South Valley Albuquerque Restaurants
Albuquerque - South Valley
Blake’s Lotaburger
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?
 | | |  | | 3 rating (3 votes) |
Blake’s Lotaburger
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?
| | | | | 5 rating (2 votes) |
Blake’s Lotaburger
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?
| | | | | 3.25 rating (4 votes) |
Bob's Burgers
Cuisine: American
Home of the ranchero burger and a screamin’ $2 Frito pie (which usually takes top honors in our restaurant polls), these burgers are similar to their Lotaburger or Its-a-Burger cousins, except they have loads of green or red chile on them. And Bob's offers "taco burgers"—burgers in taco shells instead of buns. Bob is quite the creative entrepreneur; it shows on the chile-stained faces of his fanatic followers.
| | | | | 4.5 rating (2 votes) |
Bob's Burgers
Sun-Thurs: 10:30am-9:30pm
F-Sat: 10:30am-10pm (hours can change without notice)
Cuisine: American
Home of the ranchero burger and a screamin’ $2 Frito pie (which usually takes top honors in our restaurant polls), these burgers are similar to their Lotaburger or Its-a-Burger cousins, except they have loads of green or red chile on them. And Bob's offers "taco burgers"—burgers in taco shells instead of buns. Bob is quite the creative entrepreneur; it shows on the chile-stained faces of his fanatic followers.
| | | | | 4 rating (2 votes) |
Burritos Alinstante
Burritos Alinstante, which translates to burritos in an instant, should really be called “giant, inexpensive and delicious burritos in an instant.” The menu also contains tacos and tamales, and you can use the drive-through for maximum time efficiency and faster deliciousness. And don’t leave without trying the potatoes, beans, cheese and green chile option.
Full review: Burritos Alinstante ()
| | | | | 3.67 rating (6 votes) |
Coors Cafe
Cruise on down to the South Valley to visit this old school gem. Say howdy to Mary Jane, the nicest waitress you’ll ever meet, and take a seat at any of the worn-out booths. We recommend ordering the chicken-fried steak plate, the Indian taco and tart cherry pie. The food ain’t fancy, but it is down-home diner delicious.
| | | | | No Votes Yet! |
Dion’s Pizza
Sun-Thurs 10:30am to 10:00pm
Friday-Sat 10:30am to 11:00pm (hours can change without notice)
Besides having the Best Pizza, according to past Best of Burque Restaurants polls, Dion's also has a wonderful selection of salads (particularly the Greek or any of the “gourmet” salads with fresh greens) and sandwiches (the pastrami is especially good). The pizza is made fresh and you can see them rolling and tossing the dough. Dine in or order takeout.
| | | | | No Votes Yet! |
El Modelo Mexican Foods
Good luck finding this place for the first time. El Modelo is tucked away on an industrial stretch of Second Street that seems an unlikely location for such a well-patronized joint. Not a sit-down restaurant, this is a production facility that does a brisk take-out business. The patio tables in the grass bordering the parking lot don’t offer a good view, but most folks don’t seem to want to wait any longer than they have to before tearing into their lunches. We suggest you swing by, pick up a six pack of El Modelo beer and take your El Modelo tamales back to the casa for a lunch that’s muy sabroso.
Full review: Soul model ()
Full review: El Modelo as archetype; ribs as revelation ()
| | | | | 4.65 rating (31 votes) |
El Sarape 2
Mariscos and northern Mexican cuisine with a unique flair. Various ceviche-like dishes feature raw shrimp of unusually firm deliciousness. The epic Vuelve a la Vida platter containing seven types of seafood including squid and baby octopus must be seen to be believed. Don’t fill up on the chips.
| | | | | 2 rating (2 votes) |
Embers Steakhouse
Head up to the third floor of Isleta Resort and Casino for some fancy and delicious rooftop dining with a view to die for. Take in the fiery red sunset over the green fields of the South Valley while sipping a bold Shiraz that is perfectly paired with your juicy top sirloin steak. Or dream of ocean breezes while dining on seared scallops in Chardonnay butter sauce. Mmmmmm.
Read more: Patio and Happy Hour Guide (6/8/2017)
| | | | | No Votes Yet! |
Grandma's K&I Diner
Sweet Lord, this South Broadway dive (and we mean way south) is postcard-worthy. First off, the outside looks like a candy-cane-striped barn. Inside, old-timey knickknacks are plastered to every surface, and the air is thick with the smell of fried foods. The chicken-fried steak (served with hash browns, biscuits and cream gravy) is as big as the dinner plates used at other restaurants, and the infamous “Travis” burrito, a giant beef-and-bean burrito that’s actually smothered in french fries, must be seen to be believed.
Full review: Breakfast at Grandma’s K & I Diner ()
| | | | | 4.24 rating (38 votes) |
Kathy’s Carry Out
Mon-Sun: 8am-12am (hours can change without notice)
Cuisine: New Mexican
The “Kathy burger” (two patties with red chile, cheese and bacon) comes in two sizes and is well worth the drive down to the South Valley. You can even get a burger burrito, which is rolled up with Kathy’s creamy, delicious beans in a flour tortilla. Broke? No problem! About 20 bucks is all it takes to stuff you and four of your closest stoner friends with quick, delicious comfort food. And they’re always open until midnight in a beautifully remodeled building. We’d kiss Kathy if we knew her better.
| | | | | 4.12 rating (25 votes) |
La Michoacana de Paquime
Cuisine: Ice Cream/Smoothies/Gelato/Fro-Yo
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. Your hijos will just love it, and so will you.
| | | | | 4.67 rating (6 votes) |
Little Anita's
Cuisine: New Mexican
Little Anita's menu is New Mexican to the core with enchiladas, burritos, carne adovada and stuffed sopaipillas. The red chile is generally milder than their green but is seasoned just right. Consistency, generous portions and fair prices make Little Anita's an Albuquerque mainstay—not to mention its many locations ranging from full-service dining to quick and easy take-out counters. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
| | | | | 3 rating (6 votes) |
M’Tucci’s Cocina Grill
Cuisine: Latin American
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| | | | | No Votes Yet! |
Monte Carlo Steakhouse
Mon-Thu 11am-10pm
Fri-Sat 11am-11pm
Closed Sunday (hours can change without notice)
Come for the Budweiser, stay for the steak. Or stay for the Budweiser too. This is not your typical country club steak retreat—velvet Elvis, model cars and a revolving pastry case make Monte Carlo your very own Capri Lounge, right here in Burque. Even the appetizers are impressive. Make sure to try the fried zucchini and order Greek baklava for dessert.
Best of Burque Restaurants Winner 2008 (10/9/2008)
| | | | | 3.42 rating (74 votes) |
Pupuseria y Restaurant Salvadoreño
Mon-Fri: 10am-8pm
Sat: 9am-8pm
Sun: 10am-8pm (hours can change without notice)
Albuquerque’s first Salvadoran restaurant is definitely worth checking in on, because, brothers and sisters, if you love sweet plantain, this place has the best in town. It’s also got the best pupusa—no relation to the pupu platter—and who doesn’t like the idea of a soft, thick corn tortilla filled with meat (chicharrón, fish, beef or ham) and cheese? Make it lunch with a tall glass of horchata.
Full review: Pupuseria y Restaurante Salvadoreña ()
Full review: You’d be insane to pass up the plantain ()
| | | | | 3.73 rating (15 votes) |
Tiwa Restaurant and Lounge
Restaurant
Sun-Thu 7am-10pm
Fri-Sat 7am-midnight
Lounge
Mon-Thu 4pm-10pm
Fri-Sat 4pm-midnight
Sun 11am-10pm (hours can change without notice)
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| | | | | No Votes Yet! |
Twisters
Sun-Thu 5:30am-9:00pm
Fri-Sat: 5:30am-10pm (hours can change without notice)
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| | | | | No Votes Yet! |
