Good Lord. I lived in ABQ for 3 years, and unfortunately I didn't come here until today, 6 months after I moved. I had a carne adovada stuffed sopaipilla with green chile; my girlfriend had one stuffed with chicken, rice, and beans, with red chile. Both were really, really amazing--particularly the chile, both the red and the green. They were full of flavor and spice, the latter of which, surprisingly, is hard to find. The carne adovada was also exceptional. It really made me wish I'd come here a lot more often while I lived in Burque, instead of wasting my time at other NM restaurants, which are lackluster in comparison. Even my girlfriend, on her last night ever living in Albuquerque, became a convert of New Mexican food after eschewing it for 2.5 years. All I'm saying is next time I'm in Albuquerque I'm coming here, and you should check it out when you get the chance.
(5)
Silver S.
Maybe I came here on an off day because I'm mystified by the five stars from other reviewers. I chose the blue corn enchiladas with green chile. The plate came with refried beans, Spanish rice, and a tortilla on the side for $7. The best part was the blue corn tortillas, which might have been made fresh. The green chile was just chopped green chile, not actually a flavorful sauce. Maybe it's because I ordered their meat-free green chile sauce, but many other New Mexican restaurants offer a well-rounded green chile sauce without adding meat. The plate had a puddle of broth on it and I couldn't figure out where it came from. All in all, the meal didn't stand out, especially when home style New Mexican restaurants are a dime a dozen in this town. Service was prompt and attentive and it was not overpriced. The dirt parking lot behind the building had enough spaces.
(2)
BlueGlasses RoseCity R.
A quick response to the Texans (born and raised in the same area of Texas myself I feel I need to respond). This is NOT Mexican food and it is definitely not the Tex-Mex you are used to. I don't know what your are talking about, because this food was amazing! Their adovada is amazing! I had the adovada enchilada, he had one of the "Mexican Turnovers" (sopapillas stuffed with meats, cheeses, etc), and we also got a tamale and all were amazing! Their red sauce gets a lot of attention, but honestly I loved the green sauce (I got 1/2 & 1/2 on mine). And this place being "family owned & operated" was legit! Not only was Mary herself there, but her daughter was waiting tables and closed our check for us (their website had a video which was how I knew what they looked like). VERY impressed! This will be a pit-stop.
(5)
Katy K.
Mary & Tito's is exactly what it advertises and exactly what it looks like. Delicious, cheap Mexican food. I've been going here since I was a kid and would visit my family in the summer. There is a reason why it's still here, winning awards, and gaining new customers as well as keeping the old ones coming back. It's Albuquerque, all its quirks and flavor, wrapped up into a great little restaurant.
(5)
Rob B.
Worst Mexican food I have ever had. Avoid this place. The only reason we stopped there is because of the reviews which I have found to be completely phony. All they have is ground beef so don't get excited about getting anything else on your burrito, enchilada or taco. Taco bell is better.
(1)
Clinton S.
Went to this restaurant dozens of times while living in Burgue. Absolutely the best red chile anywhere, period. The only place that comes close is Rancho de Chimayo or mama's house. The one restaurant I miss more than anything since leaving New Mexico. If you live there get some red chile takeout by the quart. Go home, make yourself some huevos rancheros or just eat it with tortilla chips. It's as close to chile heaven as you'll get. You won't be disappointed. Or, as my wife says " a gastronomic orgasm."
(5)
Alice F.
It's a good sign when your server says, "Well, when grandpa opened this place..." Red chile sauce, carne adovada, "Mexican pizza" on frybread--all good. Got to meet Mary, too, who was delightful and genuinely flattered that we liked her restaurant.
(4)
Scott L.
I would like to clarify something. Mary and Tito's is not a Mexican restaurant. It is a New Mexican restaurant. We call it "Mexican" in New Mexico, but it is really a cuisine apart from anything available in Texas, or any other state for that matter. I would also like to mention my disgust with the practice of calling people with more sophisticated palates (or luck) than you happen to possess, "shills." I have eaten at Mary and Tito's 3 times now on different trips through Albuquerque. The food is marvelous. The red chile is actually pure chile without thickeners and it leaves it a little sweeter and richer-flavored than most places. Red chile in abundance is what you look for with New Mexican red. It is there for you to mop up with your sopaipilla or freshly made flour tortilla. No it is not loaded with garlic and cumin like Texas food, so if that's what you are looking for, "run for the border." Mary and Tito's is kind of a dive joint, old and in the poor part of town down by the river. Parking is a pain but it is worth it to walk a ways. I recommend the red chile enchiladas with cheese and onion and a side of carne adovada. ALWAYS get it with a couple of over easy eggs on top. I put Mary and Tito's just one half step below Jerry's in Gallup as my current favorite New Mexican food stop. I come to New Mexico (my native state) every year to buy chile during the harvest. And you won't catch me in Albuquerque without stopping at Mary and Tito's if they are open. But please be aware, so I don't get accused of being a shill: if you are unfamiliar with old-school NEW MEXICAN cuisine, it is not the same thing as either Mexican food or Tex-Mex. It is a style unto itself. There is no tomato in the sauce. It is pure, red, chile, with just a touch of added spice. The green is usually chopped and cooked with some pork and garlic. It is generally savorier. The red can sometimes even taste sweet as the chiles have been allowed to ripen and dehydrate like raisins. If you see the red and expect tomato, you are in for a big surprise. But if you just taste it carefully, there is an underlying flavor, along with a distinctive (and sometimes downright startling) hotness, that does not exist anywhere else on earth but in New Mexico, or in places that import their chile from there. Mary and Tito's is a place where the old New Mexican food is still made, and like it or not, it sure as heck is authentic.
(5)
Mike J.
I think the Texans should have gone to Taco Bell if that is what they wanted. This is homestyle New Mexican food. If I'm in town around lunch and in a bad mood, their carne adovada stuffed sopapilla always cheers me up. It's not a fancy place, it's off the beaten path, but this is old school New Mexican food and it's worth finding this place.
(4)
Matt P.
WOW. The single BEST food item I have ever had. The mexican turnover, with Carne Adovada, and sour cream. Got to thank my tattoo artist Tim for directing me, but this food iem will CHANGE ur life. This is what probably won them a James Beard award, the only one in Albuquerque, and thats an extremelly HIGH honor. GO NOW, say hi to Mary she sits at the counter all day and is just fun to be around. Great place, great people, MUST NOT MISS THIS!!!
(5)
Sal S.
The carne adovada is amazing. The red and green chile are both amazing. No one should miss out on this unassuming restaurant when they come to Albuquerque! I didn't even have room in my belly for sopapillas the portions were so large. Take your family, take your friends!
(5)
Jamie Q.
In visiting Albuquerque for the first time, I knew that one of the first things I had to do was eat some real New Mexican cuisine. After lengthy research, I decided to make Mary and Tito's one of the establishments I would eat at. Boy was this a good choice. Mary and Tito's occupies a small space on 4th street across one of the shadier motels I've seen in a while. There is ample parking in the back so that shouldn't be a problem. It was a Saturday afternoon and it was slow. There were 4 other tables in restaurant so I sat immediately. In keeping with New Mexican tradition, I wanted to sample foods with "chile." It's my understanding that there is a ongoing battle between what is better: green or red. Since I have had neither, I wanted to sample both. I decided this time I would try green. I ordered a carne adovada sopapilla with green chile. For those who don't know, carne adovada is pork stewed in red chile and a sopapilla is a turnover. The green chile is then poured on top of the sopapilla. The food was brought out not more than five minutes after I ordered. It was the side of my head. The first thought that popped in my mind was "I would be surprised if I can eat half this thing." About two minutes later, there was nothing left on my plate. It was delicious. The meat was flavorful, the sopapilla was fried perfectly, and the green chile was delicious. My friend ordered the enchiladas with red chile which was also phenomenal. I came to find out that the spice in green chile is more mellow while red chile is more in your face. Being a lover of all things spicy, I prefer the red chile. Cost: $19 for a carne adovada sopapilla, enchiladas, a soda, and a coffee
(5)
Kelly E.
The worst Mexican food I have ever had. It looked and tasted like slop. The best thing about the meal was the coke.
(1)
Eddie G.
This is one of those old school New Mexican experiences you have to enjoy every once in a while. Only a few are left in Albuquerque, Barela's is another gem that comes to mind. However, Mary & Tito's is the ultimate old school joint, complete with a dirt parking lot, vinyl coated table cloths, and Coke served in a can with a glass of ice. This place is not for the prissy Cardashian-coated types, it is for people who want the full Burque experience. This is the best carne adovada in town. The bright fiery color of the Zia is what should clue you in. The red chile here is like my grandma used to make. I am a chile snob and great red is hard to come by, even in New Mexico. Any restaurant that uses powder instead of from the pod should turn in their chile card immediately. Twisters can you hear me? I ordered my carne pizza Christmas just for the variety. The green is very good, but the rock star is the red. The heat was perfect, it wasn't too hot but left a satisfying glow in my belly for the rest of the day. My only real complaint would be the pedestrian chips and salsa. The salsa seemed vinegary and not very flavorful and almost made me knock off a star, but the red chile was just that good. M&T's please continue to represent the 505!
(5)
Chupacabra X.
New Mexico style but without the cheese (except on enchiladas or rellenos of course). But trust me, they don't need it. Everything I've had here is great. Parking can be a pain during busy hours.
(4)
M G.
HOR-I-BLE - I've had better mexican food from a frozen tv dinner. I had the cheese enchilada "special" and the cheese wasn't even melted. The tortillas were the cardboard microwaved variety. save your money and go to the Tortilla Factory on Osuna and 2nd. This place sucks.
(1)
Kathy C.
Fantastic restaurant. Great food, great service. Sopapillas are to die for! Stopped in for lunch and will definitely return!
(4)
Kierstin S.
The best red chili I've had in Albuquerque hands down. The chili tastes fresh, not made from powder, and tastes like your grandma would make at home! I had the stuffed sopapilla with beef and beans, my husband had the carne adovada enchilads, If you like great, authentic, New mexican food, this place is a gem!
(5)
H.s. C.
I am a Native New Mexican, born, raised many generations, you know the drill. My brother suggested M &T and, though I have driven by it a thousand times, I had never taken the time to eat there until................................today. Let's just say I would take my 88 year old mother there without hesitation, now we are talking about a woman who is ranked with the Saints for New Mexico Food (Red or Green?) It was that good. Reasonable, good service, good quality, though the salsa was a little on the boring side, my disappointment was shortlived when I got my Carne Adovada Burrito smothered in Red.
(5)
nyar a.
Best New Mexican food in Albuquerque. It is so hard to find traditional New Mexican food In Abq now, Los Cuates went corporate, Gardunos Corporate ( remember Yester Dave's? ). Sadie's is good, I haven't Eaten in El Pinto in over 10 years and think that is more destination and ambiance than tasty New Mexican food. You have to go to the smaller towns like Mountain Air or Bernalillo now to find good, Home made style New Mexican food. Stuffed Sopa's smothered in Green anybody, because you will find it here?!
(5)
W R.
I was born in Albuquerque and lived here most of my life. This is my favorite NM-style Mexican restaurant. Period.
(5)
Aaron L.
Don't be fooled by the dated decor...this place is the real deal. It ended up being the best New Mexican food we had while in Albuquerque. Wish it hadn't been our last day in town when we found it!
(5)
Kori S.
This was our first venture into New Mexico cuisine and it was a good choice. We got Sopadillas with chile sauce. Mine was bean and cheese, Chris chose the one stuffed with chicken. I got mine with the slow burning red chile, Chris the mellower green. A Sopadilla is like a giant savory turnover. Our server was wonderful and helped us immensely with the explanation of what chile was and which one was hot. The place is small and homely, but the food is good. The parking lot was packed and the restaurant full before noon. Thanks New Mexico Chow for a great pick.
(4)
Don D.
The best authentic New Mexican food in Albuquerque. The Carne Adovada is especially wonderful as are they stuffed sopapillas which they call turnovers. Great enchiladas as well. Try the red chili, it can be hot but it's so flavorful.
(4)
Andrew R.
This is the best best best red chile I've ever had. It's insane. Talk to the people who work there, and they'll tell you some places specialize in red and some in green. They went after the red. Apparently, The Shed in Santa Fe is where the green is at. Get it on top of anything and you'll love it, but if you're looking for something different, try the sopapilla: in particular, the carne adovada. It's cooked in red chile! But if you're not into fried stuff smother in sauce (because it doesn't have that fried crunch so why bother, right?) there's plenty of other things you can smother. Delish!
(5)
Alice B.
I had the huevos rancheros with 2 eggs. When they brought it out, it looked like pig slop. A plate with refried beans on one side, and chile sauce on the other. Eggs were underneath. No tortilla underneath, even though I ordered it with a tortilla. Was NOT tasty at all. And since we eat with our eyes first, meaning the presentation of the food matters, it was overall not good. The menudo was cold and disgusting. I also tried the enchiladas... meh. Do yourself a favor and go a few streets down to Barelas for much better food. What you see on these photos on yelp is what you're gonna get, and it does not look good. People rave about the red chile; it was okay, but not worth it when the food is bad. I will not return.
(2)
Mark F.
Don't judge the place on how it looks. Just see all the cars in the parking lot to know it is a winner. Service isn't the best you will encounter but the food is great. Don't believe me? They were a 2010 James Beard award winner. Prices are in the cheap range. You can get an entree with sides for under $8 and receive a full plate that would easily garner another $5 or more at other restaurants. I had the large combo and the relleno was battered thicker than I'm used to but it works. Cheese enchiladas tasted fresh which can be a hard task for what is just a tortilla, cheese and onion. The green chile brightened everything up. My favorite was the hard taco in a shell fried there. My better half had the small combo of taco and tamale. The tamale had a fairly thick layer of masa but was stuffed with a large portion of well seasoned pork and topped with red chili. Great meal and an impressive value.
(4)
Miss A.
This place is old dirty and smells. Not to mention the creepy neighborhood/surrounding.
(1)
Ted M.
First place we had breakfast at last week, we where visiting our daughter and it was fantastic. I had the HUEVOS RANCHEROS WITH 2EGGS, BEANS, GREEN CHLLE AND susie special with corn tortilla.....great stuff
(5)
Imre A.
I love the greesy after meal taste and useful rice... Not so much. Dirty. Closes early and no parking. Food very unimpressive. Don't risk your life to come here not worth in. But staff was nice
(2)
Gio Moto M.
Friendly staff, great service, best stuffed sopapillas I have had. Don't let the appearance scare you away.
(5)
Craig L.
The "hole in the wall" place in Albuquerque. No atmosphere, just friendly staff and the best red chile in Albuquerque. Great food!
(4)
Scott H.
Clown shoes, absolutely clown shoes. I ordered a chicken burrito with cheese and sour cream. First off, the cheese was melted on the outside. ALL BURRITOS SHOULD HAVE INTERNAL CHEESE AS A STANDARD. And it should not cost $0.50 to add cheese. That is absolutely ridiculous. I also ordered sour cream which was served on the side. SERVED ON THE SIDE. And it cost more than a fucking burrito in San Francisco. Seriously? I used to get burritos at the best burrito place in SF, Cancun Las Glorias, and was pissed when they raised the standard price to ~$9 and this was $9.21. This burrito, which was absolutely no where near as good as that, cost MORE than the best burrito place in SF. Absolutely terrible. This was the worst food experience I have had in Albuquerque. The burrito was edible at best. This place has NO idea how to make a burrito.
(1)
Chris G.
I decided to eat lunch at Mary & Tito's on my way through New Mexico after reading so many great reviews. First off the service was excellent, all of the staff works together to make sure you're fully stocked on chips, salsa, and drinks. The overall decor of the restaurant is exactly what I would expect from an "authentic New Mexican" place. Now on to the important stuff, the food. I ordered their specialty, the carne adovoda (SP?) with red chile sauce with rice and beans on the side. The pork was tender and the red chile sauce was spicy and flavorful. Overall Mary & Tito's lived up to expectations and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a great local bite to eat.
(5)
Brian P.
Excellent carne adovada! Red chile was super and the service was spot on. Would definitely recommend for New Mexican flavored and friendly service.
(5)
Cat B.
This is my best friend of restaurants. The red chile glows with electric flavor. My regular order is the Tito Special with red chile (vegetarian for textural reasons). This is basically a deconstructed bean burrito. Your oval plate is divided down the long way with chile on one side and beans on the other. You can use your tortilla to dip, slurp and scoop up the beans and chile, so fun. My husband's usual is the Carne Adovada Turnover. This is a unique stuffed sopapilla because the dough is stuffed with the filling, then deep fried. He always orders the chile on the side to keep the fried dough crisp. Mary and Tito's serves up delicious New Mexican style food in a humble mom and pop atmosphere.
(5)
Liz S.
Yum! You have to stop here if you are driving through Albuquerque at mealtime. Great carne adovada and red chili. Friendly and quick service. Close to I 40.
(5)
Stewart P.
Almost every person I asked about where I should visit for great New Mexican food told me to go to Mary & Tito's. Rave after rave review eventually sent me here the day I was leaving New Mexico. Now, I've admitted in another review that after tasting a bunch of different 'New Mexican' cuisine, I don't really love the flavors but I assumed that if M&T's was as good as people say it is, even a non-believer like myself would become converted. Nope. First of all, when you walk into the restaurant, no one comes and greets your or tells you where to go. It's set up like a 'wait to be seated' type of place but somehow they expect you to know that you're just supposed to grab a seat. This is not clearly communicated so I ended up feeling like an idiot while I waited to be seated and then was eventually instructed by an unfriendly voice that I should have just found my own seat. Okay then.... Once someone decided to come to say hello at my self-selected table, I ordered exactly what I was instructed by everyone to order (described as the best meal I will ever have): a Carne Adovada stuffed sopapilla smothered with red sauce. I did as I was told and I regret it. I didn't like anything about it, the texture, the taste, the smell. Actually, especially the smell! It smelled dirty. It wasn't, it just smelled that way. And the bright, almost-florescent red of the chili was almost off-putting to my vision. I'll admit that it was spicy. I love me some spice but I want more. I want flavor and texture. All this dish offered me was heat. I feel almost guilty that I couldn't find a New Mexican restaurant that I liked. There were plenty of other kinds of restaurants in ABQ that I enjoyed but none of them claimed to hail from the Land of Enchantment. Mary and Tito, I am sorry but I won't be recommending your restaurant to anyone I know.
(2)
Toby B.
Went for lunch today. Not a good experience. Service was slow, it was cold inside and the food just had no flavor. Waited too long for store bought tortillas. Not a very good place to eat.
(1)
Kate M.
Absolutely wonderful. I ordered the chicken and cheese stuffed sopapilla with green chile. It was very flavorful! Had a piece of Mexican wedding cake for dessert, and I think I found my new favorite cake!
(5)
Glenn S.
When traveling on business, such as today, I like to have at least 1 meal at a local favorite. Someplace I've never been and don't have at home. Today, as I finished my business in the Albuquerque area, I had several hours to kill so I decided to look for someplace to eat that was representative of the area. One of the first places I see on Yelp is a Mexican restaurant called Mary & Tito's Cafe. It has mostly great reviews with a 4 star rating. Very promising. Some of the reviews do indicate that it is a local hole in the wall (my favorite places usually are) and that it could look a little iffy when you first arrive. Interesting. Exciting. I figure I'm up for a new experience. As I'm following the directions on Yelp, I'm clearly driving through a questionable neighborhood. (barrio?) Getting a little worried. I pull up to the restaurant and it is definitely an old place. It has been a family run business and local favorite for 50 years. It has that typical, little Mexican local restaurant in the barrio look and feel. The building looks a little "tired". Cracks around the windows, old doors, etc. I have expensive equipment in my car so I am really nervous about leaving it in this neighborhood. I see a spot on the street right in view of a window seat so I figure I'll try to grab that seat so I can keep an eye on my car/equipment. Once inside, the atmosphere is about, maybe a little better than expected but still a little run down, but clean. Nothing fancy for sure. A little hodge podge of southwest decor thrown together. A friendly server greets me and says I can sit anywhere so I run to the window seat in view of my car. There are at least 6 tables of guests who seem to be enjoying their meals. Nice looking people. My server comes over and takes my drink order and brings me a menu. I read through the menu and see some of the items that were raved about on Yelp so I decide to try one of them. It seems the specialty is Carne Avodabo with red chili. So I get that in a chimichanga and I add a tamale with green chili on the side. The service was fast. Lighting fast. It couldn't have been more than 5 minutes or so. I'm sure they must make a batch at a time. The presentation was very appealing. Everything looked and smelled fresh. I dug in. It was incredible. The pork was so tender and juicy and the red chili gave it just the right amount of kick. The refried beans were a little runny for my taste though, but it wasn't bad. The prices are also amazing. My bill including tip was $13. Don't be afraid to try this place if you are in Albuquerque, NM. Sometimes the scariest looking places are the BEST. I was actually quite comfortable. Now, mind you, I would not walk into or try a restaurant like this or in a neighborhood like this blindly. Yelp is a great tool that I always use when looking for a new, local experience.
(5)
Ben S.
A delicious mom and pop authentic "New Mexican" experience. They have award winning meals. My friends am I popped in on a cross country trip drove by it. Yelp game is confidence, and it was right. Try the sopapillas! Our waitress has been there over 20 yrs and was a sweetheart. She pushed their house cake, and boy was it worth every penny! Pineapple, walnuts, and cream cheese, super moist!
(5)
Tamn8r 2.
Have been hearing and seeing rave reviews about this place, so finally tried it. I have lived in Albuquerque 30 years and raised in southern New Mexico. Red Chili: Dark red, and grainy. My personal preference is smooth, lighter red, Green Chili: Okay, on the plus side, they both had a little heat to them. Beans were not fresh cooked, they're rehydrated from a package. Tortillas are store bought, and have no hint of a homemade taste to them. Makes me curious as to what is fresh made. The place is in dire need of an update. Table coverings are showing their age, when you sit in a booth you sink down half way to the floor and it's not because I'm overweight. Lots of 4 and 5 star reviews from tourists, not so much for natives. There are many better New Mexican restaurants in Albuquerque, do yourself a favor and skip this one.
(2)
Jennifer L.
I don't care that much for most Southwestern-style food, and the food here is no exception. The chile rellenos and the tacos that we had for lunch were okay, but the Mexican wedding cake at the end was simply delicious! Contains pineapple (canned, but fresh is hard to do in a cake), nuts, and cream cheese frosting. Hence, the lone star. Unfortunately, the second time we came by to get some of the delicious cake, the owner was rude to us. When we asked if we could get a piece of cake, she smirked at us as she said they were out. When we asked if they were open the next day, she said, "No," again, with a smirk. Everytime we asked if they were open on a following day, it was, "No," followed with a small smirk. Couldn't just tell us when they were going to be open, had to be an unprofessional guessing game with free smirks. Mediocre food and unprofessional service. Thanks for nothing.
(1)
Felecia P.
People have always told me to come to this place, but never got around to it until a couple days ago. I'm so disappointed I never tried this place sooner! The restaurant gives you chips and salsa as most New Mexican restaurants do, but I have had tastier salsa at other places. I ordered the chicken burrito smothered in red and green chili, and both were delicious! It's not often you find a place where both red and green are tasty. I wish I knew the plate didn't come with a side of beans or rice, but I got pretty full on the burrito itself. Next time I'll order a side of beans, and I need to try the Mexican wedding cake!
(4)
John C.
Simply put, I love this place. The food is just like mom used to make, almost as good. Their chicharones (sp) are to die for! Oh, did I mention the Mexican wedding cake? If you see one, or even part of one still available, order it ASAP. It goes fast. Walking in to the place reminds me of walking in to my grandmothers house. Very well used. Very clean. Very welcoming.
(5)
Julian G.
I did not enjoy the food here. The food is rather bland. I order the breakfast burrito and was not impressed with the chile. The chile was not hot and lacked flavor. If you are a fan of authentic NM food, don't eat here, you'll be disappointed.
(3)
Snehal Rudra B.
Simply put: perfection. This little place on 4th street has been turning out some of the finest New Mexican food for years. They have got hoardes of loyal Nuevo Mexicanos, and now also a James Beard award, as testaments of the above-mentioned perfection. This is a little family owned place that has not changed all that much over the years, and, in this case, that is a good thing. Expect red chile, made using hatch chile the owners obtain from a single purveyor, to be fiery and piquant all at once. Expect heavenly, melt in your mouth, best in town carne adovada. Expect friendly and efficient service that makes you feel like you are a part of the family. While the red chile at Mary and Tito's enjoys well deserved acclaim, their green chile is also some of the best in town. It is old fashioned, simple, and fiery enough to make my brow sweat. Finally, it is worth noting that both red and green are available in excellent vegetarian versions. Also worth noting that unlike many other places, they do serve vegetarian refried beans that are, like everything else at this place, quite amazing. So go forth and don't let those lines deter you. The service is efficient and fast, and the food will certainly make it all worthwhile.
(5)
Ron T.
Sometimes, I love eating here. I always enjoy it. Lately the food quality has not been as good as it was. I came here because of the hype. Changed my travel routine through Albuquerque because they won a James Beard Award and now dine here when passing through. The food seemed to be better back in the day........lol, maybe I'm getting old and need to change my travel routine.
(4)
Fred K.
Wonderful place to eat with exceptional value. The carne adovada was terrific as was the red chile--best I have ever had anywhere--except at home, but certainly equal to fresh home-cooked red chile. Prices were shockingly low. In fact I would recommend they increase prices by perhaps 15-20% and invest in new heaters and spruce the place up a bit. But oh, my--such wonderful New Mexico style cooking. I'll be back.
(5)
Melissa H.
We went to try this place and it was so not Good first of All the place really can use a UP GRADE the restrooms are discussing reminded me of a Mechanical Shop. The floors are All uneven and tables are crooket! They said the Cook has been there for 30 yrs!!! Time to hang it up!!! I ordered a combination plate the chicken Taco was cold and corn tortilla was burned chile relleno was not homemade frozen, enchilada was hard as a rock. They also need to upgrade their dishware cups plates ect.... do not recommend this place!!!!
(1)
Joseph H.
Great authentic New Mexican good and great customer service. Don't be scared of the area. It's worth the drive.
(5)
Nat S.
We had lunch, Tim had the stuffed sopapillia, with carne adovada. I had the carne enchiladas(blue corn). This is one of the few NM restaurants that bring you chips and salsa, The chile here is thicker and chunkier than other games in town. No agua frescas. Cheap and tasty.
(4)
Matt P.
This place has good food and good service, but my annoyance with them is how poorly worded their menu is. A group of six of us went there when we were in Albuquerque and Santa Fe for an extended weekend. Two of us were vegetarians, and we both ended up ordering meat by accident. You'll see the phrase "Meatless Chile Upon Request" under some of the menu section headers, but when I see the word "chile" (assuming it's an alternate spelling of "chili"), I think of either (1) the unprocessed plant or (2) a stew of tomatoes and beans and/or meat. I don't think of a sauce. But as I and the other vegetarian diner found out, that's exactly what they meant. Both of us ordered meatless burritos and were dismayed to find them smothered in sauce that contained pieces of meat. If this place doesn't want to reprint their menus, they could at least ask diners if they want the regular or meatless sauce--especially when people order meatless burritos. The thing is, they have to ask about your sauce preference anyway--whether you want red or green sauce. Would it really be that much of a pain to ask an additional question after they have that answer?
(2)
Matt H.
Honestly one of the best meals it have had in my entire life. Super friendly service as well. I got the pork adovada stuffed sopapilla, Christmas, with the sauces on the side, and a side of beans. I preferred the green but the red was good too and it was nice to go back and forth. The pork was amazingly tender and delicious and the crust was nice and crunchy/flakey on the outside while remaining chewy inside. And the salsa that came with the free chips and salsa was fantastic as well. All in all, like I said, one of the best meals I've ever had and a fantastic value as well.
(5)
D W.
We came into Albuquerque on our motorcycles, cold and hungry. Found this restaurant on Yelp and decided to give it a try. Awesome place! Food and service were both great. We will be back in October for balloon fiesta and will be sure to stop in again!
(5)
Sara B.
Great locally owned and operated restaurant for generations! Homemade everything(almost)...don't miss the Mexican Wedding Cake!!! To die for! Homemade by grandma Mary!
(5)
Clifton C.
This little hole in the wall is so uniquely New Mexican they were recognized with a James Beard award for regional cuisine ( jamesbeard.org/blog/amer… ). I've been eating there since 1978 when Tito was still making Popsicle stick furniture. He was recently followed inot the great beyond by Mary, RIP and now the second and third generations are working with the original cooks to serve New Mexico's best Carne Adovada in a variety of iterations; enchiladas, "Mexican Pizzas" (on Native frybread), stuffed sopaipillas and even burritos! Their Green Chile - to be avoided in most restaurants if you've ever had mi abuelita's chile verde - is pretty good too! And their chicharrones son de lo mejor! Of course, they're New Mexican in other ways - they are content to serve the best on their own terms - they close early and they don't serve beer, wine or any of the tequila's that mark our more famous tourist traps. They still have the same rickety little booths they had back in '78, and you still have to stoop a little to get in and be careful walking around some corners. I love this place.
(5)
Michelle G.
My mom was a great cook and she did not like to go out to eat -- especially New Mexican. No one made red chile as well as she did so she figured why pay for something she could make better herself. Until she discovered Mary & Tito's in the 1980's. This was the only place she'd ever eaten that made red chile just like she made it at home. My mom passed away in 2006 so I can't get her red chile anymore. Mary & Tito's is the next best thing. Thick, rich red chile blended from pods and seasoned with just garlic and salt. Tito knew that if it was good chile, that's all you need. I drag my husband and friends to Mary & Tito's at least twice a month. Hubby and I even went there for our anniversary! Sure, we could get a more expensive meal, but like my mom, if I'm paying a lot for a meal, it better be something I couldn't cook just as well at home. I've spent too much money and disappointed too many times to risk not enjoying my anniversary meal. I know that Mary & Tito's doesn't ever disappoint. And, to finish off the meal, nothing beats a slice of Antoinette's Mexican Wedding Cake. Sweet pineapple, nutty cake with a fluffy cream cheese icing. Just be sure you ask them to set aside a slice of cake for you as soon as you walk in. Many a time I've walked in and saw half the cake left under the glass dome of the cake stand to be told after I ate my meal that the last slice had been sold. :( Try this place. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Ashley M.
Went back again for my birthday this year and since we arrived for lunch, we were able to try the Mexican wedding cake. Its no wonder it sells out! It was AMAZING and easily brings this place up to the full 5 stars.
(5)
Ken L.
Definitely some of THE BEST red chile I've had in Albuquerque! I had the Stuffed Sopaipilla - combo with beef, rice, beans, and cheese and a rolled enchilada (ala carte). Both were super delicious with the red chile. As a lifelong resident of the area, I sure wish I had discovered this place years ago!
(5)
Judi D.
I luvd it! The only reason for the four stars is I hvn't bn more than once, so I can't speak to consistency. With all due respect to my fellow yelpers, tho, I think you've gotten it wrong in getting the carne adovada stuffed sopapilla (ok, "turnovers" per menu) smothered in ur chile of choice. At least, from the photos posted. Or maybe u'r wolfing it down so fast it doesn't get soggy. But this fabulous, crispy, pastry is wasted otherwise, not savored. Just try the chile on the side once. OmG. I like local places, that clearly hv beloved regulars and still accommodate new patrons. I admit there was some hesitation at first upon entering, no sign to Seat Yourself, the one server was picking up an order to deliver, but another group came in after me with the same quandary. By 11:20, things were hopping! Three servers, ppl pouring thru the door, parking lot filled, but it moved rt along. The carne adovada was scrumptious! The chile relleno kinda bland, nothing to write home about. The wedding cake was over the top, dense, sweet, cloying, and certainly not necessary in the wake of the spectacular carne adovada, but a welcome sweet 5 hours later. Great staff, and spacious seating. Hope to return soon!
(4)
Tony S.
You definitely wouldn't think of eating at this place just passing by. It doesn't really catch your eye from the outside, but the inside is delicious! The food was prepared quickly, it was affordable, the chips and salsa had the perfect amount of spice, and the inside is very well maintained. I got the combination plate, I think my new favorite New Mexican meal is Chile Relleño thanks to a this place.
(5)
Babs M.
Be forewarned. This is a nothing fancy, very clean dive. Best chips and salsa around. Great Mexican food. They have even won a James Beard Award. The wait staff are friendly, attentive and relaxed. This place is great to take kids and they welcome them.
(4)
Eugene V.
If you are in Albuquerque you MUST go, Carne Adovada in a Sopapilla with red chili, followed by a slice of Mexican Wedding Cake. Excellent.
(5)
Kenda S.
I am despondent that the meal is over. I ate so slowly despite being hungry because I didn't want the flavor fiesta in my mouth to end. I ordered the carne adovada stuffed sopapilla smothered in red and green chili. The pork had to have been slow cooked. It was so juicy that it softened the sopapilla just enough to make the cheese and pork and chili meld into a soft, slightly doughy, melt-in-your-mouth extravaganza. The atmosphere is down-to-earth and not touristy. The servers are friendly, helpful, knowledgable. So so good. Hands down the best meal of the trip and I have had A LOT of chili this week!
(5)
Alan B.
Go with the green sauce! Fantastic!
(5)
Laura C.
Yum, yum, yum! New to Albuquerque but not New Mexico, read about this place and had to check it out. Wow! So glad I did. It was amazing. My husband and I both got sopapillas-- his was Carne adovado and mine was bean and cheese-- smothered in red sauce. They were big, but somehow I wolfed the whole thing down. Absolutely delicious! This place is not fancy or expensive, and I loved it that way. Friendly staff and authentic ambience. Run don't walk!
(5)
Scott S.
Got off the plane hungry and we headed right to this joint!! James Beard award for good reason - best stuffed sopapillas ever! I had the carne adovada x-mas style. The green chile is awesome and the red is even better!! The pork is tender, moist and succulent. The sopapilla is cooked perfectly - crunchy, tender and delicious! Of course it's going to get a little soggy midway thru but so what - it's still freaking delicious!!! The staff is super friendly and there is parking in the back & in the street. Don't screw around, go here & be happy!!
(5)
Sara M.
Excellent food at an affordable price! Phenomenal red chili and delicious green chili make the carne adovada enchilada one of the best I've had!
(5)
Joseph L.
Hands-down best New Mexican food in Albuquerque. The huevos are spot on and the service is always very friendly.
(5)
Hazel H.
Place was amazing... friendly staff... and helped us with our options... knowing my husband dont really do the Hot thing... lol.. but they helped us out alot... a MUST EAT place for Mexican Food!
(5)
Robert A.
Had lunch there today for the first time. Can't believe I didn't know about this place before. This is true New Mexican food. I had the carne adovada chimichanga, it was delicious! The red chile is made the way it's supposed to be. The beans and rice were delicious as well. The price is great, the food was terrific and the service was friendly and prompt. Not sure what more I could ask for, maybe a beer but it was lunch and I had to go back to work. If I can't eat at home or my Mom's house and I'm craving New Mexican food, I'm coming here. Not sure there is a bigger compliment I can give than that. Thanks!!!!
(5)
Matthew D.
Tasty carne adovada and good Chile sauce. Well priced and pretty good service. Location a little dicey but the way inside is homely.
(4)
Parissa M.
it was very good! the red chile sauce was delicious and the guacamole was outstanding! it's a tiny hole in the wall type place but it's amazing and very reasonable. the wait staff is friendly and helpful too!
(4)
Victoria V.
Awesome authentic Mexican food on our way outside of Albuquerque. Had the Adovada enchilada plate. My friend had the Adovada sopapilla. So good. Def recommend it. Get the "Christmas" chile on top.
(4)
Cristina M.
Probably more like 3.5 stars. Finally tried this place and it was good. I met a friend for lunch on a Friday at 11 am (trying to beat the rush) and we were served chips and salsa initially. The salsa was tart, almost like it had tomatillos in it, but I think it was actually red wine vinegar. Not my favorite salsa, but it was okay. I ordered a carne adovada burrito for lunch, which came with a side of refried beans. The beans were very runny and not very flavorful. However, the carne was SO GOOD. Really, some of the best I've had in the city. I'd go back just for the carne adovada. Maybe next time I'll go for breakfast and have a breakfast burrito with carne-I bet it is spectacular. Nice, friendly service. The restaurant was clean and it wasn't as much of a hole in the wall as I expected. The fourth star is for the carne alone, otherwise a solid three stars.
(4)
Dante S.
The red chile is very good and has a wonderful flavor to it & I believe has meat mixed into it as well. I enjoyed the Carne Adovada plate and literally ate every last bite. So, so good! The customer service is also outstanding. I will be back!
(4)
Susan S.
Thanks to yelp we found this place over the balloon fiesta weekend all the food was light and delicious we will be back on our next trip to Albuquerque.
(4)
Xsurpt Z.
Absolutely amazing red pork sopapilla, crunchy and hot as fuuu..wish I could have been here to witness during original ownership. Also the service now is A+..
(5)
Ima G.
Sadly this place has slipped. Too much Hollywood attention has gone to their heads. Food is ok- but not as it once was. Too bad no one has applied the old saying "never let your pride overstep into your quality"....
(2)
Anna S.
We loved this place! The only reason it's not 4 stars is because the menu is a little limited. Service was great and friendly. It almost feels like a diner, with the vinyl booths and juke box in the corner (even a coca cola clock on the wall!). They've actually been recognized by the state of New Mexico for their overall awesomeness. Bill Richardson, the governor of NM in 2010, declared that their Mexican turnovers and carne asada were good enough to warrant a celebratory "Mary & Tito's Cafe Day!" We tried the Mexican turnover with red chile, the chili rellenos and the Mexican wedding cake. They were all fantastic, delicious, and had just enough heat to provide flavor without making you need to cry.
(4)
Michael W.
Interesting old place on 4th. Their suggested item they called a "carnover" if I got it right...a bit like a big turnover stuffed with carne adovada. Could be a stuffed sopapilla almost but it was very large, see pic. The shell itself wasn't so good. The insides were better. For dessert there was a home made Bundt type cake with cream cheese powdered sugar frosting called Wedding Cake, $2.50 a slice. They said it was on the "to die for" list of ABQ desserts...so I got one, was pretty good!
(3)
Luke S.
Stopped by for dinner during roadtrip in NM. I wanted to order the red chili turnover but they only had green chili at the moment. Not bad either. I got to taste some red chili inside the turnover and it was truly amazing. The turnover was crispy, while got soggy afterwards. Probably serving chili as a dipping sauce would be a better choice. The whole place is a typical mom n pop place where family traditions get preserved. Everyone visiting ABQ should check out this place. Their Mexican wedding cake is also fabulous!
(4)
Ara K.
Best New Mexico food I have had, hands down! The carne adovada is to die for, as are the chile rellenos. Unlike the rellenos that we get in California, the ones here are lightly stuffed with cheese, battered and fried to a crisp, and covered with a red or green chile sauce (with no additional cheese in the sauce). They a lot lighter and, to me, much better tasting. As for the adovada, it fills your mouth with the taste of chiles. Great for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
(5)
Howie K.
Bow down to the king of Carne Adovada, pork that's been simmering in chile so long it's blood red. All hail green chile done old school style, with big chunks of hamburger and heat that'll be felt for days. Here here for staff who call you "honey" or "sweetie" while they fill your giant iced tea once again, and the Queen smiles upon you from the kitchen, still rockin' as she breaks the century mark. Hip hip, hooray for Mary Y Tito's, a New Mexico tradition and passion! Come to Mary & Tito's because you want to sit in a tiny cafe surrounded by New Mexicans living New Mexico. If you're afraid of heat, try the tacos. The place is always buzzing at lunch time. The service will be cafe-style, efficient and to the point, and the food will arrive pretty quickly. You won't forget your visit, I promise.
(4)
Ross W.
Classic.....We pull up and and I ask my girlfriend, "Wow, what made you pick this place?" She responds, it was a James Beard winner. The most simple place on earth, pay at register, line cooks, multiple generations of family serving patrons, and an almost diner feel but with the most satisfying dining experience. We ordered the recommended dishes, Stuffed Sopapillas (Mexican Turnovers). The combination chicken included a delicate pastry wrapped around tender and succulent cheese, beans, rice, and gooey cheese. I kept trying to understand how this was prepared and seasoned because it was so unique and the green chile on top (which I normally cannot stand) was perfectly spicy. Next we had the Beef Stuffed Sopapilla with just beef, cheese, pastry shell the size of your head and a rich red sauce which was 2x hotter than the green chili sauce. Both were all you could want, but if I was to repeat, I would make sure i also did the Beef as a combination.
(5)
Daniel W.
I don't get the hype. It's cheap and the food is reasonably tolerable, but nothing to write home about. The service, however, is, frankly, less than adequate. Immediately after I sat down I was approached by someone selling the typical variety of hand-strung beads. It's plain bad manners to allow or condone that in your restaurant. Decided to stay but was left waiting at the register for quite a while after I was ready to pay. They simply didn't have enough staff on hand. This is not a place I will be coming back to. This may be the best place to eat in the corner of Albuquerque in which it is located (known more for auto repair than cuisine), but that does not make it a great eatery, and I have no plans to return for any reason. Incredible that it has won any kind of award. I did, in fact, have the carne adovada. I was not impressed.
(3)
Jamal B.
The tacos are to die for. The green and red chile are home made. Will be returning soon.
(5)
Veronika N.
Hands down the best New Mexican food in New Mexico. Possibly even the best food ever created in existence. The red chili turnovers here will literally make your eyes water with joy and happiness. I was genuinely depressed after leaving here, because I live so far away and can't get the food as often as I'd like to. It's delicious, it's cheap, and it's the best damn chili you can get. All of the people writing reviews lower than 4-5 stars are local competitors, who can't get their own recipes right. Mary And Tito's has been around 50 years, and they probably haven't even been around 5. :)
(5)
Susie S.
Seeing lots of bad reviews -- most of them from out of towners. Here's the thing: if you don't know or don't like NEW Mexican food, which isn't the same as Mexican food, then you may not like or understand this place. But if you love your red and green like a good New Mexican, you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Rachel K.
This place won a James Beard award for their red and green chile, I'm told. They deserve it. I've had something like six meals in a row that all contain at least green chile, Christmas when available, but M&T's has beaten them all. It's a bummer that the food under the sauce isn't as phenomenal as the sauce itself. The tamales were fine, nothing special, and the side of beans atlooked and tasted a little like they'd come out of a can. This is perhaps heresy, but I'm saying it anyway. My guy enjoyed his chicharrones burrito but again, the chile was the superior portion of the plate. Perhaps next time I'll just get a bowl.
(4)
Nigel T.
When places are popular and have a notable reputation, they tend to be judged harshly and unfairly by some. Frankly, I'm gob-smacked to read some of the scathing reviews about this joint. Here was our experience... Passing through Albuquerque prompted us to want to check out the NM style of Mexican cuisine. We pulled off I-40 at 11am on a Tuesday and sat for lunch. I asked the girl what the move was and she suggested the Carne Adovada with red chile. It was insanely good, with subtle nuances that I assume were the blend of native American and Mexican influences. All in all, a cheap, delicious spot serving the local style of cooking. What more would you want?
(5)
Alan G.
Nothing says New Mexican like a chili smothered carne adovada sopapilla. A perfect fried crust with juicy slow cooked meat inside. The only thing that could of made it better is a huge bowl of the amazing chili on the side.
(4)
Misha R.
7 people joined me for lunch. Every single one of us had horrifically American food! In the name that is Mexican or New Mexican or even Tex-Mex, NOOooooo! No one could finish their lunch. My Tamales were in a puddle of water, seriously! My friend had beef that was just plain burned!! The wait staff was so rude and neglectful! I literally asked for more salsa 3 times, and NEVER got it. When we asked if we could have an item removed from our bill (because it was just too awful to eat) the manager argued with us about how food should be made, and that the food there had won awards. Who cares?! Just make the customer happy! None of us had a decent meal. One friend ordered a Quesadilla and it looked like it had been made in a dorm room with Velveeta cheese product! It wasn't toasted or brown, just a greasy white mess... GROSS!
(1)
Brendon S.
Mary & Tito's Cafe serves Mexican food for the faint of heart. M&T does have a strong draw as an endangered mom-and-pop New Mexican eatery (reportedly established in 1963), but the chili is only average compared to competitors. The location and food are ideal for tourists traveling I-40 who are looking for a bite of New Mexico. Salsa: watery and without kick. Stuffed Beef Combo plate (Christmas-style): very healthy portion and a good value at under $8. The chili underperformed, however, and the bean/rice-to-meat ratio was skewed heavily toward beans/rice. Carne Burrito (Christmas-style): Again, a generous portion at under $8. The carne adovada was tender and tasty. The burrito disappointingly did not include cheese, which was surprising considering it was prepared smothered style. In sum, always good to support a local family business but if you are a New Mexico foodie there are other options.
(3)
M W.
I went here based on the strength of the reviews. Not sure why it is so highly rated. I had the combo plate with the relleno, taco and cheese enchilada with green sauce. Another negative review mentioned his food was served in a puddle of water...so was mine! The taco was soaked through. I put my knife under one side of the plate so the watery substance would at least drain away from the rest of the food. The chips served at the table were tough and tasteless...as was the rice. The refried beans weren't tough, just tasteless. On the positive side, the relleno and enchilada had good flavor. I don't think I'll be going back.
(2)
Micah C.
I had been wanting to try this place before we even moved here. We had tried stopping in once before, but was closed. We barely made it this time as we got there at 7:30 and they closed at 8... Kinda early for a Friday night. Anyways, I had the carne adovada "Mexican turnover" (stuffed sopapilla), and my husband had the relleno plate. Both definitely packed some heat with the red sauce, but the flavor was delicious! So grateful they let us sneak in at the last minute. This will definitely be on our repeat list!
(4)
t. o.
They do what they do really well. You should come here for the adovada and red chili, their specialties. Both are excellent. The green chili is no nonsense, tasty, but more like chopped green chili soup (ie watery.) Service has been fine both times I've been. In my hunt for the best chili in ABQ this place has to be near the top (for red), but still doesn't feel like the holy grail.
(4)
Nancy M.
Good, but not great New Mexican food. But, the Mexican Wedding Cake is worth the visit.
(3)
Kimber S.
Good service. Dinky, old interior. Bathroom smells. Food is good Mexican but not outstanding. Surprised it won a James Beard Award. My husband on the other hand thinks it's the best Mexican food in New Mexico.
(3)
Jon G.
The Chile Relleno was so-so but the enchiladas were pretty good. Friendly staff, didn't have to wait long, and good prices
(3)
Adam S.
Classic, southwestern diner that is quite good at what it does. The red sauce and the sopapilla with beef were the two best things I ate here. The relleno was also very good. I didn't love the enchilada, but oh well. Service was good and the prices were cheap. I think for the prices, this place is definitely worth a stop.
(4)
R B.
NEVER AGAIN! The waitress greeted us ON her cell phone, the food was freezing cold, corn tortillas were rock hard...I have heard great reviews of this restaurant and was sorely disappointed. The food was nothing short of disgusting. I'd like to consider myself a New Mexican food connoisseur and enjoy supporting "mom and pop" places but I will definitely not be returning here!
(1)
Holly E.
Just ate the Adovado Sopapilla with Green Chiles for lunch. The heat is beautiful. (Not too much or too little is the definition of beautiful.) It was a much better version of the chimichanga. Yes, I'm from Texas, but I know good food when I eat it! The portion was huge and service stellar. When paying my bill, there was a fresh looking cake displayed. The gal checking me out said she makes them every morning. Mexican Wedding Cake. I got a slice to go. Around 3 this afternoon, I grabbed an expresso and enjoyed that slice of cake thoroughly. It had walnuts and pineapple in the cake and cream cheese frosting. Get a slice!
(4)
Rebecca R.
Red chili is the best, plus yu can have either red or green vegetarian.
(5)
Lisa N.
We stopped in ABQ on a road trip and followed Yelp reviews to find good New Mexico food. Mary and Titos is small and has delicious authentic NM cuisine. My husband had the adovada stuffed sopapilla, it was delicious! It is a really small family style restaurant and just a warning, very spicy.
(4)
Ashley E.
I actually prefer regular stuffed sopapillas to the ones they serve here and call "turnovers." They are SO heavy...not the light-weight pillows you're used to. All-in-all the chile was spicy but the overall food experience for us was just eh--sorry to report!
(3)
A R.
This place was beyond. I traveled to Albuquerque last month with a friend and we ate here twice. Today we mentioned to each other that we both think about it every day, which prompted this Yelp review. This restaurant is truly out of this world, the flavors are incredible and the price is amazing. I would travel back to Albuquerque just for another meal at Mary and Tito's. Remember: they close early! Adovado enchiladas and sopapilla mmmmmm
(5)
Kelly T.
My husband and I ate here when we were down in Albuquerque looking for a place to live back in September. When we moved here in November, it's the first place we came back to eat at! I am truly amazed at the customer service we have received at most of the restaurants we have tried here in Albuquerque and Mary and Tito's is top notch. You can tell right from the first interactions that this is a family run business that cares about it's customers and it's food. The servers are all so nice and helpful and made suggestions to us New Mexican cuisine newbies. The service was quick and the food so tasty. I have ordered the carne adovada sopapilla both times and loved it. I promised myself next time I would try something else as other people's plates were full of good looking food as well. The prices are fantastic for the food you get! I wish we lived closer to this place and I would be able to eat it more often. :)
(4)
Crystal N.
Alright, here's the scoop. This North Dakota girl is not an expert on "Mexican" food and certainly couldn't tell you when to call it "New Mexican". I like it, but I have always thought it all tasted pretty much the same (New Mexicans are shaking their heads right now). I heard about divey little M&T and its award winning authentic New Mexican cuisine since 1963 so I checked it out. What's the verdict? The red chile ROCKED MY WORLD and now I know what good is! The flavor really stands out from the rest and I can't wait to try it again next time I visit. My mouth is watering.
(5)
Jeff P.
Don't let the name fool you. They are more than just breakfast. They are a beautifully rustic, authentic New Mexican joint. Great, welcoming service. Outstanding, grab your heartburn meds, flavorful food. Get your green and red chile fix here.
(5)
Paul D.
I may be a Texan, but I am in LOVE with New Mexican food and know when I have found the right stuff. I came here while I was on vacation last week, and it was truly the best I've ever had. My dad had the carne adovada stuffed sopaipilla with red sauce (James Beard award-winning - best in NM) and both were of unbelievable quality. I had the taco, enchilada and chile relleno combo, all with red of course. The taco was obviously homemade with fantastic beef, fresh ingredients, and a homemade fried corn tortilla shell. The enchilada was good, but nothing to write home about. the chile relleno, however, was just about perfect. The pepper was of perfect consistency, with oozing cheese and a perfectly crispy shell. To top it all off, our server Cassie was wonderful and the Mexican wedding cake is the best I've EVER had.
(5)
Jeanie H.
James Beard Award winner: American Classic. A great visit to taste the food fare of NM - try the "Christmas" chili prep....a little green chili and a little red chili....OH some heat!!! The interior is no frills, so it keeps you focused on the food - I like the simplicty. Oh soooo good!! You will find your fork wandering over to your companions plate....you just can't help yourself. If my fork is happy, so am I...see you next time as I venture to the other menu items....I will let my fork choose.
(4)
Heather H.
Divine homemade chile, red and green. Stuffed sopapillas are phenomenal. Mexican wedding cake to die for! Lovely family business since 1963. Go. Just go. You will not regret it.
(4)
Ariana G.
Worst dining experience I have had in a while. I was traveling through Albuquerque with friends and wanted some real New Mexican cuisine so I checked on yelp and found Mary & Tito's with great reviews. I wish now that we had not wasted my time or money. To summarize: service was terrible, the food was average, and the decor was creepy. We did not have a consistent waitress. The first person that stopped by the table was rude, unfriendly, and cold. The second person that stopped by never bothered to get back to us about whether or not they had a menu item we had asked about and never brought us salsa as requested. The third person was actually friendly but came around when we were already done eating to finally see if we needed anything and to refill our drinks. But of course gratuity was included in the bill, so why would the waitresses care how the service was? The food was average. They were out of queso (though never bothered to tell us, they just never brought it out), and out of the vegetarian chile (the only reason we chose to go there). The salsa was very vinegar tasting and the rice was cold and hard. There was a frightening painting of a child hanging up right by our table that I swear will haunt my soul for life! There were no lights in the bathroom and as we were leaving I stood at the counter trying to pay the bill for 5 minutes and was ignored even though we were the only ones in the restaurant. I finally left the cash on the counter and walked out the door while several employees watched me and continued ignoring me. Very disappointing. Not a place I would go again or recommend.
(1)
Tommy L.
Delicious food. We went after 2:00 p.m. and it was still busy with locals. That is always a good sign. We will be back.
(4)
Willanne W.
No sopapillas!! Really!! Bland, bland, bland green chile, tasteless taco (totally unspiced meat), hopeless enchilada (including a hard corn tortilla) and a nondescript tamale with virtually unspiced filling and masa that was missing any flavor and hard to boot! Top that with rude service from the young lady who finally bothered to seat me. The male server was pleasant though. Save your money at this colossal disappointment and go to Sadie's or Los Cuates for some flavor.
(1)
Esteban L.
AVOID. The food was full of awfulness - disgusting comes to mind. The meat tasted like it was grade F and the menu was so littered with advertisements that it looked like the bulletin from a catholic church. I wish I could give a 1/4 of a star. I found the red chilli bland and its only redeeming quality was that it was just hot. The green chilli was serviceable but I wasn't a fan of it. There were 4 of us at the table and we each ordered different dishes. Sadly, we all walked away unhappy and gassy. I repeat --- AVOID.
(1)
Lindsey A.
Eek, the food was terrible and the service was extremely slow. I don't understand why this place has such a high rating? I got a combination plate and the tacos were soggy and unflavorful, the chile relleno was greasy and deflated and I didn't like the red chile-it tasted like tomatoes and was very watery. We couldn't even get anyone to come and give us more chips. I won't be coming back.
(2)
Tom L.
This place is great. It isn't fancy - it's like going to your grandma's kitchen. It's been around for decades and deservedly has a loyal following. My mom has been taking me there since I was probably 5 or 6 years old and I have a few friends with similar histories there. In the past year they've won some high-profile awards and the crowds it generated seemed to have temporarily hurt the quality of their food. They make their chile in small batches a few times a day and that didn't work so well with the crowds they were seeing. They're back to normal, now so it's worth a visit for sure. I recommend their combination turnover with beef, rice, beans and cheese. You can get it with red or green chile or both (a.k.a. "Christmas"). It's equally good either way and I alternate depending on what I'm in the mood for that day. They also have VERY good carne adovada, enchiladas, tacos, etc. I know around Lent they offer their chile without meat but I'm not sure if they always do that so it's worth asking if you don't eat meat. Parking can be scarce if you go during the lunchtime rush because their parking lot is small but you can park along the street nearby.
(5)
Asian B.
Having had a light breakfast of yogurt, I was ravaged after spending several hours at the local vintage/thrift stores. I decided to pull up my list of highly rated, genuine places to eat. I found Mary & Tito's in an unassuming residential/industrial area. The casual, circa-1960's decor took me back in time. I asked the waiter what was the most popular and he mentioned the sopapilla and the Carne Adovada, but he recommended the pizza option. I chose the Adovada pizza. The 'pizza' wasn't what I was expecting- an italian doughy pie crust, instead it was a very thin layer of crispiness that was covered in an overflowing amount of 'toppings'. The toppings consisted of a layer of well-seasoned refried beans, cheese, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, adovada and duo of the red and green sauce. The green sauce had chunks of tomatillo and was fairly mild in flavor with no spice. On the other hand, the red sauce had undertones of smokiness and a heat that crept up on you. Each bite was a wonderful combination of textures and flavor! Grandma Mary, founder of the restaurant, was perched on a stool at the counter and even made her rounds to greet everyone in the restaurant. Although, a sign noting 'under new management' is noticeable from the street it should be noted that Mary's family is the new management including her grandsons that are there to carry on the legacy after 75 years!
(4)
Brad A.
I guess from the reviews I was expecting quite a bit better. The salsa wasn't very good; the service wasn't good; the red chile didn't seem quite right; and the rest of the food was just meh. Hate to say it, but it seemed like they were one of those places just coasting on their reputation.
(2)
Lisa U.
I stopped by on a road trip after reading all the positive reviews, since I was really looking forward to some good authentic New Mexican food. I ordered their signature dish that everyone raved about with the green chile. I was really disappointed. The pork was well cooked and tender, but there was almost no flavor. It came basically drowning in watery juice. I had to add salt to get it to taste like anything. The only thing the green chile did was make it really spicy. I love spicy food, but I don't like food that is really spicy at the expense of flavor. It was all heat and nothing else Since I got the plate it came with rice and beans. The rice was way undercooked and tasted weird, and the beans were just not good. I don't really know how to describe the flavor but it was just not right. It also came with a tortilla that seemed like it was store bought and slightly warmed. The salsa that comes with the chips was really good and the service was friendly. I just expected a lot more, based on the reviews, and am disappointed I wasted my one New Mexico meal here. I'm sure I could have found much better.
(2)
Judy J.
I'm not a big mexican food fan, but my partner is. We were in New Mexico, and they have good chili and mexican food. We found this place on yelp and the waiter recommended the red chili carne avocada. It was some pulled pork that was wrapped inside this big empanada. It was sooooooooo good. I think this just became my 2nd best mexican dish.
(5)
Bry P.
In town on business found Mary's and Titos on yelp. Very good would recommend. I will back on my next trip. Thanks Yelp
(4)
Mike H.
M&T won a James Beard award for classic American cooking. Most people are aware of the fancy awards celebrating the best restaurants, chefs, wine lists etc. There are only 5 "classic" awards given per year. It is a big deal. M&T have been using the same techniques to turn out the same food for over 40 years. Mary, who is 89 still works 6 days a week. To me the food is more inline with home-style cooking your grandmother would serve, if she were an 89 year old New Mexican, rather than restaurant food that has been prepared to appeal to the most customers. As you can tell from the reviews if you're expecting anything beyond a diner that serves a limited menu with classic ingredients you will be disappointed. If you're adventuresome and like the experience of eating what they serve rather than what you specifically want then this is a 5 star place. If you want the restaurant to have options that fit your idea of New Mexican food it is a one star experience. They make what they make. I prefer individualism and enjoyed my experience. The taste was different from my other ALB haunts and while not my favorite in town it was good. Good enough that I will make the effort to return and worth the effort is 4 stars. Mike
(4)
Shawn P.
Fantastic!! The Carne Adovada was everything it is hyped up to be and MORE!! DE-LISH!!
(5)
Dan H.
Okay, you got a hot little ass...I'm gonna do you a favor: Regardless of where you live go to Mary's & Tito's. Order a plateful of adovada with red chile and some sopapillas. On the side get some more adovada, with a big glass full of adovada to wash it down. Then for dessert get another plateful of adovada and maybe a bean to round out the experience. You're welcome.
(5)
Larry B.
Very good food in the traditional New Mexican style that was popular long before foodies came on the scene. The setting is basic Formica. My combo entree was lighter than I imagined it would be, which is a plus. Don't expect alcohol; this is a "tea and soft drink" place. The wait staff was friendly and explained the menu to newcomers. I liked one detail: the waiter was willing to discuss "this week's" difference in the heat of the red and green chiles. If in town, by all means try this place before hitting other, larger restaurants.
(4)
JJ S.
I ordered the chicken Combonation sopapilla smothered in green chile. That was delicious and the green chile had an amazing flavor to it but not much spice. They still have canned soda so you pay for each can you drink instead of getting free refills. I always eating at mom and pop restaurants because they seem to generally have the best food
(4)
Kerry B.
This place has not changed since the earth was young so when you are seated and taking it all in including the menu my first thought was James Beard award, really? Let me tell you it is all about the food and the sauces. There were only two of us but we still ordered 5 items total to try as much as possible. The sopapilla was so good I was tempted to order another and forget the other items. Warning, they close at 6:00 pm weekdays so go early.
(5)
Gary G.
Nom Nom. Really good chili. Carne Adovada is outstanding. The salsa is just ok.
(4)
Sherry F.
We first learned of Mary & Tito's in the Westways magazine. We are from Southern Cal, consider ourselves to be Mexican food aficionados, but not very familiar with New Mexican fare so thought we would give it a try. Well, we savored every bite! Hubby had sopapillo stuffed with adovado with red sauce, and I had the adovado burrito with 1/2 red and 1/2 green sauce. Both dishes were distinctively New Mexican, spicy, and delicious. This is definitely a family operated enterprise that takes pride in their food. Mary (who is in her eighties) comes in to work 6 days a week, and one of her 5 grandsons took our order. The cooks have been there for thirty-two years and learned the family recipes from Tito who passed away several years ago. We will plan to eat here every time we pass through this part of the country!
(5)
Claire H.
Only been here once, as just visiting ABQ and was told to go here. We had the special which was a burrito with the famous chili, Christmas style, so we got to try both. Oh so good going down, but the ring o' fire, so beware! I would do it again, no regrets, just don't know if I could handle this more than once a week. The staff is friendly and helpful and if I'm ever in ABQ again, I will surely stop by for some more!
(5)
Shannon C.
Went there for the first time after hearing good things about the place. My first impression was that this is a cool, local joint with bright colors, and old time counter, and endless reviews and art on the walls. Cool! My favorite type of restaurant! I love old places that are family owned and have a history. We sat down and I immediately notice they have a meatless chile. I'm not a fan of meat in the chile and have only seen it a few times on menus. Red flag for me. I also noticed that most items are not vegetarian friendly. So I asked if I could substitute beans for meat, and I was told, "No, the cooks have been here for 30 some years, and they don't like to substitute." Oh, it's one of those places. Well then, this food must be AWESOME, right? Our food came out and was smothered, covered, and drowned in the red chile. I mean, it was like they gave us the rest for the night so there would be no waste. It ruined the dish. I sort of tasted my food under all that chile, and I could tell that it may have been good. My partner couldn't even finish her meal. Overall, the staff was friendly enough, although service was a bit slow and the place wasn't crowded at all (near closing time). I just don't like my food drowned in sauce and I certainly don't like being told I can't have beans to replace the meat. There were about 4 vegetarian options. Beyond that, I can of many, many more restaurants that offer better food and service than this one. It's too bad, because the history and physical environment of this place is really cool and it has so much potential to be much, much better.
(2)
Michelle H.
I LOVE this restaurant!! My super picky uncle even likes the food here. The red chile sauce is homemade from scratch with a deliciously complex flavor. The beans are so yummy, I ordered an extra side to share with my friend. The stuffed sopapilla was very good. You cannot eat here without eating the cake for dessert!! The owner brings it in freshly homemade every day, and although I am not a huge dessert eater, I had to order my own slice instead of "just taking a bite" off of my friend's plate!! The ambiance is not elegant, but I am grading on food taste and quality. That gets 5 stars for sure!!!
(5)
Katherine W.
Excellent. The best carne adovada we had in town, delicious red and green chile. Their version of the stuffed sopapilla is more like a giant fried empanada, and it was delicious. Very reasonable prices. You could easily share.
(5)
Bobby S.
I've been here many times and I've left full and happy every time. Their stuff sopaipillas are amazing, their green chile is delicious, and the waitstaff is always friendly and helpful. I've recommended it to everyone I know who wants great New Mexican food.
(5)
Jorge G.
The service was excellent. We came from California and decided to try some authentic new Mexican food. I highly recommend the chicken combination sopapilla with green Chile. If I'm ever in Albuquerque again I know where I'm going to eat.
(5)
William W.
New Mexican food is different from the many different regional cuisines of Mexico. It is much less complex, as a general rule. New Mexican food doesn't use all of the spices and complicated mole sauces you find to our South, but... But, it can be absolutely delicious. I have lived in Albuquerque for about 10 years, and didn't hear of M&T's until the James Beard award. We have been back since, again and again. Absolutely the best red chile in town, and there is lots of chile in Albuquerque. The green is good too. Again, the presentations are quite basic, but you would be hard-pressed to find more delicious authentic New Mexican food anywhere in the state. New Mexican cuisine could be considered an acquired taste, especially when comparing it to the gringo-ized (American) versions of slop that most of the big chain restaurants serve. If you want authentic, genuine, delicious down-home New Mexican food, this is the place to be.
(5)
Brett J.
Kind of a country local atmosphere with personable staff. The quality of the meat was much better than restaurants of similar caliber. The sauce was good and the right level of spicey for a gringo. The sides were on par. Great price and serving size.
(4)
Warren L.
I do not live in NM, although I've been accumulating visiting time over the years and I've intentionally tried more than a few NM style restaurants. I visited M&T's during my current stay for two meals: Carne Avodada Stuffed Sopaipillas with Red Chile and a Beef Burrito with Green. Awesome. Meat great, chile great. Rich delicious red chile sauce, yummy green chile with a nice bite. Humble local restaurant but great food based on my two visits.
(4)
Amanda B.
Skip this place all together. The service was appalling, the food awful! Out of our party of 7, four of us could not eat our food at all. Mary and Titos came highly recommended to us both by friends and yelp so we thought we would give it a whirl.... To start with the only got four menus for a party of 7. The 2 waitresses that were "taking care" (and I use that term very loosely.) of us were not very friendly and had to be asked several times for salsa, straws, and other basics. (We still never got our chicharrones that we ordered.) it would have been one thing if they were busy but we were one of only 4 tables in the place and there were 3 servers leaning on the counter. When the food came the presentation was sloppy at best and everything was swimming in watery chile. The green Chile seemed to be the culprit behind the watery drowning food, because the red chile was kind of lumpy and had almost a gritty texture. Yuck! You would think at least one of our two servers would have checked back with us when she saw that half of our table wasn't eating but they just kept making nervous eye contact with us and looking away. We ended up having to flag down another server to get service who in turn just walked away after receiving my complaint of the food just not being very good. A very defensive daughter of Mary and Tito came to defend the awful food, and basically made us feel like the poor dining experience has our own fault... I am a manager in a restaurant and the thought of arguing with a customer while they are issuing a complaint is unfathomable. Save yourself the frustration and disappointment and drive right on past this dirty little hole in the wall.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Divey, Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
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.
Kyle C.
Good Lord. I lived in ABQ for 3 years, and unfortunately I didn't come here until today, 6 months after I moved. I had a carne adovada stuffed sopaipilla with green chile; my girlfriend had one stuffed with chicken, rice, and beans, with red chile. Both were really, really amazing--particularly the chile, both the red and the green. They were full of flavor and spice, the latter of which, surprisingly, is hard to find. The carne adovada was also exceptional. It really made me wish I'd come here a lot more often while I lived in Burque, instead of wasting my time at other NM restaurants, which are lackluster in comparison. Even my girlfriend, on her last night ever living in Albuquerque, became a convert of New Mexican food after eschewing it for 2.5 years. All I'm saying is next time I'm in Albuquerque I'm coming here, and you should check it out when you get the chance.
(5)Silver S.
Maybe I came here on an off day because I'm mystified by the five stars from other reviewers. I chose the blue corn enchiladas with green chile. The plate came with refried beans, Spanish rice, and a tortilla on the side for $7. The best part was the blue corn tortillas, which might have been made fresh. The green chile was just chopped green chile, not actually a flavorful sauce. Maybe it's because I ordered their meat-free green chile sauce, but many other New Mexican restaurants offer a well-rounded green chile sauce without adding meat. The plate had a puddle of broth on it and I couldn't figure out where it came from. All in all, the meal didn't stand out, especially when home style New Mexican restaurants are a dime a dozen in this town. Service was prompt and attentive and it was not overpriced. The dirt parking lot behind the building had enough spaces.
(2)BlueGlasses RoseCity R.
A quick response to the Texans (born and raised in the same area of Texas myself I feel I need to respond). This is NOT Mexican food and it is definitely not the Tex-Mex you are used to. I don't know what your are talking about, because this food was amazing! Their adovada is amazing! I had the adovada enchilada, he had one of the "Mexican Turnovers" (sopapillas stuffed with meats, cheeses, etc), and we also got a tamale and all were amazing! Their red sauce gets a lot of attention, but honestly I loved the green sauce (I got 1/2 & 1/2 on mine). And this place being "family owned & operated" was legit! Not only was Mary herself there, but her daughter was waiting tables and closed our check for us (their website had a video which was how I knew what they looked like). VERY impressed! This will be a pit-stop.
(5)Katy K.
Mary & Tito's is exactly what it advertises and exactly what it looks like. Delicious, cheap Mexican food. I've been going here since I was a kid and would visit my family in the summer. There is a reason why it's still here, winning awards, and gaining new customers as well as keeping the old ones coming back. It's Albuquerque, all its quirks and flavor, wrapped up into a great little restaurant.
(5)Rob B.
Worst Mexican food I have ever had. Avoid this place. The only reason we stopped there is because of the reviews which I have found to be completely phony. All they have is ground beef so don't get excited about getting anything else on your burrito, enchilada or taco. Taco bell is better.
(1)Clinton S.
Went to this restaurant dozens of times while living in Burgue. Absolutely the best red chile anywhere, period. The only place that comes close is Rancho de Chimayo or mama's house. The one restaurant I miss more than anything since leaving New Mexico. If you live there get some red chile takeout by the quart. Go home, make yourself some huevos rancheros or just eat it with tortilla chips. It's as close to chile heaven as you'll get. You won't be disappointed. Or, as my wife says " a gastronomic orgasm."
(5)Alice F.
It's a good sign when your server says, "Well, when grandpa opened this place..." Red chile sauce, carne adovada, "Mexican pizza" on frybread--all good. Got to meet Mary, too, who was delightful and genuinely flattered that we liked her restaurant.
(4)Scott L.
I would like to clarify something. Mary and Tito's is not a Mexican restaurant. It is a New Mexican restaurant. We call it "Mexican" in New Mexico, but it is really a cuisine apart from anything available in Texas, or any other state for that matter. I would also like to mention my disgust with the practice of calling people with more sophisticated palates (or luck) than you happen to possess, "shills." I have eaten at Mary and Tito's 3 times now on different trips through Albuquerque. The food is marvelous. The red chile is actually pure chile without thickeners and it leaves it a little sweeter and richer-flavored than most places. Red chile in abundance is what you look for with New Mexican red. It is there for you to mop up with your sopaipilla or freshly made flour tortilla. No it is not loaded with garlic and cumin like Texas food, so if that's what you are looking for, "run for the border." Mary and Tito's is kind of a dive joint, old and in the poor part of town down by the river. Parking is a pain but it is worth it to walk a ways. I recommend the red chile enchiladas with cheese and onion and a side of carne adovada. ALWAYS get it with a couple of over easy eggs on top. I put Mary and Tito's just one half step below Jerry's in Gallup as my current favorite New Mexican food stop. I come to New Mexico (my native state) every year to buy chile during the harvest. And you won't catch me in Albuquerque without stopping at Mary and Tito's if they are open. But please be aware, so I don't get accused of being a shill: if you are unfamiliar with old-school NEW MEXICAN cuisine, it is not the same thing as either Mexican food or Tex-Mex. It is a style unto itself. There is no tomato in the sauce. It is pure, red, chile, with just a touch of added spice. The green is usually chopped and cooked with some pork and garlic. It is generally savorier. The red can sometimes even taste sweet as the chiles have been allowed to ripen and dehydrate like raisins. If you see the red and expect tomato, you are in for a big surprise. But if you just taste it carefully, there is an underlying flavor, along with a distinctive (and sometimes downright startling) hotness, that does not exist anywhere else on earth but in New Mexico, or in places that import their chile from there. Mary and Tito's is a place where the old New Mexican food is still made, and like it or not, it sure as heck is authentic.
(5)Mike J.
I think the Texans should have gone to Taco Bell if that is what they wanted. This is homestyle New Mexican food. If I'm in town around lunch and in a bad mood, their carne adovada stuffed sopapilla always cheers me up. It's not a fancy place, it's off the beaten path, but this is old school New Mexican food and it's worth finding this place.
(4)Matt P.
WOW. The single BEST food item I have ever had. The mexican turnover, with Carne Adovada, and sour cream. Got to thank my tattoo artist Tim for directing me, but this food iem will CHANGE ur life. This is what probably won them a James Beard award, the only one in Albuquerque, and thats an extremelly HIGH honor. GO NOW, say hi to Mary she sits at the counter all day and is just fun to be around. Great place, great people, MUST NOT MISS THIS!!!
(5)Sal S.
The carne adovada is amazing. The red and green chile are both amazing. No one should miss out on this unassuming restaurant when they come to Albuquerque! I didn't even have room in my belly for sopapillas the portions were so large. Take your family, take your friends!
(5)Jamie Q.
In visiting Albuquerque for the first time, I knew that one of the first things I had to do was eat some real New Mexican cuisine. After lengthy research, I decided to make Mary and Tito's one of the establishments I would eat at. Boy was this a good choice. Mary and Tito's occupies a small space on 4th street across one of the shadier motels I've seen in a while. There is ample parking in the back so that shouldn't be a problem. It was a Saturday afternoon and it was slow. There were 4 other tables in restaurant so I sat immediately. In keeping with New Mexican tradition, I wanted to sample foods with "chile." It's my understanding that there is a ongoing battle between what is better: green or red. Since I have had neither, I wanted to sample both. I decided this time I would try green. I ordered a carne adovada sopapilla with green chile. For those who don't know, carne adovada is pork stewed in red chile and a sopapilla is a turnover. The green chile is then poured on top of the sopapilla. The food was brought out not more than five minutes after I ordered. It was the side of my head. The first thought that popped in my mind was "I would be surprised if I can eat half this thing." About two minutes later, there was nothing left on my plate. It was delicious. The meat was flavorful, the sopapilla was fried perfectly, and the green chile was delicious. My friend ordered the enchiladas with red chile which was also phenomenal. I came to find out that the spice in green chile is more mellow while red chile is more in your face. Being a lover of all things spicy, I prefer the red chile. Cost: $19 for a carne adovada sopapilla, enchiladas, a soda, and a coffee
(5)Kelly E.
The worst Mexican food I have ever had. It looked and tasted like slop. The best thing about the meal was the coke.
(1)Eddie G.
This is one of those old school New Mexican experiences you have to enjoy every once in a while. Only a few are left in Albuquerque, Barela's is another gem that comes to mind. However, Mary & Tito's is the ultimate old school joint, complete with a dirt parking lot, vinyl coated table cloths, and Coke served in a can with a glass of ice. This place is not for the prissy Cardashian-coated types, it is for people who want the full Burque experience. This is the best carne adovada in town. The bright fiery color of the Zia is what should clue you in. The red chile here is like my grandma used to make. I am a chile snob and great red is hard to come by, even in New Mexico. Any restaurant that uses powder instead of from the pod should turn in their chile card immediately. Twisters can you hear me? I ordered my carne pizza Christmas just for the variety. The green is very good, but the rock star is the red. The heat was perfect, it wasn't too hot but left a satisfying glow in my belly for the rest of the day. My only real complaint would be the pedestrian chips and salsa. The salsa seemed vinegary and not very flavorful and almost made me knock off a star, but the red chile was just that good. M&T's please continue to represent the 505!
(5)Chupacabra X.
New Mexico style but without the cheese (except on enchiladas or rellenos of course). But trust me, they don't need it. Everything I've had here is great. Parking can be a pain during busy hours.
(4)M G.
HOR-I-BLE - I've had better mexican food from a frozen tv dinner. I had the cheese enchilada "special" and the cheese wasn't even melted. The tortillas were the cardboard microwaved variety. save your money and go to the Tortilla Factory on Osuna and 2nd. This place sucks.
(1)Kathy C.
Fantastic restaurant. Great food, great service. Sopapillas are to die for! Stopped in for lunch and will definitely return!
(4)Kierstin S.
The best red chili I've had in Albuquerque hands down. The chili tastes fresh, not made from powder, and tastes like your grandma would make at home! I had the stuffed sopapilla with beef and beans, my husband had the carne adovada enchilads, If you like great, authentic, New mexican food, this place is a gem!
(5)H.s. C.
I am a Native New Mexican, born, raised many generations, you know the drill. My brother suggested M &T and, though I have driven by it a thousand times, I had never taken the time to eat there until................................today. Let's just say I would take my 88 year old mother there without hesitation, now we are talking about a woman who is ranked with the Saints for New Mexico Food (Red or Green?) It was that good. Reasonable, good service, good quality, though the salsa was a little on the boring side, my disappointment was shortlived when I got my Carne Adovada Burrito smothered in Red.
(5)nyar a.
Best New Mexican food in Albuquerque. It is so hard to find traditional New Mexican food In Abq now, Los Cuates went corporate, Gardunos Corporate ( remember Yester Dave's? ). Sadie's is good, I haven't Eaten in El Pinto in over 10 years and think that is more destination and ambiance than tasty New Mexican food. You have to go to the smaller towns like Mountain Air or Bernalillo now to find good, Home made style New Mexican food. Stuffed Sopa's smothered in Green anybody, because you will find it here?!
(5)W R.
I was born in Albuquerque and lived here most of my life. This is my favorite NM-style Mexican restaurant. Period.
(5)Aaron L.
Don't be fooled by the dated decor...this place is the real deal. It ended up being the best New Mexican food we had while in Albuquerque. Wish it hadn't been our last day in town when we found it!
(5)Kori S.
This was our first venture into New Mexico cuisine and it was a good choice. We got Sopadillas with chile sauce. Mine was bean and cheese, Chris chose the one stuffed with chicken. I got mine with the slow burning red chile, Chris the mellower green. A Sopadilla is like a giant savory turnover. Our server was wonderful and helped us immensely with the explanation of what chile was and which one was hot. The place is small and homely, but the food is good. The parking lot was packed and the restaurant full before noon. Thanks New Mexico Chow for a great pick.
(4)Don D.
The best authentic New Mexican food in Albuquerque. The Carne Adovada is especially wonderful as are they stuffed sopapillas which they call turnovers. Great enchiladas as well. Try the red chili, it can be hot but it's so flavorful.
(4)Andrew R.
This is the best best best red chile I've ever had. It's insane. Talk to the people who work there, and they'll tell you some places specialize in red and some in green. They went after the red. Apparently, The Shed in Santa Fe is where the green is at. Get it on top of anything and you'll love it, but if you're looking for something different, try the sopapilla: in particular, the carne adovada. It's cooked in red chile! But if you're not into fried stuff smother in sauce (because it doesn't have that fried crunch so why bother, right?) there's plenty of other things you can smother. Delish!
(5)Alice B.
I had the huevos rancheros with 2 eggs. When they brought it out, it looked like pig slop. A plate with refried beans on one side, and chile sauce on the other. Eggs were underneath. No tortilla underneath, even though I ordered it with a tortilla. Was NOT tasty at all. And since we eat with our eyes first, meaning the presentation of the food matters, it was overall not good. The menudo was cold and disgusting. I also tried the enchiladas... meh. Do yourself a favor and go a few streets down to Barelas for much better food. What you see on these photos on yelp is what you're gonna get, and it does not look good. People rave about the red chile; it was okay, but not worth it when the food is bad. I will not return.
(2)Mark F.
Don't judge the place on how it looks. Just see all the cars in the parking lot to know it is a winner. Service isn't the best you will encounter but the food is great. Don't believe me? They were a 2010 James Beard award winner. Prices are in the cheap range. You can get an entree with sides for under $8 and receive a full plate that would easily garner another $5 or more at other restaurants. I had the large combo and the relleno was battered thicker than I'm used to but it works. Cheese enchiladas tasted fresh which can be a hard task for what is just a tortilla, cheese and onion. The green chile brightened everything up. My favorite was the hard taco in a shell fried there. My better half had the small combo of taco and tamale. The tamale had a fairly thick layer of masa but was stuffed with a large portion of well seasoned pork and topped with red chili. Great meal and an impressive value.
(4)Miss A.
This place is old dirty and smells. Not to mention the creepy neighborhood/surrounding.
(1)Ted M.
First place we had breakfast at last week, we where visiting our daughter and it was fantastic. I had the HUEVOS RANCHEROS WITH 2EGGS, BEANS, GREEN CHLLE AND susie special with corn tortilla.....great stuff
(5)Imre A.
I love the greesy after meal taste and useful rice... Not so much. Dirty. Closes early and no parking. Food very unimpressive. Don't risk your life to come here not worth in. But staff was nice
(2)Gio Moto M.
Friendly staff, great service, best stuffed sopapillas I have had. Don't let the appearance scare you away.
(5)Craig L.
The "hole in the wall" place in Albuquerque. No atmosphere, just friendly staff and the best red chile in Albuquerque. Great food!
(4)Scott H.
Clown shoes, absolutely clown shoes. I ordered a chicken burrito with cheese and sour cream. First off, the cheese was melted on the outside. ALL BURRITOS SHOULD HAVE INTERNAL CHEESE AS A STANDARD. And it should not cost $0.50 to add cheese. That is absolutely ridiculous. I also ordered sour cream which was served on the side. SERVED ON THE SIDE. And it cost more than a fucking burrito in San Francisco. Seriously? I used to get burritos at the best burrito place in SF, Cancun Las Glorias, and was pissed when they raised the standard price to ~$9 and this was $9.21. This burrito, which was absolutely no where near as good as that, cost MORE than the best burrito place in SF. Absolutely terrible. This was the worst food experience I have had in Albuquerque. The burrito was edible at best. This place has NO idea how to make a burrito.
(1)Chris G.
I decided to eat lunch at Mary & Tito's on my way through New Mexico after reading so many great reviews. First off the service was excellent, all of the staff works together to make sure you're fully stocked on chips, salsa, and drinks. The overall decor of the restaurant is exactly what I would expect from an "authentic New Mexican" place. Now on to the important stuff, the food. I ordered their specialty, the carne adovoda (SP?) with red chile sauce with rice and beans on the side. The pork was tender and the red chile sauce was spicy and flavorful. Overall Mary & Tito's lived up to expectations and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a great local bite to eat.
(5)Brian P.
Excellent carne adovada! Red chile was super and the service was spot on. Would definitely recommend for New Mexican flavored and friendly service.
(5)Cat B.
This is my best friend of restaurants. The red chile glows with electric flavor. My regular order is the Tito Special with red chile (vegetarian for textural reasons). This is basically a deconstructed bean burrito. Your oval plate is divided down the long way with chile on one side and beans on the other. You can use your tortilla to dip, slurp and scoop up the beans and chile, so fun. My husband's usual is the Carne Adovada Turnover. This is a unique stuffed sopapilla because the dough is stuffed with the filling, then deep fried. He always orders the chile on the side to keep the fried dough crisp. Mary and Tito's serves up delicious New Mexican style food in a humble mom and pop atmosphere.
(5)Liz S.
Yum! You have to stop here if you are driving through Albuquerque at mealtime. Great carne adovada and red chili. Friendly and quick service. Close to I 40.
(5)Stewart P.
Almost every person I asked about where I should visit for great New Mexican food told me to go to Mary & Tito's. Rave after rave review eventually sent me here the day I was leaving New Mexico. Now, I've admitted in another review that after tasting a bunch of different 'New Mexican' cuisine, I don't really love the flavors but I assumed that if M&T's was as good as people say it is, even a non-believer like myself would become converted. Nope. First of all, when you walk into the restaurant, no one comes and greets your or tells you where to go. It's set up like a 'wait to be seated' type of place but somehow they expect you to know that you're just supposed to grab a seat. This is not clearly communicated so I ended up feeling like an idiot while I waited to be seated and then was eventually instructed by an unfriendly voice that I should have just found my own seat. Okay then.... Once someone decided to come to say hello at my self-selected table, I ordered exactly what I was instructed by everyone to order (described as the best meal I will ever have): a Carne Adovada stuffed sopapilla smothered with red sauce. I did as I was told and I regret it. I didn't like anything about it, the texture, the taste, the smell. Actually, especially the smell! It smelled dirty. It wasn't, it just smelled that way. And the bright, almost-florescent red of the chili was almost off-putting to my vision. I'll admit that it was spicy. I love me some spice but I want more. I want flavor and texture. All this dish offered me was heat. I feel almost guilty that I couldn't find a New Mexican restaurant that I liked. There were plenty of other kinds of restaurants in ABQ that I enjoyed but none of them claimed to hail from the Land of Enchantment. Mary and Tito, I am sorry but I won't be recommending your restaurant to anyone I know.
(2)Toby B.
Went for lunch today. Not a good experience. Service was slow, it was cold inside and the food just had no flavor. Waited too long for store bought tortillas. Not a very good place to eat.
(1)Kate M.
Absolutely wonderful. I ordered the chicken and cheese stuffed sopapilla with green chile. It was very flavorful! Had a piece of Mexican wedding cake for dessert, and I think I found my new favorite cake!
(5)Glenn S.
When traveling on business, such as today, I like to have at least 1 meal at a local favorite. Someplace I've never been and don't have at home. Today, as I finished my business in the Albuquerque area, I had several hours to kill so I decided to look for someplace to eat that was representative of the area. One of the first places I see on Yelp is a Mexican restaurant called Mary & Tito's Cafe. It has mostly great reviews with a 4 star rating. Very promising. Some of the reviews do indicate that it is a local hole in the wall (my favorite places usually are) and that it could look a little iffy when you first arrive. Interesting. Exciting. I figure I'm up for a new experience. As I'm following the directions on Yelp, I'm clearly driving through a questionable neighborhood. (barrio?) Getting a little worried. I pull up to the restaurant and it is definitely an old place. It has been a family run business and local favorite for 50 years. It has that typical, little Mexican local restaurant in the barrio look and feel. The building looks a little "tired". Cracks around the windows, old doors, etc. I have expensive equipment in my car so I am really nervous about leaving it in this neighborhood. I see a spot on the street right in view of a window seat so I figure I'll try to grab that seat so I can keep an eye on my car/equipment. Once inside, the atmosphere is about, maybe a little better than expected but still a little run down, but clean. Nothing fancy for sure. A little hodge podge of southwest decor thrown together. A friendly server greets me and says I can sit anywhere so I run to the window seat in view of my car. There are at least 6 tables of guests who seem to be enjoying their meals. Nice looking people. My server comes over and takes my drink order and brings me a menu. I read through the menu and see some of the items that were raved about on Yelp so I decide to try one of them. It seems the specialty is Carne Avodabo with red chili. So I get that in a chimichanga and I add a tamale with green chili on the side. The service was fast. Lighting fast. It couldn't have been more than 5 minutes or so. I'm sure they must make a batch at a time. The presentation was very appealing. Everything looked and smelled fresh. I dug in. It was incredible. The pork was so tender and juicy and the red chili gave it just the right amount of kick. The refried beans were a little runny for my taste though, but it wasn't bad. The prices are also amazing. My bill including tip was $13. Don't be afraid to try this place if you are in Albuquerque, NM. Sometimes the scariest looking places are the BEST. I was actually quite comfortable. Now, mind you, I would not walk into or try a restaurant like this or in a neighborhood like this blindly. Yelp is a great tool that I always use when looking for a new, local experience.
(5)Ben S.
A delicious mom and pop authentic "New Mexican" experience. They have award winning meals. My friends am I popped in on a cross country trip drove by it. Yelp game is confidence, and it was right. Try the sopapillas! Our waitress has been there over 20 yrs and was a sweetheart. She pushed their house cake, and boy was it worth every penny! Pineapple, walnuts, and cream cheese, super moist!
(5)Tamn8r 2.
Have been hearing and seeing rave reviews about this place, so finally tried it. I have lived in Albuquerque 30 years and raised in southern New Mexico. Red Chili: Dark red, and grainy. My personal preference is smooth, lighter red, Green Chili: Okay, on the plus side, they both had a little heat to them. Beans were not fresh cooked, they're rehydrated from a package. Tortillas are store bought, and have no hint of a homemade taste to them. Makes me curious as to what is fresh made. The place is in dire need of an update. Table coverings are showing their age, when you sit in a booth you sink down half way to the floor and it's not because I'm overweight. Lots of 4 and 5 star reviews from tourists, not so much for natives. There are many better New Mexican restaurants in Albuquerque, do yourself a favor and skip this one.
(2)Jennifer L.
I don't care that much for most Southwestern-style food, and the food here is no exception. The chile rellenos and the tacos that we had for lunch were okay, but the Mexican wedding cake at the end was simply delicious! Contains pineapple (canned, but fresh is hard to do in a cake), nuts, and cream cheese frosting. Hence, the lone star. Unfortunately, the second time we came by to get some of the delicious cake, the owner was rude to us. When we asked if we could get a piece of cake, she smirked at us as she said they were out. When we asked if they were open the next day, she said, "No," again, with a smirk. Everytime we asked if they were open on a following day, it was, "No," followed with a small smirk. Couldn't just tell us when they were going to be open, had to be an unprofessional guessing game with free smirks. Mediocre food and unprofessional service. Thanks for nothing.
(1)Felecia P.
People have always told me to come to this place, but never got around to it until a couple days ago. I'm so disappointed I never tried this place sooner! The restaurant gives you chips and salsa as most New Mexican restaurants do, but I have had tastier salsa at other places. I ordered the chicken burrito smothered in red and green chili, and both were delicious! It's not often you find a place where both red and green are tasty. I wish I knew the plate didn't come with a side of beans or rice, but I got pretty full on the burrito itself. Next time I'll order a side of beans, and I need to try the Mexican wedding cake!
(4)John C.
Simply put, I love this place. The food is just like mom used to make, almost as good. Their chicharones (sp) are to die for! Oh, did I mention the Mexican wedding cake? If you see one, or even part of one still available, order it ASAP. It goes fast. Walking in to the place reminds me of walking in to my grandmothers house. Very well used. Very clean. Very welcoming.
(5)Julian G.
I did not enjoy the food here. The food is rather bland. I order the breakfast burrito and was not impressed with the chile. The chile was not hot and lacked flavor. If you are a fan of authentic NM food, don't eat here, you'll be disappointed.
(3)Snehal Rudra B.
Simply put: perfection. This little place on 4th street has been turning out some of the finest New Mexican food for years. They have got hoardes of loyal Nuevo Mexicanos, and now also a James Beard award, as testaments of the above-mentioned perfection. This is a little family owned place that has not changed all that much over the years, and, in this case, that is a good thing. Expect red chile, made using hatch chile the owners obtain from a single purveyor, to be fiery and piquant all at once. Expect heavenly, melt in your mouth, best in town carne adovada. Expect friendly and efficient service that makes you feel like you are a part of the family. While the red chile at Mary and Tito's enjoys well deserved acclaim, their green chile is also some of the best in town. It is old fashioned, simple, and fiery enough to make my brow sweat. Finally, it is worth noting that both red and green are available in excellent vegetarian versions. Also worth noting that unlike many other places, they do serve vegetarian refried beans that are, like everything else at this place, quite amazing. So go forth and don't let those lines deter you. The service is efficient and fast, and the food will certainly make it all worthwhile.
(5)Ron T.
Sometimes, I love eating here. I always enjoy it. Lately the food quality has not been as good as it was. I came here because of the hype. Changed my travel routine through Albuquerque because they won a James Beard Award and now dine here when passing through. The food seemed to be better back in the day........lol, maybe I'm getting old and need to change my travel routine.
(4)Fred K.
Wonderful place to eat with exceptional value. The carne adovada was terrific as was the red chile--best I have ever had anywhere--except at home, but certainly equal to fresh home-cooked red chile. Prices were shockingly low. In fact I would recommend they increase prices by perhaps 15-20% and invest in new heaters and spruce the place up a bit. But oh, my--such wonderful New Mexico style cooking. I'll be back.
(5)Melissa H.
We went to try this place and it was so not Good first of All the place really can use a UP GRADE the restrooms are discussing reminded me of a Mechanical Shop. The floors are All uneven and tables are crooket! They said the Cook has been there for 30 yrs!!! Time to hang it up!!! I ordered a combination plate the chicken Taco was cold and corn tortilla was burned chile relleno was not homemade frozen, enchilada was hard as a rock. They also need to upgrade their dishware cups plates ect.... do not recommend this place!!!!
(1)Joseph H.
Great authentic New Mexican good and great customer service. Don't be scared of the area. It's worth the drive.
(5)Nat S.
We had lunch, Tim had the stuffed sopapillia, with carne adovada. I had the carne enchiladas(blue corn). This is one of the few NM restaurants that bring you chips and salsa, The chile here is thicker and chunkier than other games in town. No agua frescas. Cheap and tasty.
(4)Matt P.
This place has good food and good service, but my annoyance with them is how poorly worded their menu is. A group of six of us went there when we were in Albuquerque and Santa Fe for an extended weekend. Two of us were vegetarians, and we both ended up ordering meat by accident. You'll see the phrase "Meatless Chile Upon Request" under some of the menu section headers, but when I see the word "chile" (assuming it's an alternate spelling of "chili"), I think of either (1) the unprocessed plant or (2) a stew of tomatoes and beans and/or meat. I don't think of a sauce. But as I and the other vegetarian diner found out, that's exactly what they meant. Both of us ordered meatless burritos and were dismayed to find them smothered in sauce that contained pieces of meat. If this place doesn't want to reprint their menus, they could at least ask diners if they want the regular or meatless sauce--especially when people order meatless burritos. The thing is, they have to ask about your sauce preference anyway--whether you want red or green sauce. Would it really be that much of a pain to ask an additional question after they have that answer?
(2)Matt H.
Honestly one of the best meals it have had in my entire life. Super friendly service as well. I got the pork adovada stuffed sopapilla, Christmas, with the sauces on the side, and a side of beans. I preferred the green but the red was good too and it was nice to go back and forth. The pork was amazingly tender and delicious and the crust was nice and crunchy/flakey on the outside while remaining chewy inside. And the salsa that came with the free chips and salsa was fantastic as well. All in all, like I said, one of the best meals I've ever had and a fantastic value as well.
(5)D W.
We came into Albuquerque on our motorcycles, cold and hungry. Found this restaurant on Yelp and decided to give it a try. Awesome place! Food and service were both great. We will be back in October for balloon fiesta and will be sure to stop in again!
(5)Sara B.
Great locally owned and operated restaurant for generations! Homemade everything(almost)...don't miss the Mexican Wedding Cake!!! To die for! Homemade by grandma Mary!
(5)Clifton C.
This little hole in the wall is so uniquely New Mexican they were recognized with a James Beard award for regional cuisine ( jamesbeard.org/blog/amer… ). I've been eating there since 1978 when Tito was still making Popsicle stick furniture. He was recently followed inot the great beyond by Mary, RIP and now the second and third generations are working with the original cooks to serve New Mexico's best Carne Adovada in a variety of iterations; enchiladas, "Mexican Pizzas" (on Native frybread), stuffed sopaipillas and even burritos! Their Green Chile - to be avoided in most restaurants if you've ever had mi abuelita's chile verde - is pretty good too! And their chicharrones son de lo mejor! Of course, they're New Mexican in other ways - they are content to serve the best on their own terms - they close early and they don't serve beer, wine or any of the tequila's that mark our more famous tourist traps. They still have the same rickety little booths they had back in '78, and you still have to stoop a little to get in and be careful walking around some corners. I love this place.
(5)Michelle G.
My mom was a great cook and she did not like to go out to eat -- especially New Mexican. No one made red chile as well as she did so she figured why pay for something she could make better herself. Until she discovered Mary & Tito's in the 1980's. This was the only place she'd ever eaten that made red chile just like she made it at home. My mom passed away in 2006 so I can't get her red chile anymore. Mary & Tito's is the next best thing. Thick, rich red chile blended from pods and seasoned with just garlic and salt. Tito knew that if it was good chile, that's all you need. I drag my husband and friends to Mary & Tito's at least twice a month. Hubby and I even went there for our anniversary! Sure, we could get a more expensive meal, but like my mom, if I'm paying a lot for a meal, it better be something I couldn't cook just as well at home. I've spent too much money and disappointed too many times to risk not enjoying my anniversary meal. I know that Mary & Tito's doesn't ever disappoint. And, to finish off the meal, nothing beats a slice of Antoinette's Mexican Wedding Cake. Sweet pineapple, nutty cake with a fluffy cream cheese icing. Just be sure you ask them to set aside a slice of cake for you as soon as you walk in. Many a time I've walked in and saw half the cake left under the glass dome of the cake stand to be told after I ate my meal that the last slice had been sold. :( Try this place. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Ashley M.
Went back again for my birthday this year and since we arrived for lunch, we were able to try the Mexican wedding cake. Its no wonder it sells out! It was AMAZING and easily brings this place up to the full 5 stars.
(5)Ken L.
Definitely some of THE BEST red chile I've had in Albuquerque! I had the Stuffed Sopaipilla - combo with beef, rice, beans, and cheese and a rolled enchilada (ala carte). Both were super delicious with the red chile. As a lifelong resident of the area, I sure wish I had discovered this place years ago!
(5)Judi D.
I luvd it! The only reason for the four stars is I hvn't bn more than once, so I can't speak to consistency. With all due respect to my fellow yelpers, tho, I think you've gotten it wrong in getting the carne adovada stuffed sopapilla (ok, "turnovers" per menu) smothered in ur chile of choice. At least, from the photos posted. Or maybe u'r wolfing it down so fast it doesn't get soggy. But this fabulous, crispy, pastry is wasted otherwise, not savored. Just try the chile on the side once. OmG. I like local places, that clearly hv beloved regulars and still accommodate new patrons. I admit there was some hesitation at first upon entering, no sign to Seat Yourself, the one server was picking up an order to deliver, but another group came in after me with the same quandary. By 11:20, things were hopping! Three servers, ppl pouring thru the door, parking lot filled, but it moved rt along. The carne adovada was scrumptious! The chile relleno kinda bland, nothing to write home about. The wedding cake was over the top, dense, sweet, cloying, and certainly not necessary in the wake of the spectacular carne adovada, but a welcome sweet 5 hours later. Great staff, and spacious seating. Hope to return soon!
(4)Tony S.
You definitely wouldn't think of eating at this place just passing by. It doesn't really catch your eye from the outside, but the inside is delicious! The food was prepared quickly, it was affordable, the chips and salsa had the perfect amount of spice, and the inside is very well maintained. I got the combination plate, I think my new favorite New Mexican meal is Chile Relleño thanks to a this place.
(5)Babs M.
Be forewarned. This is a nothing fancy, very clean dive. Best chips and salsa around. Great Mexican food. They have even won a James Beard Award. The wait staff are friendly, attentive and relaxed. This place is great to take kids and they welcome them.
(4)Eugene V.
If you are in Albuquerque you MUST go, Carne Adovada in a Sopapilla with red chili, followed by a slice of Mexican Wedding Cake. Excellent.
(5)Kenda S.
I am despondent that the meal is over. I ate so slowly despite being hungry because I didn't want the flavor fiesta in my mouth to end. I ordered the carne adovada stuffed sopapilla smothered in red and green chili. The pork had to have been slow cooked. It was so juicy that it softened the sopapilla just enough to make the cheese and pork and chili meld into a soft, slightly doughy, melt-in-your-mouth extravaganza. The atmosphere is down-to-earth and not touristy. The servers are friendly, helpful, knowledgable. So so good. Hands down the best meal of the trip and I have had A LOT of chili this week!
(5)Alan B.
Go with the green sauce! Fantastic!
(5)Laura C.
Yum, yum, yum! New to Albuquerque but not New Mexico, read about this place and had to check it out. Wow! So glad I did. It was amazing. My husband and I both got sopapillas-- his was Carne adovado and mine was bean and cheese-- smothered in red sauce. They were big, but somehow I wolfed the whole thing down. Absolutely delicious! This place is not fancy or expensive, and I loved it that way. Friendly staff and authentic ambience. Run don't walk!
(5)Scott S.
Got off the plane hungry and we headed right to this joint!! James Beard award for good reason - best stuffed sopapillas ever! I had the carne adovada x-mas style. The green chile is awesome and the red is even better!! The pork is tender, moist and succulent. The sopapilla is cooked perfectly - crunchy, tender and delicious! Of course it's going to get a little soggy midway thru but so what - it's still freaking delicious!!! The staff is super friendly and there is parking in the back & in the street. Don't screw around, go here & be happy!!
(5)Sara M.
Excellent food at an affordable price! Phenomenal red chili and delicious green chili make the carne adovada enchilada one of the best I've had!
(5)Joseph L.
Hands-down best New Mexican food in Albuquerque. The huevos are spot on and the service is always very friendly.
(5)Hazel H.
Place was amazing... friendly staff... and helped us with our options... knowing my husband dont really do the Hot thing... lol.. but they helped us out alot... a MUST EAT place for Mexican Food!
(5)Robert A.
Had lunch there today for the first time. Can't believe I didn't know about this place before. This is true New Mexican food. I had the carne adovada chimichanga, it was delicious! The red chile is made the way it's supposed to be. The beans and rice were delicious as well. The price is great, the food was terrific and the service was friendly and prompt. Not sure what more I could ask for, maybe a beer but it was lunch and I had to go back to work. If I can't eat at home or my Mom's house and I'm craving New Mexican food, I'm coming here. Not sure there is a bigger compliment I can give than that. Thanks!!!!
(5)Matthew D.
Tasty carne adovada and good Chile sauce. Well priced and pretty good service. Location a little dicey but the way inside is homely.
(4)Parissa M.
it was very good! the red chile sauce was delicious and the guacamole was outstanding! it's a tiny hole in the wall type place but it's amazing and very reasonable. the wait staff is friendly and helpful too!
(4)Victoria V.
Awesome authentic Mexican food on our way outside of Albuquerque. Had the Adovada enchilada plate. My friend had the Adovada sopapilla. So good. Def recommend it. Get the "Christmas" chile on top.
(4)Cristina M.
Probably more like 3.5 stars. Finally tried this place and it was good. I met a friend for lunch on a Friday at 11 am (trying to beat the rush) and we were served chips and salsa initially. The salsa was tart, almost like it had tomatillos in it, but I think it was actually red wine vinegar. Not my favorite salsa, but it was okay. I ordered a carne adovada burrito for lunch, which came with a side of refried beans. The beans were very runny and not very flavorful. However, the carne was SO GOOD. Really, some of the best I've had in the city. I'd go back just for the carne adovada. Maybe next time I'll go for breakfast and have a breakfast burrito with carne-I bet it is spectacular. Nice, friendly service. The restaurant was clean and it wasn't as much of a hole in the wall as I expected. The fourth star is for the carne alone, otherwise a solid three stars.
(4)Dante S.
The red chile is very good and has a wonderful flavor to it & I believe has meat mixed into it as well. I enjoyed the Carne Adovada plate and literally ate every last bite. So, so good! The customer service is also outstanding. I will be back!
(4)Susan S.
Thanks to yelp we found this place over the balloon fiesta weekend all the food was light and delicious we will be back on our next trip to Albuquerque.
(4)Xsurpt Z.
Absolutely amazing red pork sopapilla, crunchy and hot as fuuu..wish I could have been here to witness during original ownership. Also the service now is A+..
(5)Ima G.
Sadly this place has slipped. Too much Hollywood attention has gone to their heads. Food is ok- but not as it once was. Too bad no one has applied the old saying "never let your pride overstep into your quality"....
(2)Anna S.
We loved this place! The only reason it's not 4 stars is because the menu is a little limited. Service was great and friendly. It almost feels like a diner, with the vinyl booths and juke box in the corner (even a coca cola clock on the wall!). They've actually been recognized by the state of New Mexico for their overall awesomeness. Bill Richardson, the governor of NM in 2010, declared that their Mexican turnovers and carne asada were good enough to warrant a celebratory "Mary & Tito's Cafe Day!" We tried the Mexican turnover with red chile, the chili rellenos and the Mexican wedding cake. They were all fantastic, delicious, and had just enough heat to provide flavor without making you need to cry.
(4)Michael W.
Interesting old place on 4th. Their suggested item they called a "carnover" if I got it right...a bit like a big turnover stuffed with carne adovada. Could be a stuffed sopapilla almost but it was very large, see pic. The shell itself wasn't so good. The insides were better. For dessert there was a home made Bundt type cake with cream cheese powdered sugar frosting called Wedding Cake, $2.50 a slice. They said it was on the "to die for" list of ABQ desserts...so I got one, was pretty good!
(3)Luke S.
Stopped by for dinner during roadtrip in NM. I wanted to order the red chili turnover but they only had green chili at the moment. Not bad either. I got to taste some red chili inside the turnover and it was truly amazing. The turnover was crispy, while got soggy afterwards. Probably serving chili as a dipping sauce would be a better choice. The whole place is a typical mom n pop place where family traditions get preserved. Everyone visiting ABQ should check out this place. Their Mexican wedding cake is also fabulous!
(4)Ara K.
Best New Mexico food I have had, hands down! The carne adovada is to die for, as are the chile rellenos. Unlike the rellenos that we get in California, the ones here are lightly stuffed with cheese, battered and fried to a crisp, and covered with a red or green chile sauce (with no additional cheese in the sauce). They a lot lighter and, to me, much better tasting. As for the adovada, it fills your mouth with the taste of chiles. Great for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
(5)Howie K.
Bow down to the king of Carne Adovada, pork that's been simmering in chile so long it's blood red. All hail green chile done old school style, with big chunks of hamburger and heat that'll be felt for days. Here here for staff who call you "honey" or "sweetie" while they fill your giant iced tea once again, and the Queen smiles upon you from the kitchen, still rockin' as she breaks the century mark. Hip hip, hooray for Mary Y Tito's, a New Mexico tradition and passion! Come to Mary & Tito's because you want to sit in a tiny cafe surrounded by New Mexicans living New Mexico. If you're afraid of heat, try the tacos. The place is always buzzing at lunch time. The service will be cafe-style, efficient and to the point, and the food will arrive pretty quickly. You won't forget your visit, I promise.
(4)Ross W.
Classic.....We pull up and and I ask my girlfriend, "Wow, what made you pick this place?" She responds, it was a James Beard winner. The most simple place on earth, pay at register, line cooks, multiple generations of family serving patrons, and an almost diner feel but with the most satisfying dining experience. We ordered the recommended dishes, Stuffed Sopapillas (Mexican Turnovers). The combination chicken included a delicate pastry wrapped around tender and succulent cheese, beans, rice, and gooey cheese. I kept trying to understand how this was prepared and seasoned because it was so unique and the green chile on top (which I normally cannot stand) was perfectly spicy. Next we had the Beef Stuffed Sopapilla with just beef, cheese, pastry shell the size of your head and a rich red sauce which was 2x hotter than the green chili sauce. Both were all you could want, but if I was to repeat, I would make sure i also did the Beef as a combination.
(5)Daniel W.
I don't get the hype. It's cheap and the food is reasonably tolerable, but nothing to write home about. The service, however, is, frankly, less than adequate. Immediately after I sat down I was approached by someone selling the typical variety of hand-strung beads. It's plain bad manners to allow or condone that in your restaurant. Decided to stay but was left waiting at the register for quite a while after I was ready to pay. They simply didn't have enough staff on hand. This is not a place I will be coming back to. This may be the best place to eat in the corner of Albuquerque in which it is located (known more for auto repair than cuisine), but that does not make it a great eatery, and I have no plans to return for any reason. Incredible that it has won any kind of award. I did, in fact, have the carne adovada. I was not impressed.
(3)Jamal B.
The tacos are to die for. The green and red chile are home made. Will be returning soon.
(5)Veronika N.
Hands down the best New Mexican food in New Mexico. Possibly even the best food ever created in existence. The red chili turnovers here will literally make your eyes water with joy and happiness. I was genuinely depressed after leaving here, because I live so far away and can't get the food as often as I'd like to. It's delicious, it's cheap, and it's the best damn chili you can get. All of the people writing reviews lower than 4-5 stars are local competitors, who can't get their own recipes right. Mary And Tito's has been around 50 years, and they probably haven't even been around 5. :)
(5)Susie S.
Seeing lots of bad reviews -- most of them from out of towners. Here's the thing: if you don't know or don't like NEW Mexican food, which isn't the same as Mexican food, then you may not like or understand this place. But if you love your red and green like a good New Mexican, you won't be disappointed.
(5)Rachel K.
This place won a James Beard award for their red and green chile, I'm told. They deserve it. I've had something like six meals in a row that all contain at least green chile, Christmas when available, but M&T's has beaten them all. It's a bummer that the food under the sauce isn't as phenomenal as the sauce itself. The tamales were fine, nothing special, and the side of beans atlooked and tasted a little like they'd come out of a can. This is perhaps heresy, but I'm saying it anyway. My guy enjoyed his chicharrones burrito but again, the chile was the superior portion of the plate. Perhaps next time I'll just get a bowl.
(4)Nigel T.
When places are popular and have a notable reputation, they tend to be judged harshly and unfairly by some. Frankly, I'm gob-smacked to read some of the scathing reviews about this joint. Here was our experience... Passing through Albuquerque prompted us to want to check out the NM style of Mexican cuisine. We pulled off I-40 at 11am on a Tuesday and sat for lunch. I asked the girl what the move was and she suggested the Carne Adovada with red chile. It was insanely good, with subtle nuances that I assume were the blend of native American and Mexican influences. All in all, a cheap, delicious spot serving the local style of cooking. What more would you want?
(5)Alan G.
Nothing says New Mexican like a chili smothered carne adovada sopapilla. A perfect fried crust with juicy slow cooked meat inside. The only thing that could of made it better is a huge bowl of the amazing chili on the side.
(4)Misha R.
7 people joined me for lunch. Every single one of us had horrifically American food! In the name that is Mexican or New Mexican or even Tex-Mex, NOOooooo! No one could finish their lunch. My Tamales were in a puddle of water, seriously! My friend had beef that was just plain burned!! The wait staff was so rude and neglectful! I literally asked for more salsa 3 times, and NEVER got it. When we asked if we could have an item removed from our bill (because it was just too awful to eat) the manager argued with us about how food should be made, and that the food there had won awards. Who cares?! Just make the customer happy! None of us had a decent meal. One friend ordered a Quesadilla and it looked like it had been made in a dorm room with Velveeta cheese product! It wasn't toasted or brown, just a greasy white mess... GROSS!
(1)Brendon S.
Mary & Tito's Cafe serves Mexican food for the faint of heart. M&T does have a strong draw as an endangered mom-and-pop New Mexican eatery (reportedly established in 1963), but the chili is only average compared to competitors. The location and food are ideal for tourists traveling I-40 who are looking for a bite of New Mexico. Salsa: watery and without kick. Stuffed Beef Combo plate (Christmas-style): very healthy portion and a good value at under $8. The chili underperformed, however, and the bean/rice-to-meat ratio was skewed heavily toward beans/rice. Carne Burrito (Christmas-style): Again, a generous portion at under $8. The carne adovada was tender and tasty. The burrito disappointingly did not include cheese, which was surprising considering it was prepared smothered style. In sum, always good to support a local family business but if you are a New Mexico foodie there are other options.
(3)M W.
I went here based on the strength of the reviews. Not sure why it is so highly rated. I had the combo plate with the relleno, taco and cheese enchilada with green sauce. Another negative review mentioned his food was served in a puddle of water...so was mine! The taco was soaked through. I put my knife under one side of the plate so the watery substance would at least drain away from the rest of the food. The chips served at the table were tough and tasteless...as was the rice. The refried beans weren't tough, just tasteless. On the positive side, the relleno and enchilada had good flavor. I don't think I'll be going back.
(2)Micah C.
I had been wanting to try this place before we even moved here. We had tried stopping in once before, but was closed. We barely made it this time as we got there at 7:30 and they closed at 8... Kinda early for a Friday night. Anyways, I had the carne adovada "Mexican turnover" (stuffed sopapilla), and my husband had the relleno plate. Both definitely packed some heat with the red sauce, but the flavor was delicious! So grateful they let us sneak in at the last minute. This will definitely be on our repeat list!
(4)t. o.
They do what they do really well. You should come here for the adovada and red chili, their specialties. Both are excellent. The green chili is no nonsense, tasty, but more like chopped green chili soup (ie watery.) Service has been fine both times I've been. In my hunt for the best chili in ABQ this place has to be near the top (for red), but still doesn't feel like the holy grail.
(4)Nancy M.
Good, but not great New Mexican food. But, the Mexican Wedding Cake is worth the visit.
(3)Kimber S.
Good service. Dinky, old interior. Bathroom smells. Food is good Mexican but not outstanding. Surprised it won a James Beard Award. My husband on the other hand thinks it's the best Mexican food in New Mexico.
(3)Jon G.
The Chile Relleno was so-so but the enchiladas were pretty good. Friendly staff, didn't have to wait long, and good prices
(3)Adam S.
Classic, southwestern diner that is quite good at what it does. The red sauce and the sopapilla with beef were the two best things I ate here. The relleno was also very good. I didn't love the enchilada, but oh well. Service was good and the prices were cheap. I think for the prices, this place is definitely worth a stop.
(4)R B.
NEVER AGAIN! The waitress greeted us ON her cell phone, the food was freezing cold, corn tortillas were rock hard...I have heard great reviews of this restaurant and was sorely disappointed. The food was nothing short of disgusting. I'd like to consider myself a New Mexican food connoisseur and enjoy supporting "mom and pop" places but I will definitely not be returning here!
(1)Holly E.
Just ate the Adovado Sopapilla with Green Chiles for lunch. The heat is beautiful. (Not too much or too little is the definition of beautiful.) It was a much better version of the chimichanga. Yes, I'm from Texas, but I know good food when I eat it! The portion was huge and service stellar. When paying my bill, there was a fresh looking cake displayed. The gal checking me out said she makes them every morning. Mexican Wedding Cake. I got a slice to go. Around 3 this afternoon, I grabbed an expresso and enjoyed that slice of cake thoroughly. It had walnuts and pineapple in the cake and cream cheese frosting. Get a slice!
(4)Rebecca R.
Red chili is the best, plus yu can have either red or green vegetarian.
(5)Lisa N.
We stopped in ABQ on a road trip and followed Yelp reviews to find good New Mexico food. Mary and Titos is small and has delicious authentic NM cuisine. My husband had the adovada stuffed sopapilla, it was delicious! It is a really small family style restaurant and just a warning, very spicy.
(4)Ashley E.
I actually prefer regular stuffed sopapillas to the ones they serve here and call "turnovers." They are SO heavy...not the light-weight pillows you're used to. All-in-all the chile was spicy but the overall food experience for us was just eh--sorry to report!
(3)A R.
This place was beyond. I traveled to Albuquerque last month with a friend and we ate here twice. Today we mentioned to each other that we both think about it every day, which prompted this Yelp review. This restaurant is truly out of this world, the flavors are incredible and the price is amazing. I would travel back to Albuquerque just for another meal at Mary and Tito's. Remember: they close early! Adovado enchiladas and sopapilla mmmmmm
(5)Kelly T.
My husband and I ate here when we were down in Albuquerque looking for a place to live back in September. When we moved here in November, it's the first place we came back to eat at! I am truly amazed at the customer service we have received at most of the restaurants we have tried here in Albuquerque and Mary and Tito's is top notch. You can tell right from the first interactions that this is a family run business that cares about it's customers and it's food. The servers are all so nice and helpful and made suggestions to us New Mexican cuisine newbies. The service was quick and the food so tasty. I have ordered the carne adovada sopapilla both times and loved it. I promised myself next time I would try something else as other people's plates were full of good looking food as well. The prices are fantastic for the food you get! I wish we lived closer to this place and I would be able to eat it more often. :)
(4)Crystal N.
Alright, here's the scoop. This North Dakota girl is not an expert on "Mexican" food and certainly couldn't tell you when to call it "New Mexican". I like it, but I have always thought it all tasted pretty much the same (New Mexicans are shaking their heads right now). I heard about divey little M&T and its award winning authentic New Mexican cuisine since 1963 so I checked it out. What's the verdict? The red chile ROCKED MY WORLD and now I know what good is! The flavor really stands out from the rest and I can't wait to try it again next time I visit. My mouth is watering.
(5)Jeff P.
Don't let the name fool you. They are more than just breakfast. They are a beautifully rustic, authentic New Mexican joint. Great, welcoming service. Outstanding, grab your heartburn meds, flavorful food. Get your green and red chile fix here.
(5)Paul D.
I may be a Texan, but I am in LOVE with New Mexican food and know when I have found the right stuff. I came here while I was on vacation last week, and it was truly the best I've ever had. My dad had the carne adovada stuffed sopaipilla with red sauce (James Beard award-winning - best in NM) and both were of unbelievable quality. I had the taco, enchilada and chile relleno combo, all with red of course. The taco was obviously homemade with fantastic beef, fresh ingredients, and a homemade fried corn tortilla shell. The enchilada was good, but nothing to write home about. the chile relleno, however, was just about perfect. The pepper was of perfect consistency, with oozing cheese and a perfectly crispy shell. To top it all off, our server Cassie was wonderful and the Mexican wedding cake is the best I've EVER had.
(5)Jeanie H.
James Beard Award winner: American Classic. A great visit to taste the food fare of NM - try the "Christmas" chili prep....a little green chili and a little red chili....OH some heat!!! The interior is no frills, so it keeps you focused on the food - I like the simplicty. Oh soooo good!! You will find your fork wandering over to your companions plate....you just can't help yourself. If my fork is happy, so am I...see you next time as I venture to the other menu items....I will let my fork choose.
(4)Heather H.
Divine homemade chile, red and green. Stuffed sopapillas are phenomenal. Mexican wedding cake to die for! Lovely family business since 1963. Go. Just go. You will not regret it.
(4)Ariana G.
Worst dining experience I have had in a while. I was traveling through Albuquerque with friends and wanted some real New Mexican cuisine so I checked on yelp and found Mary & Tito's with great reviews. I wish now that we had not wasted my time or money. To summarize: service was terrible, the food was average, and the decor was creepy. We did not have a consistent waitress. The first person that stopped by the table was rude, unfriendly, and cold. The second person that stopped by never bothered to get back to us about whether or not they had a menu item we had asked about and never brought us salsa as requested. The third person was actually friendly but came around when we were already done eating to finally see if we needed anything and to refill our drinks. But of course gratuity was included in the bill, so why would the waitresses care how the service was? The food was average. They were out of queso (though never bothered to tell us, they just never brought it out), and out of the vegetarian chile (the only reason we chose to go there). The salsa was very vinegar tasting and the rice was cold and hard. There was a frightening painting of a child hanging up right by our table that I swear will haunt my soul for life! There were no lights in the bathroom and as we were leaving I stood at the counter trying to pay the bill for 5 minutes and was ignored even though we were the only ones in the restaurant. I finally left the cash on the counter and walked out the door while several employees watched me and continued ignoring me. Very disappointing. Not a place I would go again or recommend.
(1)Tommy L.
Delicious food. We went after 2:00 p.m. and it was still busy with locals. That is always a good sign. We will be back.
(4)Willanne W.
No sopapillas!! Really!! Bland, bland, bland green chile, tasteless taco (totally unspiced meat), hopeless enchilada (including a hard corn tortilla) and a nondescript tamale with virtually unspiced filling and masa that was missing any flavor and hard to boot! Top that with rude service from the young lady who finally bothered to seat me. The male server was pleasant though. Save your money at this colossal disappointment and go to Sadie's or Los Cuates for some flavor.
(1)Esteban L.
AVOID. The food was full of awfulness - disgusting comes to mind. The meat tasted like it was grade F and the menu was so littered with advertisements that it looked like the bulletin from a catholic church. I wish I could give a 1/4 of a star. I found the red chilli bland and its only redeeming quality was that it was just hot. The green chilli was serviceable but I wasn't a fan of it. There were 4 of us at the table and we each ordered different dishes. Sadly, we all walked away unhappy and gassy. I repeat --- AVOID.
(1)Lindsey A.
Eek, the food was terrible and the service was extremely slow. I don't understand why this place has such a high rating? I got a combination plate and the tacos were soggy and unflavorful, the chile relleno was greasy and deflated and I didn't like the red chile-it tasted like tomatoes and was very watery. We couldn't even get anyone to come and give us more chips. I won't be coming back.
(2)Tom L.
This place is great. It isn't fancy - it's like going to your grandma's kitchen. It's been around for decades and deservedly has a loyal following. My mom has been taking me there since I was probably 5 or 6 years old and I have a few friends with similar histories there. In the past year they've won some high-profile awards and the crowds it generated seemed to have temporarily hurt the quality of their food. They make their chile in small batches a few times a day and that didn't work so well with the crowds they were seeing. They're back to normal, now so it's worth a visit for sure. I recommend their combination turnover with beef, rice, beans and cheese. You can get it with red or green chile or both (a.k.a. "Christmas"). It's equally good either way and I alternate depending on what I'm in the mood for that day. They also have VERY good carne adovada, enchiladas, tacos, etc. I know around Lent they offer their chile without meat but I'm not sure if they always do that so it's worth asking if you don't eat meat. Parking can be scarce if you go during the lunchtime rush because their parking lot is small but you can park along the street nearby.
(5)Asian B.
Having had a light breakfast of yogurt, I was ravaged after spending several hours at the local vintage/thrift stores. I decided to pull up my list of highly rated, genuine places to eat. I found Mary & Tito's in an unassuming residential/industrial area. The casual, circa-1960's decor took me back in time. I asked the waiter what was the most popular and he mentioned the sopapilla and the Carne Adovada, but he recommended the pizza option. I chose the Adovada pizza. The 'pizza' wasn't what I was expecting- an italian doughy pie crust, instead it was a very thin layer of crispiness that was covered in an overflowing amount of 'toppings'. The toppings consisted of a layer of well-seasoned refried beans, cheese, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, adovada and duo of the red and green sauce. The green sauce had chunks of tomatillo and was fairly mild in flavor with no spice. On the other hand, the red sauce had undertones of smokiness and a heat that crept up on you. Each bite was a wonderful combination of textures and flavor! Grandma Mary, founder of the restaurant, was perched on a stool at the counter and even made her rounds to greet everyone in the restaurant. Although, a sign noting 'under new management' is noticeable from the street it should be noted that Mary's family is the new management including her grandsons that are there to carry on the legacy after 75 years!
(4)Brad A.
I guess from the reviews I was expecting quite a bit better. The salsa wasn't very good; the service wasn't good; the red chile didn't seem quite right; and the rest of the food was just meh. Hate to say it, but it seemed like they were one of those places just coasting on their reputation.
(2)Lisa U.
I stopped by on a road trip after reading all the positive reviews, since I was really looking forward to some good authentic New Mexican food. I ordered their signature dish that everyone raved about with the green chile. I was really disappointed. The pork was well cooked and tender, but there was almost no flavor. It came basically drowning in watery juice. I had to add salt to get it to taste like anything. The only thing the green chile did was make it really spicy. I love spicy food, but I don't like food that is really spicy at the expense of flavor. It was all heat and nothing else Since I got the plate it came with rice and beans. The rice was way undercooked and tasted weird, and the beans were just not good. I don't really know how to describe the flavor but it was just not right. It also came with a tortilla that seemed like it was store bought and slightly warmed. The salsa that comes with the chips was really good and the service was friendly. I just expected a lot more, based on the reviews, and am disappointed I wasted my one New Mexico meal here. I'm sure I could have found much better.
(2)Judy J.
I'm not a big mexican food fan, but my partner is. We were in New Mexico, and they have good chili and mexican food. We found this place on yelp and the waiter recommended the red chili carne avocada. It was some pulled pork that was wrapped inside this big empanada. It was sooooooooo good. I think this just became my 2nd best mexican dish.
(5)Bry P.
In town on business found Mary's and Titos on yelp. Very good would recommend. I will back on my next trip. Thanks Yelp
(4)Mike H.
M&T won a James Beard award for classic American cooking. Most people are aware of the fancy awards celebrating the best restaurants, chefs, wine lists etc. There are only 5 "classic" awards given per year. It is a big deal. M&T have been using the same techniques to turn out the same food for over 40 years. Mary, who is 89 still works 6 days a week. To me the food is more inline with home-style cooking your grandmother would serve, if she were an 89 year old New Mexican, rather than restaurant food that has been prepared to appeal to the most customers. As you can tell from the reviews if you're expecting anything beyond a diner that serves a limited menu with classic ingredients you will be disappointed. If you're adventuresome and like the experience of eating what they serve rather than what you specifically want then this is a 5 star place. If you want the restaurant to have options that fit your idea of New Mexican food it is a one star experience. They make what they make. I prefer individualism and enjoyed my experience. The taste was different from my other ALB haunts and while not my favorite in town it was good. Good enough that I will make the effort to return and worth the effort is 4 stars. Mike
(4)Shawn P.
Fantastic!! The Carne Adovada was everything it is hyped up to be and MORE!! DE-LISH!!
(5)Dan H.
Okay, you got a hot little ass...I'm gonna do you a favor: Regardless of where you live go to Mary's & Tito's. Order a plateful of adovada with red chile and some sopapillas. On the side get some more adovada, with a big glass full of adovada to wash it down. Then for dessert get another plateful of adovada and maybe a bean to round out the experience. You're welcome.
(5)Larry B.
Very good food in the traditional New Mexican style that was popular long before foodies came on the scene. The setting is basic Formica. My combo entree was lighter than I imagined it would be, which is a plus. Don't expect alcohol; this is a "tea and soft drink" place. The wait staff was friendly and explained the menu to newcomers. I liked one detail: the waiter was willing to discuss "this week's" difference in the heat of the red and green chiles. If in town, by all means try this place before hitting other, larger restaurants.
(4)JJ S.
I ordered the chicken Combonation sopapilla smothered in green chile. That was delicious and the green chile had an amazing flavor to it but not much spice. They still have canned soda so you pay for each can you drink instead of getting free refills. I always eating at mom and pop restaurants because they seem to generally have the best food
(4)Kerry B.
This place has not changed since the earth was young so when you are seated and taking it all in including the menu my first thought was James Beard award, really? Let me tell you it is all about the food and the sauces. There were only two of us but we still ordered 5 items total to try as much as possible. The sopapilla was so good I was tempted to order another and forget the other items. Warning, they close at 6:00 pm weekdays so go early.
(5)Gary G.
Nom Nom. Really good chili. Carne Adovada is outstanding. The salsa is just ok.
(4)Sherry F.
We first learned of Mary & Tito's in the Westways magazine. We are from Southern Cal, consider ourselves to be Mexican food aficionados, but not very familiar with New Mexican fare so thought we would give it a try. Well, we savored every bite! Hubby had sopapillo stuffed with adovado with red sauce, and I had the adovado burrito with 1/2 red and 1/2 green sauce. Both dishes were distinctively New Mexican, spicy, and delicious. This is definitely a family operated enterprise that takes pride in their food. Mary (who is in her eighties) comes in to work 6 days a week, and one of her 5 grandsons took our order. The cooks have been there for thirty-two years and learned the family recipes from Tito who passed away several years ago. We will plan to eat here every time we pass through this part of the country!
(5)Claire H.
Only been here once, as just visiting ABQ and was told to go here. We had the special which was a burrito with the famous chili, Christmas style, so we got to try both. Oh so good going down, but the ring o' fire, so beware! I would do it again, no regrets, just don't know if I could handle this more than once a week. The staff is friendly and helpful and if I'm ever in ABQ again, I will surely stop by for some more!
(5)Shannon C.
Went there for the first time after hearing good things about the place. My first impression was that this is a cool, local joint with bright colors, and old time counter, and endless reviews and art on the walls. Cool! My favorite type of restaurant! I love old places that are family owned and have a history. We sat down and I immediately notice they have a meatless chile. I'm not a fan of meat in the chile and have only seen it a few times on menus. Red flag for me. I also noticed that most items are not vegetarian friendly. So I asked if I could substitute beans for meat, and I was told, "No, the cooks have been here for 30 some years, and they don't like to substitute." Oh, it's one of those places. Well then, this food must be AWESOME, right? Our food came out and was smothered, covered, and drowned in the red chile. I mean, it was like they gave us the rest for the night so there would be no waste. It ruined the dish. I sort of tasted my food under all that chile, and I could tell that it may have been good. My partner couldn't even finish her meal. Overall, the staff was friendly enough, although service was a bit slow and the place wasn't crowded at all (near closing time). I just don't like my food drowned in sauce and I certainly don't like being told I can't have beans to replace the meat. There were about 4 vegetarian options. Beyond that, I can of many, many more restaurants that offer better food and service than this one. It's too bad, because the history and physical environment of this place is really cool and it has so much potential to be much, much better.
(2)Michelle H.
I LOVE this restaurant!! My super picky uncle even likes the food here. The red chile sauce is homemade from scratch with a deliciously complex flavor. The beans are so yummy, I ordered an extra side to share with my friend. The stuffed sopapilla was very good. You cannot eat here without eating the cake for dessert!! The owner brings it in freshly homemade every day, and although I am not a huge dessert eater, I had to order my own slice instead of "just taking a bite" off of my friend's plate!! The ambiance is not elegant, but I am grading on food taste and quality. That gets 5 stars for sure!!!
(5)Katherine W.
Excellent. The best carne adovada we had in town, delicious red and green chile. Their version of the stuffed sopapilla is more like a giant fried empanada, and it was delicious. Very reasonable prices. You could easily share.
(5)Bobby S.
I've been here many times and I've left full and happy every time. Their stuff sopaipillas are amazing, their green chile is delicious, and the waitstaff is always friendly and helpful. I've recommended it to everyone I know who wants great New Mexican food.
(5)Jorge G.
The service was excellent. We came from California and decided to try some authentic new Mexican food. I highly recommend the chicken combination sopapilla with green Chile. If I'm ever in Albuquerque again I know where I'm going to eat.
(5)William W.
New Mexican food is different from the many different regional cuisines of Mexico. It is much less complex, as a general rule. New Mexican food doesn't use all of the spices and complicated mole sauces you find to our South, but... But, it can be absolutely delicious. I have lived in Albuquerque for about 10 years, and didn't hear of M&T's until the James Beard award. We have been back since, again and again. Absolutely the best red chile in town, and there is lots of chile in Albuquerque. The green is good too. Again, the presentations are quite basic, but you would be hard-pressed to find more delicious authentic New Mexican food anywhere in the state. New Mexican cuisine could be considered an acquired taste, especially when comparing it to the gringo-ized (American) versions of slop that most of the big chain restaurants serve. If you want authentic, genuine, delicious down-home New Mexican food, this is the place to be.
(5)Brett J.
Kind of a country local atmosphere with personable staff. The quality of the meat was much better than restaurants of similar caliber. The sauce was good and the right level of spicey for a gringo. The sides were on par. Great price and serving size.
(4)Warren L.
I do not live in NM, although I've been accumulating visiting time over the years and I've intentionally tried more than a few NM style restaurants. I visited M&T's during my current stay for two meals: Carne Avodada Stuffed Sopaipillas with Red Chile and a Beef Burrito with Green. Awesome. Meat great, chile great. Rich delicious red chile sauce, yummy green chile with a nice bite. Humble local restaurant but great food based on my two visits.
(4)Amanda B.
Skip this place all together. The service was appalling, the food awful! Out of our party of 7, four of us could not eat our food at all. Mary and Titos came highly recommended to us both by friends and yelp so we thought we would give it a whirl.... To start with the only got four menus for a party of 7. The 2 waitresses that were "taking care" (and I use that term very loosely.) of us were not very friendly and had to be asked several times for salsa, straws, and other basics. (We still never got our chicharrones that we ordered.) it would have been one thing if they were busy but we were one of only 4 tables in the place and there were 3 servers leaning on the counter. When the food came the presentation was sloppy at best and everything was swimming in watery chile. The green Chile seemed to be the culprit behind the watery drowning food, because the red chile was kind of lumpy and had almost a gritty texture. Yuck! You would think at least one of our two servers would have checked back with us when she saw that half of our table wasn't eating but they just kept making nervous eye contact with us and looking away. We ended up having to flag down another server to get service who in turn just walked away after receiving my complaint of the food just not being very good. A very defensive daughter of Mary and Tito came to defend the awful food, and basically made us feel like the poor dining experience has our own fault... I am a manager in a restaurant and the thought of arguing with a customer while they are issuing a complaint is unfathomable. Save yourself the frustration and disappointment and drive right on past this dirty little hole in the wall.
(1)