A Historic Taste of Albuquerque

Get the Flavor of New Mexico in two Iconic Restaurants

Jun 6, 2009

Albuquerque is famous for Route 66, and for red and green chilies. Epicurious travelers can get the flavor for both through two famous restaurants.

In New Mexico, the famous state question is red or green? Red or green chile that is. Whatever the preference, El Pinto’s is the place to satisfy any spicy craving. Since 1962 this family run restaurant has served up some of the best flame roasted chilis in the city. Today the 1000-plus-seat restaurant is run by the “salsa twins”, Jim and John Thomas, using the recipes their grandma Josephina Chavez-Griggs built El Pinto’s reputation on.

Red or Green—El Pinto’s caters to All

Dine during July through October and experience the intoxicating aroma of chiles roasting on the patio. El Pinto roasts over 590 tons of Anaheim chiles during a typical year for use in the restaurant or in their bottled salsas and sauces which are created at a plant onsite and shipped to grocery stores in all 50 states.

In addition to amazing chile products, El Pinto is known for fresh, tableside made, guacamole. The restaurant's authentic flavors and dedication to fresh ingredients earned it a thumbs up from former President George W. Bush, who had the chef’s from El Pinto cater the official White House Cinco de Mayo dinner two times during his presidency.

Fuel up with Food on Historic Route 66

Today the Nob Hill District of Albuquerque is one of the trendier parts of town, but back in the 1940s, it was a central route thanks to Historic Route 66. Located near the University of New Mexico, the area is full of funky coffee shops, tattoo parlors and iconic Kelly’s Brew Pub.

Kelly’s is housed in the historic Jones Motor Company building. Back in 1939 Ralph Jones created a large Ford dealership and service station on a corner of Route 66. At the time the building was considered one of the most modern facilities in the West. In 1993 it was designated a historic building and in 1999 Kelly’s Brew Pub moved in and restored it to the look and feel it had back in its heyday.

Besides the 20 in-house brews to enjoy, visitors will get a taste of the past walking around the restaurant viewing photos and newspaper clippings from the glory days of Route 66 and memorabilia from the auto dealer days including old-fashioned gas pumps.

For groups, a fun experience is to create a custom brew. Invest several hours and $150-200 dollars for a great time and 15 gallons of beer.

The copyright of the article A Historic Taste of Albuquerque in New Mexico Travel is owned by Dena Braun. Permission to republish A Historic Taste of Albuquerque in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.