El Pinto Restaurant

Recommends

Cicca

Joined 2 years ago

Wonderful Management. OK, I was going to leave a horrible review but, the manager on duty fixed the issue we had with the staff right away!

My family members went to this place for a nice dinner the first one since my Husband's Best Friend's Wife's Kidney Transplant. It was a celebration between life long friends looking forward to a long life filled with unending love.

Beautiful right?

Wrong!

The waiter was rude, refused to do normal things like pack the left overs as he had done with all his other tables. Then made some insanely insensitive remarks about their race, ( India Indians ) he even went so fas as to ask them to leave because he wanted to go home... a good 30 mins before the place was due to close. (They were bagging the leftovers!)

Then to top it all off ( asif that were nt bed enough) when he was unhappy with the tip left he chased them through the establishment screaming that they were "cheap bastards" and demanded more money.

This situation frightened our friends wife beyond measure... Upseting everyone involved. They waited until they got home and called me to ask what they should do about it. As I was unable to attended due to studying for my Mid terms.

I called the place knowing that there would be a manager there while everyone closed down for the night. I must admit I was NOT very pleasant with the man ( Robert I believe was his name. ) Anyhow, to my surprise he got just as angry, called my family personally and apologized. Also he fired the wait staff in question on the spot.

From what I hear the food was outstanding, and when I have time I will make it a point to stop in and have a nice meal and thank the manager in person.

Thank you Robert, They should give you a raise.

God Bless you and your family.

Doesn't Recommend

The Diner

Joined 3 years ago

One to check off your list of where to go. This was a an experience, The food was so bad that our party of 5, not one person ate over 1/3rd of their meal. It was like everything came out of a 50 gallon drum. The only way you could tell the difference between the rice, beans and chicken was the texture and color. Taste was not a factor. The chili sauce tasted and had the texture of a Heinz product ( catsup or tomato sauce). I unfortunately ordered a pitcher of the Premium Silver Margareta at a described savings of several dollars. The cost was $35.99 for a pitcher 3/4 full of ice and the cost per glass would have been $7.49. As it turned out the pitcher provided four glasses of liquid at a cost of $8.98 per glass. The waiter neglected to inform forgot us that they would be saving the money not the customer. The sopapillas were the awful frozen sheets of 3 x 5 hunks of dough that when cooked tasted just like 3 x 5 hunks of dough. No butter was provided only the small commercial plastic containers of honey. I have lived in NM for over 20 years and each unfortunate time I have talked into giving it one more try my. This is without question the last time I will give it one more try and I can assure you I will spread the word and note the disappointment, poor quality and over priced experience

If this restaurant did not have the opportunity to purchase prepared bulk foods it would have been out of business 40 years ago. The only difference I noticed in the Traditional Plates is the name of the selection is based on the way the waiter places it in from of you. If the beans are in front its a combination plate one. If the beans are to the right it is a combination plate two and beans to the back is a combination plate three. The other Traditional Plates are a mired colors and textures but still all of the same culinary delights.

$145.00 for a Taco Bell Treat with a tasteless margarita.

Recommends

Norio Hayakawa

Joined 4 years ago

One of the best New Mexico-style restaurants in New Mexico. This is probably the best New Mexico-style eatery in the greater Albuquerque area.

The atmosphere is amazing. But more than that, the food here is absolutely great. I love their Chile Rellenos. Just pour over their green chile sauce over the Chile Relleno and the taste is heavenly.

Doesn't Recommend

vinny59

Joined 6 years ago

Rice tasted like it came out of a can. Beans too.. Very attractive. Ambience great. However, I have been there twice and will not go again. Red Chilli was too mild and tasteless. Rice and beans tasted like they came out their cans.

Recommends

marydewey

Joined 6 years ago

Great margarita's and wonderful outdoor dining. I've been to El Pino's on numerous occasions and have found the food to be mediocre but the atmosphere can't be beat. Service can be slow and inexperienced or prompt and efficient depending on the individual waiter. You're go for the atmosphere, not the food.

Recommends

Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Editorial Review by Christy Buena. Traditional New-Mexican cuisine served in a romantic atmosphere keeps locals coming back to this restaurant.

Recommends

johnnm

Joined 7 years ago

Best patio around.. it is very true that this place has the best patio dining around but I am afraid that the food is mediocre. Not as bad as some but not as good as it should be. The prices tend to be about $2-4 dollars higher than comparable places.

Recommends

emboaz

Joined 7 years ago

Welcome to New Mexico. If you want to know why New Mexico is known as the "Land of Enchantment" then visit El Pinto! The atmosphere is, well, enchanting, and the food is awesome. Of note: the guacomole, the chili con queso, and the salads are great. This was a memorable stop on our vacation.

Recommends

hegle

Joined 10 years ago

Amazing Ribs. Their ribs are soo wonderful with lots of whole peppers. The service is also very good and the ambience is fantastic. The restaurant is beautiful with a very nice bar, gorgeous surroundings, and outdoor/patio seating. This is the place I would go back to for somewhat upscale New Mexican dining.

Recommends

badbet

Joined 8 years ago

Fantastic Experience. The atmoshere was great! A very large restaurant with plenty of parking. We had a party of six and were seated immediately. The food and drinks were as good or better than any we have had in our travels. The margaritas were great. Get a pitcher if you have four or more ordering and say a significant amount. Go into the bar and see the amethist geode waterfall.