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    Frontier

    4.2 (2.7k reviews)
    Open 5:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated 1 month ago

    Frontier Photos

    Business Info

    FRONTIER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Frontier

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    Reviews With Photos

    Chicken Soft Taco
    Leena S.

    Frontier is definitely not a secret. The lines to place your order wrap around the restaurant. The good news is they have the process down to a science and it took maybe 10-15 minutes to receive our food. The complimentary hot green chili to smother your food with is a great touch! Just wish they had some complimentary tortilla chips. The interior is large and spacious. Even though fully packed, it wasn't difficult to fine a table. A definite stop to make for an authentic Mexican meal.

    Connie H.

    Well priced! Awesome customer service! Well flavored food! Daily specials! Free chile/beans for dine in (not sure as I didn't eat there)! Spacious! Free parking! It's a hit for me. I ordered the cinnamon roll, frozen horchata, green chile stew (comes with a warm tortilla), and adovada taco. The total comes out to less than $20! In this economy?! That's amazing. The most expensive item of my item was the iced horchata, which was good. The food still takes the spotlight though. The cinnamon roll could use a TINY bit more cinnamon and brown sugar, but is still pretty good. I'd definitely come back here.

    UNM across the street
    Denise M.

    It seems like this place has been around forever. I remember passing by this restaurant as a kid and seeing the wagon wheel chandeliers from the road. Directly across the street from University of New Mexico's main entrance, this place is packed when school is in session. This place is huge, but not at first glance. Walk into the retro-looking, Western themed dining room, and you'll see a huge menu board above the order counter. There is are several freestyle soda machines in the middle of the room. There are little digital screens in the corner where you watch for your order number and a counter in the corner where you go pick up your food. It's not until you go into the next room that you discover there is another "next room," and then another. There is a lot of art on the walls, including several John Wayne pictures. The girl at the counter who took our order was an absolute ray of sunshine--so friendly and sweet. We ordered the green chili cheeseburger with onion rings and the daily special which is the "green pile-up" (beans, hash browns, scrambled egg, and green chili beef). The good came our talented quickly, and was quite yummy. Frontier is an Albuquerque classic. If it old? Yes, but it has a huge faithful following, not including the things of UNM students that pack this giant diner during the school year. It may not be a "must try" for some, but if you want Albuquerque nostalgia, this is your place. Btw--it's pretty darn cheap,!

    Indoor seating
    Rashid M.

    Yes, I get the hype, and in my opinion, totally worth it! I came here on a Sunday night and they were very busy. The place is huge so they have plenty of tables available. I stood on line to order for maybe 10 minutes or so. I had the Carne Adovada Burrito, one soft Beef Taco, and rice and beans. Everything was excellent and tasted delicious. The price was very reasonable. I wish we had a restaurant like this on Long Island.

    2 egg breakfast plate
    Jake T.

    An absolute Albuquerque staple and a must go. Just a great spot for breakfast lunch or dinner a place where all the locals go. Been going here for years due to their consistency. I usually get breakfast but know the lunch/dinner menu is just as good. Staff has always been friendly and don't forget they do close at 2am but reopen a few hours later.

    Menu
    Liza M.

    The Frontier is a staple in the University area in Albuquerque. That large warm buttery cinnamon roll. I had not been to the Frontier in probably 10 years. The menu looked upgraded. Lots of soda options and all the cool decor in every room. Same calling system when your food is ready. Felt like stepping back in time. Lite Huevos Ranchero's with red chili it was just enough to fill my belly. Great company, great service. The place was clean and workers constantly cleaning. Cinnamon roll wasn't as good as I remembered. Maybe because I waited too long after the microwave warm up.

    Jim T.

    Another good example of a great place that we have been to before and enjoyed going back again (and again). Everyone knows the Frontier, but did you all know that there are just a few days between the end of classes at UNM and the start of new classes, when you can actually get a place to park in their lots? We didn't either, but we found out and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves walking up to the counter without having to wait in line for the terrific food and reasonable prices. Great food, efficient bussing service, and a thoroughly interesting ambiance tilted heavily towards John Wayne. Highly recommended (again) and with a new YouTube video review from the boys at the VA Creative Writing Group. https://youtu.be/3qr4vfk-eWg?si=L-k-g5mexWa6MU62

    Breakfast plate #1 with scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns, and whole wheat toast
    Annie J.

    You know, when I think about the Frontier, I think about their burritos, tacos, green chile stew, and carne adovada. These are all solid choices; basically, everything on the menu is solid. Their green chile competes with the best. They are known throughout the land for their sweet rolls (cinnamon rolls). But I always forget about their breakfast dishes ... and their hamburgers. I don't even know what the Copy Cat is, except guessing that it's a vegetarian alternative? So finally, I recently went to the Frontier specifically to try one of their breakfasts. It was the #1: two eggs (scrambled), hash browns, bacon, and whole wheat toast (instead of the flour tortilla). It's just a basic breakfast, but there's a reason it's on the menu of probably every restaurant in the US. They offer carne adovada as one of the meat options. It always sounds like a lot more food, but it probably isn't overwhelming in this dish. I loved the meal. They know how to make scrambled eggs right (though no one can top my dad's). The hash browns were perfect, and the bacon was outstanding. True confessions: I still need to try their burgers. Next time! The food is worth it, and the price is reasonable since it's across the street from UNM, and mostly students go here. The service has always been great. I like how you have to wait for the green light to turn on before walking up to one of the many cashiers to place your order. I like the down-to-earth atmosphere of a college-centric, oversized, divey diner, with its booths and oddly placed stools at some tables. The place is a legend.

    Green chili hash browns
    Doreen T.

    I don't think Frontier has the best food in New Mexico, but it's definitely an Albuquerque staple and worth a visit for the experience alone. It's fascinating to see how smoothly the whole system runs! Don't be intimidated by the long lines. They move fast, and there are even signs showing estimated wait times depending on where you're standing. There's plenty of parking in the back, and tables are cleaned quickly between guests. We decided to share several items: the famous cinnamon roll, a breakfast burrito, carne adovada burrito, green chili hash browns, and the Frontier burrito. Since I can't handle spicy food, I asked for the chili sauce on the side for my breakfast burrito. Surprisingly, our favorite ended up being the carne adovada burrito which is the red chili-marinated pork, it had a bit of heat but was delicious! The green chili hash browns were also really tasty. The cinnamon roll, however, was a little bland, and the Frontier burrito felt too heavy. Service was quick and friendly, prices were affordable, and overall, it's a fun local experience you should try at least once when in Albuquerque.

    Bacon breakfast burrito topped with extra green chilie (I asked for it smothered but I don't know that wasn't a thing)

    This is a crazy gem to stumble on. Absolutely delicious breakfast burritos made with think cut bacon, fluffy eggs, and fresh made tortillas! Walk up or dine in but be ready to know what you want when you reach the counter. Inside you get your own drinks and condiments then, sit down and relax your food will be made fresh and arrive shortly. They have screens up to let you know where your order is in the queue. There's a nice crew that will buss and clean your table when you leave. These people are making great food! Not fancy but well worth it!

    Frontier Sweet Roll
    Sophie B.

    I love the atmosphere of this place. the food is cheap and comes quick. there's approximately 1000 places to sit. just watching the people around you is part of the experience. i will return again and again

    Green chile burrito
    Corina D.

    Walked by Frontier and couldn't resist grabbing the green Chile breakfast burrito. I love how they have their walk up window. Perfect option for when you are in a hurry and just need to grab and go. Frontier's employees got it going on when comes to quick and friendly service. Even with the breakfast rush, my burrito came out quick.. and as always so good. Gotta love this Nob Hill staple.

    Mark O.

    2025 Albuquerque. Dinner review. New Mexican. Ordered: FRONTIER BURRITO beef, beans, green chile inside, green chile stew & cheese on top, w/rice & flour tortilla BREAKFAST BURRITO one egg, hash browns, cheddar cheese and green chile with CARNE ADOVADA GREEN CHILE STEW Frontier Sweet Roll Frozen horchata Overall, classic Albuquerque institution. "I'm a fan."

    Our order

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    23 days ago

    Our daughters would have to go to Frontier every time they come home. It is simply the best ABQ has to offer!

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    1 month ago

    This place is a jewel in the crown of NM foods. Nothing fancy, straight forward very good honest food. I recommend

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    1 month ago

    Classic NM diner food! I love the Carne Adovada the most. love it all. A taste of time and tradition.

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    4 months ago

    What a cool restaurant. Their atmosphere is awesome and plenty of tables for large parties. Their breakfast burritos were very delicious!

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    Page 2 of 69

    Frontier Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Frontier

    Can you buy frozen hatch chiles?

    I don't know

    Do their tortillas contain lard?

    No they don't have lard, but most tortillas do.

    Is breakfast served all day?

    Yes all day!

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    El Patio De Albuquerque - Chips and salsa were fair. $4.00 for a very small serving of salsa. I would not recommend the salsa and chips for the money you are paying.

    El Patio De Albuquerque

    4.0(906 reviews)
    0.1 miMidtown/University
    $$

    My favorite meal this year. Very friendly staff and comfortable seating outside underneath a tree,…read morewith fairy lights above. We had the guacamole and salsa, I recommend mixing them together, they pair surprisingly well. A little pricey at $9.60 for the plate. For entrees, we had the green chile chicken enchiladas and carne adovada Christmas style. The latter is one of the most distinct and delicious regional dishes I've had. All entrees had really nice pairings with pinto beans, potato hash, and freshly cooked sopapillas. We chose to have the sopapillas with honey as a dessert, but there's the option to stuff them with the entree.

    This place is like a Mom and Pop hole in the wall gem. The restaurant is small. Parking is a bit of…read morea challenge. There are parking meters along the street and they are free after 6 pm. We stuck a few quarters into the meter that couldn't be read, and we walked into the restaurant. We were greeted at the door and given several options for seating including outdoor seating. We took a table in the entry way, not in the main restaurant. It was a quaint spot overlooking the patio section out front of the restaurant. A server met us, took our drink order, and we placed a few appetizer orders. We got some chile con queso, and the chicharron. They initially brought out the queso in two small plastic to-go containers. I was not very thrilled with that. Then, when we polished them off, they brought out some more in a small serving dish. Why we didn't get the dish in the first place is beyond me. The queso was good, but I didn't think much of the chicharron. My husband like it though. The server did an excellent job keeping our drinks filled. We placed our order, and it wasn't too long that our orders came out. I got the combination plate, red sauce, ground beef taco. My husband thought he ordered the enchilada plate, but the chile relleno plate came out instead. He told them that was fine. The ground beef taco was so delicious. The chile relleno was pretty good, and the cheese enchiladas were okay, even though it was like they were barely there. The pinto beans, not refried beans, were also enjoyed. What really set them apart was their papas - those potatoes were soft and super flavorful. Their red sauce was spicy and flavorful. The server brought out two fresh and hot sopapillas. We poured honey on those things bite by bite. I honestly think those were the best sopapillas I've had. I also used the restroom before we left. It might need a little updating, but it was certainly clean.

    Photos
    El Patio De Albuquerque - Nice conversion of old house

    Nice conversion of old house

    El Patio De Albuquerque
    El Patio De Albuquerque - Patio seating.

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    Patio seating.

    Mary & Tito's - No restaurant does NM-style chicharrones better than these folks.

    Mary & Tito's

    4.2(536 reviews)
    2.7 miNorth Valley/Los Ranchos
    $

    Most all reviews will repeat this, but be aware parking is very tight. We arrived at 1:25 pm and…read morewere happy to find two open spots. Earlier I'm sure the small lot was at capacity. Next, the entry door is no longer facing the street. It is on the north wall of the building off the entry to the parking lot. The entrance sign is just sharpie or pen on paper and very faded. Once inside this small converted residence there are two dining rooms. The first was full but there was open seating in the second. There isn't a lot on the walls so the room echoes your conversation to everyone in the room. A bit more art on the walls and the diner vibe would really make itself known. The food. The NYT recently put Mary and Tito's in their 41 best list in the US so I had very high expectations. Usually my wife and I order a single item and share the meal. This time we ordered knowing we'd have take home leftovers. I ordered the Mexican Turnover Combination with beef. This is a pastry crust folded over a combination of ground beef, rice and beans. I ordered the red chile with this. My wife ordered the cheese enchiladas with green chile, rice and beans. This came with a lot of chopped green chile, not a sauce. Overall it was ok, but the beans and chopped chile put down so much liquid it rapidly became a soggy texture less mess. My turnover was tasty and the red chile also ok but not up to the rave reviews I've heard. At this time, I'd rate it the third best red I've had in NM. (See my review for La Cocina in Espanola for my pick for best Red chile in NM- so far anyway ) Overall, I'm glad we finally got the opportunity to dine at this local institution. When we do give it another try, I'm going to follow the recommendation for chicarones and pork adovado. Actual rating 3.5 stars.

    I finally got back here on a return visit to Albuquerque and actually got to eat, instead of being…read moredriven away by the long wait. It's a tiny restaurant that's very popular, so it builds up. Customers started accumulating about ten minutes before opening, and by the time the door opened, there were more than could be seated. The rest had to wait extra long because of course everyone else had just started. Signature dish here is carne adovada, which you can get in an enchilada, tostada, etc, or plain with red or green sauce on top. Shredded meat, pretty tasty, and unusually the beans were better than the rice. I also had a tamale, decently moist, no husk. This is a good local food place, but didn't strike me as fabulous.

    Photos
    Mary & Tito's
    Mary & Tito's - You will not find better chicharrones for sale in Albuquerque.

    You will not find better chicharrones for sale in Albuquerque.

    Mary & Tito's - Carne adovada enchiladas

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    Carne adovada enchiladas

    The Grove Cafe & Market - Croque Madame

    The Grove Cafe & Market

    4.4(1.6k reviews)
    1.2 miDowntown
    $$

    I hadn't been to the Grove in quite some time and I'm happy to say it is still the same incredible…read moreplace it always was. The parking is a bit crazy, they do have someone trying to help direct traffic through the parking lot. If you don't want to brave that though, there's plenty of street parking. It's busy but there's a lot of indoor and outdoor seating and the turnover pace is pretty good. Things can be a bit loud if you hit the crowded times, but really it's a popular spot for good reason. I got the sweet potato hash and it had the perfect mix of veggies and eggs and was cooked just right. I also tried one of their tea blends and it really hit the spot. The staff is all very friendly and helpful as well and the food comes out quickly. Anyway, great experience as always at the Grove!

    Very fresh flavors and offerings here! Glad my bff recommended it after visiting 6 weeks ago, and…read moreperfect for a lunch time pit stop on the way from the airport to our hotel. The bread is clearly baked fresh and was nice and crusty on the outside and fluffy with the perfect chew on the inside. My mini me 1 inhaled her grilled cheese (of which my husband ordered the full size and also demolished his), and mini me 2 and I shared the toasted tuna melt. Good balance of tuna, celery, and bread ratio, but I didn't dig the olives in it. There's a mini kale salad that comes with entrees, and it was healthy and palatable for kale. We did end up balancing that green with the pistachio cruffin and pistachio chocolate chip cookie. Would definitely go back for the cruffin with its flaky layers and luscious pastry cream. Cookie was less impressive but still worth the impulse buy. Indoor and breezy outdoor seating available. Highly recommend!

    Photos
    The Grove Cafe & Market
    The Grove Cafe & Market - Breakfast sandwich ($11) with iced coffee

    Breakfast sandwich ($11) with iced coffee

    The Grove Cafe & Market

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    Frontier - mexican - Updated September 2026

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