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Antojito's is the place to eat

I just wanted to post this so that the word got out and so that this place doesn't go under like its predecessors have. Antojito's is THE place to eat Mexican food. Yes, there are plenty of places in Albuquerque to eat, and there are several good Mexican places, but when you find one that no one knows about and it has got really good food, then you need to get the word out. Its a moral imperative.

Antojito's is a little place that has taken up residence in a spot where previous business have gone nowhere. It's near the war zone (strike one) and the neighborhood looks more like an auto repair and warehouse district than a neighborhood where you would find good food (strike two). And, it's dark at night (strike three). So it doesn't have many things goings for it as far as location. But man, the food! The food is goooood.

I am menudo freak. I love menudo, and I go looking for good menudo everywhere. I haven't been to every Mexican place in Albuquerque quite yet, but I have found my share of good places to eat menudo (namely Taqueria Mexico on Lomas b/w Edith and Broadway). Antojito's has now made my list. And it's hard to make it onto my list, because I can make menudo, which makes me a snob (and no, I don't make the best menudo...yet :) ).

They have REAL chile rellenos. Not the kind with jalapenos and cheddar cheese...the kind with poblanos and queso fresco! They have excellent caldos (stews for the uniniitiated); caldo de res (beef) in particular. I haven't had everything there yet, but everything I have had has been TRADITIONAL mexican food...which can be hard to find when it's easy to substitute one ingredient for another. So I just want this place to succeed so that I can have a reference for good traditional mexican food when trying out other places.

Where exactly is this place? On Zuni just west of Wyoming. Bea's is around there (which is good NEW Mexican food; I make that distinction). People at Kirtland AFB are finding out about it and spreading the word...I wanted to do my part as well. Seek it, find it, eat there and be merry.

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Comment by SoyJames on December 18, 2007 at 10:02am: On it.

Comment by Mary Schmidt on December 18, 2007 at 10:11am: Real Chile Rellenos? I'm there! Even if it is dark at night. ;-)

Comment by Michael on December 18, 2007 at 10:26am: Thanks for the tip. As much as I love New Mexican, Mexican food is my true love. It seems hard to find here in ABQ and am always fascinated by some of the places I pass on the South side.

Comment by Grigori, Trained Octopus on December 18, 2007 at 11:19am: You know, I've been singing Lupe's praises to everyone I can for a while now (including on the old DCF), because my stomach is invested in that place staying open. The tortillas are always handmade, plump, and delicious. The rellenos are indeed THE BEST you'll find in the city, and let's not forget chilaquiles and albondigas en chipotle. This is a true mom and pop place . . . go there a few times and they never forget you. The owners are an awesome couple from DF and Michoacan by way of Califas, and the menu reflects those different food cultures Really, I can't say enough good stuff about this place. Que viva Antojitos Lupes!

Comment by Roger A. Rubio on December 18, 2007 at 11:36am: I forgot about the chilaquiles...that made my sister-in-law VERY happy to hear about. And Grigori, you are right, Antojito's is a true Mom-and-Pop place.

Comment by Paul7 on December 18, 2007 at 4:13pm: For menudo, my absolute favorite is the homade stuff at Prescilianos Restaurant in Cuba. I stopped there recently on the way back from Farmington and was blown away.

FWIW, lots of Mexican restaurants sell canned menudo.

Comment by Pablo on December 19, 2007 at 5:16am: Thanks for the recommendation. I'll head there tonight, before taking in the Lobo-Aggie bb game at The Pit.

Another good place for menudo; Abuelita's in Bernalillo.