Tia Betty Blue’s is a charming cafe that serves what the owners describe as “new Mexican,” which includes unique combinations like sweet waffles with lavender whipped cream for breakfast and Frito pies for lunch. The restaurant itself has a retro flair that extends from the bright blue sign on the outside to the more than 100 brands of glass-bottled sodas on the inside.

Tia Betty Blue’s serves breakfast, lunch and dinner every day of the week, and all of the authentic Mexican dishes like chiles, carne adovada and tamales are made in-house daily. With friendly service, affordable prices and a comfortable, stylish seating area, there’s a whole lot to like about Tia Betty Blue’s.

The restaurant is open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekends. There’s also a convenient drive-thru window for ordering carryout meals on the go.

Tia Betty Blue’s
1248 San Mateo SE
Albuquerque, NM 87108
(505) 268-1955
www.tiabettyblues.com
www.yelp.com/biz/tia-betty-blues-albuquerque

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Maggie Hoffman

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

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/southernfoodwaysalliance

Apple lovers have likely tried just about every sweet apple recipe, but what about savory? Incorporating apples into your lunch or dinner entree is uncharted culinary territory for many chefs, but it usually provides some delicious results. Here are three savory apple recipes to last you throughout the fall season:

Easy Cornbread Sausage Stuffed Apples [southernliving.com]
If the mouthwatering combination of apples, sausage and cornbread hasn’t already piqued your interest, the word “easy” probably will. This recipe takes little time to make, so it will quickly become a fall favorite for family dinners.

Grilled Cheese with Bacon, Apple and Sprouts [marthastewart.com]
It seems that you can put almost anything on grilled cheese these days, including the completely indulgent combination of bacon and apples. The mix of sweet and savory flavors makes this grown-up grilled cheese taste truly gourmet, while the light sprouts balance out the hearty taste of the meat and cheese.

Herbed Pork and Apples [allrecipes.com]
Pork chops and applesauce are a time-honored dinner tradition, but this updated recipe makes the combination feel completely fresh. Lean pork roast is baked with a variety of aromatic spices and cubed apples for a flavorful main course perfect for a holiday meal, celebratory dinner, or any other time your family gathers around the table this fall season.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/U.S. Department of Agriculture