Horrible. The green chili cheeseburger was so cold the cheese wasn't melted and the green chili was sparse and also cold. Sent back the onion rings as they were cold, came back burned. Never again, worst meal I ever had in Albuquerque. read more

Good old fashioned New Mexico cooking. This location is certainly different from the San Antonio original, and it offers a different experience that is equally rewarding. Think more diner than road house. We came for breakfast, I had the breakfast quesadilla with bacon and potatoes. Well stuffed, filling. Also tried the carne adovada, which was bathed in a delicious red sauce. If it had been a little later in the day I might have tried the milk shakes, they looked pretty tasty, Service was good. Wasn't too busy on Saturday at 10AM, which was a relief in a lot of ways. Ample parking, and the place was clean, too. If you are looking for a decent breakfast in a diner-type setting, this Owl Cafe location is an excellent option. read more

The restaurant was clean and had a great diner vibe and set up. Waitstaff was on it and friendly. The food itself was okay, but I think it was way over priced for the fare. read more

Great shakes! The fries need work, they should make them extra crispy! The burger was pretty good too. Love the joint, nostalgic, service is great. read more

I can't believe I've never written a review for the Owl Cafe. I've been going here since 2003 and try to go when I get to town. The place would be campy in the extreme if it hadn't been here since pre-Columbian times, when it was actually inside a real hollowed-out giant owl carcass. Okay, I don't know how long the Owl has been here, and I understand this is actually the second location, but it is worth going just to absorb the ambiance of the giant concrete owl facade and the vintage interior. When you're done with that, you can absorb a green chile cheeseburger and a malt and maybe some pie. The first time I went to the Owl, I had been told I should try the green chili cheeseburger, so I ordered that and a malt. And I noticed they had TWO KINDS of chili dogs on the menu--one that was billed as "traditional" and one billed as "Texas." Well, I love me some chili dogs, so I ordered one of each, figuring I was pretty hungry, and how big is a little chili dog anyway? Turns out that each of these monsters was a 1/4 pound dog split lengthwise and grilled, then emplaced on a split, toasted bun and covered with around a metric shit-ton of either green chile or more traditional (to me--this was the "Texas" one) chili. And raw onions. And I seem to remember cheese too, but it has become hazy with the passage of time. I seem to recall fries, too. At any rate, it was an epic amount of food and it defeated me utterly. But it was all wonderful, even if I had to hibernate for a few days afterwards. read more

I don't think we had the best experience here. The waitress was friendly, and the restaurant was fun, but the food wasn't that great and it took about an hour to get our food served. When my food came, it was cold. I asked the waitress to reheat it or something, and it took another 5 mins. The food came back dry and overdone at that point. Maybe it was an off day, I don't know, the food here is bountiful, but I think the quality wasn't quite there. There has to be a better place in New Mexico. read more

I am officially a fan of The Owl Cafe! I came here with for lunch today with some co-workers and absolutely loved it! I wasn't sure what to get, but several of them told me that this place is known for their green chili cheeseburger and I should go with that....so I did and was very happy! The burger was juicy and cooked perfectly and the green chili added just the right amount of kick to the burger. The fries were good, although I usually like my a bit more crispy, but they were still tasty. Our server was super sweet and very attentive. She had a great attitude and took awesome care of us! She even offered to give us all separate checks which was great considering there were 12 of us at a table. She definitely earned her generous tip. This place will be a staple when I come back and visit and hopefully I'll save room for dessert because those milkshakes looked amazing! read more

I LOVED the food here. The burger was just so amazing. I got the green chili burger. Man it was so yummy. Flavors so rich and delicious I'm almost at a loss for words. If I have one complaint I would have to say the portions are so small. The cost for the portion received is a little off and when i left I was still hungry but the taste was exceptional. I would have to suggest you check it out yourself because it is so yummy and the ambiance is really reminiscent of an old diner in the 50's . I think you'll be pleased, check em out. read more

Food was good and our server was attentive. She made us feel welcomed and the food did not disappoint. However, I did notice a young lady who was working in the center of the restaurant get a napkin and blow her nose wiping her boogers in the main restaurant area the start grabbing utensils and wrapping napkins around them. It seemed as she was under the weather but In no shape or form should any customers see this sort of disgusting display on the main floor of a food establishment. The four stars only reflect our service from our waitress. read more

So I've been coming to owl cafe for a long time, in fact I use it as a baseline for a burger so it's crazy to me that I've never written a review for one of the better burgers in Albuquerque. I remember my dad taking me to the original in San Antonio probably 20 years ago on a business trip so there's a bit of nostalgia involved in my rating I'm sure, in fact I'd say I'm giving them an extra star just because of it, deal with it. *sunglasses* but seriously I wouldn't still be going if the food wasn't good. Now I will say this is what it is, if you're going to Owl Cafe expecting something other than a roadside diner feel, giant shakes and good burgers you're going to be disappointed. If however you just finished watching Pulp Fiction and you really want a five dollar shake and a tasty burger to wash it down then you're barking up the right tree. We tend to go about once a month to get our fix and if you've never had it try to onion loaf. The half loaf is probably sufficient if you're not huge eaters but if you have 4+ people (or a large stomach) spring for the full loaf. They do have outdoor seating and they fairly regularly host car shows here, so if you're into either of those things YAY! The Owl Cafe really is one of those places in Albuquerque that you just have to go just to say you've been, I mean the building is freaking shaped like an owl... do yourself a favor and just go. read more

They've been a bit off lately... Did they change the recipes? Lose too many cooks? Miracle Whip instead of mayonnaise? WTF Owl? Green chile cheeseburger is still "good", but not spectacular as before... ***previous*** Standard diner fare, nothing spectacular except: "Green chile cheeseburger" - Hand formed patty, served hot and dripping with cheese, plus our Albuquerque favorite green chile. Hit and miss from day to day but when it hits... oh man it's heaven. "San Antonio beans" - Whole pinto beans served up with (what else?) green chile. Just like grandma used to make you eat! :) read more

I regret not goingto place sooner! On the last day of family trip took family there... food was awesome. Biscuit w gravy was on the money! My daughters pancake meal was huge. My son's hamburger was also huge. Wife's plate was also big portion. Prices on the menu overall were very reasonable. Our waitress was very nice and helpful in helping choose our plates. The place itself was a cool 50s look. Ongs from the 50s in the background was pretty cool. They have about a little bit of everything for everyone. Nice and clean also. Highly recommend! read more

A local first introduced me to this spot 30 years ago. My favorite then, and now, is the green chile cheese burger. Eating this handmade burger means you need at least two napkins to mop up your mess. The crispy fries could use a bit more salt, but I prefer that to over-salted. The wait help was absolutely on top of their game- friendly, helpful and positive attitudes. Can't wait to go back! Funny story, one of my friends 10 yr old was with his family driving down I-25 and says, "Mom, when can we go back to that Hooters place?" Mom says, "What? I've never taken you to Hooters! Why did you say that?" He told her he just a Hooters billboard. Mom say, " Oh, you mean the Owl Cafe!" read more

Over the years, we've been to the Owl Cafe numerous times... it's always been OK -- but THIS time, it was down-right AWFUL. I ordered a California burger, which has bacon, avocado, tomato, & lettuce, and comes with fries. I specifically requested that the burger be well-done. When the waitress brought it to me, the bacon was BURNED... and my first bite revealed that the hamburger patty itself was RED. Not pink. Not light-brown. It was BLEEDING-RED. Seriously... what part of "well-done" is hard to understand? The waitress was great, though. She removed my burger order and as requested, gave me a "BLAT" sandwich instead. (Bacon, lettuce, avocado, tomato) Again, the bacon was completely burned. And this time, the bread was so soggy with mayonnaise that I couldn't even eat it without the whole thing falling apart. Fries were good. Chocolate shake was great. Waitress did a nice job refilling drinks and being attentive. But, frankly, I don't expect that we'll be going back ever again. And, please, people... You're in New Mexico... get the spelling of CHILE correct! (It's not "chili" and it never has been! How long have you been around?!?) read more

Love the Taos and Mazatlan turkey sandwiches. Burgers are great too. Malts and shakes are made the old fashioned way. I read some reviews that put the Owl down for being a converted diner. It's not converted folks. It's a diner! Expect diner food. If you want a nice steak, go down the road. If you want a great sandwich and a bowl of soup, this is your place. read more

Old style diner best place when the family are in town and I want homestyle food without cooking it.

So, I was "convinced" by a friend to hit The Owl Cafe on the way out of town in lieu of Eli's Place (which I was quite eager to go to), which led me to be a bit judgmental of the place pulling up. The giant, neon Owl on the outside of the building is retro-quaint, and upon entering the dining area I felt like I took a step back into the 1960's - gleaming chrome trim on EVERYTHING and slick vinyl cushions on the seats completed a picture of Americana. "A" for effort here, guys. I dig it. But we are here for the food, correct? As I was walking in, I caught sight of an enormous apple pie sitting on a counter to cool off and i immediately resolved to order a slice of it no matter how good/terrible the food was. Fortunately, the meal kicked off with the oddest thing - a small bowl of pinto beans garnished with those famous hatch green chilies that New Mexico cooks have collectively resolved to put into everything. The beans were delicious and perfectly cooked - it's easy to take boiled beans too far in one direction or the other, but these had the perfect amount of chew and the chunks of garlic, chuck and green chile flavored it wonderfully. However, the pendulum swung back the other direction with our appetizer - chips and queso. Coming from Texas, I know Queso is a humble dish, but that makes it very easy to screw up. Unfortunately, this cheese was a nuclear orange that screamed "Fresh From The Can"! Despite a few augmentations to liven it up - I detected some roasted onions and those ubiquitous green chilies again - you can't deny the lack of effort in setting a plate of bagged tortilla chips and canned cheese for that price (and believe me, we will get to the pricing). The Owl Cafe redeemed itself in its entrée, though - the "Owlchiladas" were possibly the best green chicken enchiladas I've had in my life. Loving layered with what had to be half a chicken, crisped corn tortillas, a creamy sauce that contained (what else) hatch green chilies, and the whole thing was drenched in melted cheddar cheese. Nearly running off the plate, the rice and beans you get as a side seem almost perfunctory, but they were also delicious and homemade (I've had better refried beans, but these are easily top three). The garnish of iceberg lettuce and chopped tomatoes might be traditional, but I think it would be even better if they used a true Pico de Gallo or even just a small pile of those green chilies that permeate everything else I'd had so far. The tortilla you are given to lap up that divine sauce seems almost excessive, but it was freshly warmed and good enough to eat by itself, so it gets a pass. I was nearly full at this point, but I was determined to get a dessert. The promise of that fresh apple pie was fulfilled when I got a gigantic slice of it a la mode. They use Granny Smith apples in their pies, so despite its size and pleasingly caramelized crust, it had a tarty bite that kept the dish from being too decadent. The vanilla ice cream was quite nice (and advertised as Blue Bunny, which I prefer anyway) and I ate the whole thing. From a culinary perspective, the meal was great but inconsistent. For a place that seems to care about quality, that their queso and chips were so weak was nearly unforgivable. Everything except that plate screamed "homemade", from the beans to the tortilla that had such a nice char I'm sure they either make them in-house or source them from a local tortillaria. Why they would skimp on something so basic mystifies me, especially considering the final price of the meal. I split the Queso with my friend, but half an appetizer, my entrée, dessert, and a drink came out to be... Nearly $30!* For what amounts to a high-class greasy spoon, I expected the meal to top out at around half that. I will be coming back to NM in the future, but I'll make sure to have plenty of cash in hand before dining here again. *the waitstaff was nice, and several workers came by to talk to is or give us opinions and suggestions for our meals, but the price didn't include a tip (which I did leave). By the by, there is a special place in Hell for those who don't tip your servers, whether they are good or terrible at their jobs. read more

See all

I work around the corner from The Owl and today I was reminded why I don't order lunch to go from here. I ordered a green chile bacon cheeseburger with an egg over easy on top with fries of course. First bite into the burger and there was this clear slime running off the side. You guessed it! Completely raw, uncooked egg. The fries were like mashed potatoes with the outer shell of an undercooked fry. If you're in the area and think to yourself "self, I'd like a good burger" try Sadie's instead. I would have had a better time crumpling up twelve one dollar bills and throwing them directly in the garbage. read more

I was surprised I haven't written a review of them sooner but apparently not. I've certainly have had good meals there but my last was rather disappointing. My wife and I actually both ordered the same thing ( (which we rarely do): the Albuquerque Green Chile Patty Melt. When discussing it later (we were eating with friends) we both had the same opinion. It was BLAND. I mean, the burger, the bread, and even the green chile had next to no flavor. Some salt helped a little but was not able to resurrect the meal. The fries were good though. Like I said, in the past I've had better meals, but this was not a good example. Service was fine. Nothing out of this world but certainly adequate. read more

Ordered chicken fajita..chicken don't taste good.. it was sour..rice wasn't cook all the way..!!! Don't waste money here!!

The service was decent, but not spectacular. The food was pretty bland and ordinary. However, the milkshake I ordered (butters delight - peanut butter + butterscotch) was incredible! Also the sweet potato fries were delicious as well. My husband had the green chile cheeseburger and liked it. Also worth noting - at the register they sell fresh roasted regular and chocolate piñon coffee - and they can sell the beans whole or grind them for you! Pretty cool. Wish the jukebox wasn't out of order. read more

See all

Pretty standard diner with a nice selection of milkshakes. Reasonably priced. I had an entrée salad and it had plenty of bacon and cheese on it. Not much else on top of the spinach, but it did the job. ... But I would probably avoid the orange-bacon dressing. Tasted like orange juice! read more

We are traveling Route 66 and found this throw back cafe. We just had to try it. Wow it was so good. We had a grilled cheese with bacon and a mushroom burger. Excellent food along with excellent service. Veronika was so cute and sweet. Thank you Owl Cafe read more

If you're looking for the best green chile cheese fries in town, COME HERE! My family and I have been coming here for years. Ski, the owner is a great guy with a great staff. They have an amazing breakfast along with a wide variety of things to choose on the menu. I wish I had it in me to order something else other than the green chile cheese fries. This place is one of my personal favorite restaurants in Abq. read more

The Owl Cafe - The purest form of happiness - Diners Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

This place is a local spot that you apparently MUST go to if you are in Albuquerque. My dazed, jet-lagged self went there with my dear friend after he picked me up from the airport. It was the first time I had chips and salsa with my burger... I was so confused but as my friend said, "it's New Mexico, that's how we do it here." It wasn't bad at all. My friend ordered the chili cheese fries (green chili is NM's thing) and they were pretty good but way too spicy for me. Don't get me wrong, I still kept eating them because they're fries with cheese on them, duh. But I made sure to eat the ones with the least amount of chili topping. They have a large selection... We got there right before lunch was starting so I perused both their breakfast and lunch menus. Talk about too many choices for someone that was mostly asleep! That's a good thing though (the choices, not being a zombie). I'll definitely go back when I'm in town again. read more

The Owl Cafe is one of my favorite places to eat when visiting Alb. The history is rich, food is great, and service is impeccable. The 'World Famous' chili cheeseburger can not be passed up. The price is right at about $4.75, you can't not go here. The only downside is that I visit about once a year. For the past 2 years, they have not had the shirt that I want in stock! Please visit the Owl anytime you find yourself in Albuquerque. read more

Great food, excellent chile, quick. Our server (Flavio) was OUTSTANDING! Really friendly, quick to respond, got everything right. Was worried after reading about employees not wearing masks but that's not what I observed. All servers and kitchen staff were masked. Huevos Rancheros with red was soooo good. I definitely recommend this restaurant. read more

We loved this cafe! We went later in the evening while in town for a baseball tournament. The Burgers were DELICIOUS & all the other sandwiches were really good too. I asked for my fries "extra crispy" and they were perfect! My son ordered sweet tea and the kind waitress said "we only have unsweet, but I'll make some sweet tea for you" and she did!! It was really good! We can't wait to come back! read more

This place is full of delicious menu items I i couldn't decide on just one. So I got the classic burger & had the nachos for an appetizer! 2 words- The Bomb! read more

Holy Crap that's a lot of food! My daughter and I split the omelet with chrizo in it and a side of bacon. It came with hashbrowns and toast. There was more food there than the two of us could fit into our girl tummies--we tried, ohhhhhh we tried! The meal was amazing. This was one of the best meals we had on our vacation. I'm a bacon and chrizo fiend. The bacon was quality stuff. And chrizo can be tricky. It will either taste amazing or taste like sweaty shoe. The chrizo at The Owl was amazing mixed in with the eggs and potatoes. Best omelet evah! Service was great. Food came out fast. Crowded on a Saturday morning, but we were seated fairly quickly. And I love the kitsch of being on Old Highway 66, and the owl shaped building! My only wish is that it were closer to Dallas so I could eat there all the time...cuz I would! read more

The New Mexican milkshake is an interesting blend of red chile & chocolate..amazing actually read more

The Owl Cafe - Diners Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

This place is fun. From the decor, to the music to the service.... really fun and enjoyable experience. It's more than a "standard diner"... It's a local diner that loves the community and cares about the food they serve. The price point is just right, and a pet-friendly patio. The burgers are juicy, the green chile is mild for my taste but that's exactly how it should be so most everyone can enjoy it, milkshakes a great consistency and a knowledgeable wait staff. Exactly what a restaurant should be. Love the beans and green chile. Perfect way to know if the chile is right for you. I am so stoked that I live close by and get to go there frequently. read more

We ate there 1/20/2022. I was hesitant because of all the negative reviews but we were pleasantly surprised. It has always been a favorite of ours and it did not disappoint! California Chicken was great. Husbands hamburger was huge with jalapeños, bacon on it. He said it was delicious! Also, the service was very good! read more

One of the better green chile cheese burgers in town and definitely the place for a hand mixed malt. The Owl is the perfect example of a New Mexico Diner. read more

The Owl Cafe - Diners Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Well I forgot my phone at lunch yesterday, so I have no pictures to post. I won't forget it next time I go (so I guess that means the Owl Café rates a return visit). It has a really neat diner feel to it and the staff were very friendly. I liked that they brought out some pinto beans and crackers for a little appetizer/snack, they were quite tasty. I ordered the frito pie and it was quite a big portion. It was really good and like the chili that topped it. Our food was brought out quickly and we were able to get back to work within an hour. Now that I discussed the food and service, here is my one issue. The place seemed a bit dirty due to some clutter in the back near the kitchen. I wish I would have had my phone for a picture of it! UGGHHH. A good cleaning would bump this up to a 4 star rating. read more

As always a good place to eat. We had breakfast today, eggs done as i asked and good coffee. Great red and green chili. As usual the staff was sweet and friendly, she didn't even bat an eye when I quickly gave her my a la carte order. read more

Pretty neat dinner feel . It has a big outside and inside . The service is kinda slow so if you come make sure you have some time . The waitress was a doll though , and I would defiantly come back . You can't beat the prices for the amount of food you get . The green chili burger should be a definite purchase. It has a little kick to it . The fries where kinda potato-y but I'm from Wisconsin so we deep fry the crap out of everything . The ranch tastes legit , get some of that for sure . May I also suggest the chunky monkey shake :) They also gave us a sample of the beans and green chili , not to shabby . read more

This place is your typical diner. The food was okay and not really much to write home about. What we like about this place really is the service. Every time we come we are greeted with a smile and our server is always super friendly. They do give large portion and the prices are very reasonable. I've had their milkshake once but it was more like ice cream, super thick to say the least. It's an ABQ landmark so you have to stop by at least once. read more

I recently visited the Owl for the first time in probably 20 years. I don't remember it having the '50s diner theme back then, but I was just a kid, and a picky eater, at the time. Given its less-than-stellar Yelp score of 3.5 stars--I usually aim for 4+ when travelling--I was hesitant to give it another try, but after 8 p.m. on a weekday in Albuquerque, there aren't a whole lot of non-chain restaurant options, and even fewer that are likely to have anything resembling traditional New Mexico "Mexican" food. Everything on this visit was just about perfect. Greeted and seated as soon as I stepped in the door; waitress taking my drink order less than two minutes later (and apologizing for the wait); frequent, friendly, but not-pushy service throughout my meal. My tea glass was never more than half empty. And the food? The carne adovada in my burrito wasn't as tender as what I found at Perea's or Padilla's, but it sure was tasty. The green chile sauce was likewise not the best I tasted on this trip, but it was still pretty darn good. The rice and beans were just like they should be--properly seasoned, and neither over- nor under-cooked. And the chocolate malt I took with me when I left was perfect--plenty of malt-powder richness, and so thick I had to let it melt a little before I could suck it through the straw. (There is nothing worse than a thin, runny malt or milkshake.) I'm quite glad I gave the Owl another chance. Good food, great service, great atmosphere, good prices, and open (relatively) late. read more

For a diner the food was below average. We ordered burgers - 4 total - for take out. The green chile cheese burger is supposedly what they are known for, but the burgers were terrible. The patties were dry and hard. The Chile cheese fries were soggy. We had planned to order enchiladas but didn't when we saw the price...$20! Outrageous pricing for substandard diner food. There are better places to go in Albuquerque. Avoid The Owl Cafe. read more