Monte Carlo Liquors & Steak House

I wanted to try out this Steakhouse long before the days that it ended up on the Food Network shows. It is probably the epitome of a hole in the wall Steakhouse. Excellent steaks, no fuss sides and a very friendly dining staff. You also can't bet the idea that the eclectic decor is authentic and not something fabricated for a chain restaurant. I tried the prime rib special but actually liked the wife's ribeye steak better!

We were so excited to go here for our first time. We have been wanting to go for years. It was so enjoyable. The atmosphere is awesome. Very rustic, dark, quaint, and so nostalgic. The service was great. We had the cutest and sweetest waitress. Her name was Faith. My husband and I shared a steak meal. The steak was cooked to perfection. Everything was wonderful. The salad was fresh, and in a wooden bowl, he had delicious housemade blue cheese dressing. Oh, how, we love those homemade fresh cut french fries. We want to go back again. The only letdown was the iced tea. We like fresh brewed iced tea and not one from the machine. The tea wasn't good at all.

Don't mistake the rating; I will be back to Monte Carlo Steakhouse. I just don't want you thinking it Ruth's Chris. It felt like "Roadhouse". To be on Route 66, right at the Rio Grande, this place HAS to have stories. I was there almost as soon as it opened and was glad to see March Madness on multiple screens. I can't imagine what it's like at night. Must be a fun place. If you have trouble seeing in dim light, maybe bring a friend or choose your seating carefully. PS: The bathrooms are not like the dining area; the restrooms are quite new, modern, and feature updated facilities. Nice touch.

I finally had a chance to see what all the hype was about at the Monte Carlo Steakhouse and overall I was not impressed, the Chicken I had was dry, the appetizer was mediocre, the salad was not fresh, the only thing I liked was the loaded baked potato. The waitress was friendly and provided good customer, unfortunately due to the satisfactory experience that I had , I will not be back.

Great Steak and Pork Chops!! If you are looking for good meat in Albuquerque, this is the place! Volume is huge, but your wallet damage is so little. I’m not Beef person, so I tried their Pork Chops, they gave me 2 good pieces with salad. Try the Onion Rings for your appetizer, everyone in my group still talk about how good they were!

We have been here before. It's always been good. Nothing like what people rave about. I really wanted to give it one more shotit was okay. Didn't meet expectations. My partner asked for medium rare for his ribeye and towards the middle it was definitely more well done. Everything was just okay. It was super expensive so I was hoping for better. I've given it 3 tries and we probably won't be back unfortunately

Used to enjoy the drive through liquors back in the dayz..cold 40's of Old E! Go eat and chill. Good food and service. Word

If you are familiar with the lore of the Monte Carlo steakhouse, you probably don't need my review. It's a hole in the wall locale, where you walk through the liquor store to get to the restaurant. Originally made popular for their burger, they have become very well known for their steaks. The atmosphere is what one should expect for such a hole in the wall location. They do not split checks and you should expect to wait 40 minutes during an average night. They do not take reservations. If you're expecting a black tie steakhouse, you're in the wrong place. Make no mistake, you're here for the food. All said, the food was delicious, the atmosphere was as expected and the owner spent some time chatting with us, which is always nice.

Arrived with coworker for early dinner (5 pm). No wait for a comfy booth. This place is a trip in the Time Machine back to the late 1960's/early 1970's. Don't come expecting five-star dining. Waxed cloth table cover and paper placemats on the tables. Walls covered in faded photos of Greek landmarks, local youth team sport sponsorships, Marilyn Monroe, taxidermy animal heads, promotional liquor/bar decor, bric-a-brac, and more. Feels like home. This is a comfortable place to get a reliable meal. My steak was flavorful and cooked to med-rare temperature. My coworker, who likes his steaks well-done, was pleased with the flavor and temperature (waitress suggested butterfly cut, and it was perfectly not dry). I added fried zucchini and cheesecake for dessert. The zucchini was hot and crispy. The cheesecake was chilled, creamy, mousse-like (not dense) and not overwhelmingly rich. Probably a no-bake recipe, but sometimes that is perfect after a steak. I've been here on work trips a couple years apart. Both meals were memorably comfortable. Next time I will skip the Greek Appetizer plate and start with zucchini and shrimp cocktail. I will also try the pork chop, because if they can get medium-rare and well-done right for the table, odds are that will be a proper pork chop. Hoping the next work trip isn't too far in the future. This place feels like and enduring reminder of local restauranteur who has committed to the community. And I LOVE that for Albuquerque!!

Growing up in Albuquerque, I always knew about the Monte Carlo. It's been there since I was a kid and we always knew that if you wanted a great steak without the big price, you went to the Monte Carlo. I ordered the green chile cheeseburger, which is also a staple food order there. The burger was nice and messy. Just like I remembered. The place hasn't changed since I last remember. The restaurant area still looks the same, but you can tell they've reupholstered the booths and chairs and changed out the carpet. Other than that, pretty much the way I remember and there is nothing wrong with that! Our server was great. Checked in on us multiple times and was quick to get us what we needed. Check it out

Everything I have there was very tasty. It's a little bit dark in there for me. There are a lot of cool things to look at on the walls. The servers were on point and very helpful. It's always pretty crowded. Get there early!

Good food! Very busy on a Tuesday night but service was good. They know what they are doing for sure.

Holy moly guacamole! I'm not going to beat around the bush. Go get a steak! Like, right now. I don't think over ever had a steak as heavenly as this one before. Normally, I like steak sauce and dip my beef in it. No sauce needed. The flavor explosion was phenomenal. And the French fries! So fresh upon delivery (the picture only has half the fries- I attacked first, then remembered the picture). Oh and our waitress was very awesome!

Old school working man's steakhouse. Prices were reasonable, portions generous and the meat was cooked to our requested medium rare.

This was my first time here. My husband has visited here once before me. He wanted me to try it out. A classy restaurant with a chill vibes atmosphere. Loved it! A place that is attached to a liquor store, who knew that this place existed. Parking wasn't too bad, although we visited during the day time. Not sure what the parking situation would be in the evening. The restaurant has a dark ambiance inside, so beware because your eyes will need to get used to it. Greeted by friendly staff members and seated right away. We got there right after lunch time so there wasn't a wait at all. Our waitress was so nice and patient with us. Trying to make decisions on what to order. The menu isn't as elaborate as most places but I knew this place was known for their steaks. Looking over the menu, we decided on sharing a Rib Eye steak and a loaded baked potato with bacon and cheddar. Started with fried zucchini. Had a side salad with ranch. The food was good. I love how rich the flavor of the steak was. Cooked to your liking as well. It was definitely a big meal for us. I couldn't eat a steak by myself. But the portion is pretty big. We'll be back again for sure. This place was good. Thank you.

Monte Carlo is an old school Albuquerque Restaurant that still serves up some of the best steaks. I mixed it up on this visit and tried their steak fingers. They were some of the best I've had. The meat was tender and the batter was light and crispy. Always get their homecut fries as an option :)

The best green chili cheeseburger in Albuquerque! The fries were crisp and delicious. Service was fast and friendly. My favorite place in Albuquerque.

Four of us had lunch here today for an 88th birthday. The ambience, as we discussed at lunch, was for some of us a throwback to the 70s and for the others throwback to the 50s. It was agreed that the 70s steak houses were already a throwback to the 40s & 50s. The ambience is delightful. My one suggestion is they could probably use some new carpet.. Two of us had the green chili cheeseburgers, I had mine with bacon. And the other two had the grilled ham and cheese with green chili. They all came with fries. The sandwiches were excellent. The quality of the meat and the green chili were perfect. The fries are hand-cut , freshly cooked hot and just a bit crispy on the outside... Which was perfect. Prices are very reasonable, especially for the quality we had. The service was excellent. Our waitress was friendly & attentive... We wanted for nothing. This restaurant is located behind a liquor store which fronts on the main street, Central Avenue. The entrance to the restaurant is on the side street. I have had dinner here several times and always enjoy the steaks with the loaded, baked potato. The other sides they offer, many deep-fried, are not something I go for here.

Wow, what an excellent experience! If you have not dined here and love an old school classic steakhouse, head on over! The ambiance is a true portal to the past and is absolutely amazing. The food is fantastic and they make your steak just as you order it. Service is spectacular. We had the pleasure of having Stephanie as our server and she was the BEST! Thank you for making my boyfriends 50th birthday dinner perfection!

I swear this steakhouse has been here since the dawn of time . . . yet I've never heard of it. My kids knew about it. A family birthday was planned here. My first introduction. Monte Carlos is right on Central Avenue on the west side of the Rio Grande Bridge. South side of the road. It sits back a little from the road and there is a package store in front of it . . . so no wonder I totally missed it. Never again. The Monte Carlo Steakhouse is one of those places you go when you want excitement and friendly service. It's crowded, noisy and very busy. (I guess it wasn't a secret to a lot of folks!) Our family "birthday boy" requested dinner here. It was rousing and exciting. We had to wait 45 minutes for a table of 5. This is definitely not the kind of place to go if you want a quiet, romantic dinner; but if you want to share your birthday with half of ABQ this definitely is near the top of the list. I especially was impressed with the customer service. They didn't miss a beat and did it with a smile. As of today there are 387 reviews . . . oh, my. 4.5 stars. I guess the .5 star folks were looking for "quiet and romantic". I swear, it is not that.

You will leave here full and smelling like cigarette smoke and food grease lol Private parking lot outside. It's actually close to the Bosque trail if you want to walk off the food after haha They have daily specials of different steaks! My ribeye was pretttttty fatty, but oh so flavorful and cooked how I like it. Definitely recommend checking this place out!

Finally got to the place Guy went on Triple D! I have wanted to go to this steakhouse for several years. Now Guy tried other dishes but he also featured the steaks and really wanted to eat a steak in the back of a liquor store! And this place is so nostalgic! Old half moon leather booths. NASCAR tin punch ads for long ago cars from the Winston cup series on the walls. Very dark inside. A small bar inside, guys waking thru with literal trays of fresh cut meat thru the dining room from the butcher shop to the grill area! It's amazing in here. And the steak did not disappoint. My Dr had me on a lower Protein diet right now so I got the 12oz ribeye instead of the 16 oz. I worried it would be thin and over cooked but it was a nice slightly thick med rare steak. The salad was nice and crisp, salad dressing was on point. Service was ok, they were running around busy but for some reason we kept having to snag our waitress to get drink refills. A dining companion had a burger and fries. And the burger was huge, cooked perfect and the hand cut home made fries were amazing! Make sure to include a stop at the Monte Carlo on a trip to Albuquerque. You won't be disappointed!

Lots of other tables started getting their food first when they sat down way after us and when the food came out my steak was rare when I asked for medium so we had to wait even longer for our food which wasn't that good especially for the price. Probably won't be back.

Talk about a hidden gem; this steak house is located in the same building as a liquor store and does not look like your average steak house! I enjoyed the food and the vibes here. This is the perfect place to take your family! It was packed, and we waited about an hour when we arrived. We killed time at a brewery nearby, so the wait wasn't an issue. I got the 1/2 Tender Ribeye ($25) which was juicy and delicious overall. I was super hungry, and it was cooked to perfection. For my side option, I ordered the fries, which were pretty mid, I wish I ordered the baked potato instead. Service here lacked a lot; we waited more than 30 minutes for our food and felt we needed to get the waitress's attention for the check or more water.

Went by Monte Carlo before PBR and it was so great to be back! I have fond of memories of my single visit there 20 years ago and was delighted to see the quality and service was still there. They don't take reservations and we unfortunately got there after a large party So it was kind of crowded at the entrance and my friend said he wished there had been more places to sit. I don't really understand why there were four empty booths and people waiting that were full parties but I'm sure they have a process. Besides that I was so happy that we went. He was delighted with his steak and the pork chops were lovely too. He enjoyed a drink while we waited for a table. I hope we make it an annual tradition.

Looking for a classic restaurant that is reminiscent of a genuine generation from the late forties? This place is it. Great service and great steaks served to perfection for a really reasonable place. Say goodbye to your bougie corporate blah blah blah... enter this "dive" and step back to place where you are treated like a local!

Just had a horrible with a waitress named STEPHANIE, very unprofessional. We have always had good food and great service....this women should not be serving the public with her sorry attitude. She gives a nostalgic place a bad orea, bad service feel like not going back after visiting this establishment for over 30 years. How embarrassing to the owners....where do I post a thumbs down for tonight Renee Casias

Been coming here for years and the food has always been great. Today my steak was so tough I couldn't chew it and my partners steak was cold. The waitress wasn't very attentive and we waited a long time. Doubt we will be back.

We ate here on a Saturday night. There was no wait, and the service was very good . You can tell this place has been around since the 70s but not in a bad way. It has a very cool vibe. We all had steaks, and they were OK. They had a great char but not really much flavor after that. It took awhile to get our food but the waitress kept us informed the whole way. I would probably go back again just for the vibe of the place

I have been here twice now. The first time me and wife got the porter house steaks and they were amazing. Also love the salad and baked potatoes. This place is a throwback and feels like a time travel when we were there. The steaks were fantastic. The second time we went we opted for the less expensive steak sandwiches. They were ok. However I don't feel they were what makes this place shine. I think next time we will opt for a nice juicy steak next time we come maybe a New York strip! The service was great staff is very and great service. We love this place and definitely will be returning soon!

Know ahead of time that they don't split checks... Which is absolutely ridiculous... Fries: soggy and unseasoned. Flavorless. 0/10 Bread: Burnt and dry Dry 0/10 Filet: Weird flavor and not cooked well. Mine was over-cooked. Many of my friend's steaks were severely under-cooked. 2/10 The people were nice, I have no complaints about the service (other than their split check policy), but I have to be honest and let people know that the food is not worth it. I hope that things improve eventually by the time I come back so I can change this review to something more positive.

This place provides a good cut of meat, that is prepared well, at a moderate price. It is also a liquor store. What more do you want?

I travel to ABQ quite often for business at Kirtland AFB. I usually have a nice dinner at the Monte Carlo Steakhouse while I'm there. They have a 14 oz prime rib special on Thursday that I usually plan for. Prime Rib, baked potato, salad, and Texas toast. Lots of horse radish to go with the prime rib. I found out about this place as it was on the "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives" TV show and it has not disappointed me. Great service, delicious food,I will continue to come eat here.

Definitely a staple of great steaks. The food was amazing., service was quick and efficient, and the ambience increased the flavor of all the food

We ate here tonight for early Father's Day dinner, service was great but that's all that was good, I ordered prime rib and it was the most fat I have ever been served, had to take it to go to feed our dogs, salad was wilted and looked like a bag salad from Walmart au jus had no flavor, wife had rib eye, good piece of meat just to bad they don't season it they offer a1 instead which seems shameful for $35 plates last time we got burgers, they were good but I doubt we will be returning after the poor meal served today, was way more expensive than dog food again, service was great, food not so much.

I had been told over and over how good the food was at this restaurant. I finally got my honey to go here. Took our server forever to take care of us. Eventho she kept passing by us. Restaurant was also very dark, and this was after coming in from the sun and eyes leveled out. We asked for no pink in our steaks, but because of the lighting, we couldn't tell, so we just ate. We ordered the Ribeye. And the steaks weren't that great, as I was dead to believe. Very disappointing visit. The prices were astronomical and the salad was belittled. Not by saying, but by size. I will NOT be visiting this restaurant anytime in the future. I gave it 2 stars, because the server came and we finally got our food. Maybe one star too many.

Glad I had the opportunity to try out Monte Carlo the old-school steakhouse in ABQ. Looking from the outside, you wouldn't really expect the place to be quite a good steakhouse. But...don't fret....the steak is good...so..ignore the outside of the restaurant and just go in and enjoy the food! I got a medium rare 14oz NY Boneless Strip steak (came with salad with your choice of dressing and potato/fries + toast). For a total of $20-$30 (depending on the meat you pick...you get a meal out of there! I got my salad with blue cheese dressing that was made in house along with baked potato. The food came out fast and the steak was good. I'm usually not a steak/meat person...but once in a long while, especially if I knew the restaurant was good/I'm in a mood for steak...I enjoy checking a neighborhood gem like Monte Carlo out). Overall, I liked it. I felt the meat was fresh, flavorful and I enjoyed treating myself something good once in a while...and the whole meal was a bit over $30 all including taxes + tips....so it was a decent meal for sure. The portion was a bit big for me..but hey..I had time to kill before my super delayed red eye flight's check in time, so Monte Carlo was a good place. I got a nice, full meal that will fill me up possibly for a day given my long travel flying time that was coming up. The only thing I didn't really like was more that the place tolerated foul words that customers at a bar was using. It made me cringe when I heard an f word out loud (I do swear too..but probably not publicly or so outloud like what I experienced)...while eating and people seemed fine with it. I just wished the dining experience was a bit more pleasant for me.

The food ! The prime rip was the Worst price of steak it was the worst that the MonteCarlo has ever cooked and served I wonder if they cut the cost on Beef and served Bull Meat after going several times I will no longer go there if you can't serve the best it always turns out so dam hard to eat so good bye I will never take any guests again to this restaurant!

Came here during Baloon Festival and man, was it crowded! Group of nine, so we were told it would be a 45 minute wait but we got seated in about 15 minutes. Excellent! Our server was attentive, took care of the group well. I got the half-pound rib eye. It was OK, but not spectacular. Came with a house salad which was, frankly, uninspired. Too much iceberg lettuce and a bottled italian dressing. Slice of Texas toast was OK but again, nothing with a wow factor. Overall, it was not a disappointment, but it was not a super steak house either.

Service was great! But my husband and I ordered a burger each. People had told us that was good. Nope. We had went before for steak and nope didn't care for it. So we said hey maybe the burger. Both times we were disappointed. Then I ordered a soda and it was flat. The lady was nice to get me a Dr Pepper. And that was flat so I just paid for it didn't drink it and I told her. Like I said the service was nice but both times the food has been below average.

12/2021: Neighborhood gem, older established restaurant, yet clean. Great attentive service & food. Restaurant was packed but got seating immediately; clean bathrooms. Rated 4 stars because the restaurant is dark for me. Appetizer was hot mozzarella sticks. Ordered grilled chicken that comes with either baked potato or fries, salad; & Monte Carlo Burger with green chile and cheese. All were delicious and filling. Happy eating!

I'm back in baby's arms, How I miss those loving arms, I'm back where I belong, Back in time with..Monte Carlo Steakhouse...old school, Perhaps the best steak in these parts and beyond...We shared a perfectly charred and exquisitely melt in your mouth Rare-Med. Rare 14 oz Boneless Ribeye Steak. Our salad with blue cheese dressing and side of fries complemented our fine fare...washed down with a Red and Red Stripe. Our tummies told us to come back soon..:) How do we feel after dining here...you ask?? "We are the champions, my friends And we'll keep on fighting 'til the end We are the champions, We are the champions. No time for losers 'Cause we are the champions of this world"..:) Best, Avram Mercury Jr.

Excellent steaks in a very cool atmosphere. This is one of those jewels a bit lost in time but you will not forget the great food. Our server was Danielle who was fun and took great care of us all evening. It's a locals place and they know a great steak. Prices are very good and a great value for the meal. Make sure not to miss out when in Albuquerque

A big steak with a loaded baked potato in a windowless, carpeted place that feels like a bar? Feels like home, and also feels very late at night even when I'm sober and it's before 8pm.

Green chile cheeseburgers of renown and their ribeyes with green chile are very good. Great service in a fantastic Greek-run spot. A classic: a few years ago a friend and I were having lunch at the Monte and looked around wondering, "Where are all the old lawyers who used to be here at lunch all the time?" Then we realized . . . they were now _US_! There aren't many places that stand the test of time that well - the Monte Carlo Steak House isn't always what I want, but I'm so very happy that it's still there when I feel like sliding into a dark vinyl booth at lunchtime.

Best steaks in town and the best tasting ranch salad dressing in town Service has always been great when I have gone in to eat .Bar type atmosphere

Great place for a great steak. Fun, family owned business, good prices, good service. Even the baked potatoes are to die for! You can't go wrong.

Honestly, given the history and high praise of this place I have to admit my disappointment. The venue is classic old and quirky as described. The service was very friendly and pretty efficient. The prices are ok - higher than the menu pictured online but that is pretty common. The disappointment came in 2 ways: (1) they are not super friendly for groups (there were 8 of us) - and they won't split a check or even allow multiple credit card payments. One payment per table, no exception. (2) they food was ok - my steak, ordered medium was medium well and just warm. Another diner in my group got a steak that was barely warm. The rest of the group thought the food was "good". Definitely nothing to rave about. I've had better food for the same or better prices. The best part of dining here was being with a great group of folks who did not complain about anything - even the billing aspect.

We love this restaurant!! They have the best chili cheese burgers in Albuquerque. We prefer the prime rib special served Thursday, Friday and Saturday but be there by 5pm. They sellout quickly.

I Took my uncle to have the prime rib special for his 80th birthday along with my 88-year-old mother (his sister). We got there early at 5 pm to reserve a table for 5. we ordered a combo appetizer zucchini and mushrooms. zucchini was overcooked burnt, and the mushrooms undercooked. Very greasy. we ate it and were looking forward to a great steak or prime rib. We ordered 5 prime ribs meals. 2 end cuts and 3 mediums. 4 out of 5 were cold. We sent it back and came back cold, even the end cut was cold. that is not the worst part. Our plates were filled with so much cold au juice even though there was a cup of au juice on the plate. So much au juice the poor server spilled it on the floor, and the table, and slopped the juice onto our table. The server was great, attentive the food was awful I asked for the manager, but the manager never came to our table. The server offered apple pie and ice cream which I was not inclined to accept but my uncle and mom accepted the pies. I expected a full refund or partial refund, but the manager did not come to our table. Since it was my uncle's birthday dinner, I did not want to make an issue. I have called since Thursday, March 7th at least 10 to 20 times and no one has answered the phone to field my complaint no ability to leave a message. March 7th 2024 530pm

The quality of the food is not what it used to be to be. Prime rib it either fatty and not much meat or over cooked.

Not sure why everyone raves about this place. Went for lunch with wife. Place was awfully dark. Both got steak. The salad looked old and tasted bland, served in some dirty bamboo or wooden bowl. Steak was comparable to Applebees. My wife needed to uses A1 steak sauce. We won't be returning.

Last time we ate there it was very expansive. We had to return our steaks. They had so much grease and no meat. We were still very disappointed Also we didn't feel comfortable eating in a dark restaurant. Brighten the lights and a brighter paint on the walls.

This is a really solid steak house if you like the old school vibe! Tucked away behind a behind a convenience store...this place looks like it was out in a time machine back to the 70's...but in a good way! Nothing fancy here...salad, steak and potato with some other option as well...reasonably priced...a must visit while in ABQ.

Just a quick update - Three of us went here on a spur of the moment whim, and it was a Friday night. Going West on Central Ave, you have to go past Monte Carlo and then double back on one of the back streets. As they take no reservations, we were happy that we apparently came at the right time (around 6:00 PM) and were seated immediately. We all ordered different steaks (of course) and I ordered a filet, as I always order something different. The food arrived and it was excellent. My steak was cooked perfectly, and we wanted for nothing. Our waitress was extremely professional and thoughtful, we didn't have to ask for anything - it was there already. The upshot here is that the quality of the food was very good and we were all very happy with our meals. A very "homey" atmosphere prevails which is always very appreciated. On the way out I thanked the cooks for their great cook on our steaks and all three of them were very appreciative! Another great meal at the Monte Carlo! If you haven't been, you're missing out.

love it ! classic dive bar - i always get the green chile cheeseburger with fries greasy and great !!' I had the chicken fried steak once and it was just ok It's really about the atmosphere in my opinion

I love this place! The steaks are delicious. The service is excellent! And the price is reasonable. Even the funky, old school atmosphere appeals to me. They also make an amazing burger here and a kick a$$ martini.