It's somewhat overwhelming when you first enter. There's a long line and multiple rooms filled with tables. Though the line moves very quickly with multiple people manning the counter to take orders. Food also comes out quickly. Mine was ready in five minutes at lunchtime. They try to call out order numbers though your best bet is to watch the bingo board at the pickup counter. The green chile is excellent. I believe it's vegetarian and is served with a large flour tortilla. Chicken taco was okay. Meat was flavorless. There was some salsa but it wasn't very spicy. Frontier burrito plate looked very impressive, but that's due in part to the huge tortilla they use. The filling wasn't that plentiful and tasted okay but not great. It's quite the local institution and is very popular with UNM students. Worth experiencing for the atmosphere and for reasonably priced, filling food. There's a wide variety of Mexican food, breakfasts and American burgers. Some of the offerings are good, others are average.
WildHaireAdventures
We stopped here for breakfast while visiting the area and enjoyed it. It has that cool Route 66 feel, the staff was friendly and helpful. The breakfast burrito was huge and was so good. The cinnamon roll was to die for, we would definitely return if in the area.
ECSCRAIG
WHY DO I BOTHER READING REVIEWS?? Who actually goes here and gives it 5 stars? It was terrible in every way. Orange juice was super small for $5. Coffee tasted like water, there was sugar available near the trash cans but was hard as a rock in the dispenser. The green chili tasted like chopped chilies out of a can. The breakfast burrito was wrapped in a cold tortilla and had scrambled eggs, a sausage patty, a little cheese, some undercooked hash browns and canned green chilies in it. Awful! The whole refried beans were ok. The restaurant is dirty inside and out and in a crappy part of town. Totally embarrassed that I made my family go out of our way on a road trip to come here. One star for sure.
MsVic
Stumbled on this place, and so glad we did! It has been around since early 1970s, and we saw why! The food was absolutely amazing! We had two Mexican dishes and both were very tasty, especially the homemade tortillas! We heard they were famous for their cinnamon rolls, so ordered one to go for later that evening, it did not disappoint! Very fresh with light frosting- would highly recommend! Liked the cafeteria style ordering and easy seating. The restaurant is huge with plenty of seating area. Staff was friendly and the restaurant was well kept & clean. Bathrooms were in good working order. This restaurant is on the Old Route 66 across from the University, so there were a lot of students and to go orders. Area around the establishment is a little bummy with some panhandlers, but we did notice a security guard walking around the property, so we never felt unsafe going to our car. They have a lot of parking available, but it looks like it fills up because this place is very popular. Don’t be afraid of the area, there are plenty of people around constantly and the food is so worth it!
1rdrunneraf
I loved the wide selection of food, and it was so tasty. I enjoyed the green chile stew. I ate there twice in a week. Love all the art work on the walls too.
Mackenzie M
I was recommended this place by a native New Mexican coworker for my one breakfast spent in ABQ. And wow, what an experience. He reminisced about cinnamon rolls at 10pm and the college crowd, being literally across the street from UNM's main gate. The ordering experience was unique - waiting for a green light to walk up to the cashier. They were friendly and efficient, and explained everything clearly to a first-timer like me. I got the legendary cinnamon roll along with the #6 - huevos rancheros lite. Once I took a seat at one of the open tables, I watched for my number on the screen. Within 5 minutes I had my huevos rancheros, and also the freshest tortilla I have ever had on the side., served with jelly. Pro-tip: If you're asked if you would like your tortilla buttered, say yes! The food was incredible and half the price of what you would pay for a frozen coffee shop breakfast sandwich. It was the perfect balance of culture and kitsch, and I would go back in a heartbeat. One thing to note is that the neighborhood is a bit on the sketchy side. This is a small price to pay in order to experience Frontier. There is street parking nearby -- the restaurant lot is absolutely tiny and hidden behind.
steelergirl87
Located across the street from the University of New Mexico on Old Route 66, this cafeteria-style restaurant has something for everyone for breakfast, lunch or dinner. There are a lot of Mexican items, sandwiches, salads, various dinner platters (steak, burger, etc.) We each had the Fiesta chicken sandwich with salad dressing or spicy honey mustard, lettuce, tomato, pickles, swiss cheese & green chile. It was really good but sloppy since the bun is very soft so we ended up using knives/forks. It was less than $7 and was well worth it. There is a lot of cool western/southwestern artwork hanging courtesy of the original owners so there is a lot to look at.
jra1988
I aske our waiter from another restaurant where he go to have breakfast and he sent us here. He said it's the best. Well, we don't think so. It's good maybe very good for the price, but not the best breakfast. I can see why collage kids like it. It's across the street from the university. It was very busy but there's plenty of places to sit. I'd say try it for yourself.
Larry H
This place is an Albuquerque landmark. Across from the university so it was the place to go for any UNM student like myself in the 1980s. It was great then, and to my surprise after not being here for years it's still exactly the same, a good decent meal at a very reasonable price, and very quick service despite the crowds. Understand however it is unique, you order at a counter and pick up your own food, no wait staff. But they serve food so efficiently that they can serve hundreds of meals very quickly. Their system worked then, and still does today.
PAboyinFL
This spot is located directly across the street from the University of New Mexico. It has an enormous amount of seating, stretching for nearly a block. You order at the counter and they have electronic boards all over that displays the number of an order when it is ready for pickup. My wife and I each had a breakfast burrito (eggs, cheese, hash browns). I had bacon and green chili on mine. The chili was flavorful but not spicy. This restaurant also has several freestyle coke machines, which was a pleasant surprise. We split a large cinnamon roll, which judging by t shirts they were selling, is something they are known for. It was just the right amount of sweet to finish off our breakfast. If in Albuquerque, it’s worth a stop. It’s open from 5 AM till midnight.
Taco Bell is better. Touring NM, saw this place was top reviewed and was extremely disappointed. The only redeeming factor is hand made tortillas. Order flavorless posole, ordered “wet chicken” tacos, beef enchiladas that you can get from a box, and wanted to cry immediate. Food is geared towards old people and is absolutely flavorless. Would not recommend to anyone, maybe stick to American food and not Hispanic….
K0K016
This place was recommended to my husband & I by a tour guide and by a cousin of mine. The food wasn't amazing. It was okay. The sweet roll was good, but we've had better. My god-sister described it as "cheap college food". And that it was. I guess it's all about experiencing what the locals have.
Kitsaattheshore
This was a recommend from the ABQ Trolley, we decided to give it a try. I hadn't known what to expect, so it was certainly a different dining experience. then we had had up until then. We were there at a less busy time so we stepped right up to the counter and ordered. You pay there & then get a number & walk over to where the trays of food are distributed, you don't have long to wait, its a pretty efficient system. Food was good, reasonable & plentiful. I can see why it is so popular with the UNM students!
hoopermm
You could certainly find something you liked on the big menu. This is an order and pick up at the counter restaurant… meals were oooking really good. Ours was good but unfortunately cold.
S3684HAmaggieb
The food was great. I ordered scrambled eggs with cheese, toast and ham, husband ordered the western omelet. Toast warm yummy, hashbrowns did not need ketchup. That was a first for me. Freshly squeezed orange juice was awesome, but oj was pricey $4.40. Overall worth going. 45 min free parking in lot across the street.
It's somewhat overwhelming when you first enter. There's a long line and multiple rooms filled with tables. Though the line moves very quickly with multiple people manning the counter to take orders. Food also comes out quickly. Mine was ready in five minutes at lunchtime. They try to call out order numbers though your best bet is to watch the bingo board at the pickup counter. The green chile is excellent. I believe it's vegetarian and is served with a large flour tortilla. Chicken taco was okay. Meat was flavorless. There was some salsa but it wasn't very spicy. Frontier burrito plate looked very impressive, but that's due in part to the huge tortilla they use. The filling wasn't that plentiful and tasted okay but not great. It's quite the local institution and is very popular with UNM students. Worth experiencing for the atmosphere and for reasonably priced, filling food. There's a wide variety of Mexican food, breakfasts and American burgers. Some of the offerings are good, others are average.
We stopped here for breakfast while visiting the area and enjoyed it. It has that cool Route 66 feel, the staff was friendly and helpful. The breakfast burrito was huge and was so good. The cinnamon roll was to die for, we would definitely return if in the area.
WHY DO I BOTHER READING REVIEWS?? Who actually goes here and gives it 5 stars? It was terrible in every way. Orange juice was super small for $5. Coffee tasted like water, there was sugar available near the trash cans but was hard as a rock in the dispenser. The green chili tasted like chopped chilies out of a can. The breakfast burrito was wrapped in a cold tortilla and had scrambled eggs, a sausage patty, a little cheese, some undercooked hash browns and canned green chilies in it. Awful! The whole refried beans were ok. The restaurant is dirty inside and out and in a crappy part of town. Totally embarrassed that I made my family go out of our way on a road trip to come here. One star for sure.
Stumbled on this place, and so glad we did! It has been around since early 1970s, and we saw why! The food was absolutely amazing! We had two Mexican dishes and both were very tasty, especially the homemade tortillas! We heard they were famous for their cinnamon rolls, so ordered one to go for later that evening, it did not disappoint! Very fresh with light frosting- would highly recommend! Liked the cafeteria style ordering and easy seating. The restaurant is huge with plenty of seating area. Staff was friendly and the restaurant was well kept & clean. Bathrooms were in good working order. This restaurant is on the Old Route 66 across from the University, so there were a lot of students and to go orders. Area around the establishment is a little bummy with some panhandlers, but we did notice a security guard walking around the property, so we never felt unsafe going to our car. They have a lot of parking available, but it looks like it fills up because this place is very popular. Don’t be afraid of the area, there are plenty of people around constantly and the food is so worth it!
I loved the wide selection of food, and it was so tasty. I enjoyed the green chile stew. I ate there twice in a week. Love all the art work on the walls too.
I was recommended this place by a native New Mexican coworker for my one breakfast spent in ABQ. And wow, what an experience. He reminisced about cinnamon rolls at 10pm and the college crowd, being literally across the street from UNM's main gate. The ordering experience was unique - waiting for a green light to walk up to the cashier. They were friendly and efficient, and explained everything clearly to a first-timer like me. I got the legendary cinnamon roll along with the #6 - huevos rancheros lite. Once I took a seat at one of the open tables, I watched for my number on the screen. Within 5 minutes I had my huevos rancheros, and also the freshest tortilla I have ever had on the side., served with jelly. Pro-tip: If you're asked if you would like your tortilla buttered, say yes! The food was incredible and half the price of what you would pay for a frozen coffee shop breakfast sandwich. It was the perfect balance of culture and kitsch, and I would go back in a heartbeat. One thing to note is that the neighborhood is a bit on the sketchy side. This is a small price to pay in order to experience Frontier. There is street parking nearby -- the restaurant lot is absolutely tiny and hidden behind.
Located across the street from the University of New Mexico on Old Route 66, this cafeteria-style restaurant has something for everyone for breakfast, lunch or dinner. There are a lot of Mexican items, sandwiches, salads, various dinner platters (steak, burger, etc.) We each had the Fiesta chicken sandwich with salad dressing or spicy honey mustard, lettuce, tomato, pickles, swiss cheese & green chile. It was really good but sloppy since the bun is very soft so we ended up using knives/forks. It was less than $7 and was well worth it. There is a lot of cool western/southwestern artwork hanging courtesy of the original owners so there is a lot to look at.
I aske our waiter from another restaurant where he go to have breakfast and he sent us here. He said it's the best. Well, we don't think so. It's good maybe very good for the price, but not the best breakfast. I can see why collage kids like it. It's across the street from the university. It was very busy but there's plenty of places to sit. I'd say try it for yourself.
This place is an Albuquerque landmark. Across from the university so it was the place to go for any UNM student like myself in the 1980s. It was great then, and to my surprise after not being here for years it's still exactly the same, a good decent meal at a very reasonable price, and very quick service despite the crowds. Understand however it is unique, you order at a counter and pick up your own food, no wait staff. But they serve food so efficiently that they can serve hundreds of meals very quickly. Their system worked then, and still does today.
This spot is located directly across the street from the University of New Mexico. It has an enormous amount of seating, stretching for nearly a block. You order at the counter and they have electronic boards all over that displays the number of an order when it is ready for pickup. My wife and I each had a breakfast burrito (eggs, cheese, hash browns). I had bacon and green chili on mine. The chili was flavorful but not spicy. This restaurant also has several freestyle coke machines, which was a pleasant surprise. We split a large cinnamon roll, which judging by t shirts they were selling, is something they are known for. It was just the right amount of sweet to finish off our breakfast. If in Albuquerque, it’s worth a stop. It’s open from 5 AM till midnight.
Restaurantji Recommends
Taco Bell is better. Touring NM, saw this place was top reviewed and was extremely disappointed. The only redeeming factor is hand made tortillas. Order flavorless posole, ordered “wet chicken” tacos, beef enchiladas that you can get from a box, and wanted to cry immediate. Food is geared towards old people and is absolutely flavorless. Would not recommend to anyone, maybe stick to American food and not Hispanic….
This place was recommended to my husband & I by a tour guide and by a cousin of mine. The food wasn't amazing. It was okay. The sweet roll was good, but we've had better. My god-sister described it as "cheap college food". And that it was. I guess it's all about experiencing what the locals have.
This was a recommend from the ABQ Trolley, we decided to give it a try. I hadn't known what to expect, so it was certainly a different dining experience. then we had had up until then. We were there at a less busy time so we stepped right up to the counter and ordered. You pay there & then get a number & walk over to where the trays of food are distributed, you don't have long to wait, its a pretty efficient system. Food was good, reasonable & plentiful. I can see why it is so popular with the UNM students!
You could certainly find something you liked on the big menu. This is an order and pick up at the counter restaurant… meals were oooking really good. Ours was good but unfortunately cold.
The food was great. I ordered scrambled eggs with cheese, toast and ham, husband ordered the western omelet. Toast warm yummy, hashbrowns did not need ketchup. That was a first for me. Freshly squeezed orange juice was awesome, but oj was pricey $4.40. Overall worth going. 45 min free parking in lot across the street.