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No-frills Mexican eatery with a retro exterior serving tamales, sopapillas, huevos rancheros & more.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 1715 2nd St SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Phone: (505) 242-1843
Website: https://www.elmodelomexicanfood.com/
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El Modelo Mexican foods: Mexican Food | Albuquerque, NM
Try Our Delicious, Authentic Mexican food. El Modelo is known for our handmade tamales. Our tamales are huge and sure to satisfy your taste buds. All our …
High Price of Tamales at El Modelo in Albuquerque – Facebook
El Modelo’s updated prices in Albuquerque, NM. Alberta Lucero de Guerin … – at El Modelo Mexican Foods. No photo description available …
El Modelo Mexican Foods – Visit Albuquerque
1715 2nd St. S.W., Albuquerque, NM 87102 · Phone: (505) 242-1843 · Visit Website.
Reviews
Tyler
Red chile tamales are amazing. I could only eat half of the #3 fresh. My partner and I ate the rest as 6 day old, refrigerated leftovers and the flavors and food was still amazing. That’s an amazing feat for a restaurant to brag about.
I’d definitely go back again when visiting New Mexico.
… moreI’d definitely go back again when visiting New Mexico.
Tim Askelson
The Real Deal: Authentic New Mexican Soul Food.
If you want the absolute best, no-nonsense New Mexican food in Albuquerque—and arguably the state—El Modelo is the pilgrimage you need to make. Established in 1929, this spot in the historic Barelas neighborhood isn’t just a restaurant; it’s an institution.
The Food: Legendary Tamales
Let’s start with what put them on the map: the tamales. They aren’t just good; they are world-class. These aren’t the skimpy tamales you get elsewhere; they are massive, moist, and packed with flavor. The red chile pork tamales are a spiritual experience.
Come hungry. Seriously. The portions here are affectionately known as “industrial strength. I had the green chile beef burrito and a special burrito with red chile, bacon and chicharrones that provide the perfect crunch.
El Modelo is old-school cool. It’s primarily a takeout operation with some outdoor picnic tables, so don’t expect indoor dining service. You grab your ticket, wait for your number (and there will be a wait, because it’s that good), and eat your feast under the New Mexico sky or in your car because you can’t wait to dig in. It feels gritty, authentic, and utterly unpretentious.
El Modelo is a bucket-list destination for anyone who claims to love New Mexican cuisine. It has survived nearly a century for a reason: they don’t cut corners. It is greasy, spicy, filling, and absolutely perfect.
… moreIf you want the absolute best, no-nonsense New Mexican food in Albuquerque—and arguably the state—El Modelo is the pilgrimage you need to make. Established in 1929, this spot in the historic Barelas neighborhood isn’t just a restaurant; it’s an institution.
The Food: Legendary Tamales
Let’s start with what put them on the map: the tamales. They aren’t just good; they are world-class. These aren’t the skimpy tamales you get elsewhere; they are massive, moist, and packed with flavor. The red chile pork tamales are a spiritual experience.
Come hungry. Seriously. The portions here are affectionately known as “industrial strength. I had the green chile beef burrito and a special burrito with red chile, bacon and chicharrones that provide the perfect crunch.
El Modelo is old-school cool. It’s primarily a takeout operation with some outdoor picnic tables, so don’t expect indoor dining service. You grab your ticket, wait for your number (and there will be a wait, because it’s that good), and eat your feast under the New Mexico sky or in your car because you can’t wait to dig in. It feels gritty, authentic, and utterly unpretentious.
El Modelo is a bucket-list destination for anyone who claims to love New Mexican cuisine. It has survived nearly a century for a reason: they don’t cut corners. It is greasy, spicy, filling, and absolutely perfect.
James DDR
It’s iconic for a reason, when one drives through Albuquerque it’s a crime not to visit this restaurant.
It’s just the best of everything.
… moreIt’s just the best of everything.
Clifford Clarke
The food was good, and the handmade sopapilla was especially delicious. Customer service was solid as well. My only critique is the excessive packaging—there was a lot of paper used to wrap the food, which felt wasteful and actually made the presentation look less appealing than the food deserved. From a sustainability standpoint, simplifying the packaging would go a long way and better reflect the quality of the meal.
… moreLinda Gibbs-Gutierrez
Stopped by what used to be our favorite restaurant, ordered 1 doz green chicken tamales frozen as we were getting on a plane, got home pulled them out of bag so looking forward to them and it was red chili and pork! Called them and got no where! $48 for the wrong food. My husband ate one and said it was not the same as it used to be. What a major disappointment. Everything is going down hill since Covid your employees can make or break you. We won’t be back.
… moreTeamFurjan
The I got a green chile chicken burrito. It was good. I liked it. Chile wasn’t hot. For 8 bucks, it was fairly small than I would’ve liked. I’m open to giving this place another shot. They got a big menu. But yeah. Overall, it was good.
… moreRenee Carlson
If I could give a negative star for service and customer appreciation that would be it
So, food is ok but service is beyond horrible.
My team and I ordered stuffed sopapillas. pickup
When we were finally able to eat, they had messed up the whole order, and ALL of it. We ordered regular stuffed sopapillas, and they made us breakfast stuffed sopapillas with egg in them. first off, my coworker is allergic to eggs thank God, she noticed them before she took a bite! I gave the benefit of the doubt an tried a bite and ummm nope. so, we called back to let them know that the whole order was wrong and the female on the phone literally was gaslighting us and then told us to not yell at her. We were not yelling but have to explain to her over and over again what was wrong with our order. She finally agreed to honor our complaint and told me we had choices. We could take the order back and get it all replaced (we could not do this as we only have a limited time for lunch) another choice was that she could take my name and number and that we would have credit for this meal. I chose that route, gave her my name and number and informed my team that we would try again. The next day (Today) I called again to redeem my credit and the same lady got on and told me that her manager had to call me first that they are not honoring the refund /credit that she had told me about the day before. My team member was already on her way to go get the order. I had to call her and tell her to turn around.
this is UNACCEPTABLE it has wasted our time and money twice!!
there Sopas are good (ehhh) but I’ve had better and they are CERTANLY NOT WORTH this headache and inexcusable treatment.
Keep our hard-earned money keep your incompetent services!
Despicable
… moreSo, food is ok but service is beyond horrible.
My team and I ordered stuffed sopapillas. pickup
When we were finally able to eat, they had messed up the whole order, and ALL of it. We ordered regular stuffed sopapillas, and they made us breakfast stuffed sopapillas with egg in them. first off, my coworker is allergic to eggs thank God, she noticed them before she took a bite! I gave the benefit of the doubt an tried a bite and ummm nope. so, we called back to let them know that the whole order was wrong and the female on the phone literally was gaslighting us and then told us to not yell at her. We were not yelling but have to explain to her over and over again what was wrong with our order. She finally agreed to honor our complaint and told me we had choices. We could take the order back and get it all replaced (we could not do this as we only have a limited time for lunch) another choice was that she could take my name and number and that we would have credit for this meal. I chose that route, gave her my name and number and informed my team that we would try again. The next day (Today) I called again to redeem my credit and the same lady got on and told me that her manager had to call me first that they are not honoring the refund /credit that she had told me about the day before. My team member was already on her way to go get the order. I had to call her and tell her to turn around.
this is UNACCEPTABLE it has wasted our time and money twice!!
there Sopas are good (ehhh) but I’ve had better and they are CERTANLY NOT WORTH this headache and inexcusable treatment.
Keep our hard-earned money keep your incompetent services!
Despicable
Robert Most
Excellent food! Not a touristy place, and not to dine in. Who cares! Get your great eats and find a place to chow down. My favorite was the stuffed sopapillas. Would order again for sure. Our order took about 20 minutes, no biggie. We did not order ahead. If you’re seeking authentic, you won’t be disappointed!!
… moreS T
The Mexican food at El Modelo’ s was very delicious and authentic. The food was packed with care and a smile. The place is not for sit-down eating. After ordering and paying, you are given a number. When your food is ready, your number is called. After proceeding to the counter, you receive your food, and it is that simple. There are a few benches outside to sit and eat, but not my recommendation. In my opinion it is not at all a sit-down restaurant or cafe.
… moreDeanna Gonzalez
I’ve been getting good here since I was a small kid. I remember the glass case filled with specialty candies that Dad would let me pick from while we waited for food. The glass case of candies is gone, but not much else has changed, and I like it that way. The tamales are one of my favorites- in my opinion the best I’ve ever had!
… more