Explore 7 “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” spots in Albuquerque—from beloved bakeries to storied steakhouses—that define the city’s food scene.
The best food in Albuquerque reflects New Mexico’s culture and love of bold, unapologetic flavors. In Duke City, spicy red and green chiles find their way into everything from breakfast burritos to burgers, and family-run kitchens sit comfortably alongside culinary trendsetters.
Unsurprisingly, the Food Network show “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” hosted by Guy Fieri, has made multiple stops in Albuquerque throughout the years. At the restaurants featured on the show, you can indulge in recipes that have been perfected throughout generations or try creative spins on New Mexican classics.
Whether it’s a laidback diner serving up green chile-smothered comfort food or a tucked-away spot reimagining Southwestern staples, each restaurant brings something to the table that feels distinctly Burque. Keep reading to learn more about each one and what makes it worth visiting.
1. Coda Bakery
If you’re craving authentic Vietnamese cuisine in Albuquerque, Coda Bakery has you covered. This casual spot, featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” in the 2022 episode “From Italian to Asian,” is a local favorite for a quick, flavor-packed bite.
Best known for its banh mi, Coda Bakery offers several variations of the sandwich featuring ingredients like Vietnamese ham, pork belly, beef lemongrass, and fried tofu served on a fresh-baked baguette.
But the menu doesn’t stop at sandwiches. You can also order spring rolls, noodle bowls, and rice dishes, as well as a variety of Vietnamese specialties, like pate chaud (a flaky stuffed pastry) and banh cuon (steamed rice crepes). If you’re in need of an afternoon pick-me-up, try the Vietnamese coffee (available iced or hot).
Address: 201 San Pedro Dr. SE, Ste. B1, Albuquerque
2. Frank’s Famous Chicken and Waffles
At Frank’s Famous Chicken and Waffles, the atmosphere is almost as memorable as the food. When you step inside, you’re greeted by retro decor, including vinyl records and vintage posters, that sets the stage for a meal that blends comfort and culture.
Featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” in the 2021 episode “Chicken ‘Cross the Globe,” Frank’s is owned by Frank Willis, a former University of New Mexico basketball player. Willis started building a cult following for his food by cooking chicken and waffles at his sister’s apartment and delivering them throughout Albuquerque more than a decade ago.
While the chicken and waffles are obviously the star of the menu, there is plenty more to explore at Frank’s beyond the restaurant’s namesake dish. Triple D also spotlighted favorites like smoked turkey greens, creamy grits, a hearty po’ boy, and indulgent chili cheese fries.
Address: 400 Washington St. SE, Albuquerque
3. Golden Crown Panaderia
Golden Crown Panaderia has been serving up sweets in Albuquerque since 1972. However, while the pastry case is packed with cookies and other house-made sweets, this family-run spot is also well-known for its savory treats.
One of Golden Crown’s most popular savory items is its green chile bread, which you can purchase a loaf of or select as your bread option when ordering a sandwich. Then there is the turkey bread (a holiday loaf shaped to look like a roasted bird), which is partly what earned Golden Crown a spot in the 2013 “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” episode “All Kinds of Gobble Gobble.”
The pizzas are another popular option and are made with your choice of three house-made doughs, including a signature blue corn crust that gives a subtle sweetness and regional flair you won’t find at a typical pizzeria. There is even a pizza that pays homage to Golden Crown’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” appearance: the Guy Fieri Triple D features red onion, oven-roasted chicken, artichoke, and fresh basil.
The blue corn biscochitos—a twist on New Mexico’s state cookie—are a perfect example of blending New Mexican heritage and creative experimentation.
Address: 1103 Mountain Rd. NW, Albuquerque
4. Guava Tree Cafe
Guava Tree Cafe brings a taste of the Caribbean and South America to Albuquerque by blending Colombian, Cuban, Venezuelan, and Puerto Rican flavors into one cohesive, craveable menu. Featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” in the 2022 episode “Meaty, Cheesy and Sweet,” it’s a spot that delivers delicious flavors from faraway locales.
The menu is packed with Triple D favorites, including a classic Cubano sandwich stacked with home-roasted pork, sweet ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard, and the Arepa Pabellon that’s made with shredded beef, Cuban-style black beans, sweet plantains, and fresco cheese.
Sides like yucca fries and tostones (twice-fried green plantains) also earned praise from Fieri. If you have a sweet tooth, consider ordering the pastelitos (a Puerto Rican pastry made with guava paste and cream cheese).
Address: 118 Richmond Dr. NE, Albuquerque
5. Monte Carlo Steakhouse
Monte Carlo Steakhouse is a lot like Albuquerque itself—a little offbeat, but entirely authentic. Tucked along historic Route 66, you enter through a liquor store before stepping into a no-frills dining room that’s been a Duke City staple since the 1970s.
Family-run Monte Carlo is best known for its hand-cut steaks and its take on the iconic New Mexico green chile cheeseburger. However, the Greek appetizer plate, a dish that celebrates the owners’ heritage, is also a must-try.
Inside Monte Carlo, you’ll often find longtime regulars dining alongside road-trippers and first-timers. The combination of quirk, flavor, and loyal following is exactly what landed Monte Carlo on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” in the 2008 episode “Where the Locals Go.”
Address: 3916 Central Ave. SW, Albuquerque
6. Nexus Brewery
Part brewery, part soul-food restaurant, Nexus Brewery serves up comfort-food classics with a local twist alongside beers that are brewed on-site.
Featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” in the 2013 episode “Comfort and Soul,” Nexus Brewery’s menu is a take on “New Mexican soul food,” a fusion that blends Southern staples with the heat and personality of the Southwest.
The southern fried chicken is the dish that caught Fieri’s attention, but it’s not the only standout. Other menu highlights include the crackling cornbread loaded with crispy pork bits, sweet and savory chicken and waffles, and comforting staples like macaroni and cheese and gumbo shrimp. Even nostalgic dishes get a local upgrade, like the Frito Pie that’s topped with green chile, beans, and cheese.
Address: 4730 Pan American Fwy. NE, Ste. D, Albuquerque
7. Red Rock Deli
Red Rock Deli is one of Albuquerque’s most unique hidden gems. This unassuming family-owned and operated spot doubles as an Eastern European grocery store and deli, offering Polish and Chicago-style comfort food that’s hard to find anywhere else in the city. Its distinct identity earned it a feature on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” in the 2022 episode “From Europe to Asia.”
The menu showcases Eastern European specialties, such as fried piroshki (buns filled with a sweet or savory filling), Olivier salad (a mayonnaise-based potato salad with meat and vegetables), cold borscht (beet soup), and buzhenina (baked pork butt).
During your visit to Red Rock, you can shop for specialty ingredients and imported goods, and then sit down to a meal that tastes like it came straight from a kitchen halfway across the world.
Address: 2414 San Mateo Pl. NE, Albuquerque
