Chili Works — Restaurant in Los Alamos

Pros: Fast, Cheap (for Los Alamos)

Cons: Bland, Flavorless, Messy, Rude Staff, Weird Hours, No Place to Eat Food

First couple times I came by this place, they were closed, despite me coming during hours posted here on Google Maps. Today they were actually open. I wouldn't have even tried for a third time had the place not come HIGHLY recommended by a friend who used to live in Los Alamos 8 years ago. Despite multiple co-workers warning me this place really went downhill, I had to give it a try anyway.

First there's no marked spaces in the lot, no signs about where to park, so I parked next to the door. First thing I walked in the door they yelled at me for where I parked. I asked if I should move my car, they said "hurry up and order". I swear they handed me my burrito within 30 seconds of placing my order, I said "Could you have made it any faster?!" with a warm smile, joking with them, and the old man in back gave a nasty look and said, "Just trying to get you out of here." Wow.

Since there was no place to eat the food there, and they had no sugar-free drinks, I took my burrito to Smith's to get a drink and the burrito felt light so I got some chips to eat with it. When I opened the tin foil, I was presented with a mess - they use a tortilla that's WAY too small to contain the fillings, so it's essentially a huge messy nasty taco. Both the tortilla and the ingredients were bland and flavorless mush - no detected seasonings, no onion, no garlic, no chiles (other than the red & green chile salsa which was also bland and flavorless). I noticed they gave a salt packet, probably because numerous other folks here have complained about the lack of any seasoning. Like salt is what's missing.

Sorely disappointed. I work near this place, and will never be back again. Not sure how they're even still in business. Gave 2 stars just due to affordability in an otherwise VERY expensive town, and due...

When I dream of a New Mexico Breakfast Burrito, it comes from here. Lunch is excellent too.

When I was gone from New Mexico, every visit back had to include a trip here. I've been returning here since it was known as The Chile Village.

Excellent is not high enough to describe the service. Many times I have my burrito in hand before I even make it up to the counter to pay for it. Once, while I sat in my car finishing up listening to something on my radio, my burrito was hand delivered to my car! Yeah, I always ordered the same thing (my own creation, the Dr. Cho), so they had my order before I opened my mouth. I have since switched to a Super X-Mas (sausage/ham/bacon/chorizo w/green and red chile!). Still the greatest service.

Only bad thing: it is Monday, and they are not open on Mondays. Dreaming...

This was a staple of my high school days growing up in Los Alamos. We'd go there every morning for breakfast and have arguements left and right should someone say our beloved burritos were anything less than amazing.

That said, having left the coop and not lived there for the past 12 years, I've experienced many other things. Unfortunately during my trip back, it really was nothing special. Bland eggs and potatoes, skimpy on the meats, and their red chili (but come on, who gets anything but green) is mediocre at best.

I dunno if it was denial from living in a small town, or maybe their quality has changed, but having lived in many other places now... Sorry Chili Works, you're really nothing special. You still live in my fondest of memories...