Christina's Albuquerque "Best of" List*

With Aaron starting to apply for jobs, and the two of us discussing where we might end up, I have not been reflecting on what I enjoy most about Albuquerque and have formulated my own "best of" list. The winners are, as follows:

BEST ALBUQUERQUE RESTAURANTS

Best New Mexican Food
Sadie's
Runner-up: Albuquerque Tortilla Factory

Best Margaritas
Sadie's
Runners-up: Garduno's, El Pinto

Best Chile Rellenos
Sadie's
Runner-up: Albuquerque Tortilla Factory

Best Sopaipillas
Sadie's

Best Tacos
Pericos Acapulco Chillys

Best Carne Asada
Garduno's**

Best BBQ
Rudy's

Best Breakfast Burrito
Blake's (#5)
Runners-up: Murphy's Mule Barn, Hurricane's

Best Chocolate Malt
Hurricane's

Best Pizza
Il Vicino
Runner-up: Saggio's

Best Onion Rings
O'Niell's Irish Pub

Best Pie
Flying Star

Best Coffee
Satellite

Best Patio
El Pinto

Best All-You-Can Eat
Tucano's Brazilian Grill

Best Breakfast
Weck's

Best Ribeye Steak
Texas Roadhouse


OTHER "BEST OF" ALBUQUERQUE WINNERS

Best At-Home Coffee
Whiting Coffee Co.

Best Place to Run
Actually, I'm keeping this a secret. Sorry.

Best Bacon
Alpine Sausage Kitchen

Best Place to Take Visiting Guests
Albuquerque Biopark (Zoo, Botanical Gardens, Aquarium)

Best Area of the City
North Valley

Best Fresh Produce
Village Market

Best Green - and Red - Chile
Albuquerque Tortilla Company

To my friends and family who do not live in Albuquerque: I hope this list makes you want to come visit us soon!

To my fellow locals: What are your thoughts? What categories should I add, or what places would you suggest that I try for "best of" consideration?

Thank you for indulging me by reading my list. These are just some of my favorite aspects of Albuquerque; other advantages of living here include the beautiful weather and proximity to hiking and downhill skiing. Exploring all our possibilities is very exciting, but if Aaron and I do end up having to leave Albuquerque, we will definitely have much to miss.

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*a work-in-progress, of course

** In all fairness, the only carne asada I have had in Albuquerque has been at Garduno's. Why hasn't carne asada caught on in NM yet?