This is a restaurant with clearly enthusiastic staff and owners who have put a lot of effort into the ideas they are trying. Unfortunately, my take away was that the owners, maybe managers, are new in the restaurant management space. It feels like a lot of different ideas are happening but not converging as well as they could. The general impression I got was: confusion. A few specific issues stood out: * Friendly, enthusiastic counter service, but overworked, focused on too many tasks. * Drip coffee was not ready at 10 a.m. * About a 20-minute wait at the table for coffee to brew * Huevos were nicely presented but uneven in execution (papas flavorful but a little too salty, beans bland and unseasoned) * Outdoor seating is a nice idea, but tables felt small and cramped * Heavy direct sun on outdoor tables (limited shaded seating; north side might be worth exploring) * Exterior branding does not clearly communicate that this is a restaurant - feels more like branding for tattoo parlor/vapeshop/auto detailing * Overall concept feels pulled in too many directions * Menus are difficult to read (cramped text, color choice, and font) To the owners: I really hope you make this work. I would consider bringing in a consultant re service, hiring a graphic designer to up the branding/menu game, and focus on food consistency. It may be worth looking at books on customer service and restaurant psychology such as: * Service Design: From Insight to Implementation * The Science of Shopping * the Restaurant & Bar Marketing series by Erik Shellenberger I would love to delete this review and replace it with 5 stars in the future. read more

Lavender Cocinita - Menu - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Los Ranchos, New Mexico

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Every time I go here, Lavender Cocinita goes higher in my esteem. It's solid New Mexican cooking by a skilled artisan - notably tastier than most local places _even in spite of_ the fact that no animal products are used in the chile. Yes, the chiles are vegan. (So are the beans - pressure-cooked to creamy tenderness.) Yes, they're delicious - both the red (from pods!) and the green. (And, yes, it's me - noted grumpy traditionalist who usually wants an extra scoop of bacon grease in pretty much every dish - who's writing that.) The room is small, but well thought-out. There are nice little two-top tables outside along the sidewalk/patio in this pleasant part of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque. Lavender Cocinita is popular, with a steady stream of folks coming in - but I've never had a problem getting seated and I've never felt rushed (even when sitting a while, jabbering in the chile afterglow). (Free parking is plentiful in the area, but a little weird in the Los Ranchos pedestrian area: your best bet might be trying for street parking on Tyler Road, the E/W street just N of the restaurant.) The chef is friendly and will answer questions. The counter folks have always been friendly and kind: checking on us periodically. Really nice folks. It's an order-at-the-counter/pay/take-a-seat/they-bring-it-to-you place, but the service is good enough that you'll kick yourself if you don't tip heavier than usual for such an arrangement. Get your own water at the counter. Food is cooked to order (perfectly in all my visits thus far) and will take a few minutes to get to your table, but you'll be happy. Portions are always large (I leave full, and I'm a big eater) and the cost is on the low edge of today's pricing. The chiles are real-deal: they tend to be notably more piquant than at most places in town but they're real chile and vary in heat with the batch being served (I am used to and appreciate heat and one time the green was HOT!). As noted, the flavors are just wonderful. Bear in mind, NM red and green chiles are relatively simple sauces with few components: the artistry of the chef and the quality of the ingredients are absolutely vital to the flavor impact of the finished product served - and Lavender Cocinita absolutely nails this. Foodies have written the place up over and over, and they've won awards that would impress folks in the know in the short time (less than two years) they've been open. Without being melodramatic, this place gives a serious-about-the-flavors vibe that reminds me of those noted in places that have won James Beard American Classic awards. Lavender Cocinita is a reasonably inconvenient drive for me, but every time I've made it I've driven back with a grin and a vow to do it again soon. read more

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Great food and amazing service We made the drive all the way from the west side to try this spot and wow... why have I not been here before?! From the moment we walked in, the service was so warm and welcoming. It honestly felt like stepping into a family member's home. They found us a table in their cozy dining room, and from there it just kept getting better. The food? Absolutely amazing. Everyone at the table kept asking, "What did you order?" It was so good (and so much!) that I asked for a to-go box before I even started eating. The service was top-notch, and the food somehow topped even that. We loved everything about this experience. If you haven't been here yet, you've got to give it a try you never know until you do. And if you love it as much as we did, spread the word! Small businesses need our support now more than ever they don't have the cushion that big chain restaurants do. We'll definitely be back! read more

Lavender Cocinita - Breakfast quesadilla - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Los Ranchos, New Mexico

Went back to Cocinita Lavender yesterday. My friends ordered - Frito Pie - Ruben Sandwich - 4 oz Cheeseburger Frito Pie: The " small portion" was actually grand! Well balanced and tasty. - Ruben Sandwich: Traditional with a good size portion - 4oz Cheeseburger: Homemade patty Well done With excellent homemade and hand cut fries. It was my friends choice but I certainly would have asked for the incredible 8oz one. When you go do not miss the opportunity to order the 8 oz green chile cheeseburger. Definitely one of the very best in Albuquerque. Service: Slow but pleasant. Food worth returning time and again read more

The food and service was amazing!!! I usually don't like eating calabacitas at restaurants. No one makes it better than my gramita or mama, but the calabacita burrito was amazing. Lavender Tea was amazing also. I didn't ask the name of the chef, but he came out and made sure everyone was enjoying their food. Marcela was a great hostess/waitress. I will definitely be back. 10/10 recommend. read more

Lavender Cocinita - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Los Ranchos, New Mexico

I always want to let people know where they can find good and delicious food or services and if it locally owned It motivates me even more to want to spread the word, all of us should go out of our way to spread the word and I can only rave about Lavender Cocinita. First the food is delicious, I ordered the half or smaller portion frito pie, and there was nothing small about it trust me when I say this picture does not do it justice on how big it is and thank goodness for that because boy was it yummmmmy, I ate half and I got full and believe me , I can eat. I took the rest home my son ordered the green chile cheese burger with homemade fresh cut french fries, and WOW so delicious and the burger also HUGE and I yes I stole some of my sons french fries But the cherry on top of the wonderful sundae, I don't think they have Sundaes, but the staff, who i'm pretty sure were also the owners and they were so nice and provided exceptional, friendly service, and now have frequent loyal customers. read more

Lavender Cocinita - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Los Ranchos, New Mexico

My breakfast burrito was delicious! Pretty large, nice crispy bacon, hot green chile. What more could you want? Service was great, very friendly. Bike parking out front. read more

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BEST burritos in town. Service and food quality is always consistent. The shop is cute but tiny and perfect. read more

Great food, good prices, and large servings. Nice place to eat in the north valley. The Ruben has great flavor and a lot of meat, but kinda dry. The quesadilla was crazy big and very tasty. The breakfast burrito is also crazy big and big flavor (the green chile was hot but still had flavor); a filling great deal. Huevos rancheros also had a great taste (really taste the corn), but the potatoes were overcooked. Calabasitas are also very tasty (every New Mexician has an option about this dish). The small things: 1) Have umbrellas up for outdoor seating before the customer needs to ask, 2) larger cups for water (pre-school size doesn't cut it), and 3) don't let your pride overshadow the customer needs for minor substitutions because of dietary needs. read more

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Just tried lavender cocinita for breakfast. The staff were very friendly and inviting. We got some chai teas to start. My husband ordered the breakfast burrito with sausage and Christmas chile and I ordered the quesadilla with red chile. The salsa was so tasty and the quesadilla was stuffed with eggs and hash browns. The burrito had a spicy kick to it. For the price there is no better place to eat and to support a local business in the North Valley. The chef even came out to see how the food was. This is definetly going to be a go to restaurant to us. We want to try some other tasty treats on the menu. read more

Lavender Cocinita - Chai teas - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Los Ranchos, New Mexico

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It was a cold and blustery monday, we got going later than i had hoped but we still got there about 45min before closing, and one person greeted us and showed us the menu, told us the portions are generous and the green was hot... a different person came out later to take our order, which we made and right before i was paying she casually just said, it will have to be togo. we noticed there was a family eating in the dining room and didn't look like they were going to be finishing soon, when she noticed us looking she said "they are family so thats why they can stay. i should probably have just canceled my order and gone somewhere else. but i had wanted to try them out, and had driven 30+ minutes to come try them and i was hungry, so we put in he order and tried to eat it at a nearby park, but the wind was just too cold to really enjoy it. and looking up the bible verse on my cup of coffee (please don't religion up my coffee!!) found the message to be kind of snarky especially eating my huevos rancheros in a cold windy park with very rubbery plastic silverware that would not cut the corn tortilla under my huevos. I guess the lesson here is dont get there past 2pm if you want to eat there i guess. read more

Huge portion, delicious, and excellent service. This was our second visit in 5 days! The breakfast quesadilla could feed TWO people! Actually, all the dishes we saw go by could feed two people! Great value. read more

Consistently good- we enjoy getting breakfast here regularly - we usually get the huevos rancheros and a breakfast burrito.

Amazing food and service. Cute spot, lavender lemonade is amazing and Al is a great cook!

This place is consistently good. Everything is fresh and made to order. My favorite place to go for breakfast burritos. They also have an extensive lunch menu - recently ordered the gyro which was delicious and came with homemade chips. Can't say enough good things. read more

Makes my world famous top 5 list of best Green Chile Cheeseburgers in NM. Beef has great flavor, and green chile had enough heat to break just the right sweat. French fries are incredible too! read more

Walked in there were 8 people at tables and I ordered and they told me a 45 minute wait for a sandwich

Brunch at Lavender Cocinita was delicious! I had the breakfast quesadilla with bacon and green chile. It was SO good. The customer service was great as well. I will definitely be a return customer. read more

This is a newer place in Los Ranchos. I've been seeing lots of positive reviews for it on Albuquerque Foodies, a local Facebook page, so I convinced the family to give it a try. We went on a Saturday, and we were able to order right away. There are only 2 small 2-seater tables and counter seating for 6-8 people inside. There's a small tent with more tables outside, accommodating 10-12 more people, but all of the tables are small 2-seaters. Seating inside or out is not ADA friendly, especially if you are in a wheelchair. There isn't a kids menu, so the kids ordered off the regular menu--and of course they couldn't share, so they both ended up bringing half of their food home. Kid 1 wanted a breakfast burrito. The burrito was a good size for the price, but was filled mostly with soggy hash browns. Kiddo wasn't a fan of the overly-done bacon, either. Kid 2 ordered the hamburger. The patty was at least an inch thick, good flavor, and juicy even though it was well done (Kiddo's preference). The fries were the perfect golden shade, but when I snagged a couple, they were dry on the inside. Sadly, the fries didn't get eaten. SO got the Reuben and gave it a thumbs down. The sandwich had a slaw that SO just didn't like on it, and said the meat was chewy. The red chile dusted chips were given a thumbs up, at least. I had a half order of the frito pie, Christmas style. It was huge--so I don't want to know how big the full size is. Both red and green chiles were tasty, but I preferred the red. I liked that the green chile was simply chopped green chile with some garlic and not some starchy sauce. I would definitely come back for the frito pie, but share it with someone. Sodas are sold by the can or bottle (Mexican Coke and Jarritos), so if you might need to order more than one if you drink a lot while you wait for/eat your food. read more

Was doing some work on a friends salon right down the road so decided to come in for lunch. Came with just me and 5 kids. They got burgers I went a little outside the box and got their Gyro. Everything was amazing can't wait to come back and try the rest of the menu. Great service too. Ice cream next door was helpful too with the kids read more

Ordered take out! The portions are huge! The quesadillas were stuffed to the brim! Run to this small restaurant. The food is great! Thanks

I love this place! Local gem in Los ranchos Owner is kind and cooks amazing food. If you're looking for a cute spot to enjoy delicious food they'll give you the best service! read more

Love the food, everything we tried so far has been excellent. The portions are huge so come hungry! Don't forget dessert next door at Busy Bee Frozen Custard, this is the sister store to Lavender Cocinita. Both stores offer great products in a nice setting. read more

We love this place! Excellent red chile with huge portions. My favorite is the Ruben. It's excellent. As a family we have tried just about everything on the menu. Our favorites are the Frito pie, enchiladas with beef, the Ruben, the breakfast burritos, and the gyro. The staff is always friendly and helpful and the owner typically comes out when he has time, making sure everyone is enjoying the food. So happy to have a new local restaurant here in Los Ranchos. read more

Got the green chile burger with a fried egg and it was good! Service was really good, they made sure me and my friend were doing well. Good amount of seating, and had a good vibe all around read more

Super cute, clean spot in Los Ranchos. Menu is brief but fantastic! Portions are huge! We had Frito pies and will eat for days! The red Chile is beyond perfect (fruity, spicy, smoky) - I drank it from the serving cup! Service was great. Didn't try specialty drinks or dessert but the options are wide. We will be back! read more