Albuquerque

Campo at Los Poblanos, Albuquerque, 3/29/25

~ hsnixon ~ 2 Comments
building – 4803 Rio Grande Blvd NW, Los Ranchos De Albuquerque, NM 87107

Campo is the restaurant at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm.  Los Poblanos was designed by John Gaw Meem, the “Father of Santa Fe Style” in 1932 and now has 45 guest rooms, a working organic farm and special event spaces on 25 acres of property.  Set in the Rio Grande River Valley it has acres of lavender fields as well as gardens that supply herbs and vegetables to the restaurant . Head Chef Christopher Bethoney, a native New Mexican, has been there since the restaurant opened in 2017 and was a semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation’s 2024 Best Chef in the Southwest.  The family-run property calls itself “field-to-fork” in the creation of their menus.  There are animals on the property but only the eggs from the chickens are used here and other local farms and herdsmen supply the additional products.  Campo serves breakfast (Mon-Wed), brunch (Thurs – Sun),  and dinner (daily 5-9) with the Chef’s Table (Fri – Sat) which was covered in a post you can find HERE.  It’s a lovely property with a large casual dining space.  If you read the write up on the Chef’s Counter you know I endorsed it but the main restaurant is also worth visiting, so make a plan to visit both when you go to Albuquerque. Continue reading →

Duran Central Pharmacy, Albuquerque, 3/29/25

~ hsnixon ~ 2 Comments
exterior – 1815 Central Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104

Duran’s Central Pharmacy founded in 1942 is on historic Rt. 66.  The family-owned and operated store has everything from drugs to gifts to a New Mexican Diner.  The soda fountain in the place was converted into a diner in the late 1960s and is famous for its red and green chile as well as its many house-made items.  Very popular, we lined up with many on Sat. morning to get the first round of seats at the small restaurant within the pharmacy.  It looked like they also had a patio for outdoor seating.  A tile floor, lower lighting, metal tables and no music set the atmosphere.  There are low stools at the counter if you choose not to sit at a table.  It felt like a place you’d eat regularly if you lived in town.  You should go by and grab a plate of New Mexican food when you’re in town. Continue reading →

Barelas Coffee House, Albuquerque, 3/28/25

~ hsnixon ~ 3 Comments
exterior – 1502 4th St SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102

Barelas Coffee House is in the Barelas neighborhood which Route 66 passes through.  It has been serving New Mexican food for 40+ years, starting in 1978 in a somewhat run-down part of town.  Revitalization has since changed that and now the guests include people like Presidents Clinton and Obama to governors and other notables.  It’s a large winding place(as it’s been added onto) with a very small parking lot.  Street parking is available but a sign on the door cautions you about using a fast food’s parking lot across the street where you’ll be towed.  Having incorporated some adjacent buildings they were able to open a central patio for additional seating.  As you enter you pass the check-out window piled with more snacks and candies and wait at the sign to be seated.  From there you’re quickly seated and your order taken.  They only serve breakfast and lunch, with most dishes created from family recipes of the Gonzales (owner) family.  Mike Gonzales with his brother opened the place while studying at UNM, on the advice of his father who owned a nearby grocery store.   Some of the rooms looked like they hadn’t been modernized but it all adds to the ambiance.  Light green walls with lots of plants in our ‘sunroom’ and no music in the background.  Service was friendly and super efficient and the food was solid versions of New Mexico specialties.  Visit and enjoy some history. Continue reading →