Blue is Cool!

Checking reviews for a great Southwestern restaurant in Albuquerque, NM, I found the highly rated “The Original Cocina Azul”. In the Southwest, you can’t leave until you’ve tried something… anything, on a tortilla, and you must have local green chiles.

I reviewed the online menu and settled on the Azul Brisket Street Tacos. On a Monday evening, there were just enough people. I could enjoy the experience without worrying about why it was empty. I got seated right away and got my order in. I asked the waitress if I could substitute my refried beans for more rice since I’m not a fan of beans. She recommended the Calabacitas. After explaining that I had no idea what she had just said, even after taking three years of high school Spanish, she told me Calabacitas is squash, typically zucchini or yellow squash or both, as in this case, with onions, chiles (green), and seasonings. I tried it, and I’m glad I did. The Brisket Tacos were the best I’ve ever had. You get six small tacos with the fixings on the side, including the Chile Verde and the heavenly guacamole. A spritz of lime and I could have eaten a dozen of them. Then I had the Calabacitas. It was so good. This is coming from a person who doesn’t like vegetables. I will never eat Calabacitas anywhere but Albuquerque. It was outstanding.

Did I mention how fast the food came out? I don’t think McDonalds is that fast. You might think the speed might lessen the food in some way, but not at Concina Azul. It was hot, fresh, and appetizing. I was told that every authentic Southwestern restaurant in Albuquerque worth their Chile Verde serves Sopapillas, the local fried hollow bread. You can have it with your meal or at the end for dessert. I went with the latter. The waitress brought it out as I came close to finishing my tacos so the Sopapilla would be nice and warm. She told me to tear off a corner and fill it with a little honey. Swirl it around and enjoy. When I took that first bite, the heavenly taste didn’t water my eyes like Franklin’s Brisket in Austin, Texas, but it was damn close. Have you ever teared up over bread? Neither have I, but I could have if she had given me two.

Every trip to Albuquerque will now include a trip to The Original Cocina Azul. This is a must-go kind of place. I like to explore new restaurants, but there are places that you have to return to again and again. Enjoy this great old-world eatery and enjoy the moments.