(Opinions of P. Henning, May 2006)
New Mexican
The Frontier: A UNM Landmark. Western kitsch, open 24 hours. Many entrees cost less than $5. In addition to the New Mexican classics, hamburgers and sandwiches are available. Serves breakfast, as well. Address: 2400 Central SE, on the corner of Central and Cornell.
El Patio: Some say the best New Mexican cuisine in town (well, I say that). Seating inside a funky house, as well as a quaint patio. A la carte items from about $3, larger plates $6 - $10. No credit cards (ATM available). Address: 142 Harvard SE.
Bandido Hideout: Tacos, burritos, tortas from $4.50, mariscos (seafood) from $7. I’ve not
(Mexican) eaten here, but looks like an option. Address: 2128 Central SE.
Pizza
Saggios: Giant slice of cheese pizza, $2.29, toppings additional. Many other menu items, including pasta, pizzas, salad, sandwiches. Specials $7 - $10, a full meal would run around $10 (although I usually just get the big piece of pizza!). Address: 107 Cornell SE.
Red Brick Pizza: Pizza, salads, sandwiches (I haven’t eaten here, so can’t compare to Saggios). 6” sub runs about $5, larger meal would be around $10. Address: 2300C Central SE.
Brick Yard Pizza: Pizza, salads, subs. Cheese pizza by the slice, $1.99, specialty pizzas from $11. Bar atmosphere. Address: 2216 Central SE.
Papa John’s: The chain. Address: 2206 Central SE.
Gyros: Gyros, souvlaki, moussaka, etc. – a full menu, including desserts. Gyros alone for $4.35, the combo (with salad and patates) $7.15. Address: 106 Cornell SE.
Olympia Café: Also a full menu, comparable prices: gyros for $4.95. Both of these Greek restaurants are quite good, I think. Address: 2210 Central SE.
20 Carrots Café: While it’s possible to find vegetarian entrees almost anywhere, this café is purely vegetarian. Vegan available. Note relatively brief hours: Mon-Fri 10 – 5, Sat 10 – 4. Main dishes of sandwiches, salads, burritos are $5 - $8, and breakfast all day. Address: 2110 Central SE.
Fei Healthy Food: Asian vegetarian, small dishes from $2.25, larger lunch combo specials $4.25 - $ 5.55. Address: 2114 Central SE.
Winning Coffee Co.: Bohemian atmosphere, occasional live music. Breakfast, lunch, and coffee. Sandwiches, soup, salads, run $5 - $7, breakfast is all day, and runs $3 - $6. Wireless available. Address: 111 Harvard SE.
Satellite: Coffee, pastries, sandwiches, much under $5. Wireless. Nice feel, and it’s a local business, too. Wireless. Address: 2300A Central SE.
Schlotzsky’s: Sandwich chain, $5 - $10 meal. Address: 2300B Central SE.
Chinese
Kai’s: Lunch specials under $5, dinners under $10. I haven’t eaten here, but I’m told it has good egg drop soup. Address: 138 Harvard. SE
The restaurants listed here are very close to UNM. A longer walk east on Central will bring you
to “Nob Hill”, with many restaurants, boutiques, and galleries. I especially recommend Flying
Star, a great coffeehouse, with eclectic entrees and an excellent selection of pastries and ice
cream. Wireless. Address: 3416 Central SE.
Finally, a short and cheap bus ride will bring you to Old Town Albuquerque, with many, many
restaurants.
More Old Town information(from K. Dyer 6/5/06):
You can take the “Rapid Ride” Bus from any red Rapid Ride station on Central, into Old Town for 1 $. Rapid Ride runs until 3AM during the summer (I wouldn't ride it by myself at 3 AM, but in a group it's pretty safe.) Old Town is the historic center of Albuquerque has museums, restaurants and lots of shops. Old Town has new “extended hours”, where 60% of the shops are open Monday - Saturday: 10am - 8pm; Sunday: noon – 6pm. The Rapid Ride also has children's books, wireless, and Albuquerque Journal for purchase on the bus.