Albuquerque’s Boss Saloon, Gambling and Concert Hall, c.1897. Cobb Memorial Collection, 000-119-0609.
- All restaurants are within a block of UNM & Central Avenue unless otherwise indicated. -
66 Diner. 1405 Central Ave. NE, 247-1421. (Midway between University Ave. and I-25)
This is the place to get your kicks on Route 66. A re-created 1950s diner, they serve up roadside NM food, including green chile cheeseburgers, chicken fried steak, blue plate specials, and some of the best milk shakes in town. Something called the "66 pileup" involves potatoes, eggs, bacon, green chile and a trip to your cardiologist. But hey, it’s all worth it. Especially for the atmosphere of a spiffy Albuquerque diner with 1950s style uniforms and saddle shoes for the wait staff, cut outs of Elvis Presley near the bathrooms, a jukebox in the corner, and photographs of historic Route 66 on the walls. And yes, they sell t-shirts to take home with you. - Ann
Amerasia. 301 Cornell SE, phone 266-8400. Amerasia is Albuquerque's first Dim Sum restaurant. Located in a small house converted into a restaurant 3 blocks south of Central, it's a popular lunch place open from 11-2 pm, Monday through Saturday, so arrive early to get a table. The food is delicious! Make sure to try the Curry Pastry and Bao Zi. You're charged by the plate, so keep track of what you order or you'll have a big bill. - Paulita
Bandito Hideout, 2128 Central Ave S.E., phone 242-5366. This brightly colored
restaurant serves traditional Mexican food (as
distinguished from the New Mexican you will find at El
Patio). Their menu runs from enchiladas to steak to
huachiango (red snapper). Their roasted chicken special is
filling and cheap. My favorite is any of the lunch
specials (carnitas, al pastor, carne asada etc.) served as
gorditas with a giant horchata to drink. -Brian
El Patio. 142 Harvard Dr. SE, phone 268-4245. This casual New Mexico restaurant is located in a charming little house on a tree-shaded street. It is warm and inviting in the winter and in the summer has a comfortable front yard patio for outdoor dining. Their tasty Southwestern lunches and dinners with red and green chile are always a great treat and the prices are very reasonable, too. My favorite is chicken and bean stuffed sopapillas with green chile. But they also have great vegetarian choices and oh - great coffee, too! -Nancy
Flying Star Café. 3416 Central SE, phone 255-6633. (Just a few blocks east of UNM.) This is a great place to catch a healthy meal and a not-so-healthy dessert. You can decide between fruit tarts, chocolate éclairs and cheesecakes— all baked on site. Another plus: an extensive selection of magazines and journals are always available to read or purchase. A favorite hangout for local scholars! -Jane
Frontier Restaurant. 2400 Central Ave, SE, phone 266-0550. A UNM institution right across from the UNM bookstore. Go on Monday when the coupons are in the Daily Lobo. They must sell a million breakfast burritos a year and for good reason. Food here is inexpensive and fast. The menu is New Mexican diner -- meaning eggs, hash browns, burgers, salads, and steaks, with chile always an option. After you get your order, smother it with more chile at the steaming pots by the pick-up counter. - Brian
Il Vicino. 3403 Central Ave NE. 266-7855. (Just a few blocks east of UNM)
This pizzeria offers wood oven baked pizza that is sure to
appeal to any palate. Located in Nob Hill on the Historic
Route 66 it has an aura of small town charm with big city
style. The original Il Vicino is a brewery; however this
smaller version offers many of its award winning ales.
For the vegetarian in us all I recommend the “veggie”
pizza piled high with any and every vegetable you can
imagine on a pizza. The crust is cracker thin which gives
a nice contrasting crunch to the soft texture of the
cheese and their homemade sauce. They offer a daily happy
hour from 3pm to 5pm which is sure to fit any budget.
It’s a great place for the whole family or the earnest
traveler trying to find a quick meal. - Sandra
Kai's Chinese Restaurant. 138 Harvard St., phone 266-8388. It's a good place for the budget minded person. They offer daily and lunch specials at a reasonable price. The service is efficient and the food is good. The menu is the typical Chinese fare with lots of vegetarian selections. My favorite is the Kung Pao lunch special. Make sure to check out the pictures on the menu because it includes pictures of owners' favorite pets. It's popular during the lunch hour, but they'll get you in and out fast. -Paulita
Olympia Café. 2210 Central Ave SE, phone 266-5222. This casual restaurant serves delicious Greek food at a reasonable price. It is located just across Central from UNM, so it's handy but can be crowded at lunch. My favorite is the falafel sandwich with a Greek salad. The gyros and the spanakopita are also yummy - the pita bread is homemade. The menu includes a full range of Greek selections including Greek chicken and dolmas. -Sue
Perico’s Acapulco Chillys, 109 Yale SE, phone 247-2503. If it can be served wrapped in a tortilla, you will find it here. This is the Baskin-Robbins of burritos. Meats, beans and rice can be had in any combination but you can also get chicharones, rellenos or fish burritos. Only a couple of the big combination plates are over five dollars. The dining area is only a couple tables and stools at the counter that runs around the room. Get one to go instead and take it to the duck pond. -Brian
Rasoi: An Indian Kitchen. 110 Yale SE, 268-5327.
This is a new addition to the university area. Once a tiny coffee house, Rasoi has reincarnated into a still-small but amazing Indian restaurant, with brightly colored walls and Indian artwork that manage to give it an open and spacious feel. White linen tablecloths and a lunch buffet served from ornate copper chafing dishes. Healthful, beautifully prepared food at lunch and dinner. This is the place to try for aficionados of Indian food as well as those who want to experience something new. The lunch buffet is $9 with many vegetarian and non-vegetarian selections. -Ann
Saggio's Restaurant. 107 Cornell Dr. SE, phone 255-5454. Saggio's is an Italian restaurant located just south of UNM. They will be opening a satellite branch in the Student Union Building soon. They offer a full line of Italian cuisine, from pizza by the slice to a multitude of pasta to specialty salads. I highly recommend two of the specialty salads, the citrus salmon salad and the Asian chicken salad. I prefer a fairly light (but balanced) lunch and these salads fit the bill. Among the pasta offerings try the gnocchi; I order this one with a sauce made of olive oil, fresh tomatoes (when available again!) and fresh basil. Saggio's also has a complete line of sandwiches and desserts (yes, they have canole). For those on a limited income, most of the meals recommended above are among the less expensive offerings in the restaurant. They also offer a number of more expensive meals, including Italian fish and seafood items. Last but not least: Saggio's interior--a giant mural of Albuquerque including celebrities from show business and elsewhere, giant pillars surrounding a working fountain, life-size statues of Marilyn Monroe and Babe Ruth, and a second eating room with a wall of television sets, mostly tuned to sports events. Buon appetito!, - Jim
Sahara Middle Eastern Eatery. 2622 Central Ave SE. This Middle Eastern deli is an oasis directly south of Johnson field nestled between a laundrymat, HR Block and the not so recommendable Denny's. Some might find the murals of the sahara in this restaurant a little much and others will embrace the art. More importantly, the food is fantastic and perfect for vegetarians and meat eaters alike. I eat here at least twice a week and I stick pretty religiously to the tabouli and baba ganuj, but I hear the gyro and the lamb are quite good too. -Suzanne
Winning Coffee. 111 Harvard St. SE, 266-0000. (Just south of Central.) If you like student coffee houses this will fit the bill. Winning's Coffee is good, better than Starbucks, as the beans are freshly roasted. They offer homemade style desserts - large slices of brownies or lemon bars - as well as soups, salads and sandwiches. My favorite is the grilled cheese sandwich that has slices of tomatoes and green chile in it. If you want to do research or catch-up on your email, Winnings has free wireless internet access. -Paulita