The Tastiest American in Albuquerque

Trail Riders Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.2 (136) • $$

"Camping locally, had to grab some supplies locally and saw this restaurant; had to give it a whirl.Recommend: Without a question...This place recently burned down in the past and has been completely rebuilt. It's a beautifully designed interior, and straight smack in the front is one of THE MOST impressive displays of local Veteran Soldiers who have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country - and this unique hometown community. It's stunning and solemn that the owners have done this and as a Veteran who made it home, this hits 'home' to me...The restaurant is decorated with deep Patriotic themes, well decorated and airy with southwestern pics, horseshoes etc.etc.. The food was absolutely on point, fresh and hot. Tasty, fulfilling and with an all you can eat walk-up salad bar loaded with fresh ingredients, I'm just so glad we're all past the 'Covid' timeline where this would've been all but shut down. The meal was NOT pricey, the Wait staff were super fast, efficient and quick with refills. Just can't find a negative to share. Love restaurants like this! And as a Vet, I thank you for honoring those from WITHIN your community that didn't make it home. Extremely honorable! God Bless!"

El Nido

★★★★☆ 3.9 (150) • $$$

"Had a family group of 9 at El Nido for dinner on a Wed night in Dec. Outstanding service and food! (Granted it was a slow night.) Cocktails were great. Everyone loved what they ordered: salmon, branzino, limoncello chicken, pork chop & mole, wagyu burger, 2 kinds of pizzas, and filet mignon. Can't say enough about how beautiful and tasty the dishes were. Spacious dining rooms made for fairly quiet dining. I would definitely eat here again the next time I'm in Santa Fe."

Shotgun Willie's Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.1 (130) • $

"Comfort food at its best! Not for those who need to be catered to but we found the staff to be friendly and the food was excellent. The BOB with sausage was great and the breakfast burrito in a bowl with brisket was even better."

Tiwa Kitchen Restaurant

★★★★★ 4.7 (31) • $$

"This has defiantly been our food highlight of New Mexico! Just outside of the Red Willow Pueblo sits Tiwa Kitchen. It can be easy to miss, so go slow. It was more of an off peak time, which just meant we were taken care of very quickly. I saw a former review that mentions that the restaurant is bare and lacking "ambiance". It's a small restaurant, with authentic Native American food cooked by members of the local tribe. I'm unsure what your looking for in a place like this, but we were content with the mountains in the background. I was extremely happy to see that they had chokeberry lemonade as well as chokeberry iced tea. I would probably get the iced tea on my next visit, as the lemonade was Minute Maid with the addition of chokeberry syrup. It was still very good, just a little sweeter than homemade. Everyone in our group wanted burgers! Everyone ordered blue corn fry bread buffalo burgers, I opted for a regular beef on plain fry bread. All of our meals came with fries. We were all very pleased with our meals. The burgers had great flavor and paired great with the cheese, as well as the airy fry bread. They came with classic green chili as well which was very spicy! The staff was so sweet and homey. They answered all the questions we had about the food, as well as questions about their tribe. I honestly wanted to cry, because I won't be able to have Tiwas when we get back home to TX. If your visiting the Pueblo, make it a point to eat here. If the Pueblo is closed, you can still eat here. If your staying in Taos, I highly suggest driving the two miles to get to the Pueblo. This is food you won't be able to get in town, and food you likely won't eat anywhere else!"

Carl's Chilli Hills

★★★☆☆ 2.8 (10) • $$

"Given a choice between supporting a chain restaurant or a locally owned and run establishment, local almost always gets support from me first.Awesome wifey found this spot during her research, so we had to check it out. The restaurant had loads of parking around it for cars and a reasonable sized lot next to it for trucks, buses and trailers.Our server managed the section of 6-8 tables well and refilled my sweet tea without request. She also brought out a basket of thin restaurant chips and salsa that was mildly hot and refreshingly flavorful.We ordered a stuffed Sopapilla which was very interesting--like a superior version of enchiladas; The Duke Burger which was bursting with flavors; and a Green Hill Chilli Burger which I found fascinating. The fries were superbly golden brown and had a particularly crispy exterior!We were so thrilled with our lunches that we ordered a piece of pie from the case. We were informed that a lady who was not an employee of the restaurant makes and sells them there. We did not catch the hint, and went ahead and ordered a Rhubarb Pie. It was a 2 star. Doughy crust, insipid filling--$4.50 mistake...That said, we will certainly return to visit whenever we pass through."

Church Street Café

★★★★☆ 3.6 • $$

"Like any other review, please take this one with a grain of salt lol I only ordered hot chocolate here lol We were in Old Town late in the evening and NOTHING was open. It was cold, we went to see the tree/lights, and were craving hot chocolate. This was the only place open around 7 pm at night. We went in and ordered 2 hot chocolates. It tasted like Abuelita hot chocolate with a dash of Chile powder, extra cinnamon, and richer chocolate. It was delicious and hit the spot! So in reality, we did not order food, but rather only Hot Chocolate. Service was great. The workers made conversation with us and did not make us feel like a bother. Old town was very quiet as was the restaurant. So if you're in the area and craving some hot chocolate - I recommend visiting Church Street Cafe!"

O'Niell's

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (250) • $$

"*****************Today was our first visit and Landon was our server. He mentioned he's been serving here for 7.5 years - which I consider a very good sign. The restaurant was shiny and spotless inside - something my wife and I both noticed and appreciated. Pride of ownership on display - and really nice to see.During our initial conversation with our server, I joked about my Irish heritage and my fortunate St Patrick's day birthday - I even showed my license to prove it :) ... unfortunately Landon shared he couldn't serve me a cocktail, because my auto drivers license had expired in March. My thoughts: Certainly don't want to "shoot the messenger" or break any liquor control laws. But it seems absurd an expired license makes it illegal for a bar to serve a 60+ years old guest a Guinness, during a 3:30pm lunch with his wife.But who knows - maybe there's an obscure New Mexico State liquor law, which I'm not aware of, stating you need a drivers license (which is current) in order to buy liquor or be served by a regulated establishment (bar, store). Oh my, what will people do, if they don't ever want to drive? Never be able to buy wine, port, bourbon or gasp tequila?My passport expires in 2027, my Global Entry Card, (allowing me to skip US Immigration) expires in 2025, my FAA Pilot License... none of these government ID's were going to be acceptable to my server apparently. Because he'd already witnessed my criminal action, with my expired drivers license. So "no" to the current passport and "no" to my beloved (anticipated) Guinness either. So Sad.First World problems ~ Earlier in the day, my wife was involved in six different orthopedic surgeries - and I was eager to enjoy a relaxing conversation with her, rather than wrestle with the restaurant for a cocktail. Meal:Our server knew the menu really well, and was kind enough to make some recommendations. Since I'm allergic to garlic powder, which is often found in seasonings like Lawry's or processed food from Sysco food trucks. Our server checked in with the kitchen about possible clean (non-powdered garlic seasonings) entrees offered. For me, Fresh Garlic or Fresh Scallions - are no problem at all. Unfortunately, nothing the kitchen prepped was surely free of Garlic Powder - and I appreciated them playing it safe. I settled on fish-n-chips while my wife enjoyed the shepherds pie. I wish this restaurant well. I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the setup of indoor and outdoor seating. The Irish environment would have benefited from some Irish Rovers music today or other Celtic tunes ... as the rain / monsoon unloaded on the roof.After our meal, and frequent check-ins from our server we received our check. Our server generously and kindly provided two $2.50 coupons for a future visit. I left them on the table, and my "ever so kind" spouse later retrieved them (while admonishing me).Will I return? NopeThere's a lot to like here, and I'm sure you'll enjoy your experience more than I did. ******************************"

Thunder Road Steakhouse & Cantina

★★★☆☆ 3 (82) • $$

"I ate here 2x and had drinks & guacamole one other time. 1st time here: I had a martini and it was perfect! My daughter had a mixed drink and she really enjoyed it. The highlight of the night... table side made guacamole! Oh my goodness. It was spot on! 2nd time- dinner before a concert and this place was PACKED and the servers were running their butts off. I had a salad and steak dinner. It was a HUGE serving! The highlight was my server, Mikey. Mikey made sure my water was full and checked on me often. If you have Mikey as your server you will be well cared for. 3rd time- I sat at the bar and had a martini ( again perfectly made) and the salmon thunder salad. I loved this salad so much that I dreamt of the dressing and am on a quest to duplicate it. Sometimes they have live music above/ behind the bar. The one night it was a great one man band and it was a good time."

The Kosmos

★★★★★ 4.6 (232) • $$

"This is definitely my go to spot for a buffalo chicken sandwich with crinkle cut fries.The menu is relatively simple and I recommend sticking with the burgers or the chicken sandwich offerings. They've got cocktails as well.I am so glad to see that their parking lot is finally paved. I know that was a massive adventure for the business. Last time I was there it looked like they were starting to work on a new and improved patio so I can't wait to check that out."

El Camino Dining Room

★★★★☆ 3.8 (89) • $$

"El Camino Dining Room on Route 66 in Albuquerque, NM, was one of our favorite stops during our visit... a visit focused on fan-boying our way through various Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul filming locations. From the moment you step through the door, you are transported to the nostalgic era of the 1950s, with its historical aura and charming decor that perfectly captures the spirit of that time.The quaintness of El Camino Dining Room is truly enchanting. The attention to detail in preserving a vintage diner atmosphere is commendable, and every corner of the restaurant exudes a sense of authenticity. The small counter, the heavily lacquered wood tables, mismatched chairs, old-school coffee mugs... the whole place was a fun throwback to a different time of travel across our great country.What adds an extra layer of excitement for fans of the AMC series Better Call Saul is the knowledge that this charming establishment was featured in several episodes. The connection to the show adds a unique allure, and you can almost imagine the characters from the series enjoying a meal in this nostalgic setting... even though the show made the place seem a lot larger than it actually is!One of the standout features of El Camino Dining Room is the generous portion sizes. The dishes served here are not only delicious but also hearty, ensuring that you leave completely satisfied. The menu offers a variety of classic American comfort foods, each prepared with care and attention to quality. Reasonable prices, even with the worldwide markup of everything that has happened over the last couple of years.The outstanding service further elevates the dining experience. The staff is friendly, attentive, and genuinely passionate about creating a memorable visit for patrons. Our interaction with the owner was a highlight, as she took the time to engage in casual conversation and share fascinating stories about Jonathan Banks and Rhea Seehorn, adding a personal touch to our experience.The owner's anecdotes about the actors from Better Call Saul added an extra layer of excitement to our visit. It was a pleasure to hear behind-the-scenes stories while enjoying a delicious meal. The casual and friendly atmosphere encouraged a relaxed and enjoyable dining experience.El Camino Dining Room is a must-visit destination for those seeking a taste of Route 66 nostalgia, excellent food, and a touch of TV history. The staff even let me geek out and recreate a couple of photo-angles from behind the counter. If you're a fan of the show, or just a fan of unpretentiously good food and better service, you have to stop in here on your next visit to the ABQ."

Effingbar And Grill

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (48) • $$

"Had their fish and chips! Pretty damn tasty. My husband had the green chili cheeseburger, ok that was DELICIOUS! HIGHLY recommend that bad boy. Props and kudos to the cook Keith Great customer service."

Chef T's House

★★★★☆ 4.2 (10)

"First visit yesterday. I saw ribeye steak on the menu and was surprised. Steak in a food court? It was great. A nice pink throughout medium. Highly recommended."

Santa Fe Bite

★★★★☆ 4 (512) • $$

"We just discovered this gem. LOVE the Chopped Veggie salad (we add chicken). We keep coming back for that.The staff has never failed to be welcoming and helpful. :)The fish & chips special looks amazing & not greasy -- but I had my tastebuds set on a burger today, so another time!I took off a star because I think, for its location, it's expensive (example...burgers: $12.50 for 6oz to $27 for 15oz)BUT I will say it's ALL TASTY! And worth the occasional splurge. They seem to have a loyal local following, which says a LOT for consistency. ;)"

The Original Owl Bar & Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.8 (234) • $

"Now that I had tried the burger joint across the street, we had to stop here. We made it just during the lunch rush (everyone was pretty much gone by the time we left). Service was friendly and food came out quickly. The decor was a little quirky with dollar bills and notes on the walls and pictures of famous people who had eaten there. Prices were reasonable ($21 for 2 burgers and an iced tea) and the green chile cheeseburger was good, but maybe not one of the top GCC's that I've had in the state. 2024 #38"

Elements

★★★★☆ 3.8 (44) • $$

"Elements brought it this time with the best experience I have had there. We were there on a Friday night around 5 Pm and sat outside on the deck. First, let me compliment the waitstaff - Ivy, Kai and Nicole (I think). On this night, the teamwork and organization of roles was on the level that I experience in the nicer restaurants in Houston. And we could see the same occurring at every table. Kudos to the individuals and the management. Everything happened when it should and we received just the right amount of attention. Our meals were very good. I was a bit concerned that the New Mexico green chile thing had been overdone (Las Cruces native here) but everything was tasteful. The "mile high" or "towering" onion rings were not. We didn't need more but beware this is a two person app not a three person app. The Fire Bread is indeed fiery; seemed like this was probably cayenne pepper, not green chile. My wife's ravioli portion was good and my cast iron chicken pot pie was tasty dominated by large chunks of white meat chicken. We always enjoy a night at Elements - when it is open."

The Art of Snacks

★★★★★ 4.6 (15) • $

"I cannot believe that a little food truck somewhat off the beaten path has THE BEST HAMBURGER I'VE EVER EATEN. We stopped there more or less be chance while driving from Albuquerque. I live in Denver and my wife and I are planning a day trip to back to Raton just to get lunch at the the Art of Snacks. It's that good."

Cottonwood on the Greens

★★★☆☆ 2.7 (50) • $$$$

"I tried the yak burger and I enjoyed it. I like that they have a ton of different burger meat selections. Great fries too. I tried the pizza a couple of weeks ago and it too was pretty good. Nice staff as well."

Terracotta Wine Bistro

★★★★☆ 4.3 (427) • $$$

"Our first night in Santa Fe (A Monday )and I searched for dog friendly restaurants with patios and lucked out with TerraCotta Wine Bistro! I called at 5:00 and they had space for 2 on the patio and booked a time for 7:15. It exceeded my expectations. Charming and Sublime with a neighborhood feel are words that come to mind. It was a true dining experience! My pork snitzel was great and my husbands pasta dish was also. Prices were fair for such a great experience. Weather was 78 and breezy, the rose garden attracted humming birds, soft Nora Jones type music and, our waitress was so professional and friendly. The hostess even brought our dog a water bowl. So happy they were open on a Monday and our first meal in Santa Fe was so delicious. I could envision this being our regular place if we lived here."

Totemoff's Bar & Grill

★★★★☆ 4.4 (5)

"I love Totemoff's!!! What a wonderful and charming bar located in the middle of the Ski Santa Fe mountains. They have a full bar inside, you can also get their hot chocolate...yummy! A good amount of food to choose from. I personally got the Frito Pie because I was told that was the mid-ski snack to get....good choice! Two people even asked me what I got and then proceeded to order it as well. It's nice that they have the food area outside for quick service and the bar located inside. Seating is located both inside and out. They also have some cute swinging ski chair lift seats for people to sit back with a drink and watch the slopes.Great viewing deck of a bunch of ski runs. Relaxing place to loosen up your boot buckles and relax. Remember: at 11-12,000 feet, 1-2 beers can get you nice and toasted.Can't wait to come back to Ski Santa Fe & Totemoff's again! Love it!"

The Burger Den

★★★★☆ 4 (3)

"So - this is Denny's. I like Denny's. They are a consistent, American diner chain. A solid 3 stars, pretty much all the time, everywhere, even in Santa Fe - even with takeout, regardless of what they call their takeout business. Which I guess is now "The Burger Den""

Zayra's Cafe

★★★★★ 4.7 (30)

"What a great local place, and geez do all types of people show up once it's lunchtime. No worries, however, tbe front counter is ready. orders come out promptly; service is top notch.but tbe food--wow. they have specials worth a look and then a true mix of tex-mex favorites and American grill favorites. i tried the patty melt--fantastic--fresh generous serving, onions cooked right. My spouse raved about the milkshake too"

The Burger Stand

★★★★☆ 3.6 (424) • $$

"excellent staff, good beer and food. favorite place ever, no. but like i said- excellent staff, good beer and food. nothing to write home about but i think the staff makes up for it"

Safire Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.8 (84) • $$

"Yummy yummy yummy! Havent been in years. Food has always been great and they did a remodeling job. Love the staff and will be back! Breakfast is always so good !"

Rio Bravo Brewing

★★★★☆ 3.7 (258) • $$

"What a great spot! Dog friendly! We went on a weekday and were lucky to find space outside on the patio so we had room for our dog that is in the middle of training.The food was delicious (chicken sando was incredible) and the beers were spot on.Parking was easy. Best of all the crew that took care of us and our pup were fantastic."

The Pantry Dos

★★★★★ 4.5 (189) • $$

"I come here every week. Iconik coffee with breakfast is always a perk. Some of the best, most consistent food in town. Don't miss out on the specials! I've never had something here I didn't like. It's great to go somewhere and see the same faces. You can tell people enjoy working here. Their red and green chile snacks. Nice, spacious and clean restaurant. Smoke parking."

Cottonwood Kitchen

★★★★☆ 3.8 (12)

"#81 for 2019I'm not much for casinos but when my dad wants to throw some money their way who am I to complain? Instead, of wasting my hard earned money on slots I I seek out the eateries, looking for donuts! I stopped at the hostess stand at Cottonwood Kitchen to glance at the menu. All the noms sounded good so I decided to step in, have a seat near the huge picture windows and explore the menu since I have plenty of time on my hands! Wow! That's a rarity in my busy life! It was a tough choice for me! I was stuck on two plates. The seafood cobb salad or the Chopped Chile Chicken Salad! What to do...what to do?? While I was trying to decide on my dish for the night I had excellent service from the koolest server!! Darn, I should have asked her name! Who doesn't love to be #yelpfamous! She answered all my Foodie questions!I chose the Chopped Chile Chicken Salad!! I won't go into too much detail because it is so good you all need to stop by Tesuque Casino and try it! What I will share though is that it's big enough to feed a family of four! Ok ok I exaggerate maybe it's a family of three! Through my questions to my server I found out they use local ingredients in alot of their dishes including this delightful salad! You know the NM Donut Kween is all about #thinklocal #supportlocal #buylocal #eatlocal so to find out the tomatoes and greens are locally grown has made my heart happy!!!Next time... I'm ordering the Prime Rib! I hear it's pretty darn good!! *wink*"

Tako Ten

★★★★☆ 4.3 (334) • $$

"Picture yourself in a boat on a riverWith tangerine trees and marmalade skiesSomebody calls you, you answer quite slowlyA girl with kaleidoscope eyesCellophane flowers of yellow and greenTowering over your headLook for the girl with the sun in her eyesAnd she's goneLucy in the sky with diamonds..After zapping down Tramway we stopped into Tako Ten for their fare....We shared "The Fighter" a delicious Brisket Taco w. Salsa & good guaco mon and "The Rancher" a Carne Asada Taco w. Cheese, Onion & yes more of the good guac mon..:)We topped our tacos with a most excellent kaleidoscope of sauces. We washed our Grub down w. cans of Modelo Especial. We also enjoyed the Art Work on their Walls... This was a fun Late Lunch for the Old Folk..:) Newspaper taxis appear on the shore..Waiting to take you awayClimb in the back with your head in the clouds..And you're gone..Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds..:)Best, Avram Len McCartney Jr."

Bakery & Cafe @ Angel Fire

★★★★☆ 3.7 (134) • $

"We love the breakfast, using real eggs and fresh veggies. Coffee was good. Baked goods were scrumptious. Service is average to alittle slow but that's ok. The place was clean well lighted. Good seventies and eighties music going. We will be back."

Skidmore's Holiday Bowl

★★★☆☆ 3 (66) • $$

"We really enjoyed hanging out in the restaurant and listening to The Disclaimers. It's a good place to drink, eat and listen to music. We had a burger and fries and it was delicious. The nachos and tacos were enjoyed by others at our table also. Someone else had the Hawaiian pizza but was not impressed by it. The salads looked really good also. Marcus was our server and did a great job waiting on us. They had good local beer on tap, a good selection of red wine and a full bar. Check it out; it's not just a bowling alley!"

Treehouse Bar & Lounge

★★★★★ 4.6 (52) • $$

"This place is neat! It's within walking distance from the Historic Taos Inn, it has a formal dining room downstairs and a bar and lounge area up stairs. It seemed casual however and the decor and ambiance of the place seemed modern yet rustic. We headed upstairs and arranged the armchairs and side tables around so our group could mingle. Our server Megan greeted us, and even helped bring side tables over to accommodate us, she was great! We came late - maybe 45 minutes before the kitchen closed, however we were not rushed at all! We started with the olives and the cheese board- OUTSTANDING. We then ordered the Filet Mignon. WOW! It was delectable- the meat was delicious, the garlic mashed potatoes with crispy onions, and the delicious mole sauce all came together to make the perfect entre. I ate every bite. The service from Megan was top notch - she took care of our large group attentively and offered amazing customer service. Definitely try this place if you're in Taos."

Jaripeo Grill And Beer

★★★★★ 5 (2)

"Great food! Great service! Definitely recommend! Central american food, american food, mexican!"

Shake Foundation

★★★☆☆ 2.8 (428) • $$

"Serviceable burger but no great shakes, if you'll excuse the pun. The meat was good, but the flavor/seasoning was nonexistent. The fries were awful. The service was just OK. You could get something better at McDonald's for half the price, frankly."

The Landing With Pizza 9

★★★★☆ 3.9 (31)

"Hosted my meetup here last night because we wanted to try a new place. It was quite busy on a Tuesday evening which is great. Service was wonderful. Had a mixup with my order that had me waiting a while for my food, but once it arrived to spaghetti with meatballs was pretty good. I will for sure be coming back to try other things and hopefully they get NFL Sunday ticket because they have a lot of nice big TVs."

Master Food Truck

★★★★★ 5 (3)

"Cute little food stall but I would call ahead cause it's the sweetest lady cooking and taking the orders. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!!! I got the Sopes and it's the best I've had in a long time and I grew up with homemade Sopes."

Santa Fe Capitol Grill

★★★☆☆ 3 (184) • $$

"Well they were out of first choice for apps.So tried fried cheese pretty good!!The food was really good drinks were good.Would definitely recommend And you can sit at bar look outside was very beautiful day!!"