00 pm - 8:00:00 pmHappy Hour!: 4:00:00 pm - 7:00:00 pm
The food is pretty standard bar fare with burgers and the like. But hey, you can have a delicious Pickleback (whiskey and pickle juice) to wash it down. Then hop out onto the dance floor, cheer on the neon go-go dancers and boogie. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) We like Lindy’s for their retro-ish décor, Downtown convenience and $5 pitchers of beer. The food here is pretty typical diner fare with a good amount of New Mexican and Greek specialties thrown into the mix, served in hefty portions. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010)
This is Chinese fast food through and through, with styrofoam plates and plastic forks, but don’t let that keep you away. The food here is actually very good, with traditional American-Chinese favorites like sweet and sour or General Tso’s chicken. There are even a few New Mexican twists like green chile egg rolls. Oh, and the hot mustard is pretty much nuclear. You’ve been warned. (Alibi Staff, February 7, 2014) New Mexico Beef Jerky CompanyMon-Fri 7am-5pm
Sat 8am-5pm
Sun: Closed (hours can change without notice) Cuisine: New Mexican
Fantastic take on New Mexican cuisine featuring flaming hot, savory chile, melt-in-your-mouth chicharrones and a sleeper hit huevos rancheros that is actually one of the best in the city. The burritos and platters are hefty and will fuel a working man all day long. As the name of the place indicates, this family-operated restaurant got its start producing excellent carne seca (and still does) but has branched out into an efficiently-run New Mexican kitchen. Dishes are served on paper and styrofoam, but the service is polite and attentive, and the quality of the food is always perfecto. The most unusual ingredient in burrito or sandwich form here is the “old fashioned” fried bologna, which is far more delicious than you probably think and served, like everything else, with lots of chile. Give it a try! (Alibi Staff, September 30, 2015) A tiny house on the northern cusp of Downtown is home to this New Mexican eatery. Papa Frank’s specializes in authentic food for the to-go crowd, so expect styrofoam and plasticware beneath your enchiladas. The red chile is made fresh daily and packs a flavorful punch. (Alibi Staff, November 21, 2013) Plaza Eatery, steps away from Civic Plaza, is an ideal location to eat lunch and spot your local elected government officials, whether it be city councilors or the mayor himself. With some of the lowest prices Downtown and a large menu of tasty American, Greek and New Mexican lunch specials, and lots of fresh baked goods, Plaza Eatery is one of Downtown’s best-kept secrets. Try a chicken walnut salad, served with a croissant, and get a chocolate-dipped cookie for dessert. Plaza Eatery also offers a sizeable breakfast menu. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010)  Pop FizzMon: 11am-6pm
Tue-Sun: 11am-8pm (hours can change without notice) Full review: New paleteria offers inventive frozen treats (6/27/2013)
Frozen Mexican style paletas made with real fruit and organic cane sugar create an experience unlike the frozen treats you find in a box at the store. You won’t find high fructose corn syrup here, but you will discover Grandma Alvarez’ horchata and limeade recipes, as well as exotic paleta creations like guanabana, mimosa and, our favorite, avocado. (Alibi Staff, July 18, 2013) Rad(ish)Monday- Thursday 9:45am- 5:45pm
Friday 9:45am- 1:45pm
Saturday 9:45 am- 1pm
Closed Sunday (hours can change without notice)
This bright, fresh restaurant truly serves organic food. They use real, whole foods like grass-fed dairy, cage-free eggs, grass-fed beef, organic chicken and organic produce. The meals are fast, convenient and delicious and are all naturall gluten-free. Now that’s rad. (Alibi Staff, October 8, 2015) Downtown chowhounds can enjoy a light, simple and delicious breakfast or lunch at the Roma Bakery and Deli. Choose a salad from the deli case (the spicy tuna is a must-try) or get the Magnífica deli-style sandwich filled with salami, pepperoni and turkey topped with balsamic vinaigrette for a filling meal at a great price. As a bonus, Oscar tucks away a homemade cookie for dessert, or you can eyeball other fresh bakery treats behind the glass to take for later. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) This brightly colored taco shop is always busy. Despite the constant stream of hard hats, auto mechanics and high-heeled office workers, Taquería Mexico somehow stays spotlessly clean. And the food is great! Their tortas come on big, hot rolls, stuffed with your choice of meats (try the shredded beef), lettuce, jack cheese, tomato, mayonnaise and avocado. The big, juicy burgers are fantastic, as are the burritos, the caldo de res and the soft corn tortilla tacos (of course). (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010)  Zendo ArtEspressoMon-Sun: 7am-6pm (hours can change without notice) Cuisine: Coffee/Tea/Espresso $ • Vegetarian Available • Gluten-free available • Take Out / To-Go • Outdoor Patio • Wireless Internet Full review: Coffee at Zendo ArtEspresso (2/26/2015)
The decor here is minimalist-to-nonexistant, but Zendo makes up for the bare-bones aesthetic by serving an array of near-perfect espresso drinks and by committing to support local arts and music events. Speciality beverages include a Mexican latte—white chocolate and cinammon—and, of course, the Heisenberg—made with six shots of espresso and dusted with sky blue sugar crystals. At least, we hope that’s sugar. And don’t forget to order a chai tea latte for the road. (Alibi Staff, October 9, 2013) Open only for breakfast and lunch, Zohra's caters to the 9-to-5 crowd with a little bit of everything a Downtown-diner could possibly want: Afghan foods, American standbys, even Indian tacos. But stick with the Middle Eastern stuff. Chicken kabobs are moist and unbelievably tender, served with peas on fluffy rice. There’s also chicken salan (stewed in a rich, warm gravy heavy with cardamom and mint, among other aromatic spices) gyros and a number of vegetarian choices that come à la carte or as a meal. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) Albuquerque - FairgroundsBaggin’s prepares satisfying hot and cold hoagies at a decent price. The Sundown is a staple for chronic dine-’n’-drivers: basically a turkey dinner in sandwich form, complete with stuffing and cranberry sauce. Try it on toasted whole wheat or sourdough instead of the standard roll. This old-school sandwich emporium has been at the top of our BoBR categories for Best Sandwich and Best Soup many times over the years. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010)  Blake’s LotaburgerMon-Thurs: 6am-9pm
Fri-Sat:6am-10pm
Sun: 7am-9pm (hours can change without notice) Cuisine: American
A New Mexico tradition since 1952! For an award-winning (for both Best Burger and Best French Fries), quick burger or chili dog, fresh fries and fountain favorites that hit the spot for just a pocketful of change, it’s got to be Blake’s. Countless counters are scattered throughout the city, and each one is a model of efficiency and cleanliness. Why look any further? (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010)  Café Da LatFull review: Creative food, pho sure (2/22/2007) Full review: Café Da Lat’s wondrous soups outpace competition (10/16/2014)
Consistently one of the best Vietnamese joints in town. Da Lat does a magnificent breaded frog leg appetizer. The crispy golden legs are scrumptious dipped in Da Lat's salty, tangy nuoc cham sauce. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010)  ChopstixTue-Thu: 11am-8pm
Fri-Sat: 11am-9pm
Sun: 11am-8pm
Mon: Closed (hours can change without notice) Cuisine: Chinese Full review: The fish soup is sssmmokin’ (4/27/2006) Full review: And Chopstix Chinese Cuisine proves it (1/9/2014)
Chopstix is a real culinary adventure with authentic Beijing-style cuisine. You'll find dishes like sweet red bean-stuffed steamed buns, dan dan noodles, mustard green and dried bean curd, and cashew chicken. Amuse your server to no end by ordering the pickled green and pork noodles, a traditional dish that "only Chinese people like!" A few bucks gets you a huge bowl filled with a rich, porky broth, rice noodles, bok choy, tripe and irregular chunks of pork belly, striated with fat and muscle—not for the meek of pork, to be sure. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) You could miss the decayed pink, green and purple cross that adorns Helen’s Bakery just north of Lomas in the blink of an eye but there you’ll find rows of Mexican pastries, cookies and rolls tucked away inside glass cases or cooling on a big metal rack up front. If you don’t speak Spanish, here’s how it all works: Walk up to the register, grab a pair of tongs and a cafeteria tray and load up on sweet treats. A little café serves savory Mexican snacks like tacos and chicharrones by the pound. As for meals, try the menudo. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) This venerable Route 66 diner has been kicking around various locations on Central for about 40 years now. True, after an extensive remodel, the interior isn’t quite period accurate for the Mother Road’s golden age, but the decor straddles the line between kitschy and classy quite nicely. The menu remains decidedly old school, with the requisite hot cakes and huevos rancheros, and so do the prices. (Alibi Staff, February 6, 2015)
This paleteria sells all kinds of freshly made cold treats like mango and hot-cold-sweet-salty-sour chile paletas (popsicles), strawberries with cream and nonalcoholic piña coladas. Of course, you can still satisfy your sweet tooth at the original La Michoancana, which is just south of Isleta and Rio Bravo. Either way, it’s worth the drive. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) | Today's EventsCuriosities of New Mexico at Bachechi Open Space A panel of presentations that will cover fascinating yet less-known nuances of the state's history like Diné Memories of the Crownpoint Boarding School during the 1960s, the Red Power movement and more. 2016 Gracias Christmas Cantata at Expo New MexicoGet The Led Out • Led Zeppelin cover band at Macey CenterMore Recommended Events ›› NEWSLETTERS Great Alibi stories, events and deals delivered to your inbox each week. No fooling!
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