The Top List of Best Buy Restaurants - Albuquerque/Santa Fe, NM
Bring your appetite to any of the bistros by Caren Calvin
Wherever you've come from and whatever your taste in food, you can find a restaurant that caters to it in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Want to sample New Mexican homemade comfort, have a yen for some Chinese chow or the variety of a buffet? You'll find a selection of eateries that will please your palate. What about your wallet? Bring your appetite to any of the bistros on this list and you'll leave feeling like you got your money's worth and then some.
Mon-Thur: 11:00 am - 11:00pm Friday: 11:00 am - Midnight Saturday: 8:00 am - Midnight Sunday: 8:00 am - 10:00 pm Sat-Sun - Breakfast: 8:00 am - 1:00 pm
What's cooler than cruising Route 66? Eating at the Route 66 Diner. It's the real thing, with blue-plate specials; mouth-watering chicken fried steak, big burgers and the best milkshakes in town. Send pictures to the relatives and take another sip of that shake (you can add a flavor), you'll leave with a full tank (of food) and in the mood for a drive down the Mother Road with the windows down! Owner Erik Willis has provided a rock n' roll feel with turquoise booths, the coolest jukebox and plenty of memorabilia from the heyday of the American diner and Route 66. Have fun.
Estimated cost per person: $10-$15
Holiday Schedule: Closed for New Year's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
Mon-Thur: 11:00 am - 10:00 pm Fri-Sat: 11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Serving a wide variety of California-Italian style brick oven baked pizzas, pasta dishes and delectable salads, Scarpas's also provides an air of old Italy. Decorated with wine bottles, flowers and old country pictures, against a chipped stucco backdrop, Scarpa's adds a touch of romance and a quality dining experience without the big ticket or the stuffy atmosphere. Enjoy one of the 10" specialty pizzas, such as the Thai Chicken or Green Chili Cheeseburger Pizza, or select a plate of New Orleans Pasta. All ingredients are prepared fresh daily. You'll probably want to wash it down with a selection from the extensive Imported Beer and Wine list.
Estimated cost per person: $15-$20
Holiday Schedule: Closed on Christmas and Thanksgiving Days only
MAIN CHINESE BUFFET 5555 Zuni Rd. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108 505-266-8899
Hours:
Sun-Thur: 11:00 am - 9:00 pm Fri-Sat: 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Friendly service, a delicious Chinese food buffet, and a low price? Here it is; the lunch buffet is just $4.79, weekday evenings $6.59 and weekends just $7.59, including more seafood entrees. Hard to believe isn't it? Main Chinese features a 36-item buffet, which varies daily and contains no MSG. Eat all you can hold, and then have a soft serve cone for dessert. You can also order from the menu, if you have a favorite dish you've been craving. Either way, you won't leave hungry, and you'll definitely be back again soon.
Estimated cost per person: $11-$12
Holiday Schedule: Open daily year 'round.
MR. POWDRELL'S BARBEQUE HOUSE 5209 4th Street NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107 505-345-8086 11309 East Central Ave NE Albuquerque NM 87123 505-298-6766
Hours: 10:30-8 (Mon-Thurs); 10:30-9 (Fri-Sat); Closed Sundays Every once in a while, don't you just crave real southern barbeque in a laid-back, family atmosphere? Locally famous for his barbeque, Mr. Powdrell and family brought the flavors of their black-southern recipes to Albuquerque in 1969. Hickory smoked on-site the BBQ is exceptional, and with side dishes like well seasoned collard greens and black-eyed peas, you can imagine you're in sight of the Mississippi River. There's also fried catfish in season, flown in for freshness. Bring the kids and eat family-style, and don't worry about a thing. (Menu items may be purchased in quantity too.)
Estimated cost per person: $10-$20
Holiday Schedule: Closed for New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
Mon-Thur: 6:30 am - 9:00 pm Fri-Sat: 6:30 am - 10:00 pm Sunday: 6:30 am - 8:00 pm
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Hurricane's Café is the perfect place for family meals on a budget. Famous for their Disaster burrito, a he-man sized beef and bean burrito smothered in fries, covered with red and green chili and cheese; don't be surprised if you have to holler uncle. The Disaster may be purchased in ½ and ¼ sizes for lesser appetites. Eat inside or out, or even in your car. Yes, Hurricane's still provides car-side service, and you can't get more American than that.
Estimated cost per person: $10-$12
Holiday Schedule: Closed Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
Sun-Thur: 11:00 am - 9:00 pm Fri-Sat: 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Sweet Tomatoes is a salad buffet restaurant. For giant salad lovers, that means an all-you-can-eat salad, plus freshly prepared muffins and soups, pasta and pizza focaccia. Vegetarians and salad fanatics can eat their fill guilt-free, and then polish it off at the yummy yogurt bar packed with an assortment of toppings all for one price. Meet the girls for lunch or gather for an evening meal while the traffic dies down; Sweet Tomatoes is conveniently located on San Mateo and Academy. You probably won't feel like a virtuous dieter when you're finished, but who cares?
Estimated cost per person: $11-$12
Holiday Schedule: Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
Hours: Mon-Thur: 11:00 am - 8:00 pm Fri-Sat: 11:00 am - 9:00 pm Closed Sunday
A family-owned and operated restaurant for 25 years, Eloy's is a treasure for New Mexican food lovers. Have some chicken enchiladas topped with sour cream and red chili sauce, and finish with sapodillas and honey; just like grandma would make, if she could. Enjoy the Mexican décor and background music as you eat the fresh, delicious food. Say good night to co-owners Rosie (Serna) and Loretta (Martinez) on the way out; you'll be old friends in no time.
Estimated cost per person: $10-$12
Holiday Schedule: Closed Christmas Day, July 4th, and Thanksgiving
Open Daily at 11:00 am (year round) Wednesday - Dinner: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm Fri-Sun: 11:00 am - 8:00 pm Sat-Sun - Breakfast: 9:30 am - 11:00 am (Summer ONLY)
Make a day of it and travel the Turquoise Trail between Albuquerque and Santa Fe for a real treat. Whether before or after perusing the quaint one-of-a-kind shops of Madrid, stop in the Mine Shaft Tavern for refreshments, and perhaps hang around for the live performances next door on Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Try a buffalo steak in season, or an extra-lean charcoal grilled burger and homemade soup, or go for the daily special. The atmosphere is great and so is the food.
Estimated cost per person: $10-$15
Holiday Schedule: Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
Dinner Only Starting at 5:30 Daily Reservations Preferred
Have you been praying for a great place to eat in Santa Fe that doesn't require you to pay with an arm and a leg? Well that's just what the owners of Andiamo set out to provide. Feast on grilled shrimp ravioli, or any of the other fine Italian selections, and soak up the feeling of a friendly neighborhood eatery. This chef goes the extra mile for fresh, quality ingredients; the mozzarella cheese and sausages are prepared on-site to guarantee quality.
Estimated cost per person: $18-$25
Holiday Schedule: Closed Super Bowl Sunday, Easter, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
MARIA YSABEL 301 Jefferson St., Santa Fe, NM 87501 505-986-8223
Hours:
Mon-Sat: 7:00 am - 9:00 pm
Owner Bell Mondragon prepares delicious Mexican dishes, such as huevos rancheros and chicarron burritos, for her guests in a smoke-free atmosphere. There are also vegetarian and American food selections, and a children's menu available, so everyone gets just what they want to eat. Eight course family-style meals may also be ordered, and patio dining is an option. On the weekend, you just might be serenaded by Bell's husband Roberto; either way you'll feel at ease and leave contented. The restaurant will be at their new location by Memorial Day, with extended hours and the same friendly service.
Estimated cost per person: $10-$15
Holiday Schedule: Closed New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
The Top List of Best Buy Restaurants - Albuquerque/Santa Fe, NM