Restaurant Reviews
A late night bite at Federico's
By: Brian Sadel
February 13, 2024
Me and my girlfriend were on our way home from a local metal show and we were absolutely starving. It was late and we just wanted to grab a quick bite, but not many places stay open that late, and the one's that are open are usually super busy that time of night. So we decided to stop at the first place that we saw, which was Federico's.
We had been there before, and were already familiar with the menu. I knew instantly what we were going to order, and I ordered for both of us with confidence. I ordered a carne asada burrito, and a bean and cheese burrito, 2 chicken tacos and a large sweet tea.
The drive thru was pretty busy, but the service was amazing. The employees were polite and kept the line of cars moving quickly. They had our food ready as soon as we got to the window, so we paid for our order and we raced home to dig in.
The red salsa is literally flaming hot. I put some of that on my carne asada burrito and I thought I was about to explode. I had steam coming out my ears; the inside of my ears were actually sweating, that's how bad it was.
My girlfriend was in love with her bean and cheese burrito, she devoured the whole thing in just a few minutes. I don't know who enjoyed their food more, me or her. But, having there before, we expected nothing less.
The carne asada burrito had a great bite, tender steak, seasoned well. I could really taste the fresh cilantro, even with all of the heat. The taste was amazing! The chicken tacos were fresh and they definitely didn't skimp on the meat.
Federico's gives generous portion sizes, and their food is priced just right. All of that food was only $24. Not a bad deal for some late night munchies. I give these guys 5 out of 5 stars ✨✨✨✨✨
Supporting our troops one burrito at a time
By: Brian Sadel
April 16, 2023
People always ask me if I've ever had a Blake's or Twisters breakfast burrito and I always respond with "sure, but have you tried a burrito from Stripes?" That place has the best carne adovada breakfast burrito I have ever had.
The tortilla is soft and fluffy, the eggs are scrambled, and the cheddar cheese is of course melted. It comes with carne adovada (pork), and red Chile with a little spicy but not overpowering. The pork is seasoned to perfection. Me and my girlfriend also like to add beans to it. I love how the whole pinto beans are cooked al dente; they add a nice bite.
Though the burrito was a meal in itself, I couldn't resist the opportunity to try their street tacos too. An order of street tacos comes with 3 of them. My girlfriend and I ordered the barbacoa tacos and decided to share them. They are served on two fluffy corn tortillas, you heard me right, fluffy corn tortillas! It was a very unique experience, but hey these seemed more authentic than any other street tacos that I have ever had. They are topped off with lettuce, Pico de Gallo, crema fresca and your choice of homemade salsa or homemade Tomatilla sauce. Guys these tacos hit the spot perfectly. They go great with anything else on the menu or as a snack by themselves.
Finally I had to try their famous buttermilk fried chicken sandwich. It was great! The chicken had a good bite, it was fresh out the fryer so it had that crunch for your lunch. One thing about the buttermilk fried chicken sandwich is it is so spicy, almost overpowering, but I definitely enjoyed the challenge. I did sweat my way through it though.
Stripes food is really good quality, and it makes you wonder how they are able to keep their prices so low. They are far superior to Blake's and Twisters in my opinion, and while some of their locations are lacking dine in options, most of them are open for drive thru and take out specifically.
We love this place!! I am giving this dining experience a perfect rating of 5 stars. Stripes Burrito Comapny did not disappoint. Take note Blake's and Twisters, there's a new Burrito Badboy in town.
Subs that save the day!
By: Brian Sadel
April 2, 2023
Have you ever wanted to get a kick ass sandwich and help your community do some good at the same time? You are probably wondering, "where can I go be a superhero and stuff my face at the same time?" You guessed it folks, the place is Firehouse Subs.
Each year each firehouse subs gives a charitable donation to local firehouses. A portion of your purchase at all US Firehouse Subs locations goes to the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, to be used to provide lifesaving equipment to first responders. Since the Foundation started, it has granted over $75 million to provide equipment, training, and support to hometown heroes.
Firehouse Subs was an obvious choice since mine and my girlfriend's fathers were both firefighters. We were looking for a place to get a really good steak and cheese sub, and making a difference for first responders was an added bonus.
When we walked in the door and saw all the fresh ingredients, we just knew that we came to the right place.
We both got the same thing a medium firehouse steak and cheese sub with chips, drinks and a brownie. The bread was soft and toasted to perfection, the provolone has a smooth texture and smoky flavor, the carmelized onions and bell peppers were sweet, succulent, and savory. There was a balanced amount of mustard and mayo, which it made creamy and tangy. I was sad to not see lettuce and tomato on the house made version of this sandwich, but that doesn't mean that I can't order it that way in the future.
The chips were, well they were just chips. The tea/sweet tea, because we half and half it, was very fresh and it paired well with the freshthe lemon wedges that were available.. All in all we give this place 4.75 out of 5. I really don't give too many places a perfect score but this one came close.
Grazing at Grassburger
By: Lori Ledesma
February 6, 2023
Grassburger is a cozy little burger joint at the corner of Montgomery Blvd NE and Juan Tabo Blvd that is dedicated to leaving a small footprint and making a big impact in the food service industry. They have been serving up burgers and fries in recycled and biodegradable packaging at this location since 2016, and the oil used in their friers is collected & converted to power vehicles.
I have been wanting to stop in for a bite, for a while, and last Friday I finally made the time to enjoy a hamburger, the American fast-food staple. My husband and I visited in the early evening, and it wasn't very busy yet, we were even able to find front row parking. We had arrived before the dinner rush, which had begun shortly after we started to dig in.
There was a short line at the counter when we entered the restaurant, but it moved quickly. We browsed the menu board behind the counter, and then placed our order. I ordered a bacon burger with lettuce, and a side of sweet potato fries, and my husband ordered a Mushroom Swiss burger with a side of sweet potato fries as well.
They also serve wine and a variety of local beers, as well as shakes and fountain drinks at this location. I ordered a beer produced by the local brewery, Ex Novo, it was a Mexican-Style Lager, called The Most Interesting Lager In The World, and my husband ordered the same.
We went to the dining room and sat down in a booth not far from the counter. I looked around and noticed an entire wall full of awards for Best in City, and top 5 burger restaurants in Albuquerque. On another wall I noticed Grassburger merchandise for sale. T shirts, sweatshirts, hats and baseball caps were on display and available to purchase.
We sipped our beer as we waited for our food, and it arrived at our table within a few short minutes. It looked appetizing, but I am a fussy eater, and I wasn't really sure what to expect. For starters, I usually order my burgers medium to medium rare, and they only serve theirs well to medium well. Next the bun was gluten free, and I was expecting it to be gritty and dry.
I was pleasantly surprised after taking a bite, the bun was soft, warm, and tasty, and the burger was moist and flavorful, though I still would have preferred to have it cooked medium rare. The lettuce was fresh, and the bacon was crispy, just the way I like it. The size of the burger was perfect, just enough to fill me up, without making me feel tired and sluggish.
Due to dietary restrictions, I could not order regular potato fries, so I ordered sweet potato fries for the first time ever. Having never tried them before, I didn't know if I would like them, but I did. They were crispy, and sweeter than regular fries, not to mention that they are also healthier.
Grassburger uses 100% grass fed beef, raised sustainably and humanely. Grass fed beef is healthier than other beef because it a rich source of Omega 3, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, B12, Zinc, Iron & Beta Carotene. Their beef is also free of GMOs and antibiotics. They have a 4 out 5-star rating on Yelp, but I would rate them 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Click here to see their vegan and allergen free options.
WisePies serves the community in more ways than one
By: Lori Ledesma
December 20, 2022
Since 2014, WisePies Pizza & Salad has been serving up some of the highest quality pizza in town, with a commitment to providing healthier meal options to local pizza lovers. They opened their first location at 4545 Alameda Blvd NE, with a WiseGuys theme and a build your own pizza counter, with a large variety of pizza toppings not typically offered by other pizza chains.
Since then, WisePies has grown to become a large-scale food distributer known as WiseChoice Foods, offering a "smarter way to pizza" in nearly 1000 grocery stores nationwide. WiseChoice foods is dedicated to providing quality foods, free of artificial preservatives, and other unacceptable ingredients for food. They are a company that values providing healthy products and making a positive impact on the communities that they serve.
Now WisePies Pizza is cooking up hope for the Make-a-Wish Foundation, with their new Cinnamon Apple Drizzle Dessert Pizzas, known as Wish Pies. The Pies were created to help fund more life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses and they are sold exclusively at Walmart stores across the country. They are only available for a limited time, and there is no better time for a sweet treat than a holiday get-together.
WiseChoice foods supports local and national charitable organizations, that provide food, clothing, shelter, and other essentials to youth and families, through their WiseInitiatives organization. They also sponsor an annual Pizza 5K, and 10K Run, as well as a 1 Mile Fun Run or Walk to benefit the Make-a-Wish Foundation of New Mexico. Their next Pizza Run will be held on June 4. 2023, and all participants will receive a hot pizza, t-shirt or tank top, running bib, route guide and prizes for top times.
On a recent trip to Costco, I noticed a package of WisePies Pizza in the frozen food section, that is a New Mexico staple. It was a 2 pack of Hatch Green Chile Pepperoni Pizzas, and I just had to try it. After getting the groceries put away, I decided to preheat the oven, so I could pop it in and enjoy a quick meal. It was only in the oven for about 5 minutes when the smell of Hatch Green Chile began to fill the air. I thought to myself, how can a frozen pizza possibly compare to one picked up fresh from the restaurant. I was about to find out.
It sure looked and smelled good; the anticipation was building. I grabbed a slice and went in for my first bite and was pleasantly surprised. The crust was thin and crispy, there was just the right amount of cheese. sauce, and pepperoni, and there was enough green chile for my liking, but my husband would've liked more. For a frozen pizza, it wasn't bad. I'd even go as far to say that it was much better than most frozen pizzas on the market. I will definitely purchase WisePies from the frozen food section again, and maybe even try one of their other varieties.
Ordering at a restaurant allows you the opportunity to request more toppings, less toppings or completely different toppings, but unfortunately that is no longer an option because the restaurant is now permanently closed. The good news is that WisePies are available in Walmart, Albertson's, Safeway and other grocery stores nationwide. Enter your zip code to find a location near you.
If you haven't made Thanksgiving plans yet, here's a few ideas
By: Lori Ledesma
November 23, 2022
If you still haven't made any plans for Thanksgiving, we've got you covered. It's already too late to pre-order a Thanksgiving dinner with all of the fixings from the supermarkets, and many local restaurants are either closed or requiring that reservations be made in advance. Luckily, we have learned that there are a few places where you can order a Thanksgiving meal to go, as well as a few places that are seating people first come first served.
Lindy's Diner in downtown Albuquerque will be serving free Thanksgiving meals complete with a dessert and beverage, tomorrow from 10 AM until 2 PM. The small diner has been serving free holiday meals for the homeless for years, but they soon discovered that there is also a need for singles, and others who are without a place to go. Lindy's is now welcoming all members of the community to come in and enjoy the holiday with them.
Bucca di Beppo is also serving Thanksgiving meals, but unfortunately, they are booked solid for dine-in. It's not too late to place your order online, and you can pick it up curbside tomorrow, so everything can be served fresh when you are ready to eat. The meal includes sliced white meat turkey, homestyle gravy, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, spicy Italian sausage stuffing, seasonal vegetables, cranberry sauce, fresh bread and butter, and a pumpkin pie.
Golden Corral will be serving a traditional Thanksgiving meal from 10 AM to 7 PM. They are currently not offering take-out, but dining in is a great way to enjoy your feast, without having to clean up and wash dishes once you are done. You can choose from turkey, ham, roast, and more for your main course, as well as a wide variety of sides and desserts. It's buffet style, so you can enjoy seconds, and even thirds, if you'd like.
Black Angus Steakhouse is offering take-out and curbside orders placed either online or by phone, but they are no longer taking reservations. If you would like to dine in, walk-ins are available, but expect to wait a while to be seated. The Black Angus Turkey Feast to-go can feed up to 12 people, and it comes with turkey, sage dressing, homestyle mashed potatoes, gravy, broccoli with garlic butter, roasted sweet potatoes, fresh cranberry sauce, and a pumpkin pie topped with whipped cream.
Seasons 52 is still taking reservations for dine-in, but if you don't mind eating at the bar, feel free to just walk in. They are serving Thanksgiving meals that you can order online, but they are offering individual plates, as opposed to multiple serving, meal packages. Each plate comes with roasted turkey and gravy, Yukon mashed potatoes, brioche and sage stuffing, green beans, mashed butternut squash, house-made cranberry relish, and a pumpkin pie mini-indulgence. Children's plates are also available.
If you still have no plans for the holiday, try checking out some of these restaurants, and have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.
A taste of Chicago
By: Lori Ledesma
November 3, 2022
If you live in Albuquerque and are in the mood for a taste of Chicago, there's no need for travel, you can enjoy a Chicago style pizza at the locally owned Chicago Pizza Kitchen, located at 4300 Eubank Blvd NE. The restaurant was founded by two disabled Army Veterans committed to providing great food at an affordable price, shortly before the start of the pandemic, and they have since opened up a second location at 5305 Gibson Blvd SE.
I have ordered take out from this restaurant several times in the past, but this time I decided to dine in for a change. I arrived early in the day, in an effort to avoid the lunch rush, and I was able to place my order quickly. The young man behind the counter was super friendly, and we exchanged small talk while I waited for my order to be prepared.
In the dining room are 2 large medieval suits of armor, as well as several smaller ones, and the walls are adorned with medieval decor, and pictures of Chicago. There is also a special booth at the front of the dining room dedicated to the memory of veterans of all branches of the military. I sat down in the next booth, below a picture of Wrigley Field, and waited for my order.
Within minutes my pizza was ready and served piping hot. I usually order the thin crust pizza, but this time I ordered a deep-dish pie, with garlic, basil, pepperoni, and extra cheese. It looked and smelled delicious, with fresh basil leaves, and minced fresh garlic spread generously over the sea of fresh tomato sauce that blanketed the cheese.
I reached for the first piece, and my mouth was watering as I watched the cheese stretch leaving small strings of cheese dangling from my slice. I carefully placed it on my plate, making sure not to lose even a crumb of the toppings. This is not the kind of pizza that you can eat with your hands, unless of course you eat it cold. You definitely need to use a fork and a knife.
I cut off the tip of my slice and then took my first bite, and I was in heaven, though I've never been to Chicago before, I know how a Chicago pizza should taste. The dough is made fresh daily, and you can taste the freshness of all of the ingredients. The warm gooey cheese, and the oodles of crushed tomatoes and toppings, along with the crispy dough, provided a great variety of flavors and textures.
When I got closer to the crust, I was able to use my hands to devour the last remaining bites. While some people choose to eat the center of the pie, and leave the crust behind, I found the crust to be equally as good as the contents; it not only holds the ingredients together, but it is the most crucial ingredient.
Chicago Pizza Kitchen is open 7 days a week, and they offer dine-in, drive-through, and contactless delivery. Because of the quick and friendly service, the atmosphere, the quality and the presentation of the food, I give them 4.75 out of 5 stars. Pay them a visit and tell them you read about them here, at Positively Albuquerque.
Chowing Down at Fogo de Chao Brazilian steakhouse
By: Lori Ledesma
September 20, 2022
For me, a meal is not complete without at least one slice of meat on my plate. It's no secret that I am a carnivore, and the meat is always the main attraction of my meal. At Fogo de Chao Brazilian steakhouse guests can enjoy a variety of fire roasted meats, served tableside on large skewers, never having to choose just one. It's a meat lover's paradise!
The restaurant opened in August 2021, in the Coronado Mall, and I've been wanting to check it out for a long time. Last week, I finally had an opportunity to stop in for lunch with my husband. The first thing that I noticed when I walked in the door was their huge salad bar, full of all kinds of colorful seasonal fruits and vegetables.
We arrived early in the day, just before the lunch rush, and were greeted and seated immediately. We looked over the menu and decided on the Churrasco Experience, which allowed us to sample every cut of meat on the menu, from Spicy Pork Sausage and Pork Ribs to Prime Top Sirloin and Filet Mignon Tenderloin, as well as Lamb Chops and Chicken.
We placed our order, and then made our way over to the Feijoada Bar (Salad Bar), to select our sides, and to get a closer look at the tantalizing cornucopia of color. The Feijoada Bar included a large selection of salad fixings, exotic fruits, a variety of imported cheeses, smoked salmon, cured meats, seasonal soups, and the (traditional black bean stew with sausage.
While my husband loaded up his plate with cold cuts, cheese, and smoked salmon, I was filling up mine with leafy greens, and fresh fruit. Dragon fruit is a treat for me, since it is rarely available at the market, so I helped myself to a generous portion.
By the time we returned to the table, our waitress had returned with our drinks, as well as a plate of bread, and fried bananas. We sat down, and turned our drink coasters over, so the green side was faced up, signaling that we were ready to start sampling some choice cuts of meat. Within only minutes I had to turn my coaster back over, because I couldn't keep up with the continuous flow of meat being served, only turning it back to green when something that I wanted was making its way through the dining room.
My greens were fresh and tasty, and lightly drizzled with an oil and vinegarette dressing. The fruit too was fresh and flavorful, but really, who goes to a steakhouse to eat salad? I'm all about the meat, beef, chicken, pork, and even meat wrapped in other meat, that's my kind of meal! Of the multitude of meats that I sampled, there was not one that I did not like, each were seasoned and cooked to perfection.
Wait staff dressed in black gauchos, served up more meat than you can shake a stick at, while chefs also dressed in black gauchos butchered, carved and prepared cuts of meat behind the peninsula churrasco grill at the center of the dining room. Guests get a 360-degree view of meat being slowly roasted over the flames of the fire pit, adding an authentic atmosphere, to an already authentic dining experience.
I enjoyed my visit to Fogo de Chau very much, and I plan to return in the near future, but I am planning on going later in the day. With its many windows, it seems like the kind of place where to atmosphere would be much better in the evening, free from outside light, giving guests a better view of the fire pit. Not to mention, you need an entire day to work up an appetite large enough to sample everything. I give this restaurant a 4-star rating. The food quality was excellent, but it was also pricey.
Scarfin it up at Scarpa's
By: Brian Sadel July 27, 2022
Hey everyone! I've been out and about again, making stops at some of the finest restaurants in town, and today I decided to check out Scarpa's Brick Oven Pizza. Scarpa's is a small Italian restaurant, backed with a great reputation, and after hearing so much about the place, I just had to pay them a visit.
My girlfriend and I stopped by in the late afternoon for a dinner date, avoiding the evening dinner rush. For starters we ordered the Insalata Al Arancia which had shredded radicchio and romaine tossed with honeyed marinated oranges and balsamic vinaigrette, caramelized walnuts and gorgonzola cheese. This salad was the best salad I've had in a long time, and I eat a lot of salads. It had the perfect balance between bitter and sweet. The bitterness of the romaine and vinaigrette were sweetened by the caramelized walnuts and honey marinated oranges. We only ordered the half salad, and it was big enough for both of us to enjoy as an appetizer.
Scarpa's Brick Oven Pizza is known mostly for their personalized and personal sized brick oven pizzas, but they also serve a variety of pastas, soups, salads, beers, and wines. They offer a variety of vegetarian meal options, and gluten free crust is also available. I ordered the Wild Mushroom pizza, and my girlfriend ordered the Shrimp Scampi Pizza, and they were delivered to our table just as we were finishing the salad. The timing was perfect.
The Wild Mushroom pizza is described as an olive oil-based pizza featuring a forest blend of wild mushrooms with fresh thyme topped with creamy fontina cheese and a drizzle of truffle oil. I realized after ordering, that pancetta bacon can be added at no extra charge, so I will have to keep that in mind for next time. My pizza was not bad, but it seemed to be lacking something, the pancetta bacon probably would have added the flair that this pizza needed. The pizza was still good, but I will definitely add the pancetta bacon in the future.
The Shrimp Scampi Pizza, that my girlfriend ordered, had roasted garlic cream sauce, sun-dried tomatoes & fresh scallions with scampi shrimp. This pizza was amazing and if I'm not mistaken, my girlfriend did add pancetta bacon which just made the pizza out of this world. The sauce was boss, and the shrimp and the bacon were scrumptious!! I give this pizza 2 thumbs up and a 5 out of 5 stars.
Our next course was a pasta dish, it was a classic Italian staple, with a southwestern twist, Green Chile Chicken Fettucine Alfredo. It was delicious with the right amount of spice to boot. This plate had it all. Perfectly grilled chicken, al dente pasta, and a creamy Alfredo sauce.
We wanted tiramisu for dessert, and we were sad to learn that it is not on the menu. We were determined to smash something sweet, so we decided to get the TORTA DI MELE. This is Scarpa's specialty dessert, and it is large enough for two or maybe even three people, but unfortunately it is also their only dessert. It is a warm puff pastry apple tart baked in a wood burning oven and served with Java Chip ice cream sprinkled with cinnamon, dark chocolate shavings, caramel sauce & whipped cream. This thing was amazing, and huge! I could really taste the coffee in the ice cream. and itt reminded me of apple pie a la mode
All in all, this was a great dining experience, and I am very likely to visit again. Our server was wonderful, the restaurant was clean, the food was delicious, and reasonably priced. I give this local favorite 5 out of 5 stars. Go and check them out!
An after dinner treat at Le Bistro Vietnamese Restaurant
By: Brian Sadel May 28, 2022
Last week, my girlfriend and I decided to pay a visit to one of our favorite boba tea places in town, which also happens to be one of Albuquerque's premier locations for Vietnamese cuisine. Le Bistro Vietnamese Restaurant is a regular stop for us, whenever we are in the mood for some great Vietnamese food.
Words cannot express how impressed I am with the owner Mindy. She is a one-woman army. While she does have people working in the kitchen, she takes care of serving each and every customer. Usually there is a short wait time for service, which is understandable, and not uncommon for most restaurants today, but the food is definitely worth the wait.
We usually order a traditional Vietnamese entree; one of my favorite dishes that they serve is pho, with or without meat. We usually stop by for dinner, but this visit was all about the dessert. We were short on time, and in the mood for something sweet.
We ordered boba smoothies and the Hot Honey cake. I have been working my way through the entire boba menu and on this visit, I tried the Taro boba smoothie. My girlfriend ordered the Lychee boba smoothie, and we shared our smoothies with each other, experiencing the best of both worlds.
The Taro smoothie was a milky purple color, and sweet with a hint of vanilla. Taro is a root that grows in tropical and subtropical regions of South Asia, East Asia, and Southeast Asia. It was something that I have never tried before, and I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was a nice break from the ordinary, that took my tastebuds on a flavor adventure. The smoothness of the taro, sugar and cream, mixed with the tapioca based boba pearls gave it an interesting, bit inconsistent texture.
Then I tried the Lychee, which was a creamy peach color, and also very delicious. Lychee is a tropical fruit that grows in Southeast and Southwest China, and it
tastes like a cross between strawberry and watermelon. It was a sweet and fruity flavored smoothie, with a creaminess of a milk shake, and the added texture of fresh boba.
The smoothies were great, and they paired nicely with the Hot Honeycomb cake, which was a bright green color due the Pandan Extract that is used to create this culinary delight. Pandan is a tropical plant, and its' long pointed leaves are widely used for flavoring. It has a naturally sweet taste, with hints of almond and vanilla. The cake itself was soft and spongy, with a sweet honey taste, but I was surprised to find out that the cake does not contain any honey at all.
I give Le Bistro a 4.5 out 5 stars for the desserts tonight! If you are in the mood for something a little different stop by, or order online. It really is great food at a great price.
A recommended visit to Caeser's Mexican & Greek restaurant
By: Brian Sadel May 11, 2022
Buenos Dias Burquenos! The thing I like most about living in Albuquerque is the variety of food options available, in our diverse restaurant community. Food from countries around the world is being served up at local eateries, and fusions of various cuisines are becoming very popular.
Caeser's Mexican & Greek restaurant is a local restaurant that serves Mexican and Greek dishes. While they are not a fusion style restaurant, they offer a Mexican menu as well as a Greek menu, and guests can choose to order food items from both. I have heard from friends that Caeser's has the best Carne Asada burrito in town, so I had to find out for myself.
My girlfriend and I are always on the lookout for new places to eat, and ready to experience different culinary cuisines. When we arrived, I noticed that the restaurant was remarkably clean, and the scent of fresh food spilled out from behind the counter into the dining area.
While I am a sucker for Mediterranean food, it was the carne asada burrito that I was there came for. After hearing so much about it, I just had to give it a try. Presentation is an important part of any dining experience, and this burrito looked fantastic. I couldn't wait to sink my teeth into it.
The tortilla was soft and fresh, and it was packed to the max with meat that was seasoned to perfection. The guacamole 🥑🥑 was smooth and creamy, from fresh avocado. The pico de gallo was spicy and added some crunch, with its' fresh onions and tomatoes, and it had just the right amount of cilantro. While most burritos can be eaten by hand, you are going to need both hands to handle this one, and possibly a fork.
Caeser's Mexican & Greek restaurant has been in business for more than 25 years, serving up great food for a fair price. All of their menu items are made daily, with fresh ingredients, and are made from scratch. Based on the quality of their food, the service of their staff, and many great reviews, they are destined to be in business for many years to come. I give this restaurant a 4 out of 5 stars.
Eating on the patio at a pothead's paradise
By: Lori Ledesma
April 22, 2022
With names like Chronic, Dank, Panama Red, Sicky Icky, and Acapulco Gold, people might think that I am talking about pot, but those are just some of the names of the sandwiches on the Cheba Hut menu. Since many people are legally celebrating 420 for the first time this week and into the weekend, I thought I'd stop by Cheba Hut's newest location on Menaul Blvd. This location has been opened since late February, just across the street from the Coronado Mall.
The restaurant has a modern look on the outside, and an inviting atmosphere inside. As I approached the counter, I couldn't help but notice their signage welcoming potheads. The artwork inside and outdoors on the patio was also stoner themed, with magic mushrooms, pot leaves, and images of recreational pot being used. The owners really went all out on the artwork, with murals covering entire walls inside and out.
There was a sign on the counter, letting customers know that their wait time would be longer than usual, due to understaffing.
That is a problem that has been effecting many businesses in our community since the beginning of the pandemic. The extra time granted me the opportunity to look around and check out the atmosphere while I waited for my order to be ready.
I ordered the Dank, which is a Pizza Sub, with Genoa salami, pepperoni, marinara sauce, double provolone and grated parmesan cheese also referred to as "shake." I ordered some chips as a side, and a beverage , also known as a "cottonmouth cure." I'm not current on my marijuana slang, so I had to Google what 'shake' was. Shake is the marijuana crumbs in the bottom of the bag, that have broken away from the buds.
I had anticipated a long wait, but my order was ready in just a few minutes. The wait time was actually much shorter than I have been experiencing at other restaurants in town. My sandwich arrived pleasantly warm, and with just the right amount of meat and cheese on it. It was spread out in a basket, lined with Cheba Hut's sandwich wrap. Visually, it was very appealing. I couldn't wait to dig in.
My mouth was watering as I picked up and closed my sandwich to take my first bite. It not only looked appetizing, but it also smelled fantastic. This sandwich was a great take on a pizza; the toppings though very thick stayed in place, in the same way that they do when you fold a slice of New York style pizza. The cheese was thick and gooey and utterly delicious. The pepperoni stuck to the melted cheese and remained evenly spread out through my sandwich as I took each bite. The serving size was just right to satisfy my hunger.
Sandwiches like the Sensi Kush, Pakalolo, La Canna, G-13, and the White Widow give new meaning to the word edible, a word not only reserved for marijuana enthusiasts. Cheba Hut has edibles that can satisfy the cravings of the entire family.
Satisying the Mc Munchies
By: Brian Sadel April 6,, 2022
After checking out our state's newest industry, I had a craving for some comfort food, but I'm on a limited budget. Everywhere you look things are just getting outrageously expensive, that's why I've got a great Life Hack, that can help you get your Big Mac's for half the price. I'm sure you're wondering how is that even possible?
It starts with rolling up to the drive through and ordering a Mcdouble cheese burger from the McDonald's dollar menu. Keep in mind that the dollar menu is no longer one dollar, the Mcdouble now costs $1.89, but the Big Mac costs $4.31. That's more than double the price. Then you can customize your order, by removing the ketchup and mustard, and replacing those two ingredients with Big Mac sauce and lettuce. Just like that, you've got yourself a Big Mac, but people are calling it the Hood Mac. I don't mean to be blunt, but the Hood Mac is a Good Mac!
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww yeah! I wouldn't be a food reviewer if I wasn't going review a menu item that is only available for a limited time. It was really a toss up between the shamrock shake and the new chicken deluxe sandwich, so having a case of the munchies, I ordered both. . The chicken sandwich didn't have the crispiness that I like. The creaminess of the mayo, the fresh toasted bun, and the lettuce and tomato made up for the chicken itself, but it couldn't even compare to shamrock shake, not by a long shot.
The shamrock shake is by far one of McDonald's number one sellers, when their ice cream machines are working properly. They are sweet, creamy, minty and awesomely green too!! For me there is no better desert from McDonald's. I give the Shamrock shake a 5 out of 5 all day baby!
In a survey done by the The Green Market Report, McDonalds was named the number one stoner restaurant in the country, over Taco Bell, Wendy's, Burger King, Subway, and KFC, calling it "the go-to stoner food destination." Next time you have the munchies, check out my Life Hack, and make your McDouble into a Hood Mac, and don't forget to check out the shamrock shake.
A great dining experience at Sahara Mediterranean Grill Express
By: Brian Sadel March 1,, 2022
Hey folks, have I got a treat for you!! With more and more Americans beginning to embrace the Mediterranean diet to improve their over all health, I thought I'd give it a try. In a article published US News & World Report , the Mediterranean diet topped the charts for five years in a row, as one of the healthiest, and most heart-healthy diets, and one of the easiest diets to follow. What better way to start living a healthier life, than by going to an authentic Mediterranean restaurant, to begin to experience the benefits for myself ? The Sahara Mediterranean Grill Express at the ABQ uptown shopping center, is close to home, so I decided to pay them a visit for the first time.
It was Valentine's day, and I wanted to treat my lovely girlfriend to a special celebration dinner. We have been together for a while, and we both have adventurous taste buds, always searching for new flavors and styles of culinary creations. We are open to trying new things, and welcome the endless possibilities available here in the Duke City.
When we entered Sahara Mediterranean Grill Express, we noticed their high standard of cleanliness. The place was beyond clean, which is a huge plus for me. That is always one of the first things that I look for when I decide to dine in or take out. Not to mention the service, it was prompt and my order was accurate.
So, let's get right into it! We ordered 2 shawarma platters and a beef gyro with Greek fries. The chicken shawarma platter came with seasoned chicken over a bed saffron basmati rice, a falafel( basically a Mediterranean hush puppy), dolma( cheese and rice in a grape leaf), hummus, and fattoush salad with a vinnagrette dressing.
The Greek gyro came with seasoned beef and lamb and tzatziki sauce, tomato and onions and an order of fries. We decided to upgrade our fries to the Greek fries, which are served with melted feta cheese and a hint of lemon juice. Every bite I had I just wanted more and more. It was beyond flavorful. The flavors I detected were black pepper, paprika, ground coriander and turmeric, ginger, and ground cinnamon, although I'm sure I may be overlooking more.
The flavors of the seasoning complimented the food so well, and in such a way that I had never experienced before. It saddened me to learn that they are now permanently closed as of March 1, 2022 , but I would definitely give this place 4.5 out of 5 stars. The good news is that they do have a second location near UNM called Sahara Middle Eastern Eatery.
Food fast and fresh at Filiberto's
By: Brian Sadel February 22, 2022
Have you ever been so overwhelmed with work, that you just needed a day off to regroup? Well that was what happened me last week. I was at my breaking point, and in need of some down time, and before I knew it I was on the hunt for some great tacos to bring home for me and my girlfriend. There's nothing more comforting than enjoying your favorite food with the one you love, and my girlfriend absolutely loves tacos. So, where to go?
Filiberto's claims to prepare everything from scratch daily, and to use all fresh meat and ingredients, so I thought I'd give them a try. With multiple locations in Albuquerque, I was able to find one near by. When I pulled in to the parking lot, I noticed that the place was packed inside, as was the drive thru.
I went inside to place my order, and observed how clean and full of patrons the restaurant was. My experience with Filiberto's was already off to a really great start. The long line of people moved quickly, and within minutes I had made my way to the front. I was greeted by a friendly cashier, that took my order, and then handed it to me with a smile when it was ready.
I got home with the food, and my girlfriend and I immediately dug right in. We were how you say... Huuuuuuuuuuuungry. I ordered us one chicken taco plate, one beef taco plate, and an order of carne asada fries (a huge amount of food btw). We began taking everything out of the bag, and it all looked and smelled great, but how did it taste?
The chicken tacos were crunchy and filled with oodles of meat. I wasn't impressed so much with the beef tacos, but the chicken tacos were to die for. The chicken was tender and moist, and seasoned to perfection. The taco was topped with a fresh layer of lettuce, diced tomatoes, and shredded cheese. Each plate came with a side of rice and beans that were really good, but the tacos were the star of the show.
The carne asada fries were freshly baked, and still warm when we started in on them. They were smothered in cheese, and topped with juicy, tender, marinated chunks of beef. The carne's asada fries were a great value for the money; the serving was so big that it could have easily fed 3-4 people.
All in all, it was a terrific dining experience. I'd recommend giving them a try, especially if you are interested in finding out what the Arizona take is on traditional Mexican food. I give them a 4 out of 5 stars.
Ordering out at La Madeleine French restaurant
By: Brian Sadel February 6, 2022
I recently ordered food with a group of friends from La Madeleine French restaurant. It was our first time ordering from there, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I pass by the restaurant daily on my way to and from work, but this day was different. I needed a quick pick me up after a long and stressful day.
When I arrived at La Madeleine French restaurant's Winrock location, I was immediately greeted by their friendly staff. They took my order, and a half hour later I returned to pick it up. It was in a large and very warm bag, and as I drove home, the aroma seeped out, filling my vehicle with the most tantalizing smells. I couldn't wait to get home and dig in.
We ordered the La Madeleine Family Chicken Dinner for Four. It included chicken la madeleine, your choice of two sides, Caeser Salad and fresh baguettes.
For the sides, we ordered the mashed red skin potatoes, and some steamed broccoli. Sides of Green Beans Almondine and Rice Provencal were also available. To top it off, we also ordered a chicken riviera sandwich.
The food was fantastic! Or as they say in France "magnifique"!!! The chicken was tender, juicy and well seasoned, and light on salt. The mashed potatoes were soft and creamy and so easy to just dig right into. The steamed broccoli was Al dente and fresh. I liked that it still had some crunch when I bit into it. The baguette was delicious, a little hard. I'm not sure if that's how baguettes are supposed to be, but I enjoyed eating it just the same. The Caeser Salad was good too! The restaurant's own original Caesar dressing was the best part of the salad.
And finally the chicken riviera sandwich was really slamming. It had chicken that was marinated in balsamic vinaigrette, advocado, bacon, pesto, lettuce and mayo. The sandwich truly surpassed my expectations, and I would strongly recommend giving it a try.
I hope to visit this location again soon. The staff was professional and courteous. The food is amazing! It's easy to see how the restaurant has earned 4.4 out of 5 stars on Facebook, and 4.1 on Google Reviews.