Back At Jerry's Cafe

Above, some water with lemon slices for me. 

After a two-week hiatus, "Uncle Bob" Weekes and I made it for dinner at Jerry's Cafe in Gallup last evening.

Bob got there at 2:00 and I arrived fifteen minutes later. He put his name with the cashier and waited... and waited. We ended up getting seated at about 2:30. This had to be the longest wait ever for us. But, thankfully, we were in no hurry. 

Apparently, the locals were also "going through withdrawals" while the restaurant was closed for vacation for two weeks as it was packed. 

We had our usual meals (mine with the No. 3 combination of chile relleno and enchilada). 

It was good to be back.

We'll be in Gallup this morning for our usual Saturday breakfast gathering at Grandpa's Grill.

Independence Day Eve Dinner

Last evening, I had my usual dinner at Jerry's Cafe in Gallup with "Uncle Bob" Weekes.

Earlier, I was chatting on the phone with by former roommate Jessica and mentioned that would be going there. She asked me to send her some photos, including one of the enchilada/chile relleno dinner.

So, I obliged. 

 

The Last Supper... of 2025

Above, outside of Jerry's Cafe last evening. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One benefit to living in a rural community and near a small town is that it is much easier to have a restaurant dinner on New Years Eve.

I remember how difficult it is to go out to dinner on New Years Eve in Los Angeles. Restaurants at that time would have long waits for tables. 

Above, the last supper of 2025. My usual enchilada and chile relleno. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I had to wait about ten minutes for a table at Jerry's Cafe in Gallup last evening. It was no worse than a Friday night crowd. After being seated and had been there for awhile, I noticed several empty tables. 

I don't know what today's outlook is for restaurant dining. I am planning to eat at home tonight.

George Foreman, 1949 - 2025

George Foreman's passing on Friday reminded me of the heyday of heavyweight boxing during the 1960s through the 1990s. It was an era that is missed by many. 

I can't think of any active big name boxers of today. 

Foreman was a real class act. He will be missed.

Above, my George Foreman grill. I bought it when I still lived in California. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In 2017, I bought a George Foreman ceramic grill while I still lived in California. I gave it a grade A+ after first using it. I still use it, most recently when I made chicken enchiladas. I read that Foreman made more money in grill sales than he did boxing.

10 Best Regional Foods In The U.S.

Above, New Mexico's red and green chile cuisine made the list at number 3. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Here's one for you foodies out there!

RV Travel has posted a list of the ten best regional foods in the United States. New Mexico's red and green chiles have made the list, as well they should.

They begin it with:

In the video below, the Geography King shares his top 10 picks of the best regional foods in the U.S. Almost every region of the country has a signature dish that defines that area of the country from a culinary perspective.

After traveling the country extensively, these are our host’s personal subjective favorites, listed in reverse order. He also puts in the disclaimer that he has not been to Maine. Trust me when I say that I have, and Maine lobsters and lobster rolls definitely need to be added to this list. In fact, in my opinion, they could be swapped out for the king’s #1 pick (which is a big yuck in my book).

To see what they are and view the video, go here. 

Train Derailment Closes Interstate 40

Above, the train derailment near Lupton, Arizona. Photo by the McKinley County Sheriff.

As today is Friday, I headed into Gallup for dinner at Jerry's Cafe.

On the way, I (and everyone else going westbound on Interstate 40) were diverted off the freeway at Exit 20 in Gallup. That was my intended exit anyway. The Interstate was closed by the New Mexico State Police.

Above, tonight's dinner at Jerry's Cafe. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Once I got seated at Jerry's, I checked online and found that a train carrying gasoline and propane derailed near Lupton, Arizona. Both eastbound and westbound Interstate 40 lanes were closed. At least this closure didn't involve a semi truck.

Lupton is where the Tee Pee Trading Post is located. They have the largest cigar humidor in the region.

I had Number 3 at Jerry's Cafe, which is the chile relleno and cheese enchilada plate. It was good, as usual. 

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. 

Quick Trip To Albuquerque

Above, outside of the Kiva Café. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today, I had some business to attend to in Albuquerque.

I got on the road early this morning at 6:30 in 21° outside. A little bitter cold out. Before getting on Interstate 40, I stopped at the Flying J to get a cup of coffee to bring along.

Above, Cabela's ammo shelves were actually stocked with ammo today. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the things I had to do was to exchange a pair of jeans I bought two weeks ago at Cabela's. The size was right, but the jeans were flawed. They had no rear belt loops. The other pair I bought at the same time had them. 

Above, inside the Kiva Café. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I was able to exchange them without any problem. While there, I went over to the ammo section and the shelves were fully stocked. This was the first time in ages I've seen it stocked. I bought some Winchester 9mm hollowpoint rounds. 

After that, I did other things I needed to do.

Above, my chicken enchilada lunch. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As things turned out, I was done before noon. So I headed home instead of staying the night at the Route 66 RV Resort. 

On the way home, I did stop in Milan (about 30 miles from home) and tried out the Kiva Café for the first time. It is listed as a best place for enchiladas in the New Mexico Enchilada Trail. This was the third restaurant I've tried that's in the trail. I had chicken enchiladas. They were excellent. The sauce (red) was good, but I sweated profusely. (That's one way to tell if the sauce is any good.)

Before heading home, I went next door to the Chaco Trading Post to look around. It has to be one of the nicest gift shops I've seen here.

After browsing, I got back into The Beast and headed home. 

New Mexico "Enchilada Trail" Four Years Later

Above, this evening at Genaro's in Gallup.

Four years ago, about a couple of weeks after I moved to Mexico, I posted about the "New Mexico Enchilada Trail" of restaurants who Only In Your State says have the best enchiladas.

This evening, Larry Lucier and I went to Genaro's in Gallup for dinner. It was one of the restaurants recommended by Only In Your State that first got me to try out. Of course, I had enchiladas.

I was telling Larry about the "Enchilada Trail" during dinner and after getting home, I looked it up and found that I have now been to two of the restaurants listed. The other one was Sadie's of New Mexico in Albuquerque (actually, I've been to two of their restaurants in Albuquerque). 

There is one on the list that I haven't been to but is not too far: Kiva Café in Milan. Milan is right next to Grants and is about 40 miles away. I'll have to give that restaurant a try.

The website seems to have been updated in 2020. 

To see who made the list, 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.

Enchiladas At Genaro's In Gallup

Above, the outside of Genaro's. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

"If you suffer from hemorrhoids, the sauce will surely weld them shut!" - Unknown.

Finally got my first taste of New Mexico Mexican food!

Since there is supposed to be a storm coming in tonight with snow in the forecast for tomorrow morning, I figured that tonight would be a good time to try out one of the restaurants listed in "The New Mexico Enchilada Trail" that I posted about last month.

The Gallup, New Mexico restaurant that was included in the list was Genaro's. I decided to give their enchiladas a try. I have to admit that once I got there, I was sorely tempted to get the chili rellenos instead. But I will try those on my next visit.

Here's what Only In Your State said about Genaro's:

The chicken enchiladas at Genaro’s are authentic and succulent. It’s hard to decide whether the red or green sauce is better here, so go for Christmas. Genaro’s is a bit of a diamond in the rough but you won’t regret giving this restaurant a chance. It’s located at 600 W Hill Avenue in Gallup.

I elected to go with beef enchiladas with red sauce. I wasn't disappointed! It was great and the sauce was so hot (in a spicy way) that sweat was dripping down my forehead and my scalp was saturated. I felt like I needed to rush home to wash my hair. It was THAT good! I can see why there's a big (and I do mean BIG) napkin dispenser at each table. Diners need them to wipe the perspiration off.

Above, my meal before it was totally consumed. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Along with the three enchiladas, the dinner came with hominy, refried beans and rice (not the usual dry Spanish rice).

Genaro's was established in 1975 and Gigi Garcia is the owner. The hours are 10:30 am to 7:30 pm Tuesday through Saturday (good thing I decided to go there today since they are closed tomorrow).

When I arrived, the restaurant was packed with people. The decor isn't much to look at since it looks like a mom & pop diner. But it's the food that's most important.

My grade: A.

"New Mexico Enchilada Trail"

A friend sent a link to me on the "New Mexico Enchilada Trail" by Only In Your State.

Well, since I love enchiladas anyway, the link was of great interest to me. Besides sharing this here, I am also posting it so I don't forget about it (old age, you know).

It is a circle in New Mexico of recommended restaurants starting and ending in Albuquerque. Fortunately, one of the restaurants in the circle is in nearby Gallup, Genaro's Cafe. I'm definitely going there.

Here's the map of the "New Mexico Enchilada Trail":

To read the article on the "New Mexico Enchilada Trail" at Only In Your State, go here.