BITES

Social Media Sensation

The Southern Waffle Fries at Hot Mess BBQ & Soul Food combine influences from the Deep South and the Southwest to create a little slice of comfort food heaven.

The dish, which was originally served with regular fries, became popular after the waffle fry version was posted on the restaurant’s Instagram account. A half order for $6.99 is a good shareable for two people, while a full order is $11.99 and can feed as many as four. The Southern Waffle Fries are specially seasoned and come with fresh melted cheese, grilled bacon and jalapenos on top.

The waffle fries are a tribute to co-owner Larry Jenkins’ native South Carolina, while the addition of jalapenos provide the extra kick many New Mexicans crave.

“Waffle fries are something that I grew up with in the south,” Jenkins says. “Not everyone knows about waffle fries, but everyone loves fries. The jalapenos came about because we live in New Mexico. Who doesn’t love something that’s a little spicy?” —TRISTEN CRITCHFIELD

Hot Mess BBQ & Soul Food

1301 Eubank Blvd. NE (505) 298-4012, IG: hotmessbbq2021

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 Europeanstyle pints, and a menu featuring pizzas and apps uniquely topped with game meats like elk, boar, bison, and duck. Special events on weekends abound.

KAMIKAZE KITCHEN $$

3517 Wyoming Blvd NE Ste D (505) 900-8296, kamikazeabq.com

Kamikaze Kitchen blends Asian and Southwestern flavors to create a fusion of experimental “kombos,” appetizers, fries and desserts. Notoriously known for the Eggroll-arito and other creative dishes like wonton nachos you’re sure to find something innovative.

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

This carry out has been a South Valley favorite for 38 years. Look for the chicharron burrito with egg, fresh hand-cut fries, and the daily special—you just might land on a seemstoo-good-to-be-true deal, such as three tacos for $3.

KATRINAH’S EAST MOUNTAIN GRILL $$ 150 State Rd. 344 A (505) 281-9111, eastmountaingrill.com

This contemporary diner specializes in homemade dishes, such as gyros, hand-cut steaks and burgers, and the bestselling Southern Salad (with fried green beans, bacon, cheddar cheese, tomato, and fried or grilled chicken or steak).

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.

KITSUNE $ 524 Romero St NW (505) 977-2313

Kitsune transforms traditional Asian dishes into a fusion of flavors blended with New Mexico staples, American cuisine and more.

KOLACHE FACTORY $ 8001 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Ste B3 (505) 856-3430, locations.kolachefactory.com

The Kolache Factory franchise out of Texas focuses on Czech style Kolaches that were traditionally a warm, semi-sweet pastry filled with sausage, cheese, or fruit and originated in Eastern Europe dating as far back as the 1700s.

LA FINCA BOWLS $$ 300 Broadway Blvd NE G (505) 308-8392, lafincabowls.square.site

This 100% Gluten Free, Vegetarian/Vegan kitchen is also insanely focused on sustainably providing the best quality products. La Finca Bowls is the way to go if you want something fast but diet-friendly and tasty.

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 rotisseriebroiled 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-guelaguetza-mexicanrestaurantllc.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 2 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 buttertoasted 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.

THE LAST CALL $

6261 Riverside Plaza Ln. NW, Ste A1 (505) 717-1207, lastcallabq.com

This late-night eatery specializes in freshly-made Baja Mexican street cuisine (think: carne asada fries). If you’re lucky, you just might run into the “Taco Box” while out on the town: a mobile extension of the restaurant that brings the food to you.

LAVA ROCK BREWING COMPANY $$

2220 Unser Blvd. NE

(505) 836-1022, lavarockbrewpub.com

The casual brewpub on Unser currently has 7 of their own beers available on tap, with several other local guest taps as well. Standard bar fare gets gussied up here, like the housemade hot sauces on the wings and the fries loaded with green chile and queso.

LAZY LIZARD GRILL $

12480 North Hwy. 14, Sandia Park (505) 281-9122, lazylizardgrill.com

From the King Cobra Pizza and made-from-scratch 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.

LEVEL 5 AT HOTEL CHACO $$$

2000 Bellamah Ave. NW

(505) 318-3998, hotelchaco.com

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.

LIMONATA ITALIAN STREET CAFÉ $$

3222 Silver Ave. SE

(505) 266-0607, limonatanobhill.com

Channel your inner Italian at this street food-inspired café, where the breakfast and lunch menus feature perfect pastries, craveable 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.