Food was good well priced, didn't leave hungry, and service was friendly. Make sure to ask if things are spicy in New Mexico!

We had a great meal here. We went to the balloon festival in the morning, then did a Breaking Bad self guided thing afterwards. The Jesse Pinkman house is right around the corner from here! We ordered our food at the counter the. Went to sit in the covered outdoor area. The food was phenomenal. I had an BYO omelette that was massive and so good. Everyone else enjoyed their food too. Great little stop on Route 66! read more

Whether you're an Albuquerque local or just passing through as a tourist, Central Grill and Coffee House is a friendly, welcoming, and casual spot for a tasty meal. The menu features a wide variety of breakfast and lunch options with something for everyone -- from traditional staples like omelettes, benedicts, and pancakes to hearty sandwiches and burgers or unique New Mexican specialties like huevos rancheros, enchiladas, and Frito pie. Located right on Historic Route 66 on the edge of Old Town, it's the ideal place to fuel up before checking out the nearby boutiques and museums around the historic plaza. The location itself features prominently in local history -- Central Grill and Coffee House occupies a classic mid-century building that originally housed a Howard Johnson's back in the 1950s and was later the home of Liu's Chinese Fast Food Restaurant, which, like many Albuquerque landmarks, made a brief cameo appearance in Breaking Bad's first season when Christian "Combo" Ortega stood outside to call Jesse Pinkman. My dining companion and I both ordered a stack of three of their signature Blue Corn and Piñon Pancakes ($11) and agreed they did not disappoint either of us. They were remarkably light and fluffy with a great nutty flavor from the piñon nuts -- a quintessential New Mexico twist on a breakfast classic. Unlike a traditional diner, you queue up to place and pay for your order at the counter, then grab a table and wait for a runner to bring your order out to you. Although that seems simple, I noticed it wasn't the most efficient process, especially when folks (like us or the party just in front of us) aren't familiar with the menu or the various off-the-menu options available to customize any of the selections on the menu that need to be explained by the cashier. That said, the nostalgic atmosphere and solid food make it worth the wait. read more

I absolutely love this place. I've been here a handful of times now, and every visit has been a good one. The kids are happy, I'm happy, and honestly, that's a successful breakfast in my book. The only downside is the limited seating. It's a smaller location, so it can fill up quickly, especially during the breakfast rush. If you happen to come during a really busy time, you may have to wait a bit to find a table. That said, I don't think it takes away from the experience you just have to time it right. We usually come for breakfast since they're open for breakfast and lunch, and this time I tried the Grande burrito. And let me tell you, "Grande" is not an exaggeration. That is a LOT of food. I got the bacon-smothered burrito with red chile, and it was delicious. Unfortunately, I could not finish it. I do wish there was something between the Grande and Junior because the Grande is a serious commitment, and I'm not sure the Junior would be enough. I'll have to try it next time and find out. My daughter ordered the steak sandwich, which comes with an Angus sirloin steak on Texas toast. It looked a little wild when it came out, but she ate it and said it was delicious, so apparently the presentation was just part of the experience. My son got the sausage, egg and cheese biscuits. He ate the whole thing, so clearly he approved. His only complaint was that the biscuit kept falling apart, but considering he's a little kid, I'm going to blame that one on the user rather than the biscuit. The staff has always been friendly during our visits. On this particular morning, a gentleman came around several times to refill our house coffee, which I always appreciate. Good service and a full coffee cup go a long way. And if you're into pastries and coffee, they have plenty of options. I've tried their blueberry muffin, and it is divine. They also have different baked scones, and I've had their lattes and macchiatos, which have all been really good. I still need to come back during the lunch hours because there are several things I want to try. The hot beef sundae caught my attention, and the Philly also looked really good. There are so many different options that I feel like I could keep coming back and ordering something different every time. This is definitely the kind of place where you can stop in, grab something really good, enjoy a little coffee, and get on with your morning. It's casual, welcoming, and consistently good. Limited seating is really my only complaint. Otherwise, I've been here multiple times and have yet to leave disappointed. Definitely a must-try! read more

Central Grill and Coffee House - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

How is it that this Albuquerque gem of a diner has eluded me for so long? The breakfast taco is packed with eggs and just glorious. How can you visit the Central Grill and not order the award winning pancakes? Don't ask me because i ordered them! I've always been a believer that pancakes and waffles are simply efficient ways to consume syrup. With this in mind, when i found out i had my own syrup container, it was like seventh heaven (not that i know exactly what that means, i mean heaven is heaven, right? I digress). for a relaxed place to have breakfast on a Saturday... do it! read more

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Old school Route 66 diner right on Central Avenue in downtown Albuquerque near old town. This place is clean and always busy because the service is good and the food comes out quick and tasty. It's very flavorful comfort food a little salty but I love the chicken fried steak with eggs and a biscuit. The all American breakfast is definitely a winner here. There's a line, but it moves quick and everyone here is helpful and friendly, except for the old man upfront, who doesn't smile a lot, but is harmless. read more

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This is a go to for my partner and I, usually the owner is the one taking our order so you know they're very hands on and local! It does get very busy so prepare to find a table once you order. The food is always amazing! It has a diner setting but home cooked charm. Some highlights would be the biscuits and gravy, breakfast burrito (smothered), huevos rancheros, and their pancakes! Anything you pick, you can't go wrong. If parking fills up, they have an additional lot just east of the property! Albuquerque hospitality mixed with old town charm, stop in, get fed, and support local! read more

This place is CLEAN! You pay before you sit, which was just fine. The employees were super friendly too. The food was on point. I had eggs Benedict; the flavors were on point, the eggs were over poached. My wife had the chilaquiles with both red and green; they were really good (the better of the two dishes). read more

Central Grill and Coffee House - Eggs Benedict - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Very good food and service at this place. Get here early for an awesome breakfast because the seating is limited. I will definitely be back when I'm in Albuquerque. read more

The discovery of breakfast places around town continues and we were in the old town area when our bellies started growling. Central Grill was an option nearby and we stopped by. All staff were friendly, which could be especially hard an hour before closing. Even though the food took a long time to reach our table, they were quite helpful with some additional request for red and green salsa sides. We ordered the chicken and waffles and the chilaquiles with a nice lavender latte. The waffles were sweet and fluffy. The chicken pieces were a bit small but were ok in flavor. The green and red chile salsas gave it a little extra flavor, in case you're interested in sweet and savory chicken and waffles. I ordered the chilaquiles with two over medium eggs and Christmas style. For sure, the red salsa is more tasty, but the chunks of the green salsa have it a nice texture. The tortillas seemed air fried or baked instead of fried, making them lighter than most chilaquiles. The papitas and beans were fine as sides. Overall, we were glad we got some breakfast to satisfy our hunger. The staff, coffee, waffles, and salsas were good while the rest was ok to get us fed. read more

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I finally tried out this breakfast spot and it truly lived up to the hype! I've attempted to stop by on weekends but it was so poppin I couldn't find parking. I finally went during the week and it was smooth sailing! You enter the restaurant and order at the counter- they have a large breakfast and lunch menu with all the favorites. I have been on an omelette kick and I love that you can build your own! They have a variety of veggie options so you can really get creative! Their pastries looked incredible, I will def return to try them! They have the option of getting a piece of toast or a biscuit, I of course tried their biscuits and they were perfect. I'll have to bring my finance the biscuit king to really be the judge!! read more

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I got out again for my Sunday Treat. Finally got to eat at Central Grill Coffee Shop in Old Town Albuquerque. Very nice folks. The food was very tasty. The bite in the red chile with the green chile being mild was absolutely delicious. I did not care for the refried beans, too taco bell. I love Taco Bell. For me, don't waste your great papitas. I will get hash browns next time. The gentleman bussing was GREAT!!! read more

Central Grill and Coffee House - Just perfect, loved my xmas ground beef enchiladas and uno huevo - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

The hype is real--this is an authentic diner with amazing food and a menu with something for everyone. I ordered their famous blue corn pancakes (among the best in the nation, we're told) and they lived up to their billing. The owner works the register and greets guests at their tables; I love the personal touch. And it's right across Central from Old Town, making it easy to grab a meal before or after shopping. read more

Central Grill and Coffee House - Counter and menu - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

It's a little bit of a weird setup. You walk on and you need to order at the counter. The line moves pretty fast. If you want to sit in a different section you have to walk outside and then they that door. Me and the wife both had the biscuits and gravy with sausage. The gravy was creamy but the biscuits were a little dry. Also, I wish the sausage was mixed into the gravy instead of just being on top. It wasn't a bad enough experience that we wouldn't try it again. If you are staying in the areas you should give it a try read more

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Oh wow! I am not in love with the space, but the food, pricing and service are all fantastic. Order/pay at the counter and then find a seat and someone brings you notably delicious food (the green was much better than the red on the day I went; I don't see the red as ever knocking me over but it was fine) and then keeps checking on your drink level, etc. The part of the restaurant that's technically indoor is in with the kitchen, and there was some grease smell going on in there; we sat in the sheltered annex area where we were entertained by a preposterous number of healthy-looking pigeons picking for crumbs around our feet. Food was delivered promptly and staffers continually checked on whether we needed anything. Food was delicious (I had a chorizo breakfast burrito, smothered in both red and green chiles), prepared well from obviously quality ingredients and of a completely reasonable portion size for the money. Parking was fine even at a crowded time; there was an auxiliary lot that was an easy walk and seemed perfectly safe. Despite the fact that Central Grill and Coffee House has been there for a long time, I've never visited before (the prospect of Old Town traffic and parking issues kept me away, despite the good reviews). When I returned from this brunch with a friend I told my wife to plan to go with me soon - I was very happy with the place. read more

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Very chill cafe with a big menu. Ordered a breakfast burrito. It was delightful. The green chile is on point. Recommend. The ladies behind the counter were very sweet and made great recommendations. The clientele are clearly local retirees who know a good spot when they find it. read more

Central Grill and Coffee House - Grande Burrito Grande Burrito - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

The service was lovely. Very friendly and helpful. The food was gonna fill your gut if u can eat it. I found it mid. The potatoes were lukewarm and the relleno was crispy. Like deep fried. That's new to me. It did offer nice texture. They did serve real butter and that was appreciated. read more

Extensive menu. Ultra fast and super friendly service, both behind the counter and the waitstaff. Tasty food. This'll be my go-to ABQ diner from now on. Love Central Grille! That said, for management: there's one issue that prevents me from leaving 5+ stars -- the styrofoam take-out containers: a huge environmental no-no. Not-so-fun-fact: "A Styrofoam container takes 500 years to a million years to decompose, and many scientists argue that it never truly biodegrades at all." read more

Wow, sooo delicious! I had the huevos rancheros with green chile, and my parents split the smothered junior burrito. Both were excellent. Additionally, we ordered the waffle dogs and got a complimentary blueberry pancake, and WOW. The pancake was easily one of the best I've had, and the waffle dog (dipped in their delicious batter) was even better! On top of that, the guy at the counter was super nice and had some great recommendations. Highly highly recommend. read more

Hmm I think I just ordered wrong.. the eggs were overdone which ruined the benny experience but the hollandaise sauce was very good. Also love the fresh fruit. You go up to the counter to order and then try and find somewhere to sit. I was there early so it was not an issue, but I can see that being frustrating. read more

Central Grill and Coffee House - Eggs Benedict - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Overall: Central Grill and Coffee House is one of my favorite diners and breakfast spots. The food and service is always excellent. Food: 5 Pancakes: They live up to their name of best pancakes in Albuquerque. The pancakes are fluffy and buttery but crisp on the outside. They can make them with any toppings that you want. Tuna Melt with Onion Rings: This was a tasty sandwich, and the onion rings were excellent. Service: 5 This is a casual restaurant where you order at the counter, take a number, and then someone brings your food. The cashier is always super patient while you decide what to order and if you have any questions. Ambiance: 4 The restaurant has plenty of tables. The biggest problem is probably parking if it is busy, but there is usually a spot available in the lot next door. read more

Group of 4 traveling from TX to UT...this was ahhhhhmazing! We ordered the egg Benedict, bacon taco with both red and green sauce (highly recommend) and the bacon burrito jr. w/ red chile sauce (Yummers). The coffee was perfect and the man and lady working up front were very friendly and helpful. Would definitely come back again! Great fuel for the road. read more

Central Grill and Coffee House - Eggs Benedict - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

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What a nice cute personable diner! Stopped by for the first time on our way back from a doctor's appt. As soon as we walked in we were greeted and asked if this was the first visit. We were then given instructions about ordering at the counter then choosing whatever seating we wanted in the main room or in the adjoining heated closed patio. The food that came to the table was great! The breakfast burrito was HUGE and very tasty! Eggs, hash browns and pork chop, also delicious! The prices very reasonable! The manager came by to ask how everything was! We will definitely be back! read more

I give this place a solid ok. You have to order at the counter and then your food is delivered to your table. In our case the wait was too long for the number of people there. In the end, as I said, it was just ok. read more

The place was bustling and the seats were filled. The food did take a bit of time to come out but the food was excellent. I ordered a BLT with a side of onion rings, a blueberry pancake, grande bacon burrito , huevos rancheros and a chile Aquiles. Everybody enjoyed their meals. The only thing that was needed on the huevos was more hash. Service was very slow but we came during the rush hour so we remained patient as my plate and daughters came out later than usual. read more

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Phenomenal meal and hospitality! Our family of 4 had a great dining experience at Central Grill and we look forward to going back! It can be difficult to make everyone happy when it comes to dining out, but Central Grill was a home run! Legendary delicious pancakes, Frito pie, Rueben sandwich, veggie skillet are the main dishes we ordered and it was all yummy! We also were entertained by a lovely man who stopped by to check on our table and tell us Dad jokes. "Did you know my pony was getting sick? Yeah, he's a little horse!" Lol cracked the table up and made us all smile. Definitely try this restaurant and get the pancakes! : ) read more

If you're looking for a breakfast place that's a crowd pleaser, this is your winner. The staff was friendly and welcoming, and there was plenty of seating. We sat on the covered patio and the fans kept it totally comfortable even though it was 83° outside. And the FOOD... OMG. We got huevos rancheros, eggs Benedict, and waffle dogs. Everything was perfectly cooked, and the portions are very generous. I am sitting here baffled at the fact that it's not absolutely packed in here because this was the best breakfast I've had in a long while. read more

Central Grill and Coffee House - Eggs Benedict, Waffle Dogs, and Huevos Rancheros - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

This place is such a gem. The food is always delicious and the staff is welcoming ans accommodating. Our favorite go-to for breakfast. Blueberry pancakes are the best! read more

It's important to note this review is from when the balloon fiesta was taking place. We came into a huge line going out the door but we wanted to wait due to the raving reviews we read prior to coming. The staff did relay it would be 30-45 min for food and were quick to have someone get drink orders out while you waited to place your order. Getting a table was hard with how many people were waiting, I'm pretty sure it was the owner but someone started setting up fold up tables in the patio area so there was more seating available which I thought was kind. We got lattes and the barista made sure we liked them prior and also gave us plenty of time to enjoy our coffee prior to the food. While we were waiting the staff kept updating those in line of current wait times which did turn some people away. The staff were definitely under a lot of pressure with how busy it was and there was definitely an argument in the back but the rest of the staff did remain calm. when the 45 min mark was approaching I was watching the food come out of the kitchen like a hawk. The waitress did notice me eyeing everything and gave me the heads up we were next. our food arrived and I ordered mine christmas style and it was missing all the chile... I was able to get a side of chile from the waitress and the owner did come and ask how everything was. My burrito was dry without the chile but the huge pieces of bacon made up for it. I think overall if you are here during the balloon fiesta it's an ok option. Probably better to come during a non peak time. read more

Central Grill and Coffee House - Grande Burrito - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

I love this establishment so much I had such a good time her with my husband the ordering was quick and easy at the counter and the prices are amazing here they bring the food to you . We sat in the outside portion the lady out here is amazing she is so attentive. read more

Central Grill and Coffee House - Grande Burrito - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Nice little spot to have breakfast at before we head home. Love that it's on Route 66! Definitely a must to go to! Great food and service

Exactly what we were hoping for. A downhome diner with some really nicely done food! The specials board has many temptations but I came for the blue corn pancakes. So good! I didn't even add syrup I was enjoying them so much with a little butter alone. My companion had the blueberry pancakes and really enjoyed them as well. The eggs were done perfectly (we had scrambled) and the OJ was not fresh squeezed in house but was delicious (he let me taste it first and it was a go). Good coffee, friendly and efficient service, and a bustling staff taking care of keeping things moving and clean. Oh, and groaner Dada jokes from the proprietor! What else can you ask for? Convenient from off of the highway, and the fuel we needed to keep going. Just go. read more

Central Grill and Coffee House - Specials for today, September 8, 2025 - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Tried the Central Grill early this morning and it was great. Very friendly staff, food was easy to order at the counter, when it arrived in a timely fashion it was delicious. I had the BYO omelette, hash browns, toast and one pancake. All YUM!!! Thanks for a great way to start Sunday and see y'all soon read more

Central Grill and Coffee House - EAT EM UP! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Kitchen wasn't quite up to par on a slow January Saturday morning, which is troubling. Potatoes in my carne adovada burrito weren't fully cooked, and my partner's blue corn pancakes tasted noticeably burnt. Still great value, but not quite as good as in the past. read more

Otherworldly pancakes and veggie skillet during a pass through of Albuquerque. A must stop for the brunch obsessed!.

This place is so yummy and delicious! You have to order your food first then find a seating which can be a bit difficult when they are super busy. They do not allow people to save tables ahead of time. Their food is so good and we like to come here on the weekends! read more

Central Grill and Coffee House - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

This local establishment is owner operated and is a local favorite! It will not disappoint! The line stayed consistently at least 7-8 people long! The door was constantly opening as new patrons entered to join in the line. The owner worked the register and was very friendly. The place is nothing fancy just a good old local small business with amazing breakfast! We both drank water and our bill was just under $30 out the door. I had a Jr burrito (2 eggs with turkey sausage, potatoes and cheese) smothered in green gravy! It was excellent! 9/10 a homemade tortilla would have made this perfect 10. Sorry I'm a foodie and very critical but this was still delicious and I definitely recommend it with no hesitation! My man got the All American with three scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns and the most moist and soft biscuit on the side! I could have ate 20 of them thangs! Joking but seriously the biscuit is a perfect 10! I used only a tab of strawberry jam on my bite and wow it was delicious! He loved his breakfast and said it was a perfect 10! Overall if you are ever near old town do yourself a favor and go get breakfast here! read more

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I ordered the French toast with bananas. Maybe it was not a best option to order. I do not understand what was wrong with the bananas. I can only describe them as tasting like they were green, as in not ripe. The caramelized sauce was overwhelmingly too sweet. My partner ordered the pork chops and eggs with green sauce because she wanted to try something different. She definitely got what she wanted....something different. It just wasn't good. We were visiting from out of town and chose this restaurant based on reviews. It just didn't meet our expectations. read more

Well worth the visit! Friendly service and excellent food. Loved the kids breakfast burrito, the house made hot sauce, and the blue corn pancakes were a must-try. It wasn't busy at noon on a Tuesday so the food came out fresh. Fast casual restaurant where you order at the front and seat yourself. read more

The huevos rancheros with papitas and a side of the blue corn pancakes with piñón are so delicious !! I like this place, they are relatively quick and there's a lot of seating available. The staff is also really nice. read more