@WayOutWestMom Definitely right about the abundance of good Mexican food in ABQ. We left in 2004 and have lived in three other cities since then and the Mexican food has been pathetic in all three locations. So sad to hear about Garduno’s though! We had our wedding rehearsal dinner at the one on 2nd or 4th Street up near Paseo Del Norte. So that one is closed also? It was the original and had the best food and atmosphere. It was more cozy rather than raucous like the newer ones.
I did google Taco Sal a few weeks ago, and it is still open. That was our fav dive Mexican food place. Have you been there?
I also loved the County Line. Is it still in business?
If you’re talking the New Mexican restaurant on north 4th St (w/the outdoor dining area) in the North Valley area–that’s not Garduno’s. That’s El Pinto–which is wonderful. And still there. I took D1’s future parents-in-law to dinner there when they flew into town for the wedding.
Taco Sal is still there and still open. It’s a great dive-y little hole in the wall. I’ve been to Taco Sal many times, although not recently. Taco Sal was my first introduction to New Mexican food after I moved to ABQ years and years ago.
County Line is still there and still hugely busy, but we now have several other BBQ options-- a couple of DIckey’s, a couple of Rudy’s, a Whole Hog Cafe and there’s new Moe’s Original BBQ that just opened at Academy & Wyoming. I’m still sad that Mr. Powdrell of Powdrell’s BBQ died and his sons ran the business into the ground.
@WayOutWestMom No, the original Garduno’s was in the same vicinity of El Pinto. I googled it and found this on Trip Advisor:
“Unfortunately, our very most favorite Gardunos on 4th St closed. The other ones in town are fun, but are pretty touristy, busy and loud. It’s fun if you’re celebrating something with a crowd, but for a quiet, enjoyable meal, not so much.”
So that commenter had the same opinion as me. It really was a great place in a very old historic adobe building. Sad that it’s gone.
For some reason we never went to El Pinto in the whole 16 years we were there - once we discovered Garduno’s, we were hooked. We did go to Sadie’s a few times, and Monroe’s sounds familiar but I don’t recognize the other two you mentioned.
Good to know Taco Sal is still there. I knew it probably was since it was in a few episodes of “Breaking Bad?”
If I visited ABQ, I’d still be loyal to County Line in spite of the crowds - I didn’t really go there for the BBQ anyway - I always had a steak. Best steaks ever!
@WayOutWestMom Wow, I lived in Santa Fe for several years back in the 80’s. I managed a gallery on Canyon Road right across from The Compound restaurant. Is it still there? My old bf still lives there and is very involved in theater. El Museo? Another “friend”
use to be executive chef at La Fonda.
Anyway, this brings back many memories. I would suggest renting a car. That way your kids can explore. There are many interesting things to drive to. Taos, Santa Fe ski and hiking trails. There also use to be a quaint church with a miracle sand hole near Espanola? Is it still there? It brought people from all over the world who claimed they were healed. Used to live in Tesuque. It was artistic. Is it still? Is Tomositas(sp) still around? It was in the SF depot.
It is a beautiful, interesting and unique area. Enjoy.
The church is the Santuarió de Chimayó. The Santuarió has been there over 200 years and is a National Historical Landmark that gets over 300,000 visitors/year. I doubt it’s going to disappear. The Santuarió and Tomé Hill are major destinations for Good Friday pilgrimages. People do come from all over the world to see the church and get some of its miraculous dirt.
I haven’t been to Tesuque for a while, but last time I was there, it was still very much an artsy little town. D1 used to date a paramedic who worked out of the Tesuque Fire Station.
Tomasita’s is still around and still in the same location. The new RailRunner station is a couple of blocks from it. And George (Gundrey, Tomasita’s owner) just announced he’s going to open a second location in October in ABQ in the former Texas Land & Cattle Steakhouse location next to the Century Rio 24 theater. Can’t wait.
Hmm…I don’t remember Garduno’s on 4th St at all. I always went to El Pinto.
Padilla’s is tiny, tiny storefront in an old (like vintage 1950s) 3 store strip mall at Girard & Indian School near the UNM’s North Campus (where the Law and Med Schools are) and ABQ Tennis Club. It’s right across the street from my accountant’s office so I always schedule my appointment with him around lunch time. It takes a whip & chair to get in there at lunch time. The students don’t know about Padilla’s but the UNM staff sure does.
Cocina Azul is in Old Town near the Explora & Natural History Museum but has only been around for maybe the last 10-12 years I think.
@WayOutWestMom OK, I looked it up and it was located at 8806 4th St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114. At the intersection of 4th and Garduno Ave, lol. It is just North of Paseo del Norte on the east side of 4th. It was the original Garduno’s and was in that location from 1981-2010. A restaurant called El Bruno Resteraunt Y Cantina is located there now. I swear I’m not making this up, lol!
We worked near UNM in the Downtown Area but never made it to Padilla’s for some reason. I guess we had moved before Cocina Azul was opened.
Lots of good memories from our time there. I had the best co-workers - a really fun group of people to work with.
Another recommendation for Bandelier–my whole family loved it there! And I also have to say, I’m not an opera fan, but the Santa Fe Opera was something else! I saw Die Fledermaus there many years ago (which I see is there again this summer) and thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s not often that you can see an opera performed in such a magnificent setting–highly recommend!
One can easily spend lots of time just wandering galleries, etc in SF…I’m sure your Ds will have a great time!
I was surprised when a dear friend had altitude problems during a recent visit to SF. Apparently there are some who are super-sensitive to the altitude thing. We’ve never had issues…
@rutgersmamma – Santa Fe is surprisingly high – over 7,000 feet above sea level - significantly higher than Mile High City. If you live at sea level, just get off the plane – that elevation can be problematic.
They booked their tickets. Flying into Santa Fe as it was same cost. They are both connecting through Phoenix and will fly together from there. Older D who is wallet conscious doesn’t want to rent a car as they are already spending a lot of money. I think they will change their mind once they price out shuttle and a few Uber rides.
I’d like to give them a gift certificate for a spa or massage treatment. Suggestions that would be in town in case they hold firm on the no car.