I third or fourth Los Cuates. I believe only the one on the North? side of the road is the only one open now, but I’d go to that one and it is not fancy, but it’s where the locals eat. Their carne adobado is YUMMY and so is their green chile stew.
If you have time, do go up to Santa Fe. It’s fun to walk around the square and damned if I can remember the name, but on the square is a 50ish diner looking place with tile on the outside that has THE BEST pork chile (green or red but I mix) ever and sopapillas to die for. Maybe book a communal bath at 10,000 waves an experience unto itself or just get a massage…
Another legendary “dive” eatery is the Frontier Restaurant just outside of the University. It’s even better at 4:00 a.m., but their green chile breakfast burrito and sweet rolls (with icing, of course) are to die for. There’s many a night laying in my bed here in Northern Virginia I would do just about anything to have a Frontier breakfast.
If you’re into wineries, Gruet Winery has a tasting room. Haven’t been there, but I like Gruet sparkling wines and this would definitely be on my list if I went to Albuquerque.
God, just thinking about that makes me drool. While we were on site, we lived mostly in tents for the first few weeks until we got a house on the outskirts of Albuquerque. The Fronteir was one of the first places I ate in town. It was heaven, especially compared to the food we had at camp.
I also loved the Owl Cafe. Mmmm…green chile burgers.
I lived in Albuquerque for my entire life until I loved to Las Vegas (at 24), so if you want to know anything about the town, I’ll tell you about it.
Other restraunts to check out
Olympia cafe – if you like greek food, this place is magical. Run by a Greek family for over 25 years. Across from the University, just down the street from The frontier
Another vote for the Frontier.
If you like pizza, Dions is great. Its a local chain, so you’ll come across them frequently. Also Saggios (literally across the street from the Frontier) is good.
a good deli is just west of the university, DG’s. A small university place not many people know about.
Old town is worth checking out. Santa Fe is much more touristy. The Rio Grande zoo is one of the best small town/zoos in the nation IMHO. The explora childrens museum is excellent. Sandia Peak is a great view of the valley (you can take the tramway to the top).
Second, it’s Los Cuates, not Los Quates. Be sure to go to Garcias (the Central or 4th St. locations) for breakfast.
Zoo, biopark/aquarium, Natural History Museum and the Nature Museum. That last is outside, down by the river. There are lots of interesting Indian ruins near Albuquerque, too. Oh, and they will love the tram to the top of the mountain. Bring warm clothes, no matter what the climate is in town - it’s a different zone up there. Albuquerque is at 5000 ft. (you may feel the altitude, even in town) and the Sandia crest is over 10,000 ft. At the end of this month, we will still have quite a bit of snow on the mountain.
As an Albuquerquena, I think Santa Fe is a little too precious, but you should visit if you haven’t. Taos too, if you have time.
Old Town for touristy Old New Mexico stuff and if you’d like to get serenaded by a mariachi band or just a guy with a guitar. New Mexican cuisine tends to be both hotter and yet somehow tastier than Tex Mex (or Colo-Mex) and the sopapilla is, in fact, are a New Mexican original.
It has been awhile since I ate New Mexican cuisine in Albuquerque but I had a Lottaburger there just last Sunday. Best fast-food hamburger ever. (I think it used to be called Whataburger, or maybe there are two variations.)