Nexus Brewery: Soul Food and Craft Beer

If you want to indulge in chicken and waffles or learn about how beer is made, Nexus Brewery is the place to do it. This brewery is popular among locals because of its great selection of craft beers ranging from dark stouts to lighter wheats. The brewery itself is tucked away into an industrial park near the highway, but its comfortable, lively interior makes it well worth the drive.

Guests can embark on an educational beer tour of the brewery to learn about the brewing process, or you can skip the tour all together and simply grab a bite to eat in the dining area. Nexus serves chicken wings, sandwiches and other soul food dishes along with its extensive list of craft beers, which makes it ideal for a casual weekday lunch or a fun weekend outing.

Nexus Brewery is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Nexus Brewery
4730 Pan American E Freeway NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109
(505) 242-4100
www.nexusbrewery.com
www.yelp.com/biz/nexus-brewery-albuquerque

Cervantes Restaurant and Lounge: A Local Classic

More than 35 years serving delectable Mexican food has made Cervantes Restaurant and Lounge a standby on the Albuquerque dining scene. That’s no mean feat when you consider that the city has over 150 restaurants serving inventive Mexican cuisine. Visit and you can start your meal with a refreshing Margarita, beer, sangria or glass of wine.

Favorite dishes at this Albuquerque spot include Chiles Rellenos, Cheese Enchiladas, Green Chile Stew, Tamales, Tacos, Seafood Enchiladas, Fajitas, and Stuffed Sopapillas. Take home some of their new line of prepared salsas from a list that includes Hot Jalapeno Salsa, Red Chile Salsa, Green Chile Salsa, and Flame Roasted Chopped Green Chile. You can even gather some in a gift basket for a unique gift.

Cervantes Restaurant and Lounge is open daily.

Cervantes Restaurant and Lounge
5801 Gibson Boulevard SE
Albuquerque, NM 87108
(505) 262-2253
http://cervantessalsa.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/cervantes-restaurant-and-lounge-albuquerque

Start Your Day With a Croissant Sandwich From Cafe Lush

Cafe Lush serves a flavorful menu of seasonal fare made with local and organic ingredients. Stop by for breakfast to fuel up for the day with hearty fare like a breakfast pizza with potato crust, eggs, cheese, and chile; French toast with coconut milk, apples, and Kahlua syrup; or a croissant sandwich with eggs, cheese, tomatoes, and your choice of breakfast meat.

The lunch menu serves up tasty fare like the Papa Doc sandwich with bacon, lettuce, tomato, and avocado aioli; the Mo with grilled eggplant and mushrooms; and the Adam with smoked turkey, brie, pesto, and lettuce. Thin-crust grilled pizzas are also an option, along with some fresh garden salads and yummy desserts.

Cafe Lush is open 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays for brunch.

Cafe Lush
700 Tijeras Avenue NW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
(505) 508-0164
cafelushabq.com/wp

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Pair Your Burger With a Craft Beer at Bistronomy

Stop by Bistronomy for a yummy selection of craft-brewed beers and burgers. New Mexico brews are on the menu, so you can chill out with a pint of Rio Grande Pale Ale, Santa Fe Happy Camper IPA, Turtle Mountain Red Eye, or Marble Oatmeal Stout.

The large selection of burgers is made with premium free-range, grass-fed Angus beef and grilled over an open flame. Choose from a list that includes the Rosa with chile con queso, the Texan with sharp cheddar cheese, black bean stout chili, and coleslaw, or the Nawlins’ with crumbled blue cheese sauce and a Cajun rub. A Black Bean veggie burger with sliced goat cheese and a sun-dried tomato sauce will please vegetarians. Hand-cut fries are also available with a variety of sauces.

Bistronomy is open every day.

Bistronomy
3118 Central Avenue SE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
(505) 262-2222
bistronomyb2b.com
www.yelp.com/biz/bistronomy-b2b-albuquerque

Dig Into a Hefty Plate of Hearty Barbecue at The Cube

Head to The Cube for a flavorful meal in a chilled out setting. Yummy barbecue is the hallmark of this eatery, so if you have a hankering for smoked meat, this is your go-to destination.

Order it by the pound, served with homemade toast or honey cornbread. Choices include brisket, pulled pork, pork loin, turkey leg, and sausage. If a sandwich sounds like a winning proposition, your options include brisket, pulled pork, pork loin, sausage, chicken, BLT, and grilled cheese. A hefty selection of hot dogs is also on the menu. Pair your meal with a some flavorful sides like macaroni and cheese, sweet potatoes, candied yams, green beans, and potato salad.

The Cube is open Tuesdays through Sundays.

The Cube
1520 Central Avenue SE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
(505) 243-0023
www.thecuberestaurant.com/
www.yelp.com/biz/the-cube-albuquerque

Tucanos Brazilian Grill: Home to All-You-Can-Eat Meat and an Over-the-Top Salad Bar

Tucanos Brazilian Grill celebrates churrasco, the Brazilian tradition of grilling meat over an open fire. The atmosphere here is bright and festive, making this a good spot to jumpstart the weekend with a cocktail at the open bar.

If you've got a hearty appetite, this is the place for you. For a flat rate, all-you-can-eat skewered meats (beef, chicken, pork, seafood, plus veggies and fruit) are cut tableside at your request. Each diner is given a Tucanos Cue, which you can flip to display its red or green side to signal your server that you'd like another helping. The flat rate includes access to Tucanos' salad bar, which is a bit of a misnomer considering its offering extend well beyond the scope of salads. Expect everything from hot pasta, potatoes, rice, and soups to hearts of palm and fresh cheeses. Desserts are ordered a la carte and include creme brulee, Brazilian flan, and cheesecake.

Tucanos Brazilian Grill is open Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 11 a.m.; and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Children age six and under eat free with a paying adult!

Tucanos Brazilian Grill
110 Central Ave SW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
(505) 246-9900
www.tucanos.com/albuquerque.html
www.yelp.com/biz/tucanos-brazilian-grill-albuquerque

A French Bistro Meets a Speakeasy at Zinc Wine Bar & Bistro

Part French bistro, part speakeasy, Zinc Wine Bar & Bistro is a unique dining destination in Albuquerque. Here, the focus is on French fare with an American twist; local meats, cheeses, and produce are sourced locally whenever possible. Dinner is served seven days a week, starting at 5 p.m. The baked brie and almond bruschetta are popular appetizers, especially when followed by a bite of the crispy duck confit eggrolls. If you're craving something a little heartier, go for the herb crusted pork tenderloin, the zucchini and quinoa fritter cakes, or the seared sea scallops.

Underneath the main restaurant, you'll find Zinc's "speakeasy," which boasts a lounge atmosphere and is a good place to meet friends for tapas and a post-work cocktail. You'll find over 20 wines by the glass here, complemented by a lengthy list of signature cocktails and bar bites that are served until midnight.

Don't miss Zinc's weekend brunch, which is served 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Zinc Wine Bar & Bistro
3009 Central Avenue
Albuquerque, NM 87106
(505) 254-9462
www.zincabq.com/
www.yelp.com/biz/zinc-wine-bar-and-bistro-albuquerque

Enjoy a Tasty Burger at Albuquerque’s Holy Cow

For an alternative to the usual burger, check out Holy Cow, a popular burger joint in Albuquerque. Here, burgers are sourced from grass-fed cows that were raised humanely, hormone- and antibiotic-free. Holy Cow extends the sustainable and fresh preparation techniques to all areas of the menu, offering hand-cut French fries and local craft beers.

This hip burger joint has a welcoming, colorful interior with ample seating in comfortable chairs. No burger meal would be complete without a sweet finish, so spring for the traditional root beer float or a thick, rich milkshake.

Visit Holy Cow's website for more information and hours of operation!

Holy Cow 
700 Central Southeast
Albuquerque, NM 87102
(505) 242-2991
http://www.holycownm.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/holy-cow-albuquerque

Public Domain/Openclipart.org

Stop by Kellys Brew Pub for Margarita Mondays

Enjoy a memorable night out with your favorite people at Kellys Brew Pub, a trendy American pub that does overtime as a sports bar, casual dining spot, and brewery. Kellys offers a fantastic breakfast and lunch menu, making this pub an easy choice for hungry customers at all times. Enjoy your fresh portabello mushroom sandwich or green chile turkey enchiladas on the fabulous outdoor patio, and sip one of Kellys' house brews. If you prefer, sit inside and absorb the friendly, neighborhood pub vibe while you watch the game on one of the big-screen TVs.

Large groups can take advantage of the spacious dining and bar. Kellys loves a good time, hosting Margarita Mondays and a calendar full of other events. Check out the website for hours and events.

Kellys Brew Pub
3222 Central Avenue Southeast
Albuquerque, NM 87106
(505) 262-2739
http://www.kellysbrewpub.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/kellys-brew-pub-albuquerque

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Sample Some of the Best New Mexican Cuisine Has to Offer at Church Street Cafe

When your spicy cravings need a little more attention than just chips and salsa, take yourself out to the chic Church Street Cafe. Experience some of the finest New Mexican cuisine in the lovely location at the Casa de Ruiz. Inside the cafe, the adobe style decor and stunning tile floor create a stylish atmosphere to admire while you sip a margarita or fruity sangria.

Surrounded by natural lighting that accents the bright color combinations inspired by the original architecture of Casa de Ruiz, Church Street Cafe lifts your spirits with its worldly atmosphere. The Cafe often hosts traditional musical guests to provide a relaxing ambience for patrons to enjoy. The authenticity and history of Church Street Cafe makes a dining experience here second to none.

Church Street Cafe
2111 Church Street Northwest
Albuquerque, NM 87104
(505) 247-8522
http://www.churchstreetcafe.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/church-street-caf%C3%A9-albuquerque-3

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