TABLE editor Gabe Gomez travels our storied Route 66 in search of good eats between Albuquerque and Gallup. He finds them. He tries them. He shares his discoveries.
New Mexico is meant to be driven, ideally alone. While its expansiveness may be more evident from a coach seat 35,000 feet above the ground, the real magic happens on the road itself. There’s something about a relatively empty stretch unfurling ahead that imprints on us, as it has since this land’s Native inhabitants made it home.
Attempting to say something fresh about Route 66, which cuts through a wide swath of New Mexico, is nearly impossible. A quick Google search offers endless takes on its mythology and aura as the “Mother Road.” Still, when food—especially diner food—is on the agenda, it’s worth another look.
The Best Eats on Route 66 in New Mexico
Bibo Bar
One hundred twenty-four miles separate Albuquerque from Gallup. Forty-five minutes into the drive, you reach Laguna Pueblo, spanning half a million acres and six villages: Laguna, Mesita, Paguate, Seama, Paraje, and Encinal.
Just off Highway 279 in Paguate sits Bibo Bar, a former trading post established in 1911, two years after New Mexico gained statehood. It’s often pegged as a biker bar, but its true character is broader. Like many rural western outposts, it serves as a gathering spot where locals connect and travelers refuel before moving on.
The menu reads like The Eagles’ Greatest Hits: familiar, dependable, and easy to hum along with. Starters come fried. Sandwiches include chicken, pulled pork, and a garden burger. Nachos, quesadillas, and chicken strips round things out. The star, of course, is the green chile cheeseburger—juicy, satisfying, and best enjoyed with a longneck Bud in the cool shade of the bar on a Sunday afternoon.
Food in New Mexico is as much about the experience as the plate. At Bibo’s, the burger isn’t the only draw. The history—109 years of it—seeps from the walls, reminding you why places like this matter. After a long stretch on the highway, an hour here restores both body and spirit.
Laguna Burger
Not to be outdone by its neighbor, Laguna Burger has earned a devoted following of its own. Born in Laguna but now served at two Albuquerque locations—the Route 66 Casino and 12th Street—this growing operation is poised to become New Mexico’s next great burger chain.
The signature Laguna Burger is a half-pound beast topped, of course, with green chile. A smaller, friendlier option, aptly named the Laguna Wimp, caters to lighter appetites. Freshness is more than a slogan here—the quality is undeniable. And yes, one of the available sides is Frito Pie. What’s not to love?
Jerry’s Café
406 W Coal Ave, Gallup | 505.722.6775
Long before Gallup was Gallup, the Diné called it Na’Nizhoozhi—“The Bridge.” Founded in the late 1800s, the town became a crossroads for trade and travel. It remains a place shaped by movement as much as by the grounding presence of Navajo culture.
Among the tourist shops and roadside kitsch, authentic character thrives. Jerry’s Café has embodied that spirit since 1976. Its menu blends American and Mexican traditions, capturing the shifting flavors that define New Mexican cuisine. Still, Jerry’s is first and foremost a diner: affordable, hearty, and good. On all three counts, it delivers.
Signature dishes come with playful names like Chistoso Special, Miguel’s Delight, and Te Gusta. Each offers variations on familiar comforts, served in generous portions. Then there’s the Open Face Chile Cheeseburger, drenched in green chile and eaten only with a fork and knife—a fitting final stop on this stretch of Route 66.
Story by Gabe Gomez
Photography by Gabriella Marks
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