New Mexico has so many wonderful family-owned or run restaurants that one article couldn’t hope to feature all the great little mom and pop places scattered throughout the state. To be honest, two articles isn’t sufficient either. But it’s a good start! So, here are 12 more of the best mom & pop restaurants in New Mexico.

1. Clafoutis, 402 N Guadalupe Street, Santa Fe
Yelp/Randy R.
Facebook/Clafoutis
Clafoutis serves such addictive food that, at times, it's a struggle to wriggle through the crowd to reach the door! Expect a warm welcome - often in French. Menu highlights include the goat cheese salad, the jambon fromage sandwich, and pretty much anything from the bakery case. This is the closest you can get to Paris in New Mexico.

Visit the Clafoutis website for more information.
2. A Taste of Thai Cuisine, 1303 W Second Street, Roswell
Yelp/Surapan P.
Yelp/Surapan P.
The dishes at this family restaurant are filled with authentic Thai flavors and are thoughtfully plated. You can't go wrong with the curry.

Visit the Taste Of Thai Cuisine Facebook page for more information.
3. Sadie's, three locations in the Albuquerque area
Facebook/Sadie's of New Mexico
Facebook/Sadie's of New Mexico
Sadie's is an Albuquerque institution and its recipes have been handed down from generation to generation. Servings are massive and the nachos will leave you stuffed and smiling. This restaurant creates such good salsa that this spun off as a second business - you've probably seen Sadie's products in your local grocery store.

Visit the Sadie's website for more information.
4. Burger Boy, 12023 State Highway 14, Cedar Crest
Yelp/Marcea H.
Yelp/Justin M.
Burger Boy is a family-owned establishment located in the small town of Cedar Crest. It's known for - you guessed it - burgers. The beef is freshly ground in-house and the most popular menu item is the double meat burger.

Visit the Burger Boy website for more information.
5. Los Rios Café, 915 Farmington Avenue, Farmington
Yelp/Travel'en C.
Facebook/Los Rios Cafe INC.
The folk at Los Rios Cafe give diners a warm welcome. The chicken is delicious, whether you have it in enchiladas or fajitas.

Visit the Los Rios Cafe Facebook page for more information.
6. Pena’s Place, 2963 Sudderth Drive, Ruidoso
Yelp/Michael P.
Yelp/Melissa E.
This family-run breakfast and lunch joint opened in 2001. Pena's is known for its breakfast burritos and huevos rancheros. During warmer months, there's a small but cute patio for outdoor dining.

Visit the Pena's Place webpage for more information.
7. General Store Café, 10697 Highway 152, Hillsboro
Facebook/Hillsboro General Store Cafe
Facebook/Hillsboro General Store Cafe
The couple that owns this restaurant has been running it for close to two decades. At breakfast, the French toast is a standout and, for lunch, you can't go wrong with a green chile cheeseburger (called the Hillsboro Nip) and a shake.

Visit the General Store Cafe Facebook page for more information.
8. Bruno’s Pizza & Wings, 224 S First Street, Raton
Yelp/Amanda M.
Yelp/Margie W.
This hidden gem in Raton is family-owned. It dishes up crispy-crust pizza and succulent wings inside the old Raton Hotel, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Visit the Bruno's Pizza & Wings website for more information.
9. Tacos Mirasol, 309 E Pine Street, Deming
Yelp/B.R.
Yelp/Jim H.
This hole-in-the-wall, Mexican restaurant keeps things simple with a menu of burritos, tostadas and tortas - try the carne asada or ham. The shrimp cocktail is scrumptious, as is the horchata.
10. Chili Hills, 5 State Road 344, Edgewood
Yelp/Jamie L.
Facebook/Chili Hills Restaurant Edgewood
If it's a friendly reception you're after, try dining at Chili Hills. The food here is as comforting as it is messy. Pictured is The Duke, a gravity-defying tower of beef, bacon and toppings. (There is a second Chili Hills location in nearby Moriarty.)

Visit the Chili Hills website for more information.
11. Pete’s Café, 105 N 1st Street, Belen
Yelp/Robert G.
Yelp/Christopher P.
Pete's is a down home restaurant that has been owned by the same family forever - specifically since 1949! This place serves great New Mexican fare, including sopaipillas and also chile rellenos. Try to pop in for the Friday night special.

Visit the Pete's Cafe website for more information.
12. Tiffany’s Pizza & Deli Coffee Shop, 755 S Telshor Boulevard, Suite G1, Las Cruces
Yelp/Tim H.
Yelp/Isaac G.
If you have a large appetite and a hankering for Greek food, this indie restaurant will satisfy your craving. The gyros with Greek potatoes are extremely popular and the folk at Tiffany's also make a mean pizza.

Visit the Tiffany's Pizza website for more information.

If you missed part one of our ‘best mom & pop restaurants in New Mexico’ series, check it out here.

Did your favorite make this list? If not, tell us why it deserves to be included in a future article by nominating it here.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

More to Explore

Best Mom & Pop Restaurants In New Mexico

Leah | July 31, 2020

What are the best hidden gem restaurants in New Mexico?

Mom & pop places like these tend to be known by the locals but not far beyond that. There are restaurants out there worth visiting that are far from the spotlight, making them hidden gems. A good example of this in New Mexico is Duran Central Pharmacy. Yes, you read that right - a pharmacy. This unsuspecting spot has a restaurant that serves delicious New Mexican cuisine. Genaro's Cafe in Gallup, New Mexico is another lesser-known treasure. They may not be flashy in appearance, but their food is worth trying. Make sure you come hungry because their portions are generous.

What are the most unique restaurants in New Mexico?

There are many great places to enjoy home cooked meals in New Mexico, but some truly stand out from the rest. Whether it's their unique theming and appearance or wacky yet delicious meals, here are a few you might want to add to your dining bucket list. Dine at the Buckhorn Saloon & Opera House for an experience like no other. The historic building is from the 1800s and certainly looks like it. They serve great steaks and have a fascinating story worth listening to. Sparky's Burgers in Hatch, New Mexico is another unusual yet great eatery, especially if you love chile. The retro design and classic diner menu will take you back in time. Quirky menu items like their green chile lemonade make Sparky's special.

What are the most iconic restaurants in New Mexico?

The best local restaurants in New Mexico are iconic to the residents that keep visiting them year after year. One famous neighborhood restaurant is the Owl Bar & Cafe. Located just outside of Albuquerque, this family-owned place has been around since 1940 and is home to the famous Owl Burger. It's one of those restaurants with tons of dollar bills on the walls from all the visitors who have come over the years, highlighting the many memories that have been created there. Another iconic restaurant in the ABQ area is Mary and Tito's. This must-try has been featured on many publications as a New Mexico staple. They have all the New Mexican favorites when it comes to their loaded menu and a nostalgic atmosphere.

Related Articles

Explore New Mexico

Featured Addresses
333 W Cordova Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87505, USA
1303 W 2nd St, Roswell, NM 88201, USA
6230 4th St NW, Los Ranchos De Albuquerque, NM 87107, USA
5400 Academy Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109, USA
15 Hotel Cir NE, Albuquerque, NM 87123, USA
Burger Boy, 12023 NM-14, Cedar Crest, NM 87008, USA
915 Farmington Ave # 7, Farmington, NM 87401, USA
Pena's Place, 2963 Sudderth Dr, Ruidoso, NM 88345, USA
Hillsboro General Store Cafe, 10697 NM-152, Hillsboro, NM 88042, USA
133 Cook Ave, Raton, NM 87740, USA
309 E Pine St, Deming, NM 88030, USA
5 NM-344, Edgewood, NM 87015, USA
105 N 1st St, Belen, NM 87002, USA
755 S Telshor Blvd, Las Cruces, NM 88011, USA