Stopped by for a quick bite and got a single chicken tender with their ghost pepper sauce ($2.47 with tax). The chicken was super crispy and still nice and moist inside! It's a small, laid-back spot with both indoor and outdoor seating, plus a drive-thru if you're on the go. They got quite a lot on their menu. Everything from rotisserie chicken, smokehouse ribs, barbecue sandwiches, burgers, tacos, and burritos. Sides include most of the classics like onion rings, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, coleslaw, and fries. I did not get any cellular service in the area (at least for T-Mobile), but there is a fast EV charger (150 kW) right next to the building. read more

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Mel's Drive-Thru Chicken and BBQ had its highs and lows. The chicken? Solid--crispy on the outside, juicy inside, definitely worth eating. But the wait? Painfully long for a drive-thru, especially when my mashed potatoes showed up a full ten minutes after the chicken. Fries and other sides were just okay, and if you're watching sugar or calories, don't count on the drink selection--no diet options to be found. The food had promise, but the slow service and lack of choices knocked it down a couple notches. Three stars for tasty chicken and room to improve. read more

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Such a lovely establishment. Lots of menu options to choose from so there should be something for everyone. The chicken was great. It tasted organic and fresh off the farm. Crunchy, fresh, and well seasoned. They have a drive-thru and a walk in area. There is plenty of seating outside and some seating inside. Very friendly staff. Would return for all my fried chicken cravings. read more

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This place is wonderful! I had the jalapeno burger and fries... excellent! The service was perfect as well! If you're cruising through Cuba, don't skip this place!!! read more

Best chicken tenders I've ever eaten! The batter is crunchy and crispy. The white meat is perfectly cooked and juicy. The onions rings are epic, they are huge and delicious! If you're in the area definitely give them a try you won't regret it. The service was fast and friendly too. They even have outdoor seating. read more

Fantastic green chile cheeseburger!! Was freshly cooked, juicy patty, and spicy green chile. So glad we didn't go to McDonalds.

WOW! What a surprise, food was awesome! We had the wagon wheel burgers with fries and Hatch green chilies on the side. The chilies were HOT HOT HOT (we were warned ahead of time) they were amazing! read more

Mel’s Drive Thru Chicken and BBQ - Chicken Wings Near Me - Cuba, New Mexico

Amazing chicken tenders! Get the tater bowl - all the goodness in one! Wasn't a fan of the potato salad.

Best fried chicken we've had outside the southeastern U.S.! Friendly service, great prices, excellent fried chicken, fries and solid burgers. read more

Ordered an 8 box of chicken with large beer battered onion rings, more than enough and delicious. A most stop when driving thru Cuba, visiting relatives on Rez or just take a drive. It's that GOOD! Yum Gonna make it back to try their brisket, or we may take some to go. read more

So good! The two piece white was very good, well seasoned, light crunch and super juicy! Rhe XXHot chile on the burger was actually spicy which we libed. Good fries, not soggy and limp. The Mac & Cheese was homemade. Forget McDonalds, if you need a drive thru they have it and the food is fresh and super good. Can't wait to try something different on our way thru again. read more

I was just charged $34 for 2 pulled pork sandwiches and 1 order of medium fries. Served clarified that the price was correct. Doesn't match the outside menu prices. Lesson learned, won't go back read more

Great food. Pulled pork sandwich loaded with meat and spicy is not too spicy. Fried chicken was very good. Large coleslaw is about 1/2 gallon so may want to get a small! Service was pleasant and bathroom was clean! Patio is pet friendly read more

Passed through Cuba on our way from Albuquerque to SLC - doubtful we'll be back that way, which is too bad since I had perhaps the best fast food burger of my life at Mel's! I know they're a chicken restaurant, but I was in the mood for beef so I got the jalapeno burger. SO FREAKIN' GOOD. Larger than most fast food burgers (meaning, wider, not taller). The bun was fresh, the lettuce and tomato were fresh and tasty -- the meat was cooked through but was so tender and wonderfully seasoned! YUM YUM YUM. I won't dock them a star for it, but the lock on the bathroom was broken -- I was traveling with somebody so they were able to guard the door for me, but hopefully that lock will be fixed soon. Otherwise a great experience at Mel's. read more

Found this tiny gem to eat at while passing thru Cuba, NM. Menu item options were plentiful. The bbq brisket sandwich was delicious. The chicken tender strips were delicious. They were a mix between canes and chic-fil-a with the slightest spice in the batter. The fries were fresh and crisp. Tater mash bowl with brown gravy was delicious. There's a few small tables inside to dine in. Or lovely patio seating outdoors with nice shading and decorated with live blooming sunflowers and other flowers. There's also a drive thru. Only downfall is that a place this small has one clean but old bathroom and our food did take a little wait. But that's because all the food was hot and fresh. Would definitely eat here again and recommended to anyone passing thru Cuba. read more

Mel’s Drive Thru Chicken and BBQ - Front of Mel's restaurant - Chicken Wings Near Me - Cuba, New Mexico

Tried Bruno's and prescilliano's as we drove south. Both said open online, both were closed. So Mel's had already won before we set foot in the door! I'm fine with them being closed, because we had a great experience at Mel's. We decided my husband won with his order of a cheeseburger. Yum! Staff was friendly. Enjoyed out meal outside. Would definitely stop again! read more

Don't miss this little hole in the wall fast food restaurant! We were travelling through Cuba and wanted to eat somewhere local. I'm so glad we decided to try this location. I ordered a Western Wagon Wheel Burger meal and my husband got the 3 piece Fried Chicken. My Wagon Wheel Burger was massive! The lettuce was crisp and the tomatoes juicy. The burger did did make a little bit of a mess, but it was all good. The mild bbq they added to the onion ring was enough to give it a little tang, but not overpowering. My only criticism was the Green Chile. It did not add very much flavor to the burger. I will admit, I was too busy eating my food to try the fried chicken my husband got. He said he loved it! His mashed potatoes were buttery, smooth, and delicious. If you're driving theough Cuba, don't sleep on some good food at Mel's Chicken and BBQ! read more

Good food in Cuba NM after giving food out... Yes Roadrunner Food Bank likes to visit when we are here.

We had a cheeseburger and a mashed potato bowl. Both delicious. Huge amount of food for the price. Darling outdoor area with giant sunflowers in big pots. The people working there were very friendly. read more

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This little "hole in the wall" restaurant was delicious!! My family is from Kentucky so sadly we won't be able to come back but we will definitely remember and miss this good food! There are 2 very friendly people running the entire business. There is indoor seating, patio outdoor seating, and a drive thru. They also have been doing to go orders and they bring it out to your car! The workers are very sweet and hardworking. Since there are only 2 people working and it is cooked FRESH, it took maybe 15-20mins for our order. We also had 5 entrees and 7 sides so obviously it would take a minute to finish our order. For 2 people and a whole bunch of food, that's pretty good! (keep in mind, they are also doing drive thru orders!) I got the Chicken Tender Bacon Wrap and it was soooo good! The wrap had swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, red/purple onion, and pickles. You can add ranch, mayonnaise, or honey mustard as a dressing. I got a side of french fries. The fries were very crispy and fresh tasting! My sister got the Western Wagon Wheel Burger and she said it was very flavorful and a little spicy! She loved it. The western burger had green chilies, cheese, tomato, and fried onion rings on it. She had a side of mac 'n cheese as well. The mac 'n cheese was super creamy and made just right. The rest of my family got a Jalapeño Burger, a Regular Wagon Wheel Burger, and the 3 piece lunch meal with 1 chicken thigh, 2 chicken legs, and a side of mashed potatoes. (Not pictured) They all loved their food and said it had great flavor! For sides they got, beer battered onion rings, beans, and more mac 'n cheese. (Not pictured) My mom said, "the beer battered onion rings were AMAZING!" Overall, we have a very pleasant experience at Mel's! The service was awesome and we felt very welcomed. The food was killer and we are so sad that we don't have a Mel's back home in Kentucky. read more

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The food is ok. ..and on the pricey side. French fries had been "held" for too long ...We waited for 30 minutes to get order.. ???????? pulled pork sandwich chicken thigh and fries. . I think they were understaffed, employees in a rush . But but... read more

Don't settle for McDonalds when passing through Cuba. I'm thankful the line was so long at the chain restaurant that I was forced to try something new. This local restaurant makes some of the best chicken tenders I've ever eaten. They also have several dipping sauces and their customer's safety is top priority. I love the money bucket they made to stick out the drive-thru window, super clever and the first time I've seen that type of contraption. Friendly, fast service and the fries I got were incredibly fresh. It's a great place! read more

Worst place to eat in cuba. Chicken is always cold and temperature measures 108' which is in the danger zone. Owner told me it was cooked 5 min ago. I picked it up 15 min later and it was cold & old. I will NEVER return to this place. I've worked in a restaurant for 25 yrs and I can tell old ckn from fresh. not disappointed just disgusted with the quality of the food. And the lying about the freshness. I wish you luck if you purchase food here. I am a local and our choices are limited in Cuba but I will not risk sickness - I'll go th the Chaco Grill for FRESHLY COOKED BURRITOS at a reasonable price. SMH- just really PISSED!! read more

it's new place in small remote town. Friendly service.Enjoyed 3 piece Crisp Dark Meat chicky w mash n choice of gravy. CoPilot had big burger lots fresh toppings onion lettuce etc. If your hungry going thru townStop and eat. Few n Far between up here in Fantasy land read more

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great deal for our family, good tenders and friendly service. The family we were traveling with all got different items and no one complained. Great little place. read more

Stopped here because McDonald's was closed and by the grace of god was it such an amazing decision. The big beef brisket sandwich was pure bliss. The half rack of ribs had me craving more. Would recommend to everyone. read more

The barbecue was delicious, they had great ice cream for dessert as well. Very good experience. read more

What a wonderful surprise! We travel through Cuba at least a few times a year, and usually don't stop to eat, but we were super hungry today. So glad we stopped at Mel's...I had the pulled pork sandwich and my husband had the chicken tender in a mashed potato bowl with country gravy. Both exceeded expectations, delicious! read more

I waited at drive thru 10 min no response. Waited at drive thru window 10 min watching as the continue to take walk in orders that came after my self. I just left and wont be back read more

Super happy to have found and try this spot while on our road trip. Skip the familiar Golden Arches and come here! My son got the jalapeño burger and fries both great. I got the beef brisket and pork tacos...pork were my favorite, but that's normal for me. Clean inside and great service. I would give 5 stars if my tacos had more lettuce, tomatoes cilantro...more taco-y stuff, but they did not skimp on the meat. Will come again if I'm in the area. read more

From the outside it doesn't look like much, would recommend to anyone who loves BBQ, food was great full of flavor. I got the pulled pork sandwich and my wife got the chicken tender sandwich. Both were fantastic. Prices are well worth the stop sandwiches were good size. The onion rings are full of flavor as well, very good. I'm glad we decided to stop by it on our trip would stop there again next time we come through. read more

This little stop was great! We had a pulled pork sandwich, a brisket sandwich--very tasty, and a half rack of ribs. The Coleslaw was fresh and french fries hot! The lady behind the counter was kind and helpful and enthusiastic. read more

I got the pork tacos. Coming from Texas, they're a little different than what I'm used to, but great flavor. Friendly and helpful staff.

This place was fantastic! Delicious burgers and everyone was really friendly. Will definitely stop by again the next time I'm in town!

This place is a gem in Cuba. Everything my family tried was excellent! The pulled pork sandwich is awesome. The wings were delicious and reasonably priced. The hamburgers, wagon wheel burgers, are also delicious and one of the best hamburgers we have had. My family member loved the tacos and the onion rings were yummy. If you order the wings, it takes them a little longer to wait for them to make the wings but everything here is worth the wait. The front patio faces the mountains and it is beautiful sitting there in the afternoon/evening. There is also a drive thru if u can not stop to eat in. One of the best places to stop to eat at in Cuba. Definitely worth it! read more

Ordered a meal deal for my family and what I got was cold clumpy gravy, awful mashed potatoes and Mac& cheese. The food tasted like they kept microwaving it over and over. It left a horrible aftertaste read more

Mel’s Drive Thru Chicken and BBQ - The gravy - Chicken Wings Near Me - Cuba, New Mexico

Driving through and stopped for food. Corn on the cob was fresh and hot. Absolutely loved it. I underestimated the size of the burgers and ordered a double. They are huge, a single is fine. Fries are amazing. Haven't tried the fried chicken but it looks and smells amazing. They even threw in a few chicken strips for my dog. He loved them and they were soft on the inside crisp on the outside. Now to try the chicken. Will be making this place a planned stop on my travels from now on read more

Stopped in for a quick lunch while exploring Northern New Mexico -- towns with food options are few and far between in this area so we took a chance and stopped at Mel's. Great choice! We ordered a pulled pork sandwich and chicken tender basket with French fries. The sandwich was fresh, hot, and bursting at the seems with grilled onions and BBQ flavor. The chicken basket came with some extra tenders (bonus!) and were just as fresh! Lastly, the fries tasted like they had just been fried, and were very flakey yet thick. I was pleasantly surprised to find such a clean, friendly and tasty joint in such a small town! 10/10 would stop again! read more

Stopped in here for lunch, stood there while two kids finished their conversation behind the counter. Apparently after I couldn't be ignored any longer they took my order. I get this same chicken at the supermarket in Albuquerque. Same brand and all. Not worth the price, stop, or headache. read more

Hands down the best fried chicken I've ever had. It was fresh, tender on the inside and crispy and delicious on the outside. Coleslaw was homemade as well and the fries were so good I wish I'd saved room for more. I wish I lived closer but I was just passing through on my way back to Denver, otherwise this place would most certainly become a regular spot for us. Service was outstanding too so I really felt the need to give them a proper shoutout. If I'm passing through again I'll make sure I come extra hungry! read more