El Pinto

El Pinto has long been a local favorite and the place to take out of town guests to treat them to New Mexican ambience and flavor. Owned today by the "Salsa Twins" Jim and John Thomas, whose parents opened El Pinto in 1962, El Pinto can sit 1,200, yet the many cozy rooms and lush expansive patio make the experience feel much more intimate. Open for lunch and dinner, menu items include traditional plates such as stuff sopaipillas, chile rellenos, tamale and enchilada plates, green chile cheeseburgers and chile con carne. Can't decide? Generous combination plates are the way to go, then. The lounge prides itself on its collection of top shelve tequilas, and El Pinto is know for its margaritas. Special events and live music are often scheduled on the patio (check the website) and you can take home a jar of El Pinto's famous salsa, which is made with chiles roasted on site.