Church Street Cafe
Albuquerque, NM 87104
Phone: (505) 247-8522
- Hours:
- Thu-Sat 8:00am- 8:00pm Sun-Wed 8:00am- 4:00pm
Editorial Review for Church Street Cafe – by Stephen Ausherman
The Verdict
Casa de Ruiz to locals, this cafe serves sandwiches and New Mexican specialties in an Old Town historic home.
The Scene
Located in one of the oldest residences in Albuquerque, this restaurant lies just behind San Felipe de Neri Chapel in Old Town. The original building dates from the early 18th century, but a second patio and waterfall are among the modifications made over the years. Get up early to enjoy one of this cafe's breakfasts, then spend the rest of the day wandering around Old Town and the surrounding museums.
The Food
Hispanic Magazine listed this place among the top fifty Mexican restaurants in the United States for its loyalty to generations-old culinary traditions. New Mexican specialties include carne adovada burritos, meat or vegetarian fajitas and daily specials. The cafe also serves delicious sandwiches, salads, soups, and hamburgers for lunch or dinner.
Dish to Die For
Try the red or green chile-smothered tamale plate, with two pork or vegetarian corn tamales and a choice of squash, beans, or spinach.
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User Reviews for Church Street Cafe
04/10/2008 Posted by ElViador
BEWARE!!! Church Street Cafe has gone downhill. This place used to be a bright spot in Old Town. We arrived and were informed there was a 20 minute wait. 50 minutes later we asked again how much more of a wait. Turns out they had skipped our name even though we had been standing next to check in. Elderly woman said she couldn't pronounce my name, which is a common Hispanic name in New Mexico. Finally we were seated and waitress took our drink order. No silverware or napkins given to us. Waitress returned and spilled a full glass of soda on my shirt and pants. I didn't have any napkins with which to dry myself and waitress was too busy wiping table to give me a napkin. I asked her four times for a napkin. We were then moved to another table in another section of the restaurant. Waiter took our order. Again, no silverware or napkins provided. Waiter brought food, noticed we didn't have silverware or napkins and said, “I’ll bring you some in a minute.” Instead he waited on two other tables and never did bring us silverware and napkins. I had to open their cupboard and get our own silverware and napkins to bring back to our table. Food was under-cooked. Waiter said our bill was covered due to the coke-spilling incident but I insisted on paying. This is a place to avoid. It's a shame as this was formerly a good place to eat.
Cons: slow service; disrespectful staff; poorly cooked food
07/19/2004 Posted by kelyosius
The place has been one of the fifty best mexican restaurants for years. Great food, indoor seating, front patio seating and a rear patio with a fountain and flowers. If you go ask for Mark or Mike, two of the best waiters I've ever had. Try the Pueblo burger or the Pollo de Ruiz. Can't beat the price. For romance take the back patio, people watching the frontor if it's too hot go inside.
Pros: inexpensive, good food
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