We came with a group of about 25 with our soccer team for dinner Saturday night and it was very impressive. The property seems massive and it's really beautiful with all the cottonwood trees. When you get into the restaurant, there are just tons of combinations of these cozy little nooks, long dining tables, separated rooms, patio seating, and event spaces. There is something to see everywhere you look; fountains, fireplaces, and plants, hanging chiles, and more. They even raise cattle and chickens on property and source from their own greenhouse for their menu items. The ambience was just really cool and even though the winds were blowing like crazy, we were totally comfortable out in the patio section with the screens up. The food is authentic New Mexican cuisine. They brought out delicious tortilla chips for us to snack on while we decided on what to order. It really felt like there was no wrong choice to make. They were very accommodating for food allergies and restrictions. There was great flavor in everything our group tried. I split the half order of chicken nachos and it was a hefty half order! I was so stuffed, but then, hot sopapillas appeared and I couldn't say no to those! Especially not since the tables had their own sourced honey. There is also a full tequila bar, but since we were traveling with kids, didn't get to take too much advantage of that as an option. I wish we would've had more to explore the property but if I end up back in the Albuquerque area, I'll stop by again. read more

El Pinto - Patio - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

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I keep saying that I'm so over this place, but here I am eating overpriced food and having a weak-ass margarita... The good: The red chile rubbed ribs are phenomenal, but 1/2 rack for $44?! It's not a lobster tail. Beans and guac-excellent, calabacitas-very good. The chicken enchiladas-delicious with tender chicken. The bad: 2 Grand Gold margaritas at $15 each that were neither grand or gold. I've had better house margaritas at Applebees, lol. Their red chile was sparse, but that actually turned out in my favor because it was on the edge of burnt. A bit acrid. The sopas were dense, flat, chewy, and overcooked. The salsa-underwhelming. If you want excellent Grand Gold margaritas, the best salsa in New Mexico, and excellent portion sizes- SADIE'S ALL THE WAY!!! read more

El Pinto in Albuquerque delivers a flavorful New Mexican experience. Carne adovada is a highlight. Tender pork in a rich red chile sauce with depth and balanced heat. I usually find combo plates tacky, but here they're genuinely enjoyable. The portions are generous. The variety lets you sample multiple dishes without sacrificing quality. The atmosphere is warm. The service is friendly and efficient. Overall, El Pinto strikes a nice balance between festive and authentic. read more

There did a hen house tour and Easter Egg Hunt for the kids today before lunch. We throughly enjoyed learning about the different varieties of chickens and the different color eggs they produce and how much they will produce. After we had a lunch back in a quiet room with waitress Angelina. She was very professional and proficient. We enjoyed our shared cheese quesadilla. Then the kids each had bean and cheese and chicken burritos. Another had a combo plate with tacos and more. I had the 3 mini taco shell cups filled with meat and beans topped with guacamole, sour cream, lettuce and tomatoes. We all enjoyed the sapodillas with honey for dessert. The place surprisingly was not filled with people celebrating the holiday, but more will come. They had Fonzy the llama out front to entertain you too. What a cute little guy. It was a very nice way to spend Easter with my family. read more

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A full 5 star meal at ElPinto on a Friday night Ordered Huevos Rancheros and they were fantastic Not too salty which had been a thing lately, I did stay away from the stuffed sopaipillas for that very reason Need some time to let my arteries clean out. Spring has arrived and patio dining is in full swing. A huge plus and why we really enjoy frequent visits to ElPinto We recommend reservations all the time This place gets jumping! Check for a bar table if it's packed and you failed to make reservations Easy parking most times, dusty lot yes so expect a dusty car when you leave 2 thumbs up read more

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I am all for ambiance and nostalgia. And that is something that El Pinto offers. This was my first time ever at El Pintos. I lived in Rio Rancho for awhile. But never went. Shame on me for sure. So glad on my visit back to NM and being invited out for dinner with my Manager. Who I was meeting in person for the first time. Perfect setting. Our server never brought us any Chips and Salsa. A little numbed. But oh well. Gives me an excuse to return I guess. I had the Rice Bowl which is on the healthy conscious menu. It comes with rice, your choice of chile flavor, pinto beans, your choice of meat, and a flour tortilla. I chose green chile and shredded pork. The portion is a really good size. And it was really good. Something I would recommend and I would have it again. I will return and bring my husband next time. One thing I noticed is they accommodate large parties with such ease. I liked seeing that. read more

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Our last stop before leaving Albuquerque and Santa Fe. We stopped in for lunch, party of 9, they sat us in the back area patio type setting, lots of plants and clear roof top for all the natural lighting. Very cool. Our waitperson was prompt and attentive, chips & salsa ready to go and water glasses always filled. A really extensive menu but for me I had the red pozole soup. It was very good with big pork chunks. Someone else had a rice bowl and they said it was perfect portion size. They even have a gluten-free menu! Outstanding. Some in our group bought the jarred salsa they have for sale. T-shirts and Bloody Mary/Margarita mixes for sale as well. Definitely a return visit is a must. read more

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We came here for an early dinner and really enjoyed the experience. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, with a unique vibe that sets it apart from other places I've visited. I would recommend not sitting too close to the fireplace, as it can get a bit warm. The waitress was nice enough to move us somewhere else. The food was absolutely delicious! They also offer curated gift boxes, one with mixed drinks and another featuring a variety of their salsas. We tried both and loved them. They would make such a fun and thoughtful gift idea. We'll definitely be back! read more

Great service, great food and certainly affordable. Never have trouble getting a table and the setting is always a joy. The management is even on the floor checking with patrons to make sure they are enjoying their dining experience. Keep up the excellent service and quality of food. We appreciate you! read more

El Pinto - Grandmother and granddaughter out for the evening. The food and ambience made it special. Thanks! - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Fun place to take out-of-towners, especially folks visiting ABQ on business. The salsa is always super fresh (not spicy), which inevitably results in eating too many chips before you order...but if you're a real glutton for punishment, the fried green chili strips are a fun, tasty app (though wholly unnecessary given the huge portions). Unpopular opinion: El Pinto's is best for Sunday brunch. Blue corn pancakes with blueberries and pecans FTW, though the eggs benedict is a close second! Entrees are overpriced, but the coffee is good, and I love the outdoor seating area on a nice day. (Ask for the Garden Room, if you want to sit inside.) By comparison, the lunch and dinner menus aren't as good. The carne adovada is a safe albeit spicy choice. I find most of the other dishes (beef brisket, enchiladas) to be overly salted. Ribeye was not good, and I wish they'd serve real honey with the sopaipillas instead of the fake karo syrup stuff... Reservations recommended. Beautiful ristra-laden entrance. Bathrooms are always clean, and there's plenty of parking in the dirt lot. read more

El Pinto - Pretty entrance - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

A must stop when we hit Albuquerque. The ambiance is second to none! Huge restaurant with a multitude of outdoor patio seating and so many great artifacts that are theme appropriate. Service is always great here! Food is also pretty good. The Sopapillas Rock! Ask for some Honey to drown them in! Guac is super fresh but a bit bland. Queso is good but the Blue Chips were underdone and soggy. My entree Pork Stuffed Sopapillas was awesome, big, delicious and filling. Try the spicy sauce it was great and not dangerously spicy, I like the Red sauce best. You can also buy a couple jars to take with you! read more

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I'm here for work and the guy at the rental car place recommended this place. Did not disappoint. I had the whole rack of red chili ribs. They wer fall.of the bone and had great heat. Great outdoor seating. read more

El Pinto - Red chili ribs - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

I've been to El Pinto restaurant four times now. It's a bit unbelievable how expensive the simple restaurant has become. We went out for dinner and it was $23.50 for a simple dinner plate of enchiladas with rice and beans. We had two dinners with iced tea and the total bill was gratuity was $72. Just seems excessive. Perhaps it's just the inflation of the times we live in, but I know the prices have gone up way too much. read more

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Paying $24 for a "Combination Plate #3" (a customer favorite!) will have you asking yourself, "maybe I should start paying people to let their dogs crap in my yard?". Chili con carne was half fatty pieces, relleno was soggy (and shitty), chicken rolled taco might as well have been a pencil (for the size and texture), and the cheese enchilada was covered by lettuce ....because I know the cook hoped I wouldn't find that miserable tasting thing. 0/4 on this plate. For apps, the fried green chilis just taste like fried batter, and if you have holes in your drywall that need to be repaired with some bland patching compound, save a little to take home with you. The $6, 12oz Dos Equis beer was nice and cold, but I didn't have (and couldn't afford) enough to help me forget the food. My recommendation if you go there: get blackout drunk at home beforehand and skip the food. The place looks nice, but when you see that the average age of their patrons is +/-80 years (with a small exception of young foreigners that probably got a discount voucher from their hotel), you start to connect the dots. The food is legitimate garbage, and the prices are an insult to anyone with money. read more

El Pinto - Combination Plate #3 - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

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Beautiful dinner at El Pinto to celebrate my best friends birthday! We sat in a gorgeous outdoor room that was covered and looked out to the garden. This restaurant is BEAUTIFUL! It's the perfect place for a celebration or for out of town visitors (or just a special occasion). Now the food-- I wasn't as hungry today so I wanted to try out some smaller appetizer things!! I got the fried green chile strips I HATED THEM. Lol they are just too thin, they had no structure and just crumpled right apart. I am used to different green chile strips, thicker like a fried pickle. Do not recommend. The guac was delicious and fresh. Everyone in our party loved their food! Our sweet server was amazing! She did a great job managing a huge table of crazy ladies!!! We will 100% be back for another celebration!! read more

El Pinto - Green Chile Strips - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

While in Albuquerque, you have to eat New Mexican food. We came for lunch and the sopapillas. This restaurant is big and so is the menu. I was having trouble deciding what to have but our server Colin helped me out. I wanted to try the green chile stew and the papitas so he said I could have those as my sides with the chicken adovada. Everything I had was delicious. The green chile stew was tasty but kind of on the spicy side. The chicken and the potatoes were very good. The sopapillas were fresh and absolutely delicious with the honey. Colin was so helpful and just a great server. The restaurant was clean and the parking lot is pretty big. read more

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An Albuquerque must! Food is delicious, flavorful, and comes in HUGE portions! Servers (we had 2) were helpful and friendly. They attended to our every need. Three patios offer great seating in addition to the many inside rooms. Chips are crisp and thick and well salted. Salsa is a little warm but good! Cozy fireplaces everywhere.The patio music sound track playing was great! Parking lot is huge--but uneven so watch your step, read more

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I'm genuinely surprised by how poor the service was during my visit to El Pinto. Our server, Cianna, seemed completely checked out the entire time. She barely acknowledged us, didn't bother to explain anything on the menu, and acted annoyed whenever we asked simple questions. It honestly felt like we were inconveniencing her just by being there. For a restaurant that usually prides itself on hospitality, this was a huge letdown. I hope management takes service quality more seriously, because this experience was far below what I usually expect from El Pinto :(. read more

El Pinto is always bomb dot com. Service is always great and the atmosphere! Can't get any more New Mexico than this. And red chile ribs OH MY LANTA so good! A tad pricey but worth it in my opinion. read more

The service is fantastic. Italia took wonderful care of our family party and Donny the manager stopped by more than once. The food is tasty and served in good sized portions - not the best in town to my palate, but in the better-than-average tier, for sure. There's plenty of parking, although you'll probably have to walk a bit and should plan on dropping off any folks with mobility issues right at the drive-up entrance. Inside the cavernous maze of the building, the bathrooms are clean and all of the rooms are pretty and well appointed (although my sensitive nose discerned an off-putting faint smell of cat urine in the big indoor/outdoor room where we were seated - the prowling cat(s) that kept staring in the windows cleared up that mystery). El Pinto is iconic and the crowds show it's loved. My wife and I used to love it in the early and mid-Nineties. The reason I took a twenty-five-year hiatus despite living in town is the same reason this review is not a four-star ("good"): it's preposterously expensive. And it has been for years - figure fifty percent more for a given dish than at any other place in town. (In all seriousness, familiarize yourself with the pricing with the online menu to avoid shock: $23.50 for a plate of enchiladas con carne now. Golly.) If you want to take a visiting tourist to sort of a grand fantasy hacienda, this is a good choice - the service will be great, the food will be fine and the place has that "adobe Disneyland" vibe. But, like Disneyland, steel yourself for the fact that you'll be paying a whole lot of entertainment premium - at least you don't need a line pass, I suppose. read more

El Pinto - Chile con carne enchiladas (3), flat with all beans and no rice. I don't believe I've ever spent so much for enchis before - tasty, tho. - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

I was born and lived in New Mexico for many years, so I was excited to go back and have some New Mexican food. Made reservations at El Pinto on the day we arrived. The restaurant is in the outskirts of town but easy to find. They have a large parking lot so parking was easy. We went in to the restaurant and was seated quickly. My wife and I ordered and our food and margaritas came quickly. We both enjoyed our meals and drinks including the anticipated Sophillias. We left full and satisfied, so much so we went back a couple of days later. read more

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In search of highly recommended dining in Albuquerque we happened upon this spot. We arrived to an almost completely full parking lot including tour busses. The outside decor is lovely and romantic in southwest style. We waited a bit for our reservation then the Hostess kindly seated us in the highly sought after outside dining area under the cottonwood trees. We were at the far end by the stage which had trash on it empty planters a broken lights. Think that area needs a little sprucing up to match the rest of the nice decor. Waiters were young and were not overly attentive. Food was typical American/Southwest fare. Nothing spectacular. Margaritas were about the same. Overall we would return for the ambience but may ask to be seated inside or near the beautiful bar area. read more

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Food, service, and ambiance were great! I'm gunna be honest- the food was good, I may have had better tacos before (I ordered the 2 tacos) but the chips and SALSA which were the first things I was snacking on when I got to El Pinto were SO good that it just left such a good impression that in my head I'm like everything tastes amazing. The salsa was super fresh/well balanced and those restaurant style tortilla chips were so crispy and nicely salted. Our server was very friendly and just a super nice guy. I met up with 2 friends and we were just visiting and this was our last day and the ambiance was just perfect. Good vibes and a sunny day to have a nice lunch. read more

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Best to visit when patio is open. Super friendly staff and accommodating for my pooch. Felt like a guest in someone's home.

Best ambiance of any restaurant in the Albuquerque area. The patio is incredible and great for large parties or a more intimate dining experience. The service is usually very attentive and have had many pleasant dining experiences over the years. This is what elevates El Pinto from a 3 star to 4 star. That being said, the food is very average. The good thing is they have a lots of options, but with NM food it begins and ends with the Chile which is just okay. read more

We came for a bachelorette with a party of 9 with a reservation. Service: Our server's name Kevin & he hooked it up with our chips. It comes with salsa but we ordered side & was attentive to our drinks/water. Ambiance: Beautiful gentle volume music Temperature controlled area, fountains galore & open fireplaces. Definitely a vibe! Food; Our group ordered a lot of food! And drinks a good experience and portions were hugeeee for read more

El Pinto - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

This place is a fancy restaurant with a beautiful decor. We took the chance to go during a weekend day on the balloon festival. The wait was long unless we went to the bar. We immediately found seating in the bar area next to a waterfall. Our waiter was awesome with the right blend of helpfully available and not overbearing. We enjoyed a leisurely and delicious lunch. The salsa was damn good and they sell it. Not only do they sell it but there is a sample cart to try the varieties. A fantastic tourist stop or place to take visiting relatives like I was! read more

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AAA plus for Ambiance! Service is as great as well as the hostesses! I only had the half rack of ribs and was stuffed. Their signature ribs were fall off the bone tender. Taste good but not what I care for in rib sauce. read more

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El Pinto was a pleasant location for a family dinner. There was an event going on with a DJ so it was a little loud, but the music was good. Service was extremely slow. Food was good and I would come back. read more

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This is one of my regular hangouts, and so I was back for a nice lunch with a friend. As always, our food was amazing, the service was great, and the ambience is always top-notch out on the open patio. Food is still good and consistent and as always, I highly recommend El Pinto. read more

Try to eat here once a week! Their grass-fed steak burrito is beyond delicious. Never had a waitress as good as "Natalya" (hope I spelled correctly", she was attentive and had everything to us swiftly, very capable and professional yet genuinely friendly. Can't wait to go back, it's our weekly treat to ourselves!! read more

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Excellent service, predictably delicious New Mexican dishes, and attentive wait staff. And the building is authentic New Mexican- feels like your Tia's house... sprawling, warm and colorful. Worth the price and the wait. read more

Visiting from out of state and had high expectations due to family recommendations of this place. However, almost everything fell short of expectations. We got seated quickly thanks to a reservation. However, it took at least 20 minutes for our waitress to acknowledge us. After she took our drink orders, it took another 15 minutes for her to take our food orders. We quickly ran out of chips and drinks and were only offered refills at the end of our meal. While the food was okay, we were not expecting the large check. We came in during lunchtime on a Friday but were charged for the dinner portion. Our waitress did not ask whether we wanted lunch or dinner. When we asked why we were charged the dinner portion, she said we should have specified that we wanted lunch and to remember that for next time. Unfortunately, this will be our first and last visit here. At least the guacamole was tasty. read more

El Pinto - Guacamole - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

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As a tourist this was a great stop to experience some New Mexican staples. Neat breezy space, and a bonus restaurant cat! Service was super friendly and a fun conversation ensued when they heard where we were from. Upon ordering, the waitress confirmed we requested the two best items on the menu if we wanted to experience local cuisine! The Carne Adovado, and the Red Chili Ribs were melt in your mouth delicious. Great developed flavors and smoky chilis. I also ordered Breaking Bad's El Camino cocktail that was well thought out and balanced. I would order that drink over and over again if I could. Huge parking lot and reservations available for a low stress meal. read more

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If you live in Florida, you are probably familiar with The Columbia... I got a very similar vibe from El Pinto... good food, served in a sprawling, gorgeous space, with lots of different rooms and ambiance. Our family wanted to take us here because of the gorgeous views, and we were all about it. Since it was during the balloon fiesta, we couldn't get a seat outside, but we were placed in a huge room with a water feature and skylight, so plenty of natural light. I didn't mind at all. We started with margaritas, and they were fabulous. Our cousin wanted us to try the fried hatch chiles, and I wasn't entirely sure how they would be, but yum! They were not at all greasy, and came with a lovely spicy ranch dipping sauce. I could have made a meal of them. Again, we had lots of options for lunch, and I went with stacked enchiladas with hot green chile (sadly, it wasn't really hot at all, but they tried). I went with just cheese (no protein), and they were soooo good. Loved the rice and beans with them as well. Most everyone cleared their plates, and so the meals were a huge success. Service was great, if a little leisurely, but we weren't in a huge rush. And this time, I DID try the sopapillas and honey, and they were divine! Absolutely delightful. This is a great place to bring visitors, or to go when you're out with big groups. Solid food, great experience, all the way around! read more

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The restaurant is original Mexican style, adobe and beautiful, with numerous trees and shrubs.The food is pretty good.There is good spacing of tables. Until a recent visit I was satisfied with the wait staff. For parties greater than 10 (we were a party of 11) there is an automatic 20% tip included. The result is that we received terrible service since there was no incentive for the waitress. It took 20 minute to get drinks. It took 25 minutes for her to take our order and 40 minutes to receive our food. Someone came by twice to refill drinks and we didn't see our waitress in our area. However, she was quick to deliver the bill and for me to sign it. I strongly advise against bringing a large party. We didn't run into these problems for a party of two. read more

Don't know why I waited this long to let everyone know how special this place is! From host/ess to manager - staff is top notch. All so attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable! Tonight went with a friend to share a pitcher of the greatest margaritas in town. We both wound up getting entrees and dessert. My friend had the stuffed sopapillas, which you can order many different ways. I had the huevos rancheros - eggs are fresh and amazing!! The dessert was ark Pinto's version of Tiramisu - incorporating Biscochitos. It is indescribably delish. Make sure you save room for this! The chips (warm) and salsa (cool) are always a great start to the evening. The vibe and decor transports you away from every day life and I feel like I'm far from home every time I walk up to the beautiful entrance. Best part of the night was Dom, our server. I mentioned he could teach a Master Class, only to find out this was his second day as a server ANYWHERE in his life. Well, I had to compliment the manager on their hiring and training of all staff - especially Dom. Truly the atmosphere, food, drink, and staff keep this local coming back for mor read more

El Pinto - Yogaritas! - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Vacation Mexican food is usually sketchy. We had outstanding service from Colin. Food was good. Wife liked hers more. I would not get the enchilada next time. The taquito and tamale were good. Chili con carne spiced everything up to my liking. Chips and salsa ending with a sopapilla. Truly enjoyed our experience. read more

El Pinto - Sopapilla - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

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I came here while visiting my girlfriend in New Mexico and we stopped by for a late lunch. The service here was superb and our waitress was attentive and gave us a good menu rundown. When you first step into El Pinto, you can feel the unique ambiance of the restaurant. It feels like you get transported into a different era and the restaurant is massive, it's easy to get lost! A great perk is that they still provide you with free chips and salsa, so be sure to take advantage of eating those crispy chips. We initially wanted to order some items off the lunch menu, but we decided to get the award-winning full rack of Red Chile Ribs. The portion was large enough to share with two hungry people. It came with a simple tossed salad with croutons and tomatoes. We substituted the baked potato for papitas (sautéed potatoes) and calabacitas (veggie mix of zucchini and squash). Both sides were well seasoned and paired well with the ribs. Honestly, the ribs did live up to the hype! They had a good amount of heat and did indeed fall off the bone. The meat was juicy and tender with a nice amount of red chile heat. To wash it all down, El Pinto provides free sopapillas with honey. They were fluffy and a great way to end the meal. Overall, if you're in the area, I highly recommend visiting El Pinto for a wonderful experience with New Mexican cuisine. read more

Great ambiance. From a wedding rehearsal dinner to a celebration of life, this place has the service you can count on. Authentic cuisine with plenty of spice to make you drown your sopapilla in honey. read more

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