01/10/09

A bit of real soul in the desert

by DrCocktail

2009: following the last review, my having just returned from my first Paul's experience, I have to advise the last poster that he or she would be better served at a Ruth's Chris, and if they agree, it explains everything. Paul's is definitely a venue frozen in time. The menu is the classic stuff with the addition of a bit of pride evidenced in their in-house preparation techniques. The employees have been there for quite some time, and they show some demonstrable pride in their employment...all too rare in these times. The food was actually excellent: bacon-wrapped filet, baked potato with any possible garnish/condiment gratis. Before all that a side salad I paid a bit extra for to get bleu cheese crumbles. It resulted in a well-populated salad with crumbles and balsamic vinaigrette, and it was fresh and lovely. I ate at the bar, and they were very accommodating, making sure I wasn't being served ahead of the line of waiting enthusiasts for the main dining room. Analysis: fairness; first come, first served. The staff was both friendly, funny, and generally interested in me. There was, by my 1/10/09 visit, no smoking allowed anywhere but outside, so the restaurant interior was smoke-free. Besides the excellent meal, I had a good gin (Tanqueray) Martini and later, an utterly superb Manhattan with Angostura bitters....perplexingly rare in a town pushing Peychaud. Peychaud bitters are indispensable in a Sazerac, but a mistake in a Manhattan. Paul's managed not to make that mistake. This restaurant is a place of local habitues, not tourists, so if previous negative reviewers entered with an attitude on their figurative shoulders, that would explain a lot. Me? I entered like an enthusiastic disciple and was rewarded with great food and the embrace of a friendly staff. Add to that the club-like richness of old 1960s steakhouse decor, unbesmirched by time, and you have the dining and imbibing experience I did: superb. -- Ted Haigh, Burbank, CA.

• Pros: If you love the old style steak house of the past, this venue is for you.
• Cons: If you prefer old looking but hermetically-pristine dining experiences, Morton's or Ruth's Chris will be more to your liking.

11/14/08

What's the fuss about???

by FEIII

visiting from out of town and was told this was the best steak place in town. If you want to eat in a dark, tired, dirty joint and passively smoke 20 cigarettes with a singularly unspectacular dinner, by all means go! Food was nothing special and a lame wine list. I don't understand the good reviews. Romantic??? Get real.

07/31/07

Awesome Place to Send Your Parents on Their Anniversary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by tapiahuston

So i live in colorado and i called Eric (owner) about my parent's anniversary #36 to make sure they had a wonderful night. I asked him to give them the time of their lives. My brother and i send them every year. They had the absolute best!!! treatment and wonderful food!!! i asked eric to serve them champagne and dessert in addition to dinner. he did and served the best strawberry shortcake!!! I whole-heartedly recommend Paul's for any lovely dinner and awesome food!!! Thank You Paul and Jenne ( my parents' server) they loved every single moment!!

Riley Huston

COlorado Springs, Co

07/31/07

Very disappointed

by archerlm

The first time I went there I had probably the best, most melt in your mouth filet I have ever had. the next time I went my steak was under cooked so I sent it back. My daughter had the king crab legs, they had no flavor at all. My steak was tough and chewy. Cant say I think much of a place that is that inconsitant. VERY DISAPPOINTED. I thought I had found the little hide away that I had been looking for.

• Pros: service is excellent
• Cons: inconsitant with the quality of their food

04/25/07

Local Icon

by barryml

Paul's has been one of the must do dining experiences in Albuquerque for over 30 years. I now live on the West Coast but, I have eaten all over the US, and have to say... you have to do Paul's! After reading the other reviews, I can see that some have had negative expeiences, but in over 30 years, there are bound to be a few. They stay in business, because they know their business and do an outstanding job!!! Go, relax, eat, drink, and enjoy this experience!!! Tell them that native Albuquerquean Michele from City Search says HI!!!

01/20/07

Soak it up, it's not just a meal--It's a state of mind

by dashdriver

I grew up in ABQ but unfortunately I don't live there now. However, Paul's has always been a part of the city for those that are true residents. If you and your significant other are looking for a nice night on the town, start it off right with a great dinner experience at Paul's. First, pick-up that phone and ask for Eric (Who has been there forever). I assure you, he will provide the kind of first-class attention that you just don't see anymore. Next, order up that special request martini; yeah, like they used to be (I'm talking filled-to-the-brim and no holding back on the liquor!). I highly recommend the shrimp cocktail with your drink too! Then sit back, relax and soak up the atmosphere, music, food, and conversation as you dine the way it was meant to be. The salads and bread are fresh, and if your steak isn't perfect, don't blame the chef--he prepares it to YOUR order! The price is right for those who can appreciate the experience (As they say, you get what you pay for here). You know where I'm dining next time we're in town!

• Cons: Get there early, or you might have to walk more than 30 yards!

An old steakhouse where you can devour an enormous meal, throw back several martinis and smoke in Rat Pack style.

by Contributor

In Short
Wood-paneled walls of the dim dining room are lined with high-backed semicircular booths, and in the middle of the room cushy, wheeled captain's chairs surround tables. Ceiling speakers pipe in Rat Pack classics. The menu features a small selection of generously sized, well-seasoned steaks. Dinner comes with a big iceberg salad, choice of potato and a loaf of warm house-baked bread. Seafood is also offered.

06/04/06

Pauls is always terrific

by sqrrlady

I first ate here in 1970 as part of the Lenkurt Electric Group, it was terrific then its still terrific. And comfy, like you say it harks back to the good days in restaurants, smoke and sizzle

05/07/06

Absolutely Terrible!!!

by srbailie

Terrible! I have never been treated so badly as a patron of a business, obviously they do not want to stay in business. My experience was too awful to explain in words.

• Pros: none, none, none
• Cons: wait staff, mangement, food

06/06/05

Where's the beef

by gherbel

Who can actually find their steak, fighting their way through the dense cigarette smoke??? The restaurant IS quite dark and dirty, with less than marginal food and downright hostile service. Sorry we wasted our time and money there.

• Pros: None
• Cons: Smoke-filled, Noisy, Poor quality steaks