Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Garcia's Kitchen - The Original

    3.6 (202 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 3:00 pm

    Garcia's Kitchen - The Original Photos

    Business Info

    GARCIA'S KITCHEN - THE ORIGINAL ATMOSPHERE

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

    You might also consider

    More like Garcia's Kitchen - The Original

    Recommended Reviews - Garcia's Kitchen - The Original

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Does this look like Green Chile Stew??
    Chelly C.

    I ordered a green chili stew xl and they gave me a bowl of beans and lettuce. I simply said it's not what I wanted and he insisted that's what I ordered. Then the man just stared me down. He refused to make me any thing else to eat and told me to leave. I did not cause a scene or ask to speak to a manager. But they sent the biggest and tallest man they could find to ask me to leave when all I wanted was to re order my food the correct way. The vibe there is racist. It's like they don't want any tourists or outsiders there. Not a fan of this location. They only want New Mexicans to eat there. DO NOT GO. THEY WILL GET YOUR FOOD WRONG AND DO NOTHING TO HELP YOU.

    Front door
    Kevin M.

    I had my first visit on Jan. 24, 2025. There is plenty of parking; I went just past noon, and it was clear from the lot that this is a popular spot. The decor is friendly and colorful, helpful and friendly staff. I was seated immediately. The tabletops display very colorful art. The menu offers many New Mexico food items; I went with tacos, beans and rice. The tacos were delicious and I had corn hardshell tortillas. The shells had a nice crunch and held together well. (ever have a taco shell break into Tinkerbell's fairy dust with one bite?). The salsa has just a hint of heat. Refried beans were perfect. The Mexican rice was fluffy and had subtle flavors. I just moved into this neighborhood and will be a regular here

    Marianne G.

    I think what makes this place so great are the people who work here. It's genuinely warm people and that really makes or breaks an experience for me. We are visiting NM and came here for brunch. The server recommended the Indian Taco with green Chile and it did not disappoint. I've never had one before but it hit the spot for a savory meal which is my jam. Casual vibes for sure and lots history on the walls. We enjoyed our time here and were all so stuffed but hopefully we can make it back one more time before we head back to California!

    Sopapillas basket
    Joop V.

    Solid New Mexican food in a large portion. My favorites are sopapillas baskets (4ea in a basket). Eating those fried, soft pillows with honey...yum!! (Even for my meals the next day!). We also got enchiladas and flautas plates. You get to choose your sides. I thought the food was quite good. Huge portion though! We got pretty good service when we dined in. Ok service when we ordered to pick it up. I guess it depends on how busy their staff are, etc. P.S. they close early at 3pm on Thurs! We stopped by once to have dinner and it looked like ghost town in a parking lot. I thought it was strange to end Thursday (not Mon or tue) service early when it's starting to be peak dining out towards weekend!

    John P.

    I was pretty impressed with this restaurant. Staff was helpful, attentive and friendly. Atmosphere was nice and food was excellent. I thought the price was very reasonable for the amount of food I received. I ordered the combination plate with a taco, tamale, enchilada, rice, beans and soppapillas. Everything was excellent. The menu has other items that were also tempting such as the nachos, tostadas and burritos which I will try next time.

    Red Chile enchiladas con Chicharrones.
    John P.

    Holy moly red chile! Had the red chile enchiladas con Chicharrones. Been to Garcia many times and I don't know why I've never tried this particular dish. Amazing!

    Garcias Kitchen mural
    Rob L.

    Great place for nuevo mexicano food. We were there for brunch and the bfast burrito, chiles and sopapillas did not disappoint.

    Green chili stew
    A M.

    Stopped in for a quick bite and the green chili stew hit the spot. Spicy but not too much. Great service too with a real hometown feel.

    Leena J.

    Service was absolutely unavailable. It took so long for someone to greet me. I wanted a glass of cold water so desperately it was painful. Not so soon after a drink I was searching for chips and salsa- no luck. Starvation set in. Food was good. I just wish the service was better. I had heard great things and gotten several recommendations, I wish I had a better experience.

    Red chile enchiladas with sopapilla.
    Nicole O.

    The Original is where it's at! I've never been let down, except by ART construction with this location. I'm always sat fast with friendly service but that's not why I go. I always start with a bowl of red chile with beans and some tortillas as an appetizer. Forget the chips and salsa! My go-to is the rolled red chile enchiladas with onions, side of papas (potato's) and whole beans (not refried). Never has this combo failed me. The boyfriend got a bean & cheese burrito with green chile both inside and smothering: he LOVED it! Top it all off with warm sopapillas with honey and you'll be nice and full for the rest of the day! I'll be frank, I've gone to other locations, they just aren't the same. I'll stick with the Original.

    Chili reyeno

    See all

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Chelly C.
    172
    86
    53

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 1
    Love this 8
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of John P.
    34
    44
    68

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of A M.
    10
    101
    18

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Always stop here when pass through. Carne adovada and biscochitos among the many highlights and the kids (me included) love the decorations

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Good food, good service, clean, bright, beautiful place with great art. We went for breakfast and weren't disappointed. Highly recommend.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Amy S.
    1116
    2430
    20545

    7 years ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 0
    Love this 9
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Arwen L.
    609
    121
    31

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of John H.
    378
    396
    302

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Never acknowledged after being seated waited approximately 15 minutes left to go else where. Will never go back

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 6

    Ask the Community - Garcia's Kitchen - The Original

    You might also consider

    The Original Cocina Azul on Mountain Rd - Front of restaurant

    The Original Cocina Azul on Mountain Rd

    4.4(2.9k reviews)
    0.5 miDowntown
    $$
    Family-owned & operated
    Catering service

    There is one southwestern joint in town that is a must visit that's Cocina Azul. The place is…read morebeautiful, sharp clean and very new looking. They have ample seating in brightly lit areas and even patio seating. It was fun busy and alive on a Tuesday night. Our server was so wonderful, very happy and relaxed it's a sign of a good place. All the front staff were wonderful workers and seem to work very harmoniously. My coworker and I had t different things he got a smothered burrito and I got the brisket combo, both dishes were too much food for too grown men. Delicious and huge portions plus a really nice presentation. The wait was a bit long but that just means they are making everything before service. The only hard part was parking, it's a small lot so be prepared to walk a block or two during dinner rush. Trust me it's totally worth it!!!

    I'm in Albuquerque for a few days. I wanted some New Mexican food so I have Cocina Azul a shot…read more East to get to and easy parking. Their 2 big things were their "chili". Everything has either red or green chili or what they call Christmas style and that's both green and red. Not on top of each other but side by side. They both were good. HOWEVER, they were spicy. Really spicy. The green Sause looked like mostly diced hatch green chilis with seeds left in. It had a good flavor. The red Sause was heavy (I think) New Mexico chilies. It had a bright red color, actually stained my fingers, and a woodsy taste. I got a comb plate. It has a chili relleno, tamale, taco, and enchilada with rice and beans. And it was good. It was a lot of food. (See pics) I'm from Oklahoma and the Mexican food there is alot different. But I enjoyed my meal. I would have licked the plate clean if it wasn't so spicy. 4/5

    Photos
    The Original Cocina Azul on Mountain Rd
    The Original Cocina Azul on Mountain Rd
    The Original Cocina Azul on Mountain Rd - Arellana's Guaco Sopapilla Burger

    See all

    Arellana's Guaco Sopapilla Burger

    Garduño's of Mexico Restaurant & Cantina at Old Town - Chips and salsa (complementary first serving); else $5

    Garduño's of Mexico Restaurant & Cantina at Old Town

    3.2(234 reviews)
    0.6 miOld Town
    $$

    Had a great dinner with family. Was able to be seated quickly. Chips and salsa were fire…read more Literally.. so yummy. Opted for the combo plate. Tamale and enchilada with beans and rice. One of the best tamales I've had in a long time. The waitstaff was attentive and professional. The vibe if the place was relaxing and eclectic. Quiet atmosphere for a relaxing dinner. Definitely a must try if ever in Albuquerque. Prices were surprisingly low.

    Food flavors were okay, but not much else was. The flour tortillas had the taste and consistency…read moreyou find straight out of the plastic bag at the supermarket. Nice choice of fancy high-end margaritas, but their mix is way too artificial tasting, without much if any fresh lime juice. The cheap margarita mix and industrial tortillas alone would have been enough to prevent a return visit. We have done so much better on previous visits here. On top of that, service was in full-on meltdown mode. Table next to us, which had been seated and served drinks before we arrived, was having words with the server about how long their food was taking. "Will it even be hot," she asked. After we had ordered and been served drinks, and ordered and been served food, they finally threw a few crumpled bills on their still-empty table and walked. My combo plate was completely wrong, and my wife's fajitas lacked the sour cream she ordered and the tomatoes and pico de gallo that were supposed to come with it. Wait staff blamed the kitchen rather than owning the mistakes on behalf of the restaurant. Took five minutes, and two requests, for my wife to even get her tiny container of sour cream. Table on the other side of us also had some problem; we heard the sever telling them that some item they ordered would be comped. They did comp my combo. But that's three adjacent tables poorly served. Not coming back.

    Photos
    Garduño's of Mexico Restaurant & Cantina at Old Town - Decorative windows

    Decorative windows

    Garduño's of Mexico Restaurant & Cantina at Old Town - Steel Cut Oats

    Steel Cut Oats

    Garduño's of Mexico Restaurant & Cantina at Old Town - Garduno's at Old Town Patio

    See all

    Garduno's at Old Town Patio

    Garcia's Kitchen - The Original - newmexican - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...