This Is Albuquerque: The Shop

\ Mar 02, 2017

3 min read

How did you get started in this business?

Well, I mostly just fell into it. I got a job in the kitchen when I was 15, kept doing it and fell in love with it—so I stuck to it, and here I am: a little breakfast and lunch spot of my own in Nob Hill.

What is your business philosophy?

It’s simple really: to provide excellent food and coffee, using local and organic ingredients when possible, and really just trying to be a part of the community as much as possible by holding events here, doing dinners, supporting local artists, farmers and friends. We try to work as closely as possible with local farms and use thier produce when possible. We even go out and visit the farms and really see what’s going on. We actually have a couple dinner-on-the-farm events in the works coming up soon. We host small gatherings like art exibitions and ice cream pop-ups, and even comedy shows from time to time in our restaurant, just trying to be a space that everyone can enjoy and feel like we are all part of the community.

What is your educational background?

None. I learned everything I know on the job. All my knowledge of food is from either working in kitchens, staging in kitchens across the country or research I’ve done on my own. I worked for and with a lot of great chefs, and I have them to thank for pushing me in the right direction.

Why did you choose to do business in Albuquerque?

Because I’m from here, it’s my home, and I wanted to bring to it something it hasn’t had, just change up the scene a little and bring people something new.

What significant changes have you implemented recently?

Well, we have been working really hard at getting the catering side of business rolling. We have been doing private dinners, luncheons, business meetings and even wedding caterings! Just to name a few. We got all the catering needs covered and really want to start doing more of that! I want people to know that we branch out from just breakfast and lunch and actually do things like plated dinners and buffet-style catering, and whatever else anyone could need!

What do you offer that the competition doesn’t?

I think, more than anything, we offer something a little different than most cafes offer here in Albuquerque. I mean, we have a few New Mexican staples like huevos rancheros and a breakfast burrito, but we do things that you won’t find anywhere else like our chilaquiles and chorizo and egg torta! Another thing is that we really do care about the product we are serving: Our main goal is to provide excellent food and coffee to our customers at a reasonable price, and we use high quality, locally-sourced ingredients to do so.

Anything else you’d like to add?

If you are interested in anything we do here, give us a follow on Instagram or Facebook @theshopbreakfastandlunch. We post all of our specials and events we may be doing on those sites, so keep an eye out. Come check us out and you’ll be glad you did!!! Come in and find out why we keep winning awards for our food!