Eats, Etc.

When Albuquerque City Limits got started more than two decades ago, it was literally located on the outskirts of town — a landmark of sorts for those passing through the Duke City.

Albuquerque has expanded significantly since then, but the restaurant owned by Roy and Debbie Gonzalez remains a must-visit destination for those seeking authentic New Mexican dishes and American comfort food including burgers, salads, sandwiches, enchiladas, burritos, allday breakfast and more.

“We grew with the city,” Roy says. “We decided to name our place Albuquerque City Limits because at the time, 23 years ago, we were at the city limits. It’s a very easy way for people to remember it.

“That’s changed quite a bit now. Back in the day, there was a lot of farmland in our area all around us. And now we have a lot of industry that’s here, a lot of businesses.”

The owners ran a catering service in El Paso before moving to Albuquerque to open the restaurant. If the food feels like home, well, there’s a good reason for that.

“Everything that we make, it’s recipes of our parents and grandparents,” Roy says. “Which it’s really nice to be able to see people smile and be able for them to respond to us that this food is delicious. That brings a good feeling to us, knowing that our grandparents’ and our parents’ recipes are still giving smiles and making people feel good.”

That includes staples such as Roy’s Special, a meatloaf dish served with mashed potatoes and smothered in brown gravy, homemade salsa, green chile and sauteed onions. And when it’s in season, the green chile stew is a serious crowd favorite. But according to Roy, nothing hits home quite like the establishment’s natillas, a creamy custard dish available in various sizes that has an uncanny knack for reminding diners of a time when their own family members prepared the dessert.

“It brings back a memory, a nice memory,” Roy says. “It’s really nice to be able to see that we’re able to bring a nice memory to them of someone in the past.”

TRISTEN CRITCHFIELD

Albuquerque City Limits

3211 Coors Blvd SW Suite F4 (505) 873-8959 abqcitylimits.com

BY DON JAMES/ATM

On its website, The 377 Brewery claims that it “tends to hire and attract people that are not usually the mainstream crowd.” That, in turn, leads to a comfortable atmosphere akin to “drinking in the garage with your friends.”

Mainstream or not, The 377 Brewery has built a solid customer base since opening its doors in 2016. Located on the northwest corner of Yale and Gibson near the Albuquerque Sunport, the establishment is an ideal destination for travelers who might be spending a few nights in one of the nearby hotels. Given its relative proximity to many of the city’s most prominent sports venues, it’s also an ideal spot for fans to meet ahead of University of New Mexico, Albuquerque Isotopes or New Mexico United games.

While the brewery is a little off-thebeaten path, there is parking in a gravel lot behind the warehouse-style structure, or on the street nearby if the lot is full. The interior features a full bar, plenty of tables —both high and low — and an enclosed patio with more seating.

The 377 has captured multiple awards for its beers — the Oktoberfest is a recent winner — and typically features approx- imately 10 or so signature options along with seasonal and a handful of guest taps. Cocktails are also available, including the Bloody Mary with pickle vodka from Hollow Spirits and the Watermelon Jalapeño Margarita.

The menu contains a full complement of appetizers, entrees and sides — some with interesting names such as the Happy Ass Nachos, Full Booty Burger and the All Nasty Burrito. (One can upgrade to a Hot Ass Booty Burger simply by adding green chile). Meanwhile, the Fish and Chips are labeled as the best in the city and come with one or two planks and sides of homemade chips and jalapeno coleslaw. If an intriguing dessert option is what you seek, it’s hard to top the Raspberry Cheesecake Chimichangas. There’s also a more limited late night-menu that takes effect as The 377 nears closing hours. —TRISTEN

CRITCHFIELD

The 377 Brewery

2027 Yale Blvd SE (505) 916-0331 the377brewery.com

Chile Caribe is a fun alternative to the jalapeño popper: a grilled yellow chile pepper stuffed with cheese and shrimp and wrapped in bacon. They come three per order; most would agree that a party of two should order more than that.

Located on West Central just a short distance from Old Town, Sharky’s Fish and Shrimp has been delivering the flavors of coastal Mexico to Albuquerque since 2013.

The restaurant was founded by a group of brothers from the Sonoran state of Mexico, and the Sharky’s website boasts that it offers “the best fish and shrimp in town.” Sharky’s is walk-up service only, but patrons can enjoy dining under a covered patio area that includes picnic and high-top table seating (During the summer, misters provide a welcome cooldown for diners). A salsa bar — with multiple options featuring varying degrees of heat — is nearby, complete with tostada shells and crackers for dipping.

It’s no surprise that fish and shrimp tacos are some of the most popular attractions on the menu. At $3.25 apiece, they come with chopped tomatoes, cabbage, onion and cilantro — as well as a flavorful salsa. Those not in the mood for mariscos can sample the carne asada tacos or the tacos al pastor.

There’s much more to Sharky’s than seafood tacos. On the appetizer front, the

In a nod to the owners’ roots, Sharky’s also offers the original Sonoran hot dog, which comes wrapped in bacon and covered in condiments galore — mustard, ketchup, mayonnaise and jalapeño sauce. Another popular item is the Torre de Mariscos, or seafood tower. As visually appealing as it is delicious, the tower includes shrimp, crab, scallops, octopus and shellfish along with tomatoes, cucumbers and avocados. Sharky’s provides plenty of flavor, both of the hot and cold variety, and while seafood is undoubtedly the star, one can also enjoy burritos, burgers and sides without the coastal flair.

—TRISTEN CRITCHFIELD

SHARKY'S FISH & SHRIMP

5420 Central Ave SW (505) 831-8905 facebook.com/sharkys.albuquerque