Range Café

Range Café is a beloved New Mexico institution with its original and flagship location in Bernalillo — a small town on the Rio Grande 17 miles north of Albuquerque — along with several additional locations in the greater metro area. The concept combines New Mexican staples with American diner classics in a setting that is deliberately whimsical: Death by Burrito is the name of the restaurant's most famous dish, and the menu is designed with an irreverence that has made the Range Café one of the most popular brunch and lunch destinations in central New Mexico. The Death by Burrito lives up to its name — a massive flour tortilla wrapped around carne adovada, green chile, beans, and cheese, then smothered in additional chile and cheese until the plate is barely visible underneath. Chicken fried steak, another diner staple executed with care using local beef, is the next most popular order. House-made dessert pies rotate seasonally and are baked daily; they have developed their own following extending beyond the restaurant's immediate geography. The dining room décor is a mix of Western kitsch, folk art, and New Mexico-inspired whimsy that gives each location its own character. House-made salsas arrive at the table before ordering and are notably better than what most similar restaurants provide. The wine list is modest but includes several New Mexico producers; the margarita program is popular. Weekend brunch is the most sought-after service, with walk-in waits on Saturday and Sunday mornings reflecting the Range Café's central place in Albuquerque-area dining. Most plates fall between $12 and $22.