John S.
Yelp
If you are visiting from out-of-state, do yourself a favor. Skip El Pinto and Sadies, and visit here for real deal New Mexican food. Red, red, red chile. If you love red chile, then this should be your joint. Thick, just hot enough to have a bite, but not over the top. I truly believe this was the best red chile I've ever tasted, and I cook it at home. This restaurant is in a very unassuming location on 4th Street. The location just adds to the total "New Mexico" experience. This is NOT a Mexican restaurant. It is a NEW Mexican restaurant and a James Beard award winning New Mexican restaurant at that! There is a huge difference between Mexican and New Mexican food, but I digress.
Visited here with a co-worker on Friday, March 2, 2022. We were both virgins to this restaurant, but I'd heard many good things about this place from Yelp and word of mouth. The parking is a bit limited, and every space had been taken behind the restaurant (a good sign). We parked on the street close by. The inside looked pack, so we put our name on the waiting list. We waited outside and ten minutes later they called us in.
The atmosphere appeared quaint with photos, and awards on the walls and tablecloths on the tables and booths. Our friendly waiter took our order within two minutes. I knew to try the red chile (for sure) and either the stuffed sopapilla with carne adovada or the chile rellenos. I opted for the two chile rellenos. They came with rice and beans on the side and smothered in that thick, spicy, meatless (upon request) red chile. Our food came out promptly. The rellenos were crispy on the outside, with nicely melted, white cheese on the inside. Red chile stole the show, with that wonderful bite and thick sauce that lingered on my tongue. The waiter asked if we liked our meals and my friend responded, "That's the best red chile I've ever had." He ordered the bean and chiccharone burrito smothered in Christmas (half red/half green). The plate sizes are perfect, not too big that you have to leave with some, but not so small that you don't feel full.
Unfortunately, Mary and Tito are no longer with us, but their daughter, Antoinette, is cooking the same recipes they did. This is a family run business and always has been. They offer great New Mexican cuisine for very reasonable prices. For our two plates, we paid $19.15, which I considered cheap for such excellent food. Every single tourist should visit this place and if you live in New Mexico and haven't been here yet, shame on you. You are missing the best offering of our local cuisine.