Loyola's — Restaurant in Albuquerque

Absolutely horrible!!! The food was good, nothing to write home about, but better than mediocre. Do not get me wrong and I did eat all of it that being said I could have eaten a horse, which is how hungry I was. The service was horrible!!! The waitress wasn't really friendly given the fact that it was 6 am, OK, not everyone is early chipper bird. I got the feeling, she didn't want to be there. I tried making conversation with her, short curt answers was what I got in return. The door was actually locked when the restaurant was officially open (there where two patrons in there already), so that was a little weird. Maybe because it is not in the best neighborhood. She took my order wrong, brought me the wrong food. I ordered the super enchilada plate and really wanted one red and one blue corn enchilada. I got yellow corn enchiladas. I said I ordered the blue and red enchiladas, I was informed, no I didn't. She essentially argued with me. Which, maybe I didn't make self as clear as I should have, but I can not stress how excited I was to try red corn!!! Which is why I feel I specified one red and one blue enchilada. Maybe she didn't hear me. It took a second waitress to come over (after a good five minutes AND me setting the plate to the side), and telling me they're exactly the same thing and taste the same, ect. I have had blue corn, which is better and thus not the same. Which is also not the point. They did not offer to replace it at all. It was not at all busy, 3 workers 3 patrons. I get it could have been a misunderstanding, but then to not offer to replace it, was just unacceptable. I should have walked out at that point in time but like I said I was starving. I am sitting here an hour and a half later, still hungry, so I could have eaten a horse. When my bill came I was charged an extra $2 for shredded beef. So that made me really unhappy. She didn't even bother to check on me again to see how the food actually was. 15 dollars for an enchilada plate and tea?!? When I called, after I left, I was told that the extra charge is on the menu, I asked why I wasn't told, "its on the menu" even if it is "on the menu" a heads up would have been nice. When I wait tables (10 years experience doing it, so I am pretty damn forgiving and lenient when it comes to other servers) I give patrons a heads up, so they don't feel like they are bring robbed. Then she hung up on me. When I called back, VERY livid, again somehow it was my fault. Does anyone else see a pattern here? I am unsure what kind of show the owner is running and I will be speaking to her and there will be an update from this. But, given the really bad service, I'm really not expecting that much from the owner.

Update... The owner Sarah just showed her ass to me. Not only did she say that her employees were completely into the right and did everything correct. She also told me that she had everything on camera. I said okay fine I would like to see the video of anybody getting mean and angry for the record I was not upset until I got hung up on after I left, called, and got hung up on the first time. I didn't raise my voice, until Sarah started raising her voice. I asked specifically how hard it was for her employees to just bring me another plate of what I actually wanted. Then she got mad, threaten to file a police report against me if I didn't stop threatening her. I told her please go ahead and do that the cops are really not going to do anything given the fact that the APD is incredibly short staffed and how far better things to do with their time than this. Also told me that apparently there's a video when I ask to see it she said no I don't have to do that. Apparently in the video I'm violent and evil and wretched. I don't understand this as I didn't even raise my voice the entire time I just wanted the food that I ordered. Not only would I never go here again probably not a good idea to work here because I am sure that the employees don't really like...

ABQ “Route 66” Habits:

Rhonda and I have got into the habit of going to our local breakfast restaurant which is about a mile from our house. The name of the place is called Loyola’s, and it sits right on old Route 66 or Central Avenue. The place has been there for eons, and the décor probably hasn’t changed one bit from back when Route 66 was the main route through the USA. Some people may recognize Loyola’s from the TV shows “Breaking Bad” or “Better Call Saul” as it was Mike Ehrmantraut’s (actor Jonathan Banks) favorite place to eat in the show (much was filmed there plus he also went there to eat after filming).

First, the restaurant doesn’t stand out from Route 66 anymore. Much of the flair of Route 66 was lost when the previous Albuquerque Mayor (Barry) ruined Route 66 to get bus lanes installed. He pushed his bus initiative even though the locals were against it. He’s now richer and lives in Phoenix and what was Route 66 in Albuquerque can only now be embedded in our minds as it was, hopefully not forgotten. Loyola’s is one of those last holdout places that survived the bus push and, luckily, filming “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul” at the restaurant didn’t hurt.

When one walks in the door of Loyola’s it's nice to be recognized and be asked how our day is going. “It’s going well but it sure is cold out there - March in Albuquerque!” On the left when you enter is the old fashioned diner counter with about 10 spaces for walk-ins and it's always full. A full variety of folks talking with one another. We always immediately get seated in the old-style booths. The staff quickly brings your coffee or orange juice to your table. The Loyola staff has probably worked there for quite some time and it’s nice to see the same familiar faces each time you come in. You know them and they know you. Rhonda and I have gotten to the point where we know exactly what we want and don’t even look at the menu. Once ordered the food is quickly cooked and served within 5 minutes. We have never had to wait long, and the food is always consistent and fresh. Rhonda gets her mini huevos and I get my spam and eggs (Hawaii rubbed off on me!). Maybe not the healthiest meal but we like it.

You may notice a handwritten sign on the entrance doors saying they will be closed next week for some filming as the local movie industry knows a good thing when they see it.

It makes me sad to see places like this fade away but until they close the doors or Rhonda and I cease to exist; we plan on going to Loyola’s every Wednesday for some time. Best to...

What can I say? A place where locals gather for great food, awesome service and a vibe that makes you crave it as much as a craving for their chile cheese fries and the best sopapillas in town (in my humble opinion). I love sitting at lunch counter for that nostalgic feeling as the servers busily swirl around greeting the regulars with genuine smiles. Today, the family sitting at the large booth ordered french toast, green chile breakfast burrito with sausage, taco salad, taco plate and 1/4 cheeseburger with french fries and a side of red chile cheese fries. As large as our order was and as packed as the diner was, we didn't have to wait very long. The taco salad was nicely plated and was what you'd expect in a taco salad. The breakfast burrito was chock full of goodness, very substantial and was promptly inhaled by my son who considers himself a burrito connoisseur and pronounced it delicious. My daughter was very happy about her french toast commenting on the golden brown crusty exterior and fluffy interior. The taco plate with two tacos, beans and rice. The ground was nicely seasoned and tasty, as was the rice. The beans, well, they were nearly as good as my grandma's! The cheeseburger, served deluxe and french fries, GBD(golden brown and delicious) hit the spot and took me back to my childhood, sitting in a diner, with my grandfather. Simpler times back then. Although I rated the food as four stars, don't get me wrong, was excellent. But as with anything, there's always room for improvement. Just ask the locals packing the diner and bringing along new friends add to the energy. The guys in the kitchen are about the best diner cooks in Albuquerque! I'm there almost...