Classic Comfort Food in New Mexico
Casual dining in a comfortable environment, that’s the draw of a diner. That, and the just plain good home-style food. There’s nothing like getting a hearty meal that tastes like it came right out of your family’s kitchen. Grab a bite at one of these great nostalgic diners in New Mexico.
66 Diner, Albuquerque, NM
In the 1940s, this diner was Sam’s Sixty Six Service garage. When it was converted to a diner in the 1980s, they kept much of the service station aura—the building is as it was and a hydraulic lift is still intact. The food, burgers and shakes, fries in a wide-range of flavors, chicken fried steak, meat loaf and fried chicken, hold their own against New Mexican favorites at this nostalgic diner.
Fina’s Diner, Chama, NM
Underneath the sign that says, “friends gather here” is this locally-owned and family-run diner. The menu is a mix of American comfort food and well-loved New Mexican fare, heavy on the southwest focus. Homemade chips and salsa, green chili sauce, sopapillas and burritos vie for your taste buds with fried chicken, burgers, shakes and breakfast specialties.
Route 66 Railway Cafe, Gallup, NM
Red vinyl booths complement the old-time Pepsi and other paraphernalia scattered about this vintage diner. It’s homey. The food is home-style. Favorites include homemade sticky buns, anything with the house made red and green chili, fries smothered in cheese, biscuits and gravy and plate sized burgers. Open seven-days-a-week for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Yesterday’s Diner, Red River, NM
Grease, the quintessential peek at high school life in the 1950s, plays round-the-clock here on the TV, an accompaniment to the 50s and 60s memorabilia hanging on the walls and used as decor. Share a root beer float just like you might have at the malt shop. Food is standard diner fare with omelets, biscuits and gravy, burgers, fries, chicken fried steak and sandwiches like a Rueben and French dip. The ambience is a throwback but the food is current and fresh.
Kap’s Coffee Shop and Diner, Albuquerque, NM
For more than 40 years, this locally-owned diner (a refurbished Denny’s) has been serving traditional New Mexican dishes, hearty breakfast fare and all-American favorites. The fresh-made cinnamon rolls, smothered in icing and topped with butter are considered by many to be the best in town. Biscuits and gravy, corned beef hash, and of course red and green chili on the southwest favorites is a must.
TJ’s Diner, Farmington, NM
This downtown tradition is open for breakfast or lunch and boasts an extensive menu of food for both meals. Classic fare includes buckwheat pancakes, corned beef hash, roast beef plate, club sandwich and homemade pie. For two decades, this restaurant has been a meeting place for locals and a welcome stop for travelers.
Key Insights at a Glance
