Visit Albuquerque: Golden Pride

Golden Pride is a must for breakfast burritos in New Mexico.  The fast-food chain has won numerous awards, and we knew we had to stop there one day to try it out for ourselves.

Eggs, Hash Browns, Cheese

Eggs, Bacon, Hash Browns, Cheese

Eggs, Bacon, Hash Browns, Green Chile,  Cheese

Eggs, Hash Browns, Carne Adovado, Cheese

There are over 10 different types of breakfast burritos you can choose from.  I chose an egg, bacon, hash browns, green chile, and cheese breakfast burrito.

It was indeed one of the best breakfast burritos I've had anywhere.

It was stuffed with breakfast faves, and the addition of the green chile gave it a nice amount of spice.

The burritos from Golden Pride were the perfect grab-and-go breakfast!

Golden Pride
119 53rd St NW
Albuquerque, New Mexico

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New Mexico Omiyage

In New Mexico, I was on the hunt for Bizcohitos - the State Cookie of New Mexico.  I found it (they were reminiscent of almond cookies, in my opinion), and other sweet and savory omiyage ideas!

Amour Chocolates
The Candy Lady confections
Heart of the Desert Pistachios
Los Muertos Chocolate Bars
Old Santa Fe Trail Beef Jerky
Pearson Ranch Jerky
Walker's Popcorn Co.
Way Out West - Bizco-Bites

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Visit New Mexico: Bandelier National Monument

One of the most interesting places we visited while in New Mexico was Bandelier National Monument.

The Bandelier National Monument spans 33,000 acres, and preserves an area that was once inhabited by the Ancestral Pueblos.

It is estimated that they lived in Bandelier from 1150 CE to 1550 CE, as is evident by the cliff dwellings, petroglyphs, and structures found throughout the area. 

Access to Bandelier is limited, as cars are not allowed to the monument - you must take a free shuttle from the Visitor Center to get there. 

Once at Bandelier National Monument, you can walk the short 1.2-mile Main Loop Trail to Tyuonyi (canyon floor dwellings) and the cliff dwellings, and you may also opt to walk even further to a more primitive trail (we just did the short trail). 

It was incredibly neat to see the petroglyphs, and the kids loved being able to climb into the cliff dwellings.

Thinking about all the Ancient Pueblos created, as well as how much they had to endure (the freezing cold, the animals!), and all they had to do to survive really made me appreciate all that I have today.

We had such a great time exploring Bandelier.  I highly recommend it if you visit Northern New Mexico!

Bandelier National Monument
15 Entrance Rd

Los Alamos, NM 87544

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Visit New Mexico: The Candy Lady

While in Albuquerque, we made a stop at The Candy Lady, not necessarily to get some candy, but because my husband had recently binge-watched Breaking Bad.

The connection?  Well, other than Breaking Bad being set in Albuquerque, if you visit The Candy Lady, not only can you buy some Breaking Bad Candy, but you can also take a photo with a look-alike Walter White, like my husband did (free, gratuity recommended).

Of course, since we were there, we also bought some candy and other sweet (and spicy!) confections.

Owner Debbie Ball, the Candy Lady herself, took the time to chat with us as the shop filled up with curious and hungry customers.

Whether you're a fan of Breaking Bad or simply need to satisfy your sweet tooth, check out The Candy Lady!

The Candy Lady
424 San Felipe St NW

Albuquerque, NM 87104
 (505) 243-6239

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Visit Albuquerque: Fuddruckers

Fuddrucker's is one of my favorite fast food chain restaurants to visit whenever I travel.  I especially love the toppings bar, where you can customize your burger or sandwich with onions, lettuce, tomatoes, hot sauce, cheese sauce, and more!

Crispy Chicken Sandwich

I ordered a Crispy Chicken Sandwich.  Fuddruckers has one of the best chicken sandwiches anywhere, in my opinion, and although it looks plain, once you add on the onions, lettuce, cheese, or whatever your heart desires from the toppings bar, it turns into a great looking sandwich!

The Works

The Works burgers comes with Smokehouse Bacon, American Cheese, and Grilled Mushrooms.

Fries and Rings

Kids Chicken Strips

Kids Hamburger

A kids menu is available. Meals come with fries or apple slices, a cookie, and a drink, or you can upgrade to a shake. You can also order a la carte, like we did.

Shakes

Fuddruckers also offers sweets on site, such as freshly-baked cookies and brownies, but we couldn't resist getting some shakes - Cookies N Cream, Chocolate, Strawberry, Vanilla.

I wish Fuddruckers would open in Hawaii!



Fuddruckers
2120 Yale Blvd. SE
Albuquerque, NM 87106

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Visit Santa Fe: Tecolote Cafe

While in Santa Fe, we stopped at Tecolote Cafe, which is known for their breakfasts and Blue Corn Pancakes.

Bakery Basket

Kids Single Cake with Bacon

Kids Burrito

Kids French Toast with Bacon

Billy's Omelette

Frito Pie

Atole Pinion Pancakes

I decided to get a Frito Pie, a popular New Mexican dish.  The bowl of Fritos, beef, green chile, tomatoes, lettuce, and beans sure was yummy!

Billy's Omelette was stuffed with spinach and bacon, and covered in a Hollandaise sauce.

A Bakery Basket of freshly-baked goods is served with select meals.  

We read that a must-try is the Atole Pinion (Blue Corn) Pancakes.  I thought it was good, and definitely worth sharing.

A kids menu with very reasonably-priced meals is available - nothing more than $6, drinks included.

Service was not so great.  Although friendly, our server was very distracted while taking our orders (he kept looking off in the distance at another table), and we kept having to repeat our orders.  We also didn't get a bread basket / tortilla that was supposed to accompany one of our meals, even though we asked another server for it as well.  

The food was satisfying at Tecolote Cafe, unfortunately the service was not.

Tecolote Cafe
1616 St Michaels Dr

Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 988-1362

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Visit Albuquerque: Blake's LOTAburger

Blake's Lotaburger is a popular fast food chain throughout New Mexico, so we just had to give it a try.

LOTA Burger

Chili Pie

Kiddy Burger

Onion Rings

Fries

Kiddy Tenders

Blake's is known for their LOTAburger - a beef patty with pickles, mustard, lettuce, onions, and tomato, all sandwiched between toasted buns.  You must get it with cheese and green chile (because you're in New Mexico!).

I ordered a Chili Pie, which was satisfying and tasty.

Kids meals come with a side and a drink. 

The food was good, and definitely a must-try when in New Mexico!

Blake's LOTAburger
1640 Gibson Blvd.
Albuquerque, NM 87106

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