Great Food in an Unlikely Place

50 years ago, Blake's Lota Burger opened in Albuquerque and now there are over 75 locations all over NM.
Needless to say...I've been enjoying the green chili cheeseburgers here for over 30 years.

In some cities, there's a Starbucks on every corner. In Albuquerque, there's a Lota Burger on almost every corner. I'm kidding, but they really are everywhere.

Look for the sign with the goofy guy on it. See my attached pix.

The main draw are the green chili cheeseburgers, but you don't HAVE to have green chili on them. The cherry shakes are to die for and the fries....the potatoes still have the skins on them.

Lota Burger has hot dogs, seasoned fries, (the regular fries are better) onion rings, chicken sandwiches, fish sandwiches, handmade shakes and your regular burger place fare.

Take note...all sandwiches and fries are cooked to order, meaning nothing has been sitting around, waiting for you to order it. The ground beef is grade A choice beef and the fries are cut fresh everyday.
That's why to food is so good here.

If you happen to pass one (and you will)...stop in and have treat yourself to a green chili cheese burger...you won't regret it! And don't forget the cherry shake......

www.lotaburger.com

Down on 4th street, around Montano/Osuna there are a few restaurants..the most famous being Sadies, but if you continue North about 1/2 a mile, you'll come upon Sophia's Place. This truly is a dive and you know what that means...GREAT FOOD.

The owner and proprietor, Dennis is someone I know well. He was a chef at a place I worked at 15 years ago.

Anyhoo....the food is good, the place is small as well as the kitchen and it's always packed.

Bring some patience with you, because you may have to wait for a table.
Ordering is done at the counter, where you're given a plastic number and the server will deliver your food. Drinks are self serve, and there are sodas teas and coffee.

I had heard about the duck enchiladas, but sadly this day they were not on the menu. HEAVENS TO MERGATROY!

Always flexible...I ordered the green chili bacon cheeseburger on ciabatta bread. The green chili is described on the menu as a 'green chili relish' and man was it GOOD! The burger was juicy, the bacon crisp and the chili and cheese was wonderful. I had my choice of either fries or a salad. I chose a mixed greens salad that was really great with their house vinagrette. Seems that salad is served with almost everything.

Hubby had the Huevos Mexicanos which is huevos rancheros with carne adovada. SO good topped with green AND red chili.

We HAD to order the Sophie's Special pancakes which are to die for. Dennis makes his own butter from scratch. You heard me right...he makes his own butter for these pancakes. It's heavy cream mixed with pinon nuts, honey and dried cherries.
(Just between you and I...I can put this stuff on my foot and eat it.)

The pancakes were topped with berries, the butter and had a side of maple syrup. If you have anything on this menu, THIS is it.

The other people in our party had the huevos rancheros and the steak tacos...which are also very yummy.....but those pancakes....

Anyway...like I said, bring some patience and a book cuz once you order, you'll have to wait 30 minutes for your food. Not a bad thing...just enjoy the day.

The bathrooms are outside and around the corner of the building. Strange, but that just adds to the quaintness of the place.

You can pass it if you blink, so keep your eyes peeled when looking for it.

I'm impressed with Hyatt's new concept, Hyatt Place. It feels like a boutique hotel when you walk in.
All the rooms are junior suites complete with wetbar, empty fridge and sink as well as flat screen tvs, living room area and comfy beds. The room rate also includes their continental breakfast buffet. The entire property has complimentary Wi-Fi
They do have a nice pool, but it was January,..so naturally we didn't visit it.
They also have a business center in the lobby where you can print your boarding pass. That computer is also free to use.

We stayed here for 2 nights and really enjoyed the room. The best part is, there was no commercial aircraft noise at all.....BUT the air force base is close by and I did hear F17's during the day.

So the lobby of this place smells really good...I noticed it every time we entered the building or got off the elevator. Aromatherapy...NICE!

We had a room with a king bed. The room is set up like a small suite with a computer desk, corner sofa and bedroom.

There are extra pillows and blankets in the closet, if you have someone who needs to sleep on the couch, which was very comfortable.

A blowdryer was provided in the vanity drawer and there is a small safe in the closet. Doesn't fit a laptop, though. There was soap, shampoo and conditioner, but no lotion.

I like the fact that the shower and toilet are separate from the vanity...makes getting ready easier when someone is in the shower.

The bed was really comfy and I didn't want to get up.
On either side of the bed was a light that can be dimmed for reading at night.
The 42 inch tv swivels, so you can see it from either the bed or from the couch.

This chain of hotels offers hot food 24hrs a day, at a price, but if you arrive late, it's not a bad option because there isn't much around. There's a convienence store about 2 miles away.

The breakfast is free and there's yogurt, fruit, breakfast breads, cereal, juices, coffee and tea and the breakfast area is quaint. They serve Starbucks coffee, which is always a good sign if you ask me.

They do have an airport shuttle, but it can be tricky to find if your driving.

If your coming from the rental car place, on University, go under the freeway, (I-25) and take your first left on Woodward, and then your first left again, on Sunport and the hotel is on the left hand side.

This area is like hotel alley and there are about 6 hotels all in this area, so don't freak out, because you can't see it from the main road.

The value for the money was good and we liked it here. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a quite place to stay.

The Frontier has been serving UNM students and after-hours crowds since 1971. This huge building right across the street from the new UNM bookstore and Popejoy Hall offers cheap, delicious eats, 24 hours a day. Huevos rancheros are a staple, as are HUGE handmade cinnamon rolls that drip with so much butter, my heart hurts just thinking about it. They make fresh-squeezed orange juice and handmade (while you watch) tortillas. The burgers are a steal at $2.49.

This has been one of my favorite places since I was a kid. It's a great place to people watch, especially after 2am, when the bars close. The building was originally a lot smaller, with an art gallery at one end, but with the demand for more space, the restaurant purchased the rest of the building to accommodate the throngs of hungry patrons that walk thru the door on any given day. The entire menu is available at any hour of the day so whatever the craving, you can get it here.

When you walk in the front door, you get in the usually long line to order. The menu is posted on the wall above the kitchen. The line moves really quickly. I’ve never waited longer than 10mins to order...no matter how long the line is. Once you place your order and pay, grab your napkins and silverware and go find a table. When your order is ready, it will show on the digital reader board, located in every room. Go back to the front, pickup your tray of food and head back to your table to ENJOY! Inexpensive, GREAT food and no tipping! Awesome deal!

I recommend the #6 which is the huevos rancheros. Get it with green chili stew. When you pick your order up, go to the condiment station and add some green chili sauce to put on top…it’s in the soup holders. YUM! I always get a cinnamon roll to start off. It’s totally big enough for 2 people.
The burgers are surprisingly delish, as are the fries. You can’t go wrong here. The prices are right and the food speaks for itself. I do have to admit that the after-hours crowd may be a little intimidating, but the freaks have to eat too!

The Frontier is located on Central and Cornell. You can’t miss it. There’s a hug sign on top of the building. Parking can be tricky as the parking lot behind the restaurant is tiny. Don’t even think about parking is spots for other businesses…you WILL be towed. There is a lot a block behind it that cost $1.25 per hour. It’s ALWAYS empty. You can also park on the street.

Go to www.frontierrestaurant.com for a menu and map.
I'll attach pictures soon.

Off of a one-way street, just down the block from the Frontier Restaurant, is a tiny dim sum place that has been here forever. This is some of the BEST dim sum I've ever had, and I’ve had it all over the country.

The steamed pork buns are to-die-for, the short ribs are tender and spicy and the moo-shu pork is awesome! My favorite item is dessert, which are the sesame balls filled with plum. YUM! Even the iced tea is great. It’s like an herb iced tea.

Ho, who is the owner, cook and waitress and has been here since I started eating here in 1987. If you’re not familiar with dim sum, it’s a selection of small dishes served for snacks and lunch in China. These dishes include a wide selection of fried and steamed dumplings, as well as, various other sweet and savory items for dessert. The term for this Chinese style of eating translates as "Heart's Delight." It’s known as the ‘original Chinese food’.

After you sit down and order a drink, one of the ladies comes by with a cart full of little plates of food. She explains what each item is and charges per each small plate. I believe it’s about 2bucks a plate. It’s like an all you can eat buffet that comes directly to you! I've gotten out of here for about $25 for two people and have been absolutely full.
Most of the items are steamed, a few are deep fried. Other items include, chicken and peanut dumplings, beef and ginger dumplings, beef and noodles, scallion pancake, egg rolls and the list goes on. There is soy sauce and chili paste on the table, to add that extra zing to your food. I pile that chili paste on everything!

Amerasia is on the Southeast corner of Lead and Cornell. They're open 7 days a week from 11am till 2pm, and then they open again at 5pm. This place is not fancy or dressy by any means. Jeans and t-shirts are welcome. The parking lot holds about 8 cars, then you have to park across the street. It’s a very tiny place that looks like a house. There is no big sign announcing it, just a small design on the building.

As with all my ABQ recommendations, I've been eating here for over 20 years. Ask any local who has the best New Mexican food, and you'll get the same response--Los Cuates. There are 3 locations around town, 2 of those being right across the street from each other.

Now forget everything you think you know about Mexican food. This is NEW Mexican food, and yes, there IS a difference. Let's start off with the complimentary chips and salsa. This salsa is nothing like Pace and has no tomatoes or onions in it. This is pure, ground red chili pods. It's hot and spicy, with a touch of sweet. Again, this is not your average salsa, so proceed with caution. Please don’t get a chipfull and try to eat it. You might regret it, in turn ruining your dinner.

As with all New Mexican places, you get to choose between red or green chili. Now depending on the restaurant, the red can be hotter, or the green can be hotter. In this case, the red is the hotter of the two. If you’re at another restaurant, always ask your server which one is hotter.

Here you will find your basic enchiladas, chimichangas or tacos on the menu, but the chili is what makes the meal. I say be bold and get BOTH chili’s. You can get one end with red and the other with green. My personal favorite is the blue-corn cheese enchiladas with both red and green. YUMMY!! Blue corn tortillas rolled up with cheese and onions and smothered in chili! This will kill what ails you, if the salsa doesn’t.

Try the green chili stew. It’s green chili with potatoes and ground beef, served with hot, homemade tortillas. This is what I get when I have either a hangover, or a cold. Trust me, you’ll feel MUCH better after a dose of that. The fajitas are to die for, too.

Another NEW MEXICAN item that you get at restaurants, are sopapillas. They’re kind of like doughnuts or Indian fry bread. They’re deep fried, air filled pouches that you put honey on. You can have them as dessert or stuffed as a meal, but they’re traditionally served as bread, with the meal. The best part is, when covered in honey, it kills the heat from the chili.

Oh yeah, you’ll see honey on the tables in all Mexican restaurants in New Mexico. It’s for the sopapillas. It’s the only place I’ve ever seen this. When I eat here, I squeeze some honey on top of my enchiladas. It gives the dish a really nice, sweet flavor and again, helps defeat the heat. Try it, you won’t regret it. I know it sounds really strange, but it’s awesome. Just put a little on a corner and try it.

I used to work here in high school and still eat here when I’m in town. They have the best taquitos you'll ever have, but the real draw is the "steak in the rough," deep-fried breaded steak fingers served with handmade coleslaw and fries. WONDERFUL! I used to have to make the coleslaw everyday, and the secret ingredient, believe it or not, is sugar.

Mac’s also makes fresh, hand squeezed limeade and lemonade and make their burgers and guacamole fresh, every day. The taquitos are made especially for Mac's and come frozen. All they have to do is deep-fry them. They come with their homemade guacamole and salsa that is out of this world! The green chili stew is awesome but only available at the Indian School location.

There are several locations in the city and the one on Menaul has a drive-in, a drive thru window and a tiny dining room. Don’t expect anything fancy, because you’ll be disappointed. The last time I was there, this past weekend (Mar 2006) the outside was in bad need of some attention, but the food was as good as ever.

If you’re driving down Lomas near the fairgrounds and see a restaurant shaped like a barrel, you’ve stumbled upon the Cooperage.

The Cooperage has been around since I was little and it used to be THE place to have an expensive, romantic dinner. To this day, they still serve high-quality food in a great atmosphere.
The décor is contemporary, with white tablecloths and candles on every table. Artwork adorns the walls and the lighting is low. The menu includes everything from steaks to seafood, lamb and even buffalo. The Santa Fe salmon is served with a spicy sauce, so if you’re not a spicy person, stay away from this dish. Huge king-crab legs, lobster, and aged Angus beef are the specialties here. All dinners come with the salad bar that rivals other salad restaurants. There are so many different tasty salads and veggies on here that you may not want to eat your dinner.

They used to have a fabulous brunch on special holidays like Mother’s Day, but I don’t know if they still do. Give them a call. Reservations are recommended, especially on Valentines day and on the weekends.

Thirty-five years ago, Sadies was a small snack bar inside a bowling alley. It got so popular that they had to expand. Sadies's new place opened in 1983 in the Northwest Valley. On any given night, you'll see Jaguars parked next to pickups. The food is the reason people flock to this place. The chili is hot, and the margaritas are cold. This isn't a place for the faint of heart. The free salsa that comes out with chips is garlicky and firey. Don't attempt to eat here of you're not used to the heat.

The tamales are handmade and are my favorite item on the menu. Carne adovada is sweet and hot. You can't go wrong, but it is hot chili.

Don’t let the condition of the Hurricanes sign looming over Lomas Boulevard or the tattoo parlor next door scare you. And don’t let the '50s-style drive-in/diner deter you from enjoying a fabulous meal.

Hurricanes is a surprisingly good find. You’d never know by looking at it, but the eats served here are inexpensive and delish! They offer typical burger and fries fare, along with Mexican specialties, dinner plates, and breakfast foods.

The real draw here is the huge breakfast burritos. You can get them in four sizes: eight, quarter, half, and whole. The whole burrito is enough for three people; it’s HUGE! These special burritos are called Disaster Burritos and are stuffed with ground beef, beans, eggs, and cheese, topped with curly fries and then smothered in green or red chili and more cheese. Then it’s topped with lettuce and tomatoes. What a treat! There’s just something about the curly fries that gives these burritos that extra oomph! Try it. I know it sounds weird, but man is it good! You won’t walk away hungry. Guaranteed! The beef enchiladas are pretty good, too, and the signature burgers are wonderful. Try the Cyclone burger topped with green chili and cheese. Get a large drink and don’t be surprised if it doesn’t fit in you car's cup holder; as with everything else here, the large drink is HUGE!

Hurricanes is another one of my favorite dives, and for good reason. The food is good, the prices are great, and the portions are big. Hurricanes is located on Lomas, just west of Monroe and east of Carlisle.

For 2 weeks every October since 1972, Albuquerque has been hosting the International Balloon Fiesta. The skies fill with over 20,000 hot-air balloons from all over the world. All kinds of different balloons from traditional shapes to special shapes such as tennis shoes, cell phones and cows, keep everyone’s eyes up towards the sky.

You have to get up to the park pretty early because balloons start taking off at sunrise, after the balloonist's prayer, and continue until about 11am, when it gets too hot.

The Park is located off of Paso Del Norte Rd and I-25. The roads are blocked off around the area, with signs to get into the park. If you choose to park and ride, there are several locations around town that you can leave from on a shuttle, for a small fee. One of the highlights of the festival is the Balloon Glow, which usually happens on the second night after sunset. All the balloons get together at the launch site and fire up their burners, making the ground glow - it's really something to see. Races and other events take place each day.

You don’t have to go the balloon park to be a part of the action. The balloons can be seen for miles and as the old saying goes, "what goes up, must come down" and balloons land all over town. Look for ones that are descending, and drive towards it. The balloon crews are more than happy to have people help.

Now to actually ride in a balloon can sometimes be a feat in itself. I was part of a balloon crew, so I occasionally got to take a ride. Other than being part of a crew or having friends that own a balloon, the only way to get off the ground is to pay for a ride. There are companies all over town that charge for rides. I believe the prices are upwards of a hundred dollars or more. I suggest making arrangements way ahead of time. Once you get up in the balloon, it’s a very cool experience. Just floating above the ground can be scary for some, very relaxing for others. The last time I rode in one, we had a hard landing not far from the fiesta grounds. I have to admit, it was a little scary.

At the field, there are food booths all throughout the park as well as restrooms. Dress warm and in layers, as it is COLD in the morning and gets up to about 60°F later. Bring gloves and perhaps a beanie or scarf to warp around your ears. They WILL get cold. I recommend bringing your own tissues or TP as the port-a-potties run out fairly fast. There are hot chocolate and coffee stands all over to help keep you warm.

Book your hotel rooms EARLY as this is a major event in Albuquerque and rooms book up really fast. Try booking a few months in advance.

http://www.aibf.org/

Take a step back in time and visit the Old West. Old Town has been a tourist attraction for over 60 years and for good reason. There are galleries, shops, churches, museums and restaurants to please everyone in the family.

Local Navajo Indians sell their turquoise jewelry and other wares on the sidewalks, San Felipe Church has services on the weekends and daily tours, the Candy Lady sells various 'dirty' chocolates and there are several restaurants that offer classic New Mexican dishes. Shopping includes, Navajo pottery, handmade silver and turquoise jewelry, sculptures, ironworks, furniture, textiles, cowboy boots, hand woven baskets and blankets, hand blown glass, leather goods, ceramics, artwork, the list goes on. You could spend 2 whole days here and still not go into every shop. There’s something new down every little side street.

One of my favorite things to eat is fry bread. Sweet puffed pastry covered in honey and powdered sugar! To die for! You have to try one of the 'Navajo tacos' at Frybread Mamas. YUMMY! And it’s inexpensive, that’s the best part! High Noon is a popular place to have lunch and is rather touristy and Maria Theresa is very expensive, but the best enchiladas and huevos rancheros are at Little Anita’s. it’s off the main square and more locals eat there than the other places in the square. Also off the main drag is the Candy Lady. She makes her own candy and cakes and is known for her ‘adult’ line, great for bachelor or bachelorette parties. There are several snack shops along the streets selling ice cream, sandwiches, and the like. Mariachi bands play in the main square on the weekends. If you're too full to walk after lunch, there are horse and carriage rides available.

Parking is somewhat limited, so watch the signs, or you'll get a parking ticket. Don’t park on the residential streets.

The best time of year to visit Old Town is at Christmas. They line the main plaza and sidewalks with luminarias and light them at night. It’s a really gorgeous picture op. See my attached picture.

For more info, visit, www.oldtownalbuquerque.com

Sandia Peak Tramway is the world's longest aerial tram ride. The 2.7-mile ride takes about 15 to 20 minutes to get to the top of Sandia Peak. What a lovely ride it is. It takes you 4,000 feet up to the top. Depending of the time of year, you can see miles of snow or miles of trees. Your tram operator/guide will tell you that a small plane crashed into the mountain in the 1970s, but I've been riding the tram since the '70s and have never seen any wreckage.

The Tramway was the brainchild of Robert Nordhaus, one of the founders and owners of the Sandia Peak Ski Company. On a trip to Europe in the early 1960s, he got the idea from riding similar trams over there. What a great idea, so skiers could avoid the half-hour or longer drive to the top of the mountain on icy roads.

After a long 2 years in the planning stages, the tram took 24 months to build. The first ride was on May 7, 1966. Thirty-nine years later, it’s still a major attraction for New Mexico.

There’s a wonderful restaurant at the top called High Finance, and they’re known for their prime rib and seafood dishes, not to mention the view. You still have to pay full price for the ride up, but dinner is definitely worth it, especially at sunset. Reservations should be made, just in case.

Each spring and fall, the tramway closes for 2- week period for maintenance. You can go to their website for the info. www.sandiapeak.com. Rates are $15 for adults and $9 with a ski lift ticket. Closing hours vary from summer to winter, but it opens at 9am every day. You can ride the ski lift all year-round for another nominal fee. Sandia Peak has great hiking and mountain biking as well.