Chaco Grill — Restaurant in Cuba

We remember creating a really solid review at our first visit back in the summer. Unfortunately, it looks like we fell victim to the vagaries of cellular service in rural New Mexico and lost the review entirely during failure of the posting attempt.

Regardless of why we are beginning a review from scratch at the second visit, we would have to alter opinions anyway. At our first visit we were absolutely astounded by the massive portions. My Green Chile Cheese Fries took 2 or 3 tries for the two of us to finish, and Raz's Carne Adovada Stuffed Sopapilla was nearly as giant. The quality of everything except the basic crinkle-cut fries was also definitely worth writing home about.

However, we were far less impressed on the second go-round. Raz went for the Carne Adovada Breakfast Burrito on the second trip, which was quite tasty, but super small in comparison to even fast food burritos.

Both trips we ordered the Frybread. While the fluffy, fried pastry that goes by that name at Chaco Grill is the reason for stopping, it's actually closer to a flat sopapilla than the rich, fluffy, crisp, savory staple of my childhood in northwestern New Mexico. I mean no disparagement to Chaco Grill in the least, because their Frybread is some of the closest to home-made I've had in a restaurant.

The ambiance is divey, being in a petrol station after all, but that works in the place's favor. Long story short, we will probably stop again next time we find ourselves starving in Cuba, NM, but we're unlikely to make the trip for the sole purpose of eating at...

Unassuming little lunch counter inside the Philips 66 station on the north end of town consistently cooks up tasty New Mexican meals with a friendly hello. Sit inside for a delicious plated dish and your choice of a refreshing cold soft drink from the cooler. Navajo tacos are tops, as are the finger-licking taquitos. Burgers are just how they should be with loads of green chile and cheese. Better yet, grab a bag of hand-rolled burritos for the patio or the road! It's an hour to the next town, so you can munch on a scrumptious foil-wrapped wad of authentic flavor while you take in the expansive Southwestern views. Try the #5 bean and cheese with red chile. Or green. :) The #4 beef and cheese with green chile is compact but completely satisfying. You won't be sorry if you go with the chicharron and bean burritos or handmade tamales, either. The folks are friendly and will share all you want to know about the local area. If you want to stick around for a day or two, you can even book a room at the nearby B&B run by the family. When you're passing through Cuba, don't pass up the...

Food was halfway decent but the woman at the counter was horrendous and is the sole reason for the one star review. She didn’t take half our order and when we went in to complain she said we never ordered it and copped a major attitude like we were inconveniencing her. If you hate your job that much stay at home. We know we ordered 3 sopapillas and she said she didn’t make them because we didn’t tell her how many to make. Uhhhh we said 3. Ok so you forgot we said 3 you just don’t make any and don’t mention it when I pick my food up? Get new counter help or something because I will be suuuure to let everyone I come in contact with know that this place is not...