7 Best Steakhouses in New Mexico!
A steakhouse, or chop house, conjures up visions of thick, juicy cuts of beef grilled to just the right fork tenderness. Excellent restaurants across New Mexico are serving up everything from top-notch dry-aged steaks to the classic sirloin served with a side of tra-ditional green chile. Here are spots that capture the essence of the early 19th-century beginnings of this grilled, pan-fried, or broiled meal.
Martyrs Steakhouse, Taos, NM
A renovated adobe with a welcoming courtyard just off Taos Plaza in the heart of the City provides a 1920s-inspired comfortable, yet elegant dining experience with great steaks as its modus operandi. Begin with the steak tartare with cilantro aioli appetizer and move right on to a filet, ribeye, New York strip or grilled filet medallions. All the steaks are from free-range, hormone and antibiotic-free beef cows. The steaks are thick and juicy and paired with the garlic mashed potatoes, a memorable experience.
Bull Ring, Santa Fe, NM
A USDA prime, T-bone cut steak from a corn-fed cow served in sizzling butter—what could be better? Maybe the El Matador, a charred sirloin strip, served with green chile, sautéed mushrooms and onions straws. Or perhaps the classic cowboy cut bone-in ribeye. There are seven other hand-cut steak options to choose from on the dinner menu here, so you really can’t make a bad choice. A great place for lunch—or even better a romantic dinner for two in its cozy atmosphere.
Los Arcos Steak and Lobster, Truth or Consequences, NM
Since the 1970s, adventurous diners traveling the Rio Grande corridor have been enjoying dinner by candlelight here—and some darn good steaks and fork-tender prime rib. All beef is aged and hand-trimmed daily by the chefs. On the menu are three sizes of a lean, firm sirloin, a velvety soft filet, a classic cut T-bone, and both a traditional and blackened prime rib. The manager’s specials include a filet topped with crab and Béarnaise sauce and a filet Monte Vista that’s charbroiled and covered in green chili and Mornay sauce. Don’t miss the surf-and-turf combos that pair a sirloin steak with either lobster, king crab or prawns. Fresh, daily-baked bread accompanies every meal.
Lucky Bull Grill, Carlsbad, NM
Your taste buds will be salivating from the mouthwatering aromas emanating from the kitchen the minute you sit down at this casual steakhouse. Chefs are grilling 10, 12 and 14-ounce hand-cut incredibly tender and succulent rib eyes and flavorful New York strips, covered in a secret yet tantalizing house seasoning. Try either New Mexico-style which is, of course, topped with green chile and cheddar cheese. The tenderloin steak tips also pay tribute to the Southwest and are covered with green chile, cheddar cheese and mushrooms. Save room the green chile grits … you’ll be glad you did.
Double Eagle Restaurant, Mesilla, NM
As a building on the National Register of Historical Places, there’s a story in every room that captures the narratives of famous and infamous people, as well as tales of ghostly sightings. But the real story here is the fact that this is the only steakhouse in the State that has a dedicated beef-aging room. What does that mean? It means beef is finished to perfection before cooking even begins. The result is tender, juicy and flavorful steaks—sirloin, ribeye, New York, Chateaubriand for two—all a meal for the history books.
Ranchers Club of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
Step inside and you’ll feel like you’re on the ranch. Decor and atmosphere capture the feel of the West, and the food is traditional ranch fare cooked impeccably. All food is prepared on a gridiron over a mix of aromatic wood like mesquite and hickory, and adds a one-of-a-kind flavor. Typical fare includes luscious filet mignons, New York strips, bone-in rib eyes, slow roasted prime rib, plus a few non-traditional items like bacon wrapped bison tenderloin, and an antelope chop and rack of lamb. Get a taste of the Southwest with the chorizo stuffed dates appetizer.
Eagle Guest Ranch, Datil, NM
Right on the southern edge of the Cibola National Forest is this small town that if you blink you’re past it. Don’t blink! Get off the highway and make a pit-stop at this motel, general store, gas station, RV park and cafe … really stop for the cafe and get a steak, and specifically a bacon wrapped ribeye. You get to select your steak from the meat case, aged and corn-fed beef, and then it’s hand-cut and cooked to order. An out-of-the-way stop, but worth the effort. Don’t miss the homemade pies!
