jillita's Profile
Going Back to Santa Fe: Need Northern NM Resto Recs
Thanks, Deb!
I've been reading lots of threads and getting good ideas. Maybe what I should do is tell you the places I'm considering and you and others might have an opinion as to whether these places still hold up or not. That would be helpful!
Criteria: Northern or New Mexican cuisine, local, inexpensive. Favorite dishes: blue corn chicken or cheese green enchiladas, posole, carne adovada, sopapillas, chile rellenos (served with NM 6 or Big Jims -- and don't have an eggy or cakey batter but taste fried and crisp). Also love calabicitas, fried squash blossoms, green chile stew, and Huevos Rancheros.
La Choza (thanks, Deb)
Tia Sophia's
The Shed
Plaza Cafe
Horseman's Haven
La Plazuela at La Fonda
Maybe La Casa Sena
Blue Corn Cafe
Maria's
Tecolote Cafe
Coyote Cafe
Best Blake's Lottaburger for green chile cheeseburgers?
Outside SF:
Rancho de Chimayo (how is it post-fire?)
El Paragua, in Espanola.
I heard Dollie's Plaza Cafe closed. Is there an alternative? Cheap, NM home cooking, in Espanola?
Thanks!
Jill
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La Choza Restaurant
905 Alarid St, Santa Fe, NM 87505
La Casa Sena
125 East Palace Avenue, Santa Fe, NM 87501
Tia Sophia's
210 W San Francisco St, Santa Fe, NM 87501
Tecolote Cafe
1203 Cerrillos Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87505
Horseman's Haven Cafe
4354 Cerrillos Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87507
El Paragua Restaurant
603 Santa Cruz Rd, Espanola, NM 87532
La Fonda
100 E San Francisco St, Santa Fe, NM 87501
Going Back to Santa Fe: Need Northern NM Resto Recs
Hi,
Me and my family are visiting Santa Fe after a 14 year absence. We used to eat at Casa Sena, Plaza Cafe, Pink Adobe, Coyote Cafe, as well as El Paragua and Dollie's Cafe up in Espanola and Rancho de Chimayo in Chimayo.
Where today can I find really good Northern New Mexican food in Santa Fe and the greater Espanola municipal area? Particularly, I am looking for really great blue corn enchiladas and green chile stew or posole. Also a good carne adovada may be in order.
I'll be staying on the Plaza and ideally would love to walk to places, but will drive further afield for NM food nirvana.
Thanks in advance!
Jillita
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The Pink Adobe
406 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87501
El Paragua Restaurant
603 Santa Cruz Rd, Espanola, NM 87532
Peanuts in soda?
Coke just doesn't taste the same since they went to High Fructose Corn Syrup. I used to drink Mexican Coke, which came in glass, was made with sugar, and it transported me back to the 70s when Coke was still made that way. Simply delicious, especially with salty tortilla chips and a wedge of lime. There is something about sugar that helps with the fizz and even adds a layer of flavor that you can't have with HFCS. Unfortunately the HFCS monopoly strong armed Mexico and the Coke is now similarly polluted with its cloying sappiness.
The peanuts and Coke and dance will not be the same today, no matter how we try.
Nothing beats real sugar.
Tucson - Mexican restaurant?
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/691725
I revisited Cafe Poca Cosa and had the worst experience yet (see link above).
I will definitely try El Indio.
Went to the Ft. Lowell El Guero Canelo and had a giant and most excellent mas mucho carne asada burro. Cheap, full salsa bar, family crowd, outstanding service, the perfect companion food to a big hike.
Perfection green sauce, to be had there, by the way.
Unfortunately, the Mexican Coke we can get at certain Tucson restaurants now uses high fructose corn syrup. I buy Blue Sky Cola at Sunflower. This cola is made with sugar and tastes like the Pepsi we remember growing up in the 70s. Nothing like the sugar and pepper bite in a real cola. I wish coke would introduce a sugar version again. Alas, it gets harder and harder to find food without the poisonous HFCS.
Downhill Cafe
On Saturday, February 27, I met with good friends for lunch at Cafe Poca Cosa. This will make the fifth time I have eaten at Café Poca Cosa, and the third time at the new(er) Pennington Street location. I am not alone in wishing the new location had the warmth and coziness in looks as the older location, but what lacked in aesthetics was generally made up for in outstanding service and the magical nature of the food.
I have ever been a big fan of the restaurant's hospitality and cuisine, directing all my friends and family there, but yesterday marked the second time I had both a subpar eating and service experience at Café Poca Cosa. I could not help compare these to the first time I ate at the cafe, when I was given a hug upon leaving to top off a perfect Mexico City home cooking style gastronomical experience.
There were eight of us for lunch. Our server was male, average height, jet black hair, tan, quite good looking in a vulpine way, but he had a scornful attitude from the start and acted like he could not be bothered with us the entire time we ate and seemed to resent being asked for extras, such as drinks and silverware. (I almost forgot I was in Tucson because snotty doesn't play here very well.) He set up the menu board and rushed through plate descriptions and then was aggravated when asked to repeat something. He seemed to want us out of there as soon as possible and rushed us through lunch. The plates came very fast which made me think they were premade and/or reheated. Many of us ordered the plato (chef's plate). I was entirely disappointed with the chicken, which tasted boiled, and the sauce unsavory, and smothered under a blanket of cheese as if to cover up the absence of erstwhile wizardry. The carne, usually fork tender and boasting a brilliant sauce of smoke, chocolate and spices, was tough and hard to cut and the sauce was sadly uninspired. The plates were carelessly overloaded with undressed greens and fruit. The corn tamale was overly sweet, almost cloying, and also greasy, when I recall there used to be layers of flavor, the savory, the sweet, the salted, the bitter, even citrus, packed into perfect consistency.
My friend and host, A, who graciously paid for lunch, is a multi-generation Arizonan. She and I savor good food and we love to discuss and cook Southwest specialties and we had shared a mutual love of this restaurant and had been talking about eating there together for several years. She spent a lot of money yesterday on our disappointing lunch and I was indignant for her. Over dessert, when she and her daughter were trying to decide what to order, our crosspatch server snapped, “Okay, you’re confusing me,” as if to really say, hurry up, you’re wasting my time, causing our entire table to exchange bewildered looks. We all, without exception, behaved ourselves throughout. With half of the table, including myself, claiming restaurant work experience, we comprehend and empathize on how difficult it is to be a server, but our snippy, dismissive treatment was entirely unprecedented and undeserved, and the food was only remarkable for the fact that it was expensive -- all adding up to an unusually unpleasant experience.
I am not alone in my disappointment and I am saddened. Cafe Poca Cosa was beloved by many a Tucsonan, by me, and many outstanding food memories happened there once upon a time. But I must now wonder after the bad experiences, plus hearing similar experiences from friends and relatives: What has happened to Café Poca Cosa?
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Cafe Poca Cosa
110 E Pennington St, Tucson, AZ 85701
Tucson - Mexican restaurant?
Sorry Cafe Poca Cosa was not up to par. I have talked to friends and neighbors many of whom agree that the cafe has not been the same since they moved to the new digs. This is a deep shame. I had one of the most memorable meals of my life there, ordering the chef's plate. so complex, earthy, tangy, bitter, sweet, everything you could want, the raw and the cooked, the simmered, the seared. Was just a beautiful eating experience. So much care and love in every bite. I hope they can improve and restore it to the way it was.
Tucson - Mexican restaurant?
Forgot I also ate at Michas and was similarly disappointed. I think it really boils down to whether you like Sonoran or not. I really don't. Having lived in New Mexico I suppose did spoil me. Also, having real Mexico Mexican did as well.
Tucson - Mexican restaurant?
Alas, I have eaten my way around town and nothing compares to the real Mexico. Sonoran-American-mess on a plate: no subtlety, no savory, too much of the carb, grease, cheese, not enough sauce, meat, or bean, and it sucks. I've been accused of being a snob, and I just don't care. I became a cook at home because I can't get out what I want. Exceptions are Cafe Cosa Poca, but it's pricey, and uneven, and it's also Mexican City Food, not Sonoran, and then there's my favorite taco truck that zips up from Acapulco but only on rare occasions, and El Guero Canelo for fat burros -- if you're in the mood. I've eaten at the vaunted El Molinito and I just can't understand why people continue to extol its praises. If you like dipping a stale, over-salted chip in red colored salted, smoke water, hey, who is to argue? Or dry, ancient, lukewarm flatulent-producing pintos hugging deflated crusty enchiladas, then it's the place for you.
El Sur USED to be fab, but somewhere down the line they started using the MSG, liberally, and the wonderfully caramelized, fragrant onions offered table-side, now smell and taste like something you might find on the floor of a monkey cage at the zoo.
My advice is, if you can't afford regular pilgrimages to Cafe Poca Cosa, is to get yourself some good Southwestern-Mexican cookbooks and spend time shopping for the fresh stuff at Food City and try cooking your favorites at home. You can buy fresh tortillas at places like La Mesa at Broadway and Pantano and go to Hatch Chile fest in New Mexico with a cooler and buy twenty pounds of roasted chiles for your freezer and have a ball making wonderful, authentic stuff at home, rather than relying on Tucson Mexican.
My opinion only.
Among others, I have eaten at:
El Minuto
El Charro (all locations)
Old Pueblo Grill
El Molinito
Mi Nidito
Los Betos
Filibertos
El Guerro Canelo
Cafe Poca Cosa
El Sur
Poco and Moms
Rosa's Mexican
Poco and Mom's is New Mexican cuisine. Also used to be grand, made to order, fresh, savory, wondrous food. Now, not since they expanded hours and I also believe the owners divorced, and they have resorted to the bloody MSG!
I get a tell-tale MSG headache, which is how I know.
I wish Tucson would try harder. Missed opportunities abound in becoming a foodie town.
But a P.S. Cilatro's Cafe on the Southeast side is Columbian, and I know it's not quite what you're looking for, but it's wonderful. Especially, the stews and soups and grilled chicken dishes.
Disclaimer: haven't tried some of the places mentioned here, like La Indita, but will with the hope that it challenges my snotty attitude.
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Food City
2124 E Mcdowell Rd, Phoenix, AZ
El Guero Canelo
5201 S 12th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85706
Cafe Poca Cosa
110 E Pennington St, Tucson, AZ 85701
Beto's
435 E 400 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
La Indita
622 N 4th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85705
El Sur Restaurant
5602 E 22nd St, Tucson, AZ 85711
El Minuto Cafe
354 S Main Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701
Mi Nidito Cafe
1813 S 4th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85713
Some Southern New Mexico Musings
I'll keep your recommendations in mind for next time. I grew up in New York in the 70s, so addicts and pros don't bother me much! We stayed at America's Best Value Inn, which was a great experience. The owners went out of their way to provide a comfortable experience, even serving us fresh fruit in their courtyard gazebo on a hot afternoon. They also recommended a French cafe nearby which serves great coffee and croissants. I did not try it, but will next time.
Some Southern New Mexico Musings
I'm definitely going to try Chope's next time. I hadn't heard of Eddie's, Thanks for that tip, too!
Some Southern New Mexico Musings
When: Over Labor Day Weekend. 2009.
Where: Las Cruces-Hatch-Alamogordo-Deming, NM
What: In search of good New Mexican cuisine, i.e., chile rellenos, green chile enchiladas, green corn tamales.
Pros: Everybody uses Hatch chiles
Cons: Not a single blue corn tortilla on a menu, such as you'll find in the north.
Went to chile mecca, Hatch Fest. On the way, had some fair, good, excellent meals.
In Las Cruces, at at El Sombrero on Espina Venue. They have indoor/outdoor seating at this pleasant looking adobe in an older, established neighborhood. Are known for the green chile enchiladas. We sat outside, where the music was invasive modern pop, and blared through small speakers, spoiling a bit of its worn, casual charm. Table salsa was outstanding, best part of the meal, the kind you'd like to drink, with hints of tomatilloes, red and green chiles, garlic, and beef broth. Chips were warmed, thick, red and white corn, lightly salted. Ordered green chile chicken enchiladas. Chicken was poached, tender, tortillas were earthy, and the green sauce was unfortunately overwhelmed by too much cheese, some of it suspiciously tasted like a cheddar abomination. But the sauce gave off that unmistakable prolonged New Mexico 6 heat and the fresh diced onion was a good complement. Rice was standard Spanish, and beans were standard refried. $$
Pancake Alley Diner. West Picacho. Retro, and surprisingly overpriced. Great neon signage out front. 50s and Elvis themes among chrome and Formica inside. Huevos Rancheros. Eggs were fishy and dried out; beans were salty, and unremarkable. Tortillas warmed but white flour and tasted store-bought. Best part was the salsa, made of chopped fire roasted green chile and little else. $$$
Hatch, NM. The Pepper Pot. Airy older space on the main drag, decorated with New Mexico rustic tchotchkes. Boasts a funny, exuberant, and warm hostess, frequented by locals, and an easy-going, relaxed touristy crowd. Green chile cheese enchiladas. Disappointing. Again, overhwlemed by cheese, but green sauce was powerfully good. Beans and refrieds tasty. Chips were on the stale side. Salsa was red, Casera style, finely minced tomatoes, chiles, cilantro, onion, and decent. $$
Alamogordo. Pancake and Waffle Shoppe. Apparently, this breakfast palace, other than Blake's Lottaburger, is one of the only half-way decent food joints in town. Locals and tourists. Busy, popular, superb, fast service, and clean as a whistle. Had the chile verde
breakfast. Basically, a pork green chile stew served over eggs with a tortilla. The pork stew was minimally seasoned, meat was tender, and sauce was mild with only a suggestion of green chile heat. Eggs were overcooked. Corn tortilla got lost and soggy under the eggs and stew and cheese. Still, hearty and filling. Husband had the huevos rancheros, said the sauce was like "gravy," not enough chile involved, too much of a "glutinous mass" and "worst meal of the trip." $$
Las Cruces, NM. Pepe's. West Picacho. Spacious interior, red vinyl topped tables, was almost empty of clientele on a weekend night, and surfaces and floors were dirty. Indifferent wait staff. Felt more like a ginmill than a restaurant. A cranky couple at the next table over ordered huge oval dishes piled high with 'mess on a plate'. We didn't stick around to have the food. Instead we ventured on over to...
Las Cruces. The Cattle Baron. Steaks. And an extensive salad bar. Took a vacation from chiles, or so I thought, and opted for the salad bar. Many offerings of cold salads, such as a wonderful Waldorf, cole slaws, potato, egg, and green salad with all the imaginable additional toppings (mushrooms, cucumber, carrot, hard boiled eggs, fresh spinach, pepperoncinis, olives, Bacos, sunflower seeds, four or five different types of ranch dressing along with every other popular vinaigrette and creamy dressings), plus some dessert offerings, such as puddings and Jell-o,and also soup. Everything was fresh and pleasing. Husband had a bloody rib-eye steak and it was grilled perfectly. Found to my delight one of the soup offerings was a New Mexico posole. With beef, instead of the traditional pork. It was outstanding, spicy, with flavors of peppery beef, roasted tomato, and slow cooked hominy. Waitress was harried, surprisingly resentful, and having been in the service, I am aware it's hard, but I also overtip, and no amount of kindnesses and trying to make her job easier melted her. Too bad. $$$
Deming. El Mirador. Get off the highway for this one. A run-down exterior belies the clean, cozy, welcoming interior. Spanish and Anglo families and ranchers and the puzzled but happy tourist is the scene here. I ordered enchiladas and a $2 chile relleno off the a la carte menu, a sheet of paper with limited but all-excellent choices. Enchiladas were the perfect ratio of warm corn tortilla, green sauce, and just a smattering of a white Monty jack cheese. Chile relleno was mostly chile, light on egg batter, and delectable. Refritos were hot and smoky and not lardy. The tamale plate that my husband ordered was the hit of the trip. He ordered one red shredded pork and one green chile cheese tamale. the red sauce was worth walking a plank for: complex, earthy, tangy over steamy perfect masa. The green chile cheese tamale, one of the best, with brawny, ass-in-tub green heat over masa. We also had pumpkin pie and it was deliciously spicy and savory with big notes of clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, brown sugar, and the custard was not the frothy whipped variety but well-set and substantial. The other best part was the price. A third less than anywhere else and just as good if not better. $
Best Carne Asada Burrito in Arizona?
Hands down by far the best carne asada burrito I ever had is out of a truck that calls itself La Parilla, in Tucson. It visits the construction sites in SE Tucson (Irvington/Houghton area). It's operated by a husband and wife team. The tortillas are handmade, and the senora informs me her recipe comes from home (Acapulco). It's dry rubbed and grilled meat accompanied by perfect saffron rice, cabbage, pico de gallo, cilantro, fresh salted avocado wedges, fresh squeezed lime, with red and green salsa and often served with a sauteed roasted jalapeno and/or carmelized onions. They're overstuffed and perfect. It's some of the best Mexican I have had in Tucson. Better even than the great El Guerro Canelo.
Tucson Mexican
I am not picky, I like good food. You don't agree with my opinions, that's fine, but please don't resort to making personal judgment calls when you don't know me personally, and for the record I'm not picky. My idea of heaven is a bowl of rice and beans. I could eat that forever.
Tucson Mexican
...Or searching for the elusive perfect green chile chicken enchilada.
After eating around Tucson for over three years now, and sampling the carbo-dairy heavy Sonoran fare indicative of the area, I've come to the conclusion that the Mexican in Tucson is a hit or miss proposition -- with an emphasis on miss.
Granted, I am comparing what I am eating to two years spent eating around New Mexico, which was gastronomic bliss, and taste is a subjective thing anyway, but...
Mi Nidito was trumpeted as a local favorite. It's a tiny and dark but pleasant space downtown, the walls are covered with photos of visiting dignitaries, like Bill Clinton, and the plates are affordable and portions are generous. But the house salsa is bland and lacking in heat and the chicken enchiladas were dry and over salted.
El Minuto's enchiladas were inedible. The tortilla was so over cooked it tasted like cracker, and the chicken was a bit fishy. Rice was reheated and tasted like it was made at the beginning of the century. Beans lacked flavor. The margaritas were icy and huge, though made with the typical electric green mix. The live mariachi was utterly fantastic.
El Charro, serving up Tucsonans since the 20s, boasts friendly staff, good people watching, lively decor, and hints of bygone southwestern hospitality. The food is served hot and made to order. Portions are gigantic. Wish the taste lived up to the presentation, because if they could pull that off it would be my favorite restaurant in town, but then I also had the bad but unmistakable MSG headache after I ate there.
El Molino, another local favorite, the place on Speedway with the bull statue out front, packed to the gills on weekend nights, can claim indifferent staff (at least when I went), soapy tasting salsa, grimy tables, and mess-on-a-plate Mexican.
La Fuente has been around since the 50s. Waitstaff makes fresh guacamole at your table for tips. The guacamole has no taste. I added their salsa to it and it was better. Enchiladas are super bland but pack a big punch. You'll be filled for days.
Don't mean to be mean, but I call's it as I saw it, and it's good to bear in mind that with repeat visits I may have had a better experience (I am a big believer in the "off night").
El Sur. I was a regular at the yellow painted cinderblock abode in midtown -- until the chef left. This place was everything one wanted: clean, excellent staff who treat guests like family, icy cold beers and Mexican Coke (yummy...the kind you remember made with REAL SUGAR) , salty, tangy margaritas, and a menu of delicious, fresh, savory specials: like spicy, earthy, grilled carnitas with warmed homemade flour or corn tortillas, and biftek picado, little piece of grilled, marinated beef in a pico de gallo salsa, fresh tomatoes, green peppers (jalapeno), onions, cilantro, lime juice, with tortillas and beans and rice. And there are sublime green chile chicken enchiladas. The salsa verde is subtle yet also yields many different flavors to the palate with a nice slow heat. Chicken is tender and enchiladas do not drown under the standard thick blanket of cheese as they do at...
La Parilla Suissa. This place almost makes it. The staff are on the verge of warm and friendly, their shrimp dishes are a treat and the enchiladas are almost great; they make them in the suave style, with cheese and sourcream sauce over green chile, and the chicken tastes poached and it's very pleasant and surprising when the green chicken enchiladas, with delicious secret recipe beans and a pilaf of rice, succeed, but they have only 2/5 times, and the prices are too high to justify repeat visits. My husband and I went about five times, and after three we wondered why we kept going.
Let me stop and say that my husband and I used to wait tables and we come in with automatic sympathy towards anyone who works in a restaurant; it's punishing work. We over tip and do not send orders back, unless someone's immediate health is compromised by uncooked or unsanitary food. We also have simple tastes, preferring fresh ingredients prepared in a minimum of steps to fuss.
Cafe Poca Cosa. Ate at the second and the new location.The first location was a lunch counter serving downtown suits and a blue collar set. Second location was in an outpost at a cross section, with smoky glass windows looking out onto the fading glories of downtown Tucson. Wood floors, a daily changing menu scratched on chalkboards, casual style made homey by displays of local artwork, and food to DIE for. Taste sensations exploding, fresh produce and dazzling sauces hinting of smoke, heat, chocolate, spice, fruit, land and sea. Grilled meat perfection. The chef, an artist, looking to Mexico City's heritage, cultural richness, access to exotic flavors for her palette -- and our palate. Higher than average prices (i.e. $60 for 2, including chef's plates, appetizer, drinks) well worth the extraordinary experience. The kind of food that leaves a memory long after the last bite. I did not have enchiladas; I had whatever the chef wished to make for me and the result was unforgettable and almost made me forget about enchiladas! Then the restaurant moved to the new space, a gleaming lobby spot of glass and metal amid office buildings, and the food was simply not as good.
Last weekend, we went to Rosa's. A favorite of local celebrity chef Janos Wilder, it is a pleasing, rosy place, of the friendliest staff you'll meet in Tucson, some of the best salsa you'll ever have, and convenient to the university and Foothills area, the people watching is good too. The green chile chicken enchiladas are like a comfort food, warm, cheesy, mild, tasty, salty, and unfortunately, a little forgettable. We asked our most excellent host to make them hot and he said, "Are you sure?" Oh, yes, we replied. and I had visions of the time I ate green chile stew at Duran's in downtown Albuquerque, a little lunch counter in a drugstore, and the food was so hot, my head started to spin, and my vision seemed clearer for the rest of the day.
But hot at Rosa's is not hot. It is merely warmer.
Where was that kick in the pants green chile chicken enchilada?
Well, for months I avoided it: that tiny ramshackle place off 22nd and Kolb. How could it be good? it advertised itself as New Mexican Mexican food. No one ever seemed to be eating there. I didn't meet anyone who ever ate there either. Finally, after accepting failure in my green chile chicken enchilada odyssey, decided to give Poco and Mom's a try. Poco and Mom's, for real? Well, all right.
To Be Continued....
Just Returned from Las Vegas
$1400 for 2? What did you have at Guy Savoy? I think that was price for the four of us at Batali's Babbo, and we ordered about five bottles of fine wine, one which dated back to the early 70s, as I recall.
going to vegas, looking for recommendations?
Hi,
What is the price range for Rosemary's (dinner for two, say, with a couple of glasses of wine)?
Thanks,
Jill
In Search of Green Chili Burgers (long)
You've made me crazy with this post. I now have a killer urge to get in car and go up to Albuquerque.
We used to live up the hill from Corrales, in Rio Rancho . We used to go to Los Ranchos de Corrales where their salsa was non pareil. Prairie Star was another great place, though spendy. Sefereno's (sic) in RR used to have decent sopapillas and enchilada specials. Plaza Cafe in Santa Fe was another stand-by and Woolworths across the Plaza served frito pie in a Frito bag of chips. I miss the land of Enchantment but consider myself very lucky to be able to live in the west at all.
I am currently growing Hatch chiles so I can experience that singular taste of chile verde New Mexican style.
We grew drought resistant tomatoes that were akin to cherry, though a deeper color and more intense.
I roasted five anaheim peppers, removed outer skin, veins and seeds and chopped them and added them to two cups of tomatoes chopped coarsely. Then added the juice of three key limes, sea salt, minced opinion (about 3 tbls), and chopped cilantro stems, about 1/4 cup (or to taste). I added adobo and red chile powder and garlic powder. Then I mixed half of the salsa with the meat from two avocados.
I made quesadillas, pan grilling in butter homemade tortillas and mozzarella cheese. then cut into wedges, and served with salsa and guacamole, and margaritas (Sauza Commemorativo tequila, dash of Cointreau, fresh orange juice, fresh key lime juice, served in chilled glass encrusted with salt).
A good "Christmas" summer repast.
P.S. Carl's Jr. has a GREAT jalapeno burger.
Jillita
Vegas on the Cheap and Good
I've read differing reviews of Burger Bar, but if we want burgers while there we will go to Burger Bar for sure. I do love a good burger and a cold beer.
Thanks!
Jillita
Vegas on the Cheap and Good
Great! I will definitely check out Bellagio buffet and the Wynn.
Thank you,
J
Albuquerque to Sedona to Kayenta and back
Dollie's Cafe in Espanola offers WONDERFUL blue corn enchiladas, among other regional delights, at good prices. I would say Espanola probably has more food options than Ojo Caliente, but it's been a while since I've been up that way, and maybe someone else can weigh in.
Acoma is a drive, but there's no other place like it, and if I'm not mistaken the Indian fry break tacos there were outstanding.
The food options in Navajo Country are few and far in between with bets in Ganado and Chinle. We had a pretty good mutton stew in Chinle at the big cafeteria there; there are few options. I must say, though, the towns have seen better days and the hospitality left a lot to be desired. We are unfailingly polite, respectful and mindful, but we were refused service at several places, for food and gas, and ignored at several restaurants until we had to leave. It left a bad taste in our mouths during our Four Corner sojourn.
I hope yours is a better experience. We have had the opposite experience with the Hopi, and with the Gila River Indian Community (Pima/Maricopa) outside Phoenix, the White Mountain Apache and other nations, and I'd love to hear from others what their experiences were in Navajo territory as there is so much to recommend it.
If you have not been to AZ before and will be in the Sedona area, I think you will have a better time consecrating your trip to Sedona, Flag, and the canyon rims.
Jillita
Vegas on the Cheap and Good
Thanks to you both!!!
Great recommendations -- and I think I'll skip Carnegie!
In your estimation does the Bellagio offer a better buffet than other resorts?
And I invite others to weight in: what's the best buffet in Vegas? For freshness, taste, deal?
How about Chinese and Mexican food?
Thanks so much,
Jillita
tucson resto recs?
Second Miss Saigon! Their soups (like Miss Saigon chicken noodle) not to be missed.
Jillita
Albuquerque to Sedona to Kayenta and back
Second Turquoise Room.
I think the only decent place around Monument Valley is Gouldings Lodge. Fresh and attractively presented but bland. Four Corners was a BIG DISAPPOINTMENT.
Recommendations for your drive:
Acoma, NM
Canyon de Chelly and Hubbell Trading Post
La Posada (our suite was buffered from train noise and the food at Turquoise Room was WONDERFUL)
Petrified Forest and Painted Desert
And check the Sedona boards for current food recs (my favorite there is Pizza Picazzo)
Monument Valley is extremely photogenic, but I was, as a hiker, disappointed in the area. I'm used to dry and dusty living in Tucson, but for me the area lacked magic compared to other areas of the SW.
Yours will be a long drive with little reward, along I-40. If you have not been to the ALB area before, I highly recommend you stay in NM and drive the enchanted circle, from ALB to Santa Fe, to Taos, and Angel Fire, and back again.
If you want to do Arizona, fly to Phoenix direct, then drive up to Sedona, then to Flag or Williams (for the Grand Canyon RR) and then to both South and North Rims of the Grand Canyon which offer unparalleled hiking.
I hope I'm not being too presumptuous, but I think it' s a great mistake to do Arizona and New Mexico in one trip. There's so much to see in both states and the four corner corridor is the least of it!
Jillita
Vegas on the Cheap and Good
Hi,
My foodie husband and foodie self with foodie kids are headed for Vegas. Never been there before. We are all adventurous eaters who live for food nirvana at budget prices. That's the goal. I realize Vegas has stopped catering to families (thought they tried hard to become a family getaway town in the 90s), and gone are the days of the cheap n' good buffet, but I've heard pretty good things about the Mexican and Asian fare.
We are staying at the Mirage. I've heard their buffet (I think it's called Cravings, or some other just as unimaginative name) is fairly decent. But, most importantly to us, has anyone had the Matzoh Ball soup at the Carnegie deli? Or the pastrami on rye? Is it a poor approximation of NYC deli fare, or is the food at Carnegie passable?
Other considerations:
Best Chinese?
Best enchilada?
Are there good bagels to be found?
Best cup of coffee?
Best sushi?
Best scrambled eggs?
Pancakes?
Thanks in advance!
Jillita
tucson resto recs?
Favorites:
Cafe Poca Cosa (best of Tucson period)
El Sur (best cheap Mexican)
Vila Thai (University main gate Thai, wonderful!)
El Guero Canelo (lunchwagon burros, yum! But if you see the white La Parilla Mexicana truck, be sure to flag them down.)
Beyond Bread (breakfast sandwiches, baguette, egg, ham, etc. Really good)
Sakura (fresh sushi)
Gandhi (best Indian)
Best steak and margaritas are at my house, but you can get a decent steak at Chad's. Don't go to Pinnacle Peak. DOGFOOD.
Carls Jr. or In and Out have best burgers
Drinks at Arizona Inn are a must;
North at La Encantada Mall is supposed to offer wonderful Italian.
Hear Ventana Room is off its game.
Ate at Gold Room/Westward Look, with incomparable views and okay pricey food. Their room rates are really good in summer, but the food is nothing to write home about. But then you are perched over the city lights on the terrace and it's real nice.
Ate Janos Wilder's food up in Phoenix -- yum! Haven't tried his Janos or J-Bar restos in Tucson yet, but will.
The Sonoran hotdog stand at the Food City (22nd and Country Club) offers the best in that class.
Poco and Mom is supposed to offer wonderful New Mexican style cuisine. Having tasted my way around NM, I can say the green chile enchiladas at El Sur come very close. The price is also right, and for the whole experience (casual, cheap prices, great food, cold drinks, friendly and attentive service), El Sur is hands down my favorite for cheap Tucson Mex (around $30 for 4). If you want to double the bill, Cafe Poca Cosa is your best bet for pricey Mex (around $60 for 2).
Hope this helps,
Jillita
New Tucson Restaurants (Are there any?)
If you like Thai, Vila Thai on University is outstanding.
AZ for the first time - suggestions please?
Me too. Kai is wonderful -- as is Ko'Sin, the downstairs restaurant in the Wild Horse Pass Resort. In fact, I preferred Ko'Sin because it's small and intimate and we were given a table by the open doors overlooking the patio, where Burning Sky was playing live, and it was one of the most romantic and relaxing dining experiences we ever had! Try their signature Kai cones and game lollipops. They use heirloom produce for salads, grown and harvested by the Pima- Maricopa children.
