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    La Mexicana

    4.7 (78 reviews)
    InexpensiveMexican
    Closed 7:30 am - 2:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    La Mexicana Photos

    LA MEXICANA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - La Mexicana

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    Reviews With Photos

    Enchilada Plate with red and green chile
    LaMecia M.

    When was the last time you sneezed in a restaurant and everyone said bless you? Never, well, that's probably because you haven't been to La Mexicana -because that's how friendly not only the staff, but the patrons are! I literally followed my nose while killing time in Downtown ABQ waiting for the next Rail Runner train to La Mexciana. It did not fail me. When I walked in, I was immediately greeted by Ruth and she encouraged me to find a seat. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The tables were full because a couple of people were sitting as they waited for their to-go orders, but one lady stood up to let me have a seat, and I offered to have her sit with me until her food came but then her order was up[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. [[HIGHLIGHT]]As I took my seat, some other customers who were at the table next to me let me know that seating is precious and despite being regulars, it was the first time they were dining in.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] They advised me to get anything with the chile and I took that to heart. Ruth was my server (although it is a team environment) and she explained their menu and what they were known for and that they were a homemade tortilla factory. That led me to get the enchilada plate and the kitchen was nice enough to do a 2-1 split of beef and chicken along with half and half of red and green chile so that I could taste both. It was delicious. The red chile has a subtle heat after you swallow that almosts tasted like a smooth Cholula and the green just has a good kick that made me wipe my nose a few times and take a bite of the sopa, but nothing too bad to make me not want to finish my plate. Which I did. The standout on the plate was actually the beans. I wish I could learn how to make those at home or at least take a big bowl of them home! They also have a daily special that comes with a drink, but I don't eat pork, so I couldn't take advantage of it. I had a pineapple Jarrito to accompany my meal -they had 3-4 flavors as well as fountain Coke products and also bottles. I enjoyed seeing so many regulars come in and how the staff engaged with them - I also loved that you can pick up more than your meal with a few items they had such as tortillas, chicarrones, spices, etc. This should definitely be on the list for Downtown ABQ-skip the gentrified places and go here for Authentic New Mexican cuisine. [[HIGHLIGHT]]If you come, remember it's a small place but that's their secret sauce, so come, be nice, be patient and be fed.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    UNBELIEVABLE!! NOT ENOUGH WORDS TO EXPRESS HOW TRULY AUTHENTIC, TRULY DELICIOUS THIS PLACE IS!! What a gem! Don't waste your time going to other so called Authentic Mexican restaurants nearby. [[HIGHLIGHT]]You feel like you just walked in and sat down at grandma's house[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The delicious aromas hit you walking in the door.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's so very clean and shows true pride.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The staff is BEYOND gracious. This was our first time here, and they were so helpful with explaining the menu. I really could go on and on. This is just the best little place in Albuquerque

    Tacos
    Susan M.

    They also have the best huevos rancheros and chile rellenos.Also the have a little store section with teas,herbs, green and red chile and homemade tortillas (I usually buy the blue corn tortillas). The service is always friendly and helpful. Ambiance is casual and welcoming. Just a wonderful family owned mom & pop restaurant.shop local,support local establishments and restaurants. * Pictured is some of the delicious food I have had here.

    Homemade goodies
    Timmy S.

    I have only been here once before today and it was a long time ago. That time the place was packed and I took the food to go and ate it on the road home so I had been wanting to come back for a long time and today I finally did. Me and my kid sat down and were greeted by a friendly waitress who took her time with us. Btw the place smelled like grandma's house if you know what I mean! My daughter even mentioned when we got down that it smelled like her grandma's kitchen. I got the same thing I got the first time I came here, the Breaking Bad burger and it was a lot bigger than I remember! Everything tasted great it was delicious. Prices were great as well $30 for two huge plates, chips, salsa and sodas! Sometimes I regret some of the places I stop at when I'm out foodieing but I left here very happy with my decision. Two thumbs up from me! If I had anything to gripe about, it would be that it's not open 7 days a week haha. Great little restaurant...

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    Review Insights

    5 months ago

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    13 days ago

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    11 months ago

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    4 months ago

    I absolutely love this place - authentic New Mexican food served lovingly. It's outstanding!

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    5 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

    Great food, great service, and the nicest sweetest waitress you'll ever meet!! ...and corn and flour tortillas to go!!

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    3 years ago

    Small little hidden spot with really good food and big portions. Friendly staff and fair prices. Enjoyed my food will be back again

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Good food, good prices and great employees. Homemade tortillas were awesome. Met the owner nice guy.

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    3 years ago

    Truly amazing food! Try the breaking bad fries!!! Service was awesome and the workers were polite! Highly recommend this place!

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    5 years ago

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    5 years ago

    Solid. If you want the real thing this is a hidden secret. Everything is well executed, the masa for your tamales is excellent.

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    3 years ago

    There Green Chili Burgers are the best We buy there MASA for their tamales it's the best also there biscotchito are great

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    7 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Great service and great food all around! 10/10 will be coming back! Very laid back nice vibe.

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    11 years ago

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - La Mexicana

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    La Guelaguetza Mexicana Restaurant

    La Guelaguetza Mexicana Restaurant

    4.8
    (437 reviews)
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    We love this place…read more They have some of the best Mexican food we have ever had. Their mole sauces are very distinct and excellent. We highly recommend them. The people are also warm and very nice. We highly recommend this place.

    Was traveling headed home to Texas and quickly looked on Yelp for Mexican food in the area. I saw…read more4.8 out of five stars on this location and decided it was worth driving off the beaten path. Very easy to find located in a small part of the neighborhood we parked on a side street and walked in. We were greeted right away and told to take a table. When we receive the menu, it had no prices on it, and although the menu is somewhat limited, the variety was a good sampling there is something for everyone. I ordered the QuesoBirria tacos and my eating companion, had a cheeseburger and fries. They delivered a basket of fried potatoes slices that were a little slice of heaven before our meal. The restaurant was busy. Every table was full, and people kept streaming into the restaurant to pick up to go orders. A food arrived shortly after we ordered it. The cheeseburger was handmade served with fresh cut onions and tomatoes on a potato type bun with loads of fries the tacos were over the top! They brought out two types of salsa, freshly made a red sauce and a green sauce. My favorite was the green sauce. It was a little bit spicier than the red. The flavor was next level. I took two of these to go home because they were so large. You could definitely share this with someone. I did read all the plaques on the wall in the restaurant. The chef has won awards and lots of newspaper articles were posted about this location. I highly recommend would certainly visit again and by the amount of people that were streaming in most seemed to be regulars I guarantee this place is going to be around for a long time so happy that we visited this spot. It's a pleasure writing a review, especially since the staff were hard-working and we are very attentive.

    Photos
    Small restaurant but packed of customers. Everyone was friendly. Great food. Dine-in or Dine-out.
    Small restaurant but packed of customers. Everyone was friendly. Great food. Dine-in or Dine-out.
    Birria Pizza - Superb! The owners were one of the 2022 semi-finalists for the JBF Best Chef Southwest award.
    Birria Pizza - Superb! The owners were one of the 2022 semi-finalists for the JBF Best Chef Southwest award.
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    Frontier

    Frontier

    4.2
    (2.7k reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$

    Yes, I get the hype, and in my opinion, totally worth it!…read more 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.

    It seems like this place has been around forever. I remember passing by this restaurant as a kid…read moreand 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,!

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Complimentary Sopapillas ($0)
    Complimentary Sopapillas ($0)
    Mexican Combo ($11) w/ Christmas enchiladas, rice, beans and a crunchy taco

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    Mexican Combo ($11) w/ Christmas enchiladas, rice, beans and a crunchy taco
    Herencia

    Herencia

    4.5
    (133 reviews)
    8.6 mi

    We were traveling from North Carolina to our home in San Diego…read more We looked up places to eat and were tired of "road trip food". We found Herencia and took a chance. We know good Mexican food, as we are from San Diego, and wanted to try the southwest fare. WHAT AN AMAZING CHOICE! The lovely hostess was charming, engaging and sweet (wish i had her name) and our waiter (Edgar) was authentic, personable and fun to chat with. We had been at a movie and had eaten a bit too much popcorn so we did not order a lot. The three of us shared the free blue corn (not fried) chips with three salsa samples. We then shared a salad and the amazingly good four taco sampler. Thank you Herencia (Enrique the owner, and staff) for this wonderful evening.

    Very expensive Mexican food with small portions. Food was good but not worth the price. They took…read morethe food too artsy and shrinked the sizes too much. Service did not match the price. Server didn't check on us too often and let someone at the table run out of water for 5 minutes until we asked for more. I had the pork al pastor ($26). It was cooked well and seasoned really nicely. Lobster enchiladas were nice but unique just to be unique. I asked for recommendations and all of the options were the most expensive on the menu which was odd to me. If they have a cheaper lunch menu it might be worth trying, but I think the dinner isn't worth it for the price. Four entrees and a soda was $130 plus tip.

    Photos
    Herencia
    Tacos
    Tacos
    Costilla de Rez

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    Costilla de Rez
    El Pinto

    El Pinto

    3.4
    (1.9k reviews)
    8.9 mi
    $$

    Late lunch/ early dinner today. Hotter than heck outside so decided to hide at El Pinto for…read moreawhile. Ordered cold beer and cocktails after we were seated inside Lotsa flies.....we get it....pretty much an open-air restaurant this time of year They did set a spinner on our table which helped. Was decently cool inside too I have been wanting to try their Kizer beef and pork offerings so i threw down on a cheeseburger (hard to not order New Mexican food here) But that burger was perfect! Delicious I recommend and was plenty big Of course i dropped a big spoonful of green chile on it And the green chile strip appetizer was outstanding Summer at El Pinto. Enjoy!

    Overall, the restaurant is quite remarkable. The location is unique and the interior and exterior…read morespaces are beautiful. My parents lived in ABQ for years and always thought that the atmosphere was great, but the food was so-so. However, on this instance, we all thought the food was quite good. Flavorful carne adovada, although it was a bit tough. Red chile sauce was spicy but had great flavor. The green chile sauce was hot and tasty. Posole was also good. The gold margaritas were also good - to anyone complaining about the price - at $14.50, the price is very fair considering the cost of ingredients. If you want a cheap junk margarita that is more sugar than anything else, go somewhere else! Our gripe... The place is huge and has an abundance of great places to seat guests. We had a pretty large group - 7 people celebrating a family reunion of sorts. However, they sat us right next to the bussing station that had noisy carts, dishwashers, and other distractions. It was so loud, it was hard to hear the person across the table. There were at least 10 other tables that they could have seated us at! It seems to me that this area should be used only when the restaurant is completely full. This seems to be a poor management decision rather than the fault of the servers or hosts.

    Photos
    Come on in!
    Come on in!
    Hatch Chile and Chicharrones
    Hatch Chile and Chicharrones
    Interior entrance

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    Interior entrance

    La Mexicana - mexican - Updated August 2026

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