Sadie's of New Mexico Now At The Albuquerque Sunport

During my trip to Houston, Texas last month, I took flights to and from the Albuquerque Sunport.

The airport terminal was remodeled over the past few years and appears to have been completed.

I noticed one thing new in the terminal: a Sadie's of New Mexico Mexican restaurant. Sadie's is my favorite Mexican restaurant when I am in Albuquerque. 

Should I have need for food while at the Albuquerque Sunport in the future, I'll be sure to go to Sadie's in the terminal.

For more information, go here.

Last Evening At Jerry's Cafe

Above, Russ and I at Jerry's Cafe in Gallup.

Last evening, one of my Jamestown friends, Russ Azbill, and I went to dinner at Jerry's Cafe in Gallup. He had never eaten there before.

I had earlier called him to ask him if he had a .38 Special/.357 Magnum pistol as I had some snake shot rounds in those calibers to give him. A few days ago, his dog Derek got bit on the tongue by a rattlesnake. Russ only had .22 caliber snake shot. The dog is at the vet's in Milan and should be coming home Monday (if they're open). He seems to be improving.

As we were talking, I mentioned I was going to Jerry's Cafe that evening and asked if he'd like to come along and I would give him the rounds then. He did and we went.

He liked Jerry's. I told him that Genaro's and Jerry's are my two favorite restaurants in Gallup.

UPDATE:

The vet called Russ this morning and Derek is being released today.

Out and About Yesterday

Yesterday was enjoyable.

It started out with six of us met up for coffee/breakfast at Denny's down at the Flying J. We were joined by Nandoh Munoz who told us about his recent cruise down to Mexico.

Afterwards, since the temperature was in the upper 50s, I got the Jeep out and did some driving around the subdivision and, later, down to the corral at gate to Six Mile Canyon. It is closed until the end of next month. Still it was a nice bit of exercise for me and the Jeep. Ultimately, it got to around 60°.

Later, I headed into Gallup for dinner at Genaro's Mexican Restaurant. I had two chile rellenos. When I got there, the restaurant was packed and I had to wait about 15 minutes to get a table.

All in all, it was an enjoyable day.

A few photos:

 

Dinner At Jerry's Cafe

Above Jerry's Cafe in Gallup. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the best Mexican restaurants (New Mexico style) in Gallup is Jerry's Cafe. 

The menu has a mix of Mexican and American foods and they are reasonably priced. The restaurant is a small one and quite often there are lines of customers waiting. 

Above, the cheese enchilada and chile relleno combo I had last night. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I headed there last evening for dinner and it was crowded as usual. But I was able to get a table right away. I was not in the mood for cooking at home after being somewhat cooped up at home due to snow storms, I decided to go to Jerry's.

I decided to try their cheese enchilada and chile relleno combo with red sauce. Red sauce is supposed to be milder than green sauce, but I started sweating after only a few bites. 

Dinner At Jerry's Cafe

Since today's temperature hovered around 50°, I decided to take advantage of it to do a family tradition of going out for dinner in Gallup on Friday.

I was debating between Jerry's Cafe (Mexican food) or Cheii's at Fire Rock Navajo Casino (for their Friday prime rib special). Jerry's won.

Above, today's chile relleno plate. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As usual, I found Jerry's fully packed with people (predominantly Navajos), but I was able to get a table right away. Naturally, I ordered their chile rellenos and coffee. I forgot how hot their red sauce is sweated like a fiend and had to request water. 

It was a good meal and I got back home by 4:00.  

Tamales!

Above, yours truly with the dozen pork tamales.

Ever since I can remember, it had been a New Year's Eve tradition in my family to have a party and have, among other dishes, tamales.

In Gallup, our "gaggle of geezers" group had been buying them by the dozen from Erlinda's Tamale Shop. But this year, Erlinda's decided to not sell in bulk but from a roach coach (lunch truck). 

So, several of us have been searching for a place to buy them in bulk (by the dozen).

Last evening, after Larry Lucier's phyical therapy session, we went to Genaro's restaurant for dinner.

While looking over the menu, I flipped it over to the back side and saw that they sell tamales by the dozen for $20.99/dozen. We notified the others in the group by text.

I decided to buy a dozen pork tamales to try them out. Since Genaro's has good food anyway, we figure that their tamales should be good ones.

I will try some later today.

Cocina de Dominguez Mexican Restaurant

Above, the chile rellenos. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Following Larry Lucier's physical therapy session, we headed out for dinner.

We decided to try out a new place, Cocina de Dominguez on Second Street in Gallup. It isn't exactly new to me as I discovered it three years ago and ordered take-out from them twice (chimichangas). They were good, by the way. This was during the height of the pandemic and dine-in at restaurants were verboten at the time. My computer repairer is only a few doors away.

This was the first time we dined there. The restaurant decor was better than average. 

Above, at Cocina de Dominguez. 

I tried out their chile rellenos and the chili peppers were large and loaded with plenty of cheese. The red sauce had a nice kick to them. They were quite good.

I forgot what Larry had, but he was pleased with his meal. He ran into a local silver jewelry artist friends while there. It is typical of small town life where one always manages to run into someone they know.

We will definitely go there again. 

Finally Tried Jerry's Café

Above, inside Jerry's Café. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Finally, at long last, I tried out Jerry's Café in Downtown Gallup. I had wanted to try out their food, but for one reason or another, I just never got there until today.

After picking up Larry Lucier from his physical therapy appointment, we headed over to Jerry's Café. The timing couldn't have been better, The place was packed, but a table able to accommodate Larry's wheelchair was available.

Above, Larry Lucier in front of Jerry's Café. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since the El Rancho Hotel's restaurant manager decided to eliminate chile rellenos, this was good time to try a new (for me) place. Jerry's had chile rellenos on their menu and, of course, I had to try them out. They were great! Larry had their BLT sandwich. He said they make them "the way I would."

Above, the chile rellenos. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Jerry's Café has been in business in Gallup since the 1970s. It is a small hole-in-the-wall family restaurant, but the food is good (as I confirmed) at reasonable prices. It is usually packed and during the summer, people can be seen waiting for a table in a line that extends out along the sidewalk.

I'll definitely will be going back.

El Rancho Hotel Drops Chile Rellenos From Menu

Above, El Rancho's chile rellenos last April. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday evening, after picking up Larry Lucier from his physical therapy session, he, Russell Azbill and I headed over to the El Rancho Hotel & Motel for dinner. It had been a few weeks since we were last there.

The menu at the restaurant was unchanged, but when I ordered the chile rellenos (Russell was going to order them too), we were told that they were dropped from the menu, despite them still being listed. The waitress said the restaurant manager decided that they weren't selling enough. 

I ended up getting chicken enchiladas. 

As Larry pointed out, chile rellenos should be considered basic food items along with enchiladas, tacos and burritos at Mexican restaurants, which is what the El Rancho restaurant is. We protested the change, in a humorous way, but we got our point across. It was a dumb move on the restaurant manager's part. They'd sell more if they weren't listed in the back page of the menu.

Larry tried to flag over the restaurant manager several times, but he didn't respond.

Their rellenos, in my opinion, were the best in town. It looks like we'll have to find another place for dinner who has decent chile rellenos. 

Food In L.A. Last Weekend

Above, my Tommy's breakfast sandwich. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I went to Los Angeles last Friday to attend the 50ish Hawthorne High School Reunion, I made it a point to go have a breakfast sandwich at Tommy's in North Hills. This I accomplished. I was craving Tommy's chili.

As for other food outside of the reunion, the gang of us headed to Pancho's Mexican restaurant in Manhattan Beach. While planning the trip, I had my eye on either Pancho's or Cozymel's Mexican Grill.

Above, Pancho's looked the same. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Well, Cozymel's was closed down several years ago as their rent was increased and the plaza was being remodeled. My late mother and I used to go there for dinner quite often. Therefore, as Pancho's was still operating, we went there.

The place still looked the same and the food was still good. I used to bring Young Republicans there in the 1970s and 1980s whenever we had a convention in Los Angeles. Pancho's didn't disappoint. I had a cheese enchilada and chile relleno combination plate.

Above, the gang at Pancho's last Saturday evening. 

A friend here asked me how did the food at Pancho's compare to the Mexican food in New Mexico. I said that although the food at Pancho's was good, the Mexican food in New Mexico is better and hotter. (It must be the Hatch Valley chile peppers in the sauce.)

The only favorite place I missed was In-N-Out Burger while in L.A. Oh, well. Next time.

Back From Albuquerque

Above, at Sadie's in Albuquerque this morning.

We're back in Jamestown.

I picked up my former roommate Jessica from the airport last night and we spent the night at the Route 66 RV Resort outside of Albuquerque.

It looked like it would rain, but it never did.

We headed to Jamestown following a brunch at Sadie's in Albuquerque. If one wants some excellent Mexican food, New Mexico style, Sadie's is the place to go.

Along the way, we made one stop in Laguna, New Mexico as I was getting drowsy. It was likely a food coma from the big meal we had before heading on the road. I got myself some coffee at the Laguna Burger restaurant there. 

After reaching Jamestown, we were treated to thundershowers. 

Yesterday In Gallup

Above, from left, Russell, yours truly and Larry at El Sombrero Restaurant.

Yesterday, I was in Gallup as I had to take Larry Lucier to his physical therapy session. 

While he was doing that, I had other things to attend to, such as picking up a framed poster that had to have the glass of the frame replaced as it fell and cracked. 

Following that, I headed over to the Gallup indoor flea market on Coal Ave. to browse around. I didn't see anything that I would want, but it was a fun way to pass the time. 

After Larry was done, we headed over to the El Sombrero Restaurant on Historic Route 66 for dinner. This was the first time Larry and I have been there (and Larry has lived in the area 12 years). 

He ordered a burrito with green sauce and I ordered chile rellenos with red sauce. 

While there, we spotted one of our community buddies, Russell Azbill. He had just finished eating and was heading out. We called him over and he sat with us and we had a good conversation on wills, space program, autographs, guitars, guns and other topics. 

On the food, Larry was pleased with his, but I thought mine was just "okay". The rellenos were good but the sauce was disappointing. There was no kick to it. The chips and salsa that was brought after we sat down was mediocre. 

Thus far, this was the most disappointing Mexican restaurant in Gallup. The better ones that I have been to include Genaro's, Don Diego's, El Rancho Hotel's restaurant, Earl's, Cocina De Dominguez and Kiva Café (in Milan-Grants). There's one left in Gallup I have to try: Jerry's Café. It is a small restaurant and usually has a line of people waiting to get in. I've been told that Jerry's Café is one of the best in Gallup.

Preparing For New Year's: Tamales

Above, warming up Erlinda's tamales in the crock pot. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There's one family tradition that I won't let go, and that's having tamales for New Year's Eve.

New Year's will be here before we know it and I made a note in my phone's calendar to order a two dozen tamales from Erlnda's Tamale Shop in Gallup.

I ordered 2 dozen last year and they were very good.

Back in L.A., my family used to order several dozen tamales from Ramona's in Gardena for their New Year's Eve parties. These were their restaurant tamales. There would be long lines of people waiting to buy tamales just before New Year's Eve.

TCB In Albuquerque

Above, a display at Cabela's main entrance. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Most of yesterday was spent in Albuquerque to drop of my mini-bike to a repair shop and to take friend Larry Lucier to Lowe's hardware store and Cabela's.

I needed to use Larry's bus with a wheelchair life to transport the mini-bike to Albuquerque. That worked out great. Right now, Larry, confined to a wheelchair,  is unable to drive the bus until he modifies a few things. So I drove us.

Above, the gun department at Cabela's in Albuquerque. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Dropping off the mini-bike was quick and easy. Luckily, I knew ahead of time where the local Lowe's and Cabela's were located. The best part was that they were in close proximity to each other.

The first stop was at Lowe's where Larry had to get some items for a project he's working on. 

After that, we headed a half mile away to Cabela's so Larry could do some shopping there. While he did so, I browsed around the store, mainly in the gun and camping sections. Cabela's had some ammo, but they were in calibers that I don't have firearms for. There was absolutely nothing in 9mm Luger and .30-30 Winchester. No problem, for I have plenty of ammo of each. Larry, in the meantime, found some clothing items he needed. We were at Cabela's for nearly two hours. 

Above, Larry Lucier and I at Sadie's of New Mexico.

After we were done at Cabela's, we headed off for dinner at Sadie's of New Mexico, a small Mexican restaurant chain. 

I had a combination plate of a chicken enchilada and chile relleno. The meal was big with enough food for two meals. I finished about 2/3 of it. The sauce (red) was as hot as the sauce at Genaro's in Gallup. I was sweating from it, which amused Larry.

Once we were done with dinner, we headed back to Jamestown. But we weren't "done" with Sadie's. Along the way, we stopped for a pit stop (fuel and restroom) at Sky City Casino's travel center. There, I spotted a shelf full of different varieties of Sadie's salsa. I was going to get some, but since I have plenty of salsa already at home, I passed. At least I know where I can get some. 

Above, Sadie's salsa at Sky City Casino travel center. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After arriving back in Jamestown, it was pitch black outside and the night sky was clear and full of stars with the Milky Way galaxy band clearly visible.

It was an enjoyable day and Larry was able to get out of the house for a change.

Storm Changed Some Plans

Above, this morning's storm. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The agenda for today was to go take care of some business in Albuquerque with Larry Lucier.

We were going to drop off my mini-bike to a repair shop today and then have good Mexico food for lunch at a place Larry knows before returning home.

The storm that pummeled California over the weekend has reached New Mexico. Gusty winds and rain would make a drive to Albuquerque hazardous. It would be like driving in a hurricane.

So, I decided to postpone the trip to Friday. Hopefully, the weather will be more cooperative then. 

Victory Lunch At Backstreet Grill

Since I had business in Albuquerque anyway (haircut, dentist), I decided to go to the Backstreet Grill in Old Town Albuquerque to celebrate their victory over Gov. "Malevolent Michelle" Lujan Grisham (I saw a lot of No MLG signs in the city) and New Mexico Environment Department in court with a victory lunch.

Backstreet Grill has Baja-style Mexican cuisine and I tried their Street Taco Trio. It was good. 

I got there just before they opened and took a few photos of it. And I had my waiter take one of me after it opened as I was enjoying a Margarita. I showed him my blog post I posted yesterday of their victory. After I was seated, the placed filled up fast.

Here's the photos:

Best Mexican Restaurants In Every State

Above, a plate of enchiladas at Genaro's, my favorite restaurant in Gallup, New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Here's one for you foodies!

Just before the most recent lockdown was ordered by New Mexico's governor, Russell Azbill (one of the Jamestown, New Mexico gang) and I headed over to the El Rancho Hotel in Gallup to get some Mexican food.

Going out to eat is something everyone enjoys doing and it is a crime for politicians to single out restaurants of any cuisine for some of the most stringent lockdowns. Many have gone out of business as a result.

New Mexico is the "Chile Capital of the World" and there's plenty of Mexican restaurants in the state. The chile rellenos are fabulous here, as are the enchiladas. So far, my favorite Mexican eateries in Gallup, New Mexico are Genaro's, Don Diego's Restaurant & Lounge, Virgie's, The Restaurant at the El Rancho Hotel, Earl's Family Restaurant and Cocina De Dominguez. 

So, while we're waiting to be able to go out and dine again, I thought I would provide some information on the best Mexican restaurants in every state. These are based on Yelp scores.  

These are provided by the fine folks at 24/7 Wall St.

Some pertinent snippets:

The food Americans have missed the most during long months of not dining out — and most look forward to eating again when restaurant-going gets back to normal — is Mexican, according to figures compiled by DoorDash, the nation’s largest food delivery service.

In addition, says the company, three Mexican-style dishes were among the 10 most often ordered items for home delivery in the first six months of this year — breakfast burritos, spicy shrimp tacos, and chicken fajitas.

If any further proof is needed that we love Mexican food in this country, Mexico came in second only to Italy as the country with the best food overall, according to Ranker readers responding to a survey the site conducted last year. And Mexican is the second most popular “ethnic” cuisine in the United States after Chinese — and the number-one favorite in some 27 states — according to an analysis of Google searches for various cuisines conducted by the website Chef’s Pencil.

Of course “Mexican” can mean different things to different people: sea urchin tostadas with bone marrow salsa at Cosme in Manhattan; black mole enchiladas with chorizo at Guelaguetza in Los Angeles; a five-item combination plate at the nationwide Chevy’s Fresh Mex chain; even a keto salad bowl with adobo chicken at the ubiquitous Chipotle or a never-in-Mexico creation like a Quesarito or a Crunchwrap Supreme at the local Taco Bell. (These are the top 15 Mexican chains in America.)

In this listing of the best Mexican restaurant in every state based on Yelp scores, 24/7 Tempo has included establishments of every type — elegant contemporary restaurants, family-style neighborhood places, bare-bones counter-service establishments. Some specialize in the cuisines of specific regions of Mexico. Some offer the standard fare we’ve come to expect, but done particularly well. Some take the Mexican flavor palate as an inspiration and invent dishes of their own. 

These restaurants range from the casual to the sophisticated, the Americanized to the authentic, but every one is a place you’ll want to try.

To see what are the best Mexican restaurants in every state, go here. 

Dinner At Genaro's

Above, tonight's meal at Genaro's in Gallup. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tonight, I was craving Mexican food (well, I've been craving it for some time) and decided to head into Gallup to Genaro's.

It had been months since I last dined at Genaro's and I headed into Gallup for dinner.

Since my heart/artery issue of last year, I have drastically cut down on red meat. But, I figured I'd treat myself to beef enchiladas. I would like to have had their chili rellenos, but they're too loaded with cheese (gotta watch the cholesterol, y'know).

When I arrived, the dining room was only one quarter occupied, which was fine with me.

Above, inside Genaro's. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Genaro's is located on Hill Avenue west of downtown Gallup in a residential neighborhood. At least they have a parking lot. Many times I've been there and the lot was full and I had to park on the street. Tonight was my lucky night since there was plenty of parking.

Tonight was a "four napkin night" as I broke out in a sweat from the spicy enchilada sauce. New Mexico is known as the "Chili Capital of the U.S." If one visits New Mexico and goes to a Mexican restaurant and they ask, "Red or green?" they are referring to the sauce. Red is actually milder than the green.

Anyway, it was an enjoyable meal. Tomorrow, it is back to my "safe" food (fish or chicken).

Healthy Mexican Food Meals

Above, a dinner place at Virgie's Mexican Restaurant in Gallup. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since I live in the state that's been dubbed the "Chile Capital of the World", I was wondering, "Is it safe for me to indulge in Mexican food?"

Fortunately, I found a website that addresses this question. It is EatThis.com.

Here's a portion of what they wrote about Mexican food:

Refills of chips keep getting dropped on the table, margaritas are flowing like waterfalls and mounds of rice are piled sky-high on everyone’s plate.

No, this isn’t the opening scene of the latest Chili's commercial, this is what it’s actually like dining at a Mexican restaurant—and it’s every dieter’s nightmare. But dining at a Mexican joint doesn’t have to be stressful or overindulgent. Most local spots have plenty of healthful options that can help you reach your weight loss goal—you just have to know what to ask for. 

To help you get in the know we asked seven diet experts what they order at their favorite Mexican hot spots. All of their suggestions are widely available, will leave you satisfied and won’t ruin a week’s worth of your calorie cutbacks. Here, all of their go-to RD-approved appetizers, drink and entrées orders.

Limiting or eliminating cheeses and beef is obvious. Fish tacos sounds good. What they say about avocados is welcome news: "Avocados are packed with heart-healthy and anti-inflammatory nutrients and its fat content can help quell pre-dinner hunger pangs."

To read more, go here.

Enchiladas Tonight

Above, enchiladas from Genaro's in Gallup. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since it has been about a month since I last had Mexican food (New Mexico-style), I am thinking on heading to Genaro's in Gallup this evening for some enchiladas. Yes, I am craving Mexican food.

I suppose I can stand sweating like a fiend today since the enchilada sauce is hotter than hell. Thank God they have a nice big napkin dispenser on each table for patrons to wipe off the perspiration.

Red or green enchilada sauce? Well, I found a website that discusses the difference between the two New Mexico sauces.

They wrote:

Red or green?  That's the question you'll be asked in every New Mexican restaurant.  In fact, New Mexico is the only state in the USA that has an official state question:  "Red or Green?"  I learned that on my first trip through New Mexico, and, I was further told, "if you're not asked this question in a New Mexican restaurant, you're not eating New Mexican food."  While many of us out-of-staters (who love our Mexican and Texican fare) generically refer to this type of red or green chile pepper- or powder-based sauce as "enchilada sauce", and, mistakenly assume it's reserved for enchiladas, in New Mexico, you'll learn that almost everything gets smothered in it.  You name it, the dish gets sauced.  Can't decide?  Just answer "Christmas" -- they'll bring you both.

I don't think I am too daring to answer "Christmas" at the restaurant. Since I survived the red sauce the last time, I'll just go with that.

Small wonder that the New Mexico Motor Vehicles Department offers "Chile Capital of the World" license plates.