Important Update:The City Guide web experience will be sunsetting on April 28, 2025. Please visit our FAQ to learn more.El Pinto Restaurant
Mexican Restaurant and Gluten-Free Restaurant$$$$
Albuquerque
"Food Network Top 5 Best Ribs - #3 Red Chile Ribs"(4 Tips)
"The food, the place, the smell is AMAZING!!!! Get the green chili."(9 Tips)
"Also try the Levante, best dessert in town!"(2 Tips)
"Great place for large groups and good Margaritas."(5 Tips)
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58 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- green chili
- margaritas
- ribs
- levant
- outdoor seating
- (15 more)
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Robyn GrierOctober 16, 2015Enormous outdoor restaurant with excellent green chile and margaritas. Friendly and attentive staff.Upvote9Downvote
SteveMarch 30, 2019The ambience is unmatched. When you walk in, you're immediately greeted with a huge waterfall. The food is good and not too expensive, and the seating facilities are very interesting.Upvote6Downvote
Navajos say that if chili is too hot, it means you are jealous. If the server asks you, "Hot or mild?" tell them, "Test my jealousy," if you want hot chili! :-)Upvote7Downvote
Bryan BlundellMarch 11, 2019Pretty amazing overall. Excellent server, delicious food, cool atmosphere. Should be on your shortlist of places to eat in Albuquerque. Probably $$$ instead of $$ but worth it.UpvoteDownvote
Lynne SturtevantApril 16, 2014I almost skipped this restaurant because I thought it might be a noisy tourist trap. Glad I didn't! Nice place, great atmosphere, yummy food and boy do they know how to make guacamole!
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K Kapono DaKineOctober 11, 2018Every time we have people visiting us, we take them to El Pinto. From the house Margaritas-to the traditional Mexican plates-to the awesome red chile ribs, this place is bangin!!!UpvoteDownvote
Chinarut RuangchotvitOctober 3, 2021bowl of pozole & side of enchilada w chips & salsa and sopapillas is delicious steal for 15 bucks including tax!
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Not the best New Mexican food in ABQ, but the atmosphere is absolutely incredible. The place is sprawling, which means you can have a different experience depending on where you sit.UpvoteDownvote
Arianna MartinezDecember 24, 2014The refried pinto beans and fresh guacamole are the best I've ever had! The best patios in the summer!Upvote1Downvote
Dan BrockettJanuary 1, 2020Best New Mexican food in town, be sure to try the smokey cranberry margarita, its legendary.UpvoteDownvote
Oliver ShoemakerDecember 16, 2015This is a great place to bring guests, especially if they are from out of town. The food is good and the setting is even better.UpvoteDownvote- Jovonsia LatriceApril 30, 2017The food, the place, the smell is AMAZING!!!! Get the green chili. Nice service. I was expressedUpvoteDownvote
- Their fiesta appetizer is a great deal. You get red chile ribs, guacamole, queso, and salsa. A must have. Also try the Levante, best dessert in town!Upvote4Downvote
PatrickMay 11, 2013Also staff is extremely professional, friendly and create a very nice environment. Would return for the atmosphere and staff.UpvoteDownvote
The outdoor patio is amazing. Lots of seating, but make sure you call ahead if you've got a big groupUpvoteDownvote
- Christian D.August 31, 2016Very large and famous NM restaurant. Great place for large groups and good Margaritas.UpvoteDownvote
JP BulowJune 28, 2013They have both mild and hot choices for the red and green chile. Anything smoothered in chile is good.Upvote2Downvote
Esther MontoyaNovember 26, 2016The Ribeye steak's bone weight about six oz out of the 22oz Total weight. Price 59.95 + taxUpvoteDownvote
- PatrickMay 11, 2013Food was good, not great. Chile lacked heat. Salsa and sauces tasted a little bit commercial (and granted they do make commercial salsa's and sauces) but all that being said the place is GORGEOUS!UpvoteDownvote
Cory HughesNovember 25, 2012Great fun environment - quality food - chicken enchilada w/ green chile was amazingUpvote2Downvote
Colleen AlarconNovember 25, 2017Great red chili. Thank you Hunter for your outstanding service!UpvoteDownvote
Diana TourvilleMarch 30, 2014Try the flight of Patron if you have an extra $30 to blow. It's awesome!UpvoteDownvote
AnA SantosOctober 11, 2014Very nice restaurant' wonderful food for vegetarians !!! Done!UpvoteDownvote
Mariah GriegoFebruary 6, 2014One of the best restaurants in ABQ! Everything is awesome!Upvote1Downvote
Seann GraddyOctober 10, 2011Beautiful atmosphere. A great outdoor pation. Authentic New Mexico. A must visit when in ABQ.Upvote1Downvote
Jeremy JojolaApril 18, 2010Vince and Brian are awesome bartenders. They will treat you well. This place also has the best sopaipillas, so make sure you get your fill of those.Upvote1Downvote
Project FTOGMay 13, 2013Not a lot of bang for your buck, the food is decent but pricey for what you get. However, the patio is worth the price alone and the green chile is great (but only if you ask for the hot).Upvote1Downvote
BeccaOctober 23, 2012Sitting on the patio? Keep an eye out for the neighbor's cats (Gracie and Boots).UpvoteDownvote
Sonja StarkDecember 5, 2011Upvote1Downvote- Salsa TwinsOctober 18, 2010Rated by ABQ Magazine reader poll as #1 for: Best Patio, Best Green Chile, and Best Guacamole in the city.Upvote1Downvote
Michael PaddockOctober 12, 2014The food is amazing. The service leaves a lot to be desired.UpvoteDownvote
Missy MartinezSeptember 20, 2011Really pretty, fun setting. Feels like Mexico....well, the better half at least :)Upvote3Downvote
David OllingtonJuly 25, 2014Ayden the waiter told me not to get the quesadilla because it's too big for one. #gratitudeUpvoteDownvote
Daniel TurnerMarch 25, 2018Nothing. Sorry but this place is severely over rated. Service is poor and food wait times are close to 30 minutes or longer. So many other places better than El Pinto.UpvoteDownvote
Liz MozerDecember 14, 2013Huge portions. Green Chili Stew is addicting, however, found guacamole to be blandUpvoteDownvote
- Bill BatemanJanuary 3, 2011Love their food - listening to the Airport concession controversy on the radio todayUpvoteDownvote
Matthew GilmanNovember 9, 2012What happened to the El Pinto I used to know?? Todays experience was not at all what it used to be. Food is gross. Come on guys pull it together.UpvoteDownvote
227 Photos
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Closed until 11:00 AM (Show more)
- Mon–Thu
- 11:00 AM–9:00 PM
- Fri–Sat
- 11:00 AM–10:00 PM
- Sun
- 10:30 AM–9:00 PM
(505) 898-1771
Features
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. Discover & Visa)
Wi-Fi
Yes
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Music
Live Music
Parking
Yes
Food & Drink
Menus
Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Happy Hour
Drinks
Full Bar, Cocktails
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