American Legion Post 49

To review a specific post, one must have some firsthand knowledge of other posts, no? Or maybe compare it to other VSOs like a VFW maybe? I have neither. However, I've been in enough neighborhood bars to weigh in somewhat accurately I think. After all, that's pretty much what this is, with a side of "Smoke 'em if ya got 'em." Like most VSO Halls, I imagine, it's older. It's been around for years and will continue doing so until it literally falls to the ground. It does have size on its side, paired with ample parking, and a very large banquet room, if you will, for private events.The bar side of things is set up nicely with large screen TVs, a karaoke setup, and definitely a "rustic" vibe to it. That cigarette smoke though, it's a hard pill to swallow. Cheers!

Attended the Don Grab Memorial Ham tailgate today in Post 49 parking lot, very generous of the post, thank you6:00 am till 10ish, when everyone was done selling, hungry or tiredPlenty of room to sell and park, enjoyed by all

This place is an eddy in time and hIstory. What follows is not meant to be sarcastic in any way; the experience at the Legion is utterly unique and singular among my travels. It is a members only club, membership requirements being active duty in the US Armed Services, you'd have to check the details but members are allowed guests and family. The atmosphere is amazing. It feels like a 1960 southwest country club, only missing the thick smoke of the past due to recent laws changes. There are still full ashtrays next to the men's urinals, an artifact from the past. At least six bars provide coverage for every event possible, and they respond to requests for 'coke' with whiskey with a confused look. You will be ejected if you carry your alcohol across the dance floor, a minor inconvenience because the servers are happy for you to order your drink direct from the bar. Table service is spotty at best so the whole meal can take the form of an hours-long wait for satisfaction. As stated, this is a wholly ancient ritual dining hall. People you respectfully called 'Nana' once waltzed here on the weekends. Folded flags sit silently in side display cases, honoring those who once served to ensure the existance of such a place. There are side hallways and an electronic gambling room, pool tables and dart boards hidden in back rooms, and a feeling of history and mystery everywhere about the place. If you have a family member or loved one who served in the armed forces I would highly recommend checking this place out. It is a classic dance hall of the highest caliber. They even got my rare steak right. Order your booze on the rocks with soda on the side, you'll save a 5 minute explanation to the bartenders on how mixed drinks work.

This was the second American Legion post I've been in, and the first in Albuquerque. I went for karaoke and the KJ is very good with an excellent sound system. Theresa and Karen are both excellent bartenders. Brenda is an awesome server. I just wish the food was better. Their best meal is the fish sandwich, but they only serve it one day a month and it is $1 more. Chicken can be really good or not-quite so good. I found their steak completely inedible, due to the fat content which runs throughout the meat. I actually wound up eating hamburger on steak night because I was informed that all of their steaks were pretty much the same. The hamburger was good though. The only other issue I have is the cost of the meals. Usually you're looking at $8 for chicken strips, coleslaw and fries and the portions are small. Soda is an additional $1.25, but the refills are free. As I have no other experience in having meals at another Legion post, I don't know if others have similar price structures and food quality. One comparison I have is the Downs Casino, where I can get a similar quantity of chicken strips with fries for $5.99 or less. Sodas there are also $1 and refills are free, so perhaps I can't complain too much, but the quality at the post is sporadic.As a military retiree (SSgt), my retirement pay isn't that great, so money is an issue for me. Another issue I have is that while I can be a Legionnaire, I am relegated to the auxiliary, as I am a woman. Unfortunately the Sons of the Legion are a male-only club, which I find somewhat discriminatory as I served 20 years. Perhaps an update is in order...Brenda, Theresa and Karen are some of the nicest people you will ever run into and the other members made me welcome from the very first time I went in (I wasn't even a member yet and the ladies were talking about having me join the auxiliary.) This post has always made me feel like family and I enjoy the atmosphere there.

I did visit the Post 49:several months ago; however, I had a bad experience. An older white person made a comment that "I would make a great Mexican waitress for this place." I am a Hispanic, college educated woman who has never been a waitress. So sad to experience such racism in a venue which honors veterans.