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In today's Link Love, what's up with loud music in restaurants, plus a cheeseburger in a can
The Copper Hog in Bellingham, Wa.
Every day, The Daily Meal scours the web for stories worth reading and blogs worth following.
• Excellent brews and a perfect lamb burger sound like the best way to spend any afternoon. [Food on the Brain]
• One writer examines loud music in restaurants (and how to deal with it). [CHOW]
• Girls' night out in Los Angeles starts with some Philly cheesesteaks at The Bazaar. [Best of LA]
• Canned cheeseburgers: Place can in boiling water, heat, open, devour. Tasty? Probably not. [Reddit]
• Get your fill of Top Chef's Stephanie Izard in Hulu's "A Day in the Life." [Hulu]
Gil's Thrilling (And Filling) Blog
Follow the Culinary Ruminations of New Mexico's Sesquipedalian Sybarite. 1218 Restaurant Reviews, More Than 12,000 Visitor Comments…And Counting!
MAS Tapas Y Vino – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Had Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra written Don Quixote in the 21st century instead of in 1605, the title character’s quest in life might not have been to revive the chivalric virtues and values of adventurous &hellip
Red or Green–New Mexico’s Food Scene is on Fire: May, 2021
Until rather recently Albuquerque’s Lucky Boy was best known for its unique “East meets West” menu offerings of Chinese food and burgers. All that changed for the quintessential mom and pop diner when Lucky Boy had &hellip
Indian Pueblo Kitchen – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Pedro de Castaneda, a Spanish explorer who chronicled Coronado’s expeditions through the southwest from 1540 to 1542 observed that corn, beans, and squash were the main staples of the pueblo diet. Of the three, which &hellip
Tomasita’s – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Much as I like and respect Bob of the Village of Los Ranchos (BOTVOLR), the most prolific commentator on Gil’s Thrilling…naming this blog for him has never been a consideration. Like Bill Richardson, the former &hellip
Antojitos Lupe – Bernalillo, New Mexico
Gustavo Arellano, the brilliant and hilarious author of Ask a Mexican, an erstwhile syndicated satirical weekly newspaper column published mostly in weekly alternative papers, used to be one of my go-to sources of entertainment and information, &hellip
Tikka Hut – Albuquerque, New Mexico
The cynosure of Tikka Hut, an Indian Fusion restaurant on First Street, is a colorful mural that pays tribute to the extraordinary and constantly evolving history of Mexican cuisine. The mural depicts the mesmerizing &hellip
Cocina Azul – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Ever the lexicologist, my first inclination at seeing the mantra “panza llena, corazon contento” emblazoned on any restaurant’s menu is to ponder the veracity of the audacious claim that filling the belly can leave diners &hellip
Two Cranes Bistro and Brew – Albuquerque, New Mexico
As we wended our way along meandering Rio Grande Boulevard, I commented to my Kim, “I sure miss Ichabod and Katrina.” “Colleagues of yours at UNM?,” she asked. “No, not colleagues,” I replied pointing to &hellip
Saigon City – Albuquerque, New Mexico
My brother in blogging Ryan Cook describes his first day in Vietnam: “So, my first stop in Vietnam was the capital, Hanoi. My honest first impressions… what the hell have I let myself in for. &hellip
Tokyo Bangkok – Albuquerque, New Mexico
In 2019, Mastercard published its Global Destination Cities Index which ranked 200 cities around the world with the most international visitors. Topping the list for the fourth consecutive year was Bangkok, Thailand which boasted of &hellip
Poppy’s Pizzeria & Italian Eatery – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Chef-owner Mario D’Elia knew what he’d be in for when he named his new restaurant Poppy’s Pizzeria & Italian Eatery. Legions of Seinfeld fans would undoubtedly joke “Poppy’s a little sloppy,” a reference to Poppie, &hellip
Clowndog Hot Dog Parlor – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Remember the good old days when the only taboo related to the All American hot dog was the felonious act of adding ketchup. In the movie “Sudden Impact,” Clint Eastwood as “Dirty Harry” Callahan &hellip
Rex’s Hamburgers – Albuquerque, New Mexico
From 1988 through 2005, Rex’s Hamburgers stood practically alone in offering Duke City consumers an alternative to the homogeneous gobble-and-go offerings of deep-pocketed fast-food chains like McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s. Rex’s earned and retained &hellip
La Finca Bowls – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Some people just aren’t cut out for the military. The most incompatible among them usually wash out during basic military training, what is often referred to as “boot camp.” Sometimes it’s the rigor of strenuous &hellip
Ironwood Kitchen – Albuquerque, New Mexico
I’m not sure Matt Moody could sell milk to the lactose intolerant or ice to an eskimo, but it would be hard to bet against him. The genial owner of the Ironwood Kitchen on Albuquerque’s &hellip
Garduño’s of Mexico – Albuquerque, New Mexico
All too often faulty premises are based on a lack of information or experience. Take for example, British author Simon Majumdar, a recurring judge on the Food Network’s Next Iron Chef competition who once declared &hellip
Ms. Gennie’s House of Chicken – Albuquerque, New Mexico
My Air Force friend and colleague Al Garcia once shared one of those amusing anecdotes that will leave your head shaking in disbelief even as you’re practically rolling on the floor with laughter. According to &hellip
Rustico Italian Kitchen – Albuquerque, New Mexico
What does it say about a restaurant when it runs out of food? Nine times out of ten, you’d probably say it’s either brand new and doesn’t yet have a feel for its traffic volume &hellip
Mighty Mike’s Meats – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Thank you, Mighty Mike! Thank you for restoring our faith in barbecue just one day after my Kim declared “I don’t want to have barbecue for a long time.” Readers might find it hard to &hellip
The Whole Enchilada – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Perhaps because I was away from the Land of Enchantment for much of my Air Force career, one of my favorite bloggers has long been Lisa Fain, the James Beard award-winning “Homesick Texan.” Like &hellip
Ikigai ABQ – Albuquerque, New Mexico
While ikigai (pronounced ee-key-guy) may sound like what grade school girls called me many years ago, in Japanese the term ikigai is a Japanese concept combining the terms “iki,” meaning “alive” or “life,” and “gai,” &hellip
Gyros Mediterranean – Albuquerque, New Mexico
It’s not easy being a gastronome about town when you make less than a thousand dollars a month and have a car payment, rent and a social life. Stationed at Kirtland in the early 1980s, &hellip
M’Tucci’s Moderno – Rio Rancho, New Mexico
“If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere It’s up to you, New York, New York.”
Frank Sinatra Jeff Spiegel, managing partner of the insanely popular M’Tucci’s family of restaurants has described flagship &hellip
Comet II – Santa Rosa, New Mexico
Shake the hand that shook the hand of…The Vitamin Kid. At 87-years young, the Vitamin Kid–once the fastest runner in Guadalupe County–has slowed down just a bit, but he’s still as sharp as a tack, &hellip
Delvin’s Restaurant & Catering – Amarillo, Texas
Throughout its storied history, Amarillo’s culinary reputation has been based primarily on one kind of food: beef. That’s no surprise considering Amarillo-area ranches produce thirty-percent of the nation’s beef and ninety-percent of the beef in &hellip
It’s A Punjabi Affair – Amarillo, Texas
During our last full year at Intel, my friend Bill Resnik and I had the distinct honor and privilege of working on a project with a team from Microsoft comprised mostly of information technology professionals &hellip
The Big Texan Steak Ranch – Amarillo, Texas
If you’ve ever wondered about the meaning of the line “I’ll be lookin’ for eight when they pull that gate” in George Strait’s classic hit Amarillo By Morning, here’s a theory you probably haven’t heard. &hellip
The Golden Light Cafe & Cantina – Amarillo, Texas
Published in 1938, John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath is widely regarded as one of the greatest American novels ever written. Replete with timeless themes of struggle, destitution, injustice, and the pursuit of a delusive “Promised &hellip
Watson’s BBQ – Tucumcari, New Mexico
The Wikipedia article on Eastern New Mexico describes the region as “mostly characterized by flat featureless terrain,” even likening it to West Texas: “Like much of the Llano Estacado region, Eastern New Mexico is largely &hellip
Mama Zahira Foodies – Albuquerque, New Mexico
It’s so easy to be judgmental, to take things at face value…to assume. As my friend Bruce “Sr. Plata” Silver and I approached Mama Zahira Foodies’ order window, we espied the self-deprecating term “The Wacky &hellip
Bamboo Grill – Albuquerque, New Mexico
In his 30s, curmudgeonly London food critic Jay Rayner who’s been called the “enfant terrible (literally “terrifying child) of the gastronomic scene,” came to the realization that he hated hangovers more than he hated being &hellip
S-A Barbecue – Albuquerque, New Mexico
London-based restaurant critic Jay Rayner makes barbecue sound a bit like a scientific process: “the long, virtuous interplay of fire, smoke and time on cow and pig muscle fibre who sees only joyous caramelisation and &hellip
Alicea’s NY Bagels & Subs – Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Imagine a world without sandwiches! That daunting premise would make a pretty fatalistic post-apocalyptic movie in which Dystopian societies exist in a nightmare of deprivation, hopelessness, terror and processed food rations (Soylent Green anyone?). No &hellip
Ruthie’s Bagels – Albuquerque, New Mexico
George: “I came this close last night, and then I just sort of chickened out.” Jerry: “Well, that’s a big move, Georgie boy. Are you confident in the “I love you” return?” George: “Fifty-fifty.” Jerry: &hellip
Kabab House – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Unlike New York City, Albuquerque might not ever truly be mistaken for “a cultural melting pot.” Though numerous ethnicities are scattered throughout the city’s 189.5 square miles, some of their culinary cultures are vastly underrepresented &hellip
Salty Catch – Albuquerque, New Mexico
As children growing up in landlocked and agrarian Peñasco, my siblings and I led a very sheltered life. Our extremely provincial experience with “seafood” was limited to Mrs. Paul’s fish sticks which we dipped in &hellip
Gil's Thrilling (And Filling) Blog
Follow the Culinary Ruminations of New Mexico's Sesquipedalian Sybarite. 1218 Restaurant Reviews, More Than 12,000 Visitor Comments…And Counting!
MAS Tapas Y Vino – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Had Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra written Don Quixote in the 21st century instead of in 1605, the title character’s quest in life might not have been to revive the chivalric virtues and values of adventurous &hellip
Red or Green–New Mexico’s Food Scene is on Fire: May, 2021
Until rather recently Albuquerque’s Lucky Boy was best known for its unique “East meets West” menu offerings of Chinese food and burgers. All that changed for the quintessential mom and pop diner when Lucky Boy had &hellip
Indian Pueblo Kitchen – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Pedro de Castaneda, a Spanish explorer who chronicled Coronado’s expeditions through the southwest from 1540 to 1542 observed that corn, beans, and squash were the main staples of the pueblo diet. Of the three, which &hellip
Tomasita’s – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Much as I like and respect Bob of the Village of Los Ranchos (BOTVOLR), the most prolific commentator on Gil’s Thrilling…naming this blog for him has never been a consideration. Like Bill Richardson, the former &hellip
Antojitos Lupe – Bernalillo, New Mexico
Gustavo Arellano, the brilliant and hilarious author of Ask a Mexican, an erstwhile syndicated satirical weekly newspaper column published mostly in weekly alternative papers, used to be one of my go-to sources of entertainment and information, &hellip
Tikka Hut – Albuquerque, New Mexico
The cynosure of Tikka Hut, an Indian Fusion restaurant on First Street, is a colorful mural that pays tribute to the extraordinary and constantly evolving history of Mexican cuisine. The mural depicts the mesmerizing &hellip
Cocina Azul – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Ever the lexicologist, my first inclination at seeing the mantra “panza llena, corazon contento” emblazoned on any restaurant’s menu is to ponder the veracity of the audacious claim that filling the belly can leave diners &hellip
Two Cranes Bistro and Brew – Albuquerque, New Mexico
As we wended our way along meandering Rio Grande Boulevard, I commented to my Kim, “I sure miss Ichabod and Katrina.” “Colleagues of yours at UNM?,” she asked. “No, not colleagues,” I replied pointing to &hellip
Saigon City – Albuquerque, New Mexico
My brother in blogging Ryan Cook describes his first day in Vietnam: “So, my first stop in Vietnam was the capital, Hanoi. My honest first impressions… what the hell have I let myself in for. &hellip
Tokyo Bangkok – Albuquerque, New Mexico
In 2019, Mastercard published its Global Destination Cities Index which ranked 200 cities around the world with the most international visitors. Topping the list for the fourth consecutive year was Bangkok, Thailand which boasted of &hellip
Poppy’s Pizzeria & Italian Eatery – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Chef-owner Mario D’Elia knew what he’d be in for when he named his new restaurant Poppy’s Pizzeria & Italian Eatery. Legions of Seinfeld fans would undoubtedly joke “Poppy’s a little sloppy,” a reference to Poppie, &hellip
Clowndog Hot Dog Parlor – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Remember the good old days when the only taboo related to the All American hot dog was the felonious act of adding ketchup. In the movie “Sudden Impact,” Clint Eastwood as “Dirty Harry” Callahan &hellip
Rex’s Hamburgers – Albuquerque, New Mexico
From 1988 through 2005, Rex’s Hamburgers stood practically alone in offering Duke City consumers an alternative to the homogeneous gobble-and-go offerings of deep-pocketed fast-food chains like McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s. Rex’s earned and retained &hellip
La Finca Bowls – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Some people just aren’t cut out for the military. The most incompatible among them usually wash out during basic military training, what is often referred to as “boot camp.” Sometimes it’s the rigor of strenuous &hellip
Ironwood Kitchen – Albuquerque, New Mexico
I’m not sure Matt Moody could sell milk to the lactose intolerant or ice to an eskimo, but it would be hard to bet against him. The genial owner of the Ironwood Kitchen on Albuquerque’s &hellip
Garduño’s of Mexico – Albuquerque, New Mexico
All too often faulty premises are based on a lack of information or experience. Take for example, British author Simon Majumdar, a recurring judge on the Food Network’s Next Iron Chef competition who once declared &hellip
Ms. Gennie’s House of Chicken – Albuquerque, New Mexico
My Air Force friend and colleague Al Garcia once shared one of those amusing anecdotes that will leave your head shaking in disbelief even as you’re practically rolling on the floor with laughter. According to &hellip
Rustico Italian Kitchen – Albuquerque, New Mexico
What does it say about a restaurant when it runs out of food? Nine times out of ten, you’d probably say it’s either brand new and doesn’t yet have a feel for its traffic volume &hellip
Mighty Mike’s Meats – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Thank you, Mighty Mike! Thank you for restoring our faith in barbecue just one day after my Kim declared “I don’t want to have barbecue for a long time.” Readers might find it hard to &hellip
The Whole Enchilada – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Perhaps because I was away from the Land of Enchantment for much of my Air Force career, one of my favorite bloggers has long been Lisa Fain, the James Beard award-winning “Homesick Texan.” Like &hellip
Ikigai ABQ – Albuquerque, New Mexico
While ikigai (pronounced ee-key-guy) may sound like what grade school girls called me many years ago, in Japanese the term ikigai is a Japanese concept combining the terms “iki,” meaning “alive” or “life,” and “gai,” &hellip
Gyros Mediterranean – Albuquerque, New Mexico
It’s not easy being a gastronome about town when you make less than a thousand dollars a month and have a car payment, rent and a social life. Stationed at Kirtland in the early 1980s, &hellip
M’Tucci’s Moderno – Rio Rancho, New Mexico
“If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere It’s up to you, New York, New York.”
Frank Sinatra Jeff Spiegel, managing partner of the insanely popular M’Tucci’s family of restaurants has described flagship &hellip
Comet II – Santa Rosa, New Mexico
Shake the hand that shook the hand of…The Vitamin Kid. At 87-years young, the Vitamin Kid–once the fastest runner in Guadalupe County–has slowed down just a bit, but he’s still as sharp as a tack, &hellip
Delvin’s Restaurant & Catering – Amarillo, Texas
Throughout its storied history, Amarillo’s culinary reputation has been based primarily on one kind of food: beef. That’s no surprise considering Amarillo-area ranches produce thirty-percent of the nation’s beef and ninety-percent of the beef in &hellip
It’s A Punjabi Affair – Amarillo, Texas
During our last full year at Intel, my friend Bill Resnik and I had the distinct honor and privilege of working on a project with a team from Microsoft comprised mostly of information technology professionals &hellip
The Big Texan Steak Ranch – Amarillo, Texas
If you’ve ever wondered about the meaning of the line “I’ll be lookin’ for eight when they pull that gate” in George Strait’s classic hit Amarillo By Morning, here’s a theory you probably haven’t heard. &hellip
The Golden Light Cafe & Cantina – Amarillo, Texas
Published in 1938, John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath is widely regarded as one of the greatest American novels ever written. Replete with timeless themes of struggle, destitution, injustice, and the pursuit of a delusive “Promised &hellip
Watson’s BBQ – Tucumcari, New Mexico
The Wikipedia article on Eastern New Mexico describes the region as “mostly characterized by flat featureless terrain,” even likening it to West Texas: “Like much of the Llano Estacado region, Eastern New Mexico is largely &hellip
Mama Zahira Foodies – Albuquerque, New Mexico
It’s so easy to be judgmental, to take things at face value…to assume. As my friend Bruce “Sr. Plata” Silver and I approached Mama Zahira Foodies’ order window, we espied the self-deprecating term “The Wacky &hellip
Bamboo Grill – Albuquerque, New Mexico
In his 30s, curmudgeonly London food critic Jay Rayner who’s been called the “enfant terrible (literally “terrifying child) of the gastronomic scene,” came to the realization that he hated hangovers more than he hated being &hellip
S-A Barbecue – Albuquerque, New Mexico
London-based restaurant critic Jay Rayner makes barbecue sound a bit like a scientific process: “the long, virtuous interplay of fire, smoke and time on cow and pig muscle fibre who sees only joyous caramelisation and &hellip
Alicea’s NY Bagels & Subs – Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Imagine a world without sandwiches! That daunting premise would make a pretty fatalistic post-apocalyptic movie in which Dystopian societies exist in a nightmare of deprivation, hopelessness, terror and processed food rations (Soylent Green anyone?). No &hellip
Ruthie’s Bagels – Albuquerque, New Mexico
George: “I came this close last night, and then I just sort of chickened out.” Jerry: “Well, that’s a big move, Georgie boy. Are you confident in the “I love you” return?” George: “Fifty-fifty.” Jerry: &hellip
Kabab House – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Unlike New York City, Albuquerque might not ever truly be mistaken for “a cultural melting pot.” Though numerous ethnicities are scattered throughout the city’s 189.5 square miles, some of their culinary cultures are vastly underrepresented &hellip
Salty Catch – Albuquerque, New Mexico
As children growing up in landlocked and agrarian Peñasco, my siblings and I led a very sheltered life. Our extremely provincial experience with “seafood” was limited to Mrs. Paul’s fish sticks which we dipped in &hellip
Gil's Thrilling (And Filling) Blog
Follow the Culinary Ruminations of New Mexico's Sesquipedalian Sybarite. 1218 Restaurant Reviews, More Than 12,000 Visitor Comments…And Counting!
MAS Tapas Y Vino – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Had Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra written Don Quixote in the 21st century instead of in 1605, the title character’s quest in life might not have been to revive the chivalric virtues and values of adventurous &hellip
Red or Green–New Mexico’s Food Scene is on Fire: May, 2021
Until rather recently Albuquerque’s Lucky Boy was best known for its unique “East meets West” menu offerings of Chinese food and burgers. All that changed for the quintessential mom and pop diner when Lucky Boy had &hellip
Indian Pueblo Kitchen – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Pedro de Castaneda, a Spanish explorer who chronicled Coronado’s expeditions through the southwest from 1540 to 1542 observed that corn, beans, and squash were the main staples of the pueblo diet. Of the three, which &hellip
Tomasita’s – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Much as I like and respect Bob of the Village of Los Ranchos (BOTVOLR), the most prolific commentator on Gil’s Thrilling…naming this blog for him has never been a consideration. Like Bill Richardson, the former &hellip
Antojitos Lupe – Bernalillo, New Mexico
Gustavo Arellano, the brilliant and hilarious author of Ask a Mexican, an erstwhile syndicated satirical weekly newspaper column published mostly in weekly alternative papers, used to be one of my go-to sources of entertainment and information, &hellip
Tikka Hut – Albuquerque, New Mexico
The cynosure of Tikka Hut, an Indian Fusion restaurant on First Street, is a colorful mural that pays tribute to the extraordinary and constantly evolving history of Mexican cuisine. The mural depicts the mesmerizing &hellip
Cocina Azul – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Ever the lexicologist, my first inclination at seeing the mantra “panza llena, corazon contento” emblazoned on any restaurant’s menu is to ponder the veracity of the audacious claim that filling the belly can leave diners &hellip
Two Cranes Bistro and Brew – Albuquerque, New Mexico
As we wended our way along meandering Rio Grande Boulevard, I commented to my Kim, “I sure miss Ichabod and Katrina.” “Colleagues of yours at UNM?,” she asked. “No, not colleagues,” I replied pointing to &hellip
Saigon City – Albuquerque, New Mexico
My brother in blogging Ryan Cook describes his first day in Vietnam: “So, my first stop in Vietnam was the capital, Hanoi. My honest first impressions… what the hell have I let myself in for. &hellip
Tokyo Bangkok – Albuquerque, New Mexico
In 2019, Mastercard published its Global Destination Cities Index which ranked 200 cities around the world with the most international visitors. Topping the list for the fourth consecutive year was Bangkok, Thailand which boasted of &hellip
Poppy’s Pizzeria & Italian Eatery – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Chef-owner Mario D’Elia knew what he’d be in for when he named his new restaurant Poppy’s Pizzeria & Italian Eatery. Legions of Seinfeld fans would undoubtedly joke “Poppy’s a little sloppy,” a reference to Poppie, &hellip
Clowndog Hot Dog Parlor – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Remember the good old days when the only taboo related to the All American hot dog was the felonious act of adding ketchup. In the movie “Sudden Impact,” Clint Eastwood as “Dirty Harry” Callahan &hellip
Rex’s Hamburgers – Albuquerque, New Mexico
From 1988 through 2005, Rex’s Hamburgers stood practically alone in offering Duke City consumers an alternative to the homogeneous gobble-and-go offerings of deep-pocketed fast-food chains like McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s. Rex’s earned and retained &hellip
La Finca Bowls – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Some people just aren’t cut out for the military. The most incompatible among them usually wash out during basic military training, what is often referred to as “boot camp.” Sometimes it’s the rigor of strenuous &hellip
Ironwood Kitchen – Albuquerque, New Mexico
I’m not sure Matt Moody could sell milk to the lactose intolerant or ice to an eskimo, but it would be hard to bet against him. The genial owner of the Ironwood Kitchen on Albuquerque’s &hellip
Garduño’s of Mexico – Albuquerque, New Mexico
All too often faulty premises are based on a lack of information or experience. Take for example, British author Simon Majumdar, a recurring judge on the Food Network’s Next Iron Chef competition who once declared &hellip
Ms. Gennie’s House of Chicken – Albuquerque, New Mexico
My Air Force friend and colleague Al Garcia once shared one of those amusing anecdotes that will leave your head shaking in disbelief even as you’re practically rolling on the floor with laughter. According to &hellip
Rustico Italian Kitchen – Albuquerque, New Mexico
What does it say about a restaurant when it runs out of food? Nine times out of ten, you’d probably say it’s either brand new and doesn’t yet have a feel for its traffic volume &hellip
Mighty Mike’s Meats – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Thank you, Mighty Mike! Thank you for restoring our faith in barbecue just one day after my Kim declared “I don’t want to have barbecue for a long time.” Readers might find it hard to &hellip
The Whole Enchilada – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Perhaps because I was away from the Land of Enchantment for much of my Air Force career, one of my favorite bloggers has long been Lisa Fain, the James Beard award-winning “Homesick Texan.” Like &hellip
Ikigai ABQ – Albuquerque, New Mexico
While ikigai (pronounced ee-key-guy) may sound like what grade school girls called me many years ago, in Japanese the term ikigai is a Japanese concept combining the terms “iki,” meaning “alive” or “life,” and “gai,” &hellip
Gyros Mediterranean – Albuquerque, New Mexico
It’s not easy being a gastronome about town when you make less than a thousand dollars a month and have a car payment, rent and a social life. Stationed at Kirtland in the early 1980s, &hellip
M’Tucci’s Moderno – Rio Rancho, New Mexico
“If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere It’s up to you, New York, New York.”
Frank Sinatra Jeff Spiegel, managing partner of the insanely popular M’Tucci’s family of restaurants has described flagship &hellip
Comet II – Santa Rosa, New Mexico
Shake the hand that shook the hand of…The Vitamin Kid. At 87-years young, the Vitamin Kid–once the fastest runner in Guadalupe County–has slowed down just a bit, but he’s still as sharp as a tack, &hellip
Delvin’s Restaurant & Catering – Amarillo, Texas
Throughout its storied history, Amarillo’s culinary reputation has been based primarily on one kind of food: beef. That’s no surprise considering Amarillo-area ranches produce thirty-percent of the nation’s beef and ninety-percent of the beef in &hellip
It’s A Punjabi Affair – Amarillo, Texas
During our last full year at Intel, my friend Bill Resnik and I had the distinct honor and privilege of working on a project with a team from Microsoft comprised mostly of information technology professionals &hellip
The Big Texan Steak Ranch – Amarillo, Texas
If you’ve ever wondered about the meaning of the line “I’ll be lookin’ for eight when they pull that gate” in George Strait’s classic hit Amarillo By Morning, here’s a theory you probably haven’t heard. &hellip
The Golden Light Cafe & Cantina – Amarillo, Texas
Published in 1938, John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath is widely regarded as one of the greatest American novels ever written. Replete with timeless themes of struggle, destitution, injustice, and the pursuit of a delusive “Promised &hellip
Watson’s BBQ – Tucumcari, New Mexico
The Wikipedia article on Eastern New Mexico describes the region as “mostly characterized by flat featureless terrain,” even likening it to West Texas: “Like much of the Llano Estacado region, Eastern New Mexico is largely &hellip
Mama Zahira Foodies – Albuquerque, New Mexico
It’s so easy to be judgmental, to take things at face value…to assume. As my friend Bruce “Sr. Plata” Silver and I approached Mama Zahira Foodies’ order window, we espied the self-deprecating term “The Wacky &hellip
Bamboo Grill – Albuquerque, New Mexico
In his 30s, curmudgeonly London food critic Jay Rayner who’s been called the “enfant terrible (literally “terrifying child) of the gastronomic scene,” came to the realization that he hated hangovers more than he hated being &hellip
S-A Barbecue – Albuquerque, New Mexico
London-based restaurant critic Jay Rayner makes barbecue sound a bit like a scientific process: “the long, virtuous interplay of fire, smoke and time on cow and pig muscle fibre who sees only joyous caramelisation and &hellip
Alicea’s NY Bagels & Subs – Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Imagine a world without sandwiches! That daunting premise would make a pretty fatalistic post-apocalyptic movie in which Dystopian societies exist in a nightmare of deprivation, hopelessness, terror and processed food rations (Soylent Green anyone?). No &hellip
Ruthie’s Bagels – Albuquerque, New Mexico
George: “I came this close last night, and then I just sort of chickened out.” Jerry: “Well, that’s a big move, Georgie boy. Are you confident in the “I love you” return?” George: “Fifty-fifty.” Jerry: &hellip
Kabab House – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Unlike New York City, Albuquerque might not ever truly be mistaken for “a cultural melting pot.” Though numerous ethnicities are scattered throughout the city’s 189.5 square miles, some of their culinary cultures are vastly underrepresented &hellip
Salty Catch – Albuquerque, New Mexico
As children growing up in landlocked and agrarian Peñasco, my siblings and I led a very sheltered life. Our extremely provincial experience with “seafood” was limited to Mrs. Paul’s fish sticks which we dipped in &hellip
Gil's Thrilling (And Filling) Blog
Follow the Culinary Ruminations of New Mexico's Sesquipedalian Sybarite. 1218 Restaurant Reviews, More Than 12,000 Visitor Comments…And Counting!
MAS Tapas Y Vino – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Had Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra written Don Quixote in the 21st century instead of in 1605, the title character’s quest in life might not have been to revive the chivalric virtues and values of adventurous &hellip
Red or Green–New Mexico’s Food Scene is on Fire: May, 2021
Until rather recently Albuquerque’s Lucky Boy was best known for its unique “East meets West” menu offerings of Chinese food and burgers. All that changed for the quintessential mom and pop diner when Lucky Boy had &hellip
Indian Pueblo Kitchen – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Pedro de Castaneda, a Spanish explorer who chronicled Coronado’s expeditions through the southwest from 1540 to 1542 observed that corn, beans, and squash were the main staples of the pueblo diet. Of the three, which &hellip
Tomasita’s – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Much as I like and respect Bob of the Village of Los Ranchos (BOTVOLR), the most prolific commentator on Gil’s Thrilling…naming this blog for him has never been a consideration. Like Bill Richardson, the former &hellip
Antojitos Lupe – Bernalillo, New Mexico
Gustavo Arellano, the brilliant and hilarious author of Ask a Mexican, an erstwhile syndicated satirical weekly newspaper column published mostly in weekly alternative papers, used to be one of my go-to sources of entertainment and information, &hellip
Tikka Hut – Albuquerque, New Mexico
The cynosure of Tikka Hut, an Indian Fusion restaurant on First Street, is a colorful mural that pays tribute to the extraordinary and constantly evolving history of Mexican cuisine. The mural depicts the mesmerizing &hellip
Cocina Azul – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Ever the lexicologist, my first inclination at seeing the mantra “panza llena, corazon contento” emblazoned on any restaurant’s menu is to ponder the veracity of the audacious claim that filling the belly can leave diners &hellip
Two Cranes Bistro and Brew – Albuquerque, New Mexico
As we wended our way along meandering Rio Grande Boulevard, I commented to my Kim, “I sure miss Ichabod and Katrina.” “Colleagues of yours at UNM?,” she asked. “No, not colleagues,” I replied pointing to &hellip
Saigon City – Albuquerque, New Mexico
My brother in blogging Ryan Cook describes his first day in Vietnam: “So, my first stop in Vietnam was the capital, Hanoi. My honest first impressions… what the hell have I let myself in for. &hellip
Tokyo Bangkok – Albuquerque, New Mexico
In 2019, Mastercard published its Global Destination Cities Index which ranked 200 cities around the world with the most international visitors. Topping the list for the fourth consecutive year was Bangkok, Thailand which boasted of &hellip
Poppy’s Pizzeria & Italian Eatery – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Chef-owner Mario D’Elia knew what he’d be in for when he named his new restaurant Poppy’s Pizzeria & Italian Eatery. Legions of Seinfeld fans would undoubtedly joke “Poppy’s a little sloppy,” a reference to Poppie, &hellip
Clowndog Hot Dog Parlor – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Remember the good old days when the only taboo related to the All American hot dog was the felonious act of adding ketchup. In the movie “Sudden Impact,” Clint Eastwood as “Dirty Harry” Callahan &hellip
Rex’s Hamburgers – Albuquerque, New Mexico
From 1988 through 2005, Rex’s Hamburgers stood practically alone in offering Duke City consumers an alternative to the homogeneous gobble-and-go offerings of deep-pocketed fast-food chains like McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s. Rex’s earned and retained &hellip
La Finca Bowls – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Some people just aren’t cut out for the military. The most incompatible among them usually wash out during basic military training, what is often referred to as “boot camp.” Sometimes it’s the rigor of strenuous &hellip
Ironwood Kitchen – Albuquerque, New Mexico
I’m not sure Matt Moody could sell milk to the lactose intolerant or ice to an eskimo, but it would be hard to bet against him. The genial owner of the Ironwood Kitchen on Albuquerque’s &hellip
Garduño’s of Mexico – Albuquerque, New Mexico
All too often faulty premises are based on a lack of information or experience. Take for example, British author Simon Majumdar, a recurring judge on the Food Network’s Next Iron Chef competition who once declared &hellip
Ms. Gennie’s House of Chicken – Albuquerque, New Mexico
My Air Force friend and colleague Al Garcia once shared one of those amusing anecdotes that will leave your head shaking in disbelief even as you’re practically rolling on the floor with laughter. According to &hellip
Rustico Italian Kitchen – Albuquerque, New Mexico
What does it say about a restaurant when it runs out of food? Nine times out of ten, you’d probably say it’s either brand new and doesn’t yet have a feel for its traffic volume &hellip
Mighty Mike’s Meats – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Thank you, Mighty Mike! Thank you for restoring our faith in barbecue just one day after my Kim declared “I don’t want to have barbecue for a long time.” Readers might find it hard to &hellip
The Whole Enchilada – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Perhaps because I was away from the Land of Enchantment for much of my Air Force career, one of my favorite bloggers has long been Lisa Fain, the James Beard award-winning “Homesick Texan.” Like &hellip
Ikigai ABQ – Albuquerque, New Mexico
While ikigai (pronounced ee-key-guy) may sound like what grade school girls called me many years ago, in Japanese the term ikigai is a Japanese concept combining the terms “iki,” meaning “alive” or “life,” and “gai,” &hellip
Gyros Mediterranean – Albuquerque, New Mexico
It’s not easy being a gastronome about town when you make less than a thousand dollars a month and have a car payment, rent and a social life. Stationed at Kirtland in the early 1980s, &hellip
M’Tucci’s Moderno – Rio Rancho, New Mexico
“If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere It’s up to you, New York, New York.”
Frank Sinatra Jeff Spiegel, managing partner of the insanely popular M’Tucci’s family of restaurants has described flagship &hellip
Comet II – Santa Rosa, New Mexico
Shake the hand that shook the hand of…The Vitamin Kid. At 87-years young, the Vitamin Kid–once the fastest runner in Guadalupe County–has slowed down just a bit, but he’s still as sharp as a tack, &hellip
Delvin’s Restaurant & Catering – Amarillo, Texas
Throughout its storied history, Amarillo’s culinary reputation has been based primarily on one kind of food: beef. That’s no surprise considering Amarillo-area ranches produce thirty-percent of the nation’s beef and ninety-percent of the beef in &hellip
It’s A Punjabi Affair – Amarillo, Texas
During our last full year at Intel, my friend Bill Resnik and I had the distinct honor and privilege of working on a project with a team from Microsoft comprised mostly of information technology professionals &hellip
The Big Texan Steak Ranch – Amarillo, Texas
If you’ve ever wondered about the meaning of the line “I’ll be lookin’ for eight when they pull that gate” in George Strait’s classic hit Amarillo By Morning, here’s a theory you probably haven’t heard. &hellip
The Golden Light Cafe & Cantina – Amarillo, Texas
Published in 1938, John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath is widely regarded as one of the greatest American novels ever written. Replete with timeless themes of struggle, destitution, injustice, and the pursuit of a delusive “Promised &hellip
Watson’s BBQ – Tucumcari, New Mexico
The Wikipedia article on Eastern New Mexico describes the region as “mostly characterized by flat featureless terrain,” even likening it to West Texas: “Like much of the Llano Estacado region, Eastern New Mexico is largely &hellip
Mama Zahira Foodies – Albuquerque, New Mexico
It’s so easy to be judgmental, to take things at face value…to assume. As my friend Bruce “Sr. Plata” Silver and I approached Mama Zahira Foodies’ order window, we espied the self-deprecating term “The Wacky &hellip
Bamboo Grill – Albuquerque, New Mexico
In his 30s, curmudgeonly London food critic Jay Rayner who’s been called the “enfant terrible (literally “terrifying child) of the gastronomic scene,” came to the realization that he hated hangovers more than he hated being &hellip
S-A Barbecue – Albuquerque, New Mexico
London-based restaurant critic Jay Rayner makes barbecue sound a bit like a scientific process: “the long, virtuous interplay of fire, smoke and time on cow and pig muscle fibre who sees only joyous caramelisation and &hellip
Alicea’s NY Bagels & Subs – Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Imagine a world without sandwiches! That daunting premise would make a pretty fatalistic post-apocalyptic movie in which Dystopian societies exist in a nightmare of deprivation, hopelessness, terror and processed food rations (Soylent Green anyone?). No &hellip
Ruthie’s Bagels – Albuquerque, New Mexico
George: “I came this close last night, and then I just sort of chickened out.” Jerry: “Well, that’s a big move, Georgie boy. Are you confident in the “I love you” return?” George: “Fifty-fifty.” Jerry: &hellip
Kabab House – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Unlike New York City, Albuquerque might not ever truly be mistaken for “a cultural melting pot.” Though numerous ethnicities are scattered throughout the city’s 189.5 square miles, some of their culinary cultures are vastly underrepresented &hellip
Salty Catch – Albuquerque, New Mexico
As children growing up in landlocked and agrarian Peñasco, my siblings and I led a very sheltered life. Our extremely provincial experience with “seafood” was limited to Mrs. Paul’s fish sticks which we dipped in &hellip
Gil's Thrilling (And Filling) Blog
Follow the Culinary Ruminations of New Mexico's Sesquipedalian Sybarite. 1218 Restaurant Reviews, More Than 12,000 Visitor Comments…And Counting!
MAS Tapas Y Vino – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Had Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra written Don Quixote in the 21st century instead of in 1605, the title character’s quest in life might not have been to revive the chivalric virtues and values of adventurous &hellip
Red or Green–New Mexico’s Food Scene is on Fire: May, 2021
Until rather recently Albuquerque’s Lucky Boy was best known for its unique “East meets West” menu offerings of Chinese food and burgers. All that changed for the quintessential mom and pop diner when Lucky Boy had &hellip
Indian Pueblo Kitchen – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Pedro de Castaneda, a Spanish explorer who chronicled Coronado’s expeditions through the southwest from 1540 to 1542 observed that corn, beans, and squash were the main staples of the pueblo diet. Of the three, which &hellip
Tomasita’s – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Much as I like and respect Bob of the Village of Los Ranchos (BOTVOLR), the most prolific commentator on Gil’s Thrilling…naming this blog for him has never been a consideration. Like Bill Richardson, the former &hellip
Antojitos Lupe – Bernalillo, New Mexico
Gustavo Arellano, the brilliant and hilarious author of Ask a Mexican, an erstwhile syndicated satirical weekly newspaper column published mostly in weekly alternative papers, used to be one of my go-to sources of entertainment and information, &hellip
Tikka Hut – Albuquerque, New Mexico
The cynosure of Tikka Hut, an Indian Fusion restaurant on First Street, is a colorful mural that pays tribute to the extraordinary and constantly evolving history of Mexican cuisine. The mural depicts the mesmerizing &hellip
Cocina Azul – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Ever the lexicologist, my first inclination at seeing the mantra “panza llena, corazon contento” emblazoned on any restaurant’s menu is to ponder the veracity of the audacious claim that filling the belly can leave diners &hellip
Two Cranes Bistro and Brew – Albuquerque, New Mexico
As we wended our way along meandering Rio Grande Boulevard, I commented to my Kim, “I sure miss Ichabod and Katrina.” “Colleagues of yours at UNM?,” she asked. “No, not colleagues,” I replied pointing to &hellip
Saigon City – Albuquerque, New Mexico
My brother in blogging Ryan Cook describes his first day in Vietnam: “So, my first stop in Vietnam was the capital, Hanoi. My honest first impressions… what the hell have I let myself in for. &hellip
Tokyo Bangkok – Albuquerque, New Mexico
In 2019, Mastercard published its Global Destination Cities Index which ranked 200 cities around the world with the most international visitors. Topping the list for the fourth consecutive year was Bangkok, Thailand which boasted of &hellip
Poppy’s Pizzeria & Italian Eatery – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Chef-owner Mario D’Elia knew what he’d be in for when he named his new restaurant Poppy’s Pizzeria & Italian Eatery. Legions of Seinfeld fans would undoubtedly joke “Poppy’s a little sloppy,” a reference to Poppie, &hellip
Clowndog Hot Dog Parlor – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Remember the good old days when the only taboo related to the All American hot dog was the felonious act of adding ketchup. In the movie “Sudden Impact,” Clint Eastwood as “Dirty Harry” Callahan &hellip
Rex’s Hamburgers – Albuquerque, New Mexico
From 1988 through 2005, Rex’s Hamburgers stood practically alone in offering Duke City consumers an alternative to the homogeneous gobble-and-go offerings of deep-pocketed fast-food chains like McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s. Rex’s earned and retained &hellip
La Finca Bowls – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Some people just aren’t cut out for the military. The most incompatible among them usually wash out during basic military training, what is often referred to as “boot camp.” Sometimes it’s the rigor of strenuous &hellip
Ironwood Kitchen – Albuquerque, New Mexico
I’m not sure Matt Moody could sell milk to the lactose intolerant or ice to an eskimo, but it would be hard to bet against him. The genial owner of the Ironwood Kitchen on Albuquerque’s &hellip
Garduño’s of Mexico – Albuquerque, New Mexico
All too often faulty premises are based on a lack of information or experience. Take for example, British author Simon Majumdar, a recurring judge on the Food Network’s Next Iron Chef competition who once declared &hellip
Ms. Gennie’s House of Chicken – Albuquerque, New Mexico
My Air Force friend and colleague Al Garcia once shared one of those amusing anecdotes that will leave your head shaking in disbelief even as you’re practically rolling on the floor with laughter. According to &hellip
Rustico Italian Kitchen – Albuquerque, New Mexico
What does it say about a restaurant when it runs out of food? Nine times out of ten, you’d probably say it’s either brand new and doesn’t yet have a feel for its traffic volume &hellip
Mighty Mike’s Meats – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Thank you, Mighty Mike! Thank you for restoring our faith in barbecue just one day after my Kim declared “I don’t want to have barbecue for a long time.” Readers might find it hard to &hellip
The Whole Enchilada – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Perhaps because I was away from the Land of Enchantment for much of my Air Force career, one of my favorite bloggers has long been Lisa Fain, the James Beard award-winning “Homesick Texan.” Like &hellip
Ikigai ABQ – Albuquerque, New Mexico
While ikigai (pronounced ee-key-guy) may sound like what grade school girls called me many years ago, in Japanese the term ikigai is a Japanese concept combining the terms “iki,” meaning “alive” or “life,” and “gai,” &hellip
Gyros Mediterranean – Albuquerque, New Mexico
It’s not easy being a gastronome about town when you make less than a thousand dollars a month and have a car payment, rent and a social life. Stationed at Kirtland in the early 1980s, &hellip
M’Tucci’s Moderno – Rio Rancho, New Mexico
“If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere It’s up to you, New York, New York.”
Frank Sinatra Jeff Spiegel, managing partner of the insanely popular M’Tucci’s family of restaurants has described flagship &hellip
Comet II – Santa Rosa, New Mexico
Shake the hand that shook the hand of…The Vitamin Kid. At 87-years young, the Vitamin Kid–once the fastest runner in Guadalupe County–has slowed down just a bit, but he’s still as sharp as a tack, &hellip
Delvin’s Restaurant & Catering – Amarillo, Texas
Throughout its storied history, Amarillo’s culinary reputation has been based primarily on one kind of food: beef. That’s no surprise considering Amarillo-area ranches produce thirty-percent of the nation’s beef and ninety-percent of the beef in &hellip
It’s A Punjabi Affair – Amarillo, Texas
During our last full year at Intel, my friend Bill Resnik and I had the distinct honor and privilege of working on a project with a team from Microsoft comprised mostly of information technology professionals &hellip
The Big Texan Steak Ranch – Amarillo, Texas
If you’ve ever wondered about the meaning of the line “I’ll be lookin’ for eight when they pull that gate” in George Strait’s classic hit Amarillo By Morning, here’s a theory you probably haven’t heard. &hellip
The Golden Light Cafe & Cantina – Amarillo, Texas
Published in 1938, John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath is widely regarded as one of the greatest American novels ever written. Replete with timeless themes of struggle, destitution, injustice, and the pursuit of a delusive “Promised &hellip
Watson’s BBQ – Tucumcari, New Mexico
The Wikipedia article on Eastern New Mexico describes the region as “mostly characterized by flat featureless terrain,” even likening it to West Texas: “Like much of the Llano Estacado region, Eastern New Mexico is largely &hellip
Mama Zahira Foodies – Albuquerque, New Mexico
It’s so easy to be judgmental, to take things at face value…to assume. As my friend Bruce “Sr. Plata” Silver and I approached Mama Zahira Foodies’ order window, we espied the self-deprecating term “The Wacky &hellip
Bamboo Grill – Albuquerque, New Mexico
In his 30s, curmudgeonly London food critic Jay Rayner who’s been called the “enfant terrible (literally “terrifying child) of the gastronomic scene,” came to the realization that he hated hangovers more than he hated being &hellip
S-A Barbecue – Albuquerque, New Mexico
London-based restaurant critic Jay Rayner makes barbecue sound a bit like a scientific process: “the long, virtuous interplay of fire, smoke and time on cow and pig muscle fibre who sees only joyous caramelisation and &hellip
Alicea’s NY Bagels & Subs – Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Imagine a world without sandwiches! That daunting premise would make a pretty fatalistic post-apocalyptic movie in which Dystopian societies exist in a nightmare of deprivation, hopelessness, terror and processed food rations (Soylent Green anyone?). No &hellip
Ruthie’s Bagels – Albuquerque, New Mexico
George: “I came this close last night, and then I just sort of chickened out.” Jerry: “Well, that’s a big move, Georgie boy. Are you confident in the “I love you” return?” George: “Fifty-fifty.” Jerry: &hellip
Kabab House – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Unlike New York City, Albuquerque might not ever truly be mistaken for “a cultural melting pot.” Though numerous ethnicities are scattered throughout the city’s 189.5 square miles, some of their culinary cultures are vastly underrepresented &hellip
Salty Catch – Albuquerque, New Mexico
As children growing up in landlocked and agrarian Peñasco, my siblings and I led a very sheltered life. Our extremely provincial experience with “seafood” was limited to Mrs. Paul’s fish sticks which we dipped in &hellip
Gil's Thrilling (And Filling) Blog
Follow the Culinary Ruminations of New Mexico's Sesquipedalian Sybarite. 1218 Restaurant Reviews, More Than 12,000 Visitor Comments…And Counting!
MAS Tapas Y Vino – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Had Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra written Don Quixote in the 21st century instead of in 1605, the title character’s quest in life might not have been to revive the chivalric virtues and values of adventurous &hellip
Red or Green–New Mexico’s Food Scene is on Fire: May, 2021
Until rather recently Albuquerque’s Lucky Boy was best known for its unique “East meets West” menu offerings of Chinese food and burgers. All that changed for the quintessential mom and pop diner when Lucky Boy had &hellip
Indian Pueblo Kitchen – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Pedro de Castaneda, a Spanish explorer who chronicled Coronado’s expeditions through the southwest from 1540 to 1542 observed that corn, beans, and squash were the main staples of the pueblo diet. Of the three, which &hellip
Tomasita’s – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Much as I like and respect Bob of the Village of Los Ranchos (BOTVOLR), the most prolific commentator on Gil’s Thrilling…naming this blog for him has never been a consideration. Like Bill Richardson, the former &hellip
Antojitos Lupe – Bernalillo, New Mexico
Gustavo Arellano, the brilliant and hilarious author of Ask a Mexican, an erstwhile syndicated satirical weekly newspaper column published mostly in weekly alternative papers, used to be one of my go-to sources of entertainment and information, &hellip
Tikka Hut – Albuquerque, New Mexico
The cynosure of Tikka Hut, an Indian Fusion restaurant on First Street, is a colorful mural that pays tribute to the extraordinary and constantly evolving history of Mexican cuisine. The mural depicts the mesmerizing &hellip
Cocina Azul – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Ever the lexicologist, my first inclination at seeing the mantra “panza llena, corazon contento” emblazoned on any restaurant’s menu is to ponder the veracity of the audacious claim that filling the belly can leave diners &hellip
Two Cranes Bistro and Brew – Albuquerque, New Mexico
As we wended our way along meandering Rio Grande Boulevard, I commented to my Kim, “I sure miss Ichabod and Katrina.” “Colleagues of yours at UNM?,” she asked. “No, not colleagues,” I replied pointing to &hellip
Saigon City – Albuquerque, New Mexico
My brother in blogging Ryan Cook describes his first day in Vietnam: “So, my first stop in Vietnam was the capital, Hanoi. My honest first impressions… what the hell have I let myself in for. &hellip
Tokyo Bangkok – Albuquerque, New Mexico
In 2019, Mastercard published its Global Destination Cities Index which ranked 200 cities around the world with the most international visitors. Topping the list for the fourth consecutive year was Bangkok, Thailand which boasted of &hellip
Poppy’s Pizzeria & Italian Eatery – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Chef-owner Mario D’Elia knew what he’d be in for when he named his new restaurant Poppy’s Pizzeria & Italian Eatery. Legions of Seinfeld fans would undoubtedly joke “Poppy’s a little sloppy,” a reference to Poppie, &hellip
Clowndog Hot Dog Parlor – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Remember the good old days when the only taboo related to the All American hot dog was the felonious act of adding ketchup. In the movie “Sudden Impact,” Clint Eastwood as “Dirty Harry” Callahan &hellip
Rex’s Hamburgers – Albuquerque, New Mexico
From 1988 through 2005, Rex’s Hamburgers stood practically alone in offering Duke City consumers an alternative to the homogeneous gobble-and-go offerings of deep-pocketed fast-food chains like McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s. Rex’s earned and retained &hellip
La Finca Bowls – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Some people just aren’t cut out for the military. The most incompatible among them usually wash out during basic military training, what is often referred to as “boot camp.” Sometimes it’s the rigor of strenuous &hellip
Ironwood Kitchen – Albuquerque, New Mexico
I’m not sure Matt Moody could sell milk to the lactose intolerant or ice to an eskimo, but it would be hard to bet against him. The genial owner of the Ironwood Kitchen on Albuquerque’s &hellip
Garduño’s of Mexico – Albuquerque, New Mexico
All too often faulty premises are based on a lack of information or experience. Take for example, British author Simon Majumdar, a recurring judge on the Food Network’s Next Iron Chef competition who once declared &hellip
Ms. Gennie’s House of Chicken – Albuquerque, New Mexico
My Air Force friend and colleague Al Garcia once shared one of those amusing anecdotes that will leave your head shaking in disbelief even as you’re practically rolling on the floor with laughter. According to &hellip
Rustico Italian Kitchen – Albuquerque, New Mexico
What does it say about a restaurant when it runs out of food? Nine times out of ten, you’d probably say it’s either brand new and doesn’t yet have a feel for its traffic volume &hellip
Mighty Mike’s Meats – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Thank you, Mighty Mike! Thank you for restoring our faith in barbecue just one day after my Kim declared “I don’t want to have barbecue for a long time.” Readers might find it hard to &hellip
The Whole Enchilada – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Perhaps because I was away from the Land of Enchantment for much of my Air Force career, one of my favorite bloggers has long been Lisa Fain, the James Beard award-winning “Homesick Texan.” Like &hellip
Ikigai ABQ – Albuquerque, New Mexico
While ikigai (pronounced ee-key-guy) may sound like what grade school girls called me many years ago, in Japanese the term ikigai is a Japanese concept combining the terms “iki,” meaning “alive” or “life,” and “gai,” &hellip
Gyros Mediterranean – Albuquerque, New Mexico
It’s not easy being a gastronome about town when you make less than a thousand dollars a month and have a car payment, rent and a social life. Stationed at Kirtland in the early 1980s, &hellip
M’Tucci’s Moderno – Rio Rancho, New Mexico
“If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere It’s up to you, New York, New York.”
Frank Sinatra Jeff Spiegel, managing partner of the insanely popular M’Tucci’s family of restaurants has described flagship &hellip
Comet II – Santa Rosa, New Mexico
Shake the hand that shook the hand of…The Vitamin Kid. At 87-years young, the Vitamin Kid–once the fastest runner in Guadalupe County–has slowed down just a bit, but he’s still as sharp as a tack, &hellip
Delvin’s Restaurant & Catering – Amarillo, Texas
Throughout its storied history, Amarillo’s culinary reputation has been based primarily on one kind of food: beef. That’s no surprise considering Amarillo-area ranches produce thirty-percent of the nation’s beef and ninety-percent of the beef in &hellip
It’s A Punjabi Affair – Amarillo, Texas
During our last full year at Intel, my friend Bill Resnik and I had the distinct honor and privilege of working on a project with a team from Microsoft comprised mostly of information technology professionals &hellip
The Big Texan Steak Ranch – Amarillo, Texas
If you’ve ever wondered about the meaning of the line “I’ll be lookin’ for eight when they pull that gate” in George Strait’s classic hit Amarillo By Morning, here’s a theory you probably haven’t heard. &hellip
The Golden Light Cafe & Cantina – Amarillo, Texas
Published in 1938, John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath is widely regarded as one of the greatest American novels ever written. Replete with timeless themes of struggle, destitution, injustice, and the pursuit of a delusive “Promised &hellip
Watson’s BBQ – Tucumcari, New Mexico
The Wikipedia article on Eastern New Mexico describes the region as “mostly characterized by flat featureless terrain,” even likening it to West Texas: “Like much of the Llano Estacado region, Eastern New Mexico is largely &hellip
Mama Zahira Foodies – Albuquerque, New Mexico
It’s so easy to be judgmental, to take things at face value…to assume. As my friend Bruce “Sr. Plata” Silver and I approached Mama Zahira Foodies’ order window, we espied the self-deprecating term “The Wacky &hellip
Bamboo Grill – Albuquerque, New Mexico
In his 30s, curmudgeonly London food critic Jay Rayner who’s been called the “enfant terrible (literally “terrifying child) of the gastronomic scene,” came to the realization that he hated hangovers more than he hated being &hellip
S-A Barbecue – Albuquerque, New Mexico
London-based restaurant critic Jay Rayner makes barbecue sound a bit like a scientific process: “the long, virtuous interplay of fire, smoke and time on cow and pig muscle fibre who sees only joyous caramelisation and &hellip
Alicea’s NY Bagels & Subs – Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Imagine a world without sandwiches! That daunting premise would make a pretty fatalistic post-apocalyptic movie in which Dystopian societies exist in a nightmare of deprivation, hopelessness, terror and processed food rations (Soylent Green anyone?). No &hellip
Ruthie’s Bagels – Albuquerque, New Mexico
George: “I came this close last night, and then I just sort of chickened out.” Jerry: “Well, that’s a big move, Georgie boy. Are you confident in the “I love you” return?” George: “Fifty-fifty.” Jerry: &hellip
Kabab House – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Unlike New York City, Albuquerque might not ever truly be mistaken for “a cultural melting pot.” Though numerous ethnicities are scattered throughout the city’s 189.5 square miles, some of their culinary cultures are vastly underrepresented &hellip
Salty Catch – Albuquerque, New Mexico
As children growing up in landlocked and agrarian Peñasco, my siblings and I led a very sheltered life. Our extremely provincial experience with “seafood” was limited to Mrs. Paul’s fish sticks which we dipped in &hellip
Gil's Thrilling (And Filling) Blog
Follow the Culinary Ruminations of New Mexico's Sesquipedalian Sybarite. 1218 Restaurant Reviews, More Than 12,000 Visitor Comments…And Counting!
MAS Tapas Y Vino – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Had Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra written Don Quixote in the 21st century instead of in 1605, the title character’s quest in life might not have been to revive the chivalric virtues and values of adventurous &hellip
Red or Green–New Mexico’s Food Scene is on Fire: May, 2021
Until rather recently Albuquerque’s Lucky Boy was best known for its unique “East meets West” menu offerings of Chinese food and burgers. All that changed for the quintessential mom and pop diner when Lucky Boy had &hellip
Indian Pueblo Kitchen – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Pedro de Castaneda, a Spanish explorer who chronicled Coronado’s expeditions through the southwest from 1540 to 1542 observed that corn, beans, and squash were the main staples of the pueblo diet. Of the three, which &hellip
Tomasita’s – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Much as I like and respect Bob of the Village of Los Ranchos (BOTVOLR), the most prolific commentator on Gil’s Thrilling…naming this blog for him has never been a consideration. Like Bill Richardson, the former &hellip
Antojitos Lupe – Bernalillo, New Mexico
Gustavo Arellano, the brilliant and hilarious author of Ask a Mexican, an erstwhile syndicated satirical weekly newspaper column published mostly in weekly alternative papers, used to be one of my go-to sources of entertainment and information, &hellip
Tikka Hut – Albuquerque, New Mexico
The cynosure of Tikka Hut, an Indian Fusion restaurant on First Street, is a colorful mural that pays tribute to the extraordinary and constantly evolving history of Mexican cuisine. The mural depicts the mesmerizing &hellip
Cocina Azul – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Ever the lexicologist, my first inclination at seeing the mantra “panza llena, corazon contento” emblazoned on any restaurant’s menu is to ponder the veracity of the audacious claim that filling the belly can leave diners &hellip
Two Cranes Bistro and Brew – Albuquerque, New Mexico
As we wended our way along meandering Rio Grande Boulevard, I commented to my Kim, “I sure miss Ichabod and Katrina.” “Colleagues of yours at UNM?,” she asked. “No, not colleagues,” I replied pointing to &hellip
Saigon City – Albuquerque, New Mexico
My brother in blogging Ryan Cook describes his first day in Vietnam: “So, my first stop in Vietnam was the capital, Hanoi. My honest first impressions… what the hell have I let myself in for. &hellip
Tokyo Bangkok – Albuquerque, New Mexico
In 2019, Mastercard published its Global Destination Cities Index which ranked 200 cities around the world with the most international visitors. Topping the list for the fourth consecutive year was Bangkok, Thailand which boasted of &hellip
Poppy’s Pizzeria & Italian Eatery – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Chef-owner Mario D’Elia knew what he’d be in for when he named his new restaurant Poppy’s Pizzeria & Italian Eatery. Legions of Seinfeld fans would undoubtedly joke “Poppy’s a little sloppy,” a reference to Poppie, &hellip
Clowndog Hot Dog Parlor – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Remember the good old days when the only taboo related to the All American hot dog was the felonious act of adding ketchup. In the movie “Sudden Impact,” Clint Eastwood as “Dirty Harry” Callahan &hellip
Rex’s Hamburgers – Albuquerque, New Mexico
From 1988 through 2005, Rex’s Hamburgers stood practically alone in offering Duke City consumers an alternative to the homogeneous gobble-and-go offerings of deep-pocketed fast-food chains like McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s. Rex’s earned and retained &hellip
La Finca Bowls – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Some people just aren’t cut out for the military. The most incompatible among them usually wash out during basic military training, what is often referred to as “boot camp.” Sometimes it’s the rigor of strenuous &hellip
Ironwood Kitchen – Albuquerque, New Mexico
I’m not sure Matt Moody could sell milk to the lactose intolerant or ice to an eskimo, but it would be hard to bet against him. The genial owner of the Ironwood Kitchen on Albuquerque’s &hellip
Garduño’s of Mexico – Albuquerque, New Mexico
All too often faulty premises are based on a lack of information or experience. Take for example, British author Simon Majumdar, a recurring judge on the Food Network’s Next Iron Chef competition who once declared &hellip
Ms. Gennie’s House of Chicken – Albuquerque, New Mexico
My Air Force friend and colleague Al Garcia once shared one of those amusing anecdotes that will leave your head shaking in disbelief even as you’re practically rolling on the floor with laughter. According to &hellip
Rustico Italian Kitchen – Albuquerque, New Mexico
What does it say about a restaurant when it runs out of food? Nine times out of ten, you’d probably say it’s either brand new and doesn’t yet have a feel for its traffic volume &hellip
Mighty Mike’s Meats – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Thank you, Mighty Mike! Thank you for restoring our faith in barbecue just one day after my Kim declared “I don’t want to have barbecue for a long time.” Readers might find it hard to &hellip
The Whole Enchilada – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Perhaps because I was away from the Land of Enchantment for much of my Air Force career, one of my favorite bloggers has long been Lisa Fain, the James Beard award-winning “Homesick Texan.” Like &hellip
Ikigai ABQ – Albuquerque, New Mexico
While ikigai (pronounced ee-key-guy) may sound like what grade school girls called me many years ago, in Japanese the term ikigai is a Japanese concept combining the terms “iki,” meaning “alive” or “life,” and “gai,” &hellip
Gyros Mediterranean – Albuquerque, New Mexico
It’s not easy being a gastronome about town when you make less than a thousand dollars a month and have a car payment, rent and a social life. Stationed at Kirtland in the early 1980s, &hellip
M’Tucci’s Moderno – Rio Rancho, New Mexico
“If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere It’s up to you, New York, New York.”
Frank Sinatra Jeff Spiegel, managing partner of the insanely popular M’Tucci’s family of restaurants has described flagship &hellip
Comet II – Santa Rosa, New Mexico
Shake the hand that shook the hand of…The Vitamin Kid. At 87-years young, the Vitamin Kid–once the fastest runner in Guadalupe County–has slowed down just a bit, but he’s still as sharp as a tack, &hellip
Delvin’s Restaurant & Catering – Amarillo, Texas
Throughout its storied history, Amarillo’s culinary reputation has been based primarily on one kind of food: beef. That’s no surprise considering Amarillo-area ranches produce thirty-percent of the nation’s beef and ninety-percent of the beef in &hellip
It’s A Punjabi Affair – Amarillo, Texas
During our last full year at Intel, my friend Bill Resnik and I had the distinct honor and privilege of working on a project with a team from Microsoft comprised mostly of information technology professionals &hellip
The Big Texan Steak Ranch – Amarillo, Texas
If you’ve ever wondered about the meaning of the line “I’ll be lookin’ for eight when they pull that gate” in George Strait’s classic hit Amarillo By Morning, here’s a theory you probably haven’t heard. &hellip
The Golden Light Cafe & Cantina – Amarillo, Texas
Published in 1938, John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath is widely regarded as one of the greatest American novels ever written. Replete with timeless themes of struggle, destitution, injustice, and the pursuit of a delusive “Promised &hellip
Watson’s BBQ – Tucumcari, New Mexico
The Wikipedia article on Eastern New Mexico describes the region as “mostly characterized by flat featureless terrain,” even likening it to West Texas: “Like much of the Llano Estacado region, Eastern New Mexico is largely &hellip
Mama Zahira Foodies – Albuquerque, New Mexico
It’s so easy to be judgmental, to take things at face value…to assume. As my friend Bruce “Sr. Plata” Silver and I approached Mama Zahira Foodies’ order window, we espied the self-deprecating term “The Wacky &hellip
Bamboo Grill – Albuquerque, New Mexico
In his 30s, curmudgeonly London food critic Jay Rayner who’s been called the “enfant terrible (literally “terrifying child) of the gastronomic scene,” came to the realization that he hated hangovers more than he hated being &hellip
S-A Barbecue – Albuquerque, New Mexico
London-based restaurant critic Jay Rayner makes barbecue sound a bit like a scientific process: “the long, virtuous interplay of fire, smoke and time on cow and pig muscle fibre who sees only joyous caramelisation and &hellip
Alicea’s NY Bagels & Subs – Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Imagine a world without sandwiches! That daunting premise would make a pretty fatalistic post-apocalyptic movie in which Dystopian societies exist in a nightmare of deprivation, hopelessness, terror and processed food rations (Soylent Green anyone?). No &hellip
Ruthie’s Bagels – Albuquerque, New Mexico
George: “I came this close last night, and then I just sort of chickened out.” Jerry: “Well, that’s a big move, Georgie boy. Are you confident in the “I love you” return?” George: “Fifty-fifty.” Jerry: &hellip
Kabab House – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Unlike New York City, Albuquerque might not ever truly be mistaken for “a cultural melting pot.” Though numerous ethnicities are scattered throughout the city’s 189.5 square miles, some of their culinary cultures are vastly underrepresented &hellip
Salty Catch – Albuquerque, New Mexico
As children growing up in landlocked and agrarian Peñasco, my siblings and I led a very sheltered life. Our extremely provincial experience with “seafood” was limited to Mrs. Paul’s fish sticks which we dipped in &hellip
Gil's Thrilling (And Filling) Blog
Follow the Culinary Ruminations of New Mexico's Sesquipedalian Sybarite. 1218 Restaurant Reviews, More Than 12,000 Visitor Comments…And Counting!
MAS Tapas Y Vino – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Had Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra written Don Quixote in the 21st century instead of in 1605, the title character’s quest in life might not have been to revive the chivalric virtues and values of adventurous &hellip
Red or Green–New Mexico’s Food Scene is on Fire: May, 2021
Until rather recently Albuquerque’s Lucky Boy was best known for its unique “East meets West” menu offerings of Chinese food and burgers. All that changed for the quintessential mom and pop diner when Lucky Boy had &hellip
Indian Pueblo Kitchen – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Pedro de Castaneda, a Spanish explorer who chronicled Coronado’s expeditions through the southwest from 1540 to 1542 observed that corn, beans, and squash were the main staples of the pueblo diet. Of the three, which &hellip
Tomasita’s – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Much as I like and respect Bob of the Village of Los Ranchos (BOTVOLR), the most prolific commentator on Gil’s Thrilling…naming this blog for him has never been a consideration. Like Bill Richardson, the former &hellip
Antojitos Lupe – Bernalillo, New Mexico
Gustavo Arellano, the brilliant and hilarious author of Ask a Mexican, an erstwhile syndicated satirical weekly newspaper column published mostly in weekly alternative papers, used to be one of my go-to sources of entertainment and information, &hellip
Tikka Hut – Albuquerque, New Mexico
The cynosure of Tikka Hut, an Indian Fusion restaurant on First Street, is a colorful mural that pays tribute to the extraordinary and constantly evolving history of Mexican cuisine. The mural depicts the mesmerizing &hellip
Cocina Azul – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Ever the lexicologist, my first inclination at seeing the mantra “panza llena, corazon contento” emblazoned on any restaurant’s menu is to ponder the veracity of the audacious claim that filling the belly can leave diners &hellip
Two Cranes Bistro and Brew – Albuquerque, New Mexico
As we wended our way along meandering Rio Grande Boulevard, I commented to my Kim, “I sure miss Ichabod and Katrina.” “Colleagues of yours at UNM?,” she asked. “No, not colleagues,” I replied pointing to &hellip
Saigon City – Albuquerque, New Mexico
My brother in blogging Ryan Cook describes his first day in Vietnam: “So, my first stop in Vietnam was the capital, Hanoi. My honest first impressions… what the hell have I let myself in for. &hellip
Tokyo Bangkok – Albuquerque, New Mexico
In 2019, Mastercard published its Global Destination Cities Index which ranked 200 cities around the world with the most international visitors. Topping the list for the fourth consecutive year was Bangkok, Thailand which boasted of &hellip
Poppy’s Pizzeria & Italian Eatery – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Chef-owner Mario D’Elia knew what he’d be in for when he named his new restaurant Poppy’s Pizzeria & Italian Eatery. Legions of Seinfeld fans would undoubtedly joke “Poppy’s a little sloppy,” a reference to Poppie, &hellip
Clowndog Hot Dog Parlor – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Remember the good old days when the only taboo related to the All American hot dog was the felonious act of adding ketchup. In the movie “Sudden Impact,” Clint Eastwood as “Dirty Harry” Callahan &hellip
Rex’s Hamburgers – Albuquerque, New Mexico
From 1988 through 2005, Rex’s Hamburgers stood practically alone in offering Duke City consumers an alternative to the homogeneous gobble-and-go offerings of deep-pocketed fast-food chains like McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s. Rex’s earned and retained &hellip
La Finca Bowls – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Some people just aren’t cut out for the military. The most incompatible among them usually wash out during basic military training, what is often referred to as “boot camp.” Sometimes it’s the rigor of strenuous &hellip
Ironwood Kitchen – Albuquerque, New Mexico
I’m not sure Matt Moody could sell milk to the lactose intolerant or ice to an eskimo, but it would be hard to bet against him. The genial owner of the Ironwood Kitchen on Albuquerque’s &hellip
Garduño’s of Mexico – Albuquerque, New Mexico
All too often faulty premises are based on a lack of information or experience. Take for example, British author Simon Majumdar, a recurring judge on the Food Network’s Next Iron Chef competition who once declared &hellip
Ms. Gennie’s House of Chicken – Albuquerque, New Mexico
My Air Force friend and colleague Al Garcia once shared one of those amusing anecdotes that will leave your head shaking in disbelief even as you’re practically rolling on the floor with laughter. According to &hellip
Rustico Italian Kitchen – Albuquerque, New Mexico
What does it say about a restaurant when it runs out of food? Nine times out of ten, you’d probably say it’s either brand new and doesn’t yet have a feel for its traffic volume &hellip
Mighty Mike’s Meats – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Thank you, Mighty Mike! Thank you for restoring our faith in barbecue just one day after my Kim declared “I don’t want to have barbecue for a long time.” Readers might find it hard to &hellip
The Whole Enchilada – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Perhaps because I was away from the Land of Enchantment for much of my Air Force career, one of my favorite bloggers has long been Lisa Fain, the James Beard award-winning “Homesick Texan.” Like &hellip
Ikigai ABQ – Albuquerque, New Mexico
While ikigai (pronounced ee-key-guy) may sound like what grade school girls called me many years ago, in Japanese the term ikigai is a Japanese concept combining the terms “iki,” meaning “alive” or “life,” and “gai,” &hellip
Gyros Mediterranean – Albuquerque, New Mexico
It’s not easy being a gastronome about town when you make less than a thousand dollars a month and have a car payment, rent and a social life. Stationed at Kirtland in the early 1980s, &hellip
M’Tucci’s Moderno – Rio Rancho, New Mexico
“If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere It’s up to you, New York, New York.”
Frank Sinatra Jeff Spiegel, managing partner of the insanely popular M’Tucci’s family of restaurants has described flagship &hellip
Comet II – Santa Rosa, New Mexico
Shake the hand that shook the hand of…The Vitamin Kid. At 87-years young, the Vitamin Kid–once the fastest runner in Guadalupe County–has slowed down just a bit, but he’s still as sharp as a tack, &hellip
Delvin’s Restaurant & Catering – Amarillo, Texas
Throughout its storied history, Amarillo’s culinary reputation has been based primarily on one kind of food: beef. That’s no surprise considering Amarillo-area ranches produce thirty-percent of the nation’s beef and ninety-percent of the beef in &hellip
It’s A Punjabi Affair – Amarillo, Texas
During our last full year at Intel, my friend Bill Resnik and I had the distinct honor and privilege of working on a project with a team from Microsoft comprised mostly of information technology professionals &hellip
The Big Texan Steak Ranch – Amarillo, Texas
If you’ve ever wondered about the meaning of the line “I’ll be lookin’ for eight when they pull that gate” in George Strait’s classic hit Amarillo By Morning, here’s a theory you probably haven’t heard. &hellip
The Golden Light Cafe & Cantina – Amarillo, Texas
Published in 1938, John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath is widely regarded as one of the greatest American novels ever written. Replete with timeless themes of struggle, destitution, injustice, and the pursuit of a delusive “Promised &hellip
Watson’s BBQ – Tucumcari, New Mexico
The Wikipedia article on Eastern New Mexico describes the region as “mostly characterized by flat featureless terrain,” even likening it to West Texas: “Like much of the Llano Estacado region, Eastern New Mexico is largely &hellip
Mama Zahira Foodies – Albuquerque, New Mexico
It’s so easy to be judgmental, to take things at face value…to assume. As my friend Bruce “Sr. Plata” Silver and I approached Mama Zahira Foodies’ order window, we espied the self-deprecating term “The Wacky &hellip
Bamboo Grill – Albuquerque, New Mexico
In his 30s, curmudgeonly London food critic Jay Rayner who’s been called the “enfant terrible (literally “terrifying child) of the gastronomic scene,” came to the realization that he hated hangovers more than he hated being &hellip
S-A Barbecue – Albuquerque, New Mexico
London-based restaurant critic Jay Rayner makes barbecue sound a bit like a scientific process: “the long, virtuous interplay of fire, smoke and time on cow and pig muscle fibre who sees only joyous caramelisation and &hellip
Alicea’s NY Bagels & Subs – Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Imagine a world without sandwiches! That daunting premise would make a pretty fatalistic post-apocalyptic movie in which Dystopian societies exist in a nightmare of deprivation, hopelessness, terror and processed food rations (Soylent Green anyone?). No &hellip
Ruthie’s Bagels – Albuquerque, New Mexico
George: “I came this close last night, and then I just sort of chickened out.” Jerry: “Well, that’s a big move, Georgie boy. Are you confident in the “I love you” return?” George: “Fifty-fifty.” Jerry: &hellip
Kabab House – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Unlike New York City, Albuquerque might not ever truly be mistaken for “a cultural melting pot.” Though numerous ethnicities are scattered throughout the city’s 189.5 square miles, some of their culinary cultures are vastly underrepresented &hellip
Salty Catch – Albuquerque, New Mexico
As children growing up in landlocked and agrarian Peñasco, my siblings and I led a very sheltered life. Our extremely provincial experience with “seafood” was limited to Mrs. Paul’s fish sticks which we dipped in &hellip
Gil's Thrilling (And Filling) Blog
Follow the Culinary Ruminations of New Mexico's Sesquipedalian Sybarite. 1218 Restaurant Reviews, More Than 12,000 Visitor Comments…And Counting!
MAS Tapas Y Vino – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Had Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra written Don Quixote in the 21st century instead of in 1605, the title character’s quest in life might not have been to revive the chivalric virtues and values of adventurous &hellip
Red or Green–New Mexico’s Food Scene is on Fire: May, 2021
Until rather recently Albuquerque’s Lucky Boy was best known for its unique “East meets West” menu offerings of Chinese food and burgers. All that changed for the quintessential mom and pop diner when Lucky Boy had &hellip
Indian Pueblo Kitchen – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Pedro de Castaneda, a Spanish explorer who chronicled Coronado’s expeditions through the southwest from 1540 to 1542 observed that corn, beans, and squash were the main staples of the pueblo diet. Of the three, which &hellip
Tomasita’s – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Much as I like and respect Bob of the Village of Los Ranchos (BOTVOLR), the most prolific commentator on Gil’s Thrilling…naming this blog for him has never been a consideration. Like Bill Richardson, the former &hellip
Antojitos Lupe – Bernalillo, New Mexico
Gustavo Arellano, the brilliant and hilarious author of Ask a Mexican, an erstwhile syndicated satirical weekly newspaper column published mostly in weekly alternative papers, used to be one of my go-to sources of entertainment and information, &hellip
Tikka Hut – Albuquerque, New Mexico
The cynosure of Tikka Hut, an Indian Fusion restaurant on First Street, is a colorful mural that pays tribute to the extraordinary and constantly evolving history of Mexican cuisine. The mural depicts the mesmerizing &hellip
Cocina Azul – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Ever the lexicologist, my first inclination at seeing the mantra “panza llena, corazon contento” emblazoned on any restaurant’s menu is to ponder the veracity of the audacious claim that filling the belly can leave diners &hellip
Two Cranes Bistro and Brew – Albuquerque, New Mexico
As we wended our way along meandering Rio Grande Boulevard, I commented to my Kim, “I sure miss Ichabod and Katrina.” “Colleagues of yours at UNM?,” she asked. “No, not colleagues,” I replied pointing to &hellip
Saigon City – Albuquerque, New Mexico
My brother in blogging Ryan Cook describes his first day in Vietnam: “So, my first stop in Vietnam was the capital, Hanoi. My honest first impressions… what the hell have I let myself in for. &hellip
Tokyo Bangkok – Albuquerque, New Mexico
In 2019, Mastercard published its Global Destination Cities Index which ranked 200 cities around the world with the most international visitors. Topping the list for the fourth consecutive year was Bangkok, Thailand which boasted of &hellip
Poppy’s Pizzeria & Italian Eatery – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Chef-owner Mario D’Elia knew what he’d be in for when he named his new restaurant Poppy’s Pizzeria & Italian Eatery. Legions of Seinfeld fans would undoubtedly joke “Poppy’s a little sloppy,” a reference to Poppie, &hellip
Clowndog Hot Dog Parlor – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Remember the good old days when the only taboo related to the All American hot dog was the felonious act of adding ketchup. In the movie “Sudden Impact,” Clint Eastwood as “Dirty Harry” Callahan &hellip
Rex’s Hamburgers – Albuquerque, New Mexico
From 1988 through 2005, Rex’s Hamburgers stood practically alone in offering Duke City consumers an alternative to the homogeneous gobble-and-go offerings of deep-pocketed fast-food chains like McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s. Rex’s earned and retained &hellip
La Finca Bowls – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Some people just aren’t cut out for the military. The most incompatible among them usually wash out during basic military training, what is often referred to as “boot camp.” Sometimes it’s the rigor of strenuous &hellip
Ironwood Kitchen – Albuquerque, New Mexico
I’m not sure Matt Moody could sell milk to the lactose intolerant or ice to an eskimo, but it would be hard to bet against him. The genial owner of the Ironwood Kitchen on Albuquerque’s &hellip
Garduño’s of Mexico – Albuquerque, New Mexico
All too often faulty premises are based on a lack of information or experience. Take for example, British author Simon Majumdar, a recurring judge on the Food Network’s Next Iron Chef competition who once declared &hellip
Ms. Gennie’s House of Chicken – Albuquerque, New Mexico
My Air Force friend and colleague Al Garcia once shared one of those amusing anecdotes that will leave your head shaking in disbelief even as you’re practically rolling on the floor with laughter. According to &hellip
Rustico Italian Kitchen – Albuquerque, New Mexico
What does it say about a restaurant when it runs out of food? Nine times out of ten, you’d probably say it’s either brand new and doesn’t yet have a feel for its traffic volume &hellip
Mighty Mike’s Meats – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Thank you, Mighty Mike! Thank you for restoring our faith in barbecue just one day after my Kim declared “I don’t want to have barbecue for a long time.” Readers might find it hard to &hellip
The Whole Enchilada – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Perhaps because I was away from the Land of Enchantment for much of my Air Force career, one of my favorite bloggers has long been Lisa Fain, the James Beard award-winning “Homesick Texan.” Like &hellip
Ikigai ABQ – Albuquerque, New Mexico
While ikigai (pronounced ee-key-guy) may sound like what grade school girls called me many years ago, in Japanese the term ikigai is a Japanese concept combining the terms “iki,” meaning “alive” or “life,” and “gai,” &hellip
Gyros Mediterranean – Albuquerque, New Mexico
It’s not easy being a gastronome about town when you make less than a thousand dollars a month and have a car payment, rent and a social life. Stationed at Kirtland in the early 1980s, &hellip
M’Tucci’s Moderno – Rio Rancho, New Mexico
“If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere It’s up to you, New York, New York.”
Frank Sinatra Jeff Spiegel, managing partner of the insanely popular M’Tucci’s family of restaurants has described flagship &hellip
Comet II – Santa Rosa, New Mexico
Shake the hand that shook the hand of…The Vitamin Kid. At 87-years young, the Vitamin Kid–once the fastest runner in Guadalupe County–has slowed down just a bit, but he’s still as sharp as a tack, &hellip
Delvin’s Restaurant & Catering – Amarillo, Texas
Throughout its storied history, Amarillo’s culinary reputation has been based primarily on one kind of food: beef. That’s no surprise considering Amarillo-area ranches produce thirty-percent of the nation’s beef and ninety-percent of the beef in &hellip
It’s A Punjabi Affair – Amarillo, Texas
During our last full year at Intel, my friend Bill Resnik and I had the distinct honor and privilege of working on a project with a team from Microsoft comprised mostly of information technology professionals &hellip
The Big Texan Steak Ranch – Amarillo, Texas
If you’ve ever wondered about the meaning of the line “I’ll be lookin’ for eight when they pull that gate” in George Strait’s classic hit Amarillo By Morning, here’s a theory you probably haven’t heard. &hellip
The Golden Light Cafe & Cantina – Amarillo, Texas
Published in 1938, John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath is widely regarded as one of the greatest American novels ever written. Replete with timeless themes of struggle, destitution, injustice, and the pursuit of a delusive “Promised &hellip
Watson’s BBQ – Tucumcari, New Mexico
The Wikipedia article on Eastern New Mexico describes the region as “mostly characterized by flat featureless terrain,” even likening it to West Texas: “Like much of the Llano Estacado region, Eastern New Mexico is largely &hellip
Mama Zahira Foodies – Albuquerque, New Mexico
It’s so easy to be judgmental, to take things at face value…to assume. As my friend Bruce “Sr. Plata” Silver and I approached Mama Zahira Foodies’ order window, we espied the self-deprecating term “The Wacky &hellip
Bamboo Grill – Albuquerque, New Mexico
In his 30s, curmudgeonly London food critic Jay Rayner who’s been called the “enfant terrible (literally “terrifying child) of the gastronomic scene,” came to the realization that he hated hangovers more than he hated being &hellip
S-A Barbecue – Albuquerque, New Mexico
London-based restaurant critic Jay Rayner makes barbecue sound a bit like a scientific process: “the long, virtuous interplay of fire, smoke and time on cow and pig muscle fibre who sees only joyous caramelisation and &hellip
Alicea’s NY Bagels & Subs – Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Imagine a world without sandwiches! That daunting premise would make a pretty fatalistic post-apocalyptic movie in which Dystopian societies exist in a nightmare of deprivation, hopelessness, terror and processed food rations (Soylent Green anyone?). No &hellip
Ruthie’s Bagels – Albuquerque, New Mexico
George: “I came this close last night, and then I just sort of chickened out.” Jerry: “Well, that’s a big move, Georgie boy. Are you confident in the “I love you” return?” George: “Fifty-fifty.” Jerry: &hellip
Kabab House – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Unlike New York City, Albuquerque might not ever truly be mistaken for “a cultural melting pot.” Though numerous ethnicities are scattered throughout the city’s 189.5 square miles, some of their culinary cultures are vastly underrepresented &hellip
Salty Catch – Albuquerque, New Mexico
As children growing up in landlocked and agrarian Peñasco, my siblings and I led a very sheltered life. Our extremely provincial experience with “seafood” was limited to Mrs. Paul’s fish sticks which we dipped in &hellip
Gil's Thrilling (And Filling) Blog
Follow the Culinary Ruminations of New Mexico's Sesquipedalian Sybarite. 1218 Restaurant Reviews, More Than 12,000 Visitor Comments…And Counting!
MAS Tapas Y Vino – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Had Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra written Don Quixote in the 21st century instead of in 1605, the title character’s quest in life might not have been to revive the chivalric virtues and values of adventurous &hellip
Red or Green–New Mexico’s Food Scene is on Fire: May, 2021
Until rather recently Albuquerque’s Lucky Boy was best known for its unique “East meets West” menu offerings of Chinese food and burgers. All that changed for the quintessential mom and pop diner when Lucky Boy had &hellip
Indian Pueblo Kitchen – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Pedro de Castaneda, a Spanish explorer who chronicled Coronado’s expeditions through the southwest from 1540 to 1542 observed that corn, beans, and squash were the main staples of the pueblo diet. Of the three, which &hellip
Tomasita’s – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Much as I like and respect Bob of the Village of Los Ranchos (BOTVOLR), the most prolific commentator on Gil’s Thrilling…naming this blog for him has never been a consideration. Like Bill Richardson, the former &hellip
Antojitos Lupe – Bernalillo, New Mexico
Gustavo Arellano, the brilliant and hilarious author of Ask a Mexican, an erstwhile syndicated satirical weekly newspaper column published mostly in weekly alternative papers, used to be one of my go-to sources of entertainment and information, &hellip
Tikka Hut – Albuquerque, New Mexico
The cynosure of Tikka Hut, an Indian Fusion restaurant on First Street, is a colorful mural that pays tribute to the extraordinary and constantly evolving history of Mexican cuisine. The mural depicts the mesmerizing &hellip
Cocina Azul – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Ever the lexicologist, my first inclination at seeing the mantra “panza llena, corazon contento” emblazoned on any restaurant’s menu is to ponder the veracity of the audacious claim that filling the belly can leave diners &hellip
Two Cranes Bistro and Brew – Albuquerque, New Mexico
As we wended our way along meandering Rio Grande Boulevard, I commented to my Kim, “I sure miss Ichabod and Katrina.” “Colleagues of yours at UNM?,” she asked. “No, not colleagues,” I replied pointing to &hellip
Saigon City – Albuquerque, New Mexico
My brother in blogging Ryan Cook describes his first day in Vietnam: “So, my first stop in Vietnam was the capital, Hanoi. My honest first impressions… what the hell have I let myself in for. &hellip
Tokyo Bangkok – Albuquerque, New Mexico
In 2019, Mastercard published its Global Destination Cities Index which ranked 200 cities around the world with the most international visitors. Topping the list for the fourth consecutive year was Bangkok, Thailand which boasted of &hellip
Poppy’s Pizzeria & Italian Eatery – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Chef-owner Mario D’Elia knew what he’d be in for when he named his new restaurant Poppy’s Pizzeria & Italian Eatery. Legions of Seinfeld fans would undoubtedly joke “Poppy’s a little sloppy,” a reference to Poppie, &hellip
Clowndog Hot Dog Parlor – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Remember the good old days when the only taboo related to the All American hot dog was the felonious act of adding ketchup. In the movie “Sudden Impact,” Clint Eastwood as “Dirty Harry” Callahan &hellip
Rex’s Hamburgers – Albuquerque, New Mexico
From 1988 through 2005, Rex’s Hamburgers stood practically alone in offering Duke City consumers an alternative to the homogeneous gobble-and-go offerings of deep-pocketed fast-food chains like McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s. Rex’s earned and retained &hellip
La Finca Bowls – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Some people just aren’t cut out for the military. The most incompatible among them usually wash out during basic military training, what is often referred to as “boot camp.” Sometimes it’s the rigor of strenuous &hellip
Ironwood Kitchen – Albuquerque, New Mexico
I’m not sure Matt Moody could sell milk to the lactose intolerant or ice to an eskimo, but it would be hard to bet against him. The genial owner of the Ironwood Kitchen on Albuquerque’s &hellip
Garduño’s of Mexico – Albuquerque, New Mexico
All too often faulty premises are based on a lack of information or experience. Take for example, British author Simon Majumdar, a recurring judge on the Food Network’s Next Iron Chef competition who once declared &hellip
Ms. Gennie’s House of Chicken – Albuquerque, New Mexico
My Air Force friend and colleague Al Garcia once shared one of those amusing anecdotes that will leave your head shaking in disbelief even as you’re practically rolling on the floor with laughter. According to &hellip
Rustico Italian Kitchen – Albuquerque, New Mexico
What does it say about a restaurant when it runs out of food? Nine times out of ten, you’d probably say it’s either brand new and doesn’t yet have a feel for its traffic volume &hellip
Mighty Mike’s Meats – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Thank you, Mighty Mike! Thank you for restoring our faith in barbecue just one day after my Kim declared “I don’t want to have barbecue for a long time.” Readers might find it hard to &hellip
The Whole Enchilada – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Perhaps because I was away from the Land of Enchantment for much of my Air Force career, one of my favorite bloggers has long been Lisa Fain, the James Beard award-winning “Homesick Texan.” Like &hellip
Ikigai ABQ – Albuquerque, New Mexico
While ikigai (pronounced ee-key-guy) may sound like what grade school girls called me many years ago, in Japanese the term ikigai is a Japanese concept combining the terms “iki,” meaning “alive” or “life,” and “gai,” &hellip
Gyros Mediterranean – Albuquerque, New Mexico
It’s not easy being a gastronome about town when you make less than a thousand dollars a month and have a car payment, rent and a social life. Stationed at Kirtland in the early 1980s, &hellip
M’Tucci’s Moderno – Rio Rancho, New Mexico
“If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere It’s up to you, New York, New York.”
Frank Sinatra Jeff Spiegel, managing partner of the insanely popular M’Tucci’s family of restaurants has described flagship &hellip
Comet II – Santa Rosa, New Mexico
Shake the hand that shook the hand of…The Vitamin Kid. At 87-years young, the Vitamin Kid–once the fastest runner in Guadalupe County–has slowed down just a bit, but he’s still as sharp as a tack, &hellip
Delvin’s Restaurant & Catering – Amarillo, Texas
Throughout its storied history, Amarillo’s culinary reputation has been based primarily on one kind of food: beef. That’s no surprise considering Amarillo-area ranches produce thirty-percent of the nation’s beef and ninety-percent of the beef in &hellip
It’s A Punjabi Affair – Amarillo, Texas
During our last full year at Intel, my friend Bill Resnik and I had the distinct honor and privilege of working on a project with a team from Microsoft comprised mostly of information technology professionals &hellip
The Big Texan Steak Ranch – Amarillo, Texas
If you’ve ever wondered about the meaning of the line “I’ll be lookin’ for eight when they pull that gate” in George Strait’s classic hit Amarillo By Morning, here’s a theory you probably haven’t heard. &hellip
The Golden Light Cafe & Cantina – Amarillo, Texas
Published in 1938, John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath is widely regarded as one of the greatest American novels ever written. Replete with timeless themes of struggle, destitution, injustice, and the pursuit of a delusive “Promised &hellip
Watson’s BBQ – Tucumcari, New Mexico
The Wikipedia article on Eastern New Mexico describes the region as “mostly characterized by flat featureless terrain,” even likening it to West Texas: “Like much of the Llano Estacado region, Eastern New Mexico is largely &hellip
Mama Zahira Foodies – Albuquerque, New Mexico
It’s so easy to be judgmental, to take things at face value…to assume. As my friend Bruce “Sr. Plata” Silver and I approached Mama Zahira Foodies’ order window, we espied the self-deprecating term “The Wacky &hellip
Bamboo Grill – Albuquerque, New Mexico
In his 30s, curmudgeonly London food critic Jay Rayner who’s been called the “enfant terrible (literally “terrifying child) of the gastronomic scene,” came to the realization that he hated hangovers more than he hated being &hellip
S-A Barbecue – Albuquerque, New Mexico
London-based restaurant critic Jay Rayner makes barbecue sound a bit like a scientific process: “the long, virtuous interplay of fire, smoke and time on cow and pig muscle fibre who sees only joyous caramelisation and &hellip
Alicea’s NY Bagels & Subs – Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Imagine a world without sandwiches! That daunting premise would make a pretty fatalistic post-apocalyptic movie in which Dystopian societies exist in a nightmare of deprivation, hopelessness, terror and processed food rations (Soylent Green anyone?). No &hellip
Ruthie’s Bagels – Albuquerque, New Mexico
George: “I came this close last night, and then I just sort of chickened out.” Jerry: “Well, that’s a big move, Georgie boy. Are you confident in the “I love you” return?” George: “Fifty-fifty.” Jerry: &hellip
Kabab House – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Unlike New York City, Albuquerque might not ever truly be mistaken for “a cultural melting pot.” Though numerous ethnicities are scattered throughout the city’s 189.5 square miles, some of their culinary cultures are vastly underrepresented &hellip
Salty Catch – Albuquerque, New Mexico
As children growing up in landlocked and agrarian Peñasco, my siblings and I led a very sheltered life. Our extremely provincial experience with “seafood” was limited to Mrs. Paul’s fish sticks which we dipped in &hellip
