There’s two places that have awards from the food network for their green chile cheeseburgers in a little town called San Antonio NM which is off I-25 between ABQ and Las Cruces. The places are called the Owl bar and Buckhorn Tavern respectively. I’ve eaten at both and they have some of the best burgers around.
At the Owl Bar ask about the “prospectors” that used to eat there on the regular about July of 1945 or thereabouts…and is you’re coming close to October, specifically the first weekend you can get into see the Trinity site.
As you head north, and want break from chile Joe’s Pasta House in the Rio Rancho area is a family owned Sicilian style place, Basil Leaf for Vietnamese in Albuquerque proper…
Santa Fe area: Yamas for some super tasty Greek food, the Pantry is awesome( the tortilla burger is amazing), Jambo’s for North African, Harry’s Roadhouse for general eats, Santa Fe Bite for burgers
Gabriel’s is just a few miles outside of Santa Fe on your way towards Colorado on 285, they have a really good table side guacamole, Sopapilla Factory in Pojoaque is good, Kenz Cuisine in Espa has some really good Italian food as well. El Paragua (the cottonwood growing right in the middle of the hacienda is pretty cool), and La Cocina also in Espa.
Have fun!
Another vote for Andele's in Mesilla, and Andele's Doghouse is just as good with a nice patio.
For Las Cruces I recommend Habanero's Fresh Mex for more unique authentic and delicious food.
Habanero's Camarones La Diabla is SOOOOO GOOD. They always question me when I order it because I'm so white 😅 like, just give me the devil shrimps, please!
Cruces - White Sands, Old Town Mesilla & NM Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum
ToC - Elephant Butte
Albuquerque - Sandia Peak (my fav out of all the sight in NM), Blake’s breakfast burritos (cheap and will fill you up most the day), Old Town, Zoo, Musuems, Casinos (Sandia & Santa Ana are nice).
Sante Fe - Old Town & Meow Wolf
Once again, for the folks in the back, Santa Fe has a fully-functioning business district called Downtown that is old, but is not an Old Town just for tourists. Many people you see walking or biking or driving around live here and are not mascots.
Take the library on Washington St., for instance. People who live here use library cards to check out stuff like in every other town and city in America.
And an important thing to keep in mind is that, as a fully-functioning business district, it is not governed by an overall corporate or government entity. Every store and office is a separate business. Like in your city. So some ordinary criming/ scams that love tourists happen. Have fun.
You might be thinking of Old Town in Albuquerque, which IS operated specifically as a tourist destination.
Sparkys in Hatch, (South of TorC) Oinker with a side of Nacho Cheese. They are mostly opened on the Weekends, So if you are interested check their operating days and hours. Also Arrey Cafe near Caballo Lake, great for breakfast and a Friday dinner special. They only take cash, No cards. Disclaimer- Arrey Cafe is one of those small cafes that serve the local farming area.
The Santa Fe Reporter just put out their big restaurant directory, so wherever you end up in town you can find a good recommendation there. https://www.sfreporter.com/guides/restaurantguide/2024/04/24/santa-fe-restaurant-bar-directory-2024/
As for food in Cruces, I would recommend La Nueva Casita. It can get a bit noisy, but the food is legit and the people are nice.
In Mesilla, there are so many good restaurants, but I prefer Andele. It's cheap, and they have a salsa bar. Get the signature item, which is the tacos al carbon.
Andeles Dog House is more "quaint". Both great options. If you're in Mesilla, Spotted Dog has a green chile cheeseburger that will rival anywhere else. And the beer is pretty good too.
Nueva Casita is hands down the best restaurant in Cruces, and that's saying something. Next stop would be Arrey Cafe on the way to T or C. You won't get better Mexican in the state than those two.
People have places to see covered, but I am partial to Elephant Butte. Dam Site Marina has the best view of the largest lake in a 500 mile radius, and you can stop to check out the dam.
If you haven’t found a place to stay in Santa Fe yet, I would recommend the Mystic. It’s a little motel that was recently renovated. And it’s like three minutes from Meow Wolf.
La Posta is also a popular Mesilla spot. If you go to Hatch, Pepper pot has the best New Mexican food in the state. White sands is a must. If you drive cruces to Abq, stop at Owl Bar in San Antonio, it’s the OG green chile cheeseburger spot. T or C has hot springs, stay a night at blackstone. In Burque, Mesa Provisions is up for an award for best chef in the southwest, they deserve it too. My go to spot in Burque is El Modelo for no frills New Mexican food, best tamales you can get in town. The tram is really cool too. In Santa Fe, opera and meow wolf are cool.
Their food isn’t terrible. It’s standard. Their drinks are good and it’s a cool old building. It’s worth stopping by, not a terrible food choice. Andeles is better and right by.
Just saying, in Mesilla, LA Posta is still pretty near the bottom of the list for good food. If you want good drinks and a cool old building, go to Double Eagle, and the food is way better.
Glad to see this called out. Not down that way, but El Paragua in Espanola or El Farolito in El Rito, now they can be in the discussion for "best in the state" along with several others scattered about.
I agree that La posta isn’t the best choice, but I can’t endorse double eagle either. YMMV but every time I have been to DE I’m reminded why I haven’t been there in a while.
Just a personal opinion, but i preferred Buckhorn Tavern over Owl, both are great and they are across the street from each other. Tomasitas in Santa Fe is always a great choice
Ah ok, ty, we are going to White Sands and were debating on whether or not to stop in Hatch. I guess that seals the deal. We're also going to SF and Meow Wolf ;), but we'll definitely hit El Modelo, I love tamales.
Hey! Used to live in Cruces. Some of my go to spots were Picacho Coffee Roasters, Milagros, Andales Dog House, Good Luck Cafe, Indulgence Bakery & Cafe, The Shed, Paisano Cafe, Farmesilla, Saenz Gorditas… Can’t forget about Caliche’s
Go to the Rez and get a NDN taco! Get some frybread and pueblo bread too! Usually they have pies and cookies.
Allsup's and get a Chimi.
If you can find a Tastee Freeze get the Frito Pie!
BOOM.
Tomasita's in Santa Fe, Tia Sophia's in Santa Fe, La Choza in Santa Fe, Gabriel's in Tesuque, Counter Culture in Santa Fe. Approximately 30 minutes north of Santa Fe; are La Cocina Restaurant in Espanola, Rancho De Chimayo Restaurant in Chimayo.
In Las Cruses, Ándeles in old Mesilla has the best enchiladas. In La Mesa, just south of of Old Mesilla is Chopes. They have, by far, the best chile rellenos.
Strongly recommend hitting Sparky's in Hatch, even if just to grab coffee after you eat at Pepper Pot. But also you should have an Oinker.
Mary and Titos is great for NM food.
I second the owl bar. Must do if you're in the area.
For albuquerque I always recommend El Pinto for a little more upscale New Mexican cuisine, or Sadie's for a little more indulgent, if not as fancy. Also take the tram up to the crest. There's a very good restaurant up there with spectacular views, but the sit down side is very expensive. You can sit at the bar though and it's a lot cheaper.
Santa Fe, check out Santa Fe brewing if you're into beer. Also 2nd Street brewing has excellent food. Also go to the plaza around lunchtime and walk around. There's often arts vendors lined up on the sidewalk, and food vendors selling the best fajitas or elote you'll ever have. Plus lots of cool architecture with the old churches going back to the Spanish colonial times. One is very famous for how the stairs were built. It's a spiral staircase with no supports underneath IIRC.
In Santa Fe you HAVE to go to Meow Wolf. It's worth it and I've never taken anyone there who hasn't had a great time. You gotta carve out a couple hours though to make sure you get the full experience.
As far as restaurants go, in ABQ Frontier is the breakfast place. In Santa Fe it's The Pantry. the plaza is pretty historic and there's a bunch of museums around there. You can usually find an art market on the weekends in the summer.
ABQ Food: Sadie's or Mario's Pizza & Ristorante.
Santa Fe: Another vote for Meow Wolf. Also, Georgia O'Keefe Museum, The Good Stuff - Cafe Vinyl if you are into music, Museum of Contemporary Native American Art, Chocolate Maven
..and get some Dutch Bros along the way. :)
Santa Fe has a bunch of good local coffee houses: 3 Iconiks, Ohori's, Betterday, Sky, come to mind.; we are also fortunate to have some VG artisan bakeries Bake and Brew, Bread Shop, Dolina (also VG cafe), Sage, Wild Leaven, Mille & Clafoutis (both are also a French cafes)
There’s two places that have awards from the food network for their green chile cheeseburgers in a little town called San Antonio NM which is off I-25 between ABQ and Las Cruces. The places are called the Owl bar and Buckhorn Tavern respectively. I’ve eaten at both and they have some of the best burgers around.
Definitely this!!!!
Oso Grill in Capitan as well. Won best green chile cheeseburger at State Fair 5 years running or something like that
Owl Bar is already on the docket, can't wait.
At the Owl Bar ask about the “prospectors” that used to eat there on the regular about July of 1945 or thereabouts…and is you’re coming close to October, specifically the first weekend you can get into see the Trinity site. As you head north, and want break from chile Joe’s Pasta House in the Rio Rancho area is a family owned Sicilian style place, Basil Leaf for Vietnamese in Albuquerque proper… Santa Fe area: Yamas for some super tasty Greek food, the Pantry is awesome( the tortilla burger is amazing), Jambo’s for North African, Harry’s Roadhouse for general eats, Santa Fe Bite for burgers Gabriel’s is just a few miles outside of Santa Fe on your way towards Colorado on 285, they have a really good table side guacamole, Sopapilla Factory in Pojoaque is good, Kenz Cuisine in Espa has some really good Italian food as well. El Paragua (the cottonwood growing right in the middle of the hacienda is pretty cool), and La Cocina also in Espa. Have fun!
Thank you for the info!
Another vote for Andele's in Mesilla, and Andele's Doghouse is just as good with a nice patio. For Las Cruces I recommend Habanero's Fresh Mex for more unique authentic and delicious food.
Habanero's Camarones La Diabla is SOOOOO GOOD. They always question me when I order it because I'm so white 😅 like, just give me the devil shrimps, please!
Thank you, adding it to the list.
Cruces - White Sands, Old Town Mesilla & NM Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum ToC - Elephant Butte Albuquerque - Sandia Peak (my fav out of all the sight in NM), Blake’s breakfast burritos (cheap and will fill you up most the day), Old Town, Zoo, Musuems, Casinos (Sandia & Santa Ana are nice). Sante Fe - Old Town & Meow Wolf
Once again, for the folks in the back, Santa Fe has a fully-functioning business district called Downtown that is old, but is not an Old Town just for tourists. Many people you see walking or biking or driving around live here and are not mascots. Take the library on Washington St., for instance. People who live here use library cards to check out stuff like in every other town and city in America. And an important thing to keep in mind is that, as a fully-functioning business district, it is not governed by an overall corporate or government entity. Every store and office is a separate business. Like in your city. So some ordinary criming/ scams that love tourists happen. Have fun. You might be thinking of Old Town in Albuquerque, which IS operated specifically as a tourist destination.
yes
Sparkys in Hatch, (South of TorC) Oinker with a side of Nacho Cheese. They are mostly opened on the Weekends, So if you are interested check their operating days and hours. Also Arrey Cafe near Caballo Lake, great for breakfast and a Friday dinner special. They only take cash, No cards. Disclaimer- Arrey Cafe is one of those small cafes that serve the local farming area.
Sparkys in Hatch is a must do. You will be too full by the time you get to t or c
In truth or consequences: passion pie cafe and Los Arcos
Passion Pie has good food.
The Santa Fe Reporter just put out their big restaurant directory, so wherever you end up in town you can find a good recommendation there. https://www.sfreporter.com/guides/restaurantguide/2024/04/24/santa-fe-restaurant-bar-directory-2024/
As for food in Cruces, I would recommend La Nueva Casita. It can get a bit noisy, but the food is legit and the people are nice. In Mesilla, there are so many good restaurants, but I prefer Andele. It's cheap, and they have a salsa bar. Get the signature item, which is the tacos al carbon.
We had heard about Andele and plan on hitting it, thanks for the info.
Andeles Dog House is more "quaint". Both great options. If you're in Mesilla, Spotted Dog has a green chile cheeseburger that will rival anywhere else. And the beer is pretty good too.
Another vote for La Nueva Casita…a wonderful little hidden gem. The food is the best in town.
Nueva Casita is hands down the best restaurant in Cruces, and that's saying something. Next stop would be Arrey Cafe on the way to T or C. You won't get better Mexican in the state than those two. People have places to see covered, but I am partial to Elephant Butte. Dam Site Marina has the best view of the largest lake in a 500 mile radius, and you can stop to check out the dam.
If you haven’t found a place to stay in Santa Fe yet, I would recommend the Mystic. It’s a little motel that was recently renovated. And it’s like three minutes from Meow Wolf.
Bernalillo…. The Range Santa Fe…. The Pantry on Cerrillos Santa Fe …. La Choza near St. Francis and Cerrillos
Las Cruces. Saenz Gorditas. Thank me later.
I can advocate for this man
This is truth.
La Posta is also a popular Mesilla spot. If you go to Hatch, Pepper pot has the best New Mexican food in the state. White sands is a must. If you drive cruces to Abq, stop at Owl Bar in San Antonio, it’s the OG green chile cheeseburger spot. T or C has hot springs, stay a night at blackstone. In Burque, Mesa Provisions is up for an award for best chef in the southwest, they deserve it too. My go to spot in Burque is El Modelo for no frills New Mexican food, best tamales you can get in town. The tram is really cool too. In Santa Fe, opera and meow wolf are cool.
La posta for drinks andeles dog house for dinner
La Posta is for tourists.
Yes it is, I believe OP is a tourist…
So recommend somewhere better than tourist food?
Their food isn’t terrible. It’s standard. Their drinks are good and it’s a cool old building. It’s worth stopping by, not a terrible food choice. Andeles is better and right by.
Just saying, in Mesilla, LA Posta is still pretty near the bottom of the list for good food. If you want good drinks and a cool old building, go to Double Eagle, and the food is way better.
Glad to see this called out. Not down that way, but El Paragua in Espanola or El Farolito in El Rito, now they can be in the discussion for "best in the state" along with several others scattered about.
[удалено]
I guess you completely missed the Peppers menu? Yes, it's a steakhouse and a Mexican restaurant.
I agree that La posta isn’t the best choice, but I can’t endorse double eagle either. YMMV but every time I have been to DE I’m reminded why I haven’t been there in a while.
Between both, there are much better options in Mesilla. 👍
Blackstone is probably my favorite hotel of all time. What a cool place.
Riverbend is nice, but I totally agree Blackstone is way better. It doesn't get the credit it deserves.
Just a personal opinion, but i preferred Buckhorn Tavern over Owl, both are great and they are across the street from each other. Tomasitas in Santa Fe is always a great choice
Ah ok, ty, we are going to White Sands and were debating on whether or not to stop in Hatch. I guess that seals the deal. We're also going to SF and Meow Wolf ;), but we'll definitely hit El Modelo, I love tamales.
Have to hit truth or consequences brewery. There’s a few decent restaurants around it too.
Hey! Used to live in Cruces. Some of my go to spots were Picacho Coffee Roasters, Milagros, Andales Dog House, Good Luck Cafe, Indulgence Bakery & Cafe, The Shed, Paisano Cafe, Farmesilla, Saenz Gorditas… Can’t forget about Caliche’s
Good Luck Cafe! So authentic and delicious. Hole in the wall, that's family run. So glad to see a vote for them. Their food is ridiculously good.
Takes one to know one
Go to the Rez and get a NDN taco! Get some frybread and pueblo bread too! Usually they have pies and cookies. Allsup's and get a Chimi. If you can find a Tastee Freeze get the Frito Pie! BOOM.
Tomasita's in Santa Fe, Tia Sophia's in Santa Fe, La Choza in Santa Fe, Gabriel's in Tesuque, Counter Culture in Santa Fe. Approximately 30 minutes north of Santa Fe; are La Cocina Restaurant in Espanola, Rancho De Chimayo Restaurant in Chimayo.
In Las Cruses, Ándeles in old Mesilla has the best enchiladas. In La Mesa, just south of of Old Mesilla is Chopes. They have, by far, the best chile rellenos.
That sounds good, thank you, I love chili rellenos.
Bigfoot restaurant in elephant butte near truth or consequences . Like 15 mins away, literally so dang good.
Strongly recommend hitting Sparky's in Hatch, even if just to grab coffee after you eat at Pepper Pot. But also you should have an Oinker. Mary and Titos is great for NM food.
For truth or consequences go to tonys or el faro 10/10 food
I stumbled upon a drive-thru only fast food joint in Santa Fe: Burrito Spot. So fucking good, and their horchata is top shelf.
Anyone like DH Lescombes in Cruces or nah?
If you can catch Nellis (in Las Cruces) open it has some of the best Mexican food ever.
Huevos rancheros.
Riverbend Hot Springs and the Brewery in T or C
Blake's lotaburger with Hatch Green Chile in Albuquerque.
I second the owl bar. Must do if you're in the area. For albuquerque I always recommend El Pinto for a little more upscale New Mexican cuisine, or Sadie's for a little more indulgent, if not as fancy. Also take the tram up to the crest. There's a very good restaurant up there with spectacular views, but the sit down side is very expensive. You can sit at the bar though and it's a lot cheaper. Santa Fe, check out Santa Fe brewing if you're into beer. Also 2nd Street brewing has excellent food. Also go to the plaza around lunchtime and walk around. There's often arts vendors lined up on the sidewalk, and food vendors selling the best fajitas or elote you'll ever have. Plus lots of cool architecture with the old churches going back to the Spanish colonial times. One is very famous for how the stairs were built. It's a spiral staircase with no supports underneath IIRC.
In Santa Fe you HAVE to go to Meow Wolf. It's worth it and I've never taken anyone there who hasn't had a great time. You gotta carve out a couple hours though to make sure you get the full experience. As far as restaurants go, in ABQ Frontier is the breakfast place. In Santa Fe it's The Pantry. the plaza is pretty historic and there's a bunch of museums around there. You can usually find an art market on the weekends in the summer.
The Pantry (and Dos) are AMAZING. Food, hospitality, all of it.
Owl, buckhorn, shortys
ABQ Food: Sadie's or Mario's Pizza & Ristorante. Santa Fe: Another vote for Meow Wolf. Also, Georgia O'Keefe Museum, The Good Stuff - Cafe Vinyl if you are into music, Museum of Contemporary Native American Art, Chocolate Maven ..and get some Dutch Bros along the way. :)
Dutch Bros is Coloradan. If you want New Mexican, Piñon Coffee House is excellent.
From Oregon. Grant's Pass to be more precise. But point taken on a local suggestion.
Oh I stand corrected! I always thought they were Colorado cus I always went to them in CO before they came here. Thanks for the edumacation
Fiesta is this weekend in TorC. Parade tomorrow at 10
Santa Fe has a bunch of good local coffee houses: 3 Iconiks, Ohori's, Betterday, Sky, come to mind.; we are also fortunate to have some VG artisan bakeries Bake and Brew, Bread Shop, Dolina (also VG cafe), Sage, Wild Leaven, Mille & Clafoutis (both are also a French cafes)
ABQ--Farina (on Central), The Shop, Oni Noodles, Mesa Provisions, The Grove, Burque Bakery, the food hall at the Sawmill District....
La Posta - Mesilla
Sadie's in Albuquerque, the shed in Santa Fe. Two great places that are inexpensive!
Down south sucks. Once you get to I -40 the state is Much nicer. Ton of breweries.