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

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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

Start Your Day With a Hearty Breakfast From the Standard Diner

The food is good, the staff is friendly, and there’s always an open table at Standard Diner. Serving classic American comfort foods, like buttermilk biscuits and eggs and chicken and waffles, the Standard is everyone’s go-to when it comes to eye-opening breakfasts and filling lunches. Enjoy the meatloaf or mac and cheese with your favorite people accompanied by a pint of beer or a glass of refreshing ice tea. Kick back in the large dining area that is regal yet casual, a perfect mix of good taste and comfortable dining.

Open every day at 7 a.m., the Standard is a great place to get the day started right or end the weekend with a festive margarita or bloody Mary. Stop by and discover all the ways the Standard Diner makes life more delicious.

Standard Diner
320 Central Avenue Southeast
Albuquerque, NM 87102
(505) 243-1440
http://www.standarddiner.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/standard-diner-albuquerque

Satisfy Your Craving for Authentic New Mexican Fare at El Pinto

Satisfy all of your Latin cuisine cravings at El Pinto, an authentic New Mexican cafe that's been serving up savory chile rellenos and stuffed sopapillas for over 50 years. The delicious dishes full of traditional New Mexican flavors will make your evenings a little bit tastier. Only the freshest ingredients are used in every dish, like the popular combination plates that include tacos, tamales, enchiladas, and beans.

El Pinto is a place to bring family and friends for a casual lunch or for a festive dinner in the gorgeously decorated dining area. Try out the extensive Tequila menu at the bar for a little more fun during dinner. El Pinto loves celebrations, offering the establishment for weddings and other large gatherings.

El Pinto
10500 4th Street Northwest
Albuquerque, NM 87114
(505) 898-1771
http://www.elpinto.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/el-pinto-albuquerque-2

Tucano’s Brazilian Grill: A Carnivore’s Delight

Following in the tradition of the Brazilian churrasco where huge skewers of meat are roasted over an open fire, Tucano’s Brazilian Grill is a carnivore’s delight not far from Broadstone Towne Center in Albuquerque. After you heap your plate at the gigantic ‘salad festival’, waiters bring an assortment of sizzling seasoned meats to your table, slicing them onto your plate. A card placed on your table allows you to signal when you’re ready for more meat –green side up means yes, red side up, no. The ‘salad festival’ can serve as a meal in itself, with beans, rice, pastas, soups, stroganoff and bread, so vegetarians can forgo the meat and still get satisfied. Tuscano's prices range from $13.95 for lunch to $20.95 for dinner.

Tucano’s Brazilian Grill
110 Central Avenue SW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
(505) 246-9900

Taqueria Mexico: Tantalizing Tacos and Much More

Taqueria Mexico in Albuquerque serves up authentic Mexican fare that’s savory and satisfying. The traditional Mexican cuisine dish, menudo (beef tripe stew) is a sure-fire remedy for a night of overindulgence. Once you feel better, you can dig into a gigantic breakfast burrito or a piping hot plate of fajitas, enchiladas or flautas. Indulge in their selection of tortas, the south of the border version of a sandwich. Oh, and don’t forget the tacos, after all, this is a taqueria, where delicious morsels of spiced meats and veggies are lovingly wrapped in a fragrant corn tortilla and served with a variety of fresh salsas.

Taqueria Mexico
415 Lomas Boulevard Northeast
Albuquerque, NM 87102
(505) 242-3445  ‎

Giovanni’s Pizzeria: New York Style Pie in Albuquerque

Local diners and visiting foodies like to praise Giovanni’s Pizzeria, insisting they’ve got the best pies the Albuquerque. It’s your basic hole-in-the-wall pizza joint, not much to look at and located in a nondescript strip mall, but walk in the door and inhale the aroma of those pies baking and you know you’re in for a treat. Once you’ve got your sizzling hot pie in hand, bite into the crispy crust layered with piquant sauce, cheese and toppings and suddenly all is good in the world. New York style super-thin crust is part of their secret, slender enough to be crunchy, with just a hint of a chewy center. Non-greasy cheese and great toppings make Giovanni's Pizzeria about as good as it gets.

Giovanni’s Pizzeria
921 San Pedro Drive SE
Albuquerque, NM 87108
(505) 255-1233

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