Buffetbuster's weekend in NM

Wanderingjew,

I live down by El Paso, but perhaps with some planning/coordination, this could become a reality.

Buffetbuster,

You experienced one of my very favorite Roadfood establishments with the Frontier, probably in the top 3. I was in Albuquerque for training last summer and ate there 4 times in 5 days. Each time, my food was ready in under 3 minutes. I don't know how the waitstaff does it. (And I agree with you about New Mexico, I feel privileged to be able to live here, as a non-retiree.) It was a once in a lifetime thrill. I tried something new and regional every single time I went there. Wanderingjew, you will love this place.

Next time you are in NM, try Duran's down on Central by Old Town. They are also in a pharmacy. Their Huevos with Carne is the best! Also, best tortillas in the state! Take cash, they do not accept credit cards. Be patience, layed back staff, they don't belief in getting you in and out quickly.

You should also try La Salita on Eubank. Totally Roadfood. Wednesday they have a shredded beef buritto special. Also, one of the best chile rellenos platter.

Across the street from the Frontier is Saggio's. They make a pretty good pizza pie.

It's sad Mr. Powdrell passed away. They have the best bbq sauce in the state. I am afraid now that he is gone, the best bbq brisket and pulled pork will be coming from my WSM smoker.

The Owl Cafe on Eubank is not as good as the one in San Antonio, but it is probably one of the better places in ABQ. You have to order the GCB with double patties for the best dining experience. And they make wonderful milk shakes and malts.

Up in Santa Fe, try Horseman's Haven, their motto "hottest damn chile in town". And that is the truth, very hot chile, but good. Their GCB come open face smothered with green chile sauce, yum!

NMBullRdr-
Thanks for chiming in with the advice. I have been to both Duran Central Pharmacy and Horseman's Haven before and liked them both. The problem with an area like northern New Mexico is that there are so many great places to eat, you would have to spend a year there to try them all. And I am always torn between wanting to try old favorites and new places just about everywhere I go.

WanderingJew-
I had no idea you lived in Albuquerque. Yet, you were there for six months and didn't try The Frontier? I get the feeling they threw you out for just that reason! By the way, where haven't you lived? And how much longer will you be in RI before the bug hits you again.

tamandmik-
I certainly understand why you enjoyed The Frontier so much. It really does have lots of Roadfood charm and the food is quite good too. I hesitated mentioning how quickly I got my food there. I didn't want to give the impression that this is a pre-processed fast food place.

By the way, I am curious..... You mentioned in another thread you were going to be trying both The Owl and The Buckhorn fairly soon. I was just wondering about the logistics. Are you going to go from one to the other. There doesn't seem to be a lot to do to kill time in between meals in San Antonio.

quote:

Originally posted by buffetbuster
WanderingJew-
I had no idea you lived in Albuquerque. Yet, you were there for six months and didn't try The Frontier? I get the feeling they threw you out for just that reason! By the way, where haven't you lived? And how much longer will you be in RI before the bug hits you again.

Buffetbuster, my older brother was stationed in the airforce in Alamagordo NM, when he was discharged he moved to Santa Fe and then to Albuquerque. My mother moved to Albuquerque shortly after I graduated from college, to live near my brother. She was there for just about a decade, I decided to move out there too, but couldn't find a job, and had to move back to NY after 6 months therefore my sole intent and purpose while living there was to find a job, not good roadfood (then again in 1987 I didn't know what roadfood was!). I knew about the Frontier but my brother tried to down play it as too declasse, even though he used to go there with his wife all the time. So to make a long story short, I started out in NY, moved to Albuqerque right after college, returned to NY, and then moved to Seattle 5 years later, left Seattle after 3 years, moved to Pittsburgh, spent 5 years there and then moved to Rhode Island which is where I've been ever since.

I'm probably going to be here in New England for a while (I've been here for 7 years already), but as an fyi, my company just announced a possibility for signficant growth in Massachusetts with opportunity for advancement. If this is the case and an opportunity arises to relocate to the Boston area with a promotion, then...ya never know, I just might consider it.

quote:

Originally posted by buffetbuster

NMBullRdr-

tamandmik-
I certainly understand why you enjoyed The Frontier so much. It really does have lots of Roadfood charm and the food is quite good too. I hesitated mentioning how quickly I got my food there. I didn't want to give the impression that this is a pre-processed fast food place.

By the way, I am curious..... You mentioned in another thread you were going to be trying both The Owl and The Buckhorn fairly soon. I was just wondering about the logistics. Are you going to go from one to the other. There doesn't seem to be a lot to do to kill time in between meals in San Antonio.

I am visiting the Santa Fe/Taos area this weekend. Since I live in Las Cruces, my plan is to eat at one on the way up, and the other on the way back. I also inquired about Rancho De Chimayo, since one day will be spent driving around the Enchanted Circle area. If I play my cards right, I might be able to knock off these places, and Bobcat Bite, which I've longed to visit. However, since I have two children in tow, anything can happen that will derail my plans.

tamandmik-
It sounds like you will be having quite a Green Chile Cheeseburger kind of trip. Being able to try Bobcat Bite, The Owl and The Buckhorn in such a short amount of time, I am really looking forward to your insight on which is best.

Oh and good luck with the kids!

quote:

Originally posted by buffetbuster


By the way, I am curious..... You mentioned in another thread you were going to be trying both The Owl and The Buckhorn fairly soon. I was just wondering about the logistics. Are you going to go from one to the other. There doesn't seem to be a lot to do to kill time in between meals in San Antonio.

We've gone to the Owl a number of times after visiting Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge which is about 15 miles from San Antonio. A great place for a bird watcher to spend several hours.

http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/newmex/bosque/index.html

kland01s-
Thanks for the tip. What I will probably do next time through San Antonio is eat at either The Owl or The Buckhorn, visit the National Wildlife Refuge for a few hours and then go get a Green Chile Cheeseburger at the other place. Sounds like an excellent way to spend a day!

tamandmik-
I was talking to someone last night who had recently been to Albuquerque. Needless to say, the subject of food came up and she was telling me that when she ate at The Frontier, she went at night and was actually patted down by security before she was allowed to enter!

Everytime I have been there, it was daylight or just before the sun came up, so I have never been patted down. Did this happen to you? I know it is right across from the University, but is it that bad an area? It sure didn't seem so.

Just looked at the report again, think we will call you "Lucky Dog" from now on. Those burgers at the Frontier and Owl Bar have me drooling.

quote:

Originally posted by buffetbuster

tamandmik-
I was talking to someone last night who had recently been to Albuquerque. Needless to say, the subject of food came up and she was telling me that when she ate at The Frontier, she went at night and was actually patted down by security before she was allowed to enter!

Everytime I have been there, it was daylight or just before the sun came up, so I have never been patted down. Did this happen to you? I know it is right across from the University, but is it that bad an area? It sure didn't seem so.

It didn't happen to me, as we had lunch there, around 12:45 in the afternoon. I've read some posts on here regarding the Frontier, and it seems as though the Frontier was temporarily shut down in the early morning hours on weekends, due to a spate of violence (i.e. drunks fighting). Since then however, the 24 hours open policy has been reinstated. I think a consequence of that would be the pat-down. You are right, Central Ave through the University section is not a very bad area of the town, there are far worse. However, I think this is targeted more towards younger college aged kids who like to eat there after a night of drinking in the many establishments that ring Central Ave about a mile east of the Frontier. That's where the majority of the watering holes are concentrated.

At the Original Hot Dog Shop here in Pittsburgh, they charge you extra late at night as a "security surcharge". And the "O" is right in the heart of the Pitt campus. Obviously, they have had some incidents, but I have always felt safe there.

I just don't know how comfortable I would be eating at a resturant where they feel it is necessary to pat down the customers.

BB,
I know what happened! I read the first part and got sidetracked, forgot to "subscribe" and never read the rest. (You might see I actually posted on the 1st page... doh! Silly me!) Oops!

Anyway as ever EXCELLENT stuff and THANKS for the Pit photos! Yay!!! I wonder when I will make it to NM...

ccf

quote:

Originally posted by buffetbuster
I also sat right next to the hopscotch court (next to the 10) and watched many youngsters take advantage of it on the way to the back dining room.

Buffetbuster,
Why didn't you hopstotch yourself? Say, I'm (relatively speaking to some of you youngsters) old and fat, but I would have done it in a flash!
Your report here is a wonder. Your posts are always well worth looking forward to -- and reading in their entirety.
Unhungrily (Excerpt For Words), Ort. Carlton in Not-Too-Chilly Athens, Georgia.

Damn this post makes me wanna travel.....at the moment impossibal but a must do thing.....
thanks for the post

Ort-
I imagine seeing someone my size Hopscotch can only make customers lose their appetites. And I like 66 Diner too much to do that to them.

Something tells me, you really would have hopscotched, though!

I consider myself an Albuquerquean, though I'm from Indiana and live in Mineapolis right at the moment (job).
Next chance you have, try Murphy's Mule Barn, on 2nd Street north of Alameda. Great breakfasts (try the breakfast burrito, biscuits and gravy) and decent "regular" food too. Try the pies.

The Frontier is indeed the starving student's friend. Also try the Olympia (homestyle Greek food, wife had a beloved Greek aunt).

Try Hurricane's on Lomas not far from Washington. It's diner food with a New Mexican twist, like smothered burritos and fries.

Finally, try Fu Yuang, a first rate Korean restaurant, in Scottsdale Village behind the McDonald's at Candelaria and Eubank. They have limited hours, 4 PM to 8 PM, but it's worth it just for the (very) spicy pork. The bulgogi is very good too, and they also do Chinese well.

paoconnell-
Murphy's Mule Barn was one of the restaurants the owner of Lindy's Diner recommended to me for a Green Chile Cheeseburger. Have you ever had one there?