Table for Two--Or Guys' Morning Out

Last Friday I had the chance to take Evan out for breakfast. We've done this a few times when Summer's helped in Isaac's class and I've had the morning free, and it's a lot of fun. This time, we decided to try out Garcia's Kitchen, a local chain with a rabid base of regulars.

We dropped Summer and the kids off at the school and then zipped down 4th Street to the original location,just off 4th and Mountain. It's a cozy spot, with a bar by the register and a handful of booths in the main section. To the right is what seems to be an addition with more spacious dining. But since it was just the two of us, a booth was just right.

Garcia's is a casual place--you seat yourself and say hi to your waitress. Menus are simple, easy-to-read, but full of great dishes: enchiladas, huevos rancheros, burgers. And the service was fast, friendly, and helpful.

We had both eaten a bit at home, so I had to pass on all the big breakfast plates, but I could not pass up the breakfast burrito special: a smothered burrito with ham, sausage, or bacon, with papas and beans. Evan oped for a scrambled egg and milk.

Within minutes our food was in front of us, and we dove in. The green chile was great--hot but flavorful. the burrito was the right size, and the flour tortilla was superb. I was a bit disappointed with the sausage, which was just a frozen patty cooked up and slice. I much prefer ground sausage browned and added, the way Summer makes her breakfast burritos.

But the meal as a whole was great. The papas in particular were great--large chunks of potato cooked to tender, with just enough crisp on the outside to not be soggy. It was a delicious, satisfying, fast meal, just right for a couple of guys on the town.

Rating:
Yumminess: 5 (6 with better sausage)
Budgetability: 6 (with tip, $8.12--it was just two of us, but my meal was $4.49, so it's really affordable fare)
Table-for-six-ness: 6 (lots of seating in the other room, several big tables too)
Kids-will-eat-it-factor: 5 (good selection, including non-spicy stuff for those of a more delicate constitution)
Non-ickiness: 5 (it's still a diner, but a clean one)
Would we bring people here to show off ABQ?: 6 (I'm ashamed that it took over 7 years for us to get here--it's an institution, and deserving of that status)
Total: 33