New Mexico is full of legendary food items like chiles and sopapillas. These seven restaurants are legendary in their own way, serving up home-cooked food so you don’t have to. Being family-owned, you know these restaurants cook from the heart and the outcomes are unforgettable. If you haven’t tried these legendary family-owned restaurants yet, you’re missing out on the soul of New Mexican cooking.
- Pete’s Cafe
SantaFeDiva/TripAdvisor
Leo S/TripAdvisor This spot is a staple in Belen, and since it’s located near the train terminal, it brings many visitors. Pete’s has been family owned since 1949 and it doesn’t look like it’s changing anytime soon. While eating in their old restored building you’ll feel transported to simpler times, but their famous red chile will bring you back because it has quite the kick.
Pete’s Cafe is located at 105 N. 1st St., Belen, NM.
- Burger Boy
3MMMT/TripAdvisor
jaimeliza/TripAdvisor This small town restaurant has some of the best burgers in the southwest. The double meat burger is a popular item, and that’s probably because all of their beef is freshly ground. This family owned burger joint can’t be passed up.
Burger Boy is located at 12023 NM-14 Scenic, Cedar Crest, NM.
- Mary & Tito’s Cafe
msp2ric/TripAdvisor
Erich505/TripAdvisor This unassuming New Mexican diner is full of all your favorites: stuffed sopapilla, carne adovada, green chili, and so much more. This spot has a retro feel, and it’s not hard to see why it’s a local favorite.
Mary & Tito’s Cafe is located at 2711 4th St. NW, Albuquerque, NM.
- El Metate Tamale Factory
Cooper/Foursquare
Gene S/TripAdvisor This tamale factory might be off the beaten path and unassuming from the outside, but the inside holds a world of flavor. You simply cannot find better tamales than at this completely family-run restaurant. Try a combo plate to experience them all!
El Metate Tamale Factory is located at 610 W. Mesa Ave., Gallup, NM.
- Hillsboro General Store Cafe
Hillsboro General Store Cafe/Facebook
Peter B/TripAdvisor Current owners Ben and Doreen Lewis have owned the cafe and store for more than two decades now, and are dedicated to keeping the historic adobe building preserved while serving delicious food that can keep up with (and one up) modern day dishes. While dining here you’ll also be surrounded by awesome memorabilia from the 19th century. After your meal, stay and explore a bit!
Hillsboro General Store Cafe is located at 10697 Highway 152, Hillsboro, NM.
- Sadie’s
Sadie’s of New Mexico/Facebook
Sadie’s of New Mexico/Facebook There’s really no restaurant more New Mexican than Sadie’s. Their recipes have been handed down through generations, and odds are you even see their salsas in grocery stores now. Whether it’s the carne adovada, tamales, or stuffed sopapillas, this Albuquerque favorite is legendary.
Sadie’s has four Albuquerque locations.
- Del’s Restaurant
mer1264/TripAdvisor
Jason G/TripAdvisor This one eatery in Tucumcari has been around since 1956 and is the perfect mix of fun and down to earth food. With a gift shop to commemorate all things Route 66, absolutely mouthwatering classic New Mexico dishes, and an amazing staff that will make you feel at home, this restaurant with a quirky cow statue needs to be your highway stop go-to.
Del’s Restaurant is located at 1202 E. Historic Route 66, Tucumcari, NM.
New Mexicans, what did we miss? What would you add to this list? Let’s hear it in the comments!
SantaFeDiva/TripAdvisor
Leo S/TripAdvisor
This spot is a staple in Belen, and since it’s located near the train terminal, it brings many visitors. Pete’s has been family owned since 1949 and it doesn’t look like it’s changing anytime soon. While eating in their old restored building you’ll feel transported to simpler times, but their famous red chile will bring you back because it has quite the kick.
Pete’s Cafe is located at 105 N. 1st St., Belen, NM.
3MMMT/TripAdvisor
jaimeliza/TripAdvisor
This small town restaurant has some of the best burgers in the southwest. The double meat burger is a popular item, and that’s probably because all of their beef is freshly ground. This family owned burger joint can’t be passed up.
Burger Boy is located at 12023 NM-14 Scenic, Cedar Crest, NM.
msp2ric/TripAdvisor
Erich505/TripAdvisor
This unassuming New Mexican diner is full of all your favorites: stuffed sopapilla, carne adovada, green chili, and so much more. This spot has a retro feel, and it’s not hard to see why it’s a local favorite.
Mary & Tito’s Cafe is located at 2711 4th St. NW, Albuquerque, NM.
Cooper/Foursquare
Gene S/TripAdvisor
This tamale factory might be off the beaten path and unassuming from the outside, but the inside holds a world of flavor. You simply cannot find better tamales than at this completely family-run restaurant. Try a combo plate to experience them all!
El Metate Tamale Factory is located at 610 W. Mesa Ave., Gallup, NM.
Hillsboro General Store Cafe/Facebook
Peter B/TripAdvisor
Current owners Ben and Doreen Lewis have owned the cafe and store for more than two decades now, and are dedicated to keeping the historic adobe building preserved while serving delicious food that can keep up with (and one up) modern day dishes. While dining here you’ll also be surrounded by awesome memorabilia from the 19th century. After your meal, stay and explore a bit!
Hillsboro General Store Cafe is located at 10697 Highway 152, Hillsboro, NM.
Sadie’s of New Mexico/Facebook
There’s really no restaurant more New Mexican than Sadie’s. Their recipes have been handed down through generations, and odds are you even see their salsas in grocery stores now. Whether it’s the carne adovada, tamales, or stuffed sopapillas, this Albuquerque favorite is legendary.
Sadie’s has four Albuquerque locations.
mer1264/TripAdvisor
Jason G/TripAdvisor
This one eatery in Tucumcari has been around since 1956 and is the perfect mix of fun and down to earth food. With a gift shop to commemorate all things Route 66, absolutely mouthwatering classic New Mexico dishes, and an amazing staff that will make you feel at home, this restaurant with a quirky cow statue needs to be your highway stop go-to.
Del’s Restaurant is located at 1202 E. Historic Route 66, Tucumcari, NM.
For more down home cooking in New Mexico, check out these 14 mom and pop restaurants.
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