Most amazing Mexican food ever. I was born in Albuquerque 75 years ago and grew up going to El Modelo's from the time I was a babe in my parents' arms; they loved El Modelo's too!! Walk in and smell the delicious aromas YUM!!!!! read more

This is purely a takeout counter, no restaurant seating at all. You can phone in your order, but I found that wait time if you came in to order was about one minute per person already waiting. The highlight here is genuine Sonoran-style tamales, with the tasty thick masa wrapped around the inner layer of husk, and the innards full of rich and juicy shredded pork, lightly coated in red chile sauce. Comes in a little paper tray, thoroughly wrapped in paper and sealed so it stays warm. This was just about the best tamale I have ever had. The sopapillas were OK but not so great. The dough a little bland and tough, and while it was properly puffed, what came with it was not honey but "honey sauce" which is more high-fructose corn syrup than it is honey. And it came in an open paper bag which promptly became very greasy. read more

My son could've ate anywhere for his birthday and he chose El Modelo. We got a lot of food to go and went and sat down and could not even get close to finishing it. The #1 is my favorite plate there and this time I also got a stuffed sopapilla which was delicious. The red chile was everywhere just like I like it. My boy had the tamale plate which comes with 3 huge tamales! I also got a chicharrón burrito but I haven't tried it yet. I'm saving it for work tomorrow. I was surprised my son picked this place but I was pretty happy about it. The service was excellent and friendly. And it wasn't as busy as the last time I've been there so the food came out really fast. Usually it's standing room only in there waiting for my food. I will always come back here every few months for as long as I can. Two thumbs up from me! read more

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We really enjoyed eating carry out from El Modelo during our trip to Albuquerque! This place was a well oiled machine and stayed consistently busy. The line moved pretty quick and food came out in a fairly timely manner. Everything was very flavorful and the portions were a decent size to where there were definitely leftovers. I'd definitely stop by again! read more

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This place was super legit. One of the most authentic Mexican meals I've had. I got the tamale plate it was really good and had phat portions. The chili was kinda spicy too which was coo. They were also super busy and got everything out fast af. Good stuff read more

El Modelo Mexican Foods - Tamale Plate - Mexican Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

This is still one of my favorite spots in New Mexico and has been since I was little. Even though I always get the same thing, it's always exactly what I want. The tamales are full of shredded meat and covered with lots of chili and served with homemade tortilla chips. The flat taco and tostada are always made fresh and are substantial and delicious. Despite this place always being packed, they really roll the orders through. I prefer to call my order in and pick it up so I don't have to wait but even if you have to wait you generally only do so for about 15 minutes or so. I highly recommend El Modelo and I know I'll be back many more times in the coming years. read more

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This place is busy which isn't a bad thing just means their food is good. They have seating outside to eat on. The service is fast and they're very polite. The food is amazing! I got a stuffed sopapilla and a tamale they were incredible. Large portions of food for a great price. The tamale was the size of my hand. The chile has a nice spice to it. I'd highly recommend this place. read more

El Modelo Mexican Foods - Stuffed Sopapilla - Mexican Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

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The only thing lacking at El Modelo is ambiance. The service is fast and friendly and the food is excellent. By ambiance, I mean it is really just a order and get your food and leave kind of place. There are some tables outside to eat out, but nothing inside. The menu covers a lot ground. I opted for a shredded beef burrito with chili and cheese. It was spicy, but not overpowering. Really good flavor, really good seasoning. Great hole in the wall type place. When in ABQ, check it out... N*joy! read more

El Modelo Mexican Foods - Menu - line up and order up - Mexican Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

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The food and service were top tier. We went back twice during our 5 day stay in Albuquerque. read more

El Modelo Mexican Foods - The cute outside seating area - Mexican Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Food is excellent! Made to order. It's takeout only and gets very busy. Love their tortillas and tamales.

Large portions of really good food!!! highly recommend. Want to go back again. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! read more

Finally wandered over to El Modelo. Got the chicken tamale plate with green and a bottled Coke. It was a religious experience. Best tamales I've ever had. We'll be back read more

El Modelo Mexican Foods - Mexican Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

This place does it right! Get the basic and you'll be satisfied. Grab some extra tamales for Sunday football games.

This place doesn't have a place to eat inside, however their stuffed chicken sopaipillas are excellent and definitely worth the stop for. They're really really delicious. If you want something craveable, filling, and not too expensive then stop here. read more

I've been eating El Modelo's stuffed sopapillas since I was a little girl. I have never found another stuffed sopapilla that can match or top El Modelo's. They are big and loaded with refried beans, cheese and red chile. I'm obsessed with how crispy the outside is combined with the red chile heat. These are the best out there. read more

El Modelo Mexican Foods - Stuffed Sopapilla - Mexican Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

The chips are stale maybe the flavors aren't for me the meats dry? How is it dry if it's smothered in sauce? Maybe just not for me super sad the chips were stale went to McDonald's right after :( read more

So yummy! And the ladies are always so nice! The vibe is so authentic New Mexico and so is the food!

An Albuquerque staple! Haven't been here in 15 years but I'm traveling in Abq and had to stop as it's near the airport. Everything is pretty much the same. Counter service, short wait and lines go quick. As for the flavor, it was just as good as I remember. Here's what I had: Tamale- The masa is flavorful, the pork is tender, and the taste is delicious. It's also a big tamale! 5 of 5 stars. Stuffed Sopapilla- Daaaang this is good. Full of chicken and beans and lettuce and cheese. The sopapilla is large so it's a big meal in itself. 5 of 5 stars. read more

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El Modelo was my second "must eat" recommendation from local friends. I stopped in for a late breakfast and after a moment with the menu, chose the Huevos Rancheros. The ordering system and the wait for your order is a little chaotic. Just be patient and if you're unsure, ask. Everyone's friendly here! My food only took about ten minutes until my number was called. There is no dining room here. A picnic table outside might be used by some, but I brought my meal into the van and dug in. Eggs over medium, spicy beans, delicious tortilla and all of it was a great flavor. A little bit messy but absolutely tasty. And this is about as local as you can possibly get. El Modelo is coming up to 100 years and it's awesome. ¡Salud to another 100 years! [Review 21089 overall - 136 in New Mexico - 52 of 2024.] read more

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Food is so good you won't regret coming here it's a New Mexican cuisine 5 stars in my opinion

Red green Christmas. Love me some good barrio grub. Order at the counter. Get it to go. Best New Mexican in the city. read more

El Modelo Mexican Foods - Yum - Mexican Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Worst tamales ever. Ordered and all they gave me was left over masa covered in chili and cheese with lettuce on top. 95% masa 5% meat

Always a great place to get lunch. Everything here is great but the tamales are what they are known for. Will absolutely recommend to anyone. read more

El Modelo Mexican Foods - Outside - Mexican Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Okay, this has been the best "New Mexican" restaurant I have been too. If you have a friend visiting from out of town then I 100% recommend visiting El Model to give them the authentic ABQ New Mexican experience. Order ahead because you will wait forrreeevvverrrr for your food. I have been here a few times and every single time it takes a while. Service...is...slow...but, the food is delicious. Don't worry about over ordering because the leftovers taste even better haha For the price you get a huge portion. So, excellent prices, large portions, and delicious Authentic New Mexican food - it's a win. Again, expect to wait for your order if you don't call ahead. This place is always busy. Always. Even when you go and you think it's slow - they have several pick up orders. Provecho! read more

I couldn't visit ABQ without stopping at El Modelo. The carne adobada burrito was delicious 10/10! My kids are kinda picky, so I played it safe and got them bean and cheese burritos, plain. They were ok, but not great. My mother had the Chile relleno burrito. She said it was ok but rather bland. It's a chopped up Chile relleno inside a burrito. We thought it would be a while Chile relleno inside a burrito. That would have been awesome. You can't go wrong with their carne adobada burrito or stuffed sopapilla. read more

El Modelo Mexican Foods - Carne adobada burrito hits the spot - Mexican Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

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Went to El Modelo on Tuesday May 5th to buy a pint of menudo. It's overpriced for that size in my opinion but I had a craving. Got home , started to eat my menudo and after eating three bites , I noticed that was it, no more tripe. I pretty much paid $8.00 for a pint of hominy and super thick red Chile. I just live like 3-5 minutes away and could have taken my food back, but I had already eaten the 3 pieces of tripe and didn't want to get the your lying look. The menudo was very tasty though. Next time I go back for menudo because that's the one thing that is always good, I am going to open my container before I leave and make sure there is enough tripe to make it worth $8.00 read more

El Modelo is cheating customers by showing $28.50 for a dozen online then charging $48 a dozen when we got there. That's called bait and switch and is illegal. The clerk here wouldn't refund the difference which makes it look like they did this on purpose. I have no choice but to report this to the State Attorney's office. Great food but very dishonest! read more

An Albuquerque icon that has served fantastic food since 1929! We always get a dozen tamales for Holidays. The tamales are huge and incredibly good, the best you'll find. read more

Outstanding Real deal New Mexican Food. This place is Old School...the very best. I've been eating here since 1988. My first time eating Menudo.. read more

antonio had good costumer service and he was fast and nice serving food. The place had nasty food the only good thing was the worker antonio. read more

service was quick, food was delicious. we tried the stuff sopapilla and the green chile brisket burrito. we loved both but especially the burrito, SO delicious and simple. it seemed to only have brisket, chile, and some cheese, but it didn't need anything else. it was perfect and very filling for the price. we also enjoyed the little seating area with the trees. felt like eating delicious homemade food in a backyard. read more

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Ordered today a chicken enchilada no onions red. Perfect! Then ordered cheese enchilada red, no onions. Gave me cheese enchilada no chilie and loaded with onions! And all was cold. Can't do a thing about it since I drove 10 miles and you won't answer your phone! read more

One hundred percent recommended. I have been coming to El Modelo since I was 5 years old. I am now 73 years old. My father first brought me here and I've never in my life tasted any Mexican food like theirs. And I've been all around the world. Everytime I visit Albuquerque this is my first stop. Not my family, not the hotel, not anything. Modelo first! I love the flavors of the food, the way they still do things from the time I can remember, the same taste. This is truly a gem, food like no other you'll find anywhere. No comparison. I actually order their red chile pods to cook at home. I don't know where they get it from, but the distinct flavor is like no other red chile pods I have ever had. Everything they make from scratch is amazing. Make it a point to go there if you're ever in Albuquerque. You will be hooked with your first bite. I wish they were near cause I would be there every weekend like I use to be growing up. Now distance is the only thing keeping me away. read more

Happening takeout place with a few picnic tables outside and a parking lot. It was our first visit and they let us sample the meats. The food is very good and filling. read more

Don't be hard on the gringos trying to order in spanish. Went with wife to order chicharone burritos, menudo and tamales. I missed the tamales and went to order them. Got second ticket. Graciela saw the first ticket grabbed it. I took it back not understanding her spanish. She snapped at me and said that I could wait longer then. The food is great. Customer service needs work read more

Great place for Mexican food as usual. Every time I go there the food is always great and they always give you large portions. Love this place. read more

Amazing service and it's a whole bunch of food. We stopped in on a recommendation and were not let down. We even came back the next day to get a dozen tamales to bring to my sister. read more

I'm from NM and when I come home I cannot miss a stop at El Modelo. The food is incredible. Best red chile and carne adobada I've ever had. My kids love the chicharrones. Love the tortillas. The place itself isn't anything fancy, only outdoor seating after you order for yourself at the counter, but the food and kind service makes up for it. read more

ElModelo has always been a staple for me and my family. We grew up with your food, your flavors, and the sense of tradition that came with every visit. That history is why it's so disheartening to see how dramatically your prices have risen. It's simply no longer affordable. A single tamale should not cost nearly nine dollars after tax--especially when the ingredients and preparation are relatively inexpensive, and when half a dozen can be purchased elsewhere for around ten dollars. Items that were once a dollar are now approaching six. These increases feel excessive, even in a time of inflation. I understand that costs have gone up for everyone, but the current pricing feels unreasonable and out of reach for the very community that has supported you for generations. I truly hope you reconsider and bring your prices back to a level that reflects both fairness and the loyalty of your longtime customers. read more

I got a green chili chicken tamale and a red chili pork tamale. The pork was ok, maybe a little dry, but the chicken one was probably the best tamale I've ever had. Super moist and flavorful. Next time I happen to be in ABQ I'm buying a dozen and taking them home. read more