by Shandea Williams
Daily Lobo
The original Range Cafe in Bernalillo went though its share of trials and tribulations before the Albuquerque locations
were born.
A fire reduced it to ash three years after the restaurant opened for business.
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Local patrons loved the cafe so much that three Bernalillo bed and breakfasts teamed up for a benefit dinner to raise reconstruction funds. A local art gallery was even offered up as a temporary location. With community support, it was soon serving delicious food to the masses again.
Luckily for us, the Range Cafe has since opened two locations in the Albuquerque area - at 4200 Wyoming Blvd. N.E. and 2200 Menaul Blvd. N.E.
When I walked into the Wyoming restaurant, its pie and cake case, full of delectable sweets, was the first thing to greet my hungry eyes. It was nice looking at all the dessert possibilities while waiting for a table.
For starters, I ordered the fried green chile served with a jalapeno dipping sauce ($6.95). The flavor was delicious, but I expected the chile to be hotter - it was mild, at best.
Since breakfast is served until 3 p.m., I ordered the stuffed French toast ($7.95) and the Round-Up ($8.95). Each plate had a generous amount of food. If you are in the mood for something sweet, consider the stuffed French toast, comprised of three large slices of cinnamon-raisin bread stuffed with strawberries and bananas and topped with apple-peach butter and homemade vanilla whipped cream. This French toast plate will keep you eating until it's gone - even if you're already full.
The Round-Up is two biscuits topped with bacon, chile, eggs, sausage and white cheddar, served with fries con queso and pinto beans.
From the lunch menu, the acronym sandwich B.L.O.A.T.E.M. ($7.95) is my top choice; bacon, lettuce, onion, avocado and tomato are piled high on a toasted English muffin. Another yummy sandwich is the chicken-chile Philly wrap ($8.95), which includes chile-flavored chicken breast, red pepper, mushroom, lettuce, tomato, red onion and white cheddar, all wrapped in a tortilla and served with fries.
If you feel like indulging in something heavy, the Range's giant chimichanga ($8.95) is enough to feed you and a friend with leftovers for tomorrow's lunch. Have it stuffed with beef, chicken, calabacitas or pinto beans, then smothered with red or green chile, cheese and frijoles.
After your meal, it's necessary to have a scoop of homemade cinnamon ice cream. You'll make room for it.
The Range Cafe's traditional home cooking with a New Mexican twist is divine.
Even though I just dined there, I'm ready to go back and sample more of their menu. I'll see you there.
The Range Cafe
4200 Wyoming Blvd. N.E.
Sunday-Thursday
7:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
Friday-Saturday
7:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
Recommendations
B.L.O.A.T.E.M
Chile-cheese Philly wrap
Chimichanga
Cinnamon ice cream
Round-Up
Stuffed French toast
