See all
224 photos

El Pinto Restaurant & Cantina

Mexican Restaurant and Gluten-Free Restaurant$$$$

Albuquerque

Save

8.2^/10

245

ratings

"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)

58 Tips and reviews

Filter:

green chili
margaritas
ribs
levant
outdoor seating
good for dates
good for groups
great value
happy hour
tamales
restaurants
desserts
spicy food
good for working
dinner
bar
brunch food
sopapillas
New Mexican food
lunch
(15 more)

Sort:

Popular
Recent

Robyn GrierOctober 16, 2015
Enormous outdoor restaurant with excellent green chile and margaritas. Friendly and attentive staff.
Upvoted Mar 21
Terry TellerSeptember 2, 2012
Been here 5+ times
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! :-)
SteveMarch 30, 2019
The 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.
Upvoted Feb 24
K Kapono DaKineOctober 11, 2018
Every 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!!!
Bryan BlundellMarch 11, 2019
Pretty 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.
Chinarut RuangchotvitOctober 3, 2021
bowl of pozole & side of enchilada w chips & salsa and sopapillas is delicious steal for 15 bucks including tax!
Lynne SturtevantApril 16, 2014
I 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!
Pablo AmpueroJuly 15, 2019
Been here 5+ times
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.
Oliver ShoemakerDecember 16, 2015
This 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.
Dan BrockettJanuary 1, 2020
Best New Mexican food in town, be sure to try the smokey cranberry margarita, its legendary.
Jovonsia LatriceApril 30, 2017
The food, the place, the smell is AMAZING!!!! Get the green chili. Nice service. I was expressed
Gillian KAugust 8, 2014
Been here 5+ times
The outdoor patio is amazing. Lots of seating, but make sure you call ahead if you've got a big group
CrystalJune 11, 2011
Been here 25+ times
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!
PatrickMay 11, 2013
Food 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!
Arianna MartinezDecember 24, 2014
The refried pinto beans and fresh guacamole are the best I've ever had! The best patios in the summer!
Christian D.August 31, 2016
Very large and famous NM restaurant. Great place for large groups and good Margaritas.
JP BulowJune 28, 2013
They have both mild and hot choices for the red and green chile. Anything smoothered in chile is good.
PatrickMay 11, 2013
Also staff is extremely professional, friendly and create a very nice environment. Would return for the atmosphere and staff.
Regina LopezNovember 2, 2017
Atmosphere and the food especially the levantate dessert!
Project FTOGMay 13, 2013
Not 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).
Cory HughesNovember 25, 2012
Great fun environment - quality food - chicken enchilada w/ green chile was amazing
Deborah SutliffJune 17, 2022
Everything we had was excellent. Foodie heaven.
Colleen AlarconNovember 25, 2017
Great red chili. Thank you Hunter for your outstanding service!
John FleckensteinFebruary 3, 2016
Great Posole!
JDMay 12, 2013
Parking lot will be packed but come on in, they're quick & good food!
Jeremy JojolaApril 18, 2010
Vince 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.
Sonja StarkDecember 5, 2011
Go for the hot tamales and don't forget to order up quite a few margaritas! Read more
MarcFebruary 28, 2016
Food Network Top 5 Best Ribs - #3 Red Chile Ribs
AnA SantosOctober 11, 2014
Very nice restaurant' wonderful food for vegetarians !!! Done!
Esther MontoyaNovember 26, 2016
The Ribeye steak's bone weight about six oz out of the 22oz Total weight. Price 59.95 + tax
Esther MontoyaMarch 21, 2015
Red Chilie ribs and green Chilie strips
Seann GraddyOctober 10, 2011
Beautiful atmosphere. A great outdoor pation. Authentic New Mexico. A must visit when in ABQ.
Mariah GriegoFebruary 6, 2014
One of the best restaurants in ABQ! Everything is awesome!
Bjørn WulfMarch 4, 2013
Chile Ribs are awesome. Lots of trd chile as dry rub.
BeccaOctober 23, 2012
Sitting on the patio? Keep an eye out for the neighbor's cats (Gracie and Boots).
Diana TourvilleMarch 30, 2014
Try the flight of Patron if you have an extra $30 to blow. It's awesome!
Liz MozerDecember 14, 2013
Huge portions. Green Chili Stew is addicting, however, found guacamole to be bland
David OllingtonJuly 25, 2014
Ayden the waiter told me not to get the quesadilla because it's too big for one. #gratitude
Salsa TwinsOctober 18, 2010
Rated by ABQ Magazine reader poll as #1 for: Best Patio, Best Green Chile, and Best Guacamole in the city.
Dave PictonJanuary 25, 2014
Dessert. Try the flan. Yummy.
Michael PaddockOctober 12, 2014
The food is amazing. The service leaves a lot to be desired.
Missy MartinezSeptember 20, 2011
Really pretty, fun setting. Feels like Mexico....well, the better half at least :)
Daniel TurnerMarch 25, 2018
Nothing. 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.
Jeffrey 🅿️inetteJuly 3, 2016
Been here 5+ times
Best ribs in the west!!!
Kyle KirkpatrickFebruary 1, 2014
Been here 5+ times
Marge dinner service everything!!!
Sonja StarkDecember 5, 2011
I learned how to roll a hot tamale here ~ wonderful people.
mapkook jonesAugust 14, 2014
Food is good
Matthew GilmanNovember 9, 2012
What 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.
Devin DuncanMay 19, 2014
Awesome atmosphere
billy l.November 17, 2011
Been here 5+ times
happy hour is the best!!!

1 2

224 Photos

El Pinto Restaurant & Cantina

Related Searches

You might also like

Places people like to go after El Pinto Restaurant & Cantina

Appears on 79 lists

Top places in the area

Is this your business? Claim it now.