The Original Cocina Azul - Albuquerque

My first time dining in. We got take out a few times through COVID but it is definitely better in person. The fideos brought me back to my childhood. And the brisket burrito was heaven.

Well once again this fine restaurant has served up some great food. From burritos to smothered chicken fried steak. The food is flavorful and served with a smile. We even enjoyed a couple of flavored margaritas. Always an enjoyable experience.

The salsa was authentic but might be spicy for some. However I and my wife found it amazing. The main course was ok. Good but not great. The server was hospitable and courteous. Its just you would have to remind for stuff, like for example gravy that was part of my order, then drink menu, then a knife and forks but it could be because it was busy. Overall it was an ok experience.

We drove through Albuquerque on our road trip and were really looking for a restaurant that spoke for the town and its culture. All in all the food was good (especially weirdly the rice was super tasty) and the service was AMAZING. The guys that worked there were super attentive and had really fun personalities. The only reason I rate it down was because for the raving reviews I saw on the restaurant, I really was expecting something different I guess. Felt like average good Latin food. My husband's food however was delicious so it may have just been my entrée. Also the Verde sauce rocked! We weren't super fans of the salsa however.

Good but not great. Had high expectations based on the reviews. Started with the chips and salsa which were amazing!! I would make a meal just on those! I had the brisket enchiladas with the red sauce ?because it was hotter? according to the waiter. I was disappointed as the sauce was tomato tasting with zero heat. The chip salsas (red and green) were much hotter (in a good way) and better tasting than the enchilada red sauce by ALOT!! For a place in the older side of Albuquerque, they should know how to do enchiladas with a good enchilada sauce flavor with a little heat. This IS Albuquerque, correct?! Nevertheless, I left full but disappointed. The waiter was overworked with too many tables and no time for us! On a good note, this place knows how to do some very, very good sopapillas. You may have to ask for them as they come free with your meal, but our waiter was going to skip them until we requested them. Very fluffy and golden brown, and they go EXCELLENT with the honey that is provided with them. They expand with an inside pocket that is perfect to hold some of that honey. It is worth a next time, but hopefully things get better!