I had a work trip to New Mexico over the summer, and my colleagues and I stopped in Socorro for a meeting on our drive back to Albuquerque from Las Cruces. What an interesting pit stop! One of my colleagues used to work in Socorro, so she was happy to be our tour guide for that segment of the trip, sharing personal anecdotes, fun facts, local insights, and other background on Socorro County. After our meeting and brief windshield tour, we ended up at Desert Diamond for lunch, and it did not disappoint. The restaurant is a no-frills mom and pop that specializes in New Mexican cuisine. There was a decent crowd in the restaurant for the lunch rush, and all signs indicated that this place would be solid. Once we were seated, and I had a chance to scan the menu, I quickly landed on the stuffed sopaipillas since I had never had that particular dish before. About ten minutes later, our meals were expertly delivered to our table in perfect unison. The stuffed sopaipilla came out piping hot and extremely well-seasoned. I decided to enjoy the moment and indulge, effortlessly reinstating my membership in the Clean Plate Club! read more

Desert Diamond - Stuffed Sopaipilla Plate w/Chicken - American Near Me - Socorro, New Mexico

A bit disappointed in both food and service. The waitress was spunky and yet forgot to take our order. I think her sarcasm was meant as a joke but couldn't be sure. I had the chicken burrito plate with green chili on the side. The chili was spicy for sure and absolutely had to go on the burrito because it was otherwise entirely bland. The rice was dry, beans were ok. The highlight of the meal was the sopaipilla with honey. Very tasty. Hard rock from the 70s and 80s was playing. Interesting vibe, not what I expected. read more

I don't eat here as often as I used to because I didn't like small portions but my kids love this place and so when they went to get something to eat I asked them to bring me something. I got a healthy 1/2lb gccb and it come with fries but I added chile and cheese. Anyways the burger was delicious. They're kind of stingy with their fries especially when the burger comes with fries and you pay an additional $4 to add chile and cheese when a small chile cheese fries is $4? So I think they shorted me some fries since I basically purchased chile cheese fries. Anyhow it's hit and miss here in my experience but like I said my kids love it and you might too. read more

Desert Diamond - 1/2 lb GCCB was delicious - American Near Me - Socorro, New Mexico

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You have to be careful if you are not familiar with Socorro because Desert Diamond is on the outskirts of Socorro and their signage is confusing. They occupy a previous restaurant's location and their sign is still out. Finding an open restaurant in Socorro after 3:00 pm is a challenge unless you want to eat in a chain restaurant. Help is apparently difficult to find these days. The service from Rose, our waitress, was excellent and others provided backup when she was tied up. The restaurant is roomy but plain. I ordered 3 of their Taco Burger which were tasty but very messy. I would not order them again. The wife had hard shell tacos and she was pleased with them. Beans and rice were also included. Unlike most NM Mexican restaurants the chips and salsa were complimentary. House made chips but some chips were oily. They also gave a complimentary sopaipilla with the entrees. They brought them out too early so they were cold by the time we got to eat them. They also mentioned the problems of getting help in Socorro. Best prices we found in Socorro. Has the potential to be a Four Star. We would return. read more

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It was nice to find a New Mexican restaurant open when staying in Socorro, on way to a reservation at the Lightning Field. Xondra (sorry about the spelling!) cleaned up a table promptly, and was very attentive. The combo and chile relleno plates filled the bill, having just arrived from the Northwest. We got our chile fix! read more

Desert Diamond - 4 item combo in front, chile relleno plates hit in rear. Delicioso! - American Near Me - Socorro, New Mexico

We love Desert Diamond! The food is consistently great and the service is friendly and excellent. We particularly like the enchilada and chile relleno plates. On the first Sunday of every month, they serve brunch and it's fantastic! Don't forget to order onion rings, but you'll also be stuffed after the fresh sopapillas and honey that come with dinner plates! read more

Shortly after opening Saturday. Wife ordered a senior relleno plate. I had bowl of green chili with beef and cheese. Both outstanding! Chips and salsa very good. Salsa was made in house. Spicy and delicious. Owner said nephew makes it. Apologies for green chili being a little milder than usual. It was spicy enough to be delicious. Hope to catch the spicy sometime. read more

I stopped by the Desert Diamond on a road trip through NM and found a cozy place right of the highway. The restaurant has both american and mexican food and I decided to go for mexican. I ordered the carne adovada plate and it was delicious. The carne adovada was pretty spicy so I had to cut it with their beans and rice which were also homemade and very tasty. The salsa and chips were also pretty good but the salza had again some serious kick. I really enjoyed the meal but the next day was fighting the burning feeling but well worth it! If your passing through Socorro a great place to get some authentic Mexican food. ! read more

Everything is good here. Food, service and atmosphere are all good! We keep going back! That 's a really good rec!

Food was very good and the service was very great and and the workers were very quick with really good food, but don't get the Sprite

Very good food, nice staff, reasonable prices. It is New Mexico Tex-Mex, yet has a very good taste. It is an older building, a bit out of the way, but all in all, very good. I would highly recommend it. read more

Friendly service, tasty New Mexican food, large portions. Everything tasted great, so I wanted to finish everything and probably overate! I'd visit again. read more

I liked my meal. The restaurant was clean, the food was hot and was delivered fairly quickly. I was given some salsa and chips to start, and the salsa had a little bite and was pretty good. My server came back multiple times to see if I needed anything, and my water glass got refilled a couple of times. She had a good personality as well. It was my first time there and I got a number one combo. If I'm ever back in town, I wouldn't hesitate to go back and order the same thing or try something else on the menu. read more

REAL MEXICAN FOOD in the heart of New Mexico. The last time we were here I ordered the Red Cheese Enchilada Plate and the chile was HOT! Wow! I eat a lot of chile and this red was incredibly good. Not for the weak at heart though. If you're not accustomed to it hot you may ask for a sample, or order it on the side. This time we ordered their one of a kind Taco Burgers (see photos). You can have them with either green chili or red chili and they are excellent! Great service too! read more

Desert Diamond - Taco burgers and french fries - American Near Me - Socorro, New Mexico

Was told they would accommodate our party of 9 and we get there and they seat us at a table and a booth then they said we could put two tables together we all get seated and no waitress told us the manager said no!! We would have left but it was get getting late and we were in 3 different cars so... Either be honest and accommodate us or state we can't accommodate us!!! read more

Very good.. always interesting to try different takes on green chile.. or chili.. sometimes you order and it's stew-like with pork .. sometimes it's more of a sauce that's served over and enchilada or tamales.. this was the latter.. and it was very good. The waitstaff were friendly and attentive.. tried the guacamole, even though I'm not big on avacados.. it did not suck, in fact, it was one of the better guacamoles that I have had, being a non-guac'er... read more

My colleague from Italy and I had to work late at on a project at NM Tech and we were starved. Everyone in town was closed at 8. We had a great meal served by the friendliest staff after everyone else in town turned out the lights. read more

I tried this place because my friends said it was pretty good. It was good. Not great. I had a steak smothered in green chile and cheese. No complaints but nothing to rave about. It's middle of the road honestly read more

This place is very obviously new food is pretty good generous portion size. Good customer service fast service looks kind of rustic but I was impressed. It serves traditional New Mexican food. It is reasonably priced the type of place you can bring the whole family. Sorry I did not snap any pictures but I was hungry and the food was good. read more

Desert Diamond - Dinning room - American Near Me - Socorro, New Mexico

We had not visited the Desert Diamond for a year or so after a disappointing meal. Today we were pleasantly surprised with a very tasty Enchilada and a Carne Adovada plate. Done just right! Sopapillas also perfect. Open for lunch AND dinner. We will be back there! read more

Generous portions. Very friendly. Dedicated to good service. Good food. What more can one wish for? The new owner has obviously put his heart into the business. read more