Description: On Travel and NamesCertain names are especially attractive for travelers; I commented on that while reporting on
Kashgar. Mentioning the name of
Chiang Roon can put the most sedentary Thai in move. Considering that, my having breakfast at the
Flying Star Café on the morning of a day in which I was planning to have three flights was the most natural thing.
The Warning"Be careful, it is rather expensive," I had been told. With a simple filter coffee costing $2.29 and breakfast dishes approaching the ten dollars, the warning was true. Yet, I have learned to have big meals before such loaded days; in such a way, avoiding airports’ food is easy, though not always
recommended.
The EstablishmentPlaced in a big building next to a parking place, the café is hard to miss. Being close to Central Avenue it is also easy to reach from downtown Albuquerque. Huge windows do not allow much privacy to those sitting inside; maybe shading them could improve the experience.
The interior is very spacious, with the counter opposite the entrance and several dining areas arranged between them and below a smaller second floor, which offers a few additional tables. Customers can seat by tables, or on coaches enclosed by low divisions which impart a sense of improved privacy. Naturally, I chose the last option.
The MenuThe menu is colorfully written above the counter, next to it are boards written with chalks offering special items. Everything was written in that hybrid New Mexican English sprinkled with Spanish. Hinting to what was going to happen, it was very extensive and after a while I just gave up studying it. Being this the last day in my current visit in New Mexico, I chose the "huevos rancheros" (ranch eggs) breakfast and a cup of filter coffee.
The menu included also pastas, home made muffins, burritos, chile stews, salads, specialty wines and a plethora of other items. The customers seemed to be loyal patrons, since it was obvious they knew the staff; I took that to be a good sign.
The RecipeThe sign on the wall claimed that my breakfast would include: "Two eggs over medium with spicy pintos, home fries and cheddar-jack cheese over a big flour tortilla. Choose red or green Chile."
Overall, that seemed sensible. I asked for it at the counter.
"Green or red chiles?" countered the waiter.
"Red, please."
"Huevos rancheros with green chile and a coffee," he summarized; I didn’t bother to fix him. Green chiles are by far more popular in New Mexico.
After paying, he gave me a huge sign with a number – 32 – printed in over-large characters. I took it to a nearby coach, and put the number on the table.
The ServingSoon, a waitress approached me with a tiny cup of coffee and put it in front of me. There was no chance that would be enough for the breakfast. Later - almost too late for enjoying that - I found it could be refilled in a secondary counter placed perpendicularly to the main one.
By the end of that cup, the waitress approached me again carrying a strange package. She held two plates - one atop the other - while a white thing could be seen on the upper plate. She put that in front of me and left.
The MonsterThe dish was fit for two; apparently that was the reason for the two plates. The description on the menu was correct, but except for the two eggs quantities had not been stated there. Without using scales, the dish seemed to contain at least a 1/2 kilogram of food; there was no chance I’ll consume it.
All the food was placed atop the tortilla, creating a dish which was relatively difficult to handle. The tortilla was of the thin variety; since they do not get soaked, it could hold the hot mixture atop it with no damage. The pinto beans were good, but in an excessive quantity, the green chiles were medium and added the perfect amount of spiciness to the dish. I try to avoid eggs, but these were fresh and well done. The melted cheese mixed wonderfully with the chile. I really enjoyed the dish, but it was too much; even if willing to each such amounts of food, I prefer to divide them among several dishes. However, that was a goodbye breakfast and I did my best.
My FlightI had a morning flight out of Albuquerque to Dallas, thus - though not in a hurry - I had a tight schedule. However, after finishing the meal, there was no chance I could leave the table. It took three coffees to leave the place; rushing to the Sunport, I was barely able to finish the check-in on time.
Goodbye, New Mexico.
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