There are several options for authentic Mexican cuisine in Albuquerque. These include El Patron, El Patio de Albuquerque, El Camino, and El Modelo. All of them provide authentic, flavorful food at a reasonable price. We recommend visiting one of them for an authentic Mexican dining experience.
El Patron
The best authentic Mexican restaurants in Albuquerque are not all the same. Some serve the same food in different ways. Some are spicier, while others are more flavorful. You can choose traditional Mexican food or something more Americanized, depending on your preferences. You’ll find plenty of options for authentic Mexican food in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
El Patron offers traditional Mexican food and Spanish-style fare. The restaurant also offers vegan and gluten-free options. The prices are reasonable, and the atmosphere is cozy. You can enjoy the food while listening to live music on weekends. The restaurant also offers a Happy Hour every day.
The main dining room is spacious, with a cozy bar and a large foyer. The mariachi trio is situated on a high ledge, and a mix of New Mexican music plays throughout the restaurant. The music system features a compilation of Mexican music, including Vicente Fernandez, Jose Alfredo Jimenez, and Lola Beltran.
This authentic Mexican restaurant in Albuquerque offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It is a family-friendly restaurant that serves authentic Mexican cuisine at moderate prices. El Patron is located at 8100 Wyoming Blvd NE. The restaurant is a popular spot for families with kids. There are plenty of children’s meals to choose from.
El Camino serves authentic New Mexican fare and is famous for its excellent red chile. Chile can be hot for the inexperienced, so be careful. Another authentic Albuquerque restaurant is El Modelo, which has been making tamales since 1929.
El Patio de Albuquerque
Authentic Mexican cuisine can be found at El Patio de Albuquerque, a no-frills restaurant serving traditional New Mexican fare. The menu includes several vegetarian options. Vegetarians should try vegetarian tamales.
El Patio is in a converted house on Harvard Drive, south of Central Avenue. It is easily identifiable by its Taos blue Mexican picket fence. Its front yard serves as a patio, and the deck also features a beer and wine bar. The authentic cuisine and atmosphere will liven up any occasion.
The restaurant is one of the oldest in the area, and its long history is worth noting. Initially, the restaurant’s first owner made flour tortillas by hand. Since then, the original owners have continued to provide attention and care to their menus. Traditional menu items are still available, as well as unique dishes like the flat green bean taco, which the original owner’s son creates.
If you’re looking for an authentic Mexican restaurant, try El Patio. It is one of the city’s top four or five New Mexican restaurants. It is superior to El Pinto and a worthy competitor for the honor. The latter may have been the winner in some “best of” polls, but in reality, both establishments are equally outstanding.
El Patio de Albuquerque offers authentic Mexican fare for breakfast, lunch, or dinner at affordable prices. With a large patio, the restaurant is ideal for a family meal. Children will enjoy authentic Mexican food, and the restaurant’s moderate prices will appeal to families with young children.
El Camino
The El Camino Dining Room, located at 6800 4th Street NW, is a fine dining restaurant with a diverse menu of American favorites and New Mexican specialties. The restaurant is a family-run business across from the El Camino Motel. The chef, Victor Meneses, is from Albuquerque, where he learned how to make authentic Mexican street food from his father. He later trained at L’Academie de Cuisine and was able to work alongside some of the best chefs in the city, including Michel Richard and Todd Gray.
El Camino is located in a historic building that dates to the 1950s. The interior has a rustic Mexican ambiance and features carved corbels and vigas. The air is warm and inviting, and the food is fresh and authentic.
El Camino’s has been a local favorite in business for over 50 years. It serves classic New Mexican dishes and is the go-to spot for many locals. Open for lunch and dinner; this restaurant is a great place to enjoy a delicious meal with friends and family.
The city’s historic downtown area is filled with historic buildings, shops, restaurants, and motels. For a night on the town, downtown is your best bet. The Old Town district is the city’s cultural heart and contains seven museums and historical buildings.
El Modelo
This retro-style Mexican eatery offers no-frills cuisine with dishes such as tamales, sopapillas, and huevos rancheros. The service is excellent, and the portions are generous. You can find something for the entire family at El Modelo.
El Modelo’s tamales are a must-try. They’re twice as meaty as other tamales, thicker and more seasoned than most. They are medium-piquancy and delicious. The wait time is about 15 minutes, which is reasonable considering the food quality and the affordable price.
Sadie’s of New Mexico is a family-owned authentic Mexican restaurant in Albuquerque. It was founded over 60 years ago and is the city’s number one source of New Mexican cuisine. The menu features family recipes and fresh ingredients. You can order heaping platters of classic New Mexican dishes from the menu, including the legendary Carne Adovada.
El Modelo’s menu is made from scratch, using only the freshest ingredients, and the owners take great care to prepare each meal. You can order various traditional menu items, including tamales and tortas. You can also request a delicious flat green bean taco created by the original owner’s son.
Chipotle Mexican Grill is another authentic Mexican restaurant in Albuquerque. It’s a great breakfast spot. The food is similar to the food you would eat at home. It’s also an excellent place to try a breakfast burrito.
El Modelo is the best authentic Mexican restaurant with a long history in ABQ. You can order everything, and the prices are reasonably affordable. Most menu items are posted outside, making them easy to find and collect. You can even place an order over the phone. If you’re unsure which menu items you’d like, you can always call ahead to ensure you get everything you want.
Tomasita’s
If you’re looking for authentic Mexican food, you won’t go wrong at Tomasita’s. This family-owned spot offers classic New Mexican fare and casual decor. The relaxed atmosphere perfectly compliments the simple menu.
The restaurant has been open since 1963 and is one of the best in the area. It has won several national awards for its food and was named one of America’s 38 Essential Restaurants. It is still family-owned and operated and is renowned for its award-winning Carne adovada. The food is topped off with a large selection of salsas and drinks, and guests love the warm, welcoming ambiance.
The menu contains classic New Mexican dishes, including red and green chile, enchiladas, burritos, Rellenos, and tamales. Even the Greek salad comes with feta cheese, so you can enjoy a meal that is truly reminiscent of the culture and cuisine of the Southwest. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner Monday-Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The sopaipillas are arguably the best in the Land of Enchantment. The pillowy, golden-colored sopaipillas come from B’s New Mexico Honey Farm, producing raw honey for over 25 years.
The stand is a family-run eatery with an extensive, casual menu. The stand’s signature dish is beef tacos, but the restaurant’s menu also features lamb, steak, and seafood. Its price tag is a bit higher than that of other authentic Mexican restaurants in the area.
The authentic Mexican food at Tomasita’s is served in a traditional New Mexican setting. The atmosphere is friendly, and the service is prompt.
