Coffee and Breakfast



 

When I first moved down here there were a lot of places I knew I wanted to explore and find. Now that I’ve lived down here longer that list only continues to grow with each passing week. One of the surprising areas I enjoy visiting is all the local coffee shops. Each Saturday I know that I am going to find a new coffee shop with a unique environment, and a unique menu with flavor profiles unique only to New Mexico. Recently I found a couple that not only serve good coffee, but also some great food options for breakfast, and even lunch. 

Café Bella: Tucked away in a strip mall on Golf Course Rd. in Rio Rancho this small café has a huge menu, and delicious offerings to choose from. The inside is very spacious with ample seating. There is artwork on all the walls, and rustic wood coffee counter. There are both sweet and savory food options for breakfast and lunch, in addition to Tacos and Rides on Friday night. Now, I have only been here for breakfast so here is what I recommend. To drink I really like the Red Chile Mocha. This is not spicy at all, but instead very rich with a subtle taste of the red chile. The whipped cream and chile powder garnish make this a unique drink that only fits in New Mexico. If spice isn’t your thing, but chocolate is the Chocolate Arancione is a unique drink full of flavor. It is dark chocolate, real orange peel making it a drink that is rich, bitter, with a brightness from the orange that makes for a pleasant drink. To eat I always order the Carne Adovada Breakfast Sandwich, and each time it is just as delicious as the last. The red chile pork, egg, sun dried tomato cream cheese, and parmesan bagel makes for a full-flavored bite each time. It sounds like a lot, but all the flavors work together, and it is a great sandwich to start the day. Café Bella is a truly hidden gem in Rio Rancho with everything being scratch made, and such a unique menu I am glad I discovered it. 

Satellite Coffee: Even though there are multiple locations across Albuquerque, and they’ve been roasting for over 20 years this is a place I had driven by multiples times. So, finally I decided to stop and check out the Alameda location, and I am glad I did. The outside of the building is very welcoming with a nice pet friendly patio off to the side that is very private from the main road. The inside is also very spacious, and modern with lots of geometric features, and a giant galaxy mural and the main wall. Near the counter is a display of all the beans they roast themselves from countries all over the world. The menu was expansive beyond coffee as there are offerings for everybody including teas, smoothies, and juices. When it came to ordering it was a easy decision as I opted for the signature drink, the Mexican Latte. This was a delicious blend of high-quality dark chocolate syrup and cinnamon, and it was a deliciously blended drink. The dark chocolate added a nice bitterness, and the cinnamon was not too strong, and added a warmth to the drink. For breakfast I went with another New Mexico classic, the New Mexico Graburrito. This was everything that people love about breakfast burritos. Eggs, spicy green chile, cheese, and potatoes made for a filling, but delicious start to the day. In addition, there are sweet options for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch but that will have to wait for another visit or what I know will be visits. 

Between the great coffee options, and great food options Café Bella and Satellite are two great ways to begin the day. I am glad that I stopped and checked each location out, and I know that I will continue to go there. I usually don’t eat a big breakfast, but if these two are involved I will make the exception. 

To see photos of my adventures follow me on Instagram @the_nm_tx or tag me using #thenmtx
To support my adventures check out my Patreon at www.patreon.com/thenmtx


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Tap N Taco

Image
  When I first made the decision to move down here there were several things I was excited about. But near the top of the list was food, and to be more specific the great Mexican food. So how lucky was I to discover a place in Rio Rancho that not only serves great tacos, but also quesadillas, and has a great bar on the inside serving specialty cocktails, and craft beer? The answer is very lucky, and with a great variety to choose from at very affordable prices one of the great taco places I’ve tried is Tap N Taco. Located on Highway 528 in an old fast-food restaurant this place is worth seeking out. There is ample seating on the inside, as well as a beautiful outdoor patio with picnic tables for those beautiful New Mexico days. All the food is prepared right in front of you as you order, and the prices are all the same. $2.00 tacos, $6.00 quesadillas, and $7.00 baked potatoes/French fries. There are also five different proteins to choose from including al pastor, barbacoa, carne ...
Read more

Steel Bender Brewyard

Image
  New Mexico is a state that like many others loves their craft beer, and the variety of places to go continues to grow. Not only do a lot of these breweries produce a variety of high-quality beers, but also high-quality foods. One of the first places I discovered in Albuquerque was actually in Los Ranchos where if you blink you will drive right by it. But keep an eye out because it is totally worth the visit for a bite or pint. Of course, the I am talking about Steel Bender Brewyard, a brewery that embodies a strong sense of the community around them. When you first drive up you find yourself in disbelief of how large this building is. With the massive branded silo that lets you know you found the right place. The inside is just as big with its large bar, and ample seating, but the place to sit is on its patio. With small tables for intimate groups, or large picnic tables for big groups the patio is far enough back that the traffic isn’t a bother, and guests can relax with a pin...
Read more

New Food Trucks

Image
  The past few weeks have been a great time to be a food lover in and around Albuquerque. We have been lucky enough to have 2 great new food trucks open, and both are unique with what they are offering. Even more lucky for me is that I have been able to try both and was very impressed by both. Love at First Slice: If there is one food I have been missing since I moved down here it is a good pizza. While I have had some good ones, there is always room for another good one. Thankfully Love at First Slice makes a great pizza, that is also wood fired. While the menu is extensive, and in addition to pizza they also offer wood-fired sandwiches, I opted for pizza. I went simple, but also ordered one of my favorites and ordered the Margherita. It was a delicious pizza that had so many great flavors going on. The crust was slightly charred, the cheese melted perfectly, and the tomatoes and basil added a great bite of freshness. I was very happy with my order and can’t wait to explore mor...
Read more