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

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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I'm very ashamed that this restaurant is a representative of New Mexican cuisine. The prices are astronomical considering that you're mostly paying for beans, corn and rice! I understand that with the size of this restaurant it may be too much to ask for red chili made from pods versus red chili made from powder!! If you really want to the true New Mexican flavor go to Mary and Tito's or Pete's Cafe in Belen. 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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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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I had a hard time giving El Pinto a 3 since they probably don't care for the flies flying over our heads and food... totally disgusting The food was subpar for the price... $24 for Chicken Enchiladas $25.39 for the previously frozen salmon salad. The Chile Con Carne was tasty but not worth $19.99 $2.99 for extra sour cream . Watch your bill for the convenience fee ?? That must be for the flies... there are other choices. 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

We were a party of 12, seated on the back patio. I've been going there for decades, and I've never had such ridiculous service. It was 15 minutes to tak our drink order, which they got wrong. Another 15 to take our order...and 45 minutes later, two people had been served. After another 15 minutes, I went looking for management. About 10 minutes later, we were served lukewarm, dried out food. My chicken looked like jerky. On top of this, there's a mandatory 20% tip on the check. Tip for what? There has been a gradual decline in service over the past year, but this was a precipitous drop. It's unfortunate we won't be able to have family dinners there any more - it's been the family favorite since the 60s. read more

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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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

Great brunch! I had the biscuits and gravy with an egg. I also got a Bloody Mary and OJ. The biscuits and gravy were the best I've ever had. The green chili in them added a slight kick. Our server, Ceana was sweet and attentive. We also got the pop tart which was excellent and a sweet ending to our brunch meal. The ambiance is superb and hard to beat. There are outdoor heaters and soft Mexican music playing. read more

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

The best date place! My husband and I love to come here to celebrate special occasions but also just weeknight bites when we are too busy to cook. The staff are always so nice and attentive, and the food is great. Their salsa is soooo good. read more

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

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May not be the BEST New Mexican Cuisine, but it's as good as smaller places well reviewed. The Hacienda-like setting and outside seating is wins best atmosphere hands down. Waiters were on point, and we never were of need of anything. Best part? I'd been there as a kid and had vivid memories of this magic Mexican restaurant outside ABQ! It's now INSIDE ABQ. The memories hit like a tsunami! read more

El Pinto - The parking lot and entrance to El Pinto - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

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

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

This is the place to go if you're visiting ABQ and want the full experience of classic NM food.

We were told there would be a 45 min wait to be seated on the patio, the main reason we came to this restaurant, but if we sat in the bar there would be no wait. Mind you they were not busy. The bar area was so hot we were all sweating even with a large ceiling mounted fan aimed directly at the back of my head (not a fun way to dine to say the least). Our orders took over an hour to come out and there were many error and missing items (that they ended up charging us for) but we didn't want to send anything back because it took so long to get. The quantity of food on our plates was minimal compared to any other Mexican food restaurant for the same items and the price was considerably more than the equivalent plate anywhere else. The whole experience was subpar to what we have had from there in the past. There are so many other fantastic reasonably price local mexican food restuarants around I would not waste time going here again. read more

My late wife's favorite restaurant, we went there every time we were in Albuquerque. Great food and service.

I've been here many times in my 20 year Albuquerque life. This time will likely be last. The chips and salsa were ok. Pretty standard. I got a flat Coke, was nicely switched to an ice tea. My husband had the Gold Marguerita- he said it was overpowering mix flavor. I had the carne adovado plate dinner, asked for some avocado but got guacamole. It was a small serving compared to price. The carne adovado was plenty for me- but if you're used to most local restaurants, this was SMALL. Even smaller than the small order at Sadie's. The taste was overpowering spicy, so if you like it hot. You might like that. Meat was dry and barely warm. Guacamole helped me with the spiciness. Husband ground beef burrito was nothing to write about. Nothing great. He was disappointed- but he did bring home some of the very large burrito and did eat it the next day. Sopapilla were thick and chewy. Not my style. Honey is honey! So that's good, no added corn syrup! Waitress was very nice and large reason I'm giving this a two. But the food was overwhelmingly not up to par. Can't give it a 3! Beautiful property. read more

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It had been many years since we last visited Albuquerque, and we intentionally chose to return to a place we had enjoyed long ago. It did not disappoint! The salsa had a wonderful burn--just the way we like it. The queso was rich and flavorful, with chunks of green chiles throughout. The red chile was mild; I could have enjoyed a bit more heat with my burrito, but overall it was excellent. The tender chunks of pork were absolutely fabulous. We didn't get a photo of our sopapillas, but they were warm, light, and delicious. I had intended to request that they be served at the end of our meal, but I forgot that in New Mexico they are traditionally included as part of the meal. I prefer them as dessert, drizzled with the honey conveniently waiting on the table. The atmosphere was festive and welcoming. When we arrived, it was dark, damp, and chilly outside, but the entrance was beautifully decorated with red chile ristras hanging overhead. Once inside and seated, the restaurant was comfortably warm and inviting--perfect after the cold evening. Be sure not to miss the stunning amethyst geodes displayed in the waterfall near the bar. It's well worth walking through that area just to admire them. I may not have the exact terminology for the rock formations, but they are truly impressive and memorable. read more

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Top notch restaurant in Albuquerque! Great service and facility to go along with the delicious food. Would for sure return next time visiting the region. The story of the facility is very neat! read more

The last few times I have came to visit Albuquerque I've eaten here, only because whoever we visit wants to eat here. The food has been okay. Not bad but nothing spectacular. The first time we got margaritas they were amazing. I ordered a Paloma the second time and it was not what I expected, I'm used to it being made with grapefruit juice. The staff was very friendly. Unfortunately service was very slow. It took them 1 hour to finally get our food order in. I've noticed this has been a thing when coming out to New Mexico where food service is slow in general. I do love the setting of the restaurant. Such a neat place. It's very beautiful inside and out of the restaurant. read more

We love El Pinto. Every time we are in the area, we try to go at least twice. I love the uniqueness of the grounds, and they close in the patios during the winter so you can enjoy the outside feel without freezing. Beautiful fireplaces surround the facility as well. The food is amazing, large portions, and very tasty. I had the taco salad with chicken, my husband had chicken tacos, and my son got stuffed sopapillas with chicken. All of us loved it plus they brought out tons of chips and salsa as well as sopapillas. The server was really nice and overall we had a great meal. We will be back again soon! read more

El Pinto has delicious food and beautiful ambiance (from garden seating outside to bar seating inside and so many inside rooms too!). This visit I split a combo plate. The chile was great especially if you like deeper red chile vs the bright chile. On a previous visit I had a calabacita burrito and it was fantastic. Also, the salsa is delicious so pace yourself or plan on leftovers! The restaurant is huge! Last visit I sat in an area that felt like a greenhouse, it was the bar area and they had a game on. There is plenty of outdoor seating, which is a lovely option especially in summer and fall. read more

El Pinto - Salsa to start - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Delicious food, excellent service and fun vibes in the outdoor dining area for groups big and small. Highly recommend stopping by if you're in the area! The red chili ribs are spicy but worth the slight pain if you're sensitive for spice. The chili con queso is so addictive, and the tortilla chips are great. The treat at the end with the honey and sopapilla bread is awesome! read more

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Wow what great food, great service and great ambiance! The chips and sauza were dynamite! We had the Number 3 combo plate and loved it and they topped it off with warm sopapillias! Number one place for a steak or Mexican in The big A! read more

El Pinto - A great family visiting for lunch! - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

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Our experience was fantastic, the location is like in the movies.. enchanted. I observed all the associates happy and providing great and personalized service. Michael our server provided a great service going an extra mile making out of this experience a memorable moment. The ambience was so expectacular like to not wanting to leave the place. The steaks cooked to perfection. We order a 2 ribeye and New York strip., the 3 cuts cooked to perfection in the perfect temperature. It was just a memorable evening with great friends, food, drinks and ambience.. we were able to thank the owner for a great dinner. See you soon El Pinto.. hasta la vista! read more

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Totally failed to get pictures, but hey it looks like any other new Mexican food. Food taste always spot on. The service is always amazing!!! Beautiful place to eat as well, this place is huge!! read more

Went here with colleagues for a late lunch. This place brings back memories for me. I lived in Albuquerque as a kid and went here back then. The atmosphere trends Mexican villa and the outside seating is the way to go. They had a salsa tasting station just outside the entrance where you can try out a few varieties. We started with the Green Chile Strips that come with chipotle ranch and the Fiesta appetizer platter which includes Red Chile Ribs, chile con queso, guacamole, and chips. The stand outs were the green chili strips and the ribs. The guacamole and queso were good, however the other two were amazing. The chilis were hot enough to feel them but not overpowering. The chili ribs had a good kick, were very flavorful, and falling off the bone delicious. On my next visit, I think I would get those if I could resist the carne adovada. I got tamales. I wanted them to be better than they were. The masa was a little too thick for my taste and there was not enough filling. The rice was a bit on the dry side. All of my colleagues were pleased with their choices which included Combination Plates and veggie plate. They brought the sopapillas with the main dishes, which meant they were not hot by the time folks were ready for dessert. It didn't stop folks from polishing them all off. Great place with excellent service. Our server, did separate checks in record time. He was very attentive and friendly. Overall a great experience. read more

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

This is a MUST TRY for anyone visiting Albuquerque. I try to visit every time I'm in town, they have LARGE portions, excellent flavors, a really cool location with lots of different areas to check out, and friendly staff. The quickest seating is in the bar area, but if nothing else you can walk the grounds and check out all the seating areas. I didn't realize just how HUGE this place was until I walked around one day while waiting. This is an experience you won't regret! :-D read more

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This restaurant is huge! There is ample parking and indoor/outdoor seating. While you wait there is lots of things to look at from photos of famous people visiting the restaurant to local art and premade products. To eat I shared the half rack of red Chile ribs that came with 2 sides and sopapillas. It was delicious and very filling. They also give you chips and salsa to start off and local honey for the sopapillas. read more

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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