4. Restaurants

Cecilia’s Cafe

230 6th St SW, Albuquerque, NM, 87102
  • (505) 243-7070
  • Store is closed

Cecilia’s Cafe Menu

  • Appetizers
  • Salads
  • Entrees
  • A La Carte
  • Side Orders

Healthy Meal suggestions for Cecilia’s Cafe

  • Appetizers
  • Salads
  • Entrees
  • A La Carte
  • Side Orders

Visit below restaurant in Albuquerque for healthy meals suggestion.

Chili’s Grill & Bar ( 10021 Coors Blvd Nw )
Chili’s Grill & Bar ( 2560 Coors Blvd NW )

  • Sue S.

    I think I may be the only NM native who doesn't really get all the rave reviews of this restaurant. It's ok but not the best Mexican food. I had a few dishes w/the red chile. it was grainy and way too hot. Hot does not equal tasty.

    (2)

  • Shar C.

    Great service, great food. Cecilia was there serving people & explaining how her food is all homemade fresh every day, nothing is from a can & she doesn't add any starch or flour to her chili. Had the bowl of red chili with beans & ground beef served with a warm tasty tortilla on the side - so good! Prices are very reasonable. Portions can be quite large. Breakfast menu served all day. Will be back next time I'm in the area. Would highly recommend.

    (5)

  • Stu T.

    this was really a fun stop in albuquerque. the number 10 was my favorite and I must say the chili made it even better. the staff was extremely funny and delightful to be with at lunch. we were near closing time and I think I would've liked it a little more earlier in the day , probably for breakfast. The Pork was just a little dry but you could tell it was not a regular occurrence, just close to closing

    (4)

  • N J.

    NOTE: I already reviewed this on Urban Spoon but I feel so strongly, I'm double posting. So we went to this little place after seeing Guy Fieri rave about it on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives and boy, were we disappointed. The food wasn't terrible - not memorable, but not terrible - but I totally have to agree with other people on here who complain about the horrendous service. We walked in today (Sunday morning) and stood there while a surly looking waitress passed and ignored us multiple times. The cashier (who I think was the owner, according to the photos on the walls) also ignored us completely and it was only when I muttered under my breath "What do we do here?" that the surly waitress said, "Sit wherever you want." We sat down and I watched as this same surly waitress greeted regulars as they came through the door. In contrast to her snottiness to us, she was all smiles and "Hey! How ARE yous?" She took our order and not only never smiled or offered a civil word, she never even looked me in the face. We got our food and it was so-so. My carne adovada and eggs was a very slim portion for $8.95 - basically four small pieces of pork with two eggs scrambled to the consistency of rubber and about a half a cup of pinto beans accompanied by a bland, dry tortilla. I mean, c'mon folks - beans are some of the cheapest ingredients out there. Couldn't you at least cover the bottom of the plate? My husband's Fireman's Burrito was a better deal, a decent portion at $9.95 and tasted ok. It definitely would have tasted better if they'd served it with a side of friendliness or courtesy. We went up to pay and the cashier didn't ask us how our meal was, didn't smile - in fact, she hardly looked at us. The whole experience made me feel like we inconvenienced them by wanting to give them our money. We will NOT be going there again and I plan to warn my friends to avoid it as well.

    (2)

  • K N.

    Solid experience. I went in on a Sunday morning (yes, they're open on Sundays) and the place was nearly deserted. Service was prompt and the waitress (I assume the proprietor as well?) was all over the place. Friendly, greeting her regulars, moving plates from the kitchen to tables, cleaning up tables, ringing up checks - quite impressive. My coffee was promptly refilled without having to ask. I ordered the blue cornmeal pancakes with an omelet/beans/beef/green chile, and was pleasantly surprised to find the pancakes contained pine nuts (a.k.a. piñon). The omelet was pretty basic, only two eggs, and contained no vegetables at all, which would have been a nicer touch. Took 10-15 minutes to arrive from when I ordered, which isn't too bad. Delicious, delicious, delicious. Two drawbacks: it's fairly expensive place for the food, although it is good. The three pancakes cost north of $5 and the omelet was almost $9! With tip + coffee my check (one person) was almost $20, which is a pretty expensive breakfast for Albuquerque, let alone New Mexico. I also can't comment on the level of service when it gets crowded, though, I hear it gets pretty crazy at times. I will be back, although it's a bit too pricey to be an "every Sunday morning" kind of place.

    (4)

  • Nat L.

    I really like this place. We always go for breakfast so I don't know how their lunch is. The woman who is always in there is so friendly and quick with the coffee that would be enough to win me over. But with great chili to boot I'm sold.

    (4)

  • Tamarind S.

    My Mom and I tried this place yesterday. I should note we went to the Nob Hill location and not the 6th street location. My Mom recognized Cecilia from one of our old favorite New Mexican food restaurants that is no longer in business ( Mexican Kitchen for all the old schoolers). Cecilia is very friendly and made sure we were well taken care of throughout our visit. Our food came quickly and it was delicious! It is very traditional fare and totally reminded me of Mexican Kitchen. The salsa was yummy and my tacos were delicious! My mom had the taco salad and said it was delicious as well. I can't believe it took me so long to try this place. I will be back soon... maybe even next week! If you haven't tried this place, GO!

    (5)

  • Dolores G.

    I am keeping this one simple. The food and service is so inconsistent here. From one day to the next you never know what you are going to get. Not impressed! Too many other options. When it appeared on DDD...eh he must have caught them on a good day. Nothin' special here.

    (2)

  • Bryan B.

    This place was a lot of fun. Mary was great and gave us great service. I ate here with two of my colleagues from work and we all had one of the Triple D meals. this is what a local place is all about. Definitely will be back again.

    (4)

  • Ron F.

    For us, this was a bit of a disappointment. We've tried several Triple D restaurants, and this is the first we've given an A-OK rating to. It was an okay breakfast, but nothing special. Neither my wife or I cared a lot for the chili added to the meal. The green, which was supposed to be mild, seemed hot to these two Southern California Gringos! I ordered the breakfast burrito with chorizo which came wrapped in a homemade flour tortilla with two scrambled eggs, potatoes, and onions. It was smothered with your choice of red or green chili. My wife had the 3 egg omelet with potatoes, bacon and a homemade flour tortilla. She had the green chili on the side. We both had coffee, which was good. Service was okay. We were there around 8AM on a Thursday morning. No lot, only street parking, which was hard to find, and you had to pay. The old down town location must be a bit of a problem. We noticed that the front door was security barred to keep people from breaking in. That didn't make us comfortable. If you like Tex-Mex for breakfast, try it out. If not, your not missing anything. Total bill was about $16 plus tip.

    (3)

  • Daniel R.

    I got the Carne Adovada and it is blisteringly hot and I loved it. The red chile at Cecilia's can't be missed if you are in Albuquerque. The service was excellent and the atmosphere was very cool and casual.

    (4)

  • Marianne C.

    Found out about this place through Yelp and was not disappointed. This was the first place we went after checking in the hotel. It's a bit hard to find; we tried the wrong door more than once :). But once inside, the place is really inviting with lots of interesting "stuff" around, including an old wooden sign for a garage door maker, a wood burning stove, etc. Cecilia was doing the books while we came in, and her sister was our waitress. "The Hoff" wound up talking with both of them - he's the charmer in the pair. I had a chicken chimichanga with green chile. The Hoff had ... argh... I forget.. an enchilada? Anyway, the food was fabulous! I HIGHLY recommend this place.

    (5)

  • Victoria W.

    We made this a must-do stop after seeing it on Triple D. Again, Guy was spot-on! Its a smaller place, but we got there early for lunch (11:30am) and that was good cuz there were people waiting by noon. Those who are lightweights when it comes to heat may want to steer clear, for I tried both the green and red chili and both had some heat, the red is spicier than the green! I love heat, so the red chili is where I went; although my friends got the green and it was very tasty! We had the frito-pie and the chicharones as an appetizer. The frito-pie was pretty good; green chili and cheese, pretty standard and good. The chicharones were amazing!!! I smothered these with the red chili on a tortilla (which are SO good!) and devoured them!!! I had the carne adovada burrito with the red chili; awesome!!! My friend had the fireman burrito; it was a GIGANTIC burrito, but it was SO YUMMY!!! Had green chili smothered on it, and every pork product they offer inside (with eggs and potatoes). Definately enough for at least two, but SO good! My third friend had the jalapenos and eggs; pretty standard, but the green chili and homemade tortillas put this over the top! Service was great! We had this awesome, welcoming server that called me 'mija' and was so friendly! She was definately busy, but kept up with refills and such. LOVE this place and will definately return!!!

    (5)

  • Heather M.

    Great service-awesome food and ambiance!

    (5)

  • Gale L.

    We stopped at Cecelia's Cafe as we were driving cross country. I was very excited because of course, I planned to stop at as many Diners, Drive Inns, and Dives or other Food Network featured establishments as possible. I ordered the carne adovada because it's what Cecelia's is known for and it gave me the worst heart burn in the world. I love spicy food and normally grease doesn't bother me. I mean the spicier and more fried, usually the better. I was only half way done with my meal when I had to order a glass of milk to quench the fire in my chest. As far as taste goes, I thought it was alright. Not, oh my gosh, soooo good. And I thought their hash browns were kind of sad. If I'm in Albuquerque again, I'll probably stop by and try something else, but in the meanwhile, I think Cecilia's is just okay.

    (3)

  • David M.

    Guy Fieri tipped us off to this little cafe from Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives and it did not disappoint our palates. It's a small cafe that's big on flavor! I had the Huevos Rancheros breakfast with beef and red chile sauce. It was outstanding and the best red chile sauce I've ever had. If you're in downtown Albuquerque, add this to your places to eat.

    (4)

  • Lenka B.

    If you are a breakfast burrito fan, this is the place for you. I ordered the french toast when I should have ordered a b-fast burrito. At Cecilia's I felt like part of the family. Our waitress was helpful, mothering, hilarious, and rude in a fun way. The southwest gaudy christmasy decor is borderline contemporary baroque. Cecilia's is a down home must-visit. I love it!

    (4)

  • Natalie O.

    After two horrible meals in as many days, I finally found Cecilia's. Well, okay, to be honest, the hubby found it about a month ago because it is right down the street from his office. He had a breakfast burrito there almost every day. I am not big on spice, even when it is considered by many to be mild, so I was a little wary. I never should have worried. The hubby had his regular breakfast burrito with sausage which he really likes, obviously. The fact that he has been there almost every day is review enough (he rarely likes any place that I take him). So, let us skip his meal and talk about mine. I had the taco salad. Surprisingly, there are a number of options for this - with or without the tortilla shell, with chicken or beef, with or without beans, chile or salsa. So, I had it with the shell, chicken and beans but no chile or salsa. Let me say that when I have eaten Mexican food in California, it has been greasy. Not at Cecilia's. The tortilla was perfectly fried - light and crispy without the puddles of oil that are so common. The chicken - all white meat - was tender and flavorful. The beans were also cooked perfectly. The salad included lettuce, cheese, sour cream and guacamole. I assumed that it would be dry so I asked for ranch dressing on the side. It was so unneccesary. The salad did not need anything added to it. Our waitress was friendly and attentive - asking how we were doing and refilling drinks. The prices are outstanding for the amount of food you get. My salad was something like $6.75 and I took half of it home. I was a little confused by some of the other reviews that complained about the service. There is a sign by the register that says "Please seat yourself". The place is small so if there are no tables, you may want to let a waitress know that you are waiting outside. The size of the place and the decor is what makes it the perfect Downtown cafe. This location is definitely not a place for people who prefer chain restaurants and Albuquerque is not a place for anybody in a rush. Cecilia's is absolutely a must visit if you are staying in or passing through Albuquerque. Keep in mind that they do close at 2pm and there are a couple of large office buildings in the area so weekday lunch will be crowded. I, for one, am looking forward to trying some of the other menu items. The fact that it is located just a couple of blocks from my house is great but I would have no problem traveling to eat their wonderful food.

    (4)

  • D A P.

    For the past 2 years, the husband & I have been on a quest during all of our visits to NM. Mine is to find the best red chili. His is to find a decent taco. Which is weird because this is the land of New Mexican food, not Mexican food like we're used to in CA. They don't make a lot of tacos here. And you can tell. It's like going to France and ordering a hamburger. You just don't. And why would you? In NM you order the enchiladas, or the pork, or the stuffed peppers. Of course smothered in green or red chili. Or Christmas. So I'm not sure why Kevin's so obsessed with the challenge of finding the perfect NM taco. But we both found what we wanted in Cecelia's Cafe. Kevin loved the tacos, and I loved the red chili. The red chili was delicious and slightly hot. I found myself sniffing half way thru my meal- which is a good sign. It's a small place and the service was great. It's located in downtown ABQ. We knew Cecelia's from Diners, Drive Ins & Dives and decided to give it a try. I'm glad we did. We will be returning.

    (5)

  • Karl H.

    OK, having just returned from a trip home to Abq, I have to say my new *favorite* New Mexican restaurant in the Duke City is......... Cecilia's Cafe! Cecilia prepares New Mexican food for New Mexicans...not the anglocized bland babyfood that seems to be the norm these days. NOTE: Contrary to Yelp's categorization this is NOT TEX MEX! Pleeze. My wife had the Red Chili Chicken soup...the chili was really hot, shredded chicken, beans and rice, very hearty and flavorful. I had a combination enchilada, relleno & tamale (red sauce) and loved every bite. I can't wait until our next trip home to explore the menu further! Cecilia had worked in a number of restaurants around Abq/Santa Fe before opening her own here in 1991. It is in the front of a converted old house on the corner of 6th and Silver, right downtown. Decorated wall to wall and floor to ceiling with lots of fun, cheerful and curious found objects, as well as images of San Pasquale, the patron saint of New Mexican kitchens. Her restaurant has rightfully be profiled on the Food Network, and has a loyal following of locals. There might be a bit of wait if you show up right at noon...come a little before or after the morning and lunch rush if you can. I'm thinking I had a beer, but really can say I recall now. Might have been iced tea. (?) We took my Dad there for his 85th birthday (photo). Dad grew up in the neighborhood around 12th and Central, and gave Cecilia's his old-timer's seal of approval for authenticity and dang good New Mexican food! My only complaint is that they are only open for breakfast and lunch. Please open for dinner as well Cecilia! This is New Mexican cuisine as it should be: Super flavorful! Spicy! Friendly! Give it a try! -K

    (4)

  • Karen M.

    Loved it. It is the first place I have been to in ABQ that tasted like TexMex, for when I need a break from New Mexican food. **Please don't hate me, I'm new here!!** I devoured the cheese enchiladas; green chile sauce was perfect. The service was great (also confused by other reviews); our waitress was friendly and checked on us/filled our drinks in a timely manner. We fought over the last sopapilla.

    (5)

  • Steven H.

    Just happened to be at a friend's place right across the street, so we popped in!!! What a find!!! their red sauce is amazingly hot!!! And caution with the carne adovada.... But the flavor is amazing and next time I'm in Alb, i'm there!!!

    (5)

  • Renee D.

    Saw this on Diners, Drive-ins & Dives on the Food Network and was excited to try it out and I have to say I was not disappointed. The red chili was hot just like everyone said. Food was amazing! I will definitively be eating here again when I come through town.

    (4)

  • Lynette g.

    We went on a Sunday afternoon and beat the "rush" barely. The place is pretty small so if you get there after mass you are going to have to stand and there really is no place to do that. The staff was friendly but a little too busy and we had about three different servers! The food was really good. The red chili was very spicy (love) and I will go back. There is not a huge selection for vegetarians...you have to stick to cheese enchiladas, cheese & bean nachos, but the chili red or green is not made with meat., so you can smother your food in either. Yum!

    (4)

  • Monica C.

    This place has been a little inconsistent. I tried it because I had both a "Living Social" coupon and then a "Groupon". The first time was during the week, so parking was a challenge. Our waitress was "OK" - not the friendliest in the world, but she warmed up a little later. I can see how the other reviewers would see their attitude as rude as they are very rushed. I believe I had the red chile enchiladas that time. (Was VERY disappointed that they had "run out of sopapilla dough" How the hell do you do that?) They were alright. The red chile was pretty hot and my dining companion agreed. Later, the owner, (who was pretty friendly), told us the green was much milder than the red. She also helped us out of the restaurant since it has a very steep step as an entrance. The second experience was a little different. This time it was on a Saturday, so we parked basically across the street. Not as crowded either. My dining companion and I both ordered the "Indian Taco" with beef and red chile. We also ordered a basket of sopapillas, (not out of dough, this time!) Thankfully our waiter, (a sweet kid this time), warned us that the red was "very hot", and that we should order it on the side. We both thought he was probably exaggerating, but we heeded his advice. Our meals came fairly quickly, and I cut off a chunk of the Indian Taco and promptly dipped the whole thing in the small side of red chile. Ow, ow, ow - he wasn't kidding about it being HOT! Although I'm a semi-wimp when it comes to hot food, this was the hottest I've ever experienced. It made for an unpleasant meal since I "dappled" the chile over the rest of the meal. However I was able to get through it with the help of some honey on the delicious sopapillas! The sopapillas are some of the best I've ever had in this town. I had a little extra left on the Groupon, so I ordered some chicharrones, which came with a couple of small, soft tortillas and a side of that "Devil Sauce" red chile. The chicharrones are pretty good and the tortillas were good too. Sent the chile back with the waiter. My dining companion had a side of the green and said it wasn't as hot as the red, but still good. (I prefer red over green chile, so I didn't try it.) Overall, I think I'll try it again if just for the sopapillas. I'll order the red chile on the side again, just in case. I don't understand why it was almost inedibly hot on Saturday, and just extra spicy on the weekday. Different cooks? Cooking the red on too high heat? I don't know, but they should find out what's going on. I'll go on the weekend when the kid is working too.

    (2)

  • Devin S.

    Cool dive atmosphere, but this place is all about the food. Despite being a complete madman, Guy Fieri was spot on with this one. Went there twice during our three night stay. Man up and eat the 10lb burrito.

    (5)

  • Ernesto V.

    Small little corner family place in downtown Albuquerque. Very cozy. Small but the food is good. I had eggs and Carne Adovada with green chili smothered on top. Comes with hash browns and beans and homemade tortillas! Very tasty. Very hot! But maybe I'm just a wimp. Go check it out!

    (4)

  • Ann N.

    Our vacation in early December to Albuquerque & Santa Fe began on a high note at Cecilia's for our first meal in New Mexico. We love spicy food ... by far it was the spiciest food we ate the whole vacay. We didn't know until we arrived it was featured on the Food Network, where they have the DDD feature running on a DVD near the cash register. We landed at the ABQ airport at 8 am and sat down for breakfast at Cecilia's Cafe at 9. It's a small, intimate restaurant downtown with art and cool objects on the walls amid several signs "be considerate of other customers and don't linger at your table after your meal." We hit the jackpot getting there between the breakfast and lunch rush ... when lines run out the door and ppl stand over you waiting for a table. We got the booth across from the wood burning stove, which Cecilia stoked with wood during our visit. Husband had the specialty, Carne Adovada with red chile sauce ... meaty and delicious with fresh handmade corn tortillas. I had the Migas with both red and green sauce and pico. My first bite was awesome! With each bite, even trying the fresh pico they made for me, my mouth caught on fire and I begged for milk (at no charge, a nice gesture). There are only two small dining rooms and the single restroom is small. Regulars came in and out, Cecilia talked about her upcoming NY trip and her next catering gig. It's a regular neighborhood joint. Fresh ingredients, hot spicy food, attentive service, comfy atmosphere, no wait = 5 stars!

    (5)

  • James R.

    the best breakfast burrito I have had in a long time. The food here has so much flavor you want to order a second meal when your done with your first. Great green chile, and all the produce was superb. I really want to try the 10lb burrito challenge, but that will have to wait a year.

    (5)

  • Margarita L.

    My first time in Albuquerque. So visiting Cecilia's was quite an amazing experience. Outstanding customer service, Mary rocks! she is an outstanding greeter and her customer skills talent cannot be questioned, the homemade style food quality would go hand on hand with service. Delicious carne adobada, the tamales with salsa roja or verde out of this world, delicious! wait the flat enchiladas filled with carne adobada....no I did not eat all this on one shot. My friends and I came back 3 times during our stay. Remarkable small place, full of flavor, care, soul and honest home-like environment. We met Cecilia's the owner and the creator of such variety of goodness. We will go back, not a doubt. Thanks!

    (5)

  • Bobby S.

    Cecelia's for me was o.k. The place it's self is pretty cool. Converted home into restaraunt. I got the breakfeast chicarron burrito. I prefer my Chicarrones crispy they werent at all. They were a little stingy with the chili. My cousin thought the same. If i'm in the area and really hungry I would probably stop by again. But since I visit my family here maybe twice a year I'm not gonna go out of my way like I do other places. The staff were great though.

    (3)

  • R Y.

    I was staying at the Hyatt recently, and asked the concierge if they could recommend a good local food dive, and they recommended I try this place as it has been featured on the Food Network. It was a 6 block walk and tucked into a building where you're not sure which door to go to until you see the sign at the far end. It is a crowded little place without much seating capacity, and the walls are covered with pictures of the owner and her family (I am assuming), as well as tacky christmas pepper lights strewn in no certain order on the wall. As far as the food is concerned, I saw a picture of Guy on the wall with his signature saying " Casa de Pork Adovada" or something to that tune. I figured that has to be the dish to order. I also ordered a bowl of red chile with beans and ground beef to give it a try as well. The order came out promptly. It was spicy hot and I sweated through the meal, although that not rare when I eat hot foods. I was a little disappointed in all the hype though since I found the portion of pork adovada a little measly. It was about 7 chunks of pork in the red gravy, a few tablespoons of rice, and a few tablespoons of beans with a bunch of shredded iceberg lettuce. What the heck is that iceberg lettuce for? I guess it's Tex-mex garnish. Anyways, I thought they could have given a little more rice and beans as those are SO cheap. I had to order a second rice serving to make it through. The homemade tortilla was very good and piping hot. Also got a basket of sopapillas which were served with honey. They cooled off the hot food. Once again, I am a little disappointed in the Diners Drives, blah blah hype. Had I not known that, I would have just said ho hum. It was good, but not THAT good. There is no alcohol here either and that was a bummer as a nice cold margarita would have made my day. Would I come back? Probably. I'd like to try the breakfast next time.

    (3)

  • Kyle C.

    Great food. Friendly staff and cold drinks. Spanish twist and american favorites. Go here if downtown.

    (4)

  • Luke R.

    Diners Drive-ins and Dives from the Food Network led us here along with quite a few other folks. The green chili was just as good as Guy Fieri said, and the taco sauce had a flavor that I have only experienced once (at Cecelia's). It cannot be described, only tried. Combining great hearty food and good prices always leads to a winner, and you have one here.

    (4)

  • K L P.

    The food was really great... The staff nice... And extremely low key. Great red and green!

    (5)

  • Shelley B.

    The green chili is something to be experienced, truly excellent. This was 'New Mexican' cuisine as I will always remember it- fresh, spicy, complex and bright flavors. Listen to Guy Fieri and go to Cecilia's, just don't park in the nearby apartment lots as the parking cops here are nazis.

    (5)

  • Zoe L.

    good solid 4 stars. we come before noon on weekdays, so it's not crowded at all. we're in + out in 35 minutes, and food is consistently good + spicy! seems like lots of regulars coming through. price is right- we usually pay $16, incl. tip + tax. blue corn + pinon pancakes before 11am.

    (4)

  • Cate H.

    The food here is awesome. It was featured on Food Networks' Diners Drive Ins and Dives. It is a dive so if that's a problem for you, don't go. The only reason I gave it 4 stars and not 5 is the service. In particular, there is a middle age waitress who obviously has tired of her career choice and it shows. We asked for more salsa. She rolled her eyes and without a word bought us 2 very small souffle cups. We thanked her and she did not bother to acknowledge us. When we got our bill we saw she charged us $.75 for each one! This place is a little gold mine that has been an Albuquerque institution for years and has really great food and great prices. It's too bad that service is an issue. I have heard the same complaint from other customers.

    (4)

  • Jeff J.

    Had the fireman's burrito there 2 days in a row, it is SO awesome. First day had Christmas and found the green uninspired. The red is hot and they warn you it is hot. Seemed about the right heat for me, but I love it hot! The pork in the burrito is the best I've ever had. Do not miss this place.

    (5)

  • Kristine F.

    Great hidden gem. Wonderful breakfast, best breakfast I had on our Southwest trip! I agree with other posters, it's a bit hard to find. I believe the address on yelp is incorrect. It's on SW 6th street, not NW. Our waitress was so nice, she chatted us up and was there with refills. When she asks you about the red or green sauce, and she tells you the red is hotter.... she's not lying! I got the green sauce, my husband got the red, HOLY SMOKES the red was HOT! But very tasty. I had the breakfast burrito, he had some kind of 2 egg skillet. Our friend go the fireman's burrito... not to be confused by the 10lb fireman's burrito.... the regular fireman's burrito is large, but not 10lbs... all was yummy, coffee was good... My only wish would have been to have a second stomach to have eaten more!

    (4)

  • Fred T.

    I've been here several times (first found it through Yelp) and it's been fantastic each time. The chicken chimichangas are wonderful-- jam-packed with quality chicken that seems fresh, not from frozen. Quesadillas are good too. Service is good and the decor nice.

    (5)

  • Zack R.

    I would never hold a restaurant in high regard just because Guy Fieri filmed an episode of Triple D there. So we landed at Cecelia's for our final meal in ABQ simply because it had good Yelp reviews, and it was open on a Saturday. (So many places close early, or are closed on weekends in this sleepy town!) Our server/hostess was the owner's sister. A woman, whose name I did not catch, seemed to be flying from table to table and back to the kitchen and over to the soda machine and back to the waiting guests.......with a furious passion for this outstanding restaurant. She was fast, yes, but she took her time with everyone to explain the menu. She took time to bring refills. She took time to explain how everything is made fresh daily. She may have been the proudest person we met this whole trip. The food was the best we had in ABQ, hands down. I had carne adovada enchiladas with red chile, and my wife had the best chile rellenos in history. They're made with medium sized Big Jim's here. It's a NM thing, but I wish the rest of the America would figure these out. Then again, maybe not. Albuquerque is unique, and that's just fine. Cecelia's is a gem, and I understand their pride. The cook even came out to boast about the freshness of their food. Never change, Cecelia's. Never change, ABQ.

    (5)

  • Adrian C.

    So on the advice of Mr. Guy Fieri I brought the family here while we were in ABQ. Wow !! Place is a little small but that adds to the charm. We got there just in time. Here is what we ordered wife and daughter shared chili fries. They loved them. Other daughter ordered nachos she loved the beans. Other two daughters (yes I have 4) ordered the breakfast plenty and one daughter said the eggs taste like grandma makes. I of course ordered the fireman burrito. I ordered it with the green chile. It was huge and I tried my best to finish but just could not ( recommend sharing). Staff was very nice!Of course the kids wanted sopapillas ! Loved everything about this place. The owner Cecila was delightful called everyone mijo and mija! Will definitely recommend to anyone I talk to that will visit ABQ.

    (5)

  • Melissa S.

    Great service! Located in the middle of the city. No parking, but there are metered spots next to the location. Chicken chimichanga was good, although, it tasted more like a burrito. Few vegetarian options.

    (4)

  • Jennifer H.

    The place is off the beaten path, pay to park, and broken down. No matter, as long as the food is good. My husband had the pork carne adovada burrito and I had the ground beef and beans burrito, both with green chili on top. The carne adovada was so spicy and tasteless, it was impossible to eat and gave us an instant headache. I added rice to my ground beef and bean burrito with green chili on top. The green chili was full of burned skins and the beans, rice, and ground beef had no flavor. We are very disappointed because this is one of the Diner's Drive-ins, and Dives places that Guy Fieri loved in 2009.

    (1)

  • Kristie A.

    Small space with a great local feel but to be honest the food was just okay. Glad we tried it but will keep searching for our favorite Mexican food.

    (3)

  • Tyler F.

    It's appearance on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives makes sense because this place is a hole in the wall located in Albuquerue, NM. That's not to say the place isn't great. The location isn't ideal but the food makes up for it. The quesadillas are good but they're nothing compared to the Fireman's burrito that made this place famous. The sopapillas are also phenomenal and make you feel like you're eating mom's homemade meals...if your mom ever made sopapillas this good. Service was great and Cecilis is really homey making you feel comfy staying for a little while to sit and revel in the glory that is some of the best Mexican food you'll ever eat. It's not the best, but it's damn close and that's why I give it 3 out of 5 stars.

    (3)

  • Natalie D.

    I love green chile and normally get it at most restaurants, but the red chile is definitely the star of the show here. I got the carne adovado and although really hot...it was soooo tasty! I ate the entire plate. I really wish they would give chips and salsa out instead of charging almost 4 dollars, especially because the plates are pretty pricey, but I still thoroughly enjoyed this place and will return when I'm back in town.

    (4)

  • Sebastian B.

    Walk into this quaint little gem of a joint and think you are going to grandam's house (if your grandma was New Mexican) is warm and welcoming very homey and comfortable. Cecelia is there to great you and take your order. The enchilada egg dish I had was dynamite! With Carne Acevado it was the new mex dish that not only filled belly it warmed my heart. Another triple d joint for the FoodDude but a lasting experience on my business travel adventure. Don't tell my boss how much fun having.

    (4)

  • Jeff M.

    Best kept secret downtown (which is why I am keepng the review short - I get very few points for sharing with others). Great chile - great lady. You should go like now.

    (5)

  • Shahid Z.

    The food was outstandingly good. The meal portion and taste was really good. I don't think you can go wrong with the food. Just go for something. Too bad they don't stay open late :(

    (5)

  • Michelle B.

    We ordered the Fireman's Burrito, Christmas style. It was HUGE! My husband and I shared it and it was excellent! The building is an old house, where the dining area is pretty small and cozy. We liked it! Yes, you do have to pay to park but I wouldn't expect anything different in a downtown setting. The meters take change and credit cards, so its really not that big of a deal. We would go again!

    (4)

  • Monique A.

    Soooo good! Had the carne adavada. Definitely on the spicy side which I loved! Awesome hole in the wall spot!

    (5)

  • Eliza M.

    Delicious, home style breakfast! My boyfriend and I dined here on a Monday morning and had quick service. I had the huevos rancheros and he had the fireman burrito which were both yummy and satisfying. Definitely coming back! :)

    (5)

  • Amelia S.

    Best red chile I've ever had. Got the carne adovada stuffed soppapilla. So freaking good.

    (5)

  • Brandon C.

    I tried the adovada burrito. It was spicy. My nose started running. I asked for a side of salsa, the salsa is made with jalapeños. My children didn't like the restaurant. They said it was too spicy. I could have asked for the green sauce for the kids. The green sauce is not as spicy. The blue corn tortillas are a must try!

    (4)

  • Monica N.

    This was a real treat for lunch. I had the blue corn enchiladas and enjoyed my meal. Next time I would probably just get the regular corn enchiladas though. The blue ones seemed a bit thick to me, but I didn't have their regular ones. :-) I had both the red and green chile sauces and LOVE the green one. I would have bought a jar if I would have seen one. I was glad I found this place.

    (4)

  • Jason C.

    Only place I ate at a couple times on my short visit to Albuquerque!! I will be back to battle the 10lb burrito challenge. The food and service were excellent!! Very friendly place!! I highly recommend whenever you are in Albuquerque, DO NOT miss out on this place.

    (5)

  • Nick P.

    Driving the east coast to the west cost and decided to try this place for breakfast. Absolutely awesome, it's small, not much too look at from the outside but the food is AMAZING! I got the HUGE Fireman burrito for $10.50 and it's easily two meals. I wish I lived closer!

    (5)

  • Helena H.

    Came to New Mexico and did a little research in food. This place was on the Food network show (Diners Drive-ins and Dives) and decided to give it a try. Came on a Saturday afternoon and didnt have to wait. Seat yourself kinda place but service was great! (Servers kept pn cing every 2-3 minutes) Ordered a Firemen Burrito with Green Sauce in it (waitress recommend the green unless i can habdle the hotness) . Minutes later the plate arrived and O EM GEE the burrito is HUGE! At least over 10 inches long over 6 inches wide and 3 inches thick! The meat was so tendered and also my first time having with chunks of CHICHARRONES! I would recommend this place if you are around the are and into Mexican food. ******* Takes only Visa and MC with $.30 fee charged, otherwise cash is never rejected********

    (5)

  • Nat S.

    Some of the best NM food in town. A bit more expensive, but great. The chimichanga was off the hook, enchiladas were very good. The chile is spicy here, don't say I didn't warn you.

    (5)

  • Allison C.

    Thank you, Cecilia's! You were my first taste of NM cuisine, and I was so happy to have come here straight from the airport, no less! Also, quick thank you to Advantage car rentals for giving me a little gift coupon - totally got free nachos here as a result. FOOD: Simple menu. The best part? Obviously the NM chile sauce: get it red, green, or Christmas. Next best part? Combo plates! You can mix and match your tacos, enchiladas, and rellenos, and get a side of pinto beans, Spanish rice, and salad. I got the two-item combo and went for one relleno and a blue corn cheese quesadilla for what made a really yummy vegetarian meal. My friend got the three-item combo and went for one relleno and two tacos. Needless to say, we were satisfied. The portions were just right - though hailing originally from Southern CA, I could have used some more rice and beans. I miss my myriad taco shops! SERVICE AND AMBIENCE: Cute little joint in a quiet part of downtown ABQ. Seat yourself, and wait service comes in quickly for your drink order. Pleasantly attentive throughout the meal, always asking if we needed anything and how we were doing. REQUEST: I crave/want/need blue corn pancakes. Send some to me, won't you? Blessings if you can!

    (4)

  • Cher F.

    Great food. Try the Indian Taco! Excellent! My family shared the different foods and we found that the quesadilla was great as well as a pork dish. I don't remember what my brother ordered, but all the food had different spices making it an excellent meal for all. The people were quite friendly as well.

    (5)

  • Jim M.

    This was an amazing find on a recent trip to Albuquerque. Tucked away on the deserted streets of downtown, this place was outstanding. A little hard to find but worth he walk. I had the Huevos Rancheros and asked to sample both he red and green chile sauce, the Christmas version, referring to the two colours. Both sauces had a very nice kick to them and a meaty feel...being somewhat thick. The eggs were served over fresh corn tortillas and smothered in the chile. I returned the next morning to try their blue corn pancakes and they were fantastic. Unlike pure flour pancakes, these had a bit of grit from the course ground cornmeal. Lightly coated in butter and syrup, they made a very hardy breakfast. The staff was very nice and because it was a little slow, they had ample time to take the time to talk about the history of he lace and share a few recipes. Kudos to the staff for a warm welcome each morning.

    (5)

  • Paul L.

    In looking for an authentic New Mexican breakfast burrito, I couldn't be more satisfied. The Firemans burrito is by far the best I've had. My only disappointment was that it was too big for me to finish. My hunger was definitely put on hold.

    (5)

  • Stephanie J.

    Saw on the food network and decided to stop by through our drive across the country . The food was delicious and the portion size is perfect . The staff was very friendly and the atmosphere and decor made you feel at home

    (5)

  • Sarah B.

    My husband and I ate here on recommendations from yelp, he had the Carne adovada and I had the breakfast burrito with Carne adovada. The best. My husband said it was the best red sauce he has ever had in his life. Must try ......

    (5)

  • Shane B.

    The food here is excellent. I would recommend stopping in here next time you are in Albuquerque. I'll stop here every time I pass through and have time.

    (4)

  • Petie L.

    The food was tasty, but small portions and minimal chile on the three items we ordered. The service was almost non existent and we felt as if we were imposing on the only waitress/cashier during a busy lunch hour. No water refills, no eye contact, never checked back until brought check. The huevos rancheros did have two eggs but only a couple of tablespoons of hash browns, same amount of beans, and a scant bit of watery green chile. No tortilla on the side. Definitely below expectations considering the reviews of others. The fireman burrito was good, the chile relleno was crunchy with some cheese but vey small, and the cheese enchilada had no chopped onions which is mandatory for a New Mexican cheese enchilada with red chile. I will not be going back. Prefer Mary and Tito's, Garcia's and Monica's by far.

    (2)

  • Casey R.

    Great place. I will definitely come back the next time I'm in Albuquerque. This place is a small warm cafe run by very friendly and welcoming people. I love finding places like this. Thanks you Yelp!

    (5)

  • Wes T.

    Ahh Cecilia's ... a New Mexico institution, so popular it has been featured on more than one cable TV program. Everyone should try it at least once, it's a nice little spot to hit up when you're downtown, and it positively oozes old school New Mexico charm. I love the fireman's burrito. Be aware: it is about a pound of food. Both their chiles are delicious, so I opt for the Xmas style, and they gladly oblige by covering either end in green/red sauce. Lovely. Take note, competitive eaters: they offer a 10lb. version that only one person in 85 has completed. Do you have what it takes to be the second? There's not a whole lot to the menu. They keep it simple. I like that. The service is awesome, as it's a small place. The blue corn enchiladas are delicious, too. Funky interior is old school, I love it.

    (5)

  • James P.

    A little disappointed, no reflection on the food, but make sure you have change for the parking meters (I didn't). No free parking in the area. Maybe another day.

    (3)

  • Brian S.

    Be careful. If you're not used to spicy food, ask them how spicy the chili is that day. Other than that, quality New Mexican food.

    (4)

  • Mujerista O.

    Blue corn pancakes hit the spot! Also ordered a two-egg breakfast with potatoes and beans, since the pancakes don't come with sides. Big breakfast for a big day of sightseeing! UPDATE 2: I'm changing my rating to 5 - they food was delicious, the service great, and they assured me this morning's late start was rare and due to a combination of daylight savings and grill issues. UPDATE: They finally opened around 8:30am as I was looking for another breakfast place. Glad I waited, no other place seems to serve blue corn pancakes. I came on a Sunday morning at 8:00am when Yelp said they were open, but they are closed unfortunately. A whole group of people showed up after me, they missed out on a lot of business.

    (5)

  • Karen D.

    Finally made it to Cecilia's for an early lunch before the crowds converged on this quaint little cafe. I so hate that bleached blonde, spiked haired food network star and I try to avoid all places he has gone to, but he seemed to hit up all of Albuquerque, so, here we are. I tried the chile rellenos with red, and husband had the carne adovado plate. The adovado was tender, and flavorful. The beans included on the plate are tasty, and the rice is well, rice. The tortilla that is included is oh, so tiny! My two rellenos were ok...the batter is quite thick, and the cheese inside them is sparse. The red chile on top had heat, but not as hot as I thought it would be. The sweet waitress told us they toned down the spice level because the tourista trade was complaining. My only drawback is the price of our lunch. I just think 30 bucks for two plates and two sodas with tip, is just a shade too expensive. Considering you do not get either chips and salsa or sopapilla with your meal, it just seems a bit too much dinero. But, the quality of the food will bring us back.

    (4)

  • Mike F.

    Enchilada Ranchero w/Carne Adovado, egg over easy. This is one wicked good breakfast!

    (4)

  • Rick R.

    We have lived in AZ and CO and frequently travel between these states through NM. I have picked up a rather serious addiction for NM style cooking and find most Mexican style cooking establishments seriously lacking most anywhere in the country. My bar is set painfully high, as I try restaurants and often leave somewhat disappointed. I have a few favorite places in Santa Fe, ABQ and Arizona. Duran's pharmacy in ABQ, The Shed, Tecolote and Cafe Pasquale in Santa Fe are some of my Gold standards by which all others are compared. It is not a fair contest for most restaurants, as mentioned. But still I venture forth, tasting and enjoying Mexican cooking. NM style is simply the best. I can count the restaurants on one hand that do it best. This trip, I added another favorite to my short list. Last night we stayed in Downtown ABQ and were walking around this morning and came across this gem of a restaurant by accident. The experience exceeded my expectations. I developed tears in my eyes of shear culinary bliss as I downed a plate of Carne Adovado flat NM style enchiladas. The beans were flavorful and the hash browns were golden and perfect. The enchiladas were drenched with Cecilia's red Adovado sauce. The dish was topped with an egg. We ate at our favorites again this time around, but Cecilia's was actually the winner this trip. I place Cecelia's up there with the tried and true NM style restaurants listed above. I actually developed goose bumps and nearly had an Out-of-body experience as I consumed my plate. Later in the day we actually got into Pasquale's in Santa Fe and loved it too. But the the memory that has me up writing reviews a 1 AM is Cecilia's. My wife also enjoyed her Blue Corn pancakes. Cecilia's Adovado sauce is to die for. It was the most flavorful and was sufficiently hot to convince me of its authenticity. Cecilia uses special dried NM red chiles for her sauce. The chiles are both hot and delicious. The other places we stopped at this trip were a notch lower in heat and flavor. I fear that they may be trying to please everyone by compromising in the areas of heat and flavor. I was beginning to think my taste buds were losing their sensitivity, but I was wrong. Cecilia's cooking proved that my taste buds are alive and well. We shared notes with Cecelia, her co-workers and friendly locals dining there this morning. It appears that we are not alone in our assessment. Cecilia's is the real deal. She was also so kind as to sell us 5 pounds of her dried red chile powder to take to Colorado with us. She also provided instructions in how to duplicate her recipes at home in Colorado. This businesswoman takes her craft seriously. She is a purist. The restaurant is charming, warm and relaxing. The service and coffee were great. Meeting the owner / chef was a real treat. We included a posting of several photos to this site, commemorating our visit. I recommend this restaurant to anyone, but especially for those who are NM chile junkies or officianados, love NM cooking and especially to those who have been spoiled in NM in the past. So many restaurants cut corners by using less expensive and less authentic recipes for their sauces. They are trying to please everyone by compromising in flavor and heat. Anyone with a serious addiction to NM style cooking will tell you that the heat and flavor go hand in hand. Any compromise on either account is just unacceptable. I provide my strongest endorsement to Cecilia and her restaurant. Bon Apetite.

    (5)

  • Sara B.

    One of my favorite family ran, old school new mexican restaurants. Do not miss this place. Chile Relleno, is the best thing I have ever eaten. Seriously, crispy, hot, and tasty! Huevos Rancheros is wonderful! Great down to earth service.

    (5)

  • Leah E.

    Stopped in for breakfast before hitting the road home to Arizona. This restaurant is as good as it gets, as far as new mexican cusine goes. We had the pleasure of Cecilia herself cooking our breakfast and serving us. She was not only very welcoming and sweet, but her food is AMAZING. If you are looking for new mexican cusine, DO NOT pass this place up. I saw some negative posts, and honestly do not pay any mind to them, anytime I am in Albuquerque, I will be back to visit this place, for sure!!!

    (5)

  • Juliann W.

    This is by far the best New Mexican food you will ever find. I had jalapeño eggs, potatoes and real, REAL homemade fresh tortillas. My Mom had the Chile and wow its powerful! The Owner was our hostess and waitress, no nonsense and sweet at the same time. If I lived here this is where I would go for my complete breakfast and lunch food source. Amazing food, all fresh and homemade. I will definitely make it a point to go back on my nect road trip through New Mexico.

    (5)

  • Clayton A.

    It's been a fun few months here in Albuquerque trying all the different New Mexican spots to see which one can steal my heart and reign supreme in taking my wallet's contents. But I don't know how for the life of me I'm going to pick a winner---every time I find a place and think they're the one, I go back and I'm slightly disappointed by the follow-up meal. It's kind of like great hook-up sex when you're a bit buzzed, then you give it another shot a few days later sober and don't find the same thrill. Strange analogy, but when I'm starving and really craving a food, I'd say I do have a sort of drunken blinders on that may affect how I enjoy food. Plus, eating for me, well, it's damn near as enjoyable as that other activity. Anyhow, what's this all have to do with Cecilia's? Well, my first time here about two weeks ago was quite pleasurable (still stuck on these sexual references, so pardon the double entendre), as I indulged in an outstanding blue corn cheese enchilada of the open-face rather than rolled variety. The chile was spicy yet edible enough so as to not ruin the dish. The blue corn and cheese melded together well and seemed to be of good quality as their flavor really shined through. My wife had the nachos grande and I spent the whole meal eying them as I goblled up my enchiladas. After polishing off my grub, I moved on to hers and was equally impressed by how tasty the nachos were. Generally, nachos are a boring and almost taboo food choice for me, essentially like going to Mexico and ordering a hamburger or something. But still, these were good, with plenty of guacamole, cheese, ground beef and a good burst of flavor. So, that was visit number one, and, well, the "sex" was so damn good, I wanted more. So we ended up back there with my father two days later. I thought I'd try the chile rellenos, the dish of choice during my childhood years, and this time around, sadly, the food wasn't so remarkable. There was some kick to the green chile, the kind that distracts from the flavor of the dish and mauls your palate. I'm not a fan of this type of hot. Then, there simply wasn't much else as far as flavor. The whole dish seemed so plain to me. Despite this second run, I'm still giving the place 4 stars and I am sure I'll return again. Cecilia's is quick, has nice, polite servers, and, well, those first enchiladas were just that damn good.

    (4)

  • Ken G.

    They've changed their menu and I love it! Cecilia's is a great restaurant, but they really excel with their signature chicharrones. In the new menu (as of this writing is different from the online menu), they've actually expanded the variety of items to order as well as included chicharrones in most of the menu items, unlike before. I had their chicharrones breakfast burrito, which was good - also filled with potatoes and eggs, it was a great way to start the day. My only complaint with it was that it was mostly flour tortilla and not enough of the filling. I'd definitely come back here again, but probably order Huevos Rancheros with Chicharrones instead.

    (5)

  • Vero P.

    prices are never the same. never get order right.

    (3)

  • Shawn W.

    I work in the downtown area. Roaming the area with a friend one morning, we decided to stop at Cecilia's on a whim. With one visit, Cecilia's has become one of my favorites. This is one of those mythical, "hole-in-the-wall" places you dream of happening into. I am an Albuquerque native, so I know my way around New Mexican cuisine. My wife and I are excellent cooks (in my own mind), so I tend to be very stingy with my praise of restaurants. I hate paying for food that I know I can make better at home. Having said all of that, after being helped by a very friendly server, my friend and I sat down to lunch (I had a bean/rice stuffed sopa). The food was good enough that it got us talking about our favorite New Mexican food around Albuquerque. We were ten minutes into a debate over the best huevos rancheros in town, when I began to lament not having a "go to" place for traditional huevos. I could go on and on about local businesses that put their spin on the dish, but couldn't bring to mind a place that didn't have some kind of kitschy hook or edgy fusion on the plate. Unbeknownst to us, Cecilia had been overhearing our conversation (neither of us is quiet, so I am sure she could hear us from the kitchen), and just couldn't take it anymore. She came over to our table, introduced herself to us, and declared that today we were going to experience the best traditional huevos rancheros in town. Cecilia went back into the kitchen, cooked it up herself, and brought it out free of charge. It was absolutely amazing. Delicious beans, perfectly cooked eggs over-medium, golden-brown hash, Christmas chile (both of which were hot enough to please my native palate), and a small side of carne. It was the kind of food that did more than please your taste buds or fill your stomach. Here is what I love about this place and especially our interaction with the owner. First, It is a small, homey place that radiates hospitality. You're not likely to have a more authentic experience. Second, the owner is not there just to make money. It was obvious that Cecilia loves her food and her restaurant. She wasn't about to let us leave without having experienced her heart and soul on a plate. When we did leave, it was hugs all around, like when you leave mom's. It's just hard to find these kinds of experiences in the Flying Stars and Range Cafes of the city. It was excellent food, in an excellent atmosphere, cooked by an excellent person.

    (5)

  • Anthony B.

    Really good! Small place, very low key. Very attentive and helpful staff and great food. I had an enchilada, tamale and sopapillas. Green chile was very New Mexico. Highly recommend this place.

    (4)

  • Corey G.

    This local eatery was near my hotel so I found myself here a couple of times. The first time was a few minutes before my train on the Rail Runner up to Santa Fe. I ran to the cafe, and asked if they could make me a green chili breakfast burrito in about 5min, and the lady at the counter said they totally could. Sure enough, my meal was made super quick. I threw it in my backpack and ran to the train station ( yelp.com/biz/downtown-al… ). I made it to the station with heavy breath, sweat on my brow, minutes to spare, and a burrito with my name on it. Oh me, oh my. This was my first green chili experience of my New Mexico trip, and wow. IT WAS SO GOOD! It was a standard breakfast burrito, but the green chili totally sold me. They have a tangy hot kick which resonated. I engulfed that burrito (and probably made an embarrassment of myself along the way---but it was that good!). If you're downtown and in want of something local and tasty, do stop by Cecilia's Cafe. You won't regret it!

    (4)

  • Manuel M.

    If you like great spicy Mexican food its here. We come every year to the albq new Mexico area to visit the nephews and we wanted to try something new. Well we found it. The owner was very friendly and gave us the added attention at there new location. I would recommend Cecilia's to anyone looking for a much needed twist on south west Mexican food with the much needed spice. The spoapias weren't bad either!

    (4)

  • Tony D.

    Order the red chile sauce on the side. The waitress suggested this and she was right. It was one of the hottest red chile sauces I have had and I was able to conservatively apply it to my breakfast burrito. The burrito was really good. The egg, bacon and potatoes were all chopped up small. My girlfriend had the blue corn pancakes which were tasty, just a bit denser and not as fluffy as traditional pancakes. Weekday breakfast is the time to go because we were the only ones there eating-in. Everyone else was picking up breakfast on the way to work. Breakfast for two with tip was under $20.

    (4)

  • Furyk C.

    Hey, you know what TX Yelpers? If you are touring places listed in "Diners Drive ins and DIVES" you really need to stop bitching about the lack of roomy seating or the funky service..NOTHING about a place having been featured on DDD indicates good service or decor....here's a tip TRY THE FOOD This Place is a classic...one of the virst i visited when i arrive here three years ago and still one of the best. The Bluecorn-pinion pancakes RULE (get an order for the table) The Bluecorn enchiladas are classic and tasty, but the beans tend to be watery and bland. Great comfort-food spot for a brunch, and the original location (downtown, not Nob Hill) is better...

    (4)

  • Jennifer I.

    I love coming here for breakfast. The food is delicious and the location is really unique (home converted to restaurant). The service is friendly, and I always feel like I'm at an aunt's or cousin's house because it's cozy. The chili sauce is incredibly spicy and, even though I claim to be a spicy food lover, I often opt for the green chili because it's less spicy and doesn't over-power the rest of the food. The sopapillas are fantastic with a little honey, or just by themselves. All of the breakfast burritos and omelets are delicious. Ask for chicharrones - they aren't shown on the breakfast menu (except for in the Fireman's Burrito), but if you ask, you can get them. Chicharrones make everything better.

    (4)

  • Vince G.

    It's a dive don't expect 5 star service. But really good home cooked meal! Hot hot red chile a bit overboard in heat!! I go back all the time but after I pay for it if you know what I mean (come on ice cream)

    (4)

  • Samuel J.

    Found this gem thanks to Yelp. The food was delicious. The green chilis were fabulous. My chicken chimichanga was terrific. The chicken was moist and flavorful. The beans were also really good. My son ordered a cheeseburger to my chagrin, but it was a really good burger. After my meal, I saw that Diners Drive-ins & Dives had been there for a special plate. If I'd had known before I ordered I'd have tried it. Great place! I highly recommend it.

    (4)

  • A D.

    The adovada is spice-say! It's also delicious! Just ask for some sour cream to tame that peppery pork and dive in. The muchacha is mild and yummy, the nachos grande is a beast of a pile of corn chips, better be hungry! Didn't care for the sopapillas as I'm used to them being doused in powdered sugar. Nice and clean, seat yourself, friendly staff, laid back vibe, cool part of town. Go!

    (4)

  • Sean C.

    The food may be good but if you are planning to eat there on a Monday you will NEVER KNOW. Their website says that they are open but they are not. Very disappointed.

    (1)

  • R B.

    Great local flavor. Very friendly staff. If you're looking for an authentic local diner with a small town feel, don't pass this place up. You'll love it.

    (5)

  • Jamie P.

    I almost don't want to review Celcilia's because it is MY PLACE and I don't like sharing. And it probably would've continued to be mine and only mine if some frosty headed guy hadn't showed up in a hot rod and told people to eat there. For the record, I don't think you should put a lot of faith in people who lack the ability to wear sunglasses on the correct side of their head, but I guess I will admit defeat, secret's out: Cecilia's rocks. This is what I'm going to recommend, order a glass of water, and another glass of water, and then brace yourself for the carne adovada. It's gonna burn, but underneath that heat is a complex family recipe that makes this the best carne I've ever had (shhhhh.... don't tell my grandma). The meat is tender, the sauce is flavorful and it just begs to be married to a soft tortilla and smothered in cheese. In the sinful act that is not eating this smoldering masterpiece, I guess you could get the breakfast burrito with chorizo and green chile like my husband does, although I'll admit that it is pretty darn good, we're not going to forget the fact that I have a unique talent to always order the best thing on the menu. I think it's because he can't take the heat. This is what I get for marrying a gringo. The staff feels like family so much that I sometimes feel like claiming them for my own. So now that I've let you in on my little secret, I hope that hit up Cecilia's, but please, keep it just between us.

    (5)

  • Courtney C.

    Went here for the first time today. I ordered the chili rellenos, my brother had the breakfast burrito and my mom had the chicken enchiladas with green chile, rice, and beans. I wasn't crazy about the breading on my rellenos and it didn't come with a lot of green chile. I did like the rice and (whole) beans though. All in all, I'd say it is okay but not memorable.

    (3)

  • Michele K.

    WONDERFUL. the owner is personable and friendly, and her food is just delicious. i had the breakfast burrito and green chile - i only wish i lived in albuquerque so i could go to this restaurant more often!

    (5)

  • Diana W.

    Great place! Came to this place after watching it on the Food Network. Be prepared to wait. Gets packed on the weekends and there is no place to sit while waiting. Be prepared to have your nose drip. The green and red chile is so spicy!! Almost to the point where you can't taste your food! Only 2 waitresses but they bust their butts. Very friendly and quick. Get the huevos rancheros with the pork. Flavorful, cheesy, and messy. But it's spicy. Be warned.

    (4)

  • Doug H.

    The best red chile in the state. Hands down.

    (4)

  • J B.

    Small local Mexican restaurant. Breakfast and lunch only. I had the huevos with carne avocado. Pork in a SPICY sauce. I was told in advance that the sauce was very hot. It is! Service was excellent. Coffee refilled promptly. Cheap prices.

    (5)

  • Michael G.

    I work just around the corner and decided to give Cecilia's a shot a couple of weeks ago and probably won't go back. I ordered a flat enchilada, which was basically two corn tortillas with undercooked chicken sandwiched between (no sides), and an iced tea and paid almost 10 bucks. What a ripoff...

    (1)

  • Maria S.

    Okay food. Small area need to get there early or have a wait. The food was okay, was expecting more since this was featured on ddd. The tables are only enough for four individuals so don't expect to feed a big crowd

    (3)

  • nicole g.

    this is a Albuquerque staple for a good breakfast chile fix. green chile chicken stew is perfect for a hang over or to clear your sinuses. try the chicken fried steak and eggs with a side of red (on the weekends only.) coffee was a little weak, but they brewed a stronger pot just for us. and you always gotta try the sopapillas for dessert. rumor has is Cecilia will be opening a new location in nob hill!!

    (4)

  • Annie W.

    Rolled through the Land of Enchantment and found this wonderful little gem of a cafe down the street from our hotel. Got here as soon as it opened and was greeted by a friendly waitress. The decor is cute and the place is very cozy, I very much appreciated the giant heater near the register (it was below freezing outside). I had the Jalapenos and Eggs, asked for some green chili (had to try it), and was very satisfied with my meal. Everything was very flavorful! The green chili was, as everyone said, very good. And the waitress was very good about keeping my coffee mug full. However, my travel companion thought the carne adovada was too greasy. Maybe it's supposed to be like that, idk. If I'm ever back in ABQ, I'll definitely come back!

    (5)

  • Captain C.

    Overall great food, but portions are small but priced well. A very small but friendly place. I would recommend and will go back.

    (4)

  • Melissa C.

    On a road trip with a family of foodies there is always pressure in picking a great place to eat that keeps the family talking in a positive way but success, Cecilia's did it. We were looking for a NM treasure to fill the hatch green chile void but I actually ended up opting for their signature Carne Adovada. I must tell you I was warned that it was very hot but being from AZ was not really worried and it is such a relative statement anyhow. Much to my surprise their meter of hotness is fully functional-HOLY HOTNESS and very flavorful. The boys went green and ordered chile fries smothered in green chile and cheese and the Pablo Burger with two meat patties, green chili, cheese, guacamole, lettuce and tomato. It was a hamburger that they almost couldn't conquer due to size but they pushed through all the way because it was just THAT GOOD.

    (5)

  • Bernie G.

    There have been a few tiimes where I have gone directly from the airport to this fantastic restaurant. The food is absolutely delicious. The best New Mexican food I have ever! The extrarodinarily friendly, fast and friendly service is an absolute delight. I have had breakfast and lunch there and every meal was delicious. There are some things that you dont see very often on menus in other restaurants. One time I was there in the summer. The cafe was still adorned with Christmas lights as they had some family that was overseas in the military.I cant describe it but there was indeed something extra special with that extra touch. I loved it and other customers commented how nice that was. Every visit and meal there is a very special treat. I cant wai to get back there.

    (5)

  • John D.

    This location IS open on Sunday (in response to another poster). 7am. Had the huevos rancheros - good, though a bit light on the green chili. Blue corn pancakes were great. Very good service.

    (5)

  • Trish C.

    Had a coupon from Living Social so tried it for lunch. Great food and friendly service!! Prices were reasonable, the coupon was for $20 and we only added about $5 more for drinks and sopas..which were so Delish!!

    (4)

  • Chris T.

    I see what you did there, Guy Fieri... So I finally made it back to this joint as promised. A year older and a LOT wiser, I order the red chile on the side. Coupled with a ginormous amount of chicken swaddled in a gorgeous warm tortilla (it tasted homemade, but I can't be sure), and a luscious duo of pinto beans and Mexican rice. I'll start with the sides because, well, I love beans... and THESE beans were great! Not the ordinary, bland refried beans topped with a mountain of cheese to add some kind of consistency to the soupiness. Nay! These beans warm cooked, yet firm, and they exhausted an enchanting aroma of Bay Leaf! The taste was on point! Just enough Bay mixed with the creaminess of whole, warm pinto beans... The rice was good. It seemed to taste as if it had been made in a decent stock and it had real flavor. I'm not a HUGE rice connoisseur, so I won't plunge any deeper into the details. Just remember that they were good. The Red Chile comes in a little plastic cup. Similar to something you would expect to receive ketchup in. I tasted a little before applying to my food to grade the spiciness. Wow! It was spicy, but curiously, it actually had some good flavor to it when used in moderation! The Chicken Burrito was stuffed full of chicken. It was moist, and it ACTUALLY tasted as if it had be roasted using a rotisserie. I dripped a little of the chile per bite and I have to say that it was a GREAT meal and experience!!!

    (4)

  • Tim N.

    Best red chile burrito in town! The red chile can be incredibly hot sometimes, but it's entirely addictive. I'm a conneseur of red chile bacon breakfast burritos, and this is the only spot I've found that chops that bacon so it favors every single bite. Highly recommended!

    (5)

  • Katie H.

    This really hit the spot. Attentive, friendly server - the kind that calls customers "mija." We ordered: * Huevos rancheros with green and red chile. Really good. Came with hash browns and beans with cheese. Not too heavy. The red chile is pretty spicy, got me sweating, but I'm kind of a lightweight when it comes to spicy food. Green chile was delicious. Together... Bomb. * Breakfast burrito with chorizo, red and green. Also delicious. * Coffee. Free refills. Overall, really glad we stopped here. It was a nice family run cafe, with pictures of their children on the walls. Also a classic 70's prom photo, matching powder blue outfits. Wish there was New Mexican food as good as this in California.

    (4)

  • Brian S.

    Lived up to the reviews. Good food that looks simple but definitely flavorful. Excellent service as well. Only downside is its small and there's a wait, but that adds to its ambiance.

    (5)

  • Preston T.

    You must be joking. So, I heard about this place through that Food Network show - "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" with Guy Fieri. My friends and I had just driven the four hours from Amarillo to Albuquerque and we were starving. We finally managed to find this tiny little "dive" and stopped in. This place has absolutely terrible seating. Like, AWFUL. I think there are.. 6 tables? You could probably fit.. a dozen people at at time? We came here at about 1pm on a Monday, and the place was packed. There was absolutely not a single seat available. So we all just kinda stood there and waited. Well, there isn't even room to stand apparently cause after about 30 seconds, one of the waitresses yells at us for blocking up the restaurant. Well, what the hell do you want us to do? Leave? That's how you treat customers?? We started to walk towards the back of the restaurant to search for a table and another waitress walks past us and says very matter-of-factly: "There's no tables for you guys." Sheesh! So after about 5 minutes of the waitresses being rude to us and rolling their eyes while we were all crammed and hugging up against the wall while waiting for a table, half of our group decides, "this isn't worth it" and leaves. So now there's four of us and we're holding out cause we really want to try this place. A small table finally frees up after about 10 more minutes and we pounce on it. We start to call some of our friends who left and ask if they want to reconsider and squeeze in with us. While we are doing this, a rude waitress yells "Are you guys gonna eat here or not? If not, get out and give up that table for people who are gonna eat." Calm the hell down, you old bag! We're eating! Sheesh! I order the #9, quesadillas with cheese, onions, tomato and chicken ($7). I also ordered a side of their Chili-Cheese Fries ($4). Both were AWFUL! The quesadillas were SO DRY and the chicken was super tough! Where was the cheese?? The onions?? I felt like I had to dip the quesadillas in my water so they'd go down better. The chili-cheese fries had PLENTY of water in them! You've got french fries that have melted shredded cheese on them and then they pour their very own green chile on top. Only problem is their green chile is like, 90% water and it ended up in the bottom of the dish like a puddle. The fries are all soggy now and I've got what appears to be green chile soup at the bottom of the fries. JUST AWFUL! My friends had similar feelings about their food and afterwards, we were all just ready to get the hell out of here! Service was awful - what with the SUPER RUDE wait staff who basically hated us from the moment we walked in the door. Prices are not high, but trust me, it's more money than this food is worth. Their website says "The taste buds are ready for Heaven's best". That's sacrilege. Heaven better have better food than this. And if I ever see Guy Fieri on the street, I'm gonna punch him square in the face. Pros: none. Cons: extremely limited seating, RUDE staff, BLAND and WATERY food

    (1)

  • Natacha D.

    Love this place- awesome ambiance and delicious food. The restaurant is a remodeled house, and it feels really homey without being cramped. The food is really solid and delicious. I went here for lunch and had the green chile stew which was a little light but delicious, and some of my other's stuffed sopapilla which was absolutely delicious.

    (5)

  • L. H.

    Came here for the first time today, and it will most likely be my last. My boyfriend and I ordered two kinds of stuffed sopaipillas (chicken and ground beef), and they were very disappointing. The food was waaaaayyy too salty. My plate was also a soggy mess. I'm not sure if today was an off-day or if their other plates are good, but the stuffed sopaipillas were so bad that I probably wouldn't risk coming back to try something else. The sopaipillas also came with chopped green chilies instead of being smothered with green chili sauce. As a result, the plate did not have much of a chili flavor to it. Save your money and eat a plate of salt at home...You'll have the same food experience.

    (2)

  • Michael M.

    Every time I go through Albuquerque I try to stop here. I have been here twice the 1st time over a year ago. I enjoyed this place much more the 1st time than the second. The 1st time I ate here I had the fireman's breakfast burrito with carne avada. This was quite the delightful meal. The second time I just had the carne avada burrito plate. While it was quite tasty it wasn't as satisfying as the 1st time. Either way I will always try to stop in here if I am through Albuquerque.

    (3)

  • Myria M.

    The red chile is really good here (hot!!!) - enough said!

    (4)

  • Katie A.

    My dad and I were driving across the country from CA to TN and decided to hit a few of the "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives." We stopped in Albuquerque and found Cecilia's Cafe. It feels homey, not like a restaurant, but in a good way; like you just stepped into an abuelita's house, covered with family pictures and smelling of great food. I ordered a breakfast burrito, as did my dad. We heard that if you're in Albuquerque that you HAVE to order the green chili. The waitress agreed, mentioning that the red chili of the day was VERY spicy. I'm glad we didn't get the red, because both of our mouths were on fire! Don't get me wrong, it was delicious! It was just torture because you wanted to eat it all, but you had to stop to cool off your mouth and wipe the sweat from your forehead! Too bad we don't live in the area, otherwise we would definitely be going back!

    (5)

  • Paul W.

    I'm from the west coast, and I grew up eating hole-in-the-wall mexican, tex-mex, etc. Now I live in Virginia, good mexican food is very hard to find. So, I get my hot food fix from Indian food, which is great, but mexican food is still my favorite. Thus, on a recent trip we decided to try to find a triple-D mexican oriented place and this is the one we picked. I know this is kind of a band-wagon thing, and I know (and feel badly) that we crashed the locals' restaurant. You can tell how people there feel about the place and all the good comments about the service and the food are spot on. I had the chile rellenos and they were awesome. I ending up eating some of my wife's food which was also fantastic, though I don't remember what she had exactly. Maybe a bean burrito? Anyway, to all the locals who are sad the frosty haired guy made the restaurant busier, I'm sorry if we got in your way, but thanks for sharing so graciously.

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :7:00 am - 2:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : No
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Lunch
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : No
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : No
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : Yes

Categories

Mexican Cuisine

If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.

Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.

Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.

Cecilia’s Cafe

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