66 Diner - Albuquerque, NM

Posted By Michael Stern on March 2, 2007 9:30 AM

The 66 Diner looks like a Mother Road classic, and in some ways it is. You can come here and eat a hamburger or a sloppy joe with French fries and an expertly made milk shake. Or have a pounded-tender chicken-fried steak smothered in cream gravy with mashed potatoes on the side – both examples of immemorial roadside fare. There is a different blue-plate special every day, including chicken pot pie on Tuesday and hot turkey sandwiches on Saturday. The meat loaf is dandy, the liver ‘n’ onions is a truck-stop delight. The black and white tile floor has a built-in hopscotch game, and bright red ceiling lamps hang over aqua-blue counter stools. The staff of uniformed waitresses breezes through the dining area to the beat of rock-and-roll hits from the Elvis era blasting on the juke box.

It is a quintessential hash house experience, but beyond that, the 66 Diner also is a good place to taste food unique to New Mexico. First and foremost is the green chile cheeseburger, in which chopped-up spicy green chilies supplement the usual package of meat and melted cheese. You can also have enchiladas made with chile, and good ol’ green chile stew, served with wheat tortillas on the side. On Saturday and Sunday (the only days of the week breakfast is served), the menu features huevos rancheros, egg burritos, and cheese omelets supercharged with green chile.

We definitely recommend getting something from the soda fountain. If the “rich thick shake” so accurately described by the menu is too much and your appetite is waning, the kitchen also offers an item billed as the “teeny-weeny hot fudge sundae.”

Overall Rating

27 out of 27 people found the review helpful. Was it helpful to you?

No Yes

Posted By corey on February 5, 2011 1:02 AM

The 66 Diner has good food and a great nostalgic family atmosphere. It is also very busy. Avoid going there during prime time at all costs! We waited for over forty minutes for our food and had to finally leave to catch a show. We were continually told it would be out in "two minutes," which quickly turned into forty.

Overall Rating

milk shake

Southwestern Burger

Frito Pie

Blueberry Pie

Chocolate Creme Pie

66 Burger

green chile cheeseburger

1 out of 1 people found the review helpful. Was it helpful to you?

No Yes

Posted By monica talavera on October 26, 2010 11:02 AM

I had my diner standards: appetizers! fried Zucchini, Chocolate milk shake and onion rings. the zucchini was crisp and not soggy on the inside like it can be when yu order it someplaces; the onion rings were huge single rings of actual onion, the batter was flaky and not over-cooked and sweet somehow...the milk shake was pretty good too. it was all presented basic nothing super fancy, in a basket, but it was yummy, all in all, it was a good experience on my side.
my buddy ordered the patty melt and fries. looked very good tasted pretty good but she had ording issues with the waitress and the well-doneness of her patty. the waitress was friendly and courteous, it was super busy, consistent in & out customers, but now i know why! i try to get there as often as possible! but i think this is a good place for cravings good food and fun easy meals with friends.

Overall Rating

0 out of 0 people found the review helpful. Was it helpful to you?

No Yes

Posted By Larry Fendrick on October 1, 2005 9:55 PM

Upon arrival in Albuquerque, I decided to try 66 Diner, after reading about it on Roadfood.com. I must say I was not disappointed. All food was served fast and fresh, and I really enjoyed the classic diner atmosphere.

I was a little taken aback when the Southwestern burger was served open-faced (it said so on the menu), but I enjoyed it nevertheless. The chocolate milk shake was one of the best I've ever had, and was served the classic way - with the metal mixer on the side for you to pour yourself seconds.

Overall Rating

9 out of 9 people found the review helpful. Was it helpful to you?

No Yes