Albuquerque to Durango Easter Week 2010

[dwnsue]

We are spending a week in Albuquerque/Durango end of March 2010.
Any recommendations for food stops? We'll be driving to/from sometime during the week so would love recommendations for stocking up or stopping en route.

[finlero]

Hi there, and welcome in advance. A couple of questions for you so we can give you a few better-tailored recs:

Where do you live? If you're from LA, don't want to send you out for sushi; if you're from Texas, don't want to send you for steak, etc.
This region tends to run fairly inexpensive, but any restrictions on price?
Kids or no kids?

In the meantime, some "flying blind" ABQ/NM recs:

* Frontier - a fast, fun, inexpensive institution on Route 66 with surprisingly terrific food, open early and late. Everything tends to be pretty good, but I'm a particular fan of the breakfast burritos (available all day), served on homemade tortillas. Green chile stew is also very good.

* The Grove - very good coast-style cafe, with exceptionally good breakfast and lunch. Nothing too fancy or weird, but the dishes tend to have slightly unexpected ingredients that stand the place above a standard sandwich place (and inspire me to cook better dishes at home). To my knowledge, the only place in the state serving Intelligensia coffee.

* Padilla's - real New Mexican style Mexican food in a no-frills storefront. Throw a rock in ABQ and you'll hit a vat of green chile, these guys do it particularly well. If you want similar food with a few more frills, other ideas would be El Patio or Los Cuates. Hopefully some longer-established locals can chime in with other NM-style recs.

* Jennifer James 101 - a very good (and very expensive for ABQ) upscale casual restaurant. Inventive, but unpretentious food served in an intimate room where the tables are separated from the kitchen by a simple half wall.

* Blake's - local fast food chain with branches along your drive, including several in Farmington, which would be a good place to stop. Great burgers (great place to try a green chile cheeseburger), fries, shakes, surprisingly good breakfast burritos in the morning. Everything is made to order, so allow a few minutes more than you would at a national chain.

[GroovinGourmet]

2nd that emotion for Blake's, Frontier and Jennifer James. Best examples of low-brow, mid-brow and high-brow in town.

I am also a fan of Perea's. Family coffee-shop style place. Killer refrieds, good salsa, excellent adovada. Great for breakfast.

[SantaFean]

Between Durango & Albuquerque, I hope you have time to stop in Santa Fe and enjoy one of many incredible places to eat. One of my favorites for dinner is a bit pricey, but it is always exceptional -- DINNER FOR TWO. It's at the corner of W. San Francisco & Guadlupe Streets. If you want a great breakfast and don't mind a little noisy environment (mostly locals), please consider TECOLOTE CAFE. It is at the junction of Cerillos Road and Baca Street. The bread basket is delightful and the entree portions are a little bigger than normal. It's a fun place to enjoy the morning. My favorite dinner place in Albuquerque is YANNI'S for authentic & delicious Greek cuisine.

[DebitNM]

If I read this correctly, you aren't looking for restaurants, but rather for place to shop?

The drive time from ABQ to Durango is about 3 hours and IF you are truly looking for places to stop for a meal, I can help with some ideas.

I think you are asking about places to shop for food stuff.

In Duranngo, there is a Wal Mart Superstore that you will pass on your way into Durango. It is on south side of 550/160. Can't miss it.

In town, there is an Albertson's - it is on 550 at College Drive intersection, Good store, nice produce and meats. A bit pricey.

Continuing down 550, there is a City Market [kroger family] on the right side of the road.

There is another City Market about 5 miles north on 550 at 23rd, at the northern end of town.

There is an EXCELLENT italain cafe that sells cheese, meats and provisons. It is on Main Ave [runs parallel to 550, east of it] and 12th,
http://www.guidosfavoritefoods.com/

IF you want a Whole Foods like place, Nature's Oasis is a small version, Organic, high end stuff with prices to match. Great food, just really pricey. It is on northside of 550 , just past Durango mall.

http://www.shopnaturesoasis.com

[Milt]

El Bruno's in Cuba is one of the best places to eat in New Mexico. It is well worth a stop. www.elbruno.com

Black's Lotaburger for a green chile cheeseburger is available in Albuquerque, Bernalillo, Bloomfield, and Farmington - and perhaps some other locations, as well.

Ashkii's Navajo Grill just opened this week in Farmington at 123 W. Broadway serving Navajo food exclusively - mutton stew, fry bread, etc.

Durango itself has several very good restaurants. Choosing which ones to try will be the challenge.

[DebitNM]

Having homes in Durango area and ABQ area, we travel this route very often. I find El Bruno to be over priced and mediocre at best. At least it is in its "new "location". It caters to passerbys. It may be the best place in Cuba, but that's cause there are few options. The Cuban Cafe may be better spot.

[Chimayo Joe]

I've been to El Bruno a few times on my way to Albuquerque and thought the food was decent, but this summer I passed through Cuba and stopped at El Bruno, and while the food was still decent, they were having some problems--food stuck to the chips basket, food stuck to a couple of pieces of silverware. I haven't been there enough to know if that's a common occurrence, but that sort of thing tends to ruin a meal for me.

Know of some good New Mexican places in Albuquerque that are open relatively late? I've been pretty much stuck with Sadie's or Los Cuates (or El Bruno if I think I'm going to be getting to Albuquerque too late for those two.) I know there's always the Frontier, but meh to that.

[DebitNM]

About what time? That will make a difference.

[Chimayo Joe]

Places that close no earlier than 8:30PM, maybe? Seems that most of my favorite places close at 8PM or earlier if they're even open for dinner at all.