New Mexican Cuisine
State question: Red or green? We’re talking about chile here. Generally green is hotter but not always. You can always ask for chile on the side. Ask your server which is hotter on any given day - it can vary widely. Feeling adventurous and want to sound like a New Mexican? Go for “Christmas” - half red and half green!
“Chile” is a vegetable with edible, spicy pods. “Chili” is a stew-like combination of meat (usually), beans, and a tomato base, that can be spooned over chips or eaten directly, also known as Chili con Carne”. “Chilli” is not a word.
New Mexican Food Glossary:
Adovada - pork that has been marinated in red chile and slow cooked. Usually cubed but sometimes shredded, it is served in burritos, enchiladas, etc.
Bizcochito - the New Mexico state cookie! Flaky, shortbread like cookie with anise seeds and topped with cinnamon sugar.
Calabacitas - diced and sauteed summer squash, onions, tomatoes.
Carne - flesh of animals. Can be beef, pork, lamb, veal, or goat.
Chile rellenos - whole chiles, deseeded and stuffed with various ingredients, primarily cheese, then battered and deep fried.
Desebrada - beef cooked in liquid and shredded.
Enchilada - flat or rolled corn tortillas, filled with cheese and other ingredients - the sky’s the limit - topped with enchilada sauce (red or green?) and cheese.
Fajitas - strips of chicken or beef, marinated and cooked with bell peppers and onions. Often served sizzling, with flour tortillas, and some combination of shredded cheese, shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, guacamole, sour cream, and pico de gallo.
Frijoles - pinto beans. Frijoles refritos are a mashed or pureed version, also known as refried beans.
Flan - custard baked on top of a caramel mixture, then turned upside down for serving.
Frito Pie - an invention of the Woolworth’s store on Santa Fe Plaza. Fritos layered with any combination of chili (meat, beans in a tomato based sauce), cheese, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, guacamole, sour cream, salsa.
Green Chile Cheeseburger - yep, a burger with cheese, green chile, and whatever else the establishment thinks goes on a burger.
Guacamole - (wok a molay) a sauce and dip made with avocados. Generally includes some combination of salt, pepper, lime or lemon juice, garlic, onion, tomatoes, chile or jalapenos.
Horchata - a milky drink primarily made from rice, water, cinnamon, sugar, and sometimes dairy (whole milk, evaporated milk, or sweetened condensed milk).
Huevos Rancheros - eggs (usually fried) on tortillas, topped with chile sauce and cheese. Fried potatoes and frijoles are the usual sides.
Jalapeños - small, spicy variety of chili pepper. May be used sliced and raw, pickled, or candied (my favorite!).
Machaca - dry roasted beef, shredded and served in tacos, enchiladas, and burritos.
Menudo - tripe stew, usually served with lemon wedges and Mexican Oregano and tortillas on the side.
Natillas - rice pudding sprinkled with cinnamon. Also called Arroz Dulce.
Nopales - strips of prickly pear cactus.
Pico de Gallo - literally, “chicken scratch”. Made with chopped tomatoes, onions, chile or jalapenos.
Piñon - nuts from the Piñon tree.
Posole - hominy stew, often made with pork, served with red chile sauce and Mexican oregano and tortillas on the side.
Sopapilla - fried dough pocket, served with honey. Bite a hole in one corner and drizzle the honey inside, rotating to coat. Eat over a plate because the honey drips.
Tamale - ground corn paste (masa) wrapped around a filling, often shredded pork with red chile, wrapped in a corn husk and steamed. Usually served with red or green chile sauce and shredded cheese.
Resources
All restaurant options listed are within a 20-minute walk of the Clyde Hotel.
Coffee options
Dining out
- In the Clyde Hotel
- Artichoke Cafe, 11:00 am-9:00 pm (Mon-Thu), 11:00 am-10:00 pm (Fri), 5:00 pm-10:00 pm (Sat)
- Modern, upscale American eatery and art gallery. Reservations recommended.
- Canvas Artistry, 11:00 am-1:30 am (Fri-Sat), 11:00 am-10:00 pm (Thu, Sun)
- Restaurant, bar, coffee shop, tap room, live music, artists painting live - eclectic and lively.
- Debajo Tapas ABQ, 5:00 pm-9:00 pm (Tue-Thu), 5:00 pm-9:30 pm (Fri-Sat)
- Offering Spanish tapas in an industrial-style space with weathered woods and a brick-lined bar.
- Dog House Drive In, 10:30 am-9:00 pm (Mon-Sat)
- No-frills, old-school take-out spot known for unfussy burgers, chili cheese dogs, fries & shakes. Featured in “Better Call Saul”.
- DWTNR (Downtowner) Cocktail Bar & Lounge, 7:00 am-10:00 pm - Happy hour all day, Thu
- Great restaurant inside the Arrive hotel. The ambiance matches the hotel’s classy 70s vibe.
- Ex Novo, 11:30 am-10:00 pm
- Modern industrial, boho vibe serving inventive, upscale pub grub.
- Farina Pizzeria & Wine Bar, 11:00 am-9:00 pm (Mon-Sat)
- Creative pies served in rustic-chic digs.
- Grove Cafe & Market, 8:00 am-2:00 pm (Tue-Sun)
- Relaxed American eatery offering organic, locally grown ingredients for breakfast & lunch.
- La Finca Bowls, 11:00 am-3:00 pm (Mon-Fri)
- Mellow choice for health-conscious eats. Gluten-free and vegan options served in low-key digs with a patio.
- Le Troquet, 11:30 am-1:30 pm - 5:30 pm-9:00 pm (Wed-Sat), 11:30 am-1:30 pm - 5:30 pm-8:30 pm (Tue)
- Traditional French brasserie fare with seasonal dishes and white tablecloths in a cozy, rustic space.
- Library Bar & Grill, 9:00 pm-2:00 am (Wed, Fri, Sat)
- Note: If you plan to go here, we strongly suggest you check their website.
- Lulu Kitchen, 11:00 am-9:00 pm (Mon-Fri), 3:00 pm-9:00 pm (Sat)
- The best Chinese food in Albuquerque, NM.
- Monroe’s Restaurant, 10:00 am-8:00 pm (Mon-Sat), 10:00 am-9:00 pm (Sun)
- Relaxed mainstay for New Mexican favorites.
- Oni, 11:30 am-8:00 pm (Tue-Thu), 11:30 am-9:00 pm (Fri-Sat)
- Lauded eatery offering locally sourced Japanese-style noodles & snacks with a Southwestern twist.
- Range Cafe, 7:30 am-3:00 pm
- Vibrant spot for New Mexican-inspired diner eats.
- Slate Street Cafe, 9:00 am-2:00 pm - 4:30 pm-8:30 pm (Wed-Sat), 9:00 am-2:00 pm (Sun, Tue)
- Hip eatery with an urban vibe features comfort cuisine along with an upstairs wine loft.
- Stackers Burger Co., 11:00 am-9:00 pm (Sun-Wed), 11:00 am-9:30 pm (Thu), 11:00 am-10:00 pm (Fri-Sat)
- The best smash burgers in Albuquerque.
- Sushi Hana, 11:00 am-9:30 pm (Tue-Thu), 11:00 am-10:00 pm (Fri), 12:00 pm-9:00 pm (Sat-Sun)
- Contemporary Japanese spot with a wide range of nigiri, rolls, and sashimi, plus tempura and bento boxes.
- Tucanos Brazilian Grill 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm (Mon-Thu), 11:00 am – 11:00 pm (Fri-Sat), 11:00 am – 9:00 pm (Sun)
-
- Brazilian Grill with authentic churrasco, where skewers of perfectly grilled meats are brought directly to your table in continuous rotation.
- Vamos con Gloria, 11:00 am-8:00 pm (Mon, Thu, Fri)
- Takeout only New Mexican restaurant.