El Pinto Restaurant — Restaurant in Four Corners States

Colin was an Exceptional & attentive to every need! Margaritas & Mimosas were amazing as well! Love El Pinto & Colin's professional, quick & attentive service! -Edit Took my father to enjoy the environment and service along with my wife and 2 children. It was a busy day as it normally is for lunch. We came in to an empty front lobby other than maybe one party waiting to be seated. We usually have never waited more than 5-10 minutes at most even on busy days but the hostesses insisted it would be 30-45 minute wait. I was willing to wait and after my Dad went to use the restroom I was informed that it would be closer to 45-1hr wait and was urged to just sit inside while one of the hostesses proceeded to walk us back to the dining area, I informed her we're still waiting on my father who was in the restroom. She seemed irritated, my dad then walked out a few seconds later and I agreed to just sit in the dining room. We then were lead to a far dark corner that they had to turn on a lamp for us to even read the menu (not the environment i was hoping for and i am not very expecting but it was imo The worst table in the restaurant while there were alot of other tables available.) We then sat down while they fumbled with the lamp to turn on. I then went back to the front desk and politely asked if we could be put on a wait list and were put on one. I came back to chips and salsa and told my party we were on a wait list that we can go wait in the lobby when a hostess walked up and said there is nothing outside but that if anything opens up she would return and let us know if there is one in about 4 minutes and if she doesn't return there then there is no table so we waited and no one came but I got notification that a table was open on my phone so I informed our waitress but was told there wasn't anything so I walked back up to the front and asked for a manager. They then radioed a manager and I very rudely heard over the radio a woman say "It's this guy (bugging) to sit outside" all while the two young ladies blushed, covered the radio and put it under the desk.. I then said I am not bugging but I am a paying customer and have never had issues and am always generous with good service. I was then approached by a manager that still insisted we couldn't be moved and that the dining room was the only place to stay seated but she would try to get us outside so I proceeded back to my table as she insisted she would find us. About 10-15 minutes go by and we already received our order and were half way thru eating when she came and said there was a table ready outside. I then politely said we are almost finished but I would like a discount for the hassle especially since the waitress had recommended splitting the Enchilada plate (because it is big) even tho I usually get separate orders (stuffed sopa plate for me and my wife usually gets enchiladas and we both have a lot left over normally) she said they can split it so I agreed to just try that since I didn't want food sitting in our vehicle all day and i hate wasting. When the order came my wife was given a small plate with enchiladas and I was given a small empty kids plate and was told they couldn't split it because "She would get yelled at." I then was even more disappointed and said I would have just ordered my own plate if I knew it was that small and couldn't be split.. The waitress Rebecca was very polite still and had good service but everything else around the experience was just horrible compared to every other time I have been here busy or not. Was discounted but was not worth the experience and having to pick off my wives plate. I have recommended this restaurant to many people for the exceptional service, environment and most importantly the great food but was very dissapointed in my experience Sunday... All said and done, Love the place but not loving the experience the hostesses provided from the beginning to end but at least the lady outside selling jewelry was very nice and we were able to spend what we were discounted on a nice set of earrings for my...

El Pinto: A Quintessential Taste of New Mexico

For anyone seeking the essence of New Mexican cuisine, El Pinto is more than a restaurant—it’s a landmark, a cultural institution, and an experience all its own. Nestled in the lush green Bosque of Albuquerque’s North Valley, this iconic establishment has been serving up the flavors of the Southwest for decades, cementing its reputation as one of the most quintessential dining spots in the region. From the moment you arrive, you sense that El Pinto is more than a meal—it’s a tradition.

A Feast for the Senses

Step inside, and you’re greeted by the warm, earthy hues of traditional adobe architecture, with walls adorned by an impressive gallery of photographs featuring celebrities, politicians, and public figures who have all made the pilgrimage to this storied eatery. The vibe is both welcoming and grand, offering the kind of atmosphere where everyone—from locals to tourists—feels at home. And the chips and salsa? Legendary. The basket arrives seemingly bottomless, accompanied by a house-made salsa that strikes the perfect balance between smoky, tangy, and spicy. It’s the kind of start to a meal that leaves you both satisfied and eagerly anticipating what’s next.

The Menu: New Mexican Heritage on Every Plate

El Pinto’s menu reads like a love letter to New Mexican cuisine. Every dish, from the enchiladas to the carne adovada, is steeped in tradition, showcasing the rich, bold flavors that define this unique culinary heritage. The red and green chile, grown on their very own farms, is the star of the show—vibrant, flavorful, and with just the right amount of heat. Whether you opt for the stacked enchiladas or the signature chile rellenos, each bite is a testament to the kitchen’s commitment to authenticity and quality.

And then there’s the patio. In a city known for its temperate climate, the patio at El Pinto stands out as a destination in itself. Shaded by towering cottonwood trees and illuminated by twinkling lights in the evening, it’s a magical space that transforms every meal into an occasion. Even in the cooler months, with heaters and blankets provided, the patio remains a treat—a cozy, enchanting corner of New Mexico where the food somehow tastes even better outdoors.

Margaritas and Tequila: A Spirited Affair

El Pinto is as much about the drinks as it is the food, and its margaritas are nothing short of legendary. The menu boasts an impressive array of tequila options, ranging from smooth silvers to aged añejos, ensuring there’s something for every palate. Whether you prefer your margarita classic, spicy, or infused with fruit, El Pinto’s bartenders deliver a perfectly balanced cocktail that’s as much a part of the experience as the meal itself.

Planning Your Visit

As one of Albuquerque’s most beloved dining destinations, El Pinto draws crowds year-round, but especially during the city’s famed Balloon Fiesta. Reservations are strongly recommended during this time, as the restaurant becomes a hub for visitors from around the world. On quieter days, an OpenTable reservation will suffice, but don’t let the planning deter you—this is a dining experience worth organizing your schedule around.

Why El Pinto Endures

What makes El Pinto truly remarkable is its ability to balance the authenticity of a family-run restaurant with the polish and professionalism of a world-class dining establishment. The combination of warm, attentive service, a menu steeped in tradition, and an unbeatable ambiance ensures that every visit feels like a special occasion.

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a longtime local, El Pinto offers something for everyone: a taste of New Mexico’s rich culinary heritage, an atmosphere that captures the spirit of the Southwest, and an experience that lingers long after the last bite. Simply put, it’s a must-visit, a place that defines what it means to dine in...

Made a reservation for an early dinner to 1. Avoid the rush of peak hours 2. Prepare the kitchen for a relative large top (8 adults, two children). Arrival and initial interaction with the waitress was reasonable, cordial in both directions. However, this was misleading: water took approximately 15 minutes to make it to the table, with no checking in from any of the staff. For this reason, one member of the party started a timer for the order shortly after the waitress took the last order, (approximately 2 minutes), already anticipating a lengthy wait. 50 minutes before we asked to speak to a manager, two minutes before our food started coming out of the kitchen. In the interim, a table that was sat as our order was on it's way to the kitchen got sat, ordered, got their food, paid, and left. Meanwhile, we saw our waitress once with water refills, and someone with a name tag on locked us into the room where we were sat... The door was a fire exit door to our position that appears to have been a patio modified into a permanent seating arrangement. We discovered this when a member of our party tried to open the door for other guests trying to leave and could not until someone inside(another patron) pushed the exit bar from the other side. We could still exit through another fire escape, but if we needed to use the facilities were required to use this exit and enter back through the main entrance. Until we propped it back open after the previously described access.

A manager came with our food, as we had asked for, but only introduced herself as 'a manager' and never by name. She declared that the order took so long because 'grill items take a while', to which I responded 'not 50 minutes', but the manager and the waitress repeated only that grill items take longer. A medium rare NY strip, 12 oz, takes 16 minutes from fire to rest, and salmon is reasonably paced. Thirty minutes is reasonable interval in this case, provided the wait staff checks on you and does not lock your direct access to the facilities on you.

The runner/busser was the only person to apologize to us for at least 10 more minutes after concern was raised. Two food items were not prepared as ordered, the steak and the salmon, both severely over done, but only the salmon was returned. The replacement salmon was exactly as originally ordered, and when it was placed was the first apology issued by the manager in this whole ordeal.

For full transparency, the manager comped our table two guacamoles and a to go nacho, but maintained the mandatory 20% gratuity. Given that my complaint is service based, and I still paid someone $60(determined by the restaurant) for an hour and a half of not servicing the table, I don't believe guacamole and nachos properly addresses the core of what went wrong.

As long as gratuity is automatically added, servers will continue to abuse the system and perform well below reasonable expectations. People do not go to restaurants for quick food, that's what to go and delivery are for . They go for service and ambience, to enjoy a special night where they are made to feel welcomed and extravagant. This was neither of those, and not worth anywhere near the price...