El Pinto

Sooooo good. We sat outside. It was a little chilly, but they turned the heater on. This place was beautiful. The staff were friendly and the atmosphere was, let's put it this way, you want to take someone on a first date? Take them here. It was big, open and very well maintained. There is a kitty that stopped by and said hi to me. Pop tart was the kitties name. And Pop Tart was sooooooo sweet. Our waiter was a little "distracted" but I'm not one to know what the duties of a waiter are and I do not hold that against them. He was attentive enough. The food was very tasty and a great choice for our trip back from Santa Fe. This was a bit farther from our Airbnb but sooooo worth the drive. You could hear what I think was a wedding party in another section of the restaurant (this place was big!) there was nothing disturbing about it. You could hear it but it wasn't "loud". I really liked this place and would highly recommend it.

Our group of 35 ate dinner here with a 7:00 reservation. Because it was booked by the travel agent, it was a big buffet. It had 2 kinds of chicken enchiladas, rice, beans, southwestern corn, salad. Also chips and yummy salsa on tables. Everything was very good! The restaurant itself was beautiful. Although huge, it was divided into numerous dining rooms for a comfortable dining experience. Servers were attentive and friendly.

The food here is amazing! The staff is amazing! The atmosphere is amazing! The food is so fresh and bright. It is cooked perfectly. The margaritas are top tier. All of the food is organic. This was my first time here and when I'm in Albuquerque, this will be my first stop always. This is authentic New Mexican cuisine.

Our server Samantha was everything you want in a server as she made the experience so much more enjoyable. Food was out to the table within 5 minutes of ordering i kid you not (full disclosure the restaurant was very slow.) Only downfall i would say is it can be pricy depending on when you go but there is a Monday-Friday lunch menu.

El Pinto completely exceeded my expectations. The chili-smothered ribs tasted nothing like I imagined — they were even better. The flavor was bold, smoky, and unforgettable. It left such a strong impression that I’m already looking forward to ordering them again the next time I visit Albuquerque. Beyond the food, the atmosphere at El Pinto was top-notch — lively yet relaxed, with a warm Southwestern charm. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to come back and try everything on the menu. Whether you’re with friends or enjoying a night out with your partner, it’s an ideal spot to soak in the local flavor. Highly recommended!

When a family member told us about this place I didn't expect it to be this wonderful! It's just beautiful! The food was better than I expected true New Mexico food at it's finest. We will definitely stop and eat when we travel again.

We had a great experience sitting at the bar for dinner and drinks, thanks in large part to Natalia. She was attentive, friendly, and really made the evening enjoyable. We tried the margaritas, sampled a few beers, and had dinner. I’m giving a 5-star review based on our overall experience, especially because of Natalia’s excellent service. That said, I do want to note that the food and drinks felt overpriced. While everything tasted good, the quality didn’t quite match the cost, particularly with the margaritas and steak I had. Still, we had a great time and would definitely return if we were locals. It’s a nice spot with a welcoming vibe and outstanding service.

Another visit, and unfortunately it was not quite up to par. Devon, our server was amazing though. Hopefully next time it'll be better again. This is our #1 place to go for the atmosphere and #2 for food. It's definitely unique and a go-to place when we have visitors. The experience is unbeatable. The food is very good, but one other place, in my opinion, just ups them on food taste and value. In all our years coming here we have not had a bad experience. Service has always been great and employees friendly. A must if you're in town.

What a lovely evening we spent at El Pinto Restaurant & Cantina. It's tucked away in Albuquerque's North Valley, surrounded by cottonwoods and adobe walls. It feels more like stepping into someone’s beautiful casita than going out to eat. The patio was glowing with string lights, and the smell of roasting green chile filled the air. We sat outside, with the sound of laughter and plates clinking around us, and it honestly felt like one of those perfect New Mexico moments. El Pinto’s been around since the early 1960s, started by a local family using recipes passed down from their grandmother. It's grown a lot since then, but it’s still all about traditional New Mexican food done with care - no shortcuts, no fuss, just bold flavors and local ingredients. They even have their own greenhouse and a hen house on-site, so the eggs they serve are gathered just steps from the kitchen. How many restaurants can say that? Seriously! They’re famous for being the only restaurant in the U.S. with an Animal Welfare Approved laying hen program. Their eggs come fresh from a little "hen hotel" right on-site. It’s honestly a cool touch and it makes the food feel even more honest and close to the earth. We ordered the classics: enchiladas with Christmas (red and green) chile, their famous red chile ribs, (theFood Network ranked them among the top 3 ribs in the country), tamales, stuffed sopapillas, and the massive combo plates we devoured way too fast. Everything tasted homemade, deeply rooted in place and tradition. Even the salsa was unforgettable, it had just the right heat, smoky and fresh at the same time. They also have this incredible tequila bar (I think they said over 170 kinds?), but we stuck with one of their house margaritas. Cold, tart, and perfect with the food. El Pinto isn’t just any place - it’s practically legendary. It stands out not only for its flavor but its legacy. At one point, they even prepared green chile for the White House, and delivered take‑out directly to Air Force One on the tarmac right here in Albuquerque. It's one of those places that feels like a local treasure but also gets national attention. This restaurant has actually served the White House. They were invited to provide food for an event, and their salsa is even available in some D.C. stores. So it’s got a little political star power. And speaking of stars, tons of celebrities have been spotted at El Pinto over the years. It’s that kind of place… casual and homey, but a magnet for big names who want real New Mexican food done right. We enjoyed the food and the atmosphere very much and service was excellent. It’s just one of those places that feels like a celebration. I’m happy we had this special evening together.

The atmosphere here is wonderful, it feels like you are over for dinner at a friend's house. That have great outdoor seating with plants and fountains adding to the ambiance. I have only eaten here once, but the Red Chile Ribs were recommended and that's what I had. They were phenomenal, the best ribs I have ever had. They were spicy, but not so much that you were sweating and unable to taste the flavors. They had a nutty flavor on the front and heat came on after, slow and steady. My friend had been here before multiple times and comes here everytime he is in town, now I know why.

Everything about this place is outstanding. Number one recommendation in Albuquerque by many. We as visitors to New Mexico found their hospitality outstanding. The atmosphere and food lived up to the reputation.

Beautiful place to have a wedding and the event staff is amazing. I've been a professional wedding DJ for 27 years and this is one of my favorite venues. Great food, awesome service and easy load in for vendors.

huge restaurant but keeps the quality. My carne adovada burrito was delicious. The margs and queso were also tasty. I even decided to swap out salsa for queso on top of my burrito it was that good.

This place is in such a beautiful location! The atmosphere is incredible! The staff is super friendly! The food was delicious especially the NM green chilies! The margaritas were great too! The prices were on the higher end. There is no better spot to enjoy a good drink, good food, and enjoy family and friends!

Came here on a recommendation for some good Mexican food in town, and this place doesn't disappoint. Great food and excellent service. Really enjoyed my ribeye and enchilada. My wife had the chicken sopapias, and they were excellent. Really good green chili sauce. I also enjoyed the salsa.

This olace is amazing, awesome food. Amazing atmosphere! Fantastic service! We loved it so much we went twice!

Atmosphere should have way more than 5 stars. What a wonderful find. We looked for the best Mexican restaurants in Albuquerque, and this one never showed up! That is crazy. We have pets, and the outdoor dining area looks like it is set up for a special event. Such character! The food was very good. The appetizer chips were served warm and fresh - delicious. This is a wonderful experience. We asked an employee at the Route 66 Trading Post, where was the best place to eat - El Pinto I'm guessing the locals are trying to hide this gem from us crazy tourists. It has a very large parking lot and capacity. And our server was a jewel!

Recommendation from coworker, so we tried it out. Great atmosphere even before we stepped inside. Got a table on the patio for lunch on a cold day out (was snowing this morning), and the heaters were providing good relief from the chilliness outside. Food was simply outstanding! Chicken enchiladas with green chiles and flan for dessert. Wish I had food this good where I live!

El Pinto’s is truly a magical place—easily one of the most beautiful restaurants I’ve ever experienced. Every turn reveals a new, enchanting corner filled with lush greenery, rustic charm, and romantic southwestern ambiance. Dining here feels like stepping into another world—warm, welcoming, and full of soul. The atmosphere is only the beginning. The staff radiate friendliness and hospitality, creating a sense of genuine care from the moment you walk in. Our waiter, Michael V., was outstanding—gracefully juggling a busy section, constantly on the move, and yet never without a smile. His energy and dedication were remarkable. The food? Absolutely phenomenal. We started with the guacamole, which was fresh and perfectly seasoned. The green chile was packed with bold, authentic flavor. The chicken enchiladas were tender and rich, and the ground beef stuffed sopapilla was pure comfort on a plate—crispy, savory, and satisfying. As someone originally from New Mexico, I’ve grown up with these flavors—and El Pinto’s continues to capture the essence of home. Even though we now live in Florida, this restaurant is a must-stop every time we return to visit family. It’s not just a meal—it’s a memory in the making, every time.

The food is simply the best we’ve found in spending almost 20 days here in Albuquerque. The rellenos are perfectly breaded to create the perfect balance of hatch chili and cheese. The fried hatch chili strips on the appetizer menu are to die for. Their salsa’s are also in the top 2. The atmosphere is unrivaled to anything we’ve seen anywhere in the U.S.

We ate here 40 years ago when I was in the Air Force. Still a great place. We were there at lunch so it was not busy. Service was great. Warning, the tamales are pretty hot/spicy so be prepared if you order them.

We had a large party here for dinner a few days before Christmas and everything went great! Orders were 100% accurate, food was delicious, and the servers were kind and patient with us. Three of my family members (including myself) can't eat gluten and needed the gluten free menu; everything we ordered was delicious and had no issues after the meal! Highly recommend.

I was very fortunate to have been able to join my family for a get together. We were all able to sit together on the nice enclosed patio. The area we sat in felt like we were in Mexico. We had a very nice waterfall on one side and plants all around. It felt like we had our own special spot. We weren't sitting too to others that also had large groups. The food came out to us at a good pace and was very tasty. I really enjoyed the green chili. I recommend this to others for a great place to dine.

The atmosphere was beautiful and incredible. Food well 😋 we had almost a bit of everything, a Christmas party was held and we all ordered different things and sampled bits of others . But hands down I believe everyone agreed the ribs won 🏆. All the food was amazing those ribs just feel off bone and where not dry . The reason for staff score low, is our service waitors / waitresses, we had 2 or 3 of them and we were not a demanding group at all, they were very cold , no personality, seemed like they didn't like their jobs. Making my experience a bit uncomfortable but only a BIT. But seen the other servers very pleasant to their customers.

Writing this review for the EXCELLENT experience and support I received from Moriah in helping with an order I placed online from the El Pinto website. My husband and I moved from the southwest to Nebraska, and have been utilizing the online website to purchase El Pinto salsa and green chile as we are unable to find it locally. We have been very pleased with receiving the products shipped, and the speed of processing/shipping. Moriah was so sweet, and offered the BEST customer service in helping with my order, very responsive in our communications! Thank you very very much!!!

We selected this place for a dinner in Albuquerque after reading reviews and its history, it was truly an exceptional experience that went beyond just great food. The atmosphere is enchanting—the sprawling setting, beautiful patios, and classic New Mexican architecture create a uniquely warm and inviting ambiance that makes the entire meal feel like an occasion. The service was impeccable, but what stood out most was a truly thoughtful gesture from our server, Carly. She was fabulous. Their attention to detail and genuine care made us feel completely welcome and valued, transforming great service into an act of personalized hospitality. Of course, the food was the star of the show. We relied heavily on our server’s recommendations, and every single dish was amazingly delicious. From appetizers to entrees, everything was fresh, perfectly seasoned, and showcased the incredible flavors of New Mexican cuisine. I highly recommend trusting the staff’s suggestions—they clearly know their menu inside and out! El Pinto delivers on every front: a gorgeous atmosphere, genuinely caring service, and amazingly delicious food. It’s a must-try for anyone seeking a memorable dining experience in Albuquerque.

At a recommendation from a family member, we decided to make this our Sunday dinner. This place fits the bill for a unique Albuquerque NM dining experience. The ambiance and decor is detailed and over the top southwest. We were told it was going to be a 45 min wait, but it wasn't quite 30 mins before we were called. We were seated in the outside dining area. The table was situated next to the edge and had an umbrella over it. It was quite hot out but we found it pleasant anyway. It was super busy on this Father's day 2025 and our server was working hard to provide for all the tables in his section. My wife had the Grand Gold margarita. It ranked among the best she's had and was well balanced. I had a local lager beer on a seasonal special which was Ex Novo "dry heat" on draft . Even the ice water was good. which is rare to find in a restaurant. I ordered the 3 tacos meal with shredded beef. Comes with rice and beans. The option was folded tacos or rolled tacos. The rolled tacos are like taquitos and can only be ordered with chicken or seasoned ground beef. So I opted for the folded tacos so that I could get the shredded beef. the taco shells appear to be the pre-made type. The shredded beef was very flavorful and juicy though. It also came with guacamole which was more on the rough chopped side. It was fresh tasting. She had the 3 tamales with rice and beans meal. Along with our meals came red chili sauce and a chunky green chili sauce. They added a nice tangy medium heat to our meals. The meals came with sopapillas which were good. We had them with the honey that was already on our table. They display the Tomahawk steak in raw cut form in a display that is next to the front counter. It's $136 on the menu. There are also two other cuts on display there.

Just recently ate here and I have to say it was a good time. But here is my opinion on what we ate and why I only gave 4 star on the food. We started on the chips and salsa, asked if they had a hotter one, without blinking the server brought us out a small jar of the scorpion that they sell because they were out of the sample cups. Thank you sir that was awesome. Next we got a appetizer of the Green Chili Strips, dipping sauce was awesome, the concept is a good Idea but they could of been a little crispier. Next I ordered a cup of the green chili stew off the appetizer menu, this was really good it was a small cup portion but I knew that upon ordering. It was a thinner chili but still hit the spot. My wife ordered the Red chili ribs, half rack off the main menu we were gonna split this. Ribs were way tender totally fall off the bone, personally I like just a bit of tension when eating a rib. Now when eating these ribs it was a bit heavy on the chili crisp a bit over the top, IMO could of used a little bit of a sauce something like a light layer of there red or green sauce just something to cut the dry chili crisp. Service was top notch as well as the atmosphere. Loved the décor and the actual wood fireplaces around the area.

The atmosphere here is what makes this place special. The patio is gorgeous and seems to spread for forever but still feels semi-intimate. Their specialty foods like the ribs and sopapillas were delicious. Everything else was right on par for your standard Mexican restaurant, meaning my tacos did not have the most flavor but it was a classic taco plate with beans and rice. The service was a little slow, we had to ask for silverware when my ice cream came without a spoon, which took a while to get.

We ordered the chili stew and unfortunately it was cold they brought us another one and it was also cold. However the flavor was wonderful. the sopapillas were phenomenal really nice.

Good food, very large restaurant with plenty of patio seating, pet friendly, and excellent service. The aesthetic is casual and comfortable, but lovely. The food feels like comfort food to me, and we enjoyed our meals and our time at El Pinto during a recent visit to Albuquerque.

So the place is magnificent, staff is wonderful an the ambiance is truly spectacular!! I would recommend this restaurant to anyone!! However the reason I gave the food 4 stars is bcuz I am a BBQ pitmaster an well versed in smoking/grilling so I know a thing or 2 about steaks!! Matter fact I've dry aged my own steaks ans I've also purchased dry aged wagyu steaks that are bms (beef marbeling score) 1 - 12!! I literally begged my server to grill my "dry aged" tomahawk to medium rare with a hard sear!! When I got it back yes it was medium rare but hardly any dry aged umami flavor nor any seasoning not even salt on the steak!! As a BBQ enthusiast & pitmaster that was not worth $140.00 bucks. I am going to post sum pictures showing where for 12 more dollars you can get a 32 oz. wagyu tomahawk steak bms score of 4-6 as well as dry aged for 60+ days from grand western steaks. But everyone else's food was delicious!! So if anyone is wondering about their $140.00 tomahawk.......there u go!! But I'm glad I tried it!! Cuz now I kno!!

The atmosphere is outstanding. This place is so massive. The service and food were good. Be prepared to spend some money. One of the dishes was about $136. Oh, and if you like Patron, they have several glass display cases full.

We went here for a birthday dinner and it was good, but not as amazing as we were hoping for considering the price. The atmosphere on the patio is wonderful, and was the best part. The food and drinks were good, but there are many places in abq to get good New Mexican dishes. The chips and salsa were some of the best I’ve had and were the highlight. I’m vegetarian and ordered the chili rellenos, compared to most they were small with too much batter and not enough chile. The famous ribs were enjoyed by our table and looked worth the price, and I get the feeling the meat dishes are what they do best. Service was average, I think our server was new and made some mistakes but corrected them when asked. The patio is beautiful and all the bird feeders and bird baths are a nice touch. I’d like to go back to sit on the patio with a beer and some chips and salsa, but I’m not sure I’d splurge on a full meal and drinks again.

This is a southwestern restaurant that comes up a lot when you search for the most well known places in Albuquerque. The reviews were a little mixed but we gave it a try. The chips & salsa were pretty decent. The well known ribs with a chili rub were very bland and tasteless. The burger was underwhelming. This place is just generally very average and we probably wouldn’t return if in the area.

The atmosphere is nice. Huge place lots of plants. Our waiter was excellent. As someone who eats a lot of NM food I just thought it was ok… very mediocre for the price. I got the carne adovada and it was SO dry. The kids cheese burger came with no toppings. If I came back I’d get drinks and the nachos and during the day to appreciate the greenery.

El Pinto was okay overall. I’d give it about a 5 out of 10. The food wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t anything special either — especially for the price. It felt a bit overpriced for what you get. Service was fine and the atmosphere is nice, but the food just didn’t stand out. Not terrible, just nothing memorable.

We're new in town and always looking for a special place to eat superb food. The food is good, but nothing special so I ordered what should have been the best thing on the menu, the award winning ribs. The ribs are boiled and then baked with a red chili sauce on top, which makes the rib meat tasteless (boiled meat). Adding insult to injury, again and again, was our waitress who seemed very unhappy with life in general. On the position side, the atmosphere is spectacular and I am certain Pinto's is the place to be for cocktails.

Food was ordinary. No "Wow" factor. We ordered the ribs & the nachos with high expectations since one claimed to be best in America that 1 year , the other was rank #3 on food network. Also got 2 margaritas, even less impressed, where was the tequila? It tasted like 2 expensive $15 limeade. But then we blamed our poor appetite and poor experience with your restaurant on your hostesses. We checked in around 4.40 pm for our 5pm reservation for 2 for my birthday. There was a pack of hostesses just hanging out and chit chatting. We waited until 5pm, Noone called our name. So my husband went & asked one of the hostesses about our reservation, she had the nerve to argue with my husband that our reservation was 5.30pm not 5pm, so we just need to chill and wait. My husband was a gentleman. He didn't say anything to that hostess. He just told me what she told him. I was pissed. So I went and showed the hostess our reservation confirmation on open table. Then without apologizing to us, she just grabbed like 5 or 6 menus and took us to a table set up for 5 or 6 people in a nice dining room area. We told her our reservation was just for 2 people. Then she walked us back to the reception desk to check on her tablet. She figured out that she checked us in under a wrong reservation of someone else with same first name but different last name. She found our reservation, then again without any apologies, she walked us to the very ugly old dinning room in the back of the restaurant. Her attitude was just arrogance. We think she gave us the worst seats in the house on purpose as her retaliation. Our mood was ruined completely at that point. Your staff should not act like they were better than your paying customers. It was so disrespectful! We won't come back, dont want to deal with your ignorance hostesses again. Why do you have so many hostesses anyway? They just stood there & chit chatted to each other. They didn't take care of your customers.

We decided to give it a try per some local friends who wanted to go because Sadie’s was closed. The waitress Briana clearly had no desire to wait on us. She was rude - actually rolled her eyes when she walked away!! I needed a minute to go over the menu. Briana stepped away a short distance and was speaking to coworkers. When she finally back to take our order. She became combative when I asked to have sopapillas instead of tortillas. She kept insisting they came “with the meal” - that wasn’t my point. I specifically 2 for me, brought with my meal to eat my chili rellenos. When the food came the sopapillas were burned, & cold. I asked her to bring some fresh ones - she immediately had an attitude and said “well did you try them”?! I had just told her they tasted terrible. Next batch was cold and tasted like cardboard!! The rice was not fully cooked, had hard crunchy bites, the chili rellenos were cold, flat and full of grease. I won’t go back or recommend to anyone. The restaurant is absolutely beautiful and could be a 5 start restaurant with the right cooks and service! The food wouldn’t have been a deal breaker if our server had been friendly and helpful. She was completely rude until it came time to give her a tip - she became “fake friendly”. I hope the management/owners reads this review. This restaurant really needs some changes. You have a gorgeous restaurant but a terrible service. I really hope this review will create a positive change.