BOBBY FLAY HAS A RECIPE FOR THEM. OUR STATE FAIR HAS A CONTEST TO CROWN THE BEST ONES. AND MORE THAN 100 RESTAURANTS IN ABQ HAVE THEM ON THE MENU. WHY?
BECAUSE THERE’S NO BETTER VARIATION ON A BURGER, THAT’S WHY. HERE’S A CITY-WIDE, MOUTH-WATERING TOUR OF OUR BELOVED GCCB.
WORDS BY CLARKE CONDÉ PICS BY DON JAMES
Baseball’s “Home Run Derby” comes to Isotopes Park; a kids’ book inspired by the real-life trauma of a four-legged friend; a mural that stands out for its size and message; memories and praise for the wondrous green chile cheeseburger; the continuing expansion of Netflix at Mesa del Sol.
Two decades after starting as the first employee of Saranam, Tracy Weaver continues to lead the non-profit as its Executive Director.
UNM’s Department of Theater & Dance has long been synonymous with Paul Ford, the program’s retired professor and director.
As a young man, Damien Flores sharpened his skills in ABQ’s slam poetry scene. Last month, he was named the city’s poet laureate.
Plenty of thought and work will go into pulling off the 25th Annual Great Southwestern Antique Show, a ‘must-attend’ event for ABQ art collectors.
Storytellers
“Roadside Geology of New Mexico,” by Magdalena Sandoval Donahue and Lucy Chronic; “What Dogs Have Taught Me,” with Julie Hart; “Middle of Somewhere,” from Lindsay Rutland.
A monthly check-in with longtime Tiempo editor Mel Minter on the new performers—and familiar faces—making waves in ABQ’s thriving local music scene.
Dancing Queen from UN-17 Speakeasy.
Tamashi.
Belle’s Urban Deli; Horizon Bagels and Cafe.
Michelle Bishop-Couch talks family services and chicharrones.
Info-filled nuggets about the city’s restaurants to take with you on the go.
AUGUST 2024
Volume 21 Number 4
PUBLISHING DIRECTOR
Lise Watkins lise@abqthemag.com
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Clarke Condé clarke@abqthemag.com
PHOTO DIRECTOR
Don James don@abqthemag.com
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Emily Klumpenhower emily@abqthemag.com
DATEBOOK EDITOR
Lori Wilding datebook@abqthemag.com
CONTRIBUTORS
Tristen Critchfield
Mel Minter
Aimee Prebola
Peter St. Cyr
Adam Clark
Albuquerque The Magazine (ISSN 1936-4350) is published monthly except January by Albuquerque The Media Corporation, 1550 Mercantile Ave. NE, Top Floor, Albuquerque, NM 87107. Periodicals Postage Paid at Albuquerque, NM 87101, and at additional mailing offices.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Albuquerque The Magazine, 1550 Mercantile Ave. NE, Top Floor, Albuquerque, NM 87107.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
We welcome letters to the Editor. You may e-mail yours to editor@abqthemag.com, or submit it directly from our website, or via snail mail.
EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS
Our editorial calendar is available online at www.abqthemag.com/MediaKit.pdf. No phone calls, please. Unsolicited manuscripts require a SASE.
225 Fun
226 Look Good, Feel Good
An intro to using cannabis to help with insomnia; which is better—a Waterpik™ or good, old-fashioned dental floss?
228 Local Stuff We Love
Local retail goodies that will help you stay safe and stylish in the summer sunshine.
230 Shop Talk
For 13 years, Patty Puhl and Berdel Boulanger have elevated Silk Road Connection with quality goodies.
232 Paws Button
The North Valley is home to Cummins Alpaca Farm, where the soft and cuddly creatures delight adults and kids alike.
235 Amazing Pets
This month’s winners: Henryham, Rio and Sugar.
236 Passenger Window
The old downtown Railyards Turntable, once used to rotate train cars, is still a sight to behold.
239 Photo Contest
This month’s winner: The Peace Eagle, photographed by Berna Herrera
240 A Few Things
Mild-mannered TV weatherman? Not Joe Diaz. The longtime KOAT, Ch. 7 meteorologist talks hiking, swimming and biking.
AUGUST
PUBLISHER
Larryl Lynch larryl@abqthemag.com
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
Gena Goodson gena@abqthemag.com
ADVERTISING MANAGER
Philip Kjelland philip@abqthemag.com
SENIOR ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE
Megan Life megan@abqthemag.com
PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Bill Stanage bill@abqthemag.com
PUBLISHING COORDINATOR
Jake Handler jake@abqthemag.com
BUSINESS OFFICE business@abqthemag.com
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER EMERITUS Scott Davis (1966–2004)
I’ve had a note taped to my desk since I started this issue on green chile cheeseburgers. It’s a quote from an email I got from the editor of the Guadalupe County Communicator, Tom McDonald – “‘Chili’ is from Tixas.” I find it has kept me focused as we tackled the monumental task of trying to get a handle on writing about the green chile cheeseburgers in Albuquerque.
The first thing to know is that they are a homegrown thing. Sorry, Texas. The next is that it seems like every place in town has one. If we missed your favorite spot, feel free to drop us a note. Finally, it’s not like it used to be with these burgers. There is a sophistication with many of the ones on our list that elevates them beyond the ordinary. Chefs are taking things to new levels with mindful local ingredient sourcing and extraordinarily detailed interest in the green chile they use. If you see a place on our list that you have not tried before, do. You may be pleasantly surprised.
In this issue, I also got a chance to sit down with Albuquerque’s newly minted poet laureate, Damien Flores. We spent an hour talking about poetry, kids and city neighborhoods on the patio of Satellite Coffee across from UNM. Our conversation kept coming back to a few coffee shops that aren’t around anymore like Winning Coffee, whose sign was still visible from where we were sitting. Flores is of this city and his take on the place is rooted in its street-level history. What he has planned for his stint as the city’s poet speaks to the future and certainly is worth a read.
Talking with Paul Ford was a pleasure. His name is almost synonymous with theater in this town. When
I asked him what Shakespearean play would most appropriately be set in Albuquerque he said “The Tempest.” I’m going to sit with the idea of our city as an island for a moment but you may find his story an epic on its own.
One highlight of this past month was attending the ribbon cutting for the Netflix expansion. I remember going to a press conference twenty years ago where then-Governor Bill Richardson talked about starting the film incentives. His name was in the air throughout the Netflix event. The city, and what the world thinks of the city, wouldn’t be the same without the film industry. I can’t wait to see what comes next here with the Netflix expansion.
Finally, let me just say that it has been fantastic working on this issue, checking out all these green chile cheeseburgers and catching up with what has been happening around town. We are already at work on the next issue and have great things planned for the rest of the year. Until then, enjoy your summer.
As Ever,
Clarke Condé Editor-In-Chief
First off, let’s be clear: any single one of the green chile cheeseburgers in this issue could have been our cover model. They were all amazing (and tasty!). We picked Laguna Burger’s version, and the team there was kind enough to give us a deconstructed burger so we could gently re-build it for the shoot. After Associate Publisher Gena Goodson and other ATM staff poked and nudged the burger to photographic perfection, Photo Director Don James snapped the cover image.
Photo taken July 11, 2024 at Albuquerque The Magazine’s photo studio.
TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME
It’s getting hot this summer with some Major League Baseball action at the Home Run Derby X. Homerun hitting mixed with fastpaced play and defense in the field, plus a roster of big hitters from near and far. Play ball! (p. 26).
HITTING IT OUT OF THE PARK
Your Albuquerque Isotopes are at it again, this time with a fastpaced treat for baseball fans on Friday, August 23. Teaming up with Major League Baseball, Albuquerque will host Home Run Derby X, a coed baseball format with an emphasis on power-hitting and defensive moves. A single action-packed game takes only 30 minutes. Players get a single at bat of two minutes during which time points are scored for offensive hits and defensive catches. When the game is over, the team with the most points takes the win. To bring the heat, you’ll find none other
than MLB legends Manny Ramirez, Ian Desmond and Jonny Gomes to join Jocelyn Alo, Ashton Lansdell, Alex Hugo and Albuquerque native Andrea Howard on the field with a lineup of locals to hit it out of the park. Expect a night at the ballpark that moves a whole lot faster than you are used to. Plus they are giving away Manny Ramirez Mariachis jerseys to the first 3,000 fans. That’s a double play. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and the game starts at 7:10 p.m. For more information and tickets, see milb.com/albuquerque. — Clarke Condé
ART THROUGH STRUGGLE
A duo of Albuquerque artists have completed a new mural for the Art Through Struggle Gallery at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. The seven-panel mural by Leah Povi Marie Lewis (Laguna, Taos, Zuni Pueblos/Hopi/Diné) and Votan Henriquez (Maya/Nahua) focuses on Po’pay, the Ohkay Owingeh leader of the 1680 Pueblo Revolt, rendering the images in a playful kawaii style that resembles Japanese anime. The two artists, together known as the NSRGNTS Collective, use the bright colors and the approachable style of kawaii to foster conversations and storytelling about Pueblo empowerment and resilience. The mural tells the story of the revolt against the cruel and violent
treatment of the Pueblo people at the hands of the Spanish, placing Po’pay as a role model, projecting strength and resistance. The contrast between the cheerful style of the renderings and the powerful, traumatic story offers a new way to approach and learn about the conditions surrounding the revolt.
Dr. Michelle Lanteri, Head Curator of the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center says of the work, “Their mural creates a dynamic window into the ways that Indigenous artists process intergenerational trauma and healing through visual art.” The mural will be on exhibit through June 1, 2025.
–Clarke Condé
AGE 8
SCHOOL NORTH STAR ELEMENTARY
Koi Garcia’s mother, Anna Garcia, says “Koi has always been incredibly kind and sweet to all those around him.” A fun fact about Koi is that he learned to climb rock walls before he learned to walk, which was pretty cool and pretty scary for his parents. His favorite food is from Five Guys, but when eating there, he stays away from his least favorite food, mustard. Koi loves being outside, playing soccer and catching butterflies. He also spends time inside gaming and loves playing Fortnite with his friends.
Our Famous Green Chile Cheeseburgers
Andrew Bustos EXECUTIVE CHEF
RANCHERS CLUB OF NM
“We always used to stop at the Owl Bar & Café in San Antonio when I was a kid when we were driving to visit family down south—and my family and I still stop there to this day! The iconic décor, the green chile cheeseburger, the famous people, dollar bills on the wall, and the home cooking from that amazing family, it’s one of my favorite memories growing up. And now my kids are making memories there with me, too.”
Four-Legged Inspiration Rescue
Horses have always been a big part of Kendra Loring’s life, from her days as a “4-H kid” growing up in Massachusetts, to her bachelor’s degree in Equine Studies and Riding. In turn, that led to her trek west to ABQ, where she founded Enchanted Equine Adventures in the far South Valley in 2012.
And now her horse-related resume includes a children’s book she authored, “The Saga of Henri Standing Bear, A Rescue Story,” released last month. “The book is based on a true story, about a horse that has trauma and gets depressed and loses his will to live,” says Loring, who was also a published writer covering local music while at Johnson and Wales University in Rhode Island.
Loring adopted two rescue horses about the time she started her ABQ horse riding business, and one of them was Henri Standing Bear, an experienced ranch horse that became the inspiration and namesake for the book. Loring, who is a certified therapeutic riding instructor, says some of the book’s human charac-
horse helps bring an ABQ children’s book to lifE
ters also came from inspiration. “There are several kids who are characters in the book and they’re based on people that I know, some of my riders [at Enchanted Equine Adventures],” says Loring.
Some of those characters have disabilities and some don’t, just like her student riding population. “I teach riding to adults with disabilities, I have senior women who ride with me, I have home-school students who ride with me,” says Loring. “I specialize in introducing horses to those with anxiety or PTSD.”
As herd animals, horses are naturally kind to humans, says Loring. “If you’re in the herd with them, you’re safe,” she says. “They are wonderful as therapeutic animals. They’re great at controlling stress levels, both for them and for humans.”
The book is available now on Amazon. com, or you can go through Loring directly for copies with both her autograph and the hoofprint of Henri. Cost is $20.
—Luis Diamante
Carol Wight CEO
NM RESTAURANT ASSOC.
“The green chile cheeseburger experience in New Mexico is a culinary adventure like no other! It’s an iconic dish, and often considered as New Mexico’s official state burger. It’s believed to have originated in New Mexico in the 1940s, and has become a staple cuisine that’s widely enjoyed across the state. The vibrant green chile adds a fiery kick to any burger—an authentic taste of the Southwest that you don’t want to miss!”
Paxton Vinyard
Paxton is a nine-year-old boy who gets 100% or higher in every class. Bodie, Paxton’s father, says he is obsessed with learning. He learns for fun in his free time. He has written many of his own languages and alphabets. Paxton is creative and loves art. He is currently learning Hebrew (for fun). He can also name every country on Earth just by the shape, flag, biggest to smallest (with approximately 98% accuracy), and their capitals. He has a passion for our planets, galaxies, reading and math. After all that studious work, he makes time for art. Paxton draws and paints almost daily.
ark It HERE
USS BULLHEAD MEMORIAL PARK
1606 SAN PEDRO DR. SE
Albuquerque’s USS Bullhead Memorial Park is tucked up against Kirtland Air Force Base in the city’s southeast. This park is one of the area’s largest and serves both as a veterans’ memorial and a popular spot for multiple sports.
As a memorial, three World War II-era torpedoes stand as a remembrance to the 84 crew members who died when their submarine, the USS Bullhead, was at-
tacked by the Japanese on Aug. 6, 1945, while patrolling off the coast of Indonesia. The U.S. lost 52 submarines during World War II and each state established a memorial to the submariners that gave their lives. While the USS Bullhead was clearly not from New Mexico, it was the last of the U.S. submarines lost in World War II, sunk on the day the U.S. dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima.
As a park, the USS Bullhead sports seven soccer fields, four lit softball diamonds, two playgrounds and a dog park on 44 acres. Weekends often find the park filled with hundreds of sports fans watching teams from around the state. Weekdays are far more relaxed with picnickers, loungers and dog walkers enjoying this beautiful, wide-open green space.
–Clarke Condé
PHOTOS BY CLARKE CONDÉ
Our Famous Green Chile Cheeseburgers
Dan Mourning GENERAL MANAGER
EXPO NEW MEXICO DIRECTOR
NEW MEXICO STATE FAIR
“The N.M. State Fair Green Chile Cheeseburger Challenge is epic and iconic. We even invite the public to pick the ‘people’s choice’ winner. My favorite part is to watch their expressions as they experience the meaty, juicy deliciousness complemented by the heat of our N.M. chile. It’s even more priceless when someone gets a good jolt from some particularly spicy chile! Just one of the many reasons I love my job.”
IF YOUR POSTS OF ABQ ARE AWESOME ENOUGH TO PRINT, TAG THEM!
TAPAS
Last month, Netflix cut the ribbon on their massive expansion project to create a production hub at Mesa Del Sol. Netflix began its plans in 2018 when it purchased the thriving ABQ Studios. The new facilities include four new soundstages, a production office and several support buildings, taking the total footprint of the production campus from 28 acres to 108.
Gov. Lujan Grisham spoke at the event saying, “We’re proud to see Netflix deepen its roots in New Mexico, creating thousands of jobs and boosting our local economy.” To date, Netflix has reportedly invested nearly $575 million in projects in Albuquerque.
INFILL
Many in attendance spoke of the late governor Bill Richardson who championed the film incentives that are credited with growing the film industry in New Mexico. Statewide, the film and TV industry has increased production by 51% over the last five years, with filming in Albuquerque taking a large slice of the growth. It is hoped that by investing in a new facility, this growth will only continue. Echoing that sentiment, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller added, “This is more than just an expansion of Netflix’s facility, it’s an expansion of opportunities for our families.”
—Clarke Condé
PHOTOS BY CLARKE CONDÉ
FACES&PLACES
Annual César Chávez and Dolores Huerta Celebration National
Hispanic Cultural Center
Live music, singing, dancing, and honored keynote speeches filled the air at the 31st César Chávez and Dolores Huerta Anniversary Celebration on April 13. Hundreds of people were in attendance to celebrate the legacy of these renowned civil rights leaders, as well as enjoy the morning car show and the annual presentation of the “Sí Se Puede” Awards.
3.
4.
5. Joanna
6. Jo Guzman, Carlos Guzman, Santana Guzman
7. Benjamin Imbus, Shannon McKenna
1. Diego Grant, Kalli Ollin, Mario Yedra, Fidel Gonzalez
2. Landis Pulido, Jacqui Martinez
James Sullivan, Alina Pozas
Mark C Mora, Sandra Narro
Martinez, Alana Chavez, Angelica Martinez
FACES&PLACES
Raising The Roof Indian Cultural Center
The Greater Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity hosted a Night of Hope and Giving, the nonprofit’s annual Raising the Roof Fundraiser on Saturday, April 27. Donors enjoyed dinner, cocktails, a silent auction and were entertained with traditional Indian dances.
1. Vivian Hicks, Marc Michalski
2. Patricia Sanchez, Miguel Sanchez
3. Ann Mahony, Catherine Elliott
4. Eliezer Yañez, Arad Yañez
5. Madeline Carlisle, Nathan Behrens
6. Allan Emord, Patty Emord
7. Joseph Hayah, Isabella Augustine-Jock, Kaliyah Valley
FACES&PLACES
Pedals and Petals Santa Fe Brewing - Green Jeans
Food is Free Albuquerque (FIFA) partnered with Santa Fe Brewing and other non-profits in Albuquerque for their first annual Pedals and Petals Bike and Garden Party on March 23. The fundraiser raised money to support and recognize New Mexico outdoor recreation and kick off the spring season. This was a family-friendly event that gave attendees the chance to enjoy gardening workshops, bicycle education and live music.
6.
7. Katherine White, Shesana Stapp
1. Katie Rincon, Dominic Rincon
2. Nathaniel Mascareñas, Jonah Molina
3. Rosarita Pinto, Haidi Pinto
4. Shawn Young, Desiree Cox
5. Anna Wheeler, Kate Colovos
Charleigh Rodriquez, Nathaniel Jojola
FACES&PLACES
Rio Bravo Brewing Women’s Festival
On March 30th Rio Bravo Brewery on Second Street hosted their second festival in honor of International Women’s Month. The fundraiser supported the Barrett Foundation and the Rape Crisis Center of Central New Mexico, as well as supporting local women in art, business and music. Those in attendance enjoyed local food, entertainment and a chance to connect within the community.
1. Ann Marie Flischman, Danielle Lithyouvong, Courtney Zapata
Young Professionals of Albuquerque hosted its 15th Annual City-Wide Mixer on April 11. Being the organization’s largest event, it brought hundreds of professional organizations together for an evening of celebration, community building and networking. This free event was open to all professionals or professional-supporting organizations, including trades, entrepreneurs and artists.
7.
1. Ethan Romero, Nick Chavez, Dan Majewski
2. Spencer Hill, Sydney Plant, Ashley Herbert
3. Imelda Andrade, Samantha Aracely Lopez
4. Van Nunley, Austin Megli, Kevin Salazar
5. Cesar Duron, Ariel Arevalo
6. Kat Bloom, David Bloom
Michael Medina, Andrew Moser
EINSTEIN: A STAGE PORTRAIT BY WILLARD SIMMS
SUNDAY 18 | 2 PM
The Ronald Gardenswartz Jewish Community Center proudly presents Tom Schuch as Dr. Einstein during an afternoon of humor, introspection, science, and a little violin. A Q&A period will follow the performance, featuring special guest Dr. Jack Shlachter, a nuclear physicist and Rabbi based in Los Alamos. Info: JCC, 5520 Wyoming Blvd. NE, (505) 332-0565. Tickets available at jccabq.org/meeting/Einstein or call (505) 418-4469.
AUGUST 2024
Trust us, these are a few ABQ events YOU CAN'T MISS.
SUNDAY
SEPTEMBER 1
6:30 AM–
6:30 PM
Dawn to Dusk at Coronado Historic Site. Check out the museum, walk the ruins, make a craft. Conservation Carnivale, Albuquerque’s science circus, will bring their Mobile Museum Theatre and perform from 2–4 pm. Info: 485 Kuaua Road, Bernalillo, nmhistoricsites.org/ Coronado. Free to NM residents with ID, $7 general, kids under 16 free.
HISTORY
WORKSHOP
PASTELS
SATURDAY 10 | 10 AM–12 PM
Pastel Society of New Mexico. Please join us at our August meeting for a real treat – a presentation by Lucy Finch. Her amazing pastel paintings can take months to complete. They combine realism with a touch of humor and reflect her unique perspective. Don’t miss this great opportunity to meet and learn from an amazing artist, and also discover more about pastels and the Pastel Society. Info: Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Road NW. All welcome, no charge.
WEDNESDAY 7 10:30 AM–12 PM
Traditional Gardening at Coronado Historic Site. Learn about the importance of pollinators and alternative pollination techniques in this traditional Pueblo gardening workshop. Info: 485 Kuaua Road, Bernalillo, nmhistoricsites.org/ Coronado. Free to NM residents with ID, $7 general, and kids under 16 free.
ANTIQUES
SATURDAY 3 AND SUNDAY
4 | SATURDAY 9 AM–5 PM, SUNDAY 10 AM–4 PM
Great Southwestern Antiques Show. Shop and visit with over 100 quality antique dealers from across the U.S. Learn about the art of collecting and investing in Fine Art and Antiques, Ethnographic Tribal and Native American Art, Historic Photos, Rare Books, Jewelry, and more. Info: Manuel Lujan Jr. Exhibit Complex at Expo New Mexico, 300 San Pedro Drive NE, (505) 255-4054, gsevents.com.
MONDAY 12 | 6:30–8 PM
STUDIO TOUR ART CLASS
Making Mosaic Instruments. In this four-session class (August 12, 17, 18, 21), you will select a funky, old instrument and turn it into an incredible piece of art. Info: The Groove Artspace, 309 Gold Ave. SW. For full details and to reserve your spot, go to thegrooveartspace.com. $250, the price includes all materials as well as the instrument.
FRIDAY 24 THROUGH SUNDAY 26
Bubonicon 55 Convention. New Mexico’s original annual science fiction convention focuses on SF, fantasy and horror literature, allowing fans and pros to come together to socialize, listen to panel discussions and readings, admire artwork, play games, dress in costume, and have fun. The theme this year is “Fantasy Wildlife and Animal Companions.” Special guests will include TJ Klune, Mur Lafferty, Ursula Vernon & Kevin Sonney, as well as artist Dale Ray Deforest. Info: Albuquerque Marriott Uptown, 2101 Louisiana Blvd NE (at I-40). Call (505) 266-8905, email bubonicon@gmail.com, or visit bubonicon.com. All-weekend and oneday passes available, discounts for youths under 19 years of age.
FRIDAY 2 | 5–8 PM
Sandia Heights Artists’ Studio Tour Preview. This reception at Gallery ABQ, which is sponsored by Tractor Brewing, features artist Patricia Cream (oils). Forty-three artists representing 17 studios will be showing their art. Info: The Gallery ABQ, Hoffmantown Shopping Center, 8210 Menaul Blvd. NE, (505) 2929333, abqgallery@gmail.com. Hours are Tuesday–Saturday, 11 am–4 pm.
MUSIC
TUESDAY 6 | 7:30–9 PM
Rickie Lee Jones in Concert. This American musician, storyteller and two-time Grammy winner has been inspiring pop culture for decades, beginning with her star-making self-titled debut, followed by the seminal “Pirates.” You may remember her song “Chuck E’s in Love.” Info: KiMo Theatre, 423 Central Ave. NW. Tickets $37–$57 at kimotheatre@cabq.gov, (505) 228-9857.
SATURDAY 3 | 1–3 PM
LOCAL ART
Visual Memories. Wild Hearts Gallery presents Karl and Mary Hofmann and their paintings, linocuts, and pottery at this artists’ reception. The exhibit will run until September 1. Info: 221 Homestead Village, Hwy 165, Placitas. Virtual tour at wildheartsgallery.com, which is an artist’s collective of 15 local artists. (505) 361-2710.
DATEBOOK
THURSDAYS 1, 8, 15, AND 22 | 6 PM
Chatter Albuquerque Museum Concert Series. Info: Free concerts at the Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Road NW. August 15th music starts at 5 pm. Detailed information regarding the music can be found at chatterabq.org/chatter-a/ museum/.
FRIDAY 2 | 9 AM–5 PM
Great Southwestern Antiques Show. All proceeds from this show benefits the New Mexico PBS Arts & Education Endowment Fund. This is a preview day that is open to the general public. Shop and visit with over 100 quality antique dealers from across the U.S. Info: Manuel Lujan Jr. Exhibit Complex at Expo New Mexico, 300 San Pedro Drive NE, (505) 255-4054, gsevents.com. Continuing on August 3rd and 4th.
FRIDAY 2 | 2–5 PM
Meet the Artists at Amapola Gallery. Mary Ellen Merrigan will be available, showing her metal jewelry and flower-themed paintings. Collages by Kay Richards will also be presented. The exhibit will run through August. Info: On the Plaza in Old Town, upstairs at 205 Romero Street NW, Amapola-gallery. com, (505) 242-4311.
FRIDAY 2 | 5–7 PM
2024 Resale Art Show Reception. Back by popular demand is our resale art show, a repeat of last year’s event that was so well-received
we’re making it an annual event. Original wall art and pottery is being considered for inclusion in the two-week show that runs August 2 to August 17. Info: Weems Gallery, 5935 Wyoming Blvd. NE, (505) 293-6133, weemsgallery.com. Gallery hours are 10 am to 5 pm Monday through Saturday.
FRIDAY 2 | 5–8 PM
Sandia Heights Artists’ Studio Tour Preview. This reception at Gallery ABQ, which is sponsored by Tractor Brewing, features artist Patricia Cream (oils). Forty-three artists representing 17 studios will be showing their art. Info: The Gallery ABQ, Hoffmantown Shopping Center, 8210 Menaul Blvd. NE, (505) 292-9333, abqgallery@gmail.com. Hours are Tuesday–Saturday, 11 am–4 pm.
FRIDAY 2 | 6–9 PM
Country Social Dance. Immerse yourself and a partner in country two-step, nightclub, West Coast Swing, East Coast Swing, Cha Cha, Waltz, Rhythm two step, fourcount swing, and line dancing. Info: CSP Dance Studios, 1624 Eubank Blvd. NE, (505) 883-9521, cspdancestudios.com. Tickets are $10 cash at the door.
short-term love affair that lasts a lifetime. Based upon Robert James Waller’s 1992 novel. Info: The Adobe Theater, 9813 4th Street NW, (505) 898-9222. Tickets are $20–$26 and are available at adobetheater.org.
FRIDAY 2 | 9 PM
Chatter Late Works. A late-night concert for the adventurous at Chatter’s downtown warehouse performance space. Music by Harold Budd, Gavin Bryars, and Tristan Murail. Cash bar provided by Rumor Brewing. Info: Chatter, 912 Third Street NW. Tickets: $17 adults in advance; $20 at-door, $9 students/ under-30, $5 under-13 at chatterabq.org.
SATURDAY 3 AND SUNDAY 4 |
9 AM–5 PM SATURDAY, 10 AM–4 PM SUNDAY
Great Southwestern Antiques Show. Shop and visit with over 100 quality antique dealers from across the U.S. Learn about the art of collecting and investing in Fine Art and Antiques, Ethnographic Tribal and Native American Art, Historic Photos, Rare Books, Jewelry, and more. Info: Manuel Lujan Jr. Exhibit Complex at Expo New Mexico, 300 San Pedro Drive NE, (505) 255-4054, gsevents.com.
FRIDAY 2 THROUGH SUNDAY 11 | FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS 7:30 PM, SUNDAYS 2 PM The Bridges of Madison County. This musical is a heartfelt story about a
SATURDAY 3 | 1–3 PM
Visual Memories. Wild Hearts Gallery presents Karl and Mary Hofmann and their paintings, linocuts, and
pottery at this artists’ reception. The exhibit will run until September 1. Info: 221 Homestead Village, Hwy 165, Placitas. Virtual tour at wildheartsgallery.com, which is an artist’s collective of 15 local artists. (505) 361-2710.
SATURDAY 3 | 5–10 PM
Westside Summerfest. This free family-friendly event sponsored by the City of Albuquerque features fun for everyone. The final installment of this concert series celebrates everything local. Westside Summerfest features small businesses with handcrafted products in The Shops, food trucks with
freshly-made cuisine in the Food Court, libations created by breweries, wineries and distilleries in The Cantina, and entertainment by local talent on two stages. Info: Ventana Ranch Community Park, directions online.
SUNDAY 4 | 6 AM–6:30 PM
Dawn to Dusk at Coronado Historic Site. Check out the museum, walk the ruins, make a craft. The Yerba Mansa Project leads a 90-minute trail talk on herbal and medicinal plants, 11 am–12:30 pm. Info: 485 Kuaua Road, Bernalillo, nmhistoricsites.org/Coronado. Free to NM
DATEBOOK
residents with ID, $7 general, and kids under 16 free.
TUESDAY 6 | 10 AM Albuquerque Newcomers. Engage and learn about the club’s varied activities, including wine tastings, games, men’s groups and single’s groups. Membership is open to Albuquerque residents of less than five years or those who are experiencing major changes in their lives. Info: Sandia Presbyterian Church (not affiliated with the church), 10704 Paseo del Norte NE, (505) 321-6970 or abqnewcomers@ gmail.com.
DATEBOOK
TUESDAY 6 | 4:30–5:15 PM
Town & Ranch Production and Distillery Tour. Join a behind-the-scenes tour of our production space, meet the team, and watch our lavender essential oil be transformed into soaps, salves, spirits and more. Closed-toed shoes are required. Info: Town & Ranch, 1318 4th Street NW. For details visit lospoblanos. com/events.
TUESDAY 6 | 5–10 PM
Tamarind Summer Season at Los Poblanos Exhibit. The public is invited to visit La Quinta Gallery and enjoy a beverage at the Library Bar this day and on August 27th. Gallery Director Kylee Aragon Wallis will be on-site from 6–6:30 pm to answer questions about the works on display and the Tamarind gallery program. Info: Los Poblanos, La Quinta Gallery, 4803 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, (855) 486-1380.
TUESDAY 6 | 7:30–9 PM
Rickie Lee Jones in Concert. This American musician, storyteller and two-time Grammy winner has been inspiring pop culture for decades, beginning with her star-making self-titled debut, followed by the seminal “Pirates.” You may remember her song “Chuck E’s in Love.” Info: KiMo Theatre, 423 Central Ave. NW. Tickets $37–$57 at kimotheatre@cabq.gov, (505) 2289857.
WEDNESDAY 7 | 10:30 AM–12 PM
Traditional Gardening at Coronado Historic Site. Learn about the importance of pollinators and alternative pollination techniques in this traditional Pueblo gardening workshop. Info: 485 Kuaua Road, Bernalillo, nmhistoricsites.org/Coronado. Free to NM residents with ID, $7 general, and kids under 16 free.
WEDNESDAY 7 | 7:30–9 PM
Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers. Based out of Williamsburg, Virginia, Hornsby first rose to national prominence with “The Way It Is,” his 1986 Grammy-winning debut album with The Range. He is a highly sought-after collaborator and his 23 albums have sold over 11 million copies worldwide. Info: KiMo Theatre, 423 Central Ave. NW. Tickets $45-$70 and available at kimotheatre@cabq.gov, (505) 228-9857.
THURSDAY 8 | 7:30 PM
Red Hot & Red. Formed in 2009 by pianist Steve Figueroa, this is a Native American jazz trio that realizes a long-time dream of Steve’s to put together a group of indigenous musicians playing American’s only indigenous art form. Info: Outpost Performance Space, 210 Yale Blvd. SE, (505) 268-0044. Tickets $30/$20 Outpost members, $15 students with current ID at outpostspace.org.
FRIDAY 9 | 7:30 PM
Albuquerque Science Fiction Society. We will preview the Bubonicon 55 programming schedule and artwork, plus enjoy a presentation from ABQ author Lauren C. Teffeau on her forthcoming novella. This long-running NM science fiction club has author readings, science talks, films and discussions. Info: The Activity Room of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, 5301 Ponderosa Ave. NE. Call 266-8905 or visit bubonicon.com. Free to newcomers.
THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY, AND SUNDAY 9–25 | TIMES BELOW God of Carnage. This play by Yasmina Reza was first published in 2008. It is about two sets of parents; the son of one couple has hurt the son of the other couple at a public park. The parents meet to discuss the matter in a civilized manner. However, as the evening goes on, the parents become increasingly childish and the meeting devolves into chaos. Info: Vortex Theatre, 2900 Carlisle Blvd. NE. Tickets available at vortexabq.org or call (505) 2478600. Play hours: Thursday, Friday, Saturday – 7:30 pm. Sunday August 17 and 24 – 2 pm.
SATURDAY 10 | 10 AM–12 PM
Pastel Society of New Mexico. Please join us at our August meeting for a real treat – a presentation by Lucy Finch. Her amazing pastel paintings can take months to complete. They combine realism with a touch of
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humor and reflect her unique perspective. Don’t miss this great opportunity to meet and learn from an amazing artist, and also discover more about pastels and the Pastel Society. Info: Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Road NW. All welcome, no charge.
SATURDAY 10 | 10 AM–4 PM
Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror Feature Sale. Find pre-Bubonicon bargains at our Book Sale, plus fiction, non-fiction, books for kids and teens, graphic novels, DVDs, CDs, and more. All items priced at 10% off the retail price or even less. Validated parking and carry-out service available. Info: Friends of the Public Library,
Main Library, Lower Level, 501 Copper NW. Admission $2 before noon and free after noon; FOPL members always free. More information can be found at friendsofthepubliclibrary.org.
SUNDAY 11 | 7 AM–4 PM
Pueblo Independence Day at Jemez
Historic Site. Traditional Pueblo-style dances, arts and crafts, food vendors, and tours of Gisewa Pueblo and San Jose de los Jemez Mission. Info: 18160 NM-4, Jemez Springs, nmhistoricsites.org/Jemez. $7 general, kids under 16 free.
MONDAY 12 | 6:30–8 PM
Making Mosaic Instruments. In this four-session class (August 12, 17, 18, 21), you will select a funky, old instrument and turn it into an incredible piece of art. Info: The Groove Artspace, 309 Gold Ave. SW. For full details and to reserve your spot, go to thegrooveartspace.com. $250. The price includes all materials as well as the instrument.
THURSDAYS 15 AND 29 | 6–8 PM
Glass and Mosaic Open Studio. Bring your own glass/mosaic tile project to work on in community with others. Hosted by artists Erika Harding or Jill Gatwood, get tips, techniques, and input on your project in a relaxed, social studio setting. Info: The Groove Artspace, 309 Gold Ave. SW. Reserve your spot at thegrooveartspace.com. $20.
THURSDAY 15 | 7:30 PM
Dimian DiSanti Recording Release Celebration. Guitarist/composer DiSanti, a fixture on the NM music scene for over 40 years, is one of the most sought-after guitarists in the region. Here he celebrates his latest release, “My Big Back Yard,” which fuses Jazz, Latin, and Rhythm and Blues influences. Info: Outpost Performance Space, 210 Yale Blvd. SE, (505) 268-0044. Tickets $30/$20 Outpost members, $15 students with current ID at outpostspace.org.
FRIDAY 16 | 6–9 PM
Variety Social Dance. Enjoy Ballroom, Latin, Country, Swing, and Line Dancing. Welcome lesson from 6–6:30 pm. Info: CSP Dance Studios, 1624 Eubank Blvd. NE, (505) 883-9521, cspdancestudios. com. Tickets are $10 at the door, cash only.
SATURDAY 17 | 10 AM–12 PM
Ranger Read and Learn Children’s Story Time. Coronado/Jemez Historic Site staff will read a book about animal tracks and scat followed by a craft project and treat. Info: Martha Liebert Public Library, 124 Calle Malinche, Bernalillo, nmhistoricsites.org/Coronado. Free.
SATURDAY 17 | 3–6 PM
Meet the Distiller at Town & Ranch. Go behind the scenes with our head distiller and learn how Los Poblanos Botanical Spirits are made. Closed-toed shoes are required. Drop in anytime between 3–6 pm. Info: Town & Ranch, 1318 4th Street NW. For details visit lospoblanos. com/events.
SUNDAY 18 | 11 AM–2 PM
Funday at Gisewa. Explore the ways of Pueblo life through cooking, art demonstrations, dances, and much more at Jemez Historic site. Visit with local artists, eat pueblo food, or try a new skill. Info: 18160 NM4, Jemez Springs, nmhistoricsites. org/Jemez. $7 general, kids under 16 free.
SUNDAY 18 | 2 PM
Einstein: A Stage Portrait by Willard Simms. The Ronald Gardenswartz Jewish Community Center proudly presents Tom Schuch as Dr. Einstein during an afternoon of humor, introspection, science, and a little violin. A Q&A period will follow the performance, featuring special guest Dr. Jack Shlachter, a nuclear physicist and Rabbi based in Los Alamos. Info: JCC, 5520 Wyoming Blvd. NE, (505) 332-0565. Tickets available at jccabq.org/meeting/ Einstein or call (505) 418-4469.
FRIDAY 23 | 7:10 PM
MLB Home Run Derby X. Join Manny Ramirez, Jonny Gomes, and Ian
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Desmond for this event. Players will hit from a hitting stage set up near third base into the Home Run Zone located in the berm. Whether you want to sit directly behind the stage to watch the action or get tickets to the Home Run Zone in hopes of catching your very own home run ball, there’s no bad seat to watch the non-stop action. Info: Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park, 1601 Avenida Cesar Chavez SE. Gates open at 5:30. Purchase tickets at the website, abqisotopes.com or call (505) 9242255.
FRIDAY 24 AND SATURDAY 25 | 10 AM–5 PM
Explorations in Monotype and Monoprint. Monotypes are one-of-a-kind prints made by applying and removing inks with a paintbrush or a roller onto a plexiglass plate and then printing the image onto paper. This class will be taught by Mary Sundstrom, full-time artist and co-owner of Remarque Printworks. Info: Remarque Print Workshop & Gallery, 3812 Central Ave. SE, Suite 100-B, (505) 268-8952. The cost is $260 for both days. Sign up at remarqueprintshop.com.
Bubonicon 55 Convention. New Mexico’s original annual science fiction convention focuses on SF, fantasy and horror literature, allowing fans and pros to come together to socialize, listen to panel discussions and readings, admire artwork, play games, dress in costume, and have fun. The theme this year is “Fantasy Wildlife and Animal Companions.”
Special guests will include TJ Klune, Mur Lafferty, Ursula Vernon & Kevin Sonney, as well as artist Dale Ray Deforest. Info: Albuquerque Marriott Uptown, 2101 Louisiana Blvd NE. Call (505) 266-8905, email
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bubonicon@gmail.com, or visit bubonicon.com. All-weekend and one-day passes available, discounts for youths under 19 years of age.
TUESDAY 27 | 5–10 PM
Tamarind Summer Season Exhibit at Los Poblanos. Visit La Quinta Gallery and enjoy a beverage at the Library Bar. Gallery Director Kylee Aragon Wallis will be on-site from 6–6:30 pm to answer questions about the works on display and the Tamarind gallery program. Info: Los Poblanos, La Quinta Gallery, 4803 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, (855) 486-1380, lospoblanos.com/events.
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FRIDAY 30 | 6 PM
Dr. Armin Rembe Lecture Series. Join us for a screening of “Acequias: The Legacy Lives On” from award-winning filmmaker, Arcie Chapa, which won the Best Documentary award at the 2024 Santa Fe Film Festival. Info: La Quinta Cultural Center at Los Poblanos, 4803 Rio Grande Blvd. NW. Tickets are $20 and may be purchased at lospoblanos.com/events, where more details are available.
SATURDAY 31 THROUGH MONDAY SEPTEMBER 2 | TBD
Albuquerque Harvest Wine Festival. The event will be held at Balloon Fiesta Park Labor Day Weekend.
Please visit the website for more information.
ONGOING/DAILY EVENTS
VARIOUS DAYS | VARIOUS TIMES
Albuquerque Visitor’s Guide. Info: Check out visitabq.org for many great ideas for exploring our city. An official printed Albuquerque Visitor’s Guide can also be obtained.
VARIOUS DAYS | VARIOUS TIMES
Cancer Support Now. Free services. Info: Call the helpline, (505) 2550405. Also, various days/times list-
ed throughout Datebook for specific group and individual assistance.
VARIOUS DAYS | VARIOUS TIMES
CSP Dance Studios. Providing Albuquerque with the best partner dance instruction in town, including ballroom, Latin, swing, country, and line dance instruction. Info: 1624 Eubank Blvd. NE, (505) 883-9521, cspdancestudios.com.
VARIOUS DAYS | VARIOUS TIMES
Overeaters Anonymous. This program of recovery uses Twelve Steps, Traditions, and Concepts, as well as the nine tools of recovery to provide a fellowship of experience, strength, and hope, where members support each other’s recovery from compulsive eating disorders such as overeating, binging, bulimia, and anorexia. Info: For more information and a list of local meetings, go to oa-cnmi.org or call (505) 2613553.
VARIOUS DAYS | VARIOUS TIMES
New Mexico Young Actors, Inc. Now in their 45th season, NMYA features youth ages 9 to 19 in all roles. The mission is to develop an appreciation of theater in our community – performances by children and for children. NMYA offers classes, workshops, and productions, and are always looking for new young actors to join their company. Weekly theater classes are offered for ages 5 to 18; Drama I classes for elementary, middle, and high school
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students; and Advanced Drama productions are available for returning students. Call (505) 8218055, email info@nmyoungactors. org, or visit website at nmyoungactors.org. Prorated fees and tuition assistance available.
VARIOUS DAYS | VARIOUS TIMES
Old San Ysidro Church Tours. Come see the beauty and learn the history of one of Corrales’ most significant historic buildings. Informative docents are on hand to provide insight into the history and current usage of this iconic landmark. Info: 966 Old Church Road, Corrales. Register for a tour at corraleshistory.org. Free.
VARIOUS DAYS | 8–10 PM
Haunted Tour of Old Town. Take a tour of Old Town Albuquerque and learn about the many ghosts who have made the Old Town square their home. Legends, folklore, ghost stories, and history come to life as you depart on an intriguing excursion – 314 years of haunted history. Info: Approximately 1 hour, 50 minutes. Abqtours.fun.
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Cancer Support Now. LGBT Cancer Peer Support, no charge one-onone peer cancer support matching for cancer survivors and/or caregivers. Info: Our Helpline is available seven days a week at (505) 255-0405. Currently hosting web meetings only. Please call our help-
line for an invitation to join a web support group or to connect with someone for one-to-one support.
DAILY | 9 AM–5 PM
At Play in the Atomic Age. The toys of the atomic age reflect the times and culture of their day. The Atomic Age was born with the Manhattan Project and blasted into the public’s consciousness in 1945. This exhibit features over 100 artifacts from the permanent collection of the Nuclear Museum and artifacts on loan specifically for this exhibition. Info: The National Museum of Nuclear Science and History, 601 Eubank NE, (505) 245-2137. Tickets $15 at nuclearmuseum.org.
DAILY | VARIOUS TIMES
Wellness Classes at Los Poblanos. Restore, revive, and move with a class in the Wellness Yurt. Class offerings include Gentle Yoga, Flow and Restore Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga and Mat Pilates. Info: Los Poblanos, 4803 Rio Grande NW, (855) 4861380. $15 per class. To reserve your space, visit lospoblanos.com/hacienda-spa/wellness-classes.
DAILY | VARIOUS ACTIVITIES AND TIMES
Jewish Community Center. The Ronald Gardenswartz Jewish Community Center of Greater Albuquerque (JCC) is part of your extended family, your home away from home, providing programs and services for all ages and stages in life. With-
in our walls or around the world, our members gather to meet, play, learn, celebrate, and be part of the community. Everyone, regardless of age or religious affiliation, is welcome. Info: JCC, 5520 Wyoming Blvd. NE, (505) 332-0565, jccabq. org.
DAILY | VARIOUS TIMES
Al-Anon Family Groups and Alateen. This is an anonymous fellowship of relatives and friends of problem drinkers. Meetings are held on various days and times, at various locationsthroughout Albuquerque and New Mexico. We come together to share our experience, strength and hope to recover from the effects of another person’s drinking. Info: AlAnon Information Service, aisnm. org, (505) 262-2177.
DAILY | VARIOUS TIMES
Lovelace Silver Elite. Informative videos are offered that address health issues such as osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, cardiovascular issues, Parkinson’s disease, and treatment options for male lower UTIs and BPH, as well as radiology imaging as we age. Presented by Lovelace doctors that are experts in the subject fields. Lovelace Silver Elite also offers free seminars and VIP benefits. Info: lovelacesilverelite.com, (505) 727-5502.
DAILY |
Agora Crisis Center Volunteers. Are you a compassionate, non-judg-
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mental person who wants to help others? Learn new skills, make friends, earn class credit, and be part of a rewarding organization. Info: Agora Crisis Center, agoracares.org, (505) 277-3013.
DAILY | 10 AM–5 PM; CLOSED SUNDAY
Weems Gallery & Framing. The website enables people to purchase fine art online, as well as kaleidoscopes, jewelry, glass, sculptures, photography, and wood. Go to weemsgallery. com, (505) 293-6133.
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Animal Humane Free Behavioral Helpline. This service is available to all pet owners who are experiencing behavior problems with their dogs or cats. Animal Humane New Mexico’s trained behavior coaches answer questions and provide tips on everything from housetraining to living with multiple animals. Info: (505) 938-7900.
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Donate Blood. Because someone needs it every day. Info: (505) 8436227, unitedbloodservices.org.
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|
Epilepsy Support and Education Services. For meeting times and places, call (505) 243-9119 or visit epilepsysupportnm.org.
DAILY | 11:30 AM–5:30 PM, CLOSED MONDAY
Rattlesnakes. See different species of live rattlesnakes displayed in recreated natural landscapes. The owners are dedicated to conservation and preservation education. Info: American International Rattlesnake Museum, 202 San Felipe Road NW, Suite A, (505) 2426569, rattlesnakes.com. Tickets: $8.95 adults; $7.95 seniors, military, students, teachers; $6.95 children (ages 3–12).
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Roadrunner Food Bank. Volunteers needed to prepare packaged food for distribution, repack and sort items, and other activities. The gift of your precious time helps solve hunger for many New Mexicans. Volunteers must register in advance. Shifts are available in two-hour increments, Mondays–Saturdays. Info: 5840 Office Blvd. NE, givetime@rrfb.org, (505) 3495358.
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Ronald McDonald House Charities of New Mexico. A “home-awayfrom-home” is available for families whose children are in medical treatment. Operating the 30-guest room Yale House, 20-guest room Highlands House, and the Ronald McDonald Family Rooms at UNM and Presbyterian Hospitals, volunteers make a vital difference in the lives of the people they serve. Info:
Cancer Support Now. Relaxation support sessions over the telephone by appointment. Our Helpline is available seven days a week at (505) 255-0405. Currently hosting web meetings only.
DAILY
| 7 AM–8 PM
Free Fishing. From sun-up to sundown, practice your basic fly-tying methods, fly-rod casting techniques, fishing etiquette, effective catch-and-release practices, and enhancement of advanced skills. Bring your own equipment and refreshments as the store and cafes are currently closed. Great place for a picnic with trails. Make sure you have a fishing license. Info: Tingley Beach, 1800 Tingley Drive SW, call 311 or (505) 768-2000.
DAILY | 9 AM–4 PM
The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Please join others for virtual and in-person events which offer a unique way to experience Pueblo culture including cultural dances, daily artists, lecture series, pick-up meals, book club, collections tours, Indigenous agriculture workshops, and many other special events. While here, enjoy the restaurant and shop at the store. Info: IPCC, 2401 12th Street NW, (505) 843-
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7270. See website for events and exhibitions, indianpueblo.org.
DAILY | 10 AM–1 PM; 2–6 PM
Adopt a Pet. Find your best pet ever. Adopt a dog, cat, puppy, or kitten from Animal Humane New Mexico. Adoption fees include spay/neuter, vaccinations, and a microchip. Info: 615 Virginia Street SE, (505) 2555523 and 10141 Coors Blvd. NW, (505) 323-7387, animalhumanenm. org.
DAILY | VARIOUS TIMES
NAMI NM and NAMI Albuquerque (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill). There are many support pro-
grams available weekly – Zoom at no charge. Also, 8-week classes are offered on mental illness that are available at no charge to family members and people with a mental health condition or diagnosis. During trying times, stress, anxiety, depression, and anger are prevalent. Info: naminewmexico.org, namialbuquerque.org, information line (505) 260-0154. Free.
DAILY
| 10 AM–5 PM
DAILY | 10 AM–5 PM
Explora! Explora is an innovative experiential learning center located in the heart of Old Town Albuquerque with over 250 interactive exhibits and activities in science, technology, engineering, art, and math for the whole family. Open 9–11 Mondays for Toddler Time. Info: 1701 Mountain Road NW, explora@explora.us, (505) 600-6072. Tickets: $6–$10 at explora@explora.us/visitor-information.
Amapola Gallery. This is a group of 39 local artists and artisans who have joined together to keep quality and variety up, prices down. They are small, local, creative, and the artists’ wondrous works are always priced right. Info: Amapola Gallery in Old Town on the Plaza at 205 Romero, NW, (505) 242-4311, amapolagallery.com.
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DAILY | 10 AM–8 PM
Watermelon Mountain Ranch Animal Center. New Mexico’s largest no-kill animal shelter seeks loving homes for rescued dogs and cats. Adoptions occur at select PetSmart locations and Watermelon Mountain Ranch. Donations, fosters, and volunteers are always welcome. Info: wmranch.org, (505) 771-0140, wmranchnm@aol.com.
DAILY | 12:30 PM
Duplicate Bridge. There are open games for newer and experienced players Monday–Saturday, and special novice games on Thursdays. Come with your favorite partner or call us for help finding a part-
ner. Info: Duke City Bridge Club, 8616 Northeastern Blvd. NE, (505) 271-2877, dukecitybridge.com. Entrance fee is $6.
The Wheels Museum, Inc. This museum is a 501(c)3 non-profit community organization whose mission is to create a transportation museum at the downtown Albuquerque Steam Locomotive Repair Shops. Educational programs, tours, and presentations are provided for the community in the 21,000 square foot historic building located at 2nd and Pacific, SW (1100 2nd Street, SW). Info: visit wheelsmuseum.org
for information on all the interesting and informative exhibits, (505) 243-6269. Tax deductible donations are gratefully accepted; contact Leba at leba4@aol.com.
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Create Art at The Groove Artspace. Explore your creativity in a relaxed setting with local teaching artists. Offered is a wide range of art classes for adults, teens, and youth. Info: The Groove Artspace, 309 Gold Ave. SW, (505) 750-1713. Check out our full list of daytime and evening availability, as well as weekday and weekend classes at thegrooveartspace.com. Class fees include all materials.
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ABQ Scavenger Hunt. Teams of 2 to 5 people solve clues, complete challenges, and work together to unravel secrets of the city. Info: (805) 603-5620, 1919 Old Town Road NW, urbanadventurequest. com, $49 per team; $10 off coupon at visitalbuquerque.org.
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Tango Club of Albuquerque. Please contact info@abqtango.org for details about various classes, workshops, and opportunities for social dancing.
SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS
Birthday Parties at Explora. The smartest party in town is at Explo-
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ra! Celebrate with all-day museum admission, a private party room, and an interactive activity of your choice led by an Explora host. Now booking online at explora.com for two-hour blocks. Pricing for members and non-members.
SUNDAYS | 10 AM–2 PM THROUGH OCTOBER
The Rail Yards Market. Albuquerque’s iconic Farmers’ Market offers in-person family-friendly fun. The market hosts over 150 vendors of fresh produce, fine food, healing hands, and handmade art. Info: 777 First Street SW, railyardsmarket. org. Free parking and entrance, ADA accessible, pets welcome in cool weather.
SUNDAYS | CHECK WEBSITE
Breaking Bad Tour. Breaking Bad fans won’t want to miss this entertaining and action-packed tour that features many show locations that only true fans will appreciate. Your Breaking Bad knowledge will be tested with trivia from the show, so come prepared to win prizes. Locations may change depending upon ongoing filming schedules. Info: 1919 Old Town Road NW, abqtours. fun for more information and $80 tickets.
org. Info: Performances are held at 912 3rd Street NW. Doors open at 9:30; for best seats, come early and enjoy the coffee and camaraderie. Advance tickets: $17 adults, $9 under-30 and students, and $5 children, at chatterabq.org/boxoffice and if still available, at the door: $20 adults, $9 students, $5 children.
MONDAYS | 9–11 AM
Toddler Time at Explora. Enjoy Explora with your wee ones in an exclusive extra hour, including story time and special songs by the resident musician, Tom. Info: Explora, 1701 Mountain Road NW, (505) 6072, explora.us.
MONDAYS | 12 PM
Kiwanis Club of Albuquerque. Speaker luncheons are held the first three Mondays of each month. Our speaker programs are highly regarded. Info: Embassy Suites Hotel, 1000 Woodward Place NE. Reserve your seat for the buffet lunch at dorner66@gmail.com.
MONDAYS | 2:30–4 PM
SUNDAYS | 10:30 AM
Chatter Sunday offers weekly Sunday morning concerts which also include readings and refreshments. A calendar can be found at chatterabq.
UNM and Cancer Support Now. Survivors Writing Together is a journaling support group for survivors, men and women, all cancer diagnoses. Info: Our Helpline is available seven days a week at (505) 255-0405. Currently hosting web meetings only. Please call our helpline for an invitation to join a web support group or to connect with someone for one-to-one support.
FIRST AND THIRD MONDAYS | 4:30–5:30 PM
UNM and Cancer Support Now. Survivors and/or caregivers, all diagnoses, men, and women. Info: Our Helpline is available seven days a week at (505) 255-0405. Currently hosting web meetings only. Please call our helpline for an invitation to join a web support group or to connect with someone for one-to-one support.
MONDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS | 9:30 PM
Online Tango Classes. Live lessons with Eva Garle˙ and Pablo Rodriguez. Info: Bien Milonguero Tango School, 1512 First Street NW. evaypablotango@gmail.com or (505) 313-5316 text or Whatsapp.
MONDAY–FRIDAY |
9:30 AM–2:30 PM
Albuquerque Garden Center. Our events include the Cactus and Succulent Society Show and Sale, the African Violet Show and Sale, the Annual Spring Plant Sale, and the Aril and Iris Show. Info: Albuquerque Garden Center, 10120 Lomas Blvd. NE. albuquerquegardencenter.org. Free.
MONDAYS–SATURDAYS | 12–2 PM
Exquisite Turquoise in the Castle. This extraordinary German-style castle is the museum setting featuring rare turquoise specimens, lapidary demos, history and geology, a mine tunnel replica, hands-on
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activities for kids, and silversmithing. Info: The Turquoise Museum, 400 2nd Street SW, turquoisemuseum.com, (505) 433-3684. Tickets: $20 adults, $15 children.
TUESDAYS | 2–3 PM
Caregiver Support Group. Caregiving for a loved one can be overwhelming and isolating. This group provides a compassionate space for caregivers to gain emotional support and information. Facilitated by Erin Tarica, LMSW. Info: Jewish Community Center, 5520 Wyoming Blvd. NE. Pre-registration required, (505) 348-4451, free.
TUESDAYS | 6–8 PM
Chess Club. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Info: Corrales Community Library, 84 West La Entrada, (505) 897-0733.
TUESDAYS | 6:30–8:30 PM
The New MexiChords Barbershop Chorus. Love to sing? The New MexiChords Barbershop Chorus is looking for men and women to join them. It is not necessary to read music to join. Sheet music and learning tracks are available to learn songs. Two concerts are performed annually and they also sing at Albuquerque’s Citizenship Naturalization Ceremonies as well as other civic events, such as the
Balloon Fiesta and others as they arise. Info: St. John’s United Methodist Church, 2626 Arizona Ave. NE. For more information, contact Walt Parsons at (505) 410-9635.
SECOND TUESDAYS | 4–7 PM
Tasting Tuesdays at Town and Ranch. On the second Tuesday of every month, New Mexico spirits are sampled with guests from distilleries around the state. Stop by to try something new, meet local distillers, and relax. Info: Town and Ranch, 1318 Fourth Street NW, lospoblanos.com/events/townranch-events, (505) 808-1715.
SECOND TUESDAYS | 5:30–7 PM
Turquoise Trail Harley Owners Group, Chapter #2015. Socialize with other Harley Owners Group members to learn about upcoming events and rides and get to know our fellow Harley-Davidson enthusiasts. Green chile cheeseburgers are available for purchase from the Moose Lodge. First meeting is free; National HOG membership is required in order to join the Chapter. We love to RIDE. Info: Loyal Order of Moose Lodge, 2121 Edith Blvd. NE, turquoisetrailhog.org.
TUESDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, AND THURSDAYS | 6 PM
Argentine Tango Classes. Practicums and events with Puerta al Tango (Graham P. Stanford). Info: Las Puertas, 1500 First Street NW,
Art and History Exhibitions. See the Albuquerque Museum website for the current listing of exhibitions. Info: Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Road NW, cabq.gov/artsculture/abqmuseum, (505) 2437255. General admission: $3–$6; a $5 exhibition surcharge may apply.
Casa San Ysidro Tours. Take a tour of this late 19th century building filled
with an excellent collection of New Mexico vernacular art. Info: Casa San Ysidro, 973 Old Church Road, Corrales, cabq.gov/casasanysidro, (505) 898-3915, $4–$6 general admission.
TUESDAYS | 3:30–5 PM
UNM/Cancer Support Now. Advanced cancer survivors writing together. This is a journaling support group for survivors of cancer; men and women, all diagnoses. Info: Our Helpline is available seven days a week at (505) 255-0405. Currently hosting web meetings only. Please call our helpline for an invitation to join a web support group or to con-
nect with someone for one-to-one support.
SECOND TUESDAYS | 10:30–12 PM
Pueblo of Isleta Cancer Community Support. Info: Isleta Pueblo Health Clinic, 1 Sagebrush Street.
TUESDAYS–SUNDAYS | 10 AM–5 PM
National Hispanic Cultural Center Exhibits. See the website for the current listing of exhibitions. Info: National Hispanic Cultural Center, 1701 Fourth Street SW, (505) 2462261, nhccnm.org.
TUESDAYS, THURSDAYS, FRIDAYS, SUNDAYS | 11 AM
Historic Old Town Tours. Explore historic Old Town on foot with informative docents who will provide insight into the people and places that shaped this early community. Info: Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Road NW, cabq.gov, 2437255. Tour included with paid museum admission, $4–$6, Sundays free.
SECOND AND FOURTH TUESDAYS | 4–5:30 PM
Cancer Support Now. Santa Fe Women’s Group, Surviving Sisters. All cancers, all diagnoses, all stages, all women. Info: The Helpline is available seven days a week at (505) 255-0405. Currently hosting web meetings only. Please call the helpline for an invitation to join a web support group or to connect with someone for one-to-one support.
TUESDAY–SUNDAY |10 AM–5 PM
The Corrales Bosque Gallery. Artist-owned and operated, the Corrales Bosque Gallery is delighted to display the work of its 18 member-artists. You will find a wide variety of media and styles, including painting, photography, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics, drawing, folk art, beadwork, and mosaic. Come see us and enjoy. Info: 4685 Corrales Road, (505) 898-7203, corralesbosquegallery.com.
FIRST WEDNESDAYS | 9 AM–5 PM
Free First Wednesday. Start your month off right with free admission to the Albuquerque Museum and Sculpture Garden tour. An additional $5 special exhibit surcharge may apply. Info: Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Road NE, cabq. gov/artsculture, (505) 243-7255.
SECOND WEDNESDAYS | 12–1 PM
Cancer Support Now. Sandia Base cancer support group for survivors of all cancers, all stages, men and women. Info: The Helpline is available seven days a week at (505) 255-0405. Currently hosting web meetings only. Please call the helpline for an invitation to join a web support group or to connect with someone for one-to-one support.
SECOND AND 4TH WEDNESDAYS | 11:30 AM
Rotary Club of Albuquerque Del Norte. The Club welcomes visitors and community partners interested in networking, fellowship, and uplifting presentations to luncheon attendees. New members are welcomed into committees which suit their interests and skills. Info and schedule: rotarydelnorte.org, email rotarydelnorteabq@gmail.com.
WEDNESDAYS–SUNDAYS | 10 AM–4 PM
Natural History Museum. Explore the most dynamic dinosaurs that roamed New Mexico. Learn to balance like Seismosaurus, hunt like Coelophysis, and stomp like Tyran-
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nosaurus. Info: New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, 1801 Mountain Road NW, nmnaturalhistory.org, (505) 841-2848.
WEDNESDAYS–SUNDAYS | 11 AM–5 PM
Help Socialize Cats and Have Fun. Please visit and enjoy drinks, snacks, and spend time with adorable, adoptable cats at Catopia Cat Cafe. Your visit will support their foster home and they will love the snug-
gles and playtime until they find permanent homes. Regular hours are ages 8+ and an all ages night is offered from 5-8 pm Wednesdays. Also offered are Yoga with Cats, Painting with Cats, and Henna Cat-toos. Info: catopiacatcafe.com, Paseo Village, 8001 Wyoming NE, Suite C-5, (505) 508-4278. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
THURSDAYS | 11:30 AM
Road Runner Business Networking Group. If you’d like to generate more business referrals, meet with us. Info: Jimmy’s Café, 7007 Jefferson NE. Contact Terry at (505) 3776074, triddle@rmmsonline.com or roadrunnersabq.com.
THURSDAYS | 4–5:30 PM
UNM/Cancer Support Now. Friends and Family Writing Together. This is a journaling support group for survivors of metastatic cancer; men and women, all diagnoses. Info: Our Helpline is available seven days a week at (505) 255-0405. Currently hosting web meetings only. Please call our helpline for an invitation to join a web support group or to connect with someone for one-to-one support.
SECOND AND 4TH THURSDAYS | 3:30–5 PM
Cancer Support Now. Pancreatic cancer caregiver support group for caregivers of patients and survivors of pancreatic cancer, all stages, men, and women. Info: The Helpline is available seven days a week
at (505) 255-0405. Hosting web meetings only currently. Please call the helpline for an invitation to join a web support group or to connect with someone for one-to-one support.
FIRST AND THIRD THURSDAYS | 5–6:30 PM
Cancer Support Now. Women’s North Valley cancer support group for all cancers, all women, survivors and/or caregivers. Info: The Helpline is available seven days a week at (505) 255-0405. Currently hosting web meetings only. Please call the helpline for an invitation to join a web support group or to connect
with someone for one-to-one support.
THURSDAYS | 4–6 PM
Tutoring Thursdays at Explora. Tutoring in the Tech Lab. Want help with tricky homework or a study partner for that upcoming quiz? Drop in for an effective tutoring session. Ages 13–19 welcome. Info: Explora, 1701 Mountain Road NW, (600) 6072, explora.us.
THURSDAYS | 9:30 PM
Online Tango Classes. Follower’s technique with Eva. All levels. Info: Bien Milonguero Tango School, 1512 First Street NW, evaypablotango@
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gmail.com or (505) 313-5316 text or Whatsapp.
FRIDAYS | 12–1:30 PM
Grief and Loss Support Group. Grief is a natural process that can often be eased – sharing with others who have experienced the loss of a loved one or any other significant loss. Info: Jewish Care Program, (505) 821-3214, free.
FRIDAYS | 1–4 PM
Tamarind Institute. See the workshop facility, learn about fine art lithography, the current programs, and the history of Tamarind (a division within the College of Fine Arts
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at UNM). See a collaborative process video and a printing demonstration. The public is welcome, no reservation required; reservation for other times: tamarind.unm.edu.
Info: Tamarind Institute, 2500 Central Ave. SE, (505) 277-3901. Free.
FRIDAYS | 4–6 PM
Fix-it Fridays and Crafternoons at Explora. Join others for a variety of projects – repair your broken electronics, use sewing skills to bring old clothes back to life, and craft with friends over Boba Tea drinks.
Dance Party. Learn a new dance and meet new people each week at ABQ’s newest studio, with three beautiful ballrooms and state-ofthe-art floating dance floors. Enjoy refreshments and an introductory dance class from 7–8 pm. Info: Holiday Dance Studio, 5200 Eubank Blvd. NE. Call to confirm schedule, (505) 508-4020, holidaydancestudio.com, $30.
EVERY FIRST FRIDAY
|
Free Admission Day. Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum. Check out this award-winning, world-class facility highlighting the art, culture, histo-
ry, science and sport of hot air ballooning and other lighter-than-aircraft. Info: 9201 Balloon Museum Drive NE (north of Alameda), (505) 768-6020, cabq.gov/balloon.
FRIDAYS | 7–9 PM
Square Dance. Come dance with the Duke City Square Dance Club every Friday night. We dance SSD, Mainstream and Plus levels. Info: Albuquerque Square Dance Center, 4915 Hawkins Street. Dukecitysquaredanceclub. The cost is $8. For more information, contact dukecitysd0@gmail.com.
SECOND FRIDAYS | 6–7 PM
Free Country Dance Lessons. Friday night just got waaaay better. Info: Dirty Bourbon, 9800 Montgomery Blvd. NE, (505) 883-9521. Sponsored by and information available at cspdancestudios.com.
EVERY THIRD FRIDAY | 7–9 PM
Cactus and Succulent Society of New Mexico. Discuss cacti and succulents; enjoy a program presented on a subject relevant to these plants. The program usually includes a slideshow. It is not necessary to be a member to attend. Info: Albuquerque Garden Center, 10120 Lomas Blvd. NE, (505) 296-
6020 new-mexico.cactus-society. org.
FRIDAYS, SATURDAYS, AND SUNDAYS
Tablao Flamenco Albuquerque. The passion and energy of flamenco comes alive as you experience flamenco in its most intimate, powerful setting in the heart of historic Old Town Albuquerque. Featuring a world-class lineup of artists, the Tablao Flamenco presents a dynamic schedule of performances. Info: Friday and Saturday dinner shows feature electrifying performances accompanied by an exclusive four-course meal created by Hotel Albuquerque’s Chef, Gilbert
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Aragon. Visiting on Sunday? Enjoy a light tapas menu and regionally inspired fine wines and spirits. Reservations and more information, dates, and times are found at tablaoflamenco.org.
SATURDAYS | 8 AM–12 PM
Downtown Growers’ Market. Shop the largest selection of local farmers and ranchers in Albuquerque. Each bring their own knowledge, flavor, and personal touch to the plants they grow, animals they raise, and bees they tend. Info: Robinson Park, 8th Street and Central Ave.
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SATURDAYS | 9 AM–12 PM
Free Duplicate Bridge Lessons. Whether you are new to bridge or a former or rusty player, enjoy the free supervised play lessons – no partner needed. Info: Duke City Bridge Club, 8616 Northeastern Blvd. NE, (505) 271-2877, dukecitybridge.com.
SATURDAYS | 12–1 PM
Watermelon Mountain Ranch Volunteer Orientation. Come to the main facility in northern Rio Rancho to find out all about the volunteer program and the opportunities to work with the animals in our care. Info: Watermelon Mountain Ranch, 3251 Westphalia Blvd. SE, Rio Ran-
Duke City Model Yacht Club. Join us every Saturday at Tingley Beach where we race remote-controlled sailboats. All are welcome to visit us at the pond. We will be happy to help you sail one of our boats before or after the races. Info: 1800 Tingley Drive SW, dcmyc.org.
MOST 2ND, 4TH AND 5TH
SATURDAYS | 7–10 PM
ABQ Dance Club. Fun social dances with a variety of music for swing, country, ballroom, and Latin. All
levels. No partner needed and beginners are welcome (introductory dance lesson at 6:45 pm on 4th Saturday). Info: ABQ Square Dance Center, 4915 Hawkins NE. For info and to confirm schedule, email glkello@nmia.com or call (505) 2993737 (no text; leave message). $8 fee ($5 ADC).
SATURDAYS | 2:30–4:30 PM
Tango Club of Albuquerque’s Weekly Practice. At this Argentine Tango practice, no partner is necessary. Info: ABQ Square Dance Center, 4909 Hawkins NE, abqtango.org.
SECOND SATURDAYS | 6–8:30 PM
Community Coffee House. Warm up with a cup and the opening musical performer. This is a great way to spend a Saturday evening listening to music and enjoying friends, old and new. Info: Unity Spiritual Center, relocated from the East Mountains to 9800 Candelaria NE, (505) 292-1998, uscabq.org/coffeehouse for information about the month’s performers. (Not affiliated with the church.)
THIRD SATURDAYS |
Blue Star Mothers. General membership meeting for mothers of sons or daughters who currently serve or have served in the U.S. military. They pack care packages four times a year for those serving in the military. They also volunteer and participate in several military events throughout the year. Info: 2919 2nd Street NW, rgvnmbsm. org. Contact Ruby at rubyjeangarcia@gmail.com or (505) 203-8250 or Denise at (505) 883-6240. Free.
EVERY FIRST SATURDAY | 10–11:30 AM
People Living Through Cancer. Support Group for women with any gynecological cancer plus concurrent group for families/caregivers. Info: The Gynecological Cancer Awareness Project holds these peer-led groups at the People Living – Cancer Office, 3411 Candelaria Road NE, Suite M, theGCAP.org.
EARLY SEPTEMBER EVENTS
SUNDAY 1 | 6:30 AM–6:30 PM
Dawn to Dusk at Coronado Historic Site. Check out the museum, walk the ruins, make a craft. Conserva-
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tion Carnivale, Albuquerque’s science circus, will bring their Mobile Museum Theatre and perform from 2–4 pm. Info: 485 Kuaua Road, Bernalillo, nmhistoricsites.org/Coronado. Free to NM residents with ID, $7 general, kids under 16 free.
WEDNESDAY 4 | 10:30 AM–12 PM
Traditional Gardening at Coronado Historic Site. Learn about the importance of pollinators and alternative pollination techniques in this traditional Pueblo gardening workshop. Info: 485 Kuaua Road, Bernalillo, nmhistoricsites.org/Coronado. Free to NM residents with ID, $7 general, and kids under 16 free.
INCLUDE YOUR EVENTS IN THE DATEBOOK!
Please send an e-mail with the date, time, and event description to datebook@abqthemag. com. If available, include a high-resolution digital photograph or image. Listing information deadline is the 10th two months prior to publication (e.g.—all MAY events must be submitted by March 10, etc.). All events are subject to change. Please call event organization for final verification on events, times, dates, prices, and ticket availability.
EXPERTS
IN THEIR FIELD
PARTNER CONTENT
AARON T. JONES
4901 McLeod Rd NE, Suite B 505.897.2420
ipsglobal.com
In today’s world, it’s become necessary for citizens, homeowners, and business owners to resort to other means of defense and protection, rather than simply law enforcement. My goal at IPS is to provide trusted, professional protection service clients can count on for daily support as well as in critical times of need. We are constantly expanding our reach with the possibility of branching into the United Kingdom (London) soon.
• California and New Mexico Law Enforcement Certifications
• Licensed to operate in NM, TX, CO, AZ, OR, WA, DC, TN, CA and FL. We operate Coast to Coast in selected cities!
• Member: National Rifle Association, Fraternal Order of Police, Better Business Bureau, New Mexico Electronic Security Association, United States Deputy Sheriff’s Association
• ESI Alumni (Executive Security International)
SKILLS & EXPERTISE
• Active security professional for over 29 years, licensed in multiple states
• 26 years of Law Enforcement Experience in Violent Crimes/Homicide
• Special Investigations Division (SID) as well as a Special Operations Unit which encompassed the K-9 units (Bomb and Drug) and Tactical Unit (SWAT TEAM)
• Police Officer / Deputy Sheriff of the Year in 1998 (Order of the Eagles)
• New division, IPS Technologies, now offers Alarm, Camera, Monitoring and Access Control
• Internal Affairs Investigator responsible for policing the police
• Violent Crimes/Homicide Detective with major case experience and training
• IPS began service in Four Hills on New Year’s Day 2007, with three cops and one (old) patrol car
•IPS began citywide service in Albuquerque and Bernalillo County in 2008
• IPS began providing commercial services throughout New Mexico in 2009
• Heart of the Community Award Recipient in 2019 from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department
QUESTIONS
A: Q:
What inspired you to start IPS?
I saw a huge need for someone to start a service and a company that people can count on to keep them safe and secure while also allowing them to go about their day-to-day lives with enjoyment and peace of mind.
A: Q:
What type of clients are a good fit for your service?
We do very well with clients who actually care about safety and security, and are truly looking for someone they can trust to watch over them, their homes, families, and businesses. We are not the guys to use if you are just looking for a “warm body.” You can train a monkey to do that. We actually make a difference. That is extremely important to me.
A: Q:
Are you seeing an increase in need for your service?
Yes. Unfortunately, the world we live in is not becoming a safer place. We turn on the news on a daily basis and we are not seeing good things. Violent crime and property crime is up, and the police are overwhelmed with too many calls and not enough manpower. We have terrorist-type activities in our cities and towns. It’s a scary scenario. Someone has to take up that slack. That’s where we come into the picture.
A: Q:
What types of crimes do residential clients face?
Since COVID has hit, there are people that are covering their faces under the pretense of the virus in order to conceal their identity, which is obviously a benefactor for the criminal element. That’s a challenge as well. Not only in banks and stores, but residentially, where people are knocking on your door at all hours of the day and night to test the waters for home invasions. They’re able to conceal their identity. People aren’t as alarmed by that as they should be because of the pretense that they’re trying to protect themselves from COVID. The COVID pandemic has given the bad guy a huge advantage by the fact that it’s “okay” to cover your face.
Have you branched out or expanded your offerings? A: Q:
We’re continuing to grow big time. We just started in Seattle. We’re in Phoenix and Tucson. We’re getting ready to start in Chicago and Atlanta. We just got our license in New Jersey and Virginia. We’re just growing tremendously. We’ve also adapted an aviation unit and a marine patrol in our Florida division. We have the capabilities with our aircraft to get anywhere in the country or anywhere in the world within a matter of hours for our clients. We’ve really had a lot of changes just in the last year alone regarding our capabilities and the things that we can do for our clients.
FRENCH FUNERALS & CREMATIONS
1111 University Blvd NE www.frenchfunerals.com
THOMAS E. ANTRAM
President & CEO
ALICE BROUSSEAU
Vice President & CFO
French Funerals & Cremations has been serving our community for over 117 years. Our founder, Chester T. French, created a legacy of community involvement and philanthropy. We’ve continued to honor his legacy in our community through excellence in service. I’ve had the distinct honor to be part of this service for over 30 years in my own career, having done nearly every job and role in our company during this time. I (Thomas) consider myself very fortunate to have been mentored by the grandsons of Mr. French and other great leaders around our community. We are one of a few independent funeral homes remaining in the greater Albuquerque area. We believe that through local ownership, we can respond to our community needs more rapidly and with greater significance. After all, this is our home, and we invest in it.
EXPERTS IN THEIR FIELD
ACCREDITATION
• Fewer than 7% of funeral homes in the United States meet the requirements of membership for Selected Independent Funeral Homes. French is the ONLY member in the Albuquerque area.
• Tom has been a board member of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce since 2010 and is a former board chair.
EDUCATION
• French Vice President and CFO Alice Brousseau has been a board member and former chair of the Rio Rancho Regional Chamber of Commerce.
• Tom is a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner.
• Service excellence with 99% customer service satisfaction.
• Largest cremation provider in the Albuquerque area with four human cremation units and three pet cremation units.
• Years of experience in providing services for ALL faiths, including Catholic, Jewish, Greek Orthodox, Protestant, Buddhist and many others.
• Certified Green Burial Funeral Provider.
• Grief support services provided.
•Final Affairs Guidance, Benefit Claim Assistance, Notification Assistance, and Fraud Protection are all included in our services.
•Online memorials, video tributes, live streaming services.
•Pre-planning seminars to aid your family with planning ahead.
•Exclusive provider of Mortuary services to Kirtland Air Force Base, Cannon Air Force Base and Holloman Air Force Base.
•Pet Cremation service offered through Best Friends Pet Passings & Cremations.
•Simple Cremation provider — Cremation Society of New Mexico.
SKILLS & EXPERTISE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• French has been the recipient of the New Mexico Ethics in Business award.
• Tom is the incoming president for Selected Independent Funeral Homes.
• Tom is the past President of The Rotary Club of Albuquerque.
• Tom is a former Honorary Commander for the Safety Center on Kirtland Air Force Base.
A: Q:
QUESTIONS
& ANSWERS
Why is it important to carry on the legacy of French Funerals & Cremations?
Through his commitment to ‘doing the right thing’ and giving back to the community in which you live, Mr. French formed a foundation for French Funerals-Cremations. Throughout our 117 years of service, these foundational pillars have kept us focused on providing the absolute best service and experience for families that entrust their loved one into our care. This legacy, which began in 1907 is a responsibility for those of us that continue to keep the French name active.
A: Q:
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I (Thomas) often tell people that there are few professions that allow the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life each day. That is what we do. Funeral service is an honorable profession that comes from a calling to serve. That fills the bucket of each of our teammates and gives me great satisfaction knowing that we are making a difference.
Why is it important for someone to plan ahead when it comes to funeral and cremation services?
We often see families that have not planned ahead, and it’s a painful experience for all involved. There are so many choices and decisions to be made while planning a funeral/cremation, all while under extreme grief. The converse of this experience is true for those that have planned ahead. Major decisions have been made. There’s no guessing what Mom or Dad wanted because it’s all spelled out. The gift of planning your own funeral/cremation is one that will allow your remaining family to focus on celebrating your life and appropriately grieving their loss.
What does your company do to help someone through the grieving process?
For many years, French has continued our services beyond the death itself. We offer grief therapy support through one-on-one meetings, group support with our community partner, The Grief Center, and through a service that we pay on our family’s behalf, from Full Circle Aftercare. Full Circle Aftercare calls each of our families and assists with final affairs guidance, benefit claim assistance, and notification assistance among other areas of advice. This service is invaluable. When my own father died in June 2023, I (Thomas) experienced this service personally. While we had done many things in preparation for his death such as pre-planning, there were still items that needed to be done that we hadn’t thought about. Having a professional guide you through things that need to be done after a death is such a blessing and allows you to take the time for your own grief.
A: Q:
Why should someone choose French Funerals and Cremations?
There are many options to care for your loved one at death. There are good people working in our profession and they can help you today. But the one truth that we know is that French Funerals & Cremations is the longest standing, locally owned and operated funeral home in our community. We support the things that you value in our community: The University of New Mexico, CNM Ethics in Business, Special Olympics of New Mexico —among many others. We have unparalleled training of our professionals, so that we can provide excellence in service each day. We honor and remember EVERY life that we are privileged to serve. You can count on French being here, not only today, but every tomorrow.
RICK & KYLE PRESTON
Co-Owners
Del Sol Aviation
2501 Clark Carr Rd SE (Albuquerque Sunport) delsolaviation.com
Del Sol Aviation was launched in 2008 by Rick and Kyle Preston (father and son) with two Piper Cherokees to fill a perceived need in Albuquerque for individuals pursuing flight training careers or just additional pilot certifications. The demand has continued to increase and has driven the company to 15 aircraft, one state of the art enclosed simulator and an FAA Certified Pilot Exam Center to support a wide variety of pilot knowledge certification requirements. Today Del Sol Aviation has over 30 employees and is providing training for more than 200 new pilots each year.
• Aviation Factory of the Future Program Manager, USAF 1979 -1984
SKILLS & EXPERTISE
• Aircraft Electrician on the F-102 Delta Dagger and the F-4 Phantom Aircraft
• Pilot Ground Training Extension Courses for single and multi-engine certifications while stationed in Vietnam & Thailand
• Development and Application of Quality Assurance Methods and Processes for the Airborne Laser Laboratory (ALL) Support Operations at the Air Force Weapons Laboratory, KAFB, NM
• Enterprise Operations Process & Data Modeling Systems Methodology Development & Applications, WPAFB, OH
• Aviation R&D Quality Assurance Processes & Systems Methodology Development & Applications, WPAFB, OH
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
•Air Force Commendation Medal for distinguished performance as an F-4D Aircraft Electrical Technician, Udorn, RTAFB 1968
•Meritorious Service Medal for Distinguished Service on the Airborne Laser Laboratory Program, KAFB, NM 1976
•Meritorious Service Medal for Outstanding Service for Factory of the Future Concepts Development and Transition to defense industry, WPAFB, OH 1984
•Received OSD/R&D Showcase Award for Design-Cost Trade-Off Guides with Artificial Intelligence for Aviation Product & Process Design, WPAFB, OH 1983
• Director, Enterprise & Product Systems Engineering, Northrop-Grumman, 19842000
• Program Manager, B-2 Bomber Design & Production Support Systems Analysis & Requirements Development, 19841986
• Team Member, F-35 Conceptual Design for Global Logistics Software Development, 2004-2005
• Owner and President of Del Sol Aviation Flight Training Services 2008-Present
• Aviation Factory of the Future Conceptual Development & Applications, WPAFB, OH
• AMRAAM Missile Factory of the Future Concept Application, USN, San Diego, CA
• B-2 Bomber Factory of The Future Concept Applications, Pico Rivera, CA
• F-35 Conceptual Design Team for Global Logistics Software Systems Development, Ft. Worth, TX
•Factory of the Future Applications for Swiss Industrial Center of Excellence, Fribourg, Switzerland
•Received OSD/R&D Showcase Award for significant cost savings with Cost Design Guide applications on the B-1 Bomber landing gear design and production. WPAFB, OH 1983
• Received Showcase Award by OSD/R&D for Exemplary Applications of Factory of the Future Concepts for aviation industrial Quality Assurance Architecture Applications, WPAFB, OH 1984
Received Showcase Award by OSD/ R&D for AMRAAM Factory of the Future Application, Naval Ocean Systems Center San Diego, CA 1986
•Received Top Performing Flight School Honors from Women of Aviation Worldwide (WOAW) Albuquerque Sunport, NM, 2015 & 2017
SERVICES OFFERED KYLE
ACCREDITATION
• US Navy Power Plant Engineer Technical Training
• West Mesa Flight School Line Manager
• Utah Valley University Online Aviation Training Courses
• Pilot Training, West Mesa Flight Training Services
• Drone Pilot Certificate
• Private Pilot Certificate
• Rotor Transition Advisory Group Associate Member
SKILLS & EXPERTISE
• Ship Power Plant Engineer, USS Blue Ridge
• Aircraft Single & Multi-Engine Maintenance Records Training Instructor
• Line Management for West Mesa Flight School Fleet of 33 Aircraft
• Line Management for West Mesa FBO
• Del Sol Aviation Vice President for Flight School Business Development and Growth
• Del Sol Aviation Testing Services Center Oversight Manager
• Del Sol Aviation Financial Partner Development Manager
• Del Sol Aviation Airline Business Partner Development Manager
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Flight Training Operations that exceed 1,000 flying hours each month
• Responsible for achieving over 200 pilot graduates/year
• Growing Del Sol Aviation from 4 staff members initially to over 30 staff members today
• Navy Achievement Award for Weapons System Repair Process Modification
1. Individual Pilot Training Courses: Individual courses are offered for achieving your goals related to private pilot, commercial pilot or an instrument rating. Commercial pilot certification is offered in both single and multiengine aircraft. These courses include ground class training as well as flight training. Del Sol Aviation offers a fleet of 15 aircraft that include 12 Cessna 172/182 single engines, and 3 Grumman GA-7 twin engines.
2. Gateway Path for Commercial Aviation Careers: Signup for an airline career program that takes you from zero experience to commercial airline pilot certification in as little as two years or less. This is a rapid pace program with fully financed options.
3. Rotor to Fixed Wing Transition Training: Military and civilian rotor pilots who wish to transition their rotor skills to qualify for lucrative commercial airline jobs can enroll in Del Sol Aviation’s Rotor To Fixed Wing (RTF) Program and achieve all of their FAA certificates needed to qualify for the airlines in as little as six weeks.
4. Mountain Flying Course: Learn how to safely navigate high altitude terrain and experience the thrill of flying in and around some of the highest general aviation airports in North America. Unique challenges include high altitude aircraft performance, mountainous weather conditions, and navigation challenges unique to mountainous terrain.
5. Drone Pilot Certification Knowledge Course: This course is designed to embrace the knowledge needed to conduct commercial drone operations safely, legally and effectively while preparing you for the Part 107 Drone Pilot Exam. The course includes taking the FAA Knowledge exam. Upon passing the exam an FAA Drone Pilot License is issued immediately.
6. Military Assistance Programs: Del Sol Aviation is an approved resource for the DoD Skillbridge Program for military personnel who are transitioning into the commercial aviation career. Candidates can achieve their FAA Certificates and work as instructors to gain experience and credentials that will help qualify them for a commercial career. Del Sol is also an approved source for the Army and Air Force Credentialing Program as well as ROTC Pilot Scholarships that offsets the cost of pilot training .
7. Airline Partnerships: Del Sol Aviation has been endorsed as a preferred Flight School by GoJet Airlines, an airline carrier for United Airlines. This provides a direct pathway for an airline career. Receive airline mentoring opportunities and referrals with partner airlines while training at Del Sol Aviation. Other partnerships include Ameriflight and Sierra West Airlines.
8. Lending Partnerships: In order to help ensure student financial assistance, Del Sol has partnered with three finance companies that can provide funding for a full career or assistance on individual courses.
9. FAA Pilot Exam Services: Del Sol Aviation is an FAA certified testing services center and can conduct knowledge certification exams for fixed wing aircraft pilots, rotor pilots, hot air and helium balloon pilots at various levels ranging from private pilot to air transport pilot (ATP). Aircraft Mechanic (A&P) and Inspection Authority (IA) Knowledge Certification Exams are also conducted at our test center.
ALBUQUERQUE PERIODONTICS & IMPLANTOLOGY
MICHAEL S. SPARKS, DDS, MS
Periodontist
4216 Louisiana Blvd NE
505.291.9000 abqperio.com
Albuquerque Periodontics is one of the oldest specialty practices in Periodontics in the Southwest. Dr. Sparks, who has been practicing here since 2006, treats conditions affecting the health of the supporting structures of the teeth, including the gums. This includes periodontal (gum) disease, receding gums, and the replacement of missing teeth with dental implants.
Such longevity doesn’t happen by accident; Dr. Sparks is focused on taking great care of his team and patients and works closely and collaboratively with general dentists and other specialists. Albuquerque Periodontics provides excellent service and care with state-of-the-art procedures and a great team approach. They are highly trained and experienced; and continually pursue additional, ongoing education on the latest advances in dentistry.
Albuquerque Periodontics also stays updated on rapidly advancing technology in dentistry. Dr. Sparks utilizes sedation, including safe IV moderate (conscious) sedation for more complex procedures, as well as oral sedation and nitrous oxide/oxygen sedation. They also have cutting edge imagery, as one of the first adopters of Cone Beam CT imaging in the area; as well as electric dental handpieces and piezoelectric surgery instrumentation to provide the most gentle and precise treatment possible. Fully-guided implant surgery is also a service provided. Regenerative procedures using growth factors and techniques that avoid donor site tissue is another emphasis in the practice.
In addition to providing exceptional care, Dr. Sparks and Albuquerque Periodontics connect with patients because they are supported by a leadership development program in the office that ensures the doctor and his team are excellent listeners, highly empathetic, and serve each patient as they would want to be treated themselves. They understand the anxiety that dental treatment can involve and support their patients in a way to maximize their comfort, safety, and aftercare.
That ideal combination of high-quality care and compassion pays off when Dr. Sparks and the team are able to see the satisfaction of their patients. They thrive on the compliments that patients give on how they are listened to and cared for in the practice, as well as the joy of their final results and the expression that their care was more comfortable and easier than expected. It is their joy to also work with some of the finest general dental colleagues/teams and other specialty practices in the state.
Albuquerque Periodontics also gives back to the community. The practice has been a leader and participant in New Mexico Mission of Mercy and also a Donate Dental Services provider as well as volunteers for the New Mexico Dental Association. Meanwhile, Dr. Sparks was elected as a Fellow in the American and International Colleges of Dentistry, an honor that approximately 1% of dentists achieve through humanitarian service, leadership in dentistry, and ethics.
The future is bright for Dr. Sparks and Albuquerque Periodontics, as they will continue working closely with their colleagues in dentistry to collaboratively lead in the field of dental health care. They are excited about helping more people reach their goals of experiencing the joy and benefits of optimum oral health.
WILL SANDERS
President New Mexico Chapter of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (NM HFMA)
nmhfma.org
Email: nmhfmavolunteer@gmail.com
Will C. Sanders, President of NM HFMA, leverages extensive experience in healthcare operations and finance to lead the chapter. With a focus on education, networking, and professional development, Will invites healthcare professionals to join NM HFMA to enhance collaboration and shape the future of healthcare within the state.
EXPERTS IN THEIR FIELD
ACCREDITATION
• President of the New Mexico Chapter of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA)
• Certified in Healthcare Finance and Business Management
• Recipient of the Over the Edge Change Management Award
• Entrepreneur and Business Owner, successfully launching and managing multiple ventures
SKILLS & EXPERTISE
• Achieve remarkable efficiency and workflow optimization by integrating business operations, financial management, and human resources.
• Financial performance and profitability are enhanced by leveraging advanced skills in financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting.
• The cultivation of high-performing, value-driven corporate cultures is driven by strategic leadership and effective mentorship practices.
• Operational excellence and critical organizational objectives are realized through strategic thinking and proficient process improvement methodologies.
• Career development and workforce motivation are advanced through talent acquisition, training initiatives, and employee development programs.
• Resilient operational frameworks are established via infrastructure planning, expense reporting, and payroll management systems.
• Consistently exceed performance benchmarks and achieve financial targets by employing strong analytical and critical thinking.
• Operational efficiency and compliance with stringent industry standards are enhanced by leveraging artificial intelligence and best practices.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Leadership in Management: Will has excelled in guiding diverse teams and overseeing complex operations. His strategic initiatives have significantly enhanced organizational performance, showcasing his ability to drive and sustain high-level business success.
Revenue and Efficiency Improvement: By implementing innovative processes and systems, Will has spurred substantial revenue growth and improved operational efficiency. His keen insight into revenue generation and process optimization reflects his adeptness in creating value and fostering business expansion.
Cost Savings and Financial Oversight: Will’s approach to financial oversight and strategic budget management has led to significant cost savings. His proficiency in optimizing resource allocation underscores his capability in maintaining financial health and operational stability, crucial for sustained business success.
Training and Development: Will has developed and delivered comprehensive training programs that have cultivated a culture of continuous learning and professional development within his teams. His commitment to fostering professional growth is evident in the enhanced capabilities and performance of those he leads.
Volunteer Leadership: Beyond his professional achievements, Will has demonstrated a strong commitment to community service. His active participation and leadership in volunteer initiatives highlight his dedication to contributing to the betterment of the community, underscoring his holistic approach to leadership and social responsibility.
• More than 50 years of service
• Recognized leader in the cleaning and restoration industry with five locations in the greater Albuquerque area and more than 2,250 nationwide
• Employees and franchise owners learn restoration and mitigation skills at SERVPRO National Training Center
• IICRC-industry certification
• 24-hour emergency service
SERVPRO
5 Metro Locations:
SERVPRO of South Albuquerque
SERVPRO of Southwest Albuquerque
SERVPRO of Northeast Albuquerque
SERVPRO of Northwest Albuquerque
SERVPRO of Rio Rancho/Sandoval County
(Each ServPro location is independently owned and operated)
SERVPRO understands the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your life and home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “like it never even happened.”As a trusted leader in the restoration industry, SERVPRO has the advanced training and equipment needed to clean and restore your home and business. We are locally owned, and our highly-trained team of certified professionals is ready to respond — every day, any time.
• Water Damage Cleanup and Restoration
• Fire Damage Restoration
• Mold Removal and Remediation
• Storm Damage Repair and Restoration
• Residential Construction Services
• Commercial Property Construction Services
• Specialty Cleaning includes Air Duct/ HVAC, Biohazard/Crime Scene, Virus Pathogen, Document Restoration, Odor Removal, Vandalism/Graffiti
• General Cleaning Includes Carpet/ Upholstery, Ceiling/Floors/Walls and Drapes/Blinds
SKILLS & EXPERTISE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Were on the frontlines providing deep cleaning and decontamination during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic
• Ranked No. 5 in Forbes Magazine “Top 20 Franchises for the Buck”
• Recipient of the Golden Torch Award for Innovation in Practice from the American Society for Training and Development
• Named one of the Top 25 Franchise Brands by the Wall Street Journal
• Named one of the Best Customer Service Companies in the US by USA Today
• Received Women’s Choice Award as America’s Most Recommended for Home in the category of Home Restoration Service
NW ALBUQUERQUE /SW ALBUQUERQUE
JENNIFER KUEFFER
I am a Native New Mexican who specializes in helping businesses solve their employee benefits, executive benefits, and insurance needs. I have worked for health plan providers, a brokerage firm, and am one of the few benefit brokers who has worked as a benefit manager on the employer side and understands the challenges that employers face offering benefits since I have been in that role. I have over 25 years of experience and started my own independent agency three years ago. I have been able to partner with and consult for some wonderful New Mexico employers. When I work for them, I become intimately involved with their benefit strategy and become an extension of their team.
• Life and Health Insurance License in NM and TX
• Property and Casualty License in NM
• Stop Loss Certification
• Employee Benefit Compliance with Federal and State regulations such as the Affordable Care Act
• Medical Self-Insured, Level Funded and Fully Insured, Minimum Essential Coverage
• Dental and Vision
• Life Universal, Whole and Term and Key-Man
• Disability, Accident, Critical Illness
• Pet Insurance, Legal
• Customer Focused and Partner Driven
• Critical and analytical thinker with experience in operation management
• Managed the State of New Mexico benefit plan with a budget of more than $350 million
• Former employee benefit manager for a private company with more than 4,000 employees nationwide
• Successfully opened independent brokerage and consulting firm in 2021
• Former Appointee of Governor Richardson’s HealthCare Reform Taskforce
• Newly-Elected Trustee in the Village of Los Ranchos
ALLURADERM MD MED SPA
AlluraDerm is Albuquerque’s premier med spa, offering cutting-edge treatments and personalized care. Led by a board-certified physician, nurse practitioners, estheticians, and a laser technician, our team of experts provides tailored solutions for skin rejuvenation, body contouring, and laser treatments, utilizing the latest technologies and innovative approaches to help you achieve your beauty goals.
ACCREDITATION EXPERTS IN THEIR FIELD
• Our physician is a board-certified master of their craft, boasting years of expertise and a passion for delivering exceptional patient care.
•Our expert nurse practitioners are highly skilled, board-certified professionals with extensive experience and a proven track record of delivering exceptional patient care, ensuring you receive the highest level of attention and expertise.
• Our estheticians and laser technicians are highly trained, licensed experts who have honed their skills through extensive education and experience, ensuring that you receive the most advanced, personalized treatments for your unique skin concerns.
SKILLS & EXPERTISE
• We offer expert medical aesthetic injections
• Our advanced laser treatments are cutting-edge
• We specialize in body and neck contouring
• Our medical-grade facials and skincare are top-tier
• Weight loss injections are part of our services
• We provide a comprehensive range of non-surgical treatments
• Our med spa has been physiciansupervised for 17 years
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Leading the way in the Land of Enchantment, we’re New Mexico’s #1 Allergan Botox and Dermal Filler expert, empowering our patients to radiate confidence and glow with unparalleled expertise and top-notch results!
• We’ve been recognized as one of the top 5 winners in Albuquerque the Magazine’s ‘Best of the City’ 2023 awards, solidifying our reputation as a standout destination in the Duke City!
•For 17 years and counting, we’ve been proudly serving the vibrant city of Albuquerque, building a legacy of excellence and earning the trust of our community!
YASMANY FUENTES
Owner/Manager
The Scuba Company
I am driven by a passion that was ignited when I first tried scuba diving over 13 years ago. As a Scuba Instructor, I travel globally with wonderful customers, sharing the transformative joy of exploring the underwater realm. We as a store thrive on changing lives by teaching about the beauty beneath the waves. Our Scuba Team is the best in the country.
If you need help with Scuba Certification or travel reservations, call The Scuba Company at (505) 888-7990.
•PADI IDC Staff Instructor
•Handicap Scuba Instructor
•American Heart Association CPR Instructor
•Shotokan Karate 3rd Degree
Black Belt Instructor
SKILLS & EXPERTISE
• Experienced small business owner and manager
• Financial/budget management for small business
• Experienced personnel management
• Skilled in staffing, hiring, and scheduling
• More than 2,500 dives as an instructor
• Well-versed in establishing organization structure and development
• Able to establish customerfocused organization, resulting in 5-star customer satisfaction rating
• International travel guide/trip leader
• 2018 PADI Instructor of the Year award
• Elite Instructor Award for 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023
• Certified 367 students in one year
• Sustained and grew the business during the Covid-19 pandemic through the addition of two new lines of business
• Established Dolphin Warriors non-profit foundation in 2024 to provide Scuba Diving opportunities to veterans and physically challenged individuals
Photo courtesy of Anrew McCain
TINA ABEYTA
Regional Director
All Seasons Day School (ABQ Childcare)
7700 Zuni Rd NE abqchildcare.com
Tina Abeyta has been the Director at All Seasons Day School (abqchildcare.com) for over 33 years. Her duties as the director include opening doors to every family in their city and neighborhood to love and care for their children; offer educated staff that are trained to develop children physically, emotionally, socially, and cognitively; offer free nutritious meals four times a day; provide a high-quality learning curriculum; and offer a place of safety to meet individual needs.
If you need help with quality care and learning, Free NM PreK, and after-school care, join our many programs for all ages by calling (505) 266-3000.
• National Administrator Credential (NAC)
• Child Development Certificate (CDC)
• Member of NM Child Care and Education Association (NMCCEA)
• Center Awarded National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA)
SKILLS & EXPERTISE
• Upholds the center’s 5-star NECPA Accreditation status
• Interviews, screens, and hires personnel who love and relate to children
• Trains and meets with staff to complete yearly trainings
• Schedules monthly family engagement activities for parents
• Maintains, supervises, and enforces company policies, standards, and philosophies
• Knows and enforces all NM Childcare State Licensing regulations
• Knows and monitors the USDA Child Care Food Program
• Oversees ECECD PreK/Early PreK programs
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Oversaw ECECD PreK/Early PreK programs for four years
• Maintained a 5-star Accreditation Center with NECPA for over 15 years
• Monitored a USDA Child Care Food Program for over 33 years
•Was awarded a Child Development Certificate through Central New Mexico Community College
•National Administrator Credential (NAC)
DEREK FANNIN
3900 Singer Blvd NE
affordable-solar.com
An Albuquerque native, Derek Fannin began his journey with Affordable Solar Group in 2010, starting in the warehouse and gradually moving into an Account Manager role. With four years of experience in the California residential market, he rejoined Affordable Solar in 2021 to lead the Residential and Small Commercial teams. As the Operations Manager, Derek is dedicated to ensuring top-quality and efficient solar installations, making renewable energy accessible to the community. To the readers: Let’s harness the power of the sun for a brighter, greener future, supporting local talent and innovation in Albuquerque.
• Microsoft Dynamics CRM Gold Certification
• NABCEP Technical Sales Certification
• Eldorado High School Class of 2004
• Central New Mexico Community College
SKILLS & EXPERTISE
• Albuquerque native who became a self-made success story
• Solar CRM and software expert (Salesforce, Microsoft dynamics)
• 14 years of residential and commercial solar sales and installation experience
• Supply chain and procurement master
• Accurate product forecasting, inventory control, and product fulfillment
•Certified leadership skills through Vistage, a renowned CEO coach and peer advisory organization
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Started on the ground floor with Affordable Solar working in the warehouse
• Learned sales and turnkey installation business as Account Manager
• Helped ensure numerous high quality and successful solar installations
• Leads Affordable Solar Residential and Small Commercial Teams
ROBERT F. MELENDEZ, MD
Laser Surgeon Juliette Eye Institute
8801 Horizon Blvd NE, Suite 130 www.julietteeye.com
I’m committed to helping patients see better so they can live better. My practice, Juliette Eye Institute, was founded in 2020 with an explicit purpose of offering a premium patient experience while also providing premium outcomes, using the most advanced technologies in the state. We have our own eye surgery center and the newest Laser Suite in NM on premises, and we are focused exclusively on premium vision correction surgery. Therefore, we can perform your procedure within one to three weeks of your visit. If you’re looking for that unique patient experience with that personal attention from our staff and doctors, look no further than the Juliette Eye Institute (www.JulietteEye.com). We will be opening a second location in Santa Fe in December 2024.
EXPERTS IN THEIR FIELD
ACCREDITATION
• M.D. (UNM Class of 2000, President of the NM Student Medical Association)
• M.B.A. (UNM Class of 2008, Anderson School of Management)
• Board Certified Fellow, American Board of Ophthalmology
• Board Certified Fellow, World College of Refractive Surgery and Visual Sciences
• Member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
SKILLS & EXPERTISE
• Refractive Surgeon trained to perform all of the latest forms of vision correction from LASIK to the newest version of LASIK called SMILE. There are six customized vision correction procedures and we are the only practice in New Mexico to offer these techniques (SMILE, PRK, LASIK, EVO ICL, RLE, and Premium Cataract Surgery)
• Promoted to Clinical Professor at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology in 2022
• Helped to start several leadership programs and wrote a leadership book, “Focus on the Passion, not the Position.” (Available on Amazon)
• Lecturer that has presented nationally and internationally on topics surrounding vision correction surgery, leadership and the business side of ophthalmology. Invited to speak at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London on Vision Correction Surgery
• Started a national business magazine called Ophthalmology Business Minute and an online resource to help ophthalmologists with their businesses
• Started a national business meeting called The Outliers Ophthalmology Meeting, focused on helping doctors run their business more effectively
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Recipient of numerous awards from the American Academy of Ophthalmology as well as Secretariat Award and the Senior Achievement Award
• First to offer the newest version of LASIK surgery called SMILE in Albuquerque
• Started a Clinical Research Center called The Juliette Eye Institute Research Center
• Started the Juliette Eye Institute in 2020 to usher in the latest technologies in vision correction for New Mexico
• Served in the New Mexico Air National Guard/USAF as a Flight Surgeon and separated from the U.S. Air Force in 2020 as a Lieutenant Colonel.
DOWNEY & COMPANY
6565 Americas Parkway NE, Suite 750 downeyandco.com
Downey and Company is an independent insurance agency that has served New Mexico since 1979. Our company specializes in commercial insurance and surety needs of the construction industry. We maintain a reputation for being a leader in the construction industry by our experience, continued education, and involvement with various construction organizations. Our highly qualified staff can find a solution to almost any surety or insurance problem. Our mission is to serve the construction industry of New Mexico with our vast experience and knowledge of surety and insurance products, while providing a high level of service.
Downey and Company is committed to supporting our clients’ vision for their businesses and being a part of the New Mexico community. If you need help with any surety or commercial insurance related products, call 505-881-0300 today.
• National Association of Surety Bonding Producers (nasbp.org)
• Independent Insurance Agents of New Mexico (iianm.org)
• More than 40 years experience serving New Mexico
• More than 20 carriers throughout the state
• Surety Bonds for Construction Industry • Commercial Insurance
• Associated General Contractors of America
• Associated Builders and Contractors
• Consultant in our field
• Free quotes and dedicated personal service
• Provide assistance in selecting the best coverage to suit your needs at the right price
• Locally owned independent agency
• Top rated employees in our industry
• Team approach to working
• Continued growth for all employees and company
• Friendly competition and respect within our industry
Pella has been an industry leader for more than 90 years thanks to its product innovations and trendsetting tastes. Durable, longlasting materials create some of the most beautiful windows and doors on the market while fitting any style and budget. And with energy-efficient upgrade options, great style can also come with major performance.
Whether wood, vinyl or fiberglass, let your local Pella team find the right product that fits your vision. Call or visit today!
ACCREDITATION
• American Institute of Architects (AIA) – Albuquerque
• Home Builders Association of Central New Mexico (HBA of CNM)
• Energy Star Partner
• Fenestration & Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA)
• Showrooms in Albuquerque, Santa Fe and El Paso
• Designs and manufactures windows and doors for residential homes
• Three distinctive lines of vinyl products fit nearly any style and budget
• InsulShield glass collection provides additional energy efficiency options
• Pella windows are rated No. 1 by homeowners for highest quality
• As part of the community, we stay up to date on the latest trends in the area
• We’ll help you dream up the design that best fits you – plus answer any questions
• Simple, customer-friendly selection and installation process guided by window experts
• No. 1 for highest quality
• No. 1 for highest craftsmanship
• No. 1 for highest value
• No. 1 trusted and preferred window and door brand
OUR BELOVED GREEN CHILE CHEESEBURGER HAS SOME BASIC INGREDIENTS, SURE, BUT NO TWO ARE ALIKE. WE FOUND THAT OUT WHILE SCOURING THE CITY FOR EVERY MENU WITH A GCCB. WE FOUND 98 OF THEM—THOUGH WE LIKELY MISSED ONE OR TWO. MOST OF THE RESTAURANTS OFFERED THE GCCB AS A SIGNATURE ITEM, INCLUDING CHEESE & CHILE. OTHERS OFFERED IT AS AN ADD-ON FOR AN ADDITIONAL CHARGE TO THEIR STANDARD BURGER (WE CHOSE TO POINT THAT OUT, SO LOOK FOR THE “CHILE AND/OR CHEESE +” AT THE END OF EACH WRITE-UP.) EITHER WAY, IT’S HAPPY TO KNOW ABQ IS A GREEN CHILE CHEESEBURGER PARADISE. NOW, GRAB SOME NAPKINS AND TURN THE PAGE!
WORDS BY CLARKE CONDÉ
FEATURED PHOTOS BY DON JAMES
INSET PHOTOS COURTESY OF YELP
BIG MIKE’S BURGERS AND MORE
MIKE BURGER
Way down south (in Belen) the burgers are known to get big. Case in point, the Mike Burger at Big Mike’s Burgers and More. “It’s named after me,” says owner Mike Montano. “It’s the one we sell the most of.” Montano puts together this classic in true form with a brioche bun and plenty of extra hot chile from Chile and Spice of New Mexico. Flavored with Montano’s own blend of seasoning,
NORTHSIDE BELEN
grilled on the flattop and served fresh, it’s a perfect burger. That is unless you want to really go big. In that case, go for the Big Mike Burger. Here we’ve got three patties stacked up with green chile and cheese in between. We’re not saying that it is too big, but it is a commitment. Either way, Big Mike’s green chile cheeseburgers are a Valencia County staple worth going for big time.
ALBUQUERQUE CITY LIMITS
GREEN CHILE CHEESEBURGER
Fresh green chile is piled high atop a thick, half-pound patty— which can also be served on a warm sopaipilla instead of a bun.
UPTOWN
THE ABQ GRILL
GREEN CHILE DOUBLE SMASH BURGER
This hotel restaurant doesn’t skimp: two patties of ground chuck, Hatch green chile, roasted garlic and truffle mayo make for a fine-dining delight.
DOWNTOWN
BACA BOYS CAFÉ
TORTILLA BURGER
A flour tortilla wraps around a ground beef patty, cheese and green chile, and then gets a kicker of guacamole to round things out.
BOSQUE FARMS
BENNY’S
BENNY BURGER
Feel the royal treatment with double patties, double cheese, gua camole and fresh green chile, plus mustard, pickles, onions, lettuce and tomato.
MIDTOWN
BILLY’S LONG BAR
GREEN CHILE DOUBLE CHEESEBURGER
STATEWIDE
LOTABURGER
“NEW MEXICO STYLE” LOTA BURGER
The iconic chain uses exclusively-developed Hatch green chile, which is flame-roasted to pair with two patties, cheese and your choice of toppings.
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
BOB’S BURGERS
RANCHERO SUPREME BURGER
This 61-year-old local chain keeps things simple and hot—the green chile sauce in the burger is known for its consistently high heat level.
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
BOSQUE BREWING
BUILD YOUR OWN BURGER
Green chile is a popular option for this burger (along with cheddar or blue cheese), which is cooked to a temperature of your liking.
MIDTOWN BURGER BRO’S
NM BURGER
Inspired by the Mexican torta, this burger includes ham, bacon and avocado to go along with a thick patty and fresh green chile on a sesame seed bun.
DE BENAVIDEZ
VERY FAMOUS SOPAIPILLA BURGER
Two patties are stacked with American cheese and fresh New Mexican green chile at this spot, which is a notch or two above typical bar fare.
Two perfectly round sopaipillas replace the buns, which hold a juicy beef patty, loads of green chile, cheese, lettuce, tomato and even beans.
NORTH VALLEY CASA
SOUTHEAST HEIGHTS
CERVANTES RESTAURANT
GREEN CHILE BURGER WITH CHEESE
The ground sirloin patty comes in two large options (half-pound or ¾-pound), and is served open-faced and smothered in a mound of green chile.
ATRISCO CAVEMAN BURGERS & TACOS
NEW MEXICAN BURGER
This oversized, Mexican-style burger is loaded: patty, green chile, bacon, cheese, lettuce, tomato—all inside a toasted sesame seed bun.
EXPO UPTOWN
CHRISTY MAE’S
RESTAURANT
GREEN CHILE CHEESEBURGER
The homestyle approach means a generous half-pound burger, completely covered with your choice of Swiss, cheddar, jack or American melted goodness.
OLD TOWN
D.H. LESCOMBES
WINERY & BISTRO
BISTRO BURGER
Wagyu beef patty, green chile, and choice of cheese (Swiss, cheddar, provolone, Danish blue, cream) go with lettuce, tomato, red onion and pickles on a brioche bun. (Chile and cheese +)
OLD TOWN CHURCH STREET CAFÉ
PUEBLO BURGER
The ¼-pound lean patty can be ordered with or without cheese or green chile and comes wrapped in fry bread or tortilla.
MULTIPLE METRO LOCATIONS
COCINA AZUL
GREEN CHILE BURGER
Roasted and peeled Hatch green chile is seasoned with salt and garlic atop a ground chuck patty, then served on a butter-toasted roll.
OLD TOWN
DURAN’S
DURAN’S GREEN CHILE CHEESEBURGER
Plenty of chopped green chile comes with the 1/3-pound patty, which can also be ordered on a famous Duran’s freshly-rolled handmade flour tortilla.
MIDTOWN DURAN’S STATION
GREEN CHILE CHEESEBURGER
Melted American cheese and green chile on a 1/3-pound patty, with lettuce, tomato, onions and pickles on the side so you can pick your toppings.
WEST SIDE
EFFINGBAR
GREEN CHILE CHEESEBURGER
Your choice of American, cheddar or Swiss atop roasted green chile and a juicy beef patty, with fixings on the side.
NORTH VALLEY
EL BRUNO’S
BOBBY BURGER
The grill-fired half-pound patty has a lot going on: Hatch green chile, bacon, mushrooms, avocado, Swiss and cheddar cheeses.
TWO METRO LOCATIONS
EL PATRON
OPEN FACE BURGER
Top your patty with green or red chile, or even “Christmas” (both). For variety, choose El Patron’s famous Serrano chile cream sauce.
MIDTOWN
FLATIRON
BITES & BREWS
NM BACON CHEESEBURGER
The burger has a hearty blend of lean chuck and juicy brisket, topped by NM green chile, American cheese, and slices of crisp bacon.
FORK & FIG
GREEN CHILE BURG
The classic GCCB ingredients are all there, but this burger gets a few upscale additions, like bacon, a fried egg and a brioche bun. It works!
MULTIPLE METRO LOCATIONS
FLYING STAR CAFÉ
GREEN CHILE CHEESE
An all-natural, seven-ounce patty is topped with cheddar and Young Guns green chile from the Hatch Valley, on a bakery bun.
MIDTOWN
FOODTOPIA
GREEN CHILE CHEESEBURGER
Creamy mayo joins the party to mingle with green chile, cheese and fixings to go along with an Angus beef patty.
UNIVERSITY
FRONTIER RESTAURANT
FIESTA BURGER
The iconic ABQ eatery’s burger comes with either green or red chile, cheddar cheese, onion, tomato, pickles and lettuce.
BURGER BOY
CHILE CHEESEBURGER
Like a shining burger joint on a hill, Burger Boy in Ceder Crest is a beacon in the East Mountains for those in search of a great green chile cheeseburger. “What sets us apart is that we cut and grind our meat daily in the restaurant,” says the owner, Ryne Walz. “It is unmatched.” Since his grandparents opened the place back in 1982, Burger Boy has been bringing the heat to this local favorite. Young Guns green chile now does the trick, pumping up the heat index to what Walz says is an eight or nine. Burger Boy skips the flash and delivers a quality green chile cheeseburger with all the fixings straight off the flattop six days a week. Burger fans looking to take it up a notch double up their burger with an extra patty to make it a meal well worth driving up the hill for.
UPTOWN
CEDAR CREST
FIVE STAR BURGER
GREEN CHILE CHEESEBURGER
This is a place set up specifically to make high-quality, all-natural, hormone and antibiotic-free burgers into an art form. In this case, Five Star Burger brings the flavor with its take on the green chile cheeseburger. “It has a smokey flavor,” says owner Patricio Jimenez. “Angus beef, cooked to order.” Jimenez took over Five Star back in 2019 but kept the original recipe the restaurant was known for. Of
ACADEMY HEIGHTS
course, there is Hatch green chile on this prime example of a burger, but Five Star adds Pepper Jack cheese and a green chile mayo into the mix to make sure you know that you are eating a spicy burger. If you want to take a ride on the wild side, Five Star will add wild mushrooms for another dollar just to separate this burger from the pack. It’s tough to go wrong with Five Star.
GRASSBURGER
GREEN CHILE JACK BURGER
Born out of a desire to change the American burger experience, Grassburger comes in strong with its positive effort and 100% grass-fed Green Chile Jack Burger. With free-range cows from outside Clines Corners and Young Guns Green Chile
TWO METRO LOCATIONS
MULTIPLE METRO LOCATIONS
FUDDRUCKERS
FUDD 66
The build-your-own burger features NM green chile and American cheese to go along with fixings, and comes in sizes ranging from 1/3-pound to a full 16 ounces.
MULTIPLE METRO LOCATIONS
GARCIA’S KITCHEN
GREEN CHILI CHEESEBURGER
The longtime local group of eateries also offers an option to swap out your burger’s traditional bun for a hot and puffy sopaipilla.
LOS RANCHOS
HOPS ON 4TH STREET
FIESTA BURGER
Cooked-to-order Angus patties come with the brewery’s “Hops Sauce” to go along with Hatch green chile, cheddar, lettuce, tomato and onion.
WEST SIDE
HOPS & DOUGH TAPROOM
HOLY 505 BURGER
Fresh green chile and melted cheese smother a juicy patty, which comes with a sesame seed bun, lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles.
NORTH VALLEY
INDIAN PUEBLO KITCHEN
IPK BURGER
The classic comes with Native American-raised beef, plus your choice of house-made tortilla or fry bread, and Swiss, American, cheddar or pepper jack cheese.
NORTHWEST HEIGHTS
IRONWOOD KITCHEN
THE SIXTH GUY BURGER
The chuck beef patty is charbroiled and griddled, topped with green chile, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle, on a bakery-fresh kai ser roll.
SOUTH VALLEY
ISLETA GRILL @47
TORTILLA BURGER
WEST CENTRAL JULIAN’S BURGERS
N MORE
DOUBLE GIANT CHILE BURGER W/CHEESE
The name says it all, with a green chile sauce scooped over two all-beef patties at a spot that’s been building a following for three decades.
SOUTH
VALLEY
KATHY’S CARRY-OUT
BURGER W/CHILE & CHEESE
This neighborhood spot offers the burger in two sizes, regular and jumbo, and includes lettuce, tomato and a soft bun.
WEST SIDE HIGH POINT
This roadside gem features a patty and fixings stuffed inside a flour tortilla, and topped with a creamy mixture of melted cheese and green chile.
UPPER MIDTOWN
JIMMY’S CAFÉ
OPEN FACE BURGER
The beef patty is smothered with your choice of green or red chile, then topped with cheddar jack cheese, plus toppings.
GRILL & TAPROOM
SOUTHWEST BURGER
The classic gets a little play on Christmas with a Chimayo red chile-crusted burger topped with a generous helping of extra hot green chile.
HORSE AND ANGEL TAVERN BYO
BURGER W/ GREEN CHILE
Sure, the Horse and Angel is a great spot to catch a game and a beer in the Heights, but if you think they are passing off some standard-issue bar food green chile cheeseburger, think again. Order one of these monsters and the first thing you are going to notice is this is a big burger. Manager Ryan Percy says, “It’s a half-pounder and it’s hand-pressed.” Percy also swears the Bueno green chile he uses is some of
the hottest around. Seasoned as they like it, this cheeseburger also gets the chopped green chile, setting it apart from the tortilla version that gets the green chile sauce. Lettuce, tomato and a big toasted bun top this green chile cheeseburger off, making it perfect for a leisurely afternoon watching the game at the Horse and Angel, provided you ask for extra napkins.
NORTHEAST HEIGHTS
LAGUNA BURGER
LAGUNA BURGER
Laguna Burger is something of a home-grown phenomena. From its humble beginnings inside the Pit Stop convenience store off I-40 back in 2005, Laguna Burger has expanded to six locations around the metro. The burger itself shares a name with the restaurant and is a sizable reason for the restaurant’s success. It’s a big burger, with a half-pound of ground beef and chopped green chile from Hatch. What sets it apart is the Laguna Burger’s simplicity. It is a no-frills green chile
MULTIPLE METRO LOCATIONS
cheeseburger like you might envision in a green chile cheeseburger dream. Travelers through New Mexico have something to look forward to on the outskirts of Albuquerque and basketball fans know what’s for dinner when they are catching a game at The Pit. All of that is to say that Laguna Burger continues to make a green chile cheeseburger worthy of the accolades it has received.
THE LOCAL BREWHOUSE
STEVE’S BURGER
The patty comes with melted pepper jack cheese and NM green chile, plus a couple slices of applewood smoked bacon.
RIVER DOWNTOWN
LOS COMPADRES
LOS COMPADRES BURGER
Chopped green chile, cheese and bacon accompany the half-pound patty, which can also be substituted for a black bean chipotle patty.
MULTIPLE METRO LOCATIONS
LOS CUATES
GREEN CHILE CHEESEBURGER
The 1/3-pound beef patty is cooked to order, then topped with roasted, diced green chile and American cheese, on a brioche Kaiser roll.
UNIVERSITY
LUCKY BOY
GREEN CHILE CHEESEBURGER
Yes, they specialize in Chinese food and hamburgers. The classic green chile version includes melted cheese and fresh toppings.
TWO METRO LOCATIONS
MONROE’S
GREEN CHILE CHEESEBURGER
The huge patty is completely covered with melted cheese, and the burger is served open-faced with fresh green chile atop a toasted sesame seed bun.
NOB HILL MESA PROVISIONS
MESA BURGER
American and white cheddar cheese meld together over Hatch green chile and a juicy half-pound burger patty, plus carmelized onions and marrownaise.
THE CHILE CHASE
Finding the ideal green chile to top a burger — or anything else — can be something of a process. When Starr Brothers opened approximately nine years ago, the establishment used green chile from Bueno, a well-respected company that prides itself on using only certified products from the Hatch Chile Association. However, co-owner John Starr, a self-described chile aficionado, briefly went in a different direction when he began buying green chile from a farmer based in Lemitar. The chile itself was amazing. The work involved? Not so much. “We sell so much chile, it was impossible,” John says. “I’d buy sacks and sacks of roasted chile, and our cooks were like, ‘I’m not peeling any more chile.’”
To avoid a mutiny, a new source was discovered:
Young Guns Chile, which is based in Las Cru ces and boasts a chile factory based in Hatch. Now Starr Brothers buys that product in bulk and all parties involved are more than satisfied. “It’s like a fall roast, a hot chile that we’ve been using for probably over five years now. Our customers love it,” John says. Finding a chile partner is a matter of taste. An Albuquerque-based option is Chile and Spice of New Mexico, a burgeoning company that was established in 2021. Its touch can be found on Hops and Dough Taproom’s Holy 505 Burger and Isleta Grill’s Tortilla Burger, to name a couple. “It’s just a little mom and pop company, honestly,” says Hops and Dough owner Kathy Ortega. “I wish more people knew about them.”
Isleta Grill owner Leticia Romero ads, “It’s just good. Then we put our seasonings and spices on it — it’s perfectly hot.” — TRISTEN CRITCHFIELD
MINE SHAFT TAVERN
MAD CHILE BURGER
Hatch green chile two ways (deep-fried and chopped), with aged cheddar and chipotle dijonnaise on choice of beef, Wagyu, buf falo or veggie patty.
NORTH DOWNTOWN
NEW MEXICO
BEEF JERKY
COMPANY
CHILE BURGER W/CHEESE
The green chile burger is a favorite, but regulars also love other op tions for their half-pound patty, like adding red chile, or a tortilla in stead of a bun.
TWO METRO LOCATIONS
NEXUS
NM SOUL BURGER
Half-pound beef patty infused with bacon and onion accompanies pepper jack cheese and green chile, plus bacon, caramelized onion, lettuce and tomato.
NORTH VALLEY
OAK TREE CAFÉ
NM GREEN CHILE CHEESEBURGER
NORTH ABQ
ON THE FLIP
BURQUEÑO BURGER
A crispy burger on a buttery toasted bun, loaded with white cheddar cheese and chopped green chile, red chile aioli, lettuce and tomato.
NORTHEAST HEIGHTS
OWL CAFÉ
CLASSIC OWL CHILI CHEESEBURGER
A huge hand-formed beef patty is covered with green chile and melted American cheese, plus lettuce, tomato, onions, pickle and mayo.
NORTHEAST HEIGHTS
PEREA’S NEW MEXICAN RESTAURANT
PEREA BURGER
Beef patty, beans, lettuce and tomato loaded inside a freshly made sopaipilla is smothered with chile and cheese.
SAWMILL DISTRICT
PONDEROSA BREWING
GREEN CHILE “BEER” CHEESE BURGER
A gently cooked burger topped with New Mexico green chile, then smothered in house made Ponderosa beer cheese.
Cheddar cheese and roasted green chile atop a half-pound Angus beef patty with lettuce, onions, tomato and pickle on a fresh bakery bun.
TWO METRO LOCATIONS
O’NIELL’S
BURGER IN PARADISE
A seasoned beef patty comes with slices of bacon and a hearty slice of melted American cheese, with a fresh scoop of green chile on the side.
MADRID
MONTE CARLO STEAKHOUSE
MONTE CARLO BURGER
The Monte Carlo Steakhouse’s owner George Katsaros simply calls it, “the best burger in the state.” Bold words in a state filled with so many great burgers, but what Katsaros brings to the Monte Carlo Burger is heat from the Young Guns green chile and the experience you get just setting foot in this iconic place on the west side of the Rio Grande. Katsaros says the Monte Car-
lo Burger was added to the menu in 1981 and has been a favorite ever since. Fresh and juicy, here you’ve got a burger made by steak guys who man the grill day in and out in a restaurant that can best be described as classic. Grab a table or a booth and get ready for a ride back in time. In a place known for steaks, the Monte Carlo Burger is a standout. (Chile and cheese +)
OLD TOWN
PHAT STAX
G-CHEEZY
With a mouthful of hip-hop references, Phat Stax Burgers and More represents Nob Hill with their take on a green chile cheeseburger, the G-Cheezy. Payton Hill, daughter of the owners says, “It’s one of our top sellers.” To the initiated, that should come as no surprise. The G-Cheezy starts with two smash patties and heats it up with Bueno’s Hatch Autumn Roast. Add to that lettuce, tomato and cheese and you
are in for a phat stack of a green chile cheeseburger. Beyond that, the G-Cheezy is the type of burger that pairs well with a beer from the adjacent Tractor Brewery, provided you are prepared with plenty of napkins. While some patrons will struggle to recall the songs and artists referenced by the menu’s punny 90s hip-hop names, all will find a green chile cheeseburger in the G-Cheezy worth dropping the mic for.
NOB HILL
MIDTOWN
RUSTIC ON THE GREEN
THE SACRED
Local NM roasted green chile and American cheese on a beef patty with romaine lettuce, tomato, onion and mustard, on a toasty brioche bun.
TWO METRO LOCATIONS
QUARTER CELTIC BREWPUB
BYO BURGER
Medium well 1/3-pound burger comes with green chile and your choice of cheddar, Swiss, provolone or bleu cheeses, on a toasted pretzel bun. (Chile and cheese +)
TWO METRO LOCATIONS
REVEL BURGER
GREEN CHILE BURGER
Fresh-ground Angus beef patty with green chile, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle and special sauce on a griddle-toasted bun. (Chile and cheese +)
NORTH DOWNTOWN
RIO BRAVO BREWING
BRAVO BURGER
A pair of Angus beef patties are topped with fried green chile strips, ghost pepper jack and American cheese, bacon and BBQ sauce on a brioche bun.
UNIVERSITY
66 DINER
GREEN CHILE CHEESEBURGER
Angus chuck beef patty with cheese and chopped New Mexico green chile; also, a smothered version of the burger that includes creamy queso.
TWO METRO LOCATIONS
SADIE’S OF NEW MEXICO
THE AWARD WINNING BURGER
A half-pound patty grilled with onions, topped with American cheese, chopped green chile and Sadie’s green chile sauce, served on toasted French bread.
NORTH ABQ
SANDIA CASINO SPORTS BAR
THE 505 BURGER
Custom smash patty topped with large pieces of fresh Hatch green chile and cheddar cheese, alongside lettuce, tomato and pickle chips.
NORTHEAST HEIGHTS
SAVOY BAR & GRILL
GRILLED ANGUS BURGER
Chopped green chile and your choice of cheddar or bleu cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle and whole grain mustard aioli on a toasted bun. (Chile and cheese +)
OLD TOWN
SEARED
BISTRO CHOP BURGER
In-house ground steak patty with green chile and cheese, lettuce, tomato and onion on a fresh bun. (Chile and cheese +)
WEST SIDE SPINN’S BURGER & BEER
GREEN CHILE CHEESE BURGER
A fresh-ground Angus chuck patty, melted cheddar and Hatch green chile, with lettuce, tomato, pickles and chopped onions served on the side.
NORTHEAST HEIGHTS
SILVA LANES
TORTILLA BURGER W/GREEN CHILE
The name says it all: a fresh tortilla is wrapped around an all-beef pat ty, topped with diced New Mexico green chile.
DOWNTOWN
SISTER BAR
SMASH BURGER
Two smash beef patties with American cheese, green chile, griddled onions, lettuce, tomato and pickles on a bun with Bloody Mary burger sauce. (Chile +)
DOWNTOWN
SLATE STREET
SLATE BURGER
All-natural local beef patty from Moriarty, cheese and green chile on a butter-toasted bun. (Chile +)
WEST SIDE
SOBREMESA
MESABURGUESA
A huge 1/3-pound Angus beef patty is accompanied by green chile, cheddar, apple smoked bacon and grilled onions on a brioche bun.
VALLEY
NORTH ABQ
STARR BURGER
Certified Akaushi beef patty with green chile, pepper jack cheese, bacon, greens, tomato and onion, plus green chile ranch aioli on a brioche bun.
STEEL BENDER BREWYARD
THE STEEL BENDER
Bueno Foods fried green chile strips and American cheese atop a custom-grind, seven-ounce beef patty, bacon, fried egg and Steel Bender Brewyard sauce.
NORTHEAST HEIGHTS
SPECTATORS
SPORTS BAR & GRILL
ALBUQUERQUE BURGER
Seasoned and charbroiled beef patty is topped with green chile, Monterey Jack cheese and house made guacamole, served on a toasted bun with fixings.
BERNALILLO
HOME PLATE BAR & GRILL
505 BURGER
A generous half-pound patty is covered with Hatch green chile and your choice of cheese, plus lettuce, tomato and red onions on a toasted bun at this spot inside Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel.
TWO METRO LOCATIONS
TAKO TEN
BURQUE STYLE BURGER
The patty comes with cheese and green chile, dressed in green leaf lettuce, special sauce, tomato and red onion, on a toasted bun. (Chile +)
NORTH
REX’S HAMBURGERS GREEN CHILE CHEESEBURGER
What has become a must-have staple at the New Mexico State Fair for decades can always be had without the parking hassles of Expo New Mexico at Rex’s Hamburgers on Montgomery. Owner Rex Thompson has been running the grill since he was 12, producing these fully-cooked (they don’t take requests when it comes to cooking) quarter-pound gems. Expect a freshly cooked, hand-formed burger
center of the show. If you are looking to mix it up a bit, add bacon or avocado to your burger, and by all means, spring for the onion rings. Rex’s is a consistent bet for a top-notch green chile cheeseburger on or off the Midway.
NE HEIGHTS
SIXTY-SIX ACRES
SIXTY-SIX GREEN CHILE CHEESEBURGER
“When we first opened, we were hesitant to put a burger on the menu because we are right next to a burger place,” says the owner of Sixty-Six Acres, Myra Ghattas. “It’s got to be special.” We are glad they got over their hesitation because this is a special green chile cheeseburg
chile-cheddar bun. Attention to details like those makes it great, but that is just par for the course at Sixty-Six Acres. Their entire menu is based around locally-sourced foods so it is no surprise that the green chile cheeseburger they created is reflective of that commitment. Pair
NORTH VALLEY
STACKERS BURGER CO. DUKE
CITY SMASH BURGER
Stackers has it all going on with their Duke City Smash Burger, making it a major favorite for burgerhounds throughout the city. “The biggest difference is the spice blend that goes into the green chile,” says Katie Wine, sales manager for Stackers. That chile is Hatch, but the blend is unique and it shows in the flavor of their take on the green chile cheeseburger. Next up is their standard double Halal burger pat-
DOWNTOWN
THE ORIGIN OF THE GREEN CHILE CHEESEBURGER
SANDIA PEAK
TEN 3
BECK & BULOW LOCAL BISON SMASH
BURGER
Steeped in New Mexican lore, the true identity of who first thought to chop up green chile and put it on a cheeseburger is lost to culinary history, much like who first thought to slice bread for a sandwich instead of (presumably) using two loaves. For the record, we’ll go with the fact that The Owl Bar Cafe in San Antonio, NM started serving them back in the 1940s, but add that it is highly likely that someone’s resourceful abuela was making these at home long before that time. The “where” is really not up for debate. Sorry, Texas, but the green chile cheeseburger is a New Mexico thing and any claims otherwise will be simply dismissed. It is also worth a special shoutout to Blake’s Lotaburger for bringing it to the masses through their chain of restaurants. For many, Blake’s was their first green chile cheeseburger and that may be more relevant to them than anything else. All of this is to say that for the true green chile cheeseburger fan, the more important question isn’t who made the first one, but rather who is making the next one? — Clarke Condé
Thick patty comes topped with Tucumcari cheddar, green chile house bacon, caramelized onion, roasted shallot aioli on a house made sesame bun.
SUNPORT HEIGHTS
THE 377 BREWERY
HOT BOOTY BURGER
Juicy six-ounce patty topped with green chile, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, onions and full-length sliced pickles on a brioche bun.
MIDTOWN
THE GRILL ON SAN MATEO
PAPA BURGER
Burgers from the city’s only indoor wood-fired grill come with green chile and your choice of American, Swiss, cheddar or pepper jack, plus a serve-yourself fixings bar. (Chile +)
WEST SIDE
THE OFFICE BAR & GRILL
TAKE-A-WAY TORTILLA BURGER
A 10-ounce patty accompanied by shredded cheese and a green chile sauce is tucked into a flour tortilla, along with guacamole and sour cream.
MULTIPLE METRO LOCATIONS
THE RANGE
SANTA FE LINE BURGER
Two smash patties come loaded with American cheese and NM green chile, plus lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle on a toasted bun.
NORTH I-25
TOMASITA’S
HAMBURGER
A six-ounce patty can be topped with cheese and green chile, and comes with lettuce, tomato, red onion and pickles, on a toasted burger bun. (Chile and cheese +)
MULTIPLE METRO LOCATIONS
TWISTER’S BURGERS & BURRITOS
THE RENEGADE
Double patties of Angus beef topped by cheese and green chile, mustard, ketchup, lettuce, onion, tomato and pickles on a griddle-toasted bun.
THE KOSMOS RESTAURANT KOSMIC BURGER
Like just about everything at the Kosmos Restaurant, the Kosmic Burger is unique. So unique, the owner and creator of both the restaurant and the burger trademarked this addition to Albuquerque’s burgerverse. “I thought it was a cool name,” says Miller.
WELLS PARK
process and he was rejected once. As Miller tells the story, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office wanted to make sure he was not trying to independently trademark the word “burger.” He was not. However, he was trying to put together a ⅓ pound, locally
a perfect sear. To that end, Miller also invented a custom hand press to make sure the burgers are uniform in quality and deliciousness. Add green chile and cheese of your choice and you’ve got a green chile cheeseburger that is, clearly, out of this world. (Chile
VINTAGE 423
VINTAGE BURGER
Fine dining and green chile cheeseburgers are rarely found together, but at Vintage 423 they do come awfully close. To clarify, The Vintage Burger is only available on the patio, lounge and bar, not the main dining room, but it is the kind of high-class burger that calls for a wine recommendation (you are going to want to go with a bold red). The Vintage Burger is an 8oz Black Angus patty with your choice of toppings, which
to the savvy diner can, and should, be green chile. General manager Chris Vasilion says the chile is from Hatch and the burger is finished with a nice brioche bun. Other options certainly worth considering at Vintage 423 are the grilled onions and the sauteed mushrooms. If you are looking for a classy place in Albuquerque for your green chile cheeseburger, look no further than Vintage 423.
N E HEIGHTS
Not Just For Locals Anymore
A few national chains have become hip over the years to the wonders of New Mexico green chile. Namely, McDonald’s, which launched green chile as an op tion on burgers in 2011. In recent years, Sonic and Whataburger also added the Hatch variety of green chile burgers. The chains typically offer these across New Mexico, and also in parts of West Texas and Arizona. Burger King tried a ‘green chile sauce and BBQ’ burger a few years back, and around the same time, Wendy’s rolled out a ‘queso burger’ with green chile. Neither stuck around. Too bad.
TWO
METRO LOCATIONS
TURTLE MOUNTAIN BREWING
HATCH BURGER
Cheddar cheese and Hatch green chile on a half-pound Angus beef burger, plus bacon, lettuce and tomato (upon request) on a fresh kaiser roll.
OLD TOWN
TWO CRANES BISTRO
& BREW
GREEN CHILE CHEESEBURGER
Burger patty topped with green chile, bacon, white and yellow American cheeses, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles and garlic aioli on a fresh bun.
RIO RANCHO
UPSCALE RIO
GREEN CHILE CHEDDAR BURGER
Green chile and melted cheddar cheese top a generous patty, alongside lettuce, tomato and onion, on a toasted bun with Upscale sauce.
RIVER DOWNTOWN
VEGAN VATO
VATO BURGER
An all-plant Impossible® burger patty with queso and green chile, plus sauteed mushrooms, caramelized onions and slaw on a whole wheat bun.
INTERNATIONAL
HEIGHTS
VICK’S VITTLES COUNTRY KITCHEN
VICK’S GREEN CHILE CHEESE BURGER
Flame fired patty loaded with melted cheddar cheese and green chile, plus lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles, served on a kaiser roll.
WEST RIVER HEIGHTS
WESTERN
VIEW DINER & STEAKHOUSE
SUPER BURGER DELUXE
Lean beef patty covered with cheese and green chile, topped with bacon, plus lettuce, tomato and onion on a toasted bun.
NOB HILL
ZINC WINE BAR & BISTRO
SMASH BURGER
The twist is the green chile dijonnaise, which goes with the half-pound patty and cheddar on a brioche bun, served in their hip Cellar Bar.
Rio Rancho Spotlight
Hello, Rio Rancho!
By Greggory D. Hull
Nestled in the heart of New Mexico, Rio Rancho stands as a testament to planned community success. Incorporated just over four decades ago in 1981, this youthful city has swiftly emerged as a beacon of prosperity and quality of life in the Southwest. Known as the City of Vision, Rio Rancho has garnered national recognition for its exceptional amenities, robust economy and commitment to safety.
Rapidly attaining the status of the third-largest city in the state, Rio Rancho is on course to become the second-largest city in New Mexico. Since its inception, this vibrant community has experienced exponential growth, fueled by a combination of economic opportunity, excellent schools and a commitment to public safety.
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One of Rio Rancho’s cornerstone achievements is its ability to attract major industry players. Intel Corporation, a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing, established a significant presence in the city early on, contributing to its economic vitality and technological advancement. This partnership has not only created job opportunities but also solidified Rio Rancho’s reputation as a hub for innovation within New Mexico.
Education is another pillar of Rio Rancho’s success story. The city boasts an outstanding school district that consistently ranks high in state assessments. This commitment to education ensures that residents have access to quality schooling, further enhancing the appeal of Rio Rancho as a place to raise families and pursue professional careers.
Public safety is paramount in Rio Rancho, and that commitment has earned the city accolades for its proactive approach to law enforcement and emergency services. As one of the safest cities in New Mexico, Rio Rancho provides its residents with peace of mind and a secure environment in which to thrive.
Beyond its economic and safety achievements, Rio Rancho prides itself on fostering a vibrant business community. The city supports local entrepreneurs and businesses, encouraging growth and sustainability. This synergy between industry and community has cultivated a diverse economic landscape, offering residents a variety of employment opportunities and amenities.
Residents of Rio Rancho also benefit from a high quality of life, supported by many recreational facilities, parks and community activities. The city’s dedication to enhancing its residents’ well-being has not gone unnoticed, attracting attention from notable publications such as Family Magazine, Money Magazine and Livability.com. These recognitions underscore Rio Rancho’s appeal as one of the best places to live in the United States.
As Rio Rancho continues to grow and evolve, its commitment to maintaining a balanced and thriving community remains steadfast. With a solid foundation built on innovation, education, safety, and quality of life, Rio Rancho stands as a shining example of what can be achieved through vision and dedication in urban planning.
Rio Rancho may be a young city, but its achievements and its residents place it firmly on the map as a model community in the Southwest. With its blend of economic opportunity, educational excellence, safety and community spirit, Rio Rancho continues to be a City of Vision and promise for residents and visitors alike.
Having served as Rio Rancho’s mayor for more than a decade, I have had the opportunity to see many amazing advancements in the city, from industry growth to enhancements to infrastructure. None of these achievements would be possible without the many partners throughout the community who contribute their time, effort and resources in an ongoing commitment to making Rio Rancho the visionary city it has become today.
To each of these partners, I say, Thank You!
-Greggory D. Hull Mayor, City of Rio Rancho
SENIOR LIVING
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
PEOPLE
STORIES BEHIND INDIVIDUALS WHO MAKE ALBUQUERQUE GREAT
Homegrown Message
Albuquerque’s seventh poet laureate, Damien Flores, is a true child of the city, having been raised in Old Town, graduated from Albuquerque High School and UNM, and learning the crafts of performance and writing from attending poetry slams around town. His voice is poised to represent an emerging generation of new ABQ storytellers (p. 154).
The Way Home
A trip to New Mexico opened her eyes as a teenager, inspiring Tracy Weaver to lead a life of service and compassion—from being the first employee at Saranam in 2003, to leading the ABQ non-profit today.
Tracy Weaver had the bold idea that families living in poverty and homelessness could turn their lives around if they did so in a community of supportive people with shared experiences. As the executive director of Saranam, Weaver has spent the past 20 years crafting theory into a practice that has benefited individual families in a group context. On the cusp of completing what will be the organization’s second residential complex aimed at helping Albuquerque families out of generational poverty, Albuquerque The Magazine sat down with Weaver outside the ADC Family Campus construction site to talk about how she, and the organization she has led since its founding, have developed a replicable method for breaking the crushing cycle of poverty many families face.
ATM: How did you get involved with homeless families?
WEAVER: I’m from Oklahoma City. I grew up there and went to school there. I grew up as a math and science nerd, but I also grew up in the church. My first trip to New Mexico was a mission trip with our youth group. I didn’t realize that people in the United States lived in such poverty. I was 13. New Mexico kind of stole my heart from that time. It became obvious
that I was going to do something to help people so after I got my bachelor’s degree, I was a missionary. I was sent to South Florida to help start a program for families who were homeless because there was no shelter or anything for families in that county at that time. I did that with another local congregation and a whole lot of volunteers for a couple of years. When I moved back to Oklahoma City, I worked with a criminal justice program and reintegration program for ex-offenders and
helped set up a residential program for folks coming out of prison to reunite with their families and get some training so that they could get good jobs and not recidivate. What I saw in both of those places was the people who dug deeper and didn’t just go get a job, but really worked on themselves, the people who were seeing social workers or counselors, and did a lot of work with their families, did better than those that just took the housing and got a job. So, I went back and got my Master’s in Counseling. I’m a licensed professional counselor and was in private practice in Oklahoma City and Norman. I saw an ad for this position in 2003. They were hiring for the first employee of what is now Saranam.
ATM: Is it housing first?
WEAVER: It’s not housing first, the model that HUD does and the government does. Rapid rehousing and housing first
[Parents] want something better for their kids than they had for themselves. They want to make a change that they wouldn’t necessarily make if it was just them.
are kind of the models now for ending homelessness. Those work to end homelessness, but my mission has been to end poverty.
ATM: You make a distinction between ending homelessness and ending poverty. Poverty is a systemic problem? Homelessness is when you don’t have anywhere to stay tonight?
WEAVER: Right. There are a lot of causes and a lot of mechanisms to work on ending homelessness. There’s a whole lot of demographics. The one demographic that we work with is families. That’s at least an adult and a minor child with a custodial connection. Whatever the family looks like after that, they get to decide that. But, it has to have that child because that’s our initial benefactor’s intention. What I brought were different puzzle pieces and putting them together in a different way than had been done before. We know that training for employment is a good thing, but if you want employment that’s going to sustain a stable family, you have to have more of a career.
ATM: Was the parallel in working with the recently incarcerated that they’re both often starting from scratch? Are there similar things that you found that worked?
WEAVER: Yes. The similarity is it was always about families. In South Florida and in Oklahoma with the inmates, they were all families. What I’ve seen now 20 years later is parents have a different motivation. They want something better for their kids than they had for themselves. They want to make a change that they wouldn’t necessarily make if it was just them. I don’t know that. I haven’t tested that piece, but I do know that we hear those words from our families very often. ‘I sure hope my kid is seeing that I am working really hard so that they have a better life than I did.’ Or, ‘My kids are never going to remember being homeless like I remember being homeless because they’re off on a different path.’
ATM: So a lot of this is about breaking a cycle?
WEAVER: People’s reasons for homelessness are really varied. We do have some
people who have grown up in chronic poverty, but not necessarily homeless. We have had families who have grown up in chronic homelessness for generations. We have people who, just because of a specific situation, are homeless for the first time. We have folks in our program from all different places and experiences.
ATM: What’s changed in your work in the last 20 years?
WEAVER: I started out just with this idea and putting the pieces together. I was the only employee. I was writing the contracts for instructors and doing the case management with the families. Trying to make it work. In the last few years, we’ve been working on expanding our program and doubling our capacity. So, a lot of the clinical pieces and management pieces, we have staff that are doing that now. I’m now more in a position where I’m working on the vision and the fundraising.
ATM: How many families are impacted by the work that you do?
WEAVER: We currently have an apartment complex where we have a 20-fam-
PHOTO BY CLARKE CONDÉ
ily capacity, so we can serve 20 families at a time. Our program is really different in that we don’t have this revolving door of people coming in and coming out. We bring in a cohort at once because that third piece of the mission is building community. We believe that our relationships between people and our networks are a big piece of our stability and our mental health. Having a healthy community is super important. Everything that we do is tied back to that community aspect. For those 20 Eastside apartments, we have basically 10 new families a year that come in, 10 families are moving out and 10 families are in the middle of their program. We can serve up to 30 families right now per year. I think in 2023, we served 26 families, so we had some that moved out and the timing was different. What we’re building here is 20 to 25 units. So we’re going at least double our capacity in order to serve 40 to 45 families at a time. We’ll have a spring intake on the west side of town at the ADC family campus and continue our August intake on the east side of town.
ATM: What’s been the most challenging?
WEAVER: Funding is always challenging. This project has been very challenging. It started out as a $6.2 million project and it’s now a $12.8 million project.
ATM: What could Albuquerque do to reduce the number of people slipping into poverty?
WEAVER: There’s a lot of work being done around affordable housing. That’s a huge piece. If people are spending all their time and energy and money just trying to find that, they’re not ever going to kind of get out of the hole. Education. Kids staying in school, graduating postsecondary, trades. Education is a huge piece of that. That’s our second step. And then, instead of arguing about things, coming together.
ATM: Less arguing?
WEAVER: What do we have in common? How can we move through challenging times together? We saw in COVID that
isolation was really terrible for so many people. That’s the community piece. Having the relationships so that when you’re having difficulties, there’s somebody there to help, to hold you up or to encourage you. I don’t think there’s one solution, there’s got to be a lot of solutions because there are a lot of different pieces to the problem.
ATM: I imagine there are probably just as many stories that are not particularly great as there are great ones. How do you keep going after doing this for 20 years?
WEAVER: I guess I just believe people can change. If they are provided opportunities, they’re going to be better than they ever imagined they could be. For a lot of our families, this is just the opening door, then they can become anything they want. That’s inspiring to me. That’s that hope. There are way more stories that are good than there have been stories that are bad.
—Clarke Condé
A
The Encore
decade after retiring from his run as the pillar of UNM’s theater department, director Paul Ford continues to teach and elevate the city’s aspiring young thespians.
Paul Ford would just as soon not be called “venerable,” though it is certainly fitting. “I had noticed in the last couple of reviews I’ve gotten that I have become more venerable,” he jokes. “Hang around long enough, you become an institution.”
Longevity may be a factor, but Ford hasn’t just been hanging around. His influence in Albuquerque isn’t simply felt in the work that he has done personally as an actor and theater director, nor only as the founding artistic director of Theatre in the Making, but perhaps more importantly as a teacher of generations of actors both formally as a UNM professor for 24 years, and informally as the director of countless productions. His students have a common refrain.
“Paul Ford was my first theater professor at UNM and the director of my first college production,” says actor and former student Amanda Machon. “I learned so much from him and can wholeheartedly say he is a big reason I am the performer I am today. Paul Ford is one of a kind.”
How Ford describes himself is multifaceted. “I’ve never known whether I’m a teacher who acts and directs or a director who also acts and teaches. I’ve sort of come to the idea that each of those
informs each other.” He says that when it comes down to it, he is now primarily a director. It didn’t start that way.
Ford came to New Mexico in 1986. He had been through the state in 1985 and had auditioned for New Mexico Repertory, which produced no acting work for him but instead, a suggestion that he start an education program for the group based on the work he had done running theater programs in California. At the time, Ford says cocaine was tearing apart the act-
ing scene in Sacramento. It was a vibrant community with a tight-knit group of artists, but it was fraying. “So all of that sort of built up to the point where in a moment of madness, I threw everything in my car and drove to New Mexico and said, ‘I’ll figure it out.’” The fresh start arrival story is not uncommon here in The Land of Enchantment.
“Then I started doing shows,” says Ford, “and immediately you become part of a community and you build within that community.” Not long after that, he was running programs out of New Mexico Repertory and soon after that, he took a job teaching at the University of New Mexico.
It was at UNM that Ford taught with the philosophy that theater is the training that helps you get through life. “My argument was always that we were an arts service to the university,” Ford says. “We [the Theater Department] were more im-
I think that arts practice, and for that matter, art appreciation is part of the missing equation of the community issues that we have in the country,
portant to third-year business majors who stumbled into the class needing to find themselves.” Ford’s influence can be felt throughout the city in his former students from all walks of life. “The truth is, at any given point, 5% of the people who ever walk into a class are ever going to make a dime doing theater,” he says.
Ford was a professor as the movie industry began its ascension in New Mexico. He says at first he worried about Albuquerque becoming more like Los Angeles, but the cadre of people creating live theater here are just more dynamic, more connected and more committed than in LA. “I still today talk to a lot of people who have been in LA, lived in LA, come back out of LA and talk about how poor the theater scene is there because it is the land of walking headshots,” says Ford. “I don’t feel that happening here.”
Ford retired from UNM in 2013, though he says in his role as a director the teaching continues. Theatre in the Making, the educational and experiential organization he founded in 1989 contin-
ues going strong but recently he says the Shakespeare Festival has consumed most of his brain.
Ford says working with the Shakespeare Festival is relatively new to him, though as he details his past involvement — directing “Winter’s Tale” in 2012, playing the ghost of Hamlet’s father in 2021, directing “Comedy of Errors” last year and then “The Tempest” this summer — it sounds like his participation has been both long-standing and substantial. In the context of a long life in the theater, maybe it just seems recent to him.
In 2021, while doing Hamlet, Ford was one of three people in New Mexico that year to contract a case of West Nile virus, putting him in the hospital for six weeks and effectively out of the theater for a year. “I don’t remember much of the first couple of weeks,” Ford says. It took the doctors a little time to even diagnose him with West Nile, but the doctor who eventually did was, of course, a previous student from 25 years earlier.
“I lost it completely,” Ford says. “I had
to learn how to walk again.” Directing “Comedy of Errors” was an opportunity that Ford was excited to take, in part because he saw it as integral to his recovery. He had been writing about Shakespeare while in recovery and was ready to get back to directing. He feels much better now. “I feel emergent over the last couple of years of reintegrating my brain and reintegrating my body,” Ford says, adding. “I carrying bug spray now.”
As to the future, expect more of the same from Paul Ford, in terms of his work, outlook and encouragement, both for the actors he works with and for those who are simply trying to learn to embrace the humanity the craft reveals.
“I think that arts practice, and for that matter, art appreciation is part of the missing equation of the community issues that we have in the country,” Ford says. “Getting connected to your senses and being able to use your senses to translate your own experience and being able to express it is what we need as a society.”
—Clarke Condé
This summer’s New Mexico Shakespeare Festival production of “The Tempest” directed by Paul Ford. Photo courtesy of the New Mexico Shakespeare Festival.
PHOTO BY BROKEN CHAIN PHOTOGRAPHY.
PERSONALITY
Words With Weight
From English classes at Albuquerque High, to poetry slams around the city, Damien Flores worked on his literary game. Last month, he was named the city’s newest official poet laureate.
Damien Flores is a slam poet. He is other things as well, but his heart is that of a slam poet. The distinction between a literary poet and a slam poet might be lost on the casual poetry fan, but suffice it to say that a slam poet is a performer of poetry. More Tupac Shakur than Lord Tennyson.
In July, Flores was named Albuquerque’s poet laureate, a title with a few tasks, but mostly a position to speak about this place in his own voice and to help the people of this city raise theirs. In his acceptance speech at an afternoon event at the Albuquerque Museum, he said, “I saw my first poetry slam and I said, ‘That’s what I want to do.’” He was built for this, right here in Albuquerque.
Flores was raised by his single mother and his grandmother in Old Town. Flores says that he started noticing that people took pride in the place they were from around age seven or eight. At that time in the 1990s, his Old Town neighborhood was undergoing a shift in identity from a place that seemed rural to something more urban. “Wild West town is how I would describe Albuquerque when I was growing up,” he says. “There were people that still did agricultural practices right in
the middle of the city.” He describes his neighbor’s place on Mountain Road as having sheep and goats, maybe a couple of cows. All of the housing in his neighborhood hewed toward the Pueblo style as well. “All of that kind of went away right after I graduated from high school,” he says. It’s clear the transition had an impact on him.
It was as a teenager that Flores discovered the power of poetry in English class. A student at Albuquerque High School,
the third generation of his family to attend, it was expected that he would do well, for their sake if not his own so he studied. In those days, he hung around the now-gone Blue Dragon Coffee House working on and reading his poems, and meeting other poets. He calls the poetry slam a “brave place,” and describes the style of slam poetry he does as narrative.
“It’s more of the story time.”
It was as a freshman at UNM that he started to learn more about the nature of place. “Right around that time we’d started this discussion topic in one of my classes called ‘gentrification.’ I never heard that word before I went to UNM, but I knew what it meant. I knew what it was.”
After graduating, Flores went into teaching. He just finished up the school year at his high school alma mater where he served as a dean of students dealing with, as he described, the troubled kids. He says that kids now are under so much
Poetry
is not therapy, I mean, it is therapeutic.
more social pressure than when he was growing up. “They can’t escape the rumor mill,” he says. “So many of my students, they open their phone and all they see is somebody talking or hating on them.”
Flores talks a lot about restorative justice. He tried to work with the students, using compassion and a shared background to empathize and guide them. Often he says it would just be him and anywhere from 60 to 130 students in the lecture hall, serving a time out for bad behavior. “The demand for punitive response in the school was overwhelming,” Flores says. It took a toll on him, but he has a plan and that is where the poetry comes in.
The Poet Laureate program has a community project component to it, one that Flores is looking forward to. His goal is to develop a poetry curriculum that can progress, following students starting in third grade and continuing on through high school. He wants all of the writing examples to be from New Mexican
authors. The idea is based on the workbook “Hip-hop Poetry and the Classics” by Alan Sitomer and Michael Cirelli. It’s clear that Flores has been developing the concept in his mind for a long time. He sees this project as adding to the conversation about Albuquerque and its people, as well as giving students a relatable appreciation of the writers. What he doesn’t see this as is a cure-all.
“Poetry is not therapy,” he says. “I mean, it is therapeutic.” He says that distinction is crucial. Flores explains that poetry needs to be approached with care when dealing with tough times or to process your thoughts and feelings. He says he knows many poets who wrote poetry as therapy but didn’t get professional help to deal with traumas, disappointments and tragedies in their own lives. They didn’t think they needed professional help because they were writing poetry.
“Writing about traumas or writing about experiences that might be negative, we always have to frame things in a way
that is gentle for the students,” Flores explains. He says the process of writing and reading poetry can be helpful, and his project can be a part of that, but kids need more than that.
Often, he says, he’ll go to a poetry slam and hear poets simply state a trigger warning and let loose with their emotions as an outlet. “I think a trigger warning sometimes implies it’s more of a stress on the victimization, rather than the grit to get through it,” Flores explains. That is why he calls the poetry slam “a brave place.” It’s a place to be brave, to practice grit and to be supported by other people being brave at the same time.
Flores believes that poetry has a place in the lives of Albuquerque’s youth and in fostering their own bravery. His friend and fellow poet Ken Rodriguez summed it up in his introduction of Flores as poet laureate rather, well, poetically, calling him, “The poetic voice of the city of his birth.”—Clarke Condé
PHOTO BY CLARKE CONDÉ
BEHINDTHESCENES
It’s Fun, To Boot
Preparation is nonstop for Terry Schurmeier, who has spent a quarter-century building the city’s largest antique show of Native American and Southwest art, jewelry, clothing and memorabilia.
The 25th anniversary of the Great Southwestern Antique Show kicks off on Aug. 2 at Expo New Mexico. For a quarter century, this charity event has brought antique dealers and buyers from around the world to New Mexico to buy and sell some of the finest antiques in the Southwest. This year’s event features 100 exhibitors from 20 states and Canada. The show’s emphasis is on Native American, Western, cowboy and Southwestern objects and art, but tribal and ethnographic art, vintage jewelry, clothing, Mexican art, rare books, military items and ephemera will also be for sale. Expect plenty of antiques and you won’t be disappointed.
Terry Schurmeier is the owner and operator of Cowboys and Indians Antiques in Nob Hill. She says she started the antique show in 1999 for two reasons. The first was to fill a void in timing for the antique dealer community. “There had been a cowboy show here in Albuquerque on that first weekend of August, which is a precursor to the big Santa Fe art shows,” says Schurmeier. “When the cowboy show stopped, there was this dead zone. They started losing dealers in Santa Fe because people need a circuit.”
The second reason was to fill a void in
New Mexico’s philanthropic community. “I just said, well, the only way that I can do the show is not to have to look at it as a business that needs to make money,” says Schurmeier. It was from the outset that she began donating 100% of the profits to various organizations around Albuquerque. Over the past 25 years, the show has raised more than $500,000, all of which has stayed in New Mexico.
For the first three years, the profits from the show went to Albuquerque’s St. Pius X High School to support the building of their baseball stadium. Then, Schurmeier
explains, she set up the first endowment fund at St. Pius X. To date the event has raised roughly $80,000 for the school, providing tuition scholarships for students each year. “I take no money [from the event] because I didn’t want to become dependent on the show and have it take my focus off the store,” she adds. A paid, year-round manager now coordinates the annual show.
Next, Schurmeier established an endowment fund for oncology nurses at the UNM Cancer Center. When a family member was in the hospital, Schurmeier learned that there was no funding for the continuing education of cancer nurses. The endowment now sends several nurse oncologists from UNM each year to the National Cancer Research Institute to learn the new nursing protocols. Those nurses then return and share that knowledge with the other nurses at UNM.
Eleven years ago, the Great Southwestern Antique Show began their part-
BEHINDTHESCENES
nership with New Mexico PBS. “That is because PBS epitomizes everything our mission is,” said Schurmeier. “They are fundamentally involved in providing educational material to every single student in our public school system.”
To further that mission, Schurmeier and NMPBS established the New Mexico PBS Great Southwestern Art and Education Endowment. Today, 100% of the first day’s admission price goes to PBS and the show has raised $350,000 total for the
endowment, making it their largest fundraiser. The partnership also has the added benefit of promotion through the PBS station. This year, the proceeds from the admission fees for Saturday and Sunday are split between those for St. Pius and UNM cancer nursing, with an additional $5,000 grant for the Special Olympics.
The show itself is a flurry of activity, with trucks rolling in from across the country and buyers flying in from around the world. “We have people who have
come from 27 different countries over the years to shop the show,” says Schurmeier. Having the show two weekends before Santa Fe Indian Market helps. Knowing that the place will be packed with buyers helps even more. Schurmeier points to the sheer volume of people at the event. “You pack 2500 people in the show and all the dealers. It’s pretty insane.”
What was once a more generalized antique show has developed into one that is now heavily concentrated on specialty Native American, cowboy and New Mexican antiques, with a following to match. Schurmeier likes to point out the repeat attendees. “That’s where Ralph Lauren’s entire vintage buying team goes and has every single year for 25 years. They’ve never missed.” Schurmeier adds that they are easy to spot, well-dressed as they are.
Stories abound of bargains and fresh finds. “One time, when Eliot Michael had Rumble Seat Music across the street [from her Nob Hill store], he set up an entire display of vintage guitars and literally sold a $250,000 1959 Les Paul off the table in Albuquerque, New Mexico,” Schurmeier noted. The pottery always receives a lot of attention. It’s not unheard of to have $300,000 pieces sold at the show. Adding new vendors each year is part of the process. “We are getting more vintage dealers that are doing vintage clothes and really fun stuff.” Less affluent collectors rest assured, there are bargains to be had for those with thinner wallets. The show is aimed at collectors of all economic stripes.
For Schurmeier, the show is just part of a way of life she built for herself starting in college. “I augmented my Pell Grant by going to weekly auctions of the sale of historic American Indian art, which my older sister had been collecting back East 10 years before me.” After running an antique store seven days a week for 42 years, she says she hasn’t lost interest at all. It is a passion that she shares with the traveling vendors and collectors as the event evolves. She says that it is in part the gathering itself that makes the show interesting, adding, “Then the competition comes out. Then you get the feeding frenzy going. And that’s what makes the show so fun.” For more information, see gswevents.com —Clarke Condé
Strings Aplenty
For many years, the duo known as the North Valley Tune Tanglers have delighted local festival and concert audiences with a lively mix of early country, Southwestern and Mexican music. Now, founding members Liz Stevens and Michael Gallagher have added a third member, Skip Wrightson (above, middle). The music plays on (p. 164).
STORYTELLERS
NEW MEXICO’S ROCKY ROAD
An essential traveling companion for the rockhound, the first edition of New Mexico’s contribution to the Roadside Geology Series has been riding shotgun since it came out in 1987. While the geology of the state hasn’t changed much over the decades, the science of geology has, as well as the craft of book design. This new edition pairs the original author’s daughter with Magdalena Sandoval Donahue to bring an easily accessible, contemporary geological interpretation of those rocks we see out the window to travelers. Albuquerque The Magazine spoke with Donahue about the new edition, driving around the state and what roads have the most interesting geology you can see from your car.
ROADSIDE GEOLOGY OF NEW MEXICO
By Magdalena Sandoval Donahue and Lucy Chronic
$32
355 pages
ATM: The first edition, a classic in some circles, came out in 1987. Why the new edition now?
DONAHUE: The new edition has been in the works for a long time. There’s been a ton of new science that has just evolved through the past several decades. It was definitely overdue in terms of needing to update place names, rock heights, ages, even some of the thinking about how some of the processes work fundamentally.
ATM: Were you writing this book to be able to be used by non-scientists as well?
DONAHUE: The large goal is that this is a book for traveling people. Regular people, not science people. It is geology for the layperson. There is a use of technical terminology throughout the book, so one of the things that I spent a lot of time on was the glossary. That was an interesting challenge to think about. How do you bring some really complex scientific ideas and make them so that they’re understandable and digestible to a regular person?
ATM: There are so many more photos in this edition. Were you driving around the state taking pictures of rocks?
DONAHUE: Yes. I ended up driving every single road in this book. I was able to add in some new roads that were not in there before. Some of the scenic highways and byways like the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway up by Taos. The Turquoise Trail was in there, but the Sandia Crest Highway, the highway down in the Sacramentos down to the Sunspot Biway, just to name a few of them. I did a lot of driving for this project. Some of the times my daughters came with me. We take their school weekends or weekends in summer and we’d drive around.
ATM: What is the most interesting road in New Mexico, geologically?
DONAHUE: I have two, and one I’m a little biased on. To get a slice of every geology topic, you can find you can’t beat I-40. You can see the Rockies if you look far and it’s a clear day. Then you go to the Colorado Plateau and theoretically see basin and range. You get all sizes and geo-
graphic provinces within one highway. There are fantastic road cuts along the entire way so you get to actually see the inside of the rocks pretty much on every stop along the way. If you wanted a survey of geology, which New Mexico has pretty much every type of geology that exists, drive I-40. You’ll get it all. I think the other one is NM-4 through the Jemez. That is just unique. You have old volcanism. You have new volcanism. You’ve got lake sediments. You have granite. You have faults. You have current Travertines. You have the youngest rocks, currently being deposited from hot springs. It’s hard to find an accessible road through a caldera for a supervolcano and New Mexico has a few.
ATM: So, the book is really aimed at the passenger.
DONAHUE: I do not recommend driving and trying to read it. Maybe pull over, read it and make a note of what you will be seeing. Please do not veer off the road, like so many of us geologists like to do while we gesture wildly into the distance.
WHAT
DOGS HAVE TAUGHT ME
WHAT: Podcast
CONTENT: Guests with dog knowledge; how to deal with puppies, dog rehab, foster dogs.
HIGHLIGHT: An episode from March offers eye-opening tips on how and when to use food to train your dog.
Julie Hart is modest in describing her work with dogs. “I wouldn’t call myself a dog whisperer or anything like that,” says Hart, who nevertheless has studied and rescued canines for 15 years, and fostered an estimated 300 dogs. “But I’ve made a big effort to study dogs and find people who can help me learn more about them.” Her ABQ dog training business—both in person and through Zoom & FaceTime—led her to launch a podcast this past February. While her focus is on feral and fearful dogs, Hart says the discussions can be helpful for all dogs and their owners. “I started the podcast because I see there’s a gap or niche I could fill in terms of knowledge about dogs and how to help them,” says Hart, who advocates for “communicating with dogs using their own language.” For example, she says, most dog training relies on rewards and excitement, but that dogs don’t incorporate those behaviors when interacting with each other. Hart says humans “could
MIDDLE OF SOMEWHERE
WHAT: Lifestyle posts on web blog and Instagram
WHERE: Family trips to Santa Fe, Joshua Tree, San Jose and other spots
NOTABLE: Lindsay gives honest accounts of her experiences, like a recent post titled “Everything You Need To Know About Microblading,” in which she revealed that, yes, it was a bit painful
Among today’s social media influencers, Lindsay Rutland is a bit more on the traditional side. Her blog started in 2014, when her web posts were mostly about trendy clothes. Now with a family and kids, her content has evolved. “It’s more about lifestyle now, with the kids and travel and things I’m wearing,” says Lindsay, 39. “I’m from New Mexico, so I’m posting about things that are relatable.” Her hip-mom-and-wife vibe shines through—even as she raises two young children with husband Cory (both hold down full-time jobs in the social work field). She says in the early days of her influencer journey, she bought expensive cameras and editing gear, but these days she gets quality production from shooting with her iPhone (Cory shoots most of her content, and Lindsay does all the editing). Lindsay, who grew up in Rio Rancho, says she’s also learned to become more respon-
learn a lot” from the way dogs cooperate, negotiate, keep peace and set boundaries. “I wasn’t born with a natural sense (about dogs) or anything like that,” she says. “I’m just a dog nerd. I find them fascinating.”
started, it was like, this brand wants me? Well, I can use (the product), so I’ll do it,” she says. “And now, 10 years later, if I don’t use or like a product, even if they want to sponsor, I won’t do it.”
ABQ’S THRIVING LOCAL MUSIC SCENE
GETTING BETTER ALL THE TIME TIEMPO
TWO PLUS ONE EQUALS MORE
When we last encountered the North Valley Tune Tanglers, back in 2017, they were a well-established duo—Liz Stevens (fiddle, vocals, percussion) and Michael Gallagher (five-string and tenor banjos, fiddle, button accordion, guitar, vocals)—playing a lighthearted mix of tunes and songs from the early days of country music, as well as Southwestern and Mexican selections. But this past March, they celebrated their coming out party as a trio with the release of their excellent new album “You’re in New Mexico” (with a title track sure to bring a smile to anyone who knows New Mexico). New to the group is Skip Wrightson (guitar, resonator guitar, bajo quinto, percussion, vocals), whose versatile work on guitar has enabled the Tanglers to open up their musical repertoire and offer a richer sound palette. Stevens came to music as a member of a regional orchestra in New Jersey from the third grade on. When a college friend handed her a book of fiddle tunes, she began to explore the old-time music tradition. A move to North Carolina brought her into direct contact with the Appalachian tradition and deepened her connection to the music. Gallagher, a Philadelphia native, wound his way through soul music, British folk rock, and bluegrass
on guitar and expanded his instrumental skills to the banjo and accordion as he came into contact with Appalachian and Mexican music, respectively. Wrightson, who called Atlanta home, says he’s “an old folky.” In the early ’60s, he grew up on Bob Dylan; Peter, Paul, and Mary; and the like and dabbled in bluegrass a bit. “I moved away from the folk music. I really was more interested in the guitar than I was in the music,” he says. He explored a wide range of genres, from country to classical, and developed facility with a variety of guitar techniques.
Wrightson, who came to Albuquerque in 1993, was introduced to Stevens and Gallagher by mutual friend Ben Wood (of
Porter Draw). Wrightson met with them at the their North Valley house and passed the audition with flying colors. The next day, Covid shut everything down. The three decided they would rehearse together outside. “We practiced under that tree two days a week, four hours a day,” says Gallagher.
“Nothing but practice,” says Wrightson, until some online gigs started to pop up, like the weekly series from Solid Grounds Coffeehouse.
“Quarantine Happy Hour!” says Stevens. Set up by some folks in Portland, Oregon, during the pandemic, the Quarantine Happy Hour presented a different old-time band every afternoon via Zoom.
The North Valley Tune Tanglers: (L) Liz Stephens, (M) Skip Wrightson, and (R) Michael Gallagher.
PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM
The Tanglers made a little money, connected with folks they hadn’t heard from in years, and entertained people around the world.
With Wrightson on board, the Tanglers are able to embrace genres that would be difficult, if not impossible, without his guitar. For example, with Tohono O’odham material, which requires two fiddlers, the Tanglers now have a guitarist laying down the rhythmic foundation. For Mexican conjunto, Gallagher can pick up the accordion, and Stevens can grab a snare drum, since no fiddle is required in conjunto. Plus, Wrightson can add that twang the country songs demand.
Both the band’s new album and live performances cover a wide range of territory. “We have a lot of fingers in a lot of pies,” says Stevens. “What that does, it makes us interesting to listen to. We can put out an hour-long set that starts over here and ends up over here. And how did we get there? Oh, we touched all these different musical places.”
To learn more, check out and buy the album, and connect with the Tanglers, visit www.tunetanglers.com.
NEVER STATIC, NEVER STUFFY
For those who picture classical music concerts as stuffy affairs requiring semiformal dress, deep musical knowledge, and a cranky preference for dead European composers and Olympian performers, the presenting organization Chatter has some news for you: classical music is a gas. Attending a Chatter event, you’ll discover that the musicians are down to earth and approachable, and that while dead European composers are terrific, there are also many composers all over the world who are very much alive and unafraid of waking you.
What else would you expect from an organization that started presenting music and spoken word, along with silent contemplation, on Sunday mornings in 2008 in a former filling station, served free expresso, passed the hat to pay the bills, and hung out a sign painted on a surfboard? The brainchild of the late cellist Felix Wurman, a brilliantly innovative guy determined to take the music to the audience, it was called the Church of Beethoven in those days. With Wurman’s
Chatter has been a Sunday morning joy in ABQ since 2008.
untimely passing in 2009, his friend and colleague, violinist David Felberg, carried on, joined by clarinetist James Shields, under the organization’s legally required new name: Chatter.
Today, those two are Chatter’s co–artistic directors, and the organization has a board of directors and, after a peripatetic wander from one more or less temporary space to another, a permanent home of its own in Albuquerque and a performance space in Santa Fe that it stewards. But the welcoming spirit of Wurman, who insisted on accessibility, has been ecstatically maintained. (“I want to have a scenario in which the music can touch people,” Wurman said in 2008. “Isn’t that what we all want?”) Beverages and nibbles are still available, but the hat has been replaced by tickets.
Known for its adventurous programming of old and new music, Chatter now presents 130 performances a year in several series and locations, but what’s distinctly Chatter is the somewhat unplanned nature of the programming, which lends a kind of a seat-of-their-pants energy to the organization. Felberg and Shields don’t sit down on January 1 and plot out the year’s programming. That happens in a kind of “spontaneous combustion,” according to Felberg. Ideas are continually floated by various members of Chatter’s extended family of musicians, supporters, and audience. “Someone will say, ‘Check this out,’ and it’s like, ‘We gotta put that on,’ ” says
Felberg. “To be able to program and present things that you feel are really pretty special, and you want to share them with people who may or may not know what they are—it’s a true gift.” A musician may want to play a particular piece by, say, Mozart or Ligeti, and Chatter has the time, place, and musicians to program it.
“It happens innocently,” says Linda Trowbridge, board president. “Chatter is not static. I’ve been going for 11 or 12 years, and it’s always involving, and it just seems like it flows. It’s because Chatter is Chatter.” An essential part of that flow comes from the dedication of Chatter’s part-time staff and its volunteers, and the enthusiasm of its performers.
Check out chatterabq.org, where you’ll find a trove of information and tickets for all performances, as well as information on its four free concerts this month at the Albuquerque Museum. Looking ahead to 2025, Chatter will make its Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival debut, performing Peter Maxwell Davies’ “Eight Songs for a Mad King.” It’s well-earned recognition for a dynamic organization.
Noodles and such
Special attention to detail—and a wide variety of Japanese specialties—have made Tamashi a go-to spot since 2017. With new owners, the Northeast Heights restaurant has expanded to a new location on the city’s West Side (p. 168).
PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM
EATS P. 168 // EATS, ETC. P. 172 // Spirit Spotlight P. 174 // BITES P. 178
EATS
TAMASHI
The local favorite adds a 2nd spot, but the sushi remains the same
While it has undergone some significant changes in recent years, Tamashi has maintained — and in some cases improved upon — the ethos that has made it a popular Duke City spot for Japanese fare.
Initially established in 2017, Tamashi translates to “soul” in Japanese. According to the restaurant’s philosophy, that means using excellence in cuisine “to nourish, taste and warm the soul in our bodies.”
Though Tamashi has been renowned for award-winning sushi essentially since its inception, the overall dining experience has improved since business partners Robert Punya and Lee Caperton took over operations in March 2022. While the new owners kept the name — “Everybody knew Tamashi in the area already,”
Punya says — they used their wealth of experience in the restaurant industry to implement key changes to the customer service aspect of the business.
“The thing that Tamashi suffered from the most was long wait time for food. I would go there and it would take 45 minutes just to finish (cooking) my meal even though the restaurant was like half full,” says Punya, whose family also owns Sushi King and Poki Poki. “There were some efficiency things that needed to be done. The quality and the base recipes we have used and grown on, were always there.”
The menu has remained largely the same since the change in leadership, but the focus on freshness has only intensified. The restaurant receives shipments of seafood at least three to four times per
week, and the team at Tamashi is quite particular about how things are prepared.
“Every slice of fish is proportioned to what we need it to be,” Punya says. “You don’t want to have to take two bites to finish a piece of sushi. You want it to be a one-biter, so that all the flavors encompass over your taste buds in a way. That’s what the art of sushi is, I think.”
The meticulous attention to detail is credited to head chef Kenny Le, who boasts decades of experience in the kitchen. That can make it demanding for those who train under him, but the end result is always worthwhile.
“If you watch him cut a roll, you’re like ‘Whoa, you’re cutting that with so much precision,’” Punya says. “There’s no wasted movement. He’s just got that finesse
PHOTOS BY DON JAMES/ATM
and the knowledge for sushi and Japanese cuisine.
“I would say that anyone trained under Kenny will be a very successful chef. He’s rigorous, he’s got standards,” Punya adds. “If you don’t follow his standards, you’re not gonna be around for very long. I think having that kind of grit is what’s created so many great chefs at Tamashi.”
The sushi selection at Tamashi is vast, but the menu also includes plenty of other highlights. One is the Miso Cod Appetizer, a relatively new addition to the lineup that features black cod marinated in a special sauce and then grilled to perfection.
“It’s the perfect amount of savory, sweet, saltiness — the umami flavors that just come out of it,” Punya says. “And just a tiny bit of bitterness from the little sauce
DOUBLE THE PLEASURE
Tamashi recently expanded its reach by opening a second location on the Westside last year.
TEA TIME
LIMITED EDITIONS
Keep an eye out for specials, which can range from jellyfish to snow crab to a special fish “mystery box.”
RARE COLLECTION
Don’t expect a run-ofthe mill sake selection. Tamashi gets its whiskey from a local vendor who imports directly from Japan.
COMMUNITY KICKS
This past spring, Tamashi sponsored Kim’s Martial Arts Open Tournament, showcasing its dedication to the local martial arts community.
Hot teas from New Mexico Tea company pair nicely with many of the entrees.
Tamashi 6400 Holly Ave NE, Suite G (plus one other metro location) (505) 717-2457
tamashiabq.com
that we put on top.”
Diners also gravitate to the Spicy Ramen, which features a healthy dose of chashu pork, noodles and vegetables. The key component, however, is the rich and flavorful broth that also comes with a kick.
“Even though it’s hot right now, I still have people ordering spicy ramen one out of every four or five tables,” Punya says. “In the winter time it’s nonstop.”
For those looking to further fulfill their fish cravings, the establishment’s Sashimi (thinly sliced raw fish) plates are an ideal choice. These are available five-piece op-
tions or in larger combos of 15, 25 and even 50 pieces.
“It’s always a showstopper when it comes out,” Punya says.
The Tamashi faithful seem to appreciate the changes that have occurred in recent years. The proof is in the varying demographics that walk through its doors on a daily basis.
“Tamashi is a really cool kind of melting pot for people because they just all know each other for some reason,” Punya says. “It almost feels like a neighborhood spot.”
—Tristen Critchfield
FEATURED DISHES
MISO COD $17
Black cod marinated in sweet miso sauce and grilled. Served with steamed vegetables and rice.
WAGYU NIGIRI $9 (PER PIECE)
Premium slices of Wagyu beef served on a bed of sushi rice.
SPICY RAMEN $12
Mushrooms, green onion, bean sprouts, a soft-boiled egg, fish cake, chashu pork, and ramen noodles cooked in a spicy chili oil.
Eats, Etc.
A quick glance at three local eateries that you may or may not already know about.
In a short period of time, James and Megan Garrigan have established a foothold in the Rio Rancho and Corrales restaurant scene.
After launching Lily and Liam Bistro in 2019, and then revamping, renaming and relocating Upscale Burgers and Shakes to Upscale Rio, the Garrigans opened Belle’s Urban Deli on the western edge of the Corrales commercial district.
“Our first restaurant, Lily and Liam, was very busy and popular most of the time,” James says. “This was the way to expand the concept of the bistro with clean, rich, creative menu items.”
Located in a mixed-use facility that includes a number of other retailers, Belle’s specializes in sandwiches and salads that utilize housemade breads, sauces and dressings.
“In order to have freshness in a restaurant, you have to have a balanced menu,” James says. “You have to have a variety
of different ingredients or dishes. For us, that really includes a lot of vegetarian or gluten-free options, too.”
One of the restaurant’s top-selling sandwiches is its Turkey Avocado Hoagie, which features oven-roasted turkey topped with avocado, baby greens, chipotle aioli and the key finishing touch — a fermented green chile hot sauce.
“The fermentation brings out a bit of a different flavor than people might be used to with a regular green chile sauce,” Megan says.
Fermenting and pickling is a common theme at Belle’s. A fun feature is the pickle bar, where diners can sample from the likes of green chile, classic dill and butter and garlic options. Other flavors are also in the works, Meagan says.
The deli features a number of interesting sandwich options, including the Lox & Goat Cheese (served on a bagel), the Green Goddess for veggie lovers and the
Many of the sandwiches are served on the establishment’s Japanese milk bread. “It’s incredibly soft and fluffy,” James says. “You can kind of smash down the whole loaf and it’ll spring back up to its original shape.” Customers can also order larger quantities from Belle’s selection of meats, cheese and breads to take home.
— Tristen Critchfield
BELLE’S URBAN DELI
3650 Corrales Rd, Suite G (505) 548-2009 bellesurbandeli.square.site
BY
Berry and Cream Cheese Sando, a sweeter option served with whipped cream and berries.
PHOTO
DON JAMES/ATM
The deli experience is elevated at Belle’s—including the pickles.
Eats, Etc.
A quick glance at three local eateries that you may or may not already know about.
Horizon Bagels and Cafe not only fills the void left in the Duke City when Wolfe’s Bagels closed in 2016, it also gives customers a little taste of the East Coast.
“We aim to bring the best traditional east coast style bagel and fixings coupled with an amazing customer focused team to Albuquerque,” says co-owner Liz Perlino. “The combination of the traditional bagel with local New Mexican flavors and a diverse menu inspired by various cuisines makes us a unique addition to (the city’s) food scene.
The establishment is the brainchild of Perlino, a New York native, and Robert Wolfe, the former owner of the aforementioned Wolfe’s Bagels.
“Bob was looking to open a bagel shop again, and I was looking to do a bakery-cafe so we teamed up to set a new standard with an improved bagel recipe and exciting new baked goods,” Perlino says.
Bagels remain the primary area of focus: There are 12 daily flavors — including sweet and savory options — and two specialty options (Green Chile Cheddar and Swiss Cracked Pepper). There are also multiple add-ons and schmears (spreads) to enhance the experience. According to Perlino, the “New Mexico Bagel,” a red chile bagel with green chile cream cheese, was written on the cafe’s chalkboard by a customer and has been a staple ever since.
However, there’s much more to the Horizon menu, whether it’s Corned Beef Hash, Matzo Ball Soup, Chicken Salad on a Challah Roll or even freshly-baked Cinnamon Rolls. Many of the establishment’s recipes come from Perlino’s mom, aunts and grandmothers. Everything is made from scratch and with plenty of love — just like family would do it.
“Great coffee was also important,” Perlino adds. “We use a local roaster, Odacrem. Customers love our coffee, so we
sell bags of their beans in the shop too.”
Thus far, New Mexicans seem to appreciate the flavors Horizon has provided. There’s also plans on expansion to make Horizon products available to a wider audience in both Albuquerque and Santa Fe. “The growing reviews and positive wordof-mouth indicate that we have cultivated a strong and supportive relationship with our customers and filled a niche that was missing in the area,” Perlino says.
— Tristen Critchfield
HORIZON BAGELS AND CAFE
4000 Louisiana Blvd NE (505) 221-0668
Instagram: @horizonbagels
Classic NYC favorites about on Horizon’s ABQ menu.
PHOTOS BY DON JAMES/ATM
A RECIPE FOR SUCCESS WITH
MICHELLE BISHOP-COUCH
Chief
Executive Officer
of Cornucopia Adult and Family Services
Grateful. Humble. Cheerful. These are the words that come to mind after meeting with Michelle Bishop-Couch, Chief Executive Officer for Cornucopia Adult and Family Services. Much like the name’s likeness, Cornucopia Adult and Family Services is a “horn of plenty,” where they are able to assist in caring for adults with different abilities. This includes those who have developmental disabilities, seniors with dementia and Alzheimer’s and other adults with a variety of conditions.
“Socialization prevents institutionalization. When we isolate, our world becomes very limited, as then we can’t grow or stay vibrant,” Bishop-Couch says of giving families a safe place to bring their loved ones. “This not only helps their individual socialize, it also allows the family to work, provide for the family or give the caregiver a break,” she added.
Cornucopia was established in 1984 by Susan Lucero as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and was the first one in the South Valley. Bishop-Couch joined Cornucopia in 2007 when it was one small day program. “I saw the need for more facilities and services, especially in the South Valley where it is culturally rich,
but economically challenged,” she added. “I took care of my mom. It was the hardest job I’ve ever had and I have resources. 100% of our clients are indigent.”
What started out with a budget of $500,000 in the earlier years, with Bishop-Couch’s help, Cornucopia now has a $4.8 million dollar annual budget which goes toward day-hab sites in the South Valley, supported living, family living and other programs for social and recreational activities. Family living is where an individual can live with a surrogate family or their biological family and receives a monthly stipend. “This keeps families together and is less expensive than institutional care. We also believe keeping families together by offering wraparound services is not only less expensive, it’s the right thing to do,” added Bishop-Couch.
One program Bishop-Couch is proud of is their Horticultural Therapy offered at their professional greenhouse, where clients can have hands-on gardening experiences. “There is a client named Rose who comes in three days a week without fail. The first thing she does is go into the green house and with staff’s direction, helps plant, water, organize and more importantly, helps any of her cohorts who need her assistance. It gives her a sense of ownership and pride, while helping others. We often forget that many of our cli-
ents need help, but nine times out of ten they want to give back to the community,” added Bishop-Couch.
The greenhouse grows specialty tomatoes, squash, pumpkins and microgreens, with a revamp happening by March of 2025. “We don’t just grow plants, we want to help individuals learn new skills, both professional and personable. One day we had a client with dementia working with the oregano and all of the sudden her core recollection of cooking and that smell came back to her. That day was a huge success, as we unlocked a fond memory — there were happy tears for sure that day,” added Bishop-Couch.
Bishop-Couch, being a native New Mexican, loves to share recipes for their annual matanza with foods like carne adovada, rice, beans, chicharrons, biscochitos, carnitas, fresh tortillas and horchata.
She and her husband like to make chicharrones for the event. “We like to add a little creamer to make them crispy and serve them up as soon as possible, as the more fresh and warm the better,” Bishop-Couch says.
“Food is key anytime we at Cornucopia have a reason to celebrate. The matanza is such a good time with all of the trappings of a good New Mexican meal,” says Bishop-Couch. — Aimee Prebola
DON JAMES/ATM
BY
PHOTOS
ARECIPEFORSUCCESS
Michelle Bishop-Couch’s Chicharrones
Ingredients
3 lbs. Pork Fat Cream Salt
Instructions
1. Cut pork fat into 1 inch to ½ inch cubes.
2. Heat a dicso (outdoor wok) on medium heat/flame, and add the first batch of cubed pork. This first batch will produce the grease to fry the next batch, and so on.
3. Cook each batch for approximately 15 minutes, or until they turn a golden brown. (This is where you can add a little cream to make them crispy.)
4. Prepare to stir continuously. It is important to stir consistently while frying to get an even temperature throughout each batch.
5. Using a strainer put them onto paper towels to drain any excess oil. You can salt to taste.
6. Serve them up as soon as possible as the more fresh and warm they are, the better!
BITES
OUR EATS ALUMNI, CONDENSED INTO PERFECTLY SIZED SNACKS TO TAKE WITH YOU ON THE GO
POLICY:
“Bites” is a guide to Albuquerque-area eating establishments compiled by Albuquerque The Magazine’s editorial staff. These restaurants have been featured previously in the “Eats” department of the magazine. Restaurants may or may not accept reservations or major credit cards, so call before visiting.
CORRECTIONS:
Please send corrections and suggestions to bites@abqthemag.com.
THE 377 BREWERY $$
2027 Yale Blvd. SE (505) 916-0331, the377brewery.com
Check out the funky metal and wood sign of The 377 Brewery. This warehouse-style structure is a little off-the-beaten path but they’ve got multiple creative drinks and meaty entrees just an order away. Along with burgers, nachos and burritos, the Fish and Chips have been labeled as the best in the city.
66 DINER $$
1405 Central Ave. NE (505) 247-1421, 66diner.com
This blast from the past specializes in burgers, chicken fried steak, liver and onions, and blueplate specials, including the Pile Up: a mound of pan-fried potatoes, chopped bacon, green chile, two eggs, cheddar cheese, and red or green chile sauce on top.
ABC CAKE SHOP $$
1830 San Pedro Dr. NE (505) 255-5080, abccakeshop.com
Specializing in custom cakes and baked goods for all occasions, this bakery focuses on freshness and flavor. Everything is made from scratch, including the cupcakes, cookies, pies, Danishes, pastries, and other desserts.
ABQ SWEET SPOT $
9250 Golf Course Rd. NW, Ste D (505) 900-3814 abqsweetspot.net
Cleverly-decorated cakes and cookies are as easy as your everyday chocolate chip cookie for these bakers who think out of the box for a sight that’s almost too good to eat every time. Almost. Cookies, cakes, cupcakes, macarons–
this is basically heaven, even if you’ve only got a tiny sweet tooth.
ABUELITA’S NEW MEXICAN KITCHEN $
6083 Isleta Blvd. SW, (505) 877-5700
Kathy Martinez’s brother, Chris Romero, opened Abuelita’s New Mexican Kitchen in Bernalillo 26 years ago. Since then, nothing has changed. The Huevos Rancheros are a best seller, as is the Kitchen’s signature dish, the Tacopilla.
This dive aims to provide food that makes you feel at home. Dishes like made-from-scratch meatloaf with creamy mashed potatoes and savory brown gravy, homemade salsa, or a fan favorite—natillas—bear uncanny resemblances to the dishes mom used to make.
AJIACO COLOMBIAN BISTRO $$
3216 Silver Ave. SE (505) 266-2305, ajiacobistro.com
Inside the intimate space, you’ll find combination plates, arroz con pollo, arepas, plantains, and of course, a great cup of Colombian coffee. The dishes at Ajiaco combine indigenous Colombian, Spanish, African, and Arab flavors for a truly thrilling experience.
ALQUDS MEDITERRANEAN
GRILL & GROCERY $
5555 Montgomery Blvd. NE, (505) 888-2921
Owner Mohamad Abdel Jalil and his sons run this all-in-one operation—a small grocery store and Middle East restaurant—seven days a week. This family team makes fresh pita bread every day and serves platefuls of their delicious hummus. It’s a great spot for lunch on-the-go.
From the beginning, Al’s Big Dipper has been a family affair. Every sandwich is named after a family member, and the owners test every soup they make. Try the 505 Lunch Deal—a cup of soup, a grilled cheese sandwich and a homemade cookie for only $5.05.
ALDO’S NEW YORK STYLE PIZZERIA $
1690 Pat D’Arco Hwy., Unit E plus 1 other metro location (505) 892-2026, aldosalbuquerque.com
With handmade lasagna and pizza dough, among other items, Aldo’s New York Style Pizzeria shares family recipes with its customers. From
the buttermilk ranch dressing to the Eggplant and Chicken Parmigianas, homemade cooking is not too far away.
ALICEA’S NY BAGELS & SUBS $ 1009 Golf Course Rd. SE, Ste 103 (505) 896-4555
This East Coast–style deli on ABQ’s Westside is serving up 20 different sandwiches to Rio Rancho’s hungriest diners, using fresh-baked New York–style bagels and meats prepared in house for the likes of its Philly Steak and Cheese or the Cuban. Come hungry, because Alicea’s portions are not for the faint of heart. Can’t get out? Delivery options in Rio Rancho and parts of ABQ are also available when that hunger pang strikes.
AMADEO’S PIZZA AND SUBS $ 585 Osuna Rd. NE plus 2 other metro locations (505) 344-5555, amadeospizza.com
This family-run pizza place believes that there truly are a million different ways to make a pizza. Using fresh, high-quality ingredients, they specialize in pizzas, subs, pasta, and fresh salads.
AMERASIA-SUMO SUSHI
800 3rd St. NW (505) 246-1615,amerasia-sumosushi.net
$
Dim sum—which means “small piece of your heart” in Chinese—takes on a bigger meaning at AmerAsia, where everything is made from scratch daily. Try the fried beef and garlic dumplings, pork and ginger potstickers, or scallion pancakes.
AMORE NEAPOLITAN PIZZERIA
3600 Cutler Ave. NE, #3 plus 1 other metro location (505) 554-1967, amoreabq.com
$$
After relocating to Albuquerque from Naples, Italy, Gabriel and Kimberly Amador missed Neapolitan pizza. The husband and wife team, certified by the Association of Neapolitan Pizzaiuoli (APN), opened Amore, bringing a slice of Italy to Albuquerque. A Neapolitan brick oven fires delicious pizzas, such as the Margherita and the Zia, for 60 to 90 seconds at 905 degrees Fahrenheit. Local beer and wine compliment the pies perfectly.
ANA’S KITCHEN
6004 Edith Blvd. NE (505) 341-0055
$
Off the beaten path, but absolutely worth the deviation. Ana’s Kitchen is rooted in family recipes and hearty homestyle meals. This good old-fashioned combination of American classics and New Mexican comfort food ensures that
TEA LEAVES AND FOAM DREAMS
The Windmill Tea House owners are avid connoisseurs of all things sweet, so it was only natural that they wanted to share that passion through one of their specially-crafted drinks. That led to the creation of the Tiramisu Milk Tea, which can only be described as an Italian dessert in a cup.
“Me and my wife, we are lovers of desserts. We tried the dessert at many places,” says co-owner Dan Vu. “We often ask ourselves the question: How can we bring these flavors to our boba lovers?”
Premium tea leaves and fresh milk form the foundation, and housemade cream cheese foam gives the drink the desired tiramisu feel. High-quality cocoa powder is sprinkled on top to complete the experience. The tea began as a seasonal item but eventually became a staple due to popular demand. “We wanted to create a drink that spreads the joy to our customers that can be savored anywhere and anytime,” Vu says. — Tristen Critchfield
Windmill Tea House
11200 Montgomery Blvd NE, Suite 22 (505) 361-2569
Instagram: @windmillteahouse
no one leaves hungry and everyone enjoys themselves in the process.
ANNAPURNA’S WORLD VEGETARIAN CAFÉ $
5200 Eubank Blvd. NE, Ste E7 plus 2 other metro locations (505) 275-2424, chaishoppe.com
Annapurna offers some of the most enlightened, health-conscious vegetarian and vegan plates in the city, with plenty of options for people suffering from food allergies or Celiac disease. And the menu is world-class, with options from virtually every continent.
ANNIE’S SOUP KITCHEN $
3107 Eubank Blvd. NE (505) 296-8601, anniessoupkitchen.com
With four homemade soups made fresh every day, and home-style favorites such as avocado and bacon omelets and piles of potatoes topped with melted cheese, chile and eggs, Annie’s specializes in comfort.
ANTIQUITY RESTAURANT $$$$
112 Romero St. NW (505) 247-3545
antiquityrestaurant.com
Antiquity Restaurant is located just off historic Old Town Plaza. Antiquity holds the distinction of being the only restaurant in Albuquerque to serve the Henry IV—a bacon-wrapped filet mignon placed on a bed of artichoke leaves,
topped with an artichoke heart and covered with béarnaise sauce.
ARTICHOKE CAFE $$$
424 Central Ave. SE (505) 243-0200, artichokecafe.com
This EDo fine-dining spot boasts a Wine Spectator “Award of Excellence,” and for good reason. A veteran of the Duke City’s fine dining scene, Artichoke Café remains the best bet for a great lunch or evening out. Innovative dishes and European aperitifs served by staff that takes ownership of the experience, the location is also an ideal launchpad for downtown adventures.
ASIAN NOODLE BAR $$
318 Central Ave. SW (505) 224-9119, asiannoodlebar.com
Every kind of noodle awaits at this Downtown eatery, from spicy sesame udon noodles to chicken pho with cilantro, jalapeños, and lime. Slurping has never been so tasty.
ASIAN PEAR $
8101 San Pedro Dr. NE, Ste D (505) 766-9405, asianpearabq.com
Specializing in healthy, authentic, Korean-style eats, this shop pleases the palate with delicious takes on BBQ chicken, kimchi pancakes, and flavorful bowls.
A TASTE OF THE CARIBBEAN
2720 Central Ave. SE (505) 503-8428
atasteofthecaribbeannm.com
$$
A Taste of the Caribbean brings flavors from Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Trinidad, and other islands of the vast region right to the Duke City. Friendly staff is available to offer advice to help those unfamiliar with Caribbean cuisine navigate the menu and find something they’ll love.
AZUMA SUSHI & TEPPAN
4701 San Mateo Blvd. NE plus 1 other metro location (505) 880-9800
azuma-sushi-teppan-abq.com
$$
From flame-flipped teppan grill items to a substantial sushi selection, the menus at Azuma Sushi & Teppan have something for everyone. The green chile-infused New Mexico Roll and Filet Mignon Steak please palates daily and are perfect when washed down with an imported Japanese sake, soda, or beer.
BACA BOYS CAFÉ
102 4th St. NW (505) 200-0065
$$
Family is at the heart of this downtown spot, and you’ll know it walking through the doors. You’ll find good, simple New Mexican comfort foods and service that only comes from a local mom-and-pop place.
TIRAMISU MILK TEA, $7.35 ($0.70 EXTRA WITH BOBA)
BITES
BANDIDO HIDEOUT $
2128 Central Ave. SE (505) 489-9865
bandidohideout.com
The masked luchador on the median might catch your attention, but venture inside Bandido Hideout, and you’ll be delighted by authentic south-of-the-border specials and a fun, festive, colorful interior.
BARELAS COFFEE HOUSE
1502 4th St. SW, (505) 843-7577
$
This legendary neighborhood restaurant serves New Mexican dishes from the Gonzales family cookbook: menudo, posole, chicharrone burritos, and huevos rancheros -- all smothered with its famous red or green chile.
BASIL LEAF VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT
1225 Eubank Blvd. NE (505) 323-2594, basilleaf.us
$$
Sure, Albuquerque offers a variety of Vietnamese eateries, but Basil Leaf elevates the everyday with healthy and fragrant versions of traditional noodle and soup selections. They’ll even modify for any dietary desire. Celiacs and vegans, rejoice!
BAWARCHI BIRYANI’S $
3305 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE (505) 933-9889
bawarchinewmexico.com
Self-proclaimed foodie Irfan Khan started this traditional Indian dive as a tribute to his love for authentic Indian cuisine. Now, the spot boasts a long roster of happy customers who travel hours just for a taste of the aromatic dishes that grace Bawarchi Biryani’s menu (including the popular Chicken Dum Biryani).
BEN MICHAEL’S RESTAURANT
2404 Pueblo Bonito Ct. NW (505) 267-6827
$$
The food at Ben Michael’s is fresh, preservativefree and takes its roots from the owner’s family’s New Mexican recipes. Try the salmon or the steak served with a side of calabacitas, papas, and sautéed mushrooms.
BENNY’S MEXICAN KITCHEN $
1675 Bosque Farms Blvd. (505) 869-2210
Since 1972, Benny’s has obliged countless stomachs with delicious New Mexican treats, which include red-chile smothered enchiladas and deep-fried burritos. Don’t let the Benny Burger—a double-meat, double-cheese beauty—intimidate you. And, don’t forget to save room for that vanilla ice-cream shake.
BEST LEE’S
2003 Southern Blvd. SE, #127 (505) 892-7887
$
Specializing in American-Chinese and Cantonese Chinese cuisine, Best Lee’s has over 100 items on the menu. From fried rice to chicken dishes and everything in between. You can select your level of heat ranging from a little hot, all the way to extra hot, or for those not a fan of the heat, no spice. Popular items include General Tso’s Chicken, sweet and sour shrimp, and Mongolian Beef. Best Lee’s is a reliable choice for delicious simple Chinese food accompanied by friendly service.
BIG MIKE’S BURGERS AND MORE
19388 NM-314 (505) 864-7918
bigmikesburgersandmore.com
$$
The hand-pressed and specially seasoned burgers are the star of the show at this Belen staple. Big Mike’s uses locally sourced ingredients to bring you the best mouthwatering burgers and monster sandwiches.
BLACK MESA COFFEE COMPANY
$ Albuquerque International Sunport 220 Sunport Blvd. SE, (505) 842-4305
With two Sunport locations, flight delays are easier when you’re close to Black Mesa. The house coffee and vanilla latte are sure to perk you up pre-flight. The made-to-order turkey sandwich will fill you up far more reliably than the bag of pretzels you’ll get on the plane. Baked goods, including the popular banana bread, are made in-house daily. Five menu items, including brownies and cookies, are gluten-free.
Owner and chef Kevin Bladergroen’s restaurant offers a culinary journey from his 30-plus years of experience in restaurants across the country and Europe, serving up steak and seafood with a twist.
BLAKE’S LOTABURGER
$ 3806 Montgomery Blvd. NE plus 30 other metro locations (505) 883-7615, lotaburger.com
Blake’s became an Albuquerque establishment more than 70 years ago, and almost immediately garnered kudos for its out-of-this-world green chile cheeseburgers (the restaurant has since scored spots on National Geographic’s “top hamburgers in the nation” list and Albuquerque The Magazine’s Best of the City list). Everything is made from scratch as soon as it’s ordered— and not a second before.
BOSQUE BREWING CO.
$ 106 Girard Blvd. SE, Ste B plus 2 other locations (505) 508-5967, bosquebrewing.com
Another favorite on the ever-growing ABQ brewery scene, Bosque Brewing Co. is the product of three NMSU grads’ love for brew. With 10-12 of Bosque’s own sudsy creations on tap every day, the brewery is teeming with options to pair with seasoned fries, daily specials, or an array of other appetizers, soups, salads, and sandwiches.
BUDAI GOURMET CHINESE $$
6300 San Mateo Blvd. NE, Ste. H-1 (505) 797-7898, budaigourmet.com
The menu features specialties from different regions of China and Taiwan, all painstakingly prepared by chef Hsia Fang. The Crispy Flounder Filet is sure to please diners from both the East and the West. The Mini Steamed Pork Buns shouldn’t be missed.
BURGER BOY $
12023 New Mexico 14, (505) 281-3949, burgerboynm.com
Everything in this tried-and-true staple is made from scratch: enchiladas, breakfast burritos, tacos and burgers (of course!). Fans are especially enamored with the green chile cheeseburger.
BURRITO EXPRESS
141 Osuna Rd. NW, Ste A plus 3 other metro locations (505) 503-8964
burritoexpressinc.com
$
THE BURRITO LADY $
938 Eubank Blvd. NE, (505) 271-2268
The Burrito Lady—otherwise known as Consuelo Flores—cooks every one of her huge burritos herself, made-to-order. That means you should be prepared to wait (the line here can often go out the door). It’s worth it—ask for your burrito smothered if you want to really heat things up.
BURRITOS ALINSTANTE $
2101 Broadway Blvd. SE plus 5 other metro locations (505) 242-0966, burritosalinstante.com
A paradise for anyone who loves wrapping tasty things (chicharrones, carne adovada, bacon, cheese, potatoes—you get the picture) up inside of locally made tortillas, this operation maintains a half dozen storefronts between Belen and Albuquerque.
CAFE 6855 $$
6855 4th St. NW (505) 890-9150, cafe6855.com
This Roswell-original brings southern New Mexican flavor to the Duke City. With madefresh-daily tortillas and a myriad of breakfast and lunch options, Burrito Express is a satisfying spot for southern New Mexican transplants and multi-generational Burqueños alike.
A sister restaurant to Vernon’s Speakeasy, Café 6855 has gourmet dishes, expertly prepared and served in an elegant atmosphere. The menu is populated with gourmet sandwiches, salads, and cafe specialties that redeploy Vernon’s ingredients to thrilling effect.
With made-to-order panini and tasty salads filled with the freshest seasonal ingredients, this restaurant’s farm-to-table concept is a smart—and delicious—one.
CAFE ISTANBUL $$
1410 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Ste F (505) 294-9900
Mediterranean delights abound at Cafe Istanbul—don’t be fooled by the name, as this restaurant is known for its wide array of European eats (including the fan-favorite baklava topped with crushed pistachios).
Located on a quiet neighborhood corner, this café is perfect for a nice brunch or lunch and your wallet will not be hurt after your visit. The menu is gluten-conscious, vegetarian-friendly and has some of the best gluten-free red chile in town.
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CAKE FETISH $
2665 Louisiana Blvd. NE (505) 883-0670, cakefetish.com
Cake Fetish specializes in baker’s cups filled with heaven, such as the Sleepless in Albuquerque (chocolate cake with mocha French buttercream frosting) and the InsideOut German Chocolate Cake (coconut and pecans and crowned with chocolate French buttercream).
CAMPO AT LOS POBLANOS $$$
4803 Rio Grande Blvd. NW (505) 344-9297, lospoblanos.com
Beautifully situated in the heart of Los Ranchos, Campo is the newly renovated and reimagined fine dining establishment at Los Poblanos. A top-of-the-line menu mixes with fresh ingredients from the Los Poblanos Farm and a quiet, rustic atmosphere to make for one of the city’s best dining experiences.
CANVAS ARTISTRY $$ 1 Central Ave. NW (505) 639-5214, canvas-artistry.com
Specializing in international street food with a local twist, expect seasonally rotating artsy fare made with local produce, daily and weekly specials, and art to boot. A great late-night spot with live spinning DJs featuring different genres each night.
CASA DE BENAVIDEZ $$ 8032 4th St. NW (505) 898-3311, casadebenavidez.com
One of the original New Mexican eateries in the North Valley, this expansive property boasts a lush patio, fabled margaritas and authentic eats, including a trademark on the sopaipilla burger.
CASA TACO
5801 Academy Rd. NE (505) 821-8226, casa-taco.com
$$
Both Casa Taco locations offer a window into owner James Pecherski’s signature take on the U.S. Southwest—a strange place where you could picture a classic John Wayne character lingering over a plate of Jamaican jerk chicken and Yucatan pork tacos. Casa Taco defies expectations.
CECILIA’S CAFÉ
$ 230 6th St. SW, (505) 243-7070
Recognized on the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives,” and ranked No. 45 on the Travel Channel’s “101 Tastiest Places to Chow Down,” Cecilia’s Café offers tasty New Mexican treats, such as their Fireman’s Burrito or homemade chicharrones in a cozy atmosphere.
CENTRAL BODEGA
$ 3418 Central Ave. SE (505) 433-5600
This European bistro features a marketplace with local products and great eats. Central Bodega spotlights good food, wine, and community with favorites like whipped feta with honey, black pepper, and Italian Eggs Benedict.
CENTRAL GRILL & COFFEE HOUSE
$ 2056 Central Ave. SW (505) 554-1424 centralgrillandcoffeehouse.com
This local favorite on Route 66, adjacent to Old Town, offers a bevy of breakfast and lunch options that will comfort your belly and your wallet. Here, you’ll find traditional New Mexican favorites, serious sammies, and solid caffeine with a staff famous for their classic Southwestern hospitality.
CERVANTES NEW MEXICAN RESTAURANT
5801 Gibson Blvd. SE (505) 262-2253, cervantesabq.com
$$
Old-world style meets traditional New Mexican fare at this family-owned restaurant. Go for the made-from-scratch chile rellenos, tamales, and carne adovada.
CESAR’S MEXICAN & GREEK $
5300 Lomas Blvd. NE (505) 256-8017
cesarsmexicanandgreek.com
Both the drive-thru and the dining room at Cesar’s are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. On the Mexican menu, try the No. 15, a chile rellenos plate. Popular Greek items include the No. 64 Gyros sandwich and the No. 78 Chicken pita sandwich.
CHEBA HUT $
115 Harvard Dr. SE plus 1 other metro location (505) 232-2432, chebahut.com
Located next to UNM, Cheba Hut serves up toasted subs made from quality ingredients. Try sandwiches loaded with everything from guacamole, olives, mushrooms, cheeses, meats and much more.
CHEESE AND COFFEE
$$
2679 Louisiana Blvd. NE plus 1 other metro location (505) 883-1226, cheeseandcoffee.com
There’s more than just cheese and coffee here—think homemade soups, sandwiches, salads and specials. At lunch, the line often goes out the door, so it’s worth getting there early.
CHELLO GRILL
$ 5010 Cutler Ave. NE Ste A (505) 881-2299, chellogrill.com
Known for the varieties of kabobs, Chello Grill aims to introduce authentic Persian cuisine to Albuquerque. This restaurant offers different salads, sandwiches, and combinations of plates packed with immense flavor.
CHEZ AXEL
$$$
6209 Montgomery Blvd. NE (505) 881-8104, chezaxelrestaurant. com
At Chez Axel, classical music is played at dinner Tuesday through Saturday, and the food has a decidedly French twist: cassoulet, trout amandine, chocolate mousse, and authentic French onion soup. Reservations are recommended.
CHILE CHICKEN NASHVILLE
HOT CHICKEN
3005 Eubank Blvd. NE (505) 293-1700 chilechicken.com
$
As the legend of Nashville chicken goes, revenge is a dish best served fiery hot. This Southern staple comes to the Duke City in red hot fashion. Frying up proteins like chicken and catfish, diners can choose sauces ranging from mild to really cluckin’ hot for a customizable, unforgettable meal.
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Chili Hills is a comfort food haven. The team here is all about providing quality food and service at a fair price. From Huevos Rancheros to Chicken Fried steak they are serving up classic American and New Mexican eats.
Certified fair-trade chocolate and a chocolatier with 45 years of experience means you’ll find some of the best sweet-tooth satisfying offerings (including ice cream flavors such as raspberry red chile and Mexican coffee).
CHRISTY MAE’S RESTAURANT $
1400 San Pedro Dr. NE (505) 255-4740
christymaes.com
“Hearty” and “homestyle” are the key words here, a hands-down favorite of early-dinner lovers. Old-fashioned staples are the standards, so look for chicken salad, potpies, country-fried steak with homemade mashed potatoes, and beef stew.
CHURCH
STREET CAFÉ $$
2111 Church St. NW (505) 247-8522
churchstreetcafe.com
Calling the oldest residence in Albuquerque its home, this café serves up favorites ranging from natillas to margaritas. They also sell their own bottled salsa and cookbooks with recipes from the restaurant.
CINNAMON SUGAR & SPICE CAFÉ $
5809 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE (505) 492-2119
cinnamoncafeabq.com
Featuring breakfast and lunch options, endless baked goodies, friendly staff and regular cooking classes, this place puts the “everything nice” in the well-worn phrase.
COCINA AZUL $
4243 Montgomery Blvd. NE plus 2 other metro locations (505) 831-2600, cocinaazul.com
The newest location of the Old Town favorite serves up the same tried and true homecooked recipes you’ve come to love. Don’t miss location specific specials and local brews amid New Mexican staples.
CODA BAKERY $
230 Louisiana Blvd. SE, Ste C, (505) 232-0085
Wrap your hands around one of Coda Bakery’s unique, Vietnamese-inspired sandwiches. Beyond its popular lineup of sammies, Coda Bakery also puts a distinctive twist on Vietnamese street food, using from-scratch recipes, including the bread, its deli meats, and its desserts.
For a special dinner or celebration, look no further. Boasting a view of the Sandia Mountains, this restaurant will leave you breathless as you enjoy three-course meals with sweet potato Granny Smith apple soup, lavender salted shrimp or the classic crème brulee.
COPPER CANYON CAFE
$$ 5455 Gibson Blvd. SE (505) 266-6318
coppercanyoncafeabq.com
All-day breakfast and a killer chicken fried steak topped with your choice of traditional white gravy or homemade green chile sauce (naturally) grace this menu, and a steady lineup of loyal customers means the food’s always hot and fresh.
THE COUNTY LINE BBQ $$
9600 Tramway Blvd. NE (505) 856-7477, countyline.com
It doesn’t take long for the barbecue to arrive at your dinner table, whether it’s wood-burning oven cooked and slow-roasted brisket, ribs, or sausage. Throw in the Rib King Platter, greenchile stuffed pork loin, live music, and two stepping, and at The County Line, everybody wins.
CRACKIN’ CRAB $$
2100 Louisiana Blvd. NE plus 2 other metro locations (505) 433-4611, crackincrababq.com
Their headline seafood boils are super customizable, allowing you to choose from a trio of house combinations or mix and match your own selection of crab, lobster, mussels, scallops, clams, or shrimp by the pound.
CRAVIN’ COOKIES AND MORE $
10420 4th St. NW (505) 298-2597 cravincookiesandmore.com
Serving up specialty cookies, muffins, breads, pies, and pretty much any dessert you can dream of, Cravin’ Cookies and More offers dinein and to go orders to satisfy any sweet tooth, with coffee and hot tea to match.
CRAZY FISH SUSHI
BAR AND RESTAURANT $$
3015 Central Ave. NE (505) 232-3474, crazyfishabq.com
Tasty, fresh sushi and sashimi await you in this sleek Central Avenue restaurant, along with kitchen-made favorites such as tempura and crispy chicken.
THE CROWN ROOM $$$$
145 Louisiana Blvd. NE (505) 767-7171, abqdowns.com/crown-room
Perhaps Albuquerque’s best-kept fine dining secret, this gem is tucked away in the newly remodeled Downs Casino. With an incredible selection of liquors and wines, gourmet dishes, tableside Bananas Foster, and Dom Pérignon palate cleansers, this special occasion hideout is hard to beat, anywhere in the 505.
CURRY LEAF
6910-C Montgomery Blvd. NE (505) 881-3663, curryleafrestaurant.us
$
Curry Leaf is the only restaurant in New Mexico to offer both North and South India cuisine. This means that, while you can get familiar favorites like tandoori chicken, you can also explore the world of chicken chettinad and dosas—a type of crepe made with fermented lentil and rice flour, filled with stuffing like potato, spiced vegetables, or ground lamb.
THE DAILY GRIND
4360a Cutler Ave. NE (505) 883-8310, dailygrindabq.net
Saturday, look for spontaneous specials, such as stuffed French toast or steak and eggs.
DAMACIOS BAR & TAPAS $$
722 Central Ave. SW (505) 595-7383, damacios.com
Nestled downtown in a non-traditional eating space, Damacios uses its fun atmosphere and talented chefs to put a twist on classic Spanish tapas.
Restaurant veteran Dave Hanisch is back with this Northeast Heights eatery serving up Midwestern comfort food with a little New Mexican flair. Come for the hearty entrees like the Braised Beef Short Ribs on Bubble & Squeak, stay for the Biscochito Peach Cobbler; the restaurant’s flagship dessert.
DAVE’S VALLEY GRILL
6601 4th St. NW (505) 639-5807
davesvalleygrill.com
$
This family-friendly restaurant serves breakfast and lunch, including huevos rancheros and a huge assortment of baked goods. On Friday and
$$
Dave’s Valley Grill offers a delightful range of traditional favorites, each infused with a modern twist and a deep respect for ingredients.
This Iberian-inspired restaurant serves modernday eats and classic drinks, perfect for a special occasion or a relaxed night out. The chefs are passionate about providing guests with locally sourced ingredients and a farm-to-table experience.
DELICIAS CAFÉ
6001 San Mateo Blvd. NE (505) 830-6561
$
Named after the city in Chihuahua, Mexico, Delicias delivers traditional fare of the region, like caldo de res (beef stew), gorditas, carnitas, flautas, and horchata.
DG’S DELI
$ 1418 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Ave. NE (505) 247-3354, dgsdeli.com
With 31 cold sandwich options and a wide variety of grilled hot sandwiches—ranging in size from mini to jumbo—there’s something for everyone here. Try the Green Chile Philly or the Lobo Club.
D.H. LESCOMBES WINERY & BISTRO $$$ 901 Rio Grande Blvd. NW (505) 243-9916, lescombeswinery.com
With generations of experience in winemaking coursing through this North Valley staple’s doors, D.H. Lescombes Winery & Bistro specializes in pairing wine with its expertly crafted and entirely house-made menu, with a local twist. Themed events and giving back to its community are big parts of this eatery’s success, not to mention popular dishes such as its Chicken Picado, Mac and Cheese Bites, and Ghirardelli Port Brownie.
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DION’S
6308 Fourth St. NW plus 14 other metro locations (505) 345-4900, dionspizza.com
Launched in 1978, Dion’s aims to keep your wallet and tummy full with build-your-own pizzas, gourmet pizzas, slices, salads, and subs. The ranch and Greek dressings are homemade from secret recipes, and everything on the menu is tried and true.
DOG HOUSE DRIVE IN $
1216 Central Ave. SW, (505) 243-1019
An ABQ landmark since the 1940s, the eat-inyour-car Dog House serves grilled footlongs and halflongs topped with red chile, cheese, onions, and more. Enjoy your dog with a side of chili-cheese fries and a thick shake.
DON CHOCHE TACOS Y CERVEZA
7319 4th St. NW Unit 1 (505) 433-2242, donchochetacosycerveza.com
Starting as a food truck, Don Choche Tacos y Cerveza established residency in the Los Ranchos area in 2009. Tacos are the signature here and can be ordered with various fillings such as asada, barbacoa, fried shrimp, and green chile brisket, just to name a few. A trip to this classic Mexican eatery wouldn’t be complete without stopping at the salsa bar packed with interesting and delicious choices. Dine inside or on the renovated and shaded patio.
DONUT MART
4501 Montgomery Blvd. NE plus 2 other metro location (505) 292-6278, donutmartusa.com
Multiple locations sprinkled around town means a donut lover can always get a sweet fix. Find apple strudels, piñon coffee, green chile bialys, croissants, muffins, and even a Peanut Butter and Jelly donut.
DOWN N DIRTY SEAFOOD BOIL
6100 4th St. NW, (505) 345-0595
$$
Southern transplants who make their way to ABQ have a new spot for traditional seafood boil. From dry rub to a spicy, buttery fusion sauce, your tastebuds will dance with delight when you feast on this eatery’s collection of crawfish, rock shrimp, crab legs, and more.
DUGGAN’S
227 Lead Ave. SE (505) 312-7257, dugganscoffeeshop.com
This breakfast and lunch spot serves up newsthemed entrees like the Journalist Salad and Fact Checker Green Chile Chicken Soup in an intimate setting. Cups are filled with locally roasted Trifecta coffee.
DURAN’S CENTRAL PHARMACY
$$ 1815 Central Ave. NW (505) 247-4141, duransrx.com
Where in the city can you get amazing huevos, kitschy printed dish towels, an emergency rubber chicken in a box, and a flu shot? There is only one answer, Duran’s Central Pharmacy.
DURAN’S STATION $$ 4201 Menaul Blvd. NE (505) 830-0007
Traditional New Mexican food served up with a side of homestyle cooking. An off-shoot of Duran’s Pharmacy, Duran’s station has built a reputation for amazing red chile, house-made tortillas, and plenty of blue corn.
EAST OCEAN CHINESE SEAFOOD
RESTAURANT $$
3601 Carlisle Blvd. NE (505) 889-9315, eastoceanalbq.com
East Ocean Chinese Seafood Restaurant was the first of its kind in Albuquerque. Most dishes are served family style and are made fresh to order. Those looking for traditional Chinese dishes should try the Roast Duck. Seafood eaters will enjoy the Honey Crispy Walnut Shrimp.
EL BRUNO’S RESTAURANTE Y CANTINA $$
8806 4th St. NW (505) 897-0444, elbrunos.com
El Bruno’s got its start in Cuba, NM, in 1975. At the Albuquerque location, the tried-andtrue family recipes are still the focus of the menu. The Ceviche, Pollo Adovo, and the Deep Fried Spinach are a few items guests can look forward to.
EL CAMINO DINING ROOM $
6800 4th St. NW, (505) 344-0448
Those with a bottomless appetite might meet their match with any of El Camino’s breakfast burrito options. These plate-sized behemoths are filled with eggs, hashbrowns or home-fries, and your choice of meat, then smothered in red or green chile.
EL CHARRITOS $
4703 Central Ave NW (505) 836-2464
Whether you like the standard New Mexican fare of enchiladas, rellenos, and tacos or if you’re looking for something off the beaten path like steak picado, green chile chicken fried steak, or even a deep-fried Monte Cristo sandwich, you’re sure to leave El Charritos satisfied with a full belly.
EL MOLCAJETON
4921 Jefferson St NE (505) 881-5332
Enjoy a variety of poultry, seafood, and beef (Cielo, Mar, y Tierra) with vegetables, cheese, and salsas all served piping hot on a traditional molcajete. El Molcajete has everything from steak to octopus and anything else you could desire - or some simply delicious tacos if that’s more to your taste.
EL PATIO DE ALBUQUERQUE $
142 Harvard Dr. SE plus 1 other metro location (505) 268-4245, elpatioabq.com
A UNM favorite since 1977, this family-owned restaurant uses local ingredients and makes everything fresh daily in small batches. The No. 10 Green Chicken Enchiladas have won rave reviews for years, as have the tasty salsa and pillow-soft sopaipillas.
EL PATRON
10551 Montgomery Blvd. NE plus 1 other metro location (505) 275-0223, elpatronabq.com
$$
A customer favorite, El Patron’s menu includes dishes such as mouthwatering tacos, enchiladas, chile rellenos, and housemade chips. Wash them down with a tasty margarita.
EL PINTO $$$ 10500 4th St. NW (505) 898-1771, elpinto.com
Food and atmosphere go hand-in-hand at this Duke City staple, ensuring an unforgettable experience. Enjoy fresh salsa, enchiladas, burritos, carne adovada, and many more New Mexican dishes while sipping a margarita on one of the many beautiful patios. Reservations are recommended.
EL ROI CAFE
616 Lomas Blvd. NW Ste A (505) 401-9313, elroicafe.com
$$
El Roi Cafe offers a blend of Native American and New Mexican cuisine aimed to pay tribute to owners’ favorites growing up. Diners will find various options, including mutton stew, Indian tacos, and fry-bread green chile cheeseburgers.
EL SABOR DE JUAREZ $ 3527 Gibson Blvd. SE, (505) 265-3338
Its name means “the flavor of Juarez,” and since 1980, this restaurant has served just that. Try the family recipes for menudo and carne desebrada (shredded roast beef sautéed with jalapeño, tomato, and onions).
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CONDENSED CAFFEINE KICK
For those seeking a boost of energy that also provides refreshment, Zendo Coffee has an ideal solution. The Iced Cafe Con Leche (which is also served hot), is a double-threat in that regard.
“It’s going to be three shots of espresso blended with sweet and condensed milk that’s just poured over ice and added to whatever milk you’d like,” says owner Pilar Westell. “We also have the option of making it vegan because we offer sweet and condensed coconut milk. “That one is probably my go-to suggestion to tell people when they come in and they’re like, ‘I need a little extra pick me up,’ and they want something that’s super delicious and summery.” The combination of espresso and sweet and condensed milk make for a unique flavor profile. “It’s got a little bit of bitterness to it, but then there’s that real sweet creaminess to it, as well,” Westell says. — Tristen Critchfield
Specializing in authentic food from all regions of Mexico, you can count on dishes such as nopalitos (cactus sautéed with onions, tomatoes, and garlic), fresh salsa, burritos, chile rellenos, and seafood specials with shrimp, oysters, calamari, and fish.
ELOY’S NEW MEXICAN RESTAURANT
1508 Wyoming Blvd. NE, (505) 293-6018
$
Opening 52 years ago, Eloy’s New Mexican Restaurant’s claim to fame is its consistent food and service, offering the same recipes that made it famous all those years ago. Try the No. 1 Eloy’s Deluxe Dinner, with a little bit of everything.
EMBERS STEAK & SEAFOOD $$$
11000 Broadway Blvd. SE (505) 244-8288, isleta.com
Whether you are dining inside or al fresco on the rooftop patio, Ember’s boasts some of Albuquerque’s most beautiful 180-degree views of the Bosque, making for the perfect setting to catch the sunset next to the warmth of the glowing fire pits.
FANO BREAD COMPANY $
4605 McLeod Rd. NE (505) 884-5555, fanobread.com
For more than 16 years, Fano has made the freshest bread in the city. Whether it’s the rustic loaf, the green chile cheese bread or raisin cinnamon bread, you’ll think you’re touring the streets of Italy with each bite.
FAN TANG $$
3523 Central Ave. NE (505) 266-3566, fan-tang.com
With authentic family recipes that include coffee chicken (rubbed in Satellite coffee, then stir-fried with flavorful sauce) and creative additions like soul dumplings (made with tofu, kimchi, and cashew pesto), this spot is sure to satisfy.
FAREAST FUZION SUSHI BAR
& LOUNGE $$
5901 Central Ave. NE, (505) 255-2910
The sushi is served aplenty, but those who shy from raw fish can flirt with some Thai or Chinese cuisine. This might be one of the only places where a “Heart-Attack”—a sushi roll with deep-fried spicy tuna, jalapeños, mushrooms, and cream cheese—is a good thing.
FARINA ALTO PIZZERIA & WINE BAR $$
10721 Montgomery Blvd. NE (505) 298-0035, farinaalto.com
The Northeast Heights version of Farina offers the same urban atmosphere as the East Downtown (EDo) Farina, minus the elbow-toelbow seating. Alto offers every pizza on the EDo menu, such as the Formaggio di Capra and the Carne, but includes unique dishes— Eggplant Parmesan Napoleon and OvenRoasted Chicken Wings. Alto’s wine room is stocked with more than 300 bottles of wine.
FARINA PIZZERIA $$
510 Central Ave. SE (505) 243-0130, farinapizzeria.com
Whether you like yours bianco or covered in carne, you’ll get a pie cooked to perfection at this relaxed-but-hip urban eatery.
FARM & TABLE $$$
8917 4th St. NW (505) 503-7124, farmandtablenm.com
This North Valley eatery’s ever-changing menu features seasonal produce, which often comes from the restaurant’s own farm. If the produce doesn’t come from the farm, it’s sourced from a slew of local vendors. Enjoy grass-and-alfalfafed steaks and produce-focused dishes that use local kale, chard, okra, chile, and tomatoes.
PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM
ICED CAFE CON LECHE, $5.25
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THE FARMACY $$
3718 Central Ave. SE, (505) 227-0330
The Farmacy takes the idea of organic and local ingredients, and presents them in a way that tastes like comfort. The Farmacy provides a tasty menu of eight breakfast items, as well as eight sandwiches for lunch.
FIESTA’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT & CANTINA
4400 Carlisle Blvd. NE, (505) 881-0478
$
Fiesta’s Restaurant & Cantina has been familyowned and operated since 1986, making it an Albuquerque go-to for quality New Mexican cuisine. With its family dining area, outdoor patio, lively bar and banquet room, Fiesta’s has something for everyone.
FIRENZE PIZZERIA
12501 Candelaria Rd. NE (505) 433-4022
FRANK’S FAMOUS CHICKEN AND WAFFLES
400 Washington St. SE, (505) 712-5109 franksfamouschickenandwaffles.com
$
Owner and former Lobo basketball player Frank Willis wanted to give Albuquerque the soul food he had while growing up in Los Angeles. He fiddled with flavors, making sure they were perfect, before opening his restaurant to dish out favorites like chicken and waffles, fried pickles, mac ‘n cheese, and collard greens.
FRENCHISH
3509 Central Ave. NE (505) 433-5911, frenchish.com
$
They’ve moved from downtown to the heights, but the wood-fired pizza is just as good as ever. A plethora of smart toppings and custom pizzas, including vegan and gluten-free options, and outdoor seating with a lovely view of the Sandias make this a pizza spot worth a stop.
FIVE STAR BURGERS
5901 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 821-1909, 5starburgers.com
$
From bison, salmon, turkey and crab to lamb, chicken and Black Angus beef, burger addicts will love Five Star’s 100 percent natural meat. Hand-formed patties or vegetarian options paired with wine from St. Clair Winery or beer from Marble Brewery are a match made in heaven.
FLIX BREWHOUSE $$
3258 La Orilla Rd. NW, B-1 (505) 445-8500, flixbrewhouse.com
Flix is a one-of-a-kind concept; a movie theater that serves full meals and an in-house brewed beer menu in its stadium-seating “dining rooms.” The dream is real, Albuquerque–you can catch the latest blockbuster in theaters while knocking back a pint and having dinner brought to you.
FLYING STAR CAFE
8001 Menaul Blvd. NE plus 5 other metro locations (505) 293-6911, flyingstarcafe.com
$$
With menu options ranging from breakfast served all day to flavor-packed salads and sandwiches, handmade desserts to die for, and beautiful patio dining, Flying Star is the place to treat yourself to good vibes and great food.
FORK & FIG
6904 Menaul Blvd. NE, Ste C (505) 881-5293, forkfig.com
$$
Upscale, but surprisingly down-home, Fork & Fig dishes offer up a streamlined menu of favorites, including burgers, sandwiches, and salads, with surprising artistry along the way. Sweet potato tots, anyone?
$$$
Envisioned as a casual neighborhood restaurant, frenchish’s menu draws inspiration from an eclectic mix of French and Midwestern U.S. cuisines, with an active focus on clean, simple foods.
FRIENDS COFFEE & SANDWICH SHOP $
200 3rd St. NW (505) 243-4801, fcass.com
Every cup of coffee served at Friends Coffee & Sandwich Shop is from New Mexico Coffee Company, and a different flavor is showcased each day of the week. Local favorites such as the quesadilla and the Taco Burger are dependable lunch choices.
FRONTIER RESTAURANT
2400 Central Ave. SE (505) 266-0550, frontierrestaurant.com
Famous for its legendary Frontier Rolls, hotoff-the-iron tortillas, burgers, New Mexican favorites, hash browns, fresh-squeezed orange juice, and more, the Frontier is Albuquerque’s melting pot—it’s a guarantee you’ll see someone you know there.
Traditional meets trendy at this Westside rotisserie grill and bar. Gourmet tacos, bowls, and hot-fired skewers (including exotic meats like rabbit, elk and rattlesnake) pair nicely with whiskeys from their extensive list. Salads, handshaken cocktails, local craft beers and a large patio round out the scene.
The perfect place to go with family and friends to enjoy fresh Asian cuisine. Fun noodle bar provides you with an authentic and, well, fun experience. Fresh dumplings and hand-pulled noodles are a homerun.
GARCIA’S KITCHEN $
2924 San Mateo Blvd. NE plus 5 other metro locations (505) 888-3488, garciaskitchen.com
This Albuquerque institution serves up classic New Mexican dishes, from freshly made tortillas to an extensive burrito list. You’ll leave one of the multiple locations with a full belly and content heart.
GARDUÑO’S OF MEXICO RESTAURANT AND CANTINA $$
10031 Coors Blvd. NW plus 1 other metro location (505) 880-0055, gardunosrestaurants. com
Garduño’s consistently earns enthusiastic kudos for its mouthwatering enchiladas, burritos, salsa, and knock-your-socks-off margaritas. And, with three locations around town, you’re always near a fiesta.
GECKO’S BAR AND TAPAS
$$ 5801 Academy Rd. NE (505) 821-8291, geckosbar.com
Plenty of tasty tapas—including Southwestern Krab Taquitos and Red Molé Grilled Sirloin Tacos—and hearty salads and sandwiches, too.
GINO’S NEW YORK STYLE PIZZA
$ 3908 San Mateo Blvd. NE (505) 883-6000, ginosnystylepizza.com
With handmade lasagna and pizza dough, among other items, Gino’s New York Style Pizza shares family recipes with its customers. From the buttermilk ranch dressing to the Eggplant and Chicken Parmigianas, homemade cooking is not too far away.
GIOVANNI’S PIZZERIA
$ 921 San Pedro Dr. SE, (505) 255-1233 giovannispizzaalbuquerque.com
Giovanni’s isn’t easy to spot at first, but once you’ve had a big slice of fold-in-half New Yorkstyle pie, you’ll never miss it again. Whether you like it covered in spinach, pesto and tomatoes, cheese-only, no cheese at all, or plain pepperoni, you’re sure to find your pizza match.
Golden Crown Panaderia is known for taking creativity in baking to the next level. Try the original biscochitos or cappuccino, chocolate and sugar-free versions. Don’t miss out on homemade green chile bread, pizza, and creative bread sculptures.
GRASSBURGER
5600 Coors Blvd. NW, Ste C3 plus 1 other metro location (505) 361-2368, eatgrassburger.com
$
There’s a lot that sets the burger joint apart— including its community involvement, its vegan and gluten-free burger options, and its commitment to a no-corn syrup menu.
GREENSIDE CAFÉ
12165 NM-14, Cedar Crest (505) 286-2684, greenside.cafe
$$$
This Cedar Crest café offers a casual family atmosphere with large portions of gourmetquality food: French toast made with orange and vanilla batter, Turquoise Trail Trout, rich homemade ice cream, and a Monte Cristo sandwich with green chile.
THE GRILL ON SAN MATEO $
3300 San Mateo Blvd. NE, (505) 872-9772
A choice of mesquite-grilled chicken, rib eye, hot dogs, and burgers (beef and garden) accompany bottomless house-made chips and salsa, complete with sides like classic fries and fried zucchini, and fresh fixings are on a build-your-own basis offering a completely customizable burger.
GRANDMA’S K & I DINER $
2500 Broadway Blvd. SE (505) 243-1881
grandmaskandidiner.com
This South Valley dive is known for its heaping plates of classic American comfort food— they’ve even been featured on “Man vs. Food” for their massive “Travis on a Silver Platter” dish.
THE GROVE CAFÉ AND MARKET $$
600 Central Ave. SE, Ste A (505) 248-9800
thegrovecafemarket.com
The brunch and lunch favorite is well-known for its exceptional dishes made from local and organic ingredients, and it now offers a newly expanded menu, with additions such as the French Ham & Cheese with d’affinois cheese, mostarda, and caper mustard sauce.
GOBBLE THIS $$
308 San Felipe St. NW (505) 975-3969
gobblethis.biz
A fusion of ingredients from El Salvador, Los Angeles, and New Mexico make up the recipes at Gobble This. Owner and chef Nestor Lopez goes out of his way to make the food and atmosphere like being at a friend or family member’s house for dinner.
GYROS MEDITERRANEAN $
106 Cornell Dr. SE, (505) 255-4401, egyros.com
Tried-and-true Greek recipes, such as traditional Kota Reganato (oven-roasted chicken with oregano, garlic and lemon), fresh Greek salads, Patates, and, of course, sweet baklava, served in a friendly, laid-back collegial atmosphere.
HABIBI HOUSE
3218 Silver Ave. SE (505) 508-0307 habibihousenm.com
$
The word Habibi means “my love” in Arabic, and love is exactly what you’ll find in the food at Habibi House in Nob Hill, with delicious Middle Eastern food, a friendly staff, and a dog friendly patio.
HANNAH & NATE’S MARKET CAFÉ $ 4512 Corrales Rd. plus 1 other metro location (505) 898-2370
Offering breakfast and lunch, Hannah & Nate’s is all about flavor—whether it’s the flavor of traditional New Mexican cuisine, cuisines from throughout the world or the family recipes served.
HELLO DELI
7600 Jefferson St. NE (505) 797-3354, hellodeliabq.com
Home to one of the most delicious breakfast burritos around, Hello Deli serves sandwiches and even Frontier’s sweet rolls.
HIBACHI
ONE
3230 Coors Blvd. NE 505) 839-0808 hibachioneabq.com
In addition to their tableside teppanyaki service, Hibachi One visitors can take advantage of private rooms. Hibachi options like shrimp, scallops, and filet mignon are available wherever you’re sitting in the house, as is a full menu of sushi, sashimi, and rolls.
BITES
HIGH POINT GRILL
9780 Coors Blvd. NW (505) 312-8519
highpointgrill.com
Those perpetually on the hunt for the perfect burger will find plenty to love at High Point. With a foundation of 100-percent Akaushi, American Prime Wagyu beef, the burgers at High Point Grill are some of the city’s most popular. Its Southwest burger, for instance, features a red chile crusted patty, extra hot local green chile and cheddar cheese.
HIGH
NOON RESTAURANT AND SALOON
425 San Felipe St. NW (505) 765-1455
highnoonrestaurant.com
Located in a 300-year-old house in the heart of Old Town, High Noon has a menu stocked with New Mexican fare such as burritos and enchiladas, but you can also find baked brie and buffalo burgers here. Reservations are recommended.
HOLY BURGER
700 Central Ave. SE (505) 242-2991
holyburgernm.com
Originally a Route 66 diner with a carport, and later Bob’s Fish and Chips, Holy Burger now boasts some of the juiciest burgers in town, as well as one of the breeziest and most boppin’ patios in the city.
HORSE AND ANGEL TAVERN $$
5809 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE (505) 299-0225
Whether you want a simple sandwich for lunch, appetizers and a beer in the afternoon, or steak and enchiladas at midnight, this Heights tavern is the place to be any time of the day.
HOT PINK THAI $$
2626 San Pedro Dr. NE (505) 872-2296
For dine in or takeout at lunchtime, you’ll get $1.50 off dishes over $10 and a free vegetable egg roll. Favorites include pumpkin curry, pad thai, and drunken noodles. Most dishes are customized with your choice of protein and spice level, from no chili at all to Thai hot.
HOT TAMALES
1520 Rio Rancho Blvd. SE, Rio Rancho (505) 962-0123
hottamalesnmrestaurant.com
$
This Rio Rancho restaurant serves bona fide New Mexican with hand-blended red chile and fire-roasted green chile: Green Chile Stew Omelet, Hot Tamale Bowl, and Fajitas are just a few of the spicy dishes.
HUMBLE COFFEE COMPANY $
4200 Lomas Blvd. NE plus one other metro location (505) 289-9909, bakerad.com/humble Humble prides itself on keeping it simple. Here you’ll find the most classic coffee drinks (ones that aren’t overly sweet) in an attempt to highlight the coffee bean itself. They use single-origin beans so customers can taste the
difference between other beans. Both locations are perfect for sipping delicious coffee and gathering with friends.
HURRICANE’S CAFE $
4330 Lomas Blvd. NE, (505) 255-4248
With Route 66 serving as the city’s heart, it’s always good to hop over to a good ol’ fashioned diner. Pick out a classic dish, such as pancakes or omelets from the lengthy breakfast menu, or chow down on a burger, enchilada, or chicken fried steak. Of course, you can take a stab at the hearty Disaster Burrito, but you’d better make plenty of room if that’s on your agenda.
IHATOV BREAD AND COFFEE $
3400 Central Ave. SE, (505) 539-5445
Bread and coffee are the foundation of this diverse bakery. IHATOV is whipping up approximately 20 types of bread inspired by different locations. Must-try items include the buttermilk biscuit and the croissants.
ISLETA GRILL $
4047 NM State Highway 47 (505) 869-2046 FB: Isleta Grill
A popular breakfast-and-lunch counter on the Isleta Pueblo serving up tortilla burgers, Indian tacos and Frito pies, along with an assortment of made-to-order sandwiches (BLT, Club, etc.). The grab-and-go morning menu includes breakfast burritos and quesadillas in two sizes.
I SCREAM ICE CREAM $
2000 Carlisle Blvd. NE (505) 268-0139
The cozy dessert shop is filled with toys, gadgets, board games, and—oh yeah—34 flavors of ice cream and 28 different toppings. Each scoop comes with a free mix-in, and there are fresh mini doughnuts available on weekends.
IL VICINO $$
3403 Central Ave. NE plus 2 other metro locations (505) 266-7855, ilvicino.com
Using wood ovens to bake its thin-crust pizzas, Il Vicino (which means “The Neighbor”) also offers hearty calzones and award-winning brews from its own brewery.
INDIAN PUEBLO KITCHEN $$$
2401 12th St. NW (505) 724-3510, indianpueblo.org
The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is the perfect backdrop for the Native American-inspired cuisine prepared in the café, serving traditional and innovative dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Reservations are recommended.
This café is cozy, thanks to the fact that it’s housed in an old adobe building. When it’s cold, patrons warm up by the indoor fireplace; when it’s warm, they enjoy meals such as lobster ravioli, tarragon chicken salad, and New Mexico chicken fried steak under the stars on the outdoor patio. Reservations are recommended.
IRONWOOD KITCHEN $$
5740 Night Whisper Rd. NW, Ste 250 (505) 890-4488, ironwoodkitchen.com
This family operation’s goal: to serve meals made with whole foods at affordable prices. Try the green chile cheeseburger, with freshlyground chuck, topped with fresh vegetables and roasted green chile.
Entertainment is the main course at this teppanyaki grill restaurant. The cooks, who are at your table, can be caught tossing shrimp into their pockets and creating to-die-for dishes from the classic teriyaki chicken, to seafood or steak, and everything in between.
JAVA JOE’S $$
906 Park Ave. SW (505) 765-1514, downtownjavajoes.com
You’ll find all walks of life at this relaxing Downtown joint, enjoying freshly made sandwiches, breakfast burritos, green chile chicken melts, coffee drinks and more.
JC’S NEW YORK PIZZA DEPARTMENT $$
215 Central Ave. NW, Ste B (505) 766-6973, jcnypd.com
New York-style pizza, pasta, salads, and fullyloaded pasta and calzone dishes, all in a laidback lounge. During lunch hour, the line goes out the door.
JIMMY’S CAFÉ ON JEFFERSON $
8900 Holly Ave. NE, Ste. B (505) 856-1413, jinjabistro.com
Evoking a vintage ambiance, Jinja serves inspired and mouthwatering pan-Asian cuisine, such as Kung Pow Chicken (a Thai version of the Chinese favorite) and Home-Style Chicken Udon Wok Bowl.
JINJA BAR AND BISTRO $$ 7007 Jefferson St. NE (505) 341-2546 jimmyscafeonjefferson.com
The menu here lists more than 100 items, most of them mouthwatering comfort foods: sandwiches, burgers, New Mexican dishes, handmade pizzas, and breakfast served all day long.
Whether you’re looking for a good place to gather some friends for tasty drinks and appetizers or a laid-back place to bring the family, Jinja has the atmosphere for you. You won’t find one specific menu theme at Jinja, with its blend of Chinese and Vietnamese which makes it easy for anyone to find something they like. Staples like potstickers, Kung Pao chicken, and wings with different sauces are all served up
BITES
LOVELY LAVENDER
One of the missions at Stargazer Kombucha is to provide a “refreshing, low-sugar alternative to sodas and fruit juices.” The Lavender Kombucha fits that bill nicely. The drink takes locally-sourced lavender from Turquoise Trail Lavender Farm and forms an ideal blend with organic Japanese and Chinese green teas. “They produce a kombucha that is both floral and herbal, with notes of citrus, rosemary and resin,” says owner Alison Schmitt. “We differentiate ourselves from the other kombucha companies in that we don’t add a lot fruit flavors, fruit juices or fruit purées,” Schmitt adds. “We really think that the teas themselves have so much complex flavor and wonderful character that we didn’t want to mask them or disguise them with fruit.” The Lavender Kombucha was initially created for the Lavender in the Village Festival two years ago. It was such a hit that it became a regular offering. “I just think it’s a lovely balanced flavor that has that nice crispness for a hot day,” Schmitt says. — Tristen Critchfield
Stargazer Kombucha
Where Available: Downtown Growers Market (Saturdays 8 a.m. — noon); Lost Cultures Tea Bar; Cloudwalker Farm; Michael Thomas Coffee stargarzerkombucha.com
JOE’S PASTA HOUSE $$
3201 Southern Blvd. SE (505) 892-3333, joespastahouse.com
A neighborhood Italian-American joint with an incredible dose of warmth and personality, Joe’s offers a terrific lunch buffet and an expansive dinner menu to please every palate in la mia famiglia: steaks, pasta, and some of the best cannelloni and tiramisu anywhere.
JUNIPER STEAKHOUSE $$$
54 Jemez Canyon Dam Rd. (505) 771-7145, santaanastar.com
Inside the Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel, Juniper Steakhouse offers a fine dining experience in an entertaining atmosphere. With popular options like the prime rib and filet mignon, diners can also opt for a seafood entree. The food is enticing; they also have a full bar with an extensive wine list and handcrafted seasonal cocktails.
KABAB HOUSE:
AUTHENTIC PERSIAN CUISINE $
8104 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Ste. A (505) 312-8949
Authentic, made-to-order Persian food is constantly sizzling on the grill here. The koobideh kabab is made with minced ground beef or ground chicken, onion, and house
spices. Each dish is a healthy size and comes with soup, salad, and rice. Top everything off with a glass of delicious banana milk, or majoun, which is banana milk with almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and honey.
KAKTUS BREWING CO. $
471 S Hill Rd, Bernalillo (505) 818-7285, kaktusbrewery.com
Tucked away from it all, Kaktus specializes in European-style pints, and a menu featuring pizzas and apps uniquely topped with game meats like elk, boar, bison, and duck. Special events on weekends abound.
KAP’S COFFEE SHOP & DINER $
5801 Central Ave. NE 505) 232-9658
kapscoffeeshopanddiner.com
Serving the Duke City and hungry travelers since 1968, Kap’s is the place to go for a great meal. Enjoy a hearty plate of chicken fried steak or chicken fried chicken with an egg on top or some golden brown, griddle-cooked flapjacks.
KATHY’S CARRY OUT $
823 Isleta Blvd. SW (505) 873-3472 FB: Kathy’s Carry Out
A half-century of success in the heart of the city’s South Valley that’s renowned for $2 tacos on Wednesdays (yes, Wednesdays), stuffed
sopaipillas, smothered burritos and burgers. Take-home pints also available for beans, rice, carne adovada, etc. Indoor and outdoor seating, plus a drive-thru.
KATRINAH’S EAST MOUNTAIN GRILL $$
150 State Rd. 344 A (505) 508-0601
kawaiibobacafeabq.com
This contemporary diner specializes in homemade dishes, such as gyros, handcut steaks and burgers, and the best-selling Southern Salad (with fried green beans, bacon, cheddar cheese, tomato, and fried or grilled chicken or steak).
KAWAII BOBA-CAFÉ $
3200 La Orilla Rd. NW, Ste E (505) 281-9111, eastmountaingrill.com
Boba tea is just the beginning of the menu at this westside cafe. While the expansive tea menu allows for plenty of customizations, what really sets this cafe apart is their food menu featuring ramen, kimchi, and other Asian staples. Located conveniently next to Flix Brewhouse, this spot is a magnet for Albuquerque’s anime fans and cosplayers.
PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM
LAVENDER KOMBUCHA, $5
BITES
KIMO’S HAWAIIAN BBQ $
3239 Girard Blvd. NE (505) 582-2797, kimosabq.com
Hawaii comes home. What began as a food truck is now a brick-and-mortar location also. Try fresh-from-the-isles Kalua Pork and Huli Huli Chicken plates served with sides like steamed cabbage, rice, and macaroni salad.
K’LYNN’S SOUTHERN & CAJUN FUSION $$
4300 Ridgecrest Dr. SE, Ste O, Rio Rancho (505) 453-3068
Kathrine Johnson-Bey brings Cajun cuisine from the bayou to the desert in this Rio Rancho fusion restaurant. From fried oysters to handbreaded crawfish tails, alligator po boys to collard greens, this unique eatery is a can’t-miss.
KOSMOS RESTAURANT $$
1715 5th St. NW (505) 369-1772
kosmosabq.com
Part art gallery, part restaurant, Kosmos is a feast for the senses. The inventive staff brings together high-grade dinner style burgers with dishes sparked by the flavors of the Near East.
With over 40 different sushi rolls to choose from, including classics like the California Roll or the more ‘out there’ freshwater eel-forward Caterpillar Roll, the hearty servings over at this local Japanese mainstay keep sushi-lovers coming back time and again. For something to warm the soul, the hotpot is always a solid choice.
LA QUICHE PARISIENNE BISTRO $
5850 Eubank Blvd. NE, Ste 17 (505) 242-2808
laquicheparisiennebistro.com
Long considered an authentic French staple of downtown ABQ, La Quiche has comfortably settled into the Heights and the baked goods will comfort your lazy weekend brunch cravings with true Parisian cuisine from the mainland.
LA REFORMA $$
8900 San Mateo Blvd. NE, Ste I (505) 717-1361, lareformabrewery.com
On the taco front, La Reforma is virtually unimpeachable, offering options like braised pork shoulder carnitas, tempura-battered white fish pescado, and rotisserie-broiled al pastor for carnivores, along with tempurabattered avocado (aguacate) for those looking for something plant-based.
LA SALITA $
1950 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE (505) 299-9968, lasalita.com
The name may mean “little room,” but this New Mexican restaurant always has a full house. The chile rellenos, chile con queso, sopaipillas, and shredded beef burrito (a Wednesday special) have earned loyal customers for 37 years.
LA GUELAGUETZA
MEXICAN RESTAURANT $
816 Old Coors Dr. SW (505) 916-0095, la-guelaguetzamexican-restaurantllc.business.site
If you’re looking for something especially authentic, La Guelaguetza is the place for you. This restaurant will provide you with no frills and traditional Mexican food. Options range from Birria, to mole, to cocktail shrimp and everything in between. Located on Old Coors La Guelaguetza gives a homestyle feel to all the favorites.
LAGUNA BURGER $
2400 12th St. NW plus 3 other metro locations (505) 352-8282, thelagunaburger.com
Every half-pound burger is made fresh upon ordering, topped with Hatch green chile, and slipped on a butter-toasted bun made specifically for Laguna Burger by Sara Lee. Also on the menu: freshly-cut fries, foot-long chile cheese dogs, and zingy breakfast burritos.
LAZY LIZARD GRILL
12480 North Hwy. 14, Sandia Park (505) 281-9122, lazylizardgrill.com
$
From the King Cobra Pizza and made-fromscratch Jalapeño Poppers to their impressive selection of microbrews, the Lazy Lizard Grill has customers always coming back for more— and has the food and atmosphere to back it up.
LE BISTRO VIETNAMESE
RESTAURANT $$
1313 San Pedro Dr. NE, (505) 266-6118
Le Bistro Vietnamese Restaurant is just as much a bakery as it is a restaurant, specializing in traditional Vietnamese cuisine.
LE CHANTILLY FINE PASTRIES
8216 Menaul Blvd. NE (505) 293-7057, lechantillybakery.com
$
This French-style bakery features breakfast pastries, muffins, strudel, cookies, and tarts— not to mention delicious quiche, croissants, sandwiches and cakes. Try homemade soups such as creamy chicken and artichoke, then satisfy your sweet tooth with a tower of chocolate decadence.
LE TROQUET
228 Gold Ave. SW (505) 508-1166
abqfrenchrestaurant.com
$$
The Parisian bistro, open for lunch or dinner, offers classically simple French dishes made by Chef Jean Pierre Gozard. From Boeuf Bourguignon to quiche and delectable desserts, expect a tres bien atmosphere with a comprehensive wine list.
The food here needs be good, because first and foremost, it competes with the view. Like the name implies, Level 5 sits on the 5th floor of Hotel Chaco and offers a near-360 degree view of the city.
THE LIBRARY BAR & GRILL
312 Central Ave. SW (505) 242-2992, library-abq.com
$$
Featuring more than a great party, the Library offers drink specials and half-priced appetizers during happy hour, as well as salads, hamburgers, sandwiches, wraps, and specialty items.
LANTERN RIDGE FARM
12540 N Highway 14 (505) 395-7774
lanternridgemarket.com
$$$
Lantern Ridge Farm has it all - a tasty breakfast menu, amazing lunches, gourmet dinners, beautiful scenery, and a market. Whether you’re looking for classic huevos rancheros, filet mignon, or dried pasta, you’ll find it here.
LIMONATA CAFÉ
3222 Silver Ave. SE (505) 266-0607, limonatacafe.com
cappuccino and trattoria-inspired lunches. The chef makes every dish from scratch and insists that everything about the restaurant, from the menu to the atmosphere, be done just as it would in Italy.
LINDO MEXICO $$
7209 Central Ave. NE
plus one other metro location (505) 266-2999
lindomexicogrillandseafood.com
This once smaller operation has since been in business for 20 years. With extreme passion to express the heritage of certain dishes through authentic tastes, owners are proud to have an atmosphere that values family and traditions. Some popular items include mole, tacos, guacamole and their chile rojo. All made fresh in house.
LINDY’S DINER
500 Central Ave. SW, #3114 (505) 242-2582
lindysdinerabq.com
$$
Channel your inner Italian at this street foodinspired café, where the breakfast and lunch menus feature perfect pastries, craveable
$$
Lindy’s is a neighborhood joint, through and through. The sort of place where, even if they don’t know your name, you’ll feel like they do anyway. The owners recommend the Ultimate Burger for that classic American diner experience.
LILY AND LIAM BISTRO
$$ 1751 Rio Rancho Blvd. SE, Ste 101, Rio Rancho (505) 340-3309, lilyandliambistro.com
The NM Dutch Baby (loaded with green chile, of course) is a Lily and Liam staple that has regulars coming back time and again. As a family-run business, it makes perfect sense that your whole family will love this homegrown spot.
LITTLE BEAR COFFEE $ 2632 Pennsylvania St. NE (505) 917-8902, littlebearcoffeeco.com
Plus 1 other metro location
Located near Uptown, Little Bear is not just serving up quality brew, but also providing an outpost for the neighborhood and coffee community.
THE LOCAL BREWHOUSE $$ 300 Unser Blvd. SE, Rio Rancho (505) 994-2007
Even situated in the large metro area, The Local Brewhouse still has that small town, neighborhood charm. Their menu features brewpub classics and 32 local, regional, domestic, and international beers and ciders on tap, more than a dozen of which are brewed in house.
BITES
LOS COMPADRES RESTAURANT $
2437 Central Ave. NW (505) 452-8091, compadresabq.com
Family recipes like the No. 16 Taco Plate, tacos with carne y papas (beef and potatoes) and the restaurant’s Menudo, have kept locals coming back for more than 15 years.
LOS CUATES $$
8700 Menual Blvd. NE
plus 2 other metro locations (505) 237-2800
loscuatesrestaurants.com
Popular since it opened over 25 years ago, Los Cuates serves its own ancho-chile salsa and tons of delicious New Mexican dishes in humongous portions.
LOS OLIVOS MEXICAN RESTAURANT $
7900 Zuni Rd. SE (505) 503-7879
Virtually everything on the menu at Los Olivos is Hernandez family recipe. Focused on traditional Mexican flavors, diners can enjoy authentic tacos, tortas, burritos, and soups, as well as different salsa for every dish.
LOYOLA’S FAMILY RESTAURANT $$ 4500 Central Ave. SE, (505) 268-6478
loyolasfamilyrestaurant.com
You’ll find both American and New Mexican goodies here, from fried chicken, roast beef and sandwiches to tasty local favorites such as burritos and posole.
LUIGI’S RISTORANTE AND PIZZERIA
$$ 6225 4th St. NW (505) 343-0466, luigisitalianfood.com
Enjoy more than 250 made-from-scratch Italian dishes, including pizza, chicken Florentine, spaghetti and meatballs, and green chile chicken lasagna.
M’TUCCI’S $$
6001 Winter Haven Rd. NW plus 3 other metro locations (505) 503-7327, mtuccis.com
The menu at the Westside’s authentic Italian staple features refined comfort food classics, from meatball marinara to pot roast. Other menu items are crafted from choice Berkshire pigs that the eatery imports from northern Iowa and southern Minnesota farms. In fact, a unique pork dish is incorporated into a featured dinner special every night. Wash down your pasta, pizza, or salad with a carefully crafted cocktail from the bar.
MAC’S STEAK IN THE ROUGH $
4515 Menaul Blvd. NE plus 1 other metro location (505) 888-3611, macsnm.com
Taquitos, onion rings, guacamole salad, and an original “steak in the rough”—slivers of beef served with French fries, coleslaw, a roll, catsup, and a fresh green scallion… these are just a few of the reasons Mac’s has been in business for so many years.
MANZANO GRILLE AT THE CANYON CLUB AT FOUR HILLS $$
911 Four Hills Rd. SE (505) 299-9555, canyonclubgolf.com
This newly remodeled property was rejuvenated thanks to its own club members, and now boasts modern décor, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. Members can enjoy creative dishes like Pork Alexander, New Mexico Eggs Benedict with green chile Hollandaise sauce, or the Turkey Lurkey, including green chile and Pepper Jack cheese in the dining room or al fresco on its large, shaded patio overlooking the mountain vistas. Dining-only memberships available.
MARIO’S PIZZA $$
2401 San Pedro Dr. NE plus 3 other metro locations (505) 883-4414, mariospizzaabq.com
Gourmet pizzas, big bowls of pasta, custom calzones and New York-style sandwiches are the norm at this tasty Italian eatery.
MARISCOS ALTAMAR $$
1517 Coors Blvd. NW plus 1 other metro location (505) 831-1496
mariscosaltamarabq.com
With live music on the weekends, colorful murals, and authentic Mexican seafood dishes such as tostada de ceviche with shrimp, fish, and snow crab, dining at Mariscos Altamar is well worth the trip.
MARY & TITO’S CAFÉ $ 2711 4th St. NW (505) 344-6266, maryandtitos.com
From their famous carne adovada to their authentic New Mexican chips and salsa, Mary & Tito’s Café makes sure guests leave full and happy. This homey café also became the only Albuquerque restaurant to win a James Beard Foundation America’s Classics Award in 2010.
MATA G VEGETARIAN KITCHEN $$
116 Amherst Dr. SE (505) 266-6374, mata-g.com
An authentic vegetarian restaurant with a wide variety of vegetarian breakfasts, soups, salads, sandwiches, and hot specials.
MARIGOLD CAFE
161 Lang Ave. NE, Ste C (505) 433-4427, marigoldabq.com
$
This cozy cafe is serving up a much-loved fusion of Indian and American cuisine. The marigold cafe is a local family-owned business that uses only the highest quality ingredients and spices.
MAZAYA
CAFÉ $
120 Harvard Dr. SE (505) 582-2447, mazayacafe.com
Mazaya Café is dedicated to adding an authentic Mediterranean dining experience to the medley of options in the Nob Hill area–without breaking the bank for its diners. If you are looking to fill up, fresh-grilled kebabs, a half-dozen wraps, shawarma, and three kinds of fried or steamed dumpling plates headline the restaurant’s entrée menu.
MESA PROVISIONS $$ 3120 Central Ave. SE (505) 494-5264, mesaprovisions.com
With an emphasis on seasonally and locally influenced ingredients, you can always expect to find something fresh on the menu at Mesa Provisions. And although they have a wide variety of culinary offerings, year-round staples such as the half-smoked chicken or the green chile cheddar biscuit will have you coming back for more.
Meraki in Greek is the word that describes the attention and love put into something you are preparing for others. With all real ingredients (no fake butter, sugar substitutes, etc.) it is clear the passion runs through each item that is made at Meraki. Everything is made early in the morning and most ingredients are sold instore exclusively. Whether you’re looking for a classic cappuccino or smoked salmon toast with homemade tomato jam, you are sure to find that every dish is extremely high quality and delicious.
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MICHAEL THOMAS COFFEE ROASTERS
(505) 504-7078
202 Bryn Mawr Dr. SE michaelthomascoffee.com
Michael Thomas’ fresh-roasted coffees can be purchased in bulk or by the cup. Favorites include the Banda Bear Blend and the Duke’s Runners’ Blend. If you prefer to let them make your cup of Joe, try an espresso-based drink such as a Double Espresso, a Macchiato, or a Cubano.
MICK’S CHILE FIX
3351 Candelaria Rd. NE, Ste A (505) 881-2233, mickschilefix.com
One of the city’s true spots for getting something hot: try The Shocker (an eightpound breakfast burrito), huevos rancheros, or the Frito pie, all with homemade red or green chile.
MILLY’S
2100 Candelaria Rd. NE
plus 1 other metro location (505) 884-0707, millysrestaurants.com
If you’re not sure what to eat, have a little of everything with an American-New Mexican–Greek menu. This breakfast and lunch spot melds salads and sandwiches with traditional New Mexican and Greek entrees.
MONICA’S EL PORTAL RESTAURANT $
321 Rio Grande Blvd. NW (505) 247-9625
Traditional New Mexican favorites make up the menu at this Old Town staple that has been around for 34 years. Monica’s roasts its own green chile, makes biscochitos from scratch and offers red chile straight from the pod.
MONROE’S
RESTAURANT $
6051 Osuna Rd. NE plus 1 other metro location (505) 881-4224, monroeschile.com
More than 50 years after opening its doors south of Old Town, Monroe’s continues to serve reliable New Mexican favorites to a local fan base, and service around here is a team effort, so no glass goes unfilled.
MONTE CARLO STEAKHOUSE $$$
3916 Central Ave. SW, (505) 836-9886
The iconic steakhouse meets liquor store has been featured on the Food Network and boasts some of the best steaks in the city. Since 1971, locals always come back for hand-cut steaks, house-made Greek salad dressing, freshly cut fries, and a mean green chile cheeseburger.
MR. TOKYO $$
11200 Montgomery Blvd. NE, (505) 292-4728
Soak up the cool Zen-like atmosphere while enjoying six versions of fried rice, sushi, sashimi,
tempura, hibachi, grilled udon, soups, and teriyaki spiced with fiery Thai chili peppers.
MUSTANG CAFÉ
8601 Lomas Blvd. NE, (505) 275-4477
$
Perfect for anyone shopping at the Rich Ford car dealership—or anyone at all—is this autothemed restaurant, which serves up homemade breakfast burritos, papitas, enchiladas, rellenos, tamales, and the Dennis Snyder Favorite: a 16oz. sirloin patty with cheese and chile.
NAAN & DOSA $$
6501 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 797-4243
naananddosa.com
Many Indian restaurants only serve either Northern or Southern Indian food. Not Naan and Dosa. Named for the traditional breads from both regions of the country, take your pick of the leavened flatbreads (naan) or eight different types of rolled dosas. Also try their lunch buffet Tuesdays through Saturdays, featuring a sampling of their menu.
NAGOMI RESTAURANT
2400 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE (505) 298-3081
nagomirestaurantabq.com
$
The Nagomi menu is virtually overrun with Japanese culinary classics. Nagomi is also one of the few places in Albuquerque where you can go to indulge in shabu-shabu, a Japanese-style hot pot.
NAKA SUSHI
1035 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE (505) 200-9152 nakasushiabq.com
$$
A little bit of Thai, a little bit of Korean, and a little bit of Japanese, but entirely delicious. Naka Sushi fuses multiple Asian flavors to make fresh sushi, bento boxes, and other Asian dishes, all in a location with a vibrant, appealing ambiance.
NAMASTE
$ 1580 Deborah Rd. SE, plus 1 other metro location (505) 896-3126, namastenm.net
Offering authentic Nepalese and Indian dishes— including chicken tikka masala and lamb curry— Namaste also serves traditional food with a New Mexico twist, such as the green chile chicken curry.
NAPOLI COFFEE
3035 Menaul Blvd. NE (505) 884-5454, napolicoffee.com
$
A diversified menu of caffeinated companions means something for everyone at Napoli Coffee. Currently located on Menaul, Napoli aims to please and cater to guest requests, so the possibilities and drink combinations are seemingly endless. In addition to coffee, they also offer a variety of freshly made sandwiches, wraps, and breakfast burritos.
NARUTO
2110 Central Ave. SE (505) 369-1039, narutonoodle.com
$
Who knew Ramen noodles could be so creative, so diverse, and so darn good. Naruto is
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reinventing the Ramen noodle with specialized dishes that can’t be found anywhere else in the city.
NEW MEXICO BEEF JERKY COMPANY $ 1425 4th St NW (505) 242-6121 newmexicobeefjerkycompany.com
Beef jerky? Check. Chicharrones? You better believe it. Tacos, burgers, and burritoswho knew that the New Mexico Beef Jerky Company had so much awesome food to offer? You don’t stay in business for 45 years without good reason, so be sure to swing by this classic joint to get your New Mexican food fix.
NEXUS BREWERY $$
4730 Pan American Fwy. NE, Ste D plus 1 other metro location (505) 242-4100, nexusbrewery.com
If the made-to-order fried chicken and waffles and mac and cheese has you drooling, reach for one of Nexus’ brewed in-house beers.
NEXUS BLUE SMOKEHOUSE $$
1511 Broadway Blvd. SE (505) 445-1545 smokehouse.nexusbrewery.com
Tender and mouthwatering meat, Nexus uses the blue smoke method. With favorites like burnt ends and pulled pork sandwiches, tangy sides, and perfectly paired brews, Nexus Blue Smokehouse achieves top of the line status.
NM SANGWICHES $
4400 Masthead St. NE, Suite 160 (505) 835-5138 nmsoulfoodco.co
The former Rio Rancho favorite has moved to North ABQ with their menu of classic sandwiches, served both hot (grilled cheese, pulled pork, meatball) and cold (chicken salad, BLT), plus salads. The breakfast menu includes bowls, biscuits & gravy, muffins and bagels.
NOODLE WORKS $$
5901 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Ste S (505) 990-0055 noodleworksnm.com
Every noodle at Noodle Works hand stretched, hand spun, and hand sliced in house fresh for every meal. With unique dishes and signature takes on popular favorites, almost everything on the menu can be modified or elaborated with noodles.
OAK TREE CAFÉ $$$
4545 Alameda Blvd. NE (505) 830-2233, cafeoaktree.com
This hometown café has served a lot of locals over the past 30 years, and the current venue on Alameda is great at the basics, including burgers, sandwiches, and salads, made fresh, inhouse every day.
OHANA HUT $
5740 Night Whisper Rd. NW (505) 508-4439, ohanahut.com
Family owned and operated Ohana Hut means “Family Hut.” It specializes in Hawaiian,
Japanese, and Korean flavors to create an Asian fusion menu with a New Mexican twist.
OLD TOWN PIZZA PARLOR $$
108 Rio Grande Blvd. NW (505) 999-1949, oldtownpizzaabq.com
This comfy, funky, family-owned restaurant serves tasty pies, huge calzones, and portions of pasta that won’t ever leave you hungry.
OLO DESSERT STUDIO
3339 Central Ave. NE, Ste C-3 (505) 750-4656, olodessertstudio.com
$
Nothing is as sweet as a guilt-free treat. In the same building as Staples in Nob Hill, Olo features a Candyland-esque interior, complete with 10 flavor choices and a salad-bar-sized toppings bar.
O’HARE’S GRILLE & PUB
4100 Southern Blvd. SE, Rio Rancho (505) 896-0123, oharesgrillepub.com
$$
With a menu that is centered around the idea that variety is the key to success, O’Hare’s offers pub fare in a family-friendly atmosphere. Try the Corned Beef and Cabbage special, O’Hare’s Double Decker Reuben, or the staple Fish and Chips, for a truly Irish experience.
600 Central Ave. SW # 100 (505) 503-6722, oniabq.com
Warm, umami scents fill the air at Oni, which has an abundance of ramen and other Japanese options. A house favorite is the Shoyu Ramen, which features cherry wood smoked pork belly, seasonal vegetables, and a pork bone broth that’s cooked in-house.
O’NIELL’S
PUB
4310 Central Ave. SE plus 1 other metro location (505) 255-6782, oniells.com
O’Niell’s boasts the same neighborhood feeling, many of the same staffers, and virtually the same menu (including the “weird sandwich,” the “burger in paradise,” and homemade fish and chips). Added: an outdoor patio and more beer choices.
O RAMEN
2114 Central Ave. SE, (505) 508-1897
Yes, the Duke City has the real thing. O Ramen’s Tonkotsu (pork bone broth) spends 18 hours on the stovetop before it blesses your bowl; expect plenty of options for vegetarians and Japanese curry lovers, to boot.
ORCHID THAI CUISINE $
4300 Central Ave. SE (505) 265-4047, orchidabq.com
Orchid Thai has been serving hungry Albuquerqueans traditional dishes like Pad Thai at its Nob Hill location for more than a decade. But this award-winning eatery goes beyond the traditional with unique dishes like deep-fried sesame duck, green tea curry, and Szechwan eggplant, all made from scratch.
THE OWL CAFÉ $$
800 Eubank Blvd. NE (505) 291-4900
owlcafealbuquerque.com
World-famous green chile cheeseburgers, milkshakes, fajitas, quesadillas, meatloaf, burritos, fries… the list of great drool-worthy dishes goes on and on.
PACIFIC PARADISE TROPICAL GRILL AND SUSHI BAR $$
3000 San Pedro Dr. NE (505) 881-0999
pacific-paradise-restaurant-abq.com
Faux palms and tiki huts frame a menu filled with more than 100 options: salads, soups, stir-fry, seafood, fried rice, noodles, sushi, and dessert menu. Try the Seafood Rice Pizza or Rock ‘n’ Roll Sushi.
It might not get any more New Mexican than it does at Padilla’s—from huevos rancheros and tamales to chile rellenos and egg-topped blue corn enchiladas. You may have to shake your head after a taste of the chile just to remind yourself you’re not in your grandmother’s kitchen. A sopaipilla dripping with honey will seal the deal for your traditional meal.
PAISANO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT $$
1935 Eubank Blvd. NE (505) 298-7541, paisanosabq.com
Family recipes have kept Paisano’s going for more than 35 years, but the hand-rolled pasta, hand-stuffed ravioli, homemade sausage and marinara haven’t hurt business, either. It’s also the only place in town to get wheat-free pizza and pasta.
THE PALETA BAR
$ 2325 San Pedro Dr. NE plus 12 other metro locations (505) 884-0049, thepaletabar.com
A hidden Albuquerque gem, The Paleta Bar has taken a tried-and-true, frozen Mexican dessert to new heights. Since 2017, this paleta wonderland has been slinging refreshing Mexican popsicles in endless combinations of flavors.
PAPA FELIPE’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT
$$ 9800 Menaul Blvd. NE (505) 292-8877, papafelipes.com
Papa Felipe’s exceeds expectations by offering traditional New Mexican cuisine (enchiladas, stuffed sopaipillas, tacos) as well as simple twists on favorite dishes (green chile carne adovada, Tampico Tacos, Green Tamale Pie).
PAPA NACHOS
7648 Louisiana Blvd. NE (505) 821-4900, papanachosfood.com
$$
Great homemade Mexican food based on triedand-true family recipes is the specialty here: burritos, fish tacos, and the namesake nachos will all make your panza happy.
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PARS CUISINE $$
4320 The 25 Way NE, Ste 100 (505) 345-5156, parscuisine.us
For more than 20 years, Pars has served Persian and Mediterranean menu items in a unique atmosphere. Choose to sit on the floor under a large tent, and enjoy the talents of belly dancers, and enjoy tasty kebabs, gyros and more.
PELICAN’S RESTAURANT $$$
9800 Montgomery Blvd. NE plus 1 other metro location (505) 298-7678, pelicansabq.com
For 30 years, customers have fallen for Pelican’s—hook, line and sinker. Favorite entrées include Alaskan king crab, Australian lobster tail, and their delicious prime rib.
PEREA’S NEW MEXICAN RESTAURANT $
1140 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE (505) 293-0157
Even after multiple relocations over the course of it’s 40-plus year history in Albuquerque, Perea’s keeps their loyal customers and newcomings coming back with their hearty New Mexican comfort foods.
PEREA’S TIJUANA BAR $$ 4590 Corrales Rd., (505) 898-2442
Open for lunch only, the family-owned and -operated business specializes in real, homecooked New Mexican food that’s consistently earned kudos from customers who can’t say “no” to the Frito pie, carne adovada, and green chile cheeseburgers.
PERICO’S $ 10401 Golf Course Rd. NW plus 3 other metro locations (505) 792-5255
pericosmexicanrestaurant.com
Serving delicious New Mexican food at affordable prices made Perico’s instantly popular, and the “home of the ½ lb burrito” is now an Albuquerque institution with three locations, catering services, and 22 different burritos.
PHO LINH $$
9100 Central Ave. SE (505) 266-3368, pholinhabq.com
Authentic Vietnamese cuisine is the name of the game at this restaurant. Look for pad thai, special noodles (with grilled barbecue shrimp), spring rolls, curry, and papaya salad.
PIATANZI
1403 Girard Blvd. NE (505) 792-1700, piatanzi.com
$$
A neighborhood Italian eatery with artisan flair, Piatanzi serves up big bites on smallish plates that please families and adventurous foodies alike, in a venue that scores big points.
PIZZA 9
4000 Louisiana Blvd. NE plus 9 other metro locations (505) 883-6463, pizzanine.com
$$
Chicago-style pizza at 10 locations around the city, along with the option of gluten-free crust— that’s what Pizza 9 brings to the, er, table. Don’t forget the wings, salads, breadsticks and calzones to complement any meal.
PIZZERIA LUCA $$
8850 Holly Ave. NE (505) 797-8086, pizzerialuca.com
With imported Italian flour, cheese, and pepperoni, Pizzeria Luca offers authentic Italian cuisine. The restaurant has a subway-inspired interior and features delicious and affordable lunch specials.
PLANTY SWEET
$$
2506 Washington St. NE (505) 433-7111, plantysweet.weebly.com
Planty Sweet is the city’s first 100% vegan and gluten-free bakery and dessert shop, and the quality of the products available is hard to deny.
Not only do their artisanal baked goods taste fantastic, they are impeccably presented, each crafted to please the eye as much as the taste buds.
POKI POKI CEVICHERIA $$
3422 Central Ave. NE plus 1 other metro location (505) 503-1077, pokipokinm.com
Think deconstructed sushi if you’ve never had the traditionally Hawaiian poké. Completely customizable bowls with Latin and Asian fusion are the specialty here. Seven types of fish, 12 sauces, and 22 toppings make for endless combinations atop rice, chips, or a salad.
POLLITO CON PAPAS
$$ 6105 Gibson Blvd. SE (505) 765-5486, pollitoconpapas.com
Get ready for a punch of Peruvian cuisine. The menu is dotted with combinations of chicken, potatoes, and cilantro rice. The chicken is brined in vinegar and cumin for about 10 hours, then fired on a spit. The traditional drink, chicha, makes the perfect complement to any dish. The southeast part of town just inched a bit closer to South America.
A sister brew pub to Pints Brewing in Portland, Oregon, Ponderosa features a wide selection of American and German standard beers, with a classic menu of burgers, salads, and innovative appetizers.
POP FIZZ
$ 1701 4th St. SW (505) 553-5929
Made in-house from all natural ingredients, kids can’t miss the Mexican paletas and ice cream tacos, and adults will love their menu of boozy popsicles and shakes. Find them on campus at the National Hispanic Cultural Center or book them for your own event or party.
PRAIRIE STAR RESTAURANT
$$
288 Prairie Star Rd. (505) 867-3327, mynewmexicogolf.com
Taking a drive past Bernalillo is a pleasure when you know the visit will include amazing made-from-scratch dishes such as herb-grilled ribeye with chipotle cheddar gratin and New Mexico bison-raised tenderloin. Reservations are recommended.
PUPUSERIA Y RESTAURANTE SALVADOREÑO
$ 1701 Bridge Blvd. SW, (505) 243-8194
In El Salvador, pupusas (stuffed corn tortillas) are found on every street corner. In Albuquerque, they can only be found in the South Valley, stuffed with shrimp, calabacitas, cheese, beans, or guacamole and served with a
side of fresh salsa and curtidos (a spicy cabbage salad garnish).
QUARTER CELTIC BREWPUB
1100 San Mateo Blvd. NE, #50 plus 1 other metro location quartercelticbrewpub.com
$$
Irish brews like the Crimson Lass and Rye’t Side of Dublin are paired nicely with Celtic pub fare with a New Mexico twist. Must-tries include the classic fish and chips, ruben, shepherd’s pie, and poutine with green chile.
RANGE CAFÉ $$
4400 Wyoming Blvd. NE plus 5 other metro locations (505) 293-2633, rangecafe.com
Locals flock to the Range Café when they’re in search of good, made-from-scratch comfort food, including meatloaf sandwiches, huevos rancheros, enchiladas, ice cream, and the gooey Life by Chocolate dessert.
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RED ROCK DELI $
2414 San Mateo Pl. NE (505) 332-9656
So authentic that the menu is derived from a family cookbook written entirely in Polish, Red Rock Deli boasts Polish and Chicago-style deli delights, especially their handmade pierogies with ingredients sourced from Chicago.
RELISH GOURMET SANDWICHES $$
8019 Menaul Blvd. NE (505) 299-0001
relishsandwichesabq.com
It’s no wonder this sandwich shop has been voted “best” by publications throughout Albuquerque—it serves only the best Boar’s Head meats and all of their dishes are accompanied by homemade sides or soups. Try the Cubano. You won’t be disappointed.
RESTORATION PIZZA $
5161 Lang Ave. NE, Ste A (505) 582-2720, restorationpizza.com
Here, good food and positive works—delivered simultaneously—is in the very nature of the business. The idea is to provide patrons with top-notch pies and first-rate beers while giving traditionally underemployed individuals work opportunities they would otherwise miss.
REVEL BURGER $$
4720 Alexander Blvd. NE (505) 303-4700
revelburger.com
Located inside Revel Entertainment, Revel burger’s delicious menu of Angus burgers and chicken sandwiches are cut, trimmed, and prepared in house. Try one of their American classics or challenge yourself to the Jawbreaker: a five-patty, pound and a half burger.
RICHARD’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT $$
3301 Menaul Blvd. NE, (505) 881-1039
Mexican favorites—such as carne adovada, relleño, tacos, and green chile enchiladas— cooked in the healthiest, most nutritious, yummiest way possible. Open for breakfast and lunch.
New York-style pizza has come home to roost in Albuquerque’s Northeast Heights. Whether by the slice or by the pie—some of which measure 25 inches in diameter—you’ll need every bit of your appetite when you visit Richie B’s. Not in the mood for pizza? Wrap your hands around a turkey, cheesesteak, or Italian sandwich, topped with its signature Viper sauce, or tempt your sweet tooth with traditional cannoli or New York-style cheesecake.
RIO BRAVO BREWING COMPANY $
1912 2nd St. NW (505) 900-3909
riobravobrewing.com
The pub and grill is bright and airy with high ceilings and a modern industrial style, mixed with the cozy rustic feel of a neighborhood bar, with 32 taps, including their award winning La Luz Lager.
ROCKIN’ TACO $
2904 Indian School Rd. NE, LS (505) 401-1000
greenjeansfarmery.org
Rockin’ Taco is housed inside of Albuquerque’s premier indoor/outdoor gathering place, Green Jeans Farmery. With a food truck vibe and an East Coast flare, this hidden gem is elevating the street taco.
ROMA BAKERY & DELI $
501 Roma Ave. NW (505) 843-9418
romabakeryanddeli.com
You’ll find more than fresh-baked cookies and pastries at this bakery—feast your eyes (and taste buds) on grilled sandwiches and eight fresh deli salads and soups.
ROSE GARDEN
6541 Paradise Blvd. NW, Ste E plus 1 other metro location (505) 897-8880
rosegardenabq.com
$
Over 100 menu items and great customer service ensures locals always return. Rose Garden never disappoints with a wide range of appetizers, soups and entrees. Owner, Mieng Lu, says the Kung Pao chicken, orange chicken and beef lo mein are just a few of his favorites.
RUSTIC BUBBLE TEA CAFE
840 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, Ste B (505) 508-1813
$
Rustic Bubble Tea Cafe has all of the fundamentals of a bubble shop down, of course - the hint is in the name - but what sets the independent Albuquerque startup apart is the Vietnamese-inspired menu that accompanies its decadent beverages.
RUSTIC ON THE GREEN $
3600 Cutler Ave.NE (505) 315-1148
rusticburger505.com
Rustic simplicity is the key for this burger joint at Green Jeans Farmery, serving up five equallycravable burger options and two different kinds of fries from its minimalist menu. Don’t let the simplicity fool you: this unique eatery does gourmet burgers that have fans coming back for more, including its Day of the Dead burger with a secret “Diablo” puree and the Divine Intervention, topped with bleu cheese and caramelized onions.
RUTILIO’S FAMILY RESTAURANT $
455 N Main St, Belen (505) 864-0093
Belen Mayor Rudy Jaramillo’s carne adovada is what put Rutilos on the map. This hangout serves their perfect pork with rice and beans, stuffed inside burritos and sopaipillas, and layered inside enchiladas and quesadillas. Add Rutilios breakfast burritos and classic New Mexican combos, and guests are sure to find something worth campaigning for.
SADIE’S OF NEW MEXICO $$ 6230 4th Street NW (505) 296-6940
sadiesofnewmexico.com
A staple in New Mexican cuisine, Sadie’s features enchiladas, carne adovada ribs, tacos, burritos, and of course, world-famous chips and salsa. Reservations are recommended.
SAGGIO’S $$
107 Cornell Dr. SE plus one other metro location (505) 255-5454, unmsaggios.com
This university joint is known for its pizza, particularly the pepperoni and green chiletopped pie, but the pasta, sandwiches, and salads shouldn’t be slept on!
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SAHARA MIDDLE EASTERN EATERY $ 2622 Central Ave. SE, (505) 255-5400
saharamiddleeasterneatery.com
Delectable Middle Eastern plates served up Manhattan-deli style. The chicken shawarma plate, complete with greens, pita, hummus, and award-winning tabbouleh, is always a good bet. Complete with beer and wine, and belly dancing on weekends, this is a fave of students, locals, and out-of-towners alike.
SAIGON RESTAURANT $
6001 San Mateo Blvd., Ste.D4, NE plus 1 other metro location (505) 884-0706
saigonrestaurantnm.com
Vicky Truong’s secret to 12 years of success has been consistency. Truong maintains an extensive menu that caters to every type of eater. From summer dishes such as noodle bowls to winter mainstays like beef noodle soup, Truong will make sure you find your favorites.
Favorites at Sakura are the Stone Pot Bibimbap (which is cooked at the table in a stone pot), the Tiger Roll, the Short Rib, the Baked Lobster Roll, the Sushi Tacos, and the impressive list of sake imported from Japan.
SALATHAI
3619 Copper Ave. NE, (505) 265-9330
$
Made-from-scratch, fresh, ingredients and keeping it simple are owner Pitak Pitakkan’s rules to cook by. Pitakkan cooks every menu item himself so don’t go to Salathai in a hurry. Pitakkan’s grandmother taught him to make curry and his curries are a longtime customer favorite.
SALT AND BOARD
115 Harvard Dr. SE, Ste. 9 (505) 219-2001
saltandboard.com
$$
Salt and Board offers a tailored selection of wines to go along with different charcuterie boards, pressed sandwiches and salads. For those who aren’t wine drinkers, Salt and Board offers a variety of local New Mexico beers on tap.
THE SALT YARD WEST
3700 Ellison Dr. NW (505) 750-9273, thesaltyardnm.com
$$
A multi-concept bar and restaurant, The Salt Yard West is equipped with games, dozens of televisions, great food, drinks, and plenty of space to stretch your legs. This unique location is a great place for parties, trying the newest beer and tequila, or just watching the game.
SAMURAI
GRILL AND SUSHI BAR $$$
9500 Montgomery Blvd. NE (505) 275-6601, abqsamurai.com
What’s your pleasure, sushi or teppan? Here, you can have either expertly crafted right in front of you. It’s also where you can get fresh sushi favorites such as the California roll, the dragon roll, and a veggies-and-sushi “Viagra salad” special.
SANTIAGO’S NEW MEXICAN GRILL $
1911 Eubank Blvd. NE, (505) 292-8226
It’s in the sauce—Papa Jim’s Taco Sauce, at least—which comes with items such as burritos, tacos, and salsa. This Santiago Scramble—a pile of scrambled eggs, cheese, corn tortillas, chorizo, and hash browns—is great morning fuel. The tamale and enchilada take-and-bake casseroles will please any partygoer. And take a jar of that taco sauce home—after all, you can.
SAVOY BAR & GRILL $$$
10601 Montgomery Blvd. NE (505) 294-9463
savoyabq.com
Resembling a California wine-country bistro, Savoy Bar & Grill is one of Albuquerque’s premier fine-dining establishments. Specializing in food and wine pairing, Savoy’s menu is a toast to the art of balance of food and wine.
SCARPA’S BRICK OVEN PIZZA $$
5500 Academy Rd. NE (505) 821-1885
scarpaspizza.com
That brick oven is cornerstone to this neighborhood favorite, producing pizzas such as the shrimp pesto, the Greek, and the chipotle chicken. But Scarpas also knows pasta, including red chile cream pasta and pasta sorento with oak-roasted chicken.
SEARED
119 San Pasquale Ave. SW (505) 999-8414
searedabq.com
$$
During the day, the space is Cheese & Coffee, but at night, it gets a makeover and becomes Seared, a fine dining establishment serving up steak, pork loin, and Atlantic Salmon among other things.
SEASONS ROTISSERIE AND GRILL $$$
2031 Mountain Rd. NW (505) 766-5100
seasonsabq.com
As the name suggests, Seasons varies its menu in accordance with what’s going on throughout the year, using the finest, freshest ingredients. Depending on what time of year you venture in, you’ll find butternut squash ravioli, grilled Atlantic salmon, and bleu cheese-crusted beef filet. Reservations are recommended.
SERGIO’S BAKERY & CAFE $
2740 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 554-2602
Fresh, made-from-scratch cookies, donuts, breads, pastries, cakes, and cannolis are on the mouthwatering menu at this Italian bakery.
SHARK REEF CAFÉ $
2601 Central Ave. NW (505) 848-7182
To conclude your tour of the Albuquerque Aquarium, grab a seat at this full-service restaurant, where the dining room features a view of the oceanic reef exhibit. Catering to visitors, families, and daytime dates, the menu offers simple, fun options. Call ahead for special events, like themed dinners and holiday celebrations.
SHARKY’S FISH & SHRIMP $
5420 Central Ave. SW (505) 831-8905
Slip on your flip-flops and enjoy some Baja–inspired seafood, tacos, and carefree beach house ambiance in this roadside outdoor eatery. Sharky’s won acclaim as the little food truck that could, and this brick-and-mortar locale delivers the goods.
SHOGUN JAPANESE RESTAURANT $$ 3310 Central Ave. SE (505) 265-9166
https://shogunabq.com/
When your order of sushi comes around the bend on its floating wooden boat, you couldn’t be happier, whether you’ve ordered the “Super Crunch” (shrimp tempura roll), or the “TNT Roll” (fish, zucchini, and onion, baked with spicy mayo and smothered on a California roll).
SLAPFISH
$$
6400 Holly Ave. NE plus 1 other metro location (505) 503-1645 | slapfishrestaurant.com
Have you ever had a fish so fresh that it jumped up and tail slapped you in the face? Well, that’s the joke behind the very popular eater, Slapfish. This fast casual gem has gained a great reputation for efficiency, service, flavor combos, and the freshness of their seafood.
SIXTY SIX ACRES $$ 2400 12th St. NW (505) 243-2230, sixtysixacres.com
A modern take on a classic bar and grill, SixtySix Acres has something for everyone. With unique appetizers, salads, and bowls, plus craft cocktails, you’re sure to find something to satisfy. Located in the Avanyu Plaza, you can enjoy your meal with a beautiful view of the Sandias.
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SLATE STREET BILLIARDS BAR & GRILLE $
2003 Southern Blvd. SE, #139, Rio Rancho (505) 994-0363
slatestreetbilliards.com
Come for the pool, stay for the nachos. And the burgers. And the wings. Rio Rancho’s favorite pool hall also has great Happy Hour pricing and plenty of special events.
SLATE STREET CAFE $$
515 Slate Ave. NW (505) 243-2210
slatestreetcafe.com
Slate Street Cafe is a sleek, contemporary eatery that combines big city ambiance with inspired, modern cuisine. From the smoked salmon frittata to build-your-own bruschetta to mouthwatering Ahi tuna, their culinary flair will tantalize and delight from breakfast through dinner.
SLICE AND DICE PIZZERIA $
5720 McMahon Blvd. Ste B plus 1 other metro locations (505) 261-2058
sliceanddicepizzeria.com
With both a sweeping library of board games and full menu of hot pies and subs, Slice and Dice is a venue for everyone from seasoned players to wide-eyed beginners (or people just
hungry for some pizza). They provide a space where you can gather with a few friends and take in the twin delights of pizza and board games.
This Spanish-inspired restaurant brings people together with a cozy atmosphere, craft beer, and a vast selection of fresh and locally sourced foods.
SOO BAK
11 Hermosa Dr. SE (505) 268-0017
soobakfoods.com
$
Serving up a style of food known as “koi fusion”, Soo Bak offers a wide variety of delicious entrees including eight different varieties of kimchi. Try the Soy Crunch Kimchi, which comes with pickled chayote squash, onions, some jalapenos, and fish sauce, apple juice, soy sauce, and vinegar.
SQUEEZED JUICE BAR
7900 San Pedro Dr. NE, Ste A-12 plus 2 other metro locations (505) 821-1437
squeezedjuicebars.com
$
Incredibly innovative, modern mixed juices, smoothies, and other healthy delights for people on the move and looking for exercise recovery. Three to five pounds of fruit are squeezed into every drink, and it’s all extract, no fillers, and sure to brighten your day.
ST. JAMES TEA ROOM $$$
320 Osuna Rd. NE, Ste D (505) 242-3752
stjamestearoom.com
Albuquerque’s long-standing, go-to teahouse, this enveloping, intricately detailed, and authentically British tearoom provides oldfashioned conversation and honest service.
STARR BROS. BREWING
5700 San Antonio Dr. NE, Ste B1 (505) 492-2752
starrbrothersbrewing.com
$
With dishes ranging from American favorites to Southern fare, Starr Bros. Brewing is more than an award-winning brewery. It has turned heads with Poutine Burqueno: a New Mexican take on the Canadian greasy-spoon classic. The house
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burger, with high-quality beef and homemade green chile aioli, is a customer favorite.
STEEL BENDER BREWYARD $$
8305 2nd St. NW (505) 433-3537
steelbenderbrewyard.com
The 275-seat brewery has an industrial vibe with cozy undertones. But the Los Ranchos brewery stands apart from competitors based on its wide selection of house-made beers and its gourmet menu.
STICKY RICE $
7600 Jefferson St. NE, #5 (505) 797-1288
Likely the only authentic Laotian sticky rice to be found anywhere in ABQ, this menu offers moist, slow roasted chicken and a few frills at prices you can’t beat with a chopstick. The family meal is a steal.
STONE FACE TAVERN $$
8201 San Pedro Dr. NE (505) 822-8855
Whether as a sports bar, live music venue, upscale grill, or just as a place that offers a little fun in the sand, Stone Face Tavern has something for everyone. Inside these doors, guarded by stone gargoyles, you’ll find large, shareable appetizers and entrees, plenty of beets on tap, and both outdoor and indoor volleyball courts.
STORMING CRAB $$
5001 San Mateo Blvd. NE
plus 1 other metro location (505) 407-2032
albuquerque.stormingcrab.us
Specializing in large, customizable seafood boils, rich in Cajun and Atlantic coast flavor, Storming Crab’s selection of dinner combos encourages diners to build their own. Black and green mussels, shrimp, crawfish, white clams, and crab legs can be ordered by the pound.
STRAIGHT UP PIZZA $$
2801 Eubank Blvd. NE (505) 796-9343, straightuppizza.com
Pizza, wings, calzones, and cannolis, Straight Up Pizza has it all. For over 20 years, they’ve been creating high-quality, made-to-order favorites. The veteran-owned and family-operated pizzeria will have you feeling right at home.
STRIPES BURRITO CO $
2204 Menaul Blvd. NE plus 6 other metro locations (505) 881-5151, stripesco.com
Stripes is serving up classic burritos all day long. From bacon to carne adovada, the flavorpacked favorite will surely hit the spot. What’s the hardest choice you’ll have to make? Red or green!
SUSHIBUCKS
2106 Central Ave. SE, Ste A (505) 243-8089
$$
This Asian-inspired restaurant with New Mexican flair provides customers with fast service and quality food. Sushibucks offers over 30 sushi rolls, including baked and no-rice offerings. Diners can also order udon, bulgogi, and bibimbap for those not feeling sushi.
As one of the originators of sushi in Albuquerque, it’s no wonder Sushi King is beloved by so many. By merging tastes of Japan and America with rolls like the New Mexico Roll and the Lady in Red, you really can’t go wrong.
SUSHI XUAN
417 Tramway Blvd. NE, #3 (505) 200-2477
sushixuanasiangrill.com
$$
You’ll find more than just tasty sushi here. Diners dig into Chinese, Vietnamese, and Thai dishes too. Sushi Xuan has multiple shipments of fresh fish during the week, and only uses Japanese Kokoro rice, and organic veggies whenever possible.
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SUSHIYA $$
2906 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE (505) 275-4777
sushiyanm.com
This family-owned and operated restaurant strives to serve up sushi the way you’d find it on the southern California coast. A clean and comfortable atmosphere pairs well with friendly service and some of the thickest cuts of salmon in the city.
SWISS ALPS BAKERY & BODEGA $
3000 San Pedro Dr. NE (505) 881-3063, swissalpsbakery.com
Desserts rule, but the sandwiches hit it out of the park. Endless flavors of pastries, tiramisu, and over a dozen cookies line the bakery case. Everything is scratch made including the many varieties of bread and authentic Bavarian style pretzels available on Saturdays. Paninis, grilled, and cold sandwiches round out the sweets with a full espresso bar.
TAAJ PALACE $
1435 Eubank Blvd. NE (505) 296-0109, taajpalacenm.com
Taaj Palace is a multifaceted field of flavor and texture, built around the fiery core of the tandoor oven, that serves up a variety of delicious curries, including the widely popular chicken makhani (butter chicken), where tandoori chicken is presented swimming in a creamy tomato sauce.
TAJ MAHAL CUISINE OF INDIA $
1430 Carlisle Blvd. NE (505) 255-1994, tajmahalabq.com
Taj Mahal is filled with all of your Indian favorites, from fresh naan (try the garlic version) to tasty saag paneer. The line goes out the door for the popular lunch buffet.
TACO SAL $
9621 Menaul Blvd. NE (505) 298-2210
This family-owned and operated restaurant offers tasty, traditional New Mexican (burritos, chile rellenos, enchiladas, tacos, huevos rancheros, and more) with its own chunky salsa, made with real green chile.
TACO
SHEL $
7001 San Antonio Dr NE Suite G (505) 828-0260
tacoshel.com
Be sure to bring cash when you come to this New Mexican staple. You’ll be glad you did, because whether you prefer tamales, enchiladas, sopapillas, or any other New Mexican classic, you can be sure that it will have been made fresh, in-house with affordable prices at Taco Shel.
TAKO TEN $
1250 Candelaria Rd. NE, Ste B plus 1 other metro location (505) 508-3518
Chef and owner Dominic Valenzuela takes a creative spin on tacos, or takos if you will, by curating a unique menu, which includes a Vegan Sweet Potato Tako.
TAP N TACO $
1120 Pat D’Arco Hwy. (505) 800-5966, tapntaco.com
This spot specializes in Mexican street tacos, quesadillas, papa asada, nachos, and fries, with protein options for everyone ranging from asada to vegetarian. If you’re a fan of salsa bars, Tap N Taco has one with just about everything you need to elevate your food. Not only are the taco options pleasing to the palate but there’s an aesthetic appeal too.
TASTE OF INDIA
1605 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE (505) 294-6342, tasteofindiaabq.com
$$
Family recipes modified for American tastes; Taste of India typically dials back the spice a bit. But it’s no misnomer to think of Taste of India as just what the name advertises: a taste of regional flavors, conveyed by people who grew up with them
TASTY NOODLES AND DUMPLINGS $$
2325 San Pedro Dr. NE, Ste 1E (505) 219-3988
tastynoodlesanddumplings.com
This Uptown spot known for their hand-pulled noodles and made-to-order dumplings and Bao (soup dumplings) also features more “traditional” Chinese fare and an adventurous Chef’s Special menu on request.
TEN 3 $$
30 Tramway Rd. NE (505) 764-8363, ten3tram.com
Whether you’re looking for fine or casual dining, TEN 3 is an experience. With a take on modern American and Mediterranean cuisine, choose from a menu of delicious appetizers, salads, and entrees while dining 10,300 feet above sea level. TEN 3 is a treat for your eyes and taste buds as you sit at the top of Sandia Peak.
TEOFILO’S RESTAURANTE $$
144 Main St. NW, Los Lunas (505) 865-5511
teofilos.com
This restaurant’s generations-old made-fromscratch recipes will draw you to Los Lunas, along with the warm chips, chile rellenos, crème cake enchiladas, and more, all handmade from scratch.
TERIYAKI MADNESS $$
11032 Montgomery Blvd. NE (505) 508-0430
teriyakimadness.com
For those looking for a break from the old guard of fast casual Asian cuisine, Teriyaki Madness offers fresh, simple teriyaki bowls. The secret is in their house made sauce, officially known as MAD sauce.
THAI BORAN $$
3236 La Orilla Rd. NW, Ste A (505) 492-2244
thaiborannm.com
Steeped in spicy tradition, Thai Boran has quickly gained traction as one of the top Thai restaurants Albuquerque has to offer. Thai Boran, which means “Old Thai”, features 53 items on its menu, including five soups, six curries, and five unique dishes off the “Chef’s Collection” section.
THAI CUISINE II $
4201 Central Ave. NE (505) 232-3200
thaicuisinenm.com
House in perhaps the most curious A-frame along Route 66, this is the second-coming of a much-beloved Westside Thai staple, and judging by the fandom, it’s simply better. Be wary of the heat in these dishes, and if you’re vegan/vegetarian, be very, very thankful.
THAI KITCHEN $ 10707 Corrales Rd. (505) 890-0059
thaikitchenabq.com
Art Xaiyasiha is one of two siblings who crafted one of the Duke City’s first great Thai restaurants, Siam Cafe. Thai Kitchen is his very own venture, featuring his takes on authentic dishes that taste “just like they do back home”.
THAI HOUSE
2000 Carlisle Blvd. NE (505) 247-9205
thaihouserestaurantabq.com
$$
With an impressive stay in ABQ (Thai House is approaching its 40-year anniversary), this South Asian restaurant has a secret weapon in its native Thai chef who brings her vast knowledge of Thai cuisine to the metro.
THAI SPICE
7441 Paseo Del Norte NE (505) 503-1521, thaispiceabq.com
$$
An extensive menu features authentic Thai favorites like Pad Thai or Thai fried rice. Lunch special includes an egg roll, entrée, and coconut milk tapioca pudding punctuated with an origami rose–topped straw.
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While a traditional London Fog adds vanilla flavoring and milk to Earl Grey Tea, New Mexico Pinon Coffee wanted to create an alternative version with a little taste of home. And what better way to do that than by incorporating the Land of Enchantment’s state cookie into the mix? “Because we really stress the flavors of our New Mexico heritage and the Southwest, we came up with the idea of using the biscochito syrup instead of vanilla flavoring for the Fog,” says director of business development Madison Rumbaugh. “It kind of gives it that really nice, homey feel.” The Duke City has been happily feeling the effects of this particular type of fog since New Mexico Pinon Coffee opened its doors nearly a decade ago. “It’s been a staple since our original coffee house in 2015 when we opened up on Alameda,” Rumbaugh says. “It is something that’s so unique, you can only get it at our location.” — TRISTEN CRITCHFIELD
New Mexico Pinon Coffee 4545 Alameda Blvd (505) 298-1964 nmpinoncoffee.com
THAI VEGAN
5505 Osuna Rd. NE plus 1 other metro location (505) 884-4610, thaivegannm.com
$$
THUNDER
Utilizing local organic produce, you’ll get some of the healthiest food around, all without sacrificing taste. This non-vegan favorite has hearty offerings and a soy chicken that satisfies even the pickiest of meat eaters.
THEOBROMA CHOCOLATIER
$ 12611 Montgomery Blvd. NE (505) 293-6545
theobromachocolatier.com
More than 20 years of experience goes into every morsel of European–inspired chocolate and sweet treat at this 505 sweet-tooth savior. Streamlined and polished, Theobroma has the look of a franchise, but everything is handcrafted and produced on-site.
THE
WHOLE
ENCHILADA
$$ 10701 Corrales Rd, #25 505-897-5933
The Whole Enchilada is dishing up authentic Mexican food and great customer service. By incorporating different cheeses like queso fresco, and guajillo chiles instead of the red or green used here in New Mexico, the flavors shine to give a true Mexican Influence to each dish. The Whole Enchiladas fare extends beyond the restaurant moniker with options such as bone marrow tacos, steaks, and seared fish filets.
ROAD STEAKHOUSE AND CANTINA AT
ROUTE 66 CASINO HOTEL $$ 14500 Central Ave. SW, Laguna Pueblo (505) 352-7888, rt66casino.com
Nestled inside this busy casino, you’ll find dishes that are a confluence of cultures at Thunder Road: made-from-scratch salsas, fresh tortillas, Pastel de Tres Leches Cake, Yucatan Tacos, Smoked Baby Back Pork Ribs, and much more.
TIA B’S LA WAFFLERIA $
3710 Campus Blvd. NE (505) 492-2007
lawaffleriaabq.com
You’ve never experienced waffles of this magnitude. A residential home-turnedrestaurant, anticipate artisan flare (lavender whipped cream, goat cheese, and caramel apple toppings) and plenty of goods for vegans and celiacs.
TIA
BETTY BLUE’S $
1248 San Mateo Blvd. SE (505) 268-1955, tiabettyblues.com
1940s influence is sprinkled throughout this gem, from the décor to the food. The chile, red or green, is nice and spicy, just like your grandma made it. New Mexican breakfast and lunch items dot the menu (including many gluten-free and vegetarian options), but often have a unique twist, like ranchero blue corn waffles piled high with eggs, carne adovada, and chile. The coffee
is fresh, and numerous specialty beverages are poured up daily.
TIA JUANITA’S PRONTO! $
2200 Sunport Loop SE (505) 842-4280 fresquezcompanies.com
You’ve never experienced waffles of this magnitude. A residential home-turnedrestaurant, anticipate artisan flare (lavender whipped cream, goat cheese, and caramel apple toppings) and plenty of goods for vegans and celiacs.
TOMASITA’S $$
4949 PAN AMERICAN FWY. NE (505) 344-1204, tomasitas.com
Known widely for its Northern New Mexican food and margaritas, Tomasita’s prides itself on authenticity and locally sourced ingredients. The food and friendly service will not disappoint.
TURTLE MOUNTAIN NORTH $$
7835 Enchanted Hills Blvd. NE, Rio Rancho plus 1 other metro location (505)404-0414
The newest location of a beloved original, Turtle Mountain North features double the beer taps and double the kitchen size. Keeping classic brewery finds on the menu, they have expanded to include harder-to-execute menu items such as glazed salmon steaks, and Jagerschnitzel.
PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM ICED
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New menu items paired with a longer wine and beer list takes Turtle Mountain to an elevated level.
TRAIL RIDER PIZZA $$
12165 NM-14, Ste B2, Cedar Crest (505) 281-6068, trailriderpizza.com
The fact that this spot is a 98% from scratch kitchen should be reason enough to stop by, and with 14 types of specialty pizza, there’s bound to be something for everyone.
TRIANA $$
111 Carlisle Blvd. NE (505) 503-6202
triananobhill.com
Named after the historic district in Seville, Spain, Trianas brings traditional tapas to Nob Hill. Their seasonal menus ensure only the freshest ingredients go into their beautiful, eye-catching small plates, making every bite a flavorful experience.
TULLY’S ITALIAN DELI AND MEATS $$
1425 San Mateo Blvd. NE, Ste A (505) 255-5370
tullysdeli.com
A family-owned and operated spot through and through, this Duke City staple has been the one-stop shop for all things authentically Italian for over half a century. Come in for lunch for their mouthwatering signature subs, stock up
on imported Italian cheeses and pasta at the market, and try fresh, scratch-made cannolis and other pastries at the bakery.
TWO BOYS DONUTS $
6400 Holly Ave. NE, Ste H plus 3 other metro locations (505) 302-0102
twoboysdonuts.com
Regularly stocking more than 30 flavors of donut, Two Boys has particular favorites–like their blueberry cake donuts with maple icing and cinnamon sugar–and also brews up Villa Myriam coffee, giving you everything you need for a full-course wake-up.
TWO CRANES BISTRO + BREW $$
901 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, Ste A (505) 295-3970, twocranesnm.com
Comfort food with a high-end twist is all the rage at this spot, where you’ll find enticing dishes like Chorizo Rellenos wrapped like egg rolls and grilled salmon with a Michelin Starlevel presentation.
TWO FOOLS TAVERN $$
3211 Central Ave. NE (505) 265-7447, 2foolstavern.com
Dubliner or not, there’s soul-warming Irish fare to be found at this authentic Irish eatery. Two Fools Tavern is known to have good food, drink and conversation. Its atmosphere earns an A
plus for feeling just like a traditional Irish pub, and its food most definitely does not fall short. If Irish classics like Scottish Eggs and Guinness Beef Boxty don’t do it for you, the 300 brands of whiskey will certainly make you feel like you’re right in Dublin.
URBAN 360 PIZZA $$
2119 Menaul Blvd NE (505) 717-2384 urban360pizza.com
Urban 360 Pizza is a one-stop-shop for traditional pizzas like your classic Margherita or pepperoni, unconventional options like orange chicken or gyros pizza, burgers, Asian food and more. This place has something for everyone no matter what you’re craving. With new menu items added all the time, there’s plenty of reason to come back again and again.
URBAN
HOTDOG COMPANY
$ 10250 Cottonwood Park NW, Ste 400 H plus 1 other metro location (505) 898-5671
urbanhotdogcompany.com
With about 20 choices–and even a vegetarian option–this restaurant has become a doglover’s go-to. Look for Chicago and NYC classics, plus adventurous temptations like the Crafty Dog (topped with mac ‘n’ cheese and bacon).
UPSCALE BURGERS AND SHAKES $$
1520 Deborah Rd. SE, Rio Rancho 505) 835-5902, upscaleburgers.com
Made-from-scratch burgers and sides with only the highest quality ingredients. Burgers here are divided into two categories: “upscale” and “classic.” Unique offerings include the chipotle tortilla burger and the smokehouse BBQ burger, while more traditional favorites range from green chile cheeseburgers to bacon mushroom Swiss burgers. To go with the name, Upscale Burgers and Shakes has seven shake options ranging from vanilla to berry to brownie.
UPTOWN SPORTS BAR $
6601 Uptown Blvd. NE (505) 884-4714, uptown-sportsbar.com
A huge sports venue with wall-to-wall televisions and all the extras—solid American fare alongside a wide selection of local and national beers.
VEGOS $$
4003 Carlisle Blvd NE (505) 554-1041
vegosabq.com
New Mexican staples made for vegans and vegetarians without skipping out on any of the flavor. Vegos aims to bring traditional flavors and textures found in New Mexican food while keeping it entirely plant based. However, don’t get discouraged if youre all about meat, Vegos
makes it a priority to try and tailor food to everyone’s liking no matter the diet.
VERNON’S SPEAKEASY
6855 4th St. NW (505) 341-0831
vernonsspeakeasymenu.com
This unmarked restaurant requires a secret password to gain entrance. Once inside, you’ll discover a world of perfect steaks and gourmet seafood, paired with an unbeatable loungey atmosphere. Reservations are recommended.
VIC’S DAILY CAFÉ $
3600 Osuna Rd. NE (505) 341-9710, vicsdailycafe.com
With a full range of breakfast items, New Mexican favorites, and comfort food, this is a one-stop shop for tasty options like breakfast burritos, meatloaf, and coconut cream pie.
VICK’S VITTLES COUNTRY KITCHEN
8810 Central Ave. SE (505) 298-5143, vicksvittles.com
VIET TASTE
5721 Menaul Blvd. NE (505) 888-0101
pwbportal.us/viet-taste-abq
$
With more than 100 menu options—noodle and rice dishes, eight varieties of Pho, coconut shakes, and many more—this restaurant is true to its name, offering a real taste of Vietnamese cuisine.
VIET PHO
4208 Menaul Blvd. NE (505) 717-2359
This Vietnamese-based cuisine restaurant offers a homey feel and Southeast Asian comfort food. Try the popular Beef Pho Soup or go for a lighter dish like the Shrimp Spring Rolls.
VIET RICE
1340 Rio Rancho Blvd. SE, Rio Rancho (505) 892-7423
$
$
Rustle up your posse and head to Vick’s for heaping helpings of Texas-New Mexico fusion and breakfast served all day—except Wednesdays, when Vick’s is closed. Country comfort meets southwestern flair in an environment that welcomes suits and cowboys alike. Prepare to be stuffed.
ordervietrice.com
This family owned and operated restaurant brings storied Vietnamese cuisine to the City of Vision. Their most popular dish is rice noodles with meatballs or brisket, but the dish is heavily customizable, from the kind of noodle to the proteins, including vegetarian options.
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VILLAGE PIZZA $
3200 La Orilla Rd. NW, E-2 plus 1 other metro location (505) 219-3766
villagepizzanm.com
Family owned and operated, Village Pizza offers salads, nachos, calzones, pasta, and of course, signature pizzas, along with an all-you-can-eat buffet.
VINAIGRETTE $$
1720 Central Ave. SW (505) 842-5507
vinaigretteonline.com
Getting in touch with your “green” side has never been as hip as it is at Albuquerque’s newest goto salad bistro. Vinaigrette offers a menu full of unique salads made with fresh produce from owner Erin Wade’s farm in Nambè. Items like The Nutty Pear-Fessor and the Asian Chopped Salad don’t sacrifice deliciousness just because they’re healthy. Expect one of 17 vinaigrette dressings to be perfectly paired with your salad.
VINTAGE 423 $$
8000 Paseo Del Norte Blvd. NE (505) 821-1918
vintage-423.com
Decorated with plush booths, black and white photos of vintage cars, a glass wine cellar wall, and an outdoor patio with couches and fireplaces, Vintage 423 is a go-to location for good eats and happy hour—all year long.
VOODOO GIRL PIZZA
1401 2nd St. NW (505) 243-6095
voodoogirlpizzapints.com
Handcrafted, authentic Italian brick oven pizzas aren’t the only thing Voodoo Girl Pizza serves up. This snazzy joint offers a full slate of appetizers too—nachos, potato skins, fried zucchini, the list goes on. And if you’re big on brews, Voodoo Girl has more than 30 different beers on tap.
WECK’S
4500 Osuna Rd. NE, #100 plus 9 other metro locations (505) 344-1472
wecksinc.com
$$
For nearly 20 years, Weck’s has served up huge, tasty portions of breakfast and lunch. Examples: The Original comes with one pound of potatoes mixed with eggs, cheese, and chile; the “Scratch Made” Buttermilk Pancakes are more than seven inches wide.
WESTERN VIEW $$
6411 Central Ave. NW (505) 836-2200
With a cozy diner feel and a long history, Western View is turning out plates of diner classics and New Mexican staples—finely seasoned with a sprinkling of Greek options— for diners hungry for both hearty home cooked meals and classic countertop service.
WHIPTAIL $$
355 Pat D’Arco Hwy, Rio Rancho (505) 859-7410
whiptaileatery.com
While diners can enjoy a multitude of traditional shareable bites– like fries, salads, and sandwiches, Whiptail has many comfort zonebreaking dishes such as charred broccolini and lizard eggs. In addition to various unique foods, Whiptail has over 20 hand-crafted cocktails and a rotating tap of local beers.
WHICH WICH
8110 Louisiana Blvd. NE plus 1 other metro location (505) 856-1617
whichwich.com
$
A national brand with a local twist, list your favorites on the bag and await a sammie that edges the competition.
WHOLE HOG CAFE
9880 Montgomery Blvd. NE 505-323-1688
https://wholehogcafenm.com
$
Get award-winning Memphis-style barbecue in a family-friendly atmosphere. Can’t-miss items include the pulled pork, potato salad, and the homemade banana pudding.
YASMINE’S CAFÉ
$ 1600 Central Ave. SE (505) 242-1980
Yasmine’s is one of the few places in Albuquerque with shawarma—pitas filled with marinated chicken or beef that’s been pressed, stacked and cooked slowly on a rotisserie. Also try lamb and beef shish kababs, baba ghanoush, fatah, and four varieties of baklava.
YUMMY NOODLE HOUSE $$
6001 Winter Haven Rd. NW, Ste E (505) 595-3296 yummynoodlehouse.com
This dive is exactly what it sounds like: a yummy noodle house. With 12 noodle dishes to choose from, the question isn’t “Which one should I get?” but instead it’s “What order should I get these in?”
THE YELLER SUB $ 7200 Montgomery Blvd. NE (505) 888-9784 yellersub.com
Owner Mark Roerick has been perfecting his sandwiches since 1979 and the customer favorite, Steak & Grilled Onions Sub proves it. The potato chips, fries, and onion rings made from scratch the old-fashioned way sure won’t let you down.
ZENDO COFFEE $ 413 2nd St. SW (505) 926-1636
zendocoffee.com
Opening its doors in 2013 on 2nd Street, Zendo Coffee’s creativity plays a huge part in the beloved menu. The variety of different items on the menu caters to just about anyone and provides a sense of comfort.
WALK SOFTLY, CARRY A BIG SMILE
Meet Papito, a two-month old cria (baby alpaca) from Cummins Alpaca Farm in the North Valley. The venue hosts tours twice a day, giving kids of all ages the chance to pet, hug and mingle with the furry critters. And for those wanting to add in some sightseeing, you can walk the tame animals (in halter and leash) along the Bosque for an hour-long trek (p. 198).
LOOKGOOD FEELGOOD
TIPS TO BE A BETTER YOU
A TIP FROM
ADRIAN BAIZA Urban Wellness urbanwellnessnm.com
Q:
I’ve got insomnia and I’ve tried several remedies but nothing seems effective. What are some tips to trying cannabis to help me sleep?
A:
“As someone who struggles with trouble sleeping, I recommend starting with how patients usually use cannabis: by inhaling or eating it. Depending on your sleep problems and past treatments, I suggest a strong, clean option. For edibles, try our Sugar Skull gummies infused with rosin. For a quick, tasteless choice, consider a rosin-infused honey capsule. I keep these near my bed with water to prevent over-stimulation. If you prefer inhaling, go for an infused pre-roll, like the indica Rosin Rocket. This blend of indica flower strain and rosin oil should help you sleep peacefully.”
A TIP FROM
MICHAEL SPARKS, DDS, MS Albuquerque Periodontics & Implantology
Q: Which is better to use, dental floss or a Waterpik™? I have friends who on both sides of this argument who won’t budge.
A: “Many studies have shown that a Waterpik™ is effective at removing plaque between teeth, similar to dental floss. While floss is still favored by most dentists as the best way to remove plaque between teeth, a Waterpik™ may be a good option for those who do not floss, have braces, those with dexterity issues and for dental prostheses. I would recommend asking your dentist for their specific recommendation for your oral health needs.”
Want to look good and feel good? Send us your questions, and we’ll ask the city’s experts, lookgoodfeelgood@abqthemag.com
LOCALSTUFF WELOVE
Your touchstone for ABQ’s cool, fun & eclectic retail goodies that will help you live life a bit happier and smarter.
ON SAIL
Outside of staying inside, your best bet for blocking the sun around the house is a shade sail. These fabric triangles are custom-made right here in Albuquerque and block out 95% of the rays. The best part is they come in all kinds of colors so you can style them as you wish. Radar Awning will even install the thing for you so all you have to do is point at what you want shaded in your yard.
SUN SHADE SAIL, Starting at $6 a square foot
Rader Awning
4100 S. Paseo Del Norte Frontage Road NE raderawning.com
SOME OF YOUR BEESWAX
Straight out of Arroyo Seco comes Zink Zink (SPF 30) and Pink Zink (SPF 15), beeswax-based lip balms from Taos Bees that are waterproof, reef-safe and great for adding a little sun protection to your kisser. The Zink Zink goes on clear and the Pink Zink adds just a touch of a pink tint. Company owner and beekeeper Moira O’Hanlon says they are also animal-friendly. O’Hanlon says, “They are not tested by a lab, just on my friends!” Buzz on!
ZINK ZINK, $12
La Montanita Coop Nob Hill 3500 Central Ave. SE taosbee.com
LOCALSTUFFWELOVE
SOLAR FLAIR
If looking cool is as important as being cool, check out SkinnVi’s Solara high-waisted Wide Leg Palazzo Pants. Lightweight and breathable, these stylers are part of a clothing line specially designed in Albuquerque by company founder Holly Smith to provide sun protection for those undergoing skin treatments. But these UPF50+ fabric clothes aren’t just for the medical aesthetic industry, says Smith, they are for anyone who wants a bit more protection from the sun. “I truly get so many compliments on them when I wear them out.”
SOLARA HIGH WASTED WIDE LEG
PALAZZO PANTS, $80.00
Available online only skinnvi.com
BRIMMING WITH SUNBLOCK
Sure, a dapper Paniman, a conical nón lá or even a novelty sombrero will keep the sun off your head, but if you want to get serious about summertime sun blockers here in the American Southwest, you are going to want a straw cowboy hat. Handwoven hats like those made by Resistol in Texas aren’t cheap, but if cared for properly, they can last a lifetime and keep the sun at bay even on the sunniest of days in New Mexico.
20X HATS BY RESISTOL, $175
The Man’s Hat Shop 511 Central Ave. NW themanshatshop.com
SHOP TALK
SILK ROAD CONNECTION
5200 Eubank Blvd. NE, Suite E-6
505-292-7088 mysilkroadconnection.com
If you live in Albuquerque, you may have heard of the brick-and-mortar fashion boutique, Silk Road Connection located in The Promenade.
If you’ve been here more than 15 years, you might have been one of the first customers in what was then Patty Puhl and Berdel Boulanger’s Basement Boutique. Like many small businesses, Puhl and Boulanger started out very small, only offering accessories, doing private home parties, and even merchandising in Boulanger’s husband’s conference rooms at work. Soon, they set up a full-on shop ‘til you drop retail store, which became Silk Road Connection.
Puhl, a former flight attendant for United Airlines, had a regular route to Asia. She would bring back gorgeous fabric
FOR MORE THAN A DECADE, THE HEIGHTS RETAILER HAS BEEN MORE THAN JUST FASHION AND ACCESSORIES.
scarves, jewelry and purses from China and talked to Boulanger about how they could sell them in Albuquerque.
“We started a partnership selling products that we could bring in from Asia,” says Boulanger. “The demand for the beautiful accessories was so great that we decided to set up what is now Silk Road Connection. So much of the inventory was from Asia and we felt that we were your connection to the Silk Road,” added Boulanger. Although Puhl is now retired from their business, they remain good friends and still go to markets in Dallas, New York and Las Vegas together to pick out trends for clients. Puhl and Boulanger were also chosen to be judges during fashion week in Barcelona. “It was one of the best experiences. I couldn’t believe they
PHOTOS BY DON JAMES/ATM
asked us to be judges for a couture vogue show,” she added.
Silk Road Connection also includes local New Mexico artisans and considers that a vibrant and integral part of their business. Their shop features native makers such as turquoise jewelry designer Don McGuire and Mary Ellen Merrigan, who was able to take a jewelry chain from China and add a New Mexican flair to it, incorporating turquoise and coral within the pattern.
Clients are often seeking out Boulanger’s advice for new looks. Could it be her many years working in the industry? Or, perhaps, it’s how she incorporates products from talented artists to make their outfit stand out. Boulanger will tell you it’s her passion for fashion. “I believe my talent is understanding what our buyers like and selecting only those products that provide the flawless look that they want,” added Boulanger. “What I always want to happen is for our customers to have lots of fun when they are shopping
with us,” she says.
Boulanger says she pays attention to carrying things that can create classy and well-coordinated apparel from topgrade producers. “Our goal is to display a range of high-quality items that reflect both contemporary and traditional styles. So many of the local artisans create such unique jewelry and accessories that when worn by our shopper, they make a bold and elegant statement for New Mexico,” she says.
“This started out as a hobby. I used to be in tech sales. When I retired, I didn’t know I’d work in fashion, but working in the corporate world demanded a good sense of style and that just heightened my interest,” she says. “I’m so passionate that I have even been known to go to a regular’s house and help them put together outfits for their next trip.”
Most of the clientele are over 40 and travel often. One customer walked in and asked Boulanger about the best clothing for a cruise. After Boulanger gave her
suggestion, the woman walked out of the dressing room and Boulanger exclaimed, “That says cruise to me. Those pants are darling!” The customer agreed and thought she was done shopping, but noticed a lightweight, Indie Ella dress made of repurposed silk sarees from India. She tried it on and had to get it. “It’s the last one, it’s not on sale, but for you, it can be,” Boulinger says with a smile.
Boulinger says her favorite thing about this job is the community and friendships built here. “I have developed so many good friends through this business that are now like my family,” she added.
“A customer sent us a card for our recent 13-year anniversary that read, ‘Congratulations on making our community better. You provide such a warm atmosphere to everyone who comes through your door and your generosity to charities is wellknown,’” says Boulinger. “That is what this is all about. I love to give back because I’ve been so blessed.” — Aimee Prebola
PAWS BUTTON
KEEPING TABS ON ABQ’S FURRY FRIENDS
AS SWEET & SOFT AS THEY LOOK
Add this scene to your list of fun ABQ sights: you’re driving slowly along Rio Grande Boulevard when you spy a pack of alpacas—yes, cute and fluffy alpacas—being led to the Bosque for an afternoon jaunt.
“We put a halter and lead rope on them, and they love to trek along the Rio Grande,” says Lesley Cummins, co-owner of Cummins Alpaca Farms in the North Valley. “They’re trained to walk, and we allow people to take them out for about an hour-long walk. Everyone loves to ‘trek’ with them.”
People also love to hug, pet and feed these alpacas, which makes for a fun animal experience for adults and kids alike at Cummins’ farm. There are petting, feeding and ‘trek’ tours offered each day, by appointment only.
Lesley and her husband, Tod, originally started the farm in 2022 after she retired from teaching (“He likes to say he supports my farm habit,” she says). Originally, their farm had just dogs, then expanded to chickens. Soon they added three alpacas, a close cousin of llamas which are still fairly new to the U.S. as domesticated farm animals, having only been imported since the 1980s (prior to that, alpacas were primarily zoo animals).
“We just happened to come across alpacas,” says Lesley. “My older daughter is a crocheter, and she’s always buying alpaca fiber, so we figured it kind of fit our need.” Alpaca fleece is valuable for its softness, and water and flame retardant properties. The Cummins farm store offers several items made with the fiber, which they have processed at a mill in Stanley, N.M.
The herd now numbers 10 strong, including this summer’s birth of Papito, a baby alpaca (known as a “cria”) that was born on Father’s Day. “It was really exciting because we got to help with the delivery,” says Lesley, who delivered the cria along with Tod. “The baby was struggling just a bit, so we had to help pull him out.
OUT ON THE FARM
Tours are ideal for groups. The set-up fee is $20, plus $5 per person, for a 60 to 90 minute farm visit. To take an animal on a Bosque walking tour, cost is $10 per alpaca. There are two tours per day, made by appointment only. Call (505) 991-2284.
ALPACA FACTS
• They love being petted—but more on their body and less on the head and neck.
• Alpacas typically live 15-20 years.
• They will spit, although mostly at each other, but sometimes at humans.
SOFT AS FLEECE
Alpaca fiber is hollow, and therefore waterproof. Plus, it contains no oils, making the fiber perfect material for hiking and skiing socks.
The first thing he saw was my husband.” Lesley reports that Papito was walking and nursing within 90 minutes—and now the curly cutie is the focus of plenty of at-
PHOTOS BY DON JAMES/ATM
tention from visitors, who love to pet the soft fibers of the alpaca’s heads and necks. “Alpacas are friendly and curious, but also very shy,” says Lesley. “Dogs will sit there and let you pet them for hours and hours. Alpacas will come up to you, see what you are, then they go away.”
Visitors to the farm can hand-feed the animals with pellets and sometimes beets—but they’re very particular eaters, says Lesley. “For example, they mostly don’t like apples. We have apple trees, and only one of the alpacas will pick an apple and eat it, but never if I hand it to him,” she says. “However, they will eat the roses off my rose bush.”
The alpacas are playful, however, and will even drink water from the hose. And of course, there are plenty of opportunities for selfies alongside their cuddly faces. Interestingly, the males of the herd don’t particularly get along with each other, says Lesley. Alpacas are social herd animals that live in family groups; therefore, the alpha males tend to be territorial. They are also prone to attacks from New Mexico’s sizeable population of coyotes, says Lesley, who has a pair of Great Pyrenees mixed breed dogs on the farm to deter predators.
The Cummins family also utilizes and sells the manure from their alpaca herd. “They have communal potties, so it’s easy to clean up,” says Lesley. “It’s low in nitrogen, so it doesn’t burn plants. And you don’t have to compost it.” Farmers and gardeners regularly stop in to load the manure into their pick-up trucks and buckets.
Lesley says she misses teaching, but that her lessons as an educator have carried over into her alpaca farm life. “As a teacher, you have to be a ‘warm demander,’ which means you’re caring but you’re also demanding,” she says. “Animals are kind of the same; you have to be patient but firm.” —M.P. Kennedy
Lesley Cummins providing love and cuddles daily.
ABQ’SAMAZINGPETS
Rio
Henryham
Henryham is a four-year-old border collie and heeler, with other breeds mixed in as well. Henryham was adopted from a rescue when he was just a baby at eight weeks old. His mom was a gunshot victim when he and his siblings were only a couple days old. Henryham is very calm overall. He loves being in the water, where his favorite activity is playing frisbee in the Rio Grande. Henry loves hiking, tennis balls (he has an affinity toward Penn) and playing with Kong Wubbas. He loves his cat sister and dog sisters. Henryham’s favorite snacks are Milkbones and popcorn. Hurray for Henryham!
Even though Karrie Bota and her husband Kevin already had three dogs and two cats (all rescues) at home, she regularly monitored the available dogs from Lap Dog Rescue of New Mexico. One day she came across a pup’s story on Facebook and she knew she had found her next dog. Rio had been attacked by another dog in his home and was severely injured. After letting him suffer for nearly a week, his owners took him to a veterinarian and wanted him euthanized, even though he was only two years old and his injuries could be treated. The vet made a call to LDRNM and they didn’t hesitate to cover all of the surgeries and care he needed. He ended up losing his right eye and his right hind leg and required nearly two months of medical fostering before he could be adopted. Karrie met Rio while he was still recovering and immediately fell in love! She brought him home on her birthday, March 26, and he has become a much-loved member of the pack. Despite the trauma he suffered, he is a loving and happy pup who loves to fetch and play with the other dogs and is very vocal when he wants your attention!
Sugar
Sugar is a winter white hamster who loves blueberries (who doesn’t?). This little hamster refuses to chew any of the chew blocks or twigs she is given but will go to town on the bars of her cage, which makes it look like she is always trying to make a break for it (because she is). Sugar also figured out how to jump out of a smooth, vertical plastic feeder on the side of her cage if it wasn’t covered and was once found on top of the cage after making her escape. Actually, she really likes to be held and will let her owner walk around the house while she is doing chores with her. Sugar got her name as a way of manifesting that she be sweet and not a biter. Her owner says it actually worked. Now that is one fantastic, blueberry-eating, snowwhite, escape-artist hamster!
Is your pet ATM’s next Pet of the Month? Send a photo and short story about why you think your pet belongs in these pages to petofthemonth@abqthemag.com.
PASSENGERWINDOW
A MOVING TESTAMENT TO OUR RAILROAD PAST
THE ALBUQUERQUE RAIL YARDS TURNTABLE
The revitalization and repurposing of the Albuquerque Rail Yards has been underway for over a decade now. What was once an industrial cathedral to the age of railroad expansion and productivity has now become something of a gathering place, providing a backdrop for everything from farmers’ markets to engagement photos to the mayor’s State of the City address. Yet this monument in Barelas still contains elements of the massive infrastructure that once powered the growth of what was New Town Albuquerque, the railroad itself. Among the most important of the still remaining machines on the property is the railroad turntable.
Built in the mid-1910s, the railroad turntable was an integral part of actually running the rail yard. This spinning bridge-like structure was able to move train cars to different tracks within the railyard’s roundhouse as they cycled in and out of service for repairs and maintenance. Train cars would once be able to be placed in one of 35 stalls in the surrounding roundhouse. It is within that enormous structure that repairs and maintenance would take place.
The roundhouse was torn down in the 1980s and the long-neglected turntable sat unused for decades while weeds flourished to overtake the deck and trees grew in the pit beneath the enormous mechanism. The giant gears that guided the turntable accumulated sand and dirt, mixed with the lubricating grease in its teeth, alternately baking in the summer sun and freezing in the Albuquerque winter.
Last year, volunteers with the New Mexico Steam Locomotive and Railroad Historical Society gathered to breathe new life into the big machine. They pulled weeds, scraped dirt and removed debris that blocked the path of the gear mecha-
nisms that traveled the pit. They chipped away the grime within the teeth, lubricated the neglected fitting and shoveled out wheelbarrow loads of dirt that lined the track.
Then the group brought in a new diesel engine and hooked it up. As they engaged the engine, they faced the moment of truth as the rusty gears began to turn, propelling the deck slowly around the circle. The tracks of the turntable leisurely lined up with the tracks of the spurs to what were once the bays of the long-gone
roundhouse. Completing a full rotation, the volunteers shut down the engine, triumphant. Their efforts had paid off and their thoughts turned to the work yet to come to fully restore this relic of a previous millennium.
Today the turntable remains functional and continues to undergo restoration efforts, though its future is, like most of rail in this country, uncertain. You can see the turntable and the spokelike rails that jet out from its center like a big bicycle wheel from the Avenida Cesar Chavez bridge. With the Rail Runner continuing to ferry passengers between Albuquerque and Santa Fe daily, interest in rail may increase, but one thing is for sure, the turntable as of now remains a moving testament to Albuquerque’s railroad past.
Clarke Condé
PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM
The Albuquerque turntable, shown here with the Roundhouse in the 1940s and today. Photo courtesy of the Wheels Museum.
ADVERTISING REGISTRY
YOURBESTSHOT
THE PEACE EAGLE
By Berna Herrera
“It was a gorgeous day,” says Berna Herrera. Her eight-year-old grandson had just finished the school year and they were headed to the Rio Grande BioPark Zoo to see the animals. He wanted to see the penguins, of course, but also the orangutans and the Bengal tigers, with their cat walkway. Then they found the vultures.
“They were enjoying the sun,” Herrera says. “They were fanning out, just spreading their wings out. We happened to catch them kind of at a playful time.” Herrera’s photo captures the spirit of these extraordinary animals in full color through the lens of her Nikon D500. She says she thought to bring along her Nikon D500 because she would be going to the Redwood National Forest in a few weeks and hadn’t used the camera in months.
As scavengers, vultures do not kill to survive, unlike birds of prey, which is why they are sometimes called “Peace Eagles.” Vultures serve a critical function in the wild, taking on the messy business of feasting on recently departed animals. In the zoo environment, they are just cleaner birds. Because of this, Herrera’s photo not only shows the vibrant colors of this baldheaded bird, but the rich texture of its feathers.
This was not the only photograph she took that day, but was the best. “That was the one that I caught where he was looking toward the sun to get some heat,” she says. A prime example of the natural world’s often underappreciated beauty.
Clarke Condé
AFEW THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW
Joe Diaz /// Chief Meteorologist, KOAT, Ch. 7
For someone who wasn’t born or raised in the state, Diaz is about as New Mexico as you can get. He’s swam in Cochiti Lake, hiked Wheeler Peak, worked with TV legend Howard Morgan, and frequents local restaurants in search of the best huevos rancheros with his wife Diane, an ABQ native, with whom he just celebrated their 43rd anniversary. Next month Diaz will mark 45 years as a TV meteorologist—a job that still sparks his passion. “The best part of my day is telling people what the forecast is going to be,” says Diaz, who says his upbeat style on-air reflects how much fun he’s having. He said Morgan inspired him early in his career when the two worked together at KOAT. “He told me the key is to keep your enthusiasm, because no one wants to get their weather forecast from someone who’s bored,” says Diaz. “His enthusiasm was he was a (fine) artist. My enthusiasm is forecasting.” He says predicting the weather after 45 years requires the same data—only now it’s much faster. “But in the end, it’s still a forecast,” says Diaz, “because you don’t know for sure.” One thing that is sure is Diaz’ legacy: he was inducted into the New Mexico Broadcaster’s Association Hall of Fame this past June. And although he says he’s not quite ready to hang up his mic, his personal forecast is that he will likely retire before hitting the magical 50-year mark as a broadcaster. Besides, there are too many huevos rancheros dishes out there waiting to be tasted. “That was fun,” says Diaz. “But I’m more of a carne adovada guy, so maybe we’ll do the same thing with carne adovada.” —P.T. Connors.
1. While he was still in college at Arizona State University, a mall in Phoenix hired Diaz to voice radio spots for $35 a piece. They told him they liked his voice because it was “more human and less disc jockey.”
2. His first job after college was as the weekend weather forecaster for KOAT in September of 1979.
3. For 10 years, Diaz shared an office with Morgan, the legendary ABQ weatherman who created faces and pics with a marker on live TV to illustrate his forecasts.
4. Diaz left KOAT in 1989 and worked for several years doing TV weather in Houston, Corpus Christi and Sacramento, but returned to ABQ (and Ch. 7) in 1997.
5. Diaz says it felt natural to move back to ABQ, where his wife Diane grew up and both of their sons were born.
6. On their first date, Diaz’ car battery died on his way to meet Diane at the old Cooperage Restaurant on Lomas Boulevard. He had to take a taxi, instead. They’ve been happily married for 43 years.
7. He was doing live weather once when a tank of compressed air that was used to refill camera pedestals suddenly exploded on set. Diaz managed to calmly continue his forecast, and says he’s happy the incident happened before YouTube existed.
8. In the 1970s and 1980s, Diaz did his on-air forecasts while sporting a thick mustache.
9. He’s got moves: Joe danced to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association New Mexico Chapter in 2013, and he and his wife traveled to see “Dancing With The Stars” live in person in 2016.
10. He admits he wasn’t an athlete in high school, but Diaz says in his 40s he started running, then began competitively racing, swimming and biking.
11. He competed several times in the Elephant Man Triathlon in T or C, which consisted of a 1-mile swim, 26.5-mile bike race, and 6-mile run. He finished each time.
12. Diaz also once did a Half Ironman triathlon in Phoenix, which finishes with a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile half-marathon race. It took him about seven hours to complete the event.
PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM
13. He completed the La Luz Trail Run three times, with his fastest time around 2-1/2 hours.
14. Diaz is also an avid skier, and has been a member of several KOAT teams to win the annual Media Ski Challenge over the years at Ski Santa Fe.
15.
He still rides bicycles every Saturday, both road bikes and mountain bikes.
