Do you think you know New Mexico’s largest city? TABLE Magazine correspondent, Ungelbah Dávila-Shivers, uncovers the secret Albuquerque.
If you want to be bougie, don’t come to Albuquerque. If you want to get your hands a little dirty, eat red chile that tastes like my abuelita made it—may she rest in peace—and maybe wake up in a new kind of Old Town with a fresh tattoo and a really kickin’ pair of vintage boots, then keep reading.
Must-See Hidden Gems Around Albuquerque
This is the guide to the secret Albuquerque, the one without any hot air balloon or Tramway rides. The one Burqueños don’t want you to read. Aye! Just kidding, we do, because we want to see you here.
Beans, Burgers, and BBQ
When I moved here in 2011 after a decade in Santa Fe, I couldn’t find a decent salad to save my life. Now, we have microbreweries, distilleries, artisanal tacos, and vegan food trucks aplenty. Still, I stick to the classics, the foods that sustained me back when salad was just a garnish on the side of an enchilada.
Mary & Tito’s Cafe
My family is as New Mexican as you can get. Two things I heard my father criticize endlessly: cowboy hats on TV and red chile made anywhere but his grandma’s kitchen. “This is made from powder!” he shouted.
I once tried making chile sauce from powder in Grand Cayman after a week of rum drinking. Predictably, it was a disaster. TSA even stopped me because my baggies of red chile looked like cocaine on an x-ray.
Trust me when I say: Mary & Tito’s Red Chile Enchilada is the real deal.
El Modelo
I once told a fella that if he wanted to talk to me, he’d better bring tacos. That’s how I discovered El Modelo, a classic New Mexico diner since 1929. They have handmade tamales and breakfast all day.
No matter when your hangover hits, they’ll give you a smothered breakfast burrito and a cup of menudo, if that’s your thing. Or provide those Netflix-and-chill tacos. Imagine your gay best friend, but as a restaurant.
Mr. Powdrell’s Barbeque
I may not be a BBQ expert, but I know good from meh. Mr. Powdrell’s history dates to 1940, bringing flavors from Louisiana through East Texas to Albuquerque. Smells as good as it tastes. Wear your stretchy Thanksgiving pants.
Nexus Blue Smokehouse
For soul food, Nexus is a must. My husband is from central Texas, where brisket is practically a religion. From brisket to catfish to pulled pork, Nexus delivers charm, flavor, and authenticity.
The Biscuit Bread Pudding is unforgettable—tastes like his great-great aunt Tommy’s. That’s saying something.
Benny’s
If you want a day trip, Benny’s in Bosque Farms serves the best hamburger I’ve ever eaten. The Benny Burger comes with green chile, cheese, and guacamole. The star is the local beef, sourced from Nelson’s Meat Market on Old Coors since the 1970s.
I’ve heard that 50 years of cooking on the same grill gives the meat extra yumminess. Take a scenic drive down Isleta Boulevard through Isleta Pueblo to Bosque Farms to enjoy Albuquerque’s beautiful South Valley.
Bars with Character
I’m a bar snob—not in a pretentious way. I’m a Budweiser and Jameson kind of girl. My bar radar seeks personality, history, and just a touch of danger.
The Copper Lounge
Hide from your boss, meet a questionable Tinder date, or escape the Albuquerque sun with an early-afternoon scotch. Copper Lounge lets you vanish into the shadows, spy-novel style. It’s still dark and moody with a 1920s vibe and usually empty.
Silva’s Saloon
A short drive to Bernalillo is worth it. Opened in 1933, Silva’s is cash-only and covered in decades of memorabilia. Basically a museum that serves drinks.
Albuquerque Culture
Albuquerque’s authenticity is unmatched. Pretension takes a backseat to real life. Creativity blooms here as a byproduct of reality—tattooed on bodies, worn in clothes, expressed in backyards. Art isn’t just art; it’s manna.
Some of the world’s best artists live here quietly, creating on weekends and nights when the clock has stopped. Here are a few who’ve taken the biggest risk of all: investing in their dreams and their city to keep the Burque vibe alive.
The B. Ruppe Drugstore
Go south on 4th Street from downtown to the iconic B. Ruppe Drugstore. Since 1965, its pink sign has marked a hub for remedios and curendera arts. Secret Gallery, housed in the front, features powerful Chicano, Indigenous, and POC exhibitions.
The Barelas neighborhood, established in 1662—older than Old Town—beats with Albuquerque’s real heart.
Other Vintage of Interest
While exploring Nob Hill, check out Pink Rhino (3503 Central Ave. NE E) and Off Broadway (3110 Central Ave. SE). Vinyl hunters will enjoy We Buy Music (4013 Central Ave NE), SloLow Vinyl (4710 Central Ave. SE), and Nob Hill Music (3419 Central Ave. NE).
Story and Photography by Ungelbah Dávila-Shivers
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