Dog Friendly Restaurants in ABQ

Sometimes it’s nice to go out to eat and take the whole family and we mean the whole family. That includes your four-legged companions! These Albuquerque restaurants and bars are BYOD: Bring Your Own Dog! All of them are dog-friendly and some of them are extra friendly and offer your pets snacks of their own while you munch on the delicious human food. For many more pooch friendly places, check out NewsCastic’s list.

The Anodyne

You won’t find any food at the Anodyne but you may find an abundance of dogs. Anodyne is the only place on our list that actually allows your furry companions in the building. So come by, play some pool and spend time with man’s two best friends: dog and beer.

Bosque Brewing

Bosque offers not only delicious microbrews but a patio for you to enjoy that beer with your dog. Their menu is full of yummy sandwiches for your tastebuds. We recommend the grilled cheese with green chile. Stop in during happy hour with your pup for $1 off beer and some great deals on the food.

Farm and Table

Farm and Table sources all of their produce from local farms and changes the menu several times a year to reflect that. Make sure to bring your 4 legged friend along for a bowl of water while you dine on your farm fresh meals. But call ahead to reserve your table as they tend to fill up quickly.

Geckos Bar & Tapas

Stop in for some delicious salads, soups and sandwiches (Try the half pound cheeseburger). Bring your dog along to sit with you on their “petio”. While you enjoy your meal, your pooch can enjoy some complimentary bacon!

Kelly’s Brew Pub

When you bring your pup to Kelly’s, they’ll be greeted with a bowl of water and some food. You will be greeted with a menu full of amazing food and house beers. On the weekends, bring the whole family because kids eat for free!

ABQ Food on the Go

You might think you need to hit up a five star restaurant to find delicious cuisine. You can find the best food parked on the side of the road out of a food truck and Albuquerque has no shortage of food trucks for your tasting pleasure. For more information on these and other food trucks in Albuquerque, head to Food Trucks In or to ABQ Food Trucks’ Facebook page.


Gedunk Food Truck

Serving 7 different kinds of pulled pork sandwiches, 7 different kinds of shredded chicken sandwiches and a few vegetarian options. There are around 20 menu items at any given time. Catch them on Wednesday outside Talin Market.


Kimo’s Barbecue

Since 2013, Kimo’s has been bringing the flavors of Hawaii to Albuquerque. Kimo’s BBQ offers a variety of burgers, chicken and steak plates. However, the menu is constantly changing so there are always new surprises to be tasted.


Basil’s Home Cooking

In the mood for breakfast out of a truck? Try the breakfast pocket stuffed with farm scrambled eggs, cheese and bacon. Get your hands messy with some hot wings or try the vegetarian friendly vegetable egg rolls. You can’t go wrong with Basil’s Home Cooking. You can find Basil’s every Wednesday at the Italian food market from 9 to 3, only a 10 minute drive from Courtyards Apartments.


Cheesy Street

National Grilled Cheese Day may have passed but at Cheesy Street every day is Grilled Cheese Day. Cheesy Street features a rotating cast of grilled cheese sandwiches like the pizza, the Jalapeno popper and the classic “Yo Mama’s grilled cheese”.


The Street Food Institute

The SFI is raising the bar for street food. Young adults and culinary students are taught to make food using sustainable business practices. Come find them Thursday at the Smith Brasher Hall in Albuquerque. Find where they’ll be next here.

Better Call Saul Trolley Tours

This month an Albuquerque trolley company will begin running “Saul Tours”, tours of the locations used in the filming of AMC’s Better Call Saul, the prequel to the hugely successful Breaking Bad.


The ABQ Trolley Co. tour, spanning 25 miles and lasting 2 hours, will feature around 15 locales that were frequented by James McGill aka “Saul Goodman”, the fictional lawyer who is the namesake for the show. According to ABQ Trolley Co. co-owner Jesse Herron:


“Most of the sites are Downtown, but the tours will also include visits to such sites as Jimmy McGill's/Saul Goodman's "office" in the show, a utility room in a nail salon.”


Someone at the nail salon, located on Juan Tabo Boulevard, stated that there was filming at least 3 times at the salon. They were hoping to be included in the original Breaking Bad trolley tour, also run by ABQ Trolley Co. Imagine their surprise when they were included in a brand new tour centered completely around Better Call Saul.


The show which follows James McGill, Walter White’s attorney from Breaking Bad, just finished its first season last Monday and is already renewed for a second season after immense popularity of the first season and with a little help from Breaking Bad.


Since 2012, ABQ Trolley Co. has run its Breaking Bad tour, “BaD Tour”, 74 times and has not had a problem filling up the tours. Herron said that they have “never had an empty seat.”


There was some hesitance about the tour at first, according to Herron, “With the BaD Tour, we thought we’d do one ever, (but) it’s like, ‘Let’s keep doing it.’”


Tickets for the “Saul Tours”, which begin April 26th and will take place monthly, will be $50 and will be available for purchase at ABQ Trolley Co.’s website.



Additional sources referenced:

http://krqe.com/2015/04/07/new-better-call-saul-tours-launched-in-albuquerque/
http://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/blog/morning-edition/2015/04/trolley-company-to-launch-saul-location-tours.html
http://krqe.com/2014/08/25/better-call-saul-using-nail-spa-as-law-office/

You Don't Have to Travel Far for Good Food and Fun

When it’s the weekend and it’s time to go out and have a good time, who wants to drive for miles just to find something fun to do? Nobody! Well when all these fun places are right under your nose, you won’t have to. Don’t feel like driving? Each of these date ideas are close enough to walk to from the Courtyards Apartments!

1. How about some sushi at Azuma? You have to try the green chile rolls!

2. Night out with the kids? Try Paddington Bear. If you’re looking for a sci-fi adventure, check out Jupiter Ascending. Head to Cinemark Movies 8 for a movie and some buttery popcorn.

3. Dinner and a movie too typical? Try IT’Z for an unlimited buffet and some games (like bumper cars) that will make you feel like a kid again.

4. Maybe you’re looking for something more low-key. Coffee and a muffin at Starbucks is always a good option.

5. Anyone up for some putt putt? Putt Putt Golf and Games is fun for everyone of any age. Take a group or just one person but make sure to check here for coupons!

6. Give Little Caesar’s a call for a pizza and then find that perfect Netflix movie for a cozy movie night at home.

7. What about a picnic at Montgomery Park? Enjoy the beautiful outdoor scenery and fresh air while munching on some snacks from home. Just make sure to throw everything away when you’re done so we keep our parks clean for everyone!

All of these fun night out activities are within a 10 minute drive or 20 minutes walking distance of the Courtyard Apartment Homes. Next time you’re looking for a fun night out but don’t want to go far, you don’t have to look very hard. You’re right in the middle of it!

Shipping Containers and A Shopping Center

A new shopping center is coming to Albuquerque.  However, this will not be a shopping center like you are used to.  A developer is turning an empty plot of land off the freeway to a shopping center using shipping containers.  These re-purposed shipping containers will be used to create a community.  Restaurants, breweries, and stores will all be created using these unique building materials.  You can learn more at KRQE.

An Albuquerque developer has plans to turn an empty plot of land off the freeway, into unique businesses using shipping containers.

Drivers may have noticed an empty dirt lot near I-40 and Carlisle. That lot will soon look much different, and Monday, KRQE News 13 got a sneak peek.

There are big plans for the small landscape near the Hotel Cascada and Hampton Inn. “I think it’s gonna be amazing,” said Roy Solomon, Developer behind the ‘Green Jeans Farmery.‘

Solomon has a vision, and plans to add more than 31 re-purposed shipping containers to the lot to create a cutting edge community.

“This lot is very strange in the configuration, and what we were able to do is figure out a way to make this property work,” Solomon explained. “It’s fun that you can put them together and create different shapes.”

With quick freeway access, and a bike path nearby, his Green Jean Farmery will feature converted shipping containers. They’ll include a new Santa Fe Brewing hangout as the anchor retailer.

“They’re going to have a rooftop deck, and outside seating down below,” Solomon explained.

Also on board with the project are Bocadillos Slow Roasted Sandwich Shop, Epiphany Espresso, plus there will be street tacos, burgers, and an Amores Neapolitan Pizzeria.

“We’re actually going to be right over here on the corner,” said Gabriel Amador, Owner of Amore Neapolitan Pizzeria in Nob Hill. Amador pointed out the portion of the lot near Cutler.

The design centers around a community courtyard. Amador told KRQE News 13 he knew he wanted to hop on board when Solomon approached him with the idea a few months ago.

“I think it’s great, I mean it’s nice to be a part of something that’s really new and progressive,” said Amador.

The project also includes other innovative ideas. Solomon is working on an indoor, hydroponic farm. Containers will be used to grow fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

“They’re growing really really well,” said Solomon, pointing to the growing plants.

He explained that they’re currently in the testing phase, figuring out how to best grow things like tomatoes, spinach, and peppermint.

“We’re hoping to create somewhat of a year-round little growers market along with everything else that’s going on,” said Solomon.

The lot is an acre-and-a-half, and Solomon hopes to fit about 10 businesses, and 80 parking spaces.

The idea is to use an empty space to bring a community together in a creative way. “It’s going to be an exciting time,” said Solomon.

Solomon said the storage community is about half-leased, so there’s still room for interested local businesses to join in.

He hopes to use the hydroponic farm to sell produce to the local restaurants, and later introduce them to local schools as an educational tool.

Solomon hopes to have the space open by summer.

People use shipping containers for all kinds of things all over the world, such as shopping centers, stores and homes.

Don't Stop Believin'

Journey, Bon Jovi, Or Britney Spears?  Which is your go to karaoke song?  There are many options to choose from when you want to hit a fantastic high note.  Albuquerque has some great places to go sing your heart out and get your of the apartment for a night.  Check out these five great karaoke bars in Albuquerque.

To me, there's nothing quite as fun as gathering a group of friends for some drinks and karaoke! While doing my research I've learned that ABQ has a ton of karaoke spots, leading me to believe that we are particularly good singers here. Hum, okay, maybe not. Either way, I put together a guide to 5 fun karaoke spots in the ABQ so that when you feel like having your 5 minutes of fame, you can simply head down to one of these and have some fun.



1. Punky's Place Karaoke Lounge

Self proclaimed "Home of the original Rock & Bowl" and located inside Silva Lanes, 3010 Eubank Blvd. NE, Punky's is different then everywhere else because it offers karaoke seven nights a week! What? That's right, they've got karaoke every single night. Great drink specials, plenty of pool tables, and a fun atmosphere. You will have fun here regardless, whether you just want to just throw a few bowling balls around or play a game of pool while listening to others sing, or if are ready to try a tune, get your name on the list and get your pipes ready!



2. Spectators sports bar & grill

Ah, yes, good ol' Specs! One of the oldest sports bars in town, Spectators Bar and Grill offers their NE heights clients all the sports you could possibly want to watch, along with pool tables, darts, an incredibly friendly and fast wait staff, and, you guessed it, karaoke on the weekends! Every Friday and Saturday starting at 9, you can catch this really fun time, brought by Live Mic Entertainment.

With a different VJ on Fridays and Saturdays, I can tell you that Saturdays have become my favorite evening to head to Specs and sing. Why, you ask? Two words: VJ Tiny. He is fun, enthusiastic, knowledgeable,quick, and a great singer on top of all of that.

Journalist confession of the week: I am a regular.



3. Tractor Brewing Company - Wells Park

We know and love Tractor Brewing Company for their awesome beer, but they have earned a special place in my heart, and calendar, by becoming the newest karaoke venue in town, brought to you by Kamikaze Karaoke, definitely is not your typical karaoke.

KJ Mclain pushes the envelope with his fun, daring approach to get singers out of the same ol' karaoke routine, randomly selecting songs and singers to create and exciting way to get people to step out of their comfort zones and try new things! This only happens a couple of times a month, check Tractor's event schedule!



4. The Barley Room

With a fantastic menu, and a even greater drink selection, The Barley Room is an excellent choice for any day of the week. On Wednesdays,the place livens up as lots of singers gather for their "Karaoke with Kammo" event.

Kammo is a well known VJ in ABQ, having been in business since 1993. He knows how to get the crowd going and is sure to show you a good time. Don't miss it! Every Wednesday, The Barley Room, 5200 Eubank Boulevard Northeast.



5. Fiestas Restaurant

Only in Albuquerque someone would think of combining these two wonders: all-you-can-eat Mexican food and Karaoke! On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, you can head down to Fiestas, 4400 Carlisle NE, to eat and sing all that your heart desires! I am not necessarily I huge fan of "all-you-can-eat" establishments, but take it from me, the food here is delicious.

Local Brewery Grabs National Title

Bosque Brewing Company is an Albuquerque Brewing Company that specializes in microbrews.   This microbrewing company started from college friendships.  They hoped to bring this time honored brewing tradition back to it's former glory.  This local company has won the National IPA Challenge.  Their Scale Tipper IPA was up against another beer from Albuquerque, but the Bosque beer came out on top.  You can learn more at KRQE.

An Albuquerque brewery was named one of the best of the best in a national beer competition. Bosque Brewing Company’s Scale Tipper IPA won the national IPA challenge.

It was up against a beer from Canteen Brewhouse which is also from Albuquerque. The contest used a bracket that started off with 128 different beers from breweries across the country.

Bosque Brewing Company is of course thrilled about their win, not just for themselves but for the city too. Last year the winner was also from New Mexico when the La Cumbre Brewing Company won the title.