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Frontier Restaurant

4 star rating
based on 102 reviews

Category: Mexican  [Edit]

2400 Central Ave SE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
(505) 266-0550
Hours:

Mon-Sun. 5:00 a.m. - 1:00 a.m.

Good for Groups:
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Parking:
Street, Private Lot
Attire:
Casual
Price Range:
$
Good for Kids:
Yes
Takes Reservations:
No
Delivery:
No
Take-out:
Yes
Waiter Service:
No
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes
Outdoor Seating:
No
Good for:
Breakfast, Lunch, Late Night
Alcohol:
None

102 reviews for Frontier Restaurant

Review Highlights   

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"I fell in love with their green chile tortilla soup." (in 22 reviews)
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"Great green chile and carne adovada burritos." (in 11 reviews)
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"They have the best breakfast burritos in the world." (in 15 reviews)
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Sort by: Yelp Sort | Date | Rating | Elites'
Photo of Rosanna T.

Elite '09

169

126

Rosanna T.

Long Beach, CA

5 star rating
11/4/2009

Sometimes it is quite possible to find the mix of cheap and delicious.  These gems of restaurants and eateries are to be treasured for they make good quality, delicious food accessible to everyone.  Central New Mexico seems to be quite good at this, Albuquerque especially.

I ate here two times on my visit to beautiful New Mexico, once when we had first arrived, and the night before I flew home.  It is kind of a fast food/cafeteria style place in which you order from a counter, they give you a receipt with a number and your beverages, a screen flashes with your number and then you pick up your tray.  But they do give you real glasses, silverware and plates, so it's not quite like eating at Mickey D's.

I fell in love with their green chile tortilla soup.  I know, freaking tortilla soup, but this was nothing like the tortilla soup I've tasted in California.  It was homemade, clock full of fresh veggies such as corn, potatoes, red peppers and the perfect amount of green chile cooked right into the soup, lending a subtle spiciness that was absolutely perfect.  They toped it with a sprinkle of cheese, and served fresh corn chips on the side which you could dip into the melted cheese on top and the creamy textured soup.  Pure soup heaven; I wish I could have the recipe so I could have this soup all the time.

My father ordered various omelets our two visits, with double green chile, mushrooms and other veggies.  He enjoyed their green chile (his parents are from New Mexico, so he was raised on the stuff) and we both had their dinner salad, which was only $2.50 and was fresh greens topped off with baby tomatoes, and sunflower seeds.  Their blue cheese dressing is seriously the best blue cheese dressing I've ever had, with gigantic chunks of blue cheese; It was obviously made on site.

Dinner for two was under $13.  One of the many places in Albuquerque that makes me want to move there.

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Photo of Megan W.

Elite '09

66

114

Megan W.

Denver, CO

5 star rating
10/29/2009

If I owned a cot I would most certainly move into Frontier. It looks like an old, buffet diner; tables with low stools bolted to the floor, big old booths, wagon wheel light fixtures and a unique way to place your order. It's like driving. You wait for the cashier with a green light.

As I hungrily waited for my juevos and chili sauce I noticed that they have this amazing tortilla making machine. They feed it dough and it goes through this amazing contraption that flattens and fries it. I want that.

Then "456!! ORDER 456?!?!?!" Jackpot. The chili is to DIE for, my eggs are perfect, my tortillas are warm and I couldn't have been happier. From now on if I am anywhere near ABQ I will make it a point to get some chili and tortillas. Mmmm... memories...

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Photo of Katie T.

Elite '09

253

992

Katie T.

Sacramento, CA

4 star rating
9/27/2009

Considering that I am not a fan of breakfast burritos or a truly greasy spoon breakfast spot I was nervous before arrival.  Turns out that Frontier is not dirty--just odd.  And it's not really the diner I was picturing--more like a beefed up cafeteria/fast food joint where you order at the window and then wait for your food (be prepared the line moves insanely fast!).

And despite recommendations that their breakfast burrito is the be-all-end-all of Frontier, I thought their omelet and huevos rancheros were just as praise worthy with a healthy serving of green chili on top.  The portions are huge and between the two of us we downed every last bite.  

Point off is because the coffee is just what you'd expect--watery swill.

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Photo of Bill T.

 

0

6

Bill T.

Grand Blanc, MI

5 star rating
11/19/2009

I give 5 stars to the Frontier for being not only cheap but delicious.  Had the Fiesta Burger and Onion Rings ... both were great.  Both were cheap and both were delicious.

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Photo of Porter P.

 

0

5

Porter P.

Grand Blanc, MI

4 star rating
11/16/2009

After reading the reviews on Yelp, we decided to give Frontier a try. We were not disappointed. Great food at great prices. I had the Mexican platter and husband had the fiesta burger. Great food and only $17 for the two of us!

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Photo of Joshua E.

 

10

6

Joshua E.

Albuquerque, NM

3 star rating
10/12/2009

Frontier!  If there is a single restaurant that anybody who's been to or through Albuquerque knows, it's this one.  And I totally understand why.  It's located centrally, right across from the university, can seat 10 billion people, doesn't cost too much, serves up hot food quickly in huge portions, makes a good in-house lemonade, and hosts lots of weird John Wayne themed art on the walls.  The food even tastes alright.

But that last is just the thing nobody really wants to face up to.  The food is just okay.  It's good, but you can get better around the corner at El Patio, with the bonuses of table service, sopapillas with honey, and more vegetarian options.

I think of Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles back in LA - I think of its unique and iconic stature.  As in all things, Albuquerque may not do things better, but it certainly does things weirder.  

Kudos though, to Frontier, for producing incredibly light and fluffy tortillas.  If only you had offered some butter to go with them!

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Photo of Rachel C.

Elite '09

168

458

Rachel C.

Denver, CO

5 star rating
Updated - 8/9/2009

It's Frontier time again!  Since my last review a couple years ago I have visited Albuquerque 8 or 9 times. New Mexico is a magical place that keeps drawing me back. In all those mystical visits I have not missed eating breakfast at the Frontier at least once every single time.

Frontier never changes, yet somehow it seems to get better with each subsequent indulgence. Across from the University on Central / Hwy 66, it is always filled with folks from around the world. (Some look like they may have even come a little further than just our planet!)  Crowded? Yes, but if you go on Monday morning about 9am it is as slow as it is ever going to be.

Once you have your food the entire world could walk across your table and it wouldn't matter . . . unless they stepped on your breakfast burrito or cinnamon roll or drank your fresh squeezed OJ!

I love this place! My extended family pulls several tables together and has a family reunion every time I'm in town.

"Pile on the green chile, bring on the carne adovada, pour me another cup of coffee . . . oh, yeah and could you please get me a couple more homemade tortillas when you get your 2nd helping of hashbrowns?"

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1 Previous Review: Show all »

  • 5 star rating
    9/9/2007

    A NEW MEXICO INSTITUTION!

    Everyone who is anyone (and even those of us who are not anybody) in ABQ… Read more »

Photo of Genevieve B.

Elite '09

12

62

Genevieve B.

Denver, CO

5 star rating
8/15/2009

I LOVE the Frontier!! Great food (excellent green chile), inexpensive, and great people watching. And the John Wayne art makes the place even better. I grew up in ABQ and went to the Univ. of NM and always ate here. Now whenever I go home, Frontier is one of my first stops. The huevos rancheros are the best.

If you are in ABQ, you must go to Frontier.

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Photo of Jenni S.

Elite '09

97

65

Jenni S.

Chicago, IL

5 star rating
6/17/2009

My favorite restaurant, ever.

It's not classy--on the contrary, it's a wee bit on the dumpy side. There are no waiters, just counter staff. You order your food, you fetch your own silverware and condiments, you haul your grub to a table, and you eat. Silently and happily.

It's a longtime favorite among University of New Mexico students--a Bears jersey signed by alum Brian Urlacher hangs above the register--because it's cheap, and Mexican food is one of the bestest hangover cures ever invented. The food here is more on the Tex-Mex side than authentic South of the Border fare, but that's okay--what they do at the Frontier, they do very, very well.

I'd been to ABQ tons of times with my ex to visit her sister, and of all the things I miss about our relationship...well, actually, the Frontier's pretty much it (I kid--we're still friends). The veggie burrito's fabulous--a perfect blend of beans, cheese, and vegetables, piled onto a freshly made tortilla--but the breakfast burrito (which throws eggs and 'taters into the mix) is the stuff of dreams. If I were rich and had my own private jet, I'd be making regular flights to ABQ JUST for the breakfast burritos, topped with green chilis with a side of their coffee. Alas, I'm poor...but I still think of hopping a redeye to New Mexico, taking a cab to Frontier, eating, and then flying back to Chicago.

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Photo of Robert M.

 

2

11

Robert M.

Denver, CO

4 star rating
8/31/2009

A must see and eat at place if you're in Albuquerque.  I had the breakfast burrito and it was very good.  I did have to pay extra for 2 eggs though.  Next time I'll try some different items.

All in all a great divey kinda place.

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Photo of Chrissy k.

 

0

11

Chrissy k.

Albuquerque, NM

4 star rating
9/22/2009

I am a picky eater, picky about the atmosphere, the cleanliness and the Frontier has passed.

I am in love with their tortillas and breakfast burritos, their stew and their fresh orange juice. Once upon a time I hated this place because it was cafeteria style and I felt rushed and awkward but now it's cool and laid back to me. I just had to get used to it.

It's a good place to get good cheap food, to people watch or stalk that hot boy from the university that catches the bus sometimes...

The only thing that turns me off is the amount of moochers here. College/highschool kids with nowhere to go, nothing to do and so they crowd the place late at night buying whatever they can with the little money they have, until the place finally closes. I wouldn't be so annoyed if they weren't so annoying with their high pitched voices and oh-so dramatic stories. At least get drunk so the rest of us can have something to watch.

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Photo of Sara K.

 

60

99

Sara K.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
7/6/2009

Good while you are eating it.

However half and hour later you may feel sick. However if you do tend to eat late at night (which happens often on campaigns) this is one of your only bets.

Soo thank you for serving food after 10pm!

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Photo of Pamela S.

Elite '09

55

113

Pamela S.

Brooklyn, NY

4 star rating
Updated - 8/24/2009

frontier,
you are just the same
as i remember you
from years past
except you are more expensive
frontier,
i still love you.

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1 Previous Review: Show all »

  • 4 star rating
    5/4/2009

    Oh Frontier... I remember eating your breakfast burritos at 2am while taking a break from the… Read more »

Photo of M N.

 

1

31

M N.

Springfield, VA

4 star rating
6/6/2009

Outstanding green chili stew at a truly affordable price - Frontier is located right across the street from the campus of the University of New Mexico, thus they cater to broke college students. However, the clientele includes more than just hungry, broke, college students.

Its been a while since I had the opportunity to dine at the Frontier. I first had the opportunity to taste, and fall in love with the "green chili stew" when a good buddy learned about it when his ex was a student at the University of New Mexico. He brought back some "green chili stew." I was a convert!!!

Whenever I visit Albuquerque, I always visit Frontier - and I always order a few tubs of green chili stew to take back with me. I have the hotel (where I stay) freeze the tubs, and take it back home...so that I can enjoy and savor the flavors. Additionally, if you like flavorful green chili, you can also order a tub and bring it home...

Others have already commented about parking - its pretty non-existent. Decor is retro"ish", functional, cafe-esqe. The only downside is that NO BIER is served...

Whenever in the area, I always make the pilgrimage to the Frontier...you should too!

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Photo of Alexa G.

 

2

17

Alexa G.

Albuquerque, NM

4 star rating
9/10/2009

When I was your age, Frontier used to be open 24/7. A thing of beauty it was, yellow farmhouse roof aglow like a beacon across Central. It used to call to us at all hours of the night/morning, singing songs of chile and grease and hot tortillas. Now the siren song is muted somewhat by the newly imposed "close time." And those of us who have stayed at the bar too long suddenly have nowhere to go. There is no longer a place for preventative hangover action. Frontier now only serves as a hangover cure.

I hate their new hours, I really do, but not enough to discount the establishment from my list of tried and true remedies. Therefore, you'll have to suffer a bit til morning (or keep partying until 5 am) before you can benefit from the medicine Frontier offers. By medicine I mean breakfast burrito and fresh oj. Or the huevos rancheros. Or pretty much any other breakfast menu item (so much the better if it includes chile). I've also experienced hangover curing in the form of their burgers. And their tortilla soup. And the sweet rolls that come swimming in a pool of butter/margarine (sounds terrible, but is spectacular). Come to think of it, I think the whole menu might be medicinal.

Now, for those of you who aren't Frontier fans, hear me out. It takes a couple of tries to get the Frontier swing of things and to have a truly remarkable experience. (Though, I realize that if you're eating at Frontier hungover, you probably don't care about any of this.) Here are a couple of tips to make your trip better:
1) Pay attention to the line. When you're the next person to be called up, scan the counter to spot the next available register. You want to be on your toes, because if they are forced to turn on their green lights and the obnoxious automated voice that directs you to "please follow the flashing green lights for the next available cashier," you're in trouble. Not only will the people behind you scoff, but the cashier will be annoyed, and mark you off as a tourist. You're best to hop to it the minute you see someone ahead of you carrying their drinks away.
2) Know what you want ahead of time. If this is your first experience, have the breakfast burrito with bacon and a large orange juice. If you're a practiced veteran, branch out. But don't wait til you're at the counter to decide.
3) Beware of making substitutions. While they're allowed, the kitchen tends to dislike them, and will find a way of subtly telling you so. So don't mess with the fixin's, don't ask to substitute something, and never, ever get a burger without the salad dressing it comes with. Trust me here, folks. Besides, the dressing makes the burger phenomenal.
4) Watch the number screens carefully for your number. When it comes up, do not jump up and yell, "I won!" It's not original. Instead, go back to the counter and be sure to bring your receipt to give to the nice person handing you your food. Don't hold up the line if at all possible. Silverware is behind you and also in each room, chile and ketchup have their own condiment counter in the main dining room, and napkins are amply available all over the restaurant.
5) Enjoy!

Frontier should practically guarantee a hangover cure, and if you follow my tips, it will probably guarantee a return visit. Oh, and before you leave, pick up a dozen tortillas to take home. They're the best in Albuquerque.

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Photo of Sarah B.

Elite '09

138

178

Sarah B.

Chicago, IL

5 star rating
4/20/2009

I think the Frontier saved my life in college.  I was a broke student who hated the cafeteria.  The Frontier was across the street from campus and so, so cheap.  I ate there several times a week, sometimes every day.  

The Carne Adovada burrito is like crack.  Pork marinated in red chile sauce, wrapped in a tortilla made in house, light and fluffy.  *drool*  And when I was in school they were less than two bucks a piece.  Add a side of sour cream and you have heaven wrapped in foil, folks.  

They have cinnamon rolls the size of your head.  Ask for it with butter and you will be pleased, I promise.  A warm plate, a roll swimming in about half an inch of melted butter, it will put you over the edge.  Gluttonous for sure, but damn tasty.

Frontier will ship certain items in bulk like those awesome cinnamon rolls, the homemade tortillas, red or green chile and carne adovada, etc.  Note to self:  place an order!

I once re-routed a road trip just to swing through Albuquerque for lunch at Frontier.  That half hour in ABQ was one of the best parts of my trip.

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Photo of Thea K.

 

10

39

Thea K.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
4/6/2009

Best orange juice. Ever.
Open late.
Cheap as dirt.
Tortillas possibly made with crack as secret ingredient.

It's like the El Farolito of Albuquerque. Only with more seating. And fewer stabbings.

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Photo of Rick O.

 

4

44

Rick O.

Albuquerque, NM

5 star rating
3/31/2009

How does this place NOT have 5 stars. The Frontier is the place to go to eat in Albuquerque. Forget the rest and eat at the best. It is good in the AM, good in the PM, it does not matter. The breakfast burritos are great, but the bean and cheese burritos are my favorite, add a side of hash browns, a little ranch dressing, and a healthy serving of Hobo Stew on top of everything and I am as close to heaven as I am ever going to get (because I'm usually eating at Frontier when I should be in church).

There is no need to think about it, stop wasting your time and go to the Frontier RIGHT NOW!

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Photo of Robert S.

 

7

293

Robert S.

Los Angeles, CA

5 star rating
9/2/2009

I have been eating here for what may amount to 30 years and continue to visit when I am in town.

They serve both traditional diner/breakfast foods and New Mexican dishes including their own variations.

Common New Mexican dishes like enchiladas are good but not great here.

Stand out items from the menu are the Tortilla soup and (curiously enough) the cinnamon rolls.

The tortilla soup is probably the best I have had (and I am generally not a fan of soup) with ample green chile, a great consistency and the option of loading it with tortilla chips and cheese.  Also it is a bargain at under $3

The cinnamon rolls are not my all time favorite, unfortunately using a very thick dough which really does not allow enough cinnamon coating.  They are however, unique in their use of what appears to be a tremendous amount of a sweet oily/buttery near liquid frosting that (in spite of this not flattering description) is really very good.  Also a bargain at about $1.

Another reason to bump this place into 5 star rating territory is their hours.  They are currently open fairly late (after midnight) which unfortunately is a change from their former 24 hours a day hours but still this place remains a reliable place to get great food almost any time of the day.

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Photo of Ty D.

Elite '09

10

121

Ty D.

Dallas, TX

4 star rating
8/9/2009

I was passing through Albuquerque earlier in the month, and wanted to get a taste of local cuisine.  Frontier is by no means fancy--you order the food cafeteria-style--but the location is a lot of fun, across the street from the University of New Mexico, and packed to the brim with southwestern memorabilia.  Also greatly appreciated was the low prices--I spent something like $10, and ended up getting enough food to feed three people, plus a Coke that I practically needed two hands to carry.  But of course, all this begs the question, how was the food?  The answer is surprisingly good.  Everything was prepared well and was spicy.  Although not the best Mexican (or New Mexican) food I had ever had, it was certainly the best I have had in the last few months, and I will definitely be back.

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Photo of milehighguy e.

 

1

20

milehighguy e.

Englewood, CO

5 star rating
6/30/2009

I love food.  I love lots of food.  I love Mexican food.  Now I love New Mexican food and I define New Mexican food by the food I was served at the Frontier.

I live in Denver.  I was only in ALB for a few short days but I ate ate the Frontier three times.  I ordered the Frontier burrito, Huevos Rancheros and chicken soft tacos.   Each of these was delicious; each prepared in a unique New Mexican way.  The Frontier serves food fast but it is by no means fast food.  It is real food - homemade food - made from fresh ingredients by what may be the most efficient kitchen in the state.  

The Frontier makes chiles sing.  Any self respecting New Mexican restaurant can do the same but there is something magic about the chilis there.  Perhaps it's as simple as a perfect roasting.  These peppers are sweet and mild but they leave your tongue pleasantly warm and your forehead beaded with perspiration.  Try the Huevos with diced chilis!
 
I expected great burritos and tacos.  I did not expect amazing pancakes.  Holy cow!  My wife and I ordered these for our kids and we were blown away my them.  My wife was forced to confess that the pancakes at the Frontier were better than hers.  Again, the kitchen is amazing.  

One feature of the Frontier is smiling people.   Chaos rules at the crowded counter and the line is often quite long.  It boggles the mind that the staff stays so friendly in that environment.  They smile, they repeat your order back to you and they are patient.  They seem oblivious to pressure.  This is a sign of good management.

The Frontier is a little dirty.  This bothered me little, though.  I can only imagine what a struggle it is to keep up with the massive dining rooms in that place.  Most super-busy joints like this are grungy.  That said, if there is one thing I would improve about the Frontier it would be cleanliness.  The bus boys work hard but the floors and the bathrooms are sketchy.    

I bought a tee shirt.  As far as I am concerned, if you go to ALB and don't eat at the Frontier, you never went to ALB.

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Photo of Kim G.

 

2

120

Kim G.

Rindge, NH

4 star rating
7/29/2009

God I miss nm green chile.  Experiencing Frontier is essential to experiencing Albuquerque.

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Photo of Richard B.

 

32

43

Richard B.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
3/2/2009

Well worth swinging by. Huge (5 dining rooms), amazing decor (dozens of western prints, John Wayne etc.), and service (count the cashiers to take your order, 10, 12?).

Beware though - the coffee is weak, and the food isn't that amazing. Its great value, mind you - you just might need a proper hit of caffeine afterwards.

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Photo of Ash C.

 

3

22

Ash C.

Anaheim, CA

4 star rating
8/9/2009

Stopped here on our attempt at Manifest Destiny two weeks ago. I'm not a huge Mexican food fan, unless it's uber authentic, and Frontier was only okay for me. (Fantastic tortillas, though.) BUT, my mother-in-law loved it! She got the carne adovada and has tears rolling down her face saying it's the best thing she's ever eaten...lol! The fella I ordered from was really nice and patient seeing as I obviously didn't know what I was doing. The place was insanely crowded, and I thought I was going to have a twenty minute wait on food, but no! The employees whip through the crowd in no time. Probably a great place if your one of the many students in that area.

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Photo of Miguel U.

 

16

47

Miguel U.

Los Angeles, CA

5 star rating
12/19/2008

This place was awesome.  Great for people watching -- students, bearded men that could have been English professors at UNM, unemployed locals,  douche bags with combovers -- you name it, they were eating there.

I had a breakfast burrito -- the burrito itself wasn't anything all that special (hash browns, eggs, and cheese wrapped in a flour tortilla).  However, once I covered my burrito in this delicious red chili sauce they keep in a couple of self-serve cauldrons, it became out of this world.  That sauce was so good.  Spicy, but not so spicy that it kills your taste buds.  I think I could cover my shoe in that sauce and it would taste good.

The line gets pretty long, but it moves quick.  I highly recommend Frontier if you're passing through ABQ.

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Photo of Virginia G.

 

9

144

Virginia G.

Saint Petersburg, FL

4 star rating
7/24/2009

I can't believe this place is still open and still as good as when I went to college across the street. Same vibe too, mixed group of starving students, knowing locals and lost tourists. Cheap eats, breakfast burritos, chile rellenos. Still a no miss place whenever in town!

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Photo of Augusta S.

Elite '09

425

228

Augusta S.

Costa Mesa, CA

4 star rating
9/29/2008

My dearest Frontier Restaurant,

I am feeling overwhelmingly nostalgic today... and for that reason... I have feverishly book-marked many a destination in my sweet Land of Enchantment...and you, of course, are no exception... in fact, you are the first I have chosen to praise in sweet attentions.

I felt it especially necessary to write this open love letter to you... to say thank you for being part of my life... a life saved (by you!) on countless occasions... whether it was 3am and I was steadfastly holding ground like a Weeble Wobble, in a line 40 people deep... longingly awaiting the veggie Frontier burrito I would order to sop up the Alcoholic Mess that was me... or replenishing mah energy mid-afternoon after a visit to the plasma center where I'd often donate for pay (oxymoron, innit?) to supplement my minimum wage earning lifestyle....

Yes, it was many a day in the month and a year
when I was saved by my dearest Frontier.

Western hash browns and half'a veggie salad did find
Mah energy replenished... again, happy in spirit and mind!

I miss you, sweet friend!

The End.

Sincerely with Luff,
Me.

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Photo of Maria C.

 

71

155

Maria C.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
3/4/2009

We walked in famished and there was a long line, so I decided to run to the restroom.  By the time I ran there and came back, the line was gone!  

The food was good, basic, big and "inexpensive" (i.e., stuff that can last a long time with or without refrigeration) and i was so hungry, I ordered a plate of enchiladas.  They were good, and though I don't consider myself an enchilada connoisseuse,  I thought they were average-ish.  

BF RickB had basic eggs, toast, bacon (he doesn't "get" Mexican for breakfast)

What was super cool was the atmosphere, the variety and the quickness.      I completely understand its popularity and really enjoyed my breakfast there and super glad we stopped - will certainly go again :-)

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Photo of Chris E.

 

1

23

Chris E.

Arapahoe, CO

4 star rating
7/31/2009

What can I say? 2am Friday night...where is everyone from downtown going?? FRONTIER! I don't know many other restaurants that have lines wrapped around the corner at 2am. The food keeps them coming back.

What do I order everytime I go you ask??

I get 2 carne adovada burritos on their homemade tortillas. As a side dish I get the western style hash browns which is covered in green chile and cheese. I am literally drooling right now while I'm typing this.

I have yet to go there during light hours but I can imagine that the lines are shorter. This is a must if you are visiting the ABQ area!

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Photo of Khanh N.

 

4

21

Khanh N.

Dallas, TX

3 star rating
3/22/2009

We went here for breakfast.  The orange juice was awesome!!  Freshly squeezed and sweet!!  The cinnamon rolls lived up to their word.  They were delicious and not too sweet and not too much icing.

We ordered the breakfast burritos with sausage and then finished it off with their "famous" chili sauce.  The sauce wasn't very good and was too runny to my liking.  The burritos were filled with too much potatoes and not enough eggs.

I liked the laid-back, casual atmosphere.  It reminded me a lot of Austin.  Prices were good.

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Photo of Jennifer P.

 

1

87

Jennifer P.

Rowland Heights, CA

4 star rating
8/12/2009

I visited Frontier while helping out with a high school program at the university, and I kept hearing about the tortillas and Frontier rolls.  The tortillas were very good--soft, warm, light and so fresh they harden up as they cool!  The frontier roll was soaked in butter and pretty good.  I am not too big on cinnamon rolls, so I am not the best judge.  I also do not prefer Mexican food, so I did not try much else.  Everyone else seemed to be pretty happy though!

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4

11

Myron P.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
3/10/2009

yumm, i love the green chili here, simply amazing.
and im from san francisco.  I will be back here again to eat more green chili

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Teej T.

Urbana, IL

3 star rating
8/11/2008

I found Frontier on accident while walking down Central on a Saturday night and vowed to make it for Sunday's breakfast before church.  Sweet times.

Frontier's less of a greasy spoon diner, and more of a greasy spoon FACTORY as you have legions of people making food and flashing lights showing your order in the cavernous dining room.  It was 6:30 am and already the place was hopping with folk.  However, the breakfast burrito with bacon and green chiles was delicious, and I'm sure would be great after one too many beers on Central, as well :)

A bit on the rushed impersonal side, I still liked Frontier quite a bit.

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Denis S.

Los Angeles, CA

3 star rating
8/15/2008

I'm not exactly sure why this place is under the "Mexican Restaurant" category.  It has plenty of burgers and sandwiches and stuff.  It's also plenty greasy and plenty cheap.  I've only head their cinnamon bun, so I can't say much about their food (except that the prices are very very cheap).  

Their buns were supposed to be legendary, and they were good, but not great.  My problem is that they were pretty much drenched in butter.  Now, a good bun needs to have a large amount of butter, but when I can see a pool of it on and at the bottom of the bun, it's just too much.

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2

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Robert H.

Austin, TX

4 star rating
5/16/2009

We stopped here for a late breakfast on our way up to Durango. We had breakfast burritos which were very good. The burritos were large enough to feed two so make sure you bring your appetite.

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3

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Lindsey J.

Brunswick, ME

3 star rating
5/10/2009

I think I would have enjoyed it more if it hadn't been so hyped.  That said, it was still good. The restaurant was cafeteria style and crowded but the line went quickly, so we didn't spend more than 10-15 minutes in a line that was out the door.   The value can't be beat, but you get what you pay for.  I had the standard fare (breakfast burrito, coffee, orange juice, and sweet roll) and the orange juice and sweet rolls are excellent.  The place is moderately clean and the staff is very courteous.  A true Albuequerque experience nonetheless and worth at least one visit.

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Catherine R.

Washington, DC

4 star rating
1/2/2009

On my recent visit to NM, this was the first place my host thought to take me for some good Albuquerque grub.  A big cafeteria-style diner right across from the UNM.  Expansive menu that revolves around New Mexican flavors but stays firmly in the greasy spoon category. This is what we ate:

Green Chili Stew.  Yum!  Spicy and delicious!  Soft potato balls!  Not too thick, not too thin, not too spicy.  Lots of flavor.  Really cheap.  Highly recommend.

Carne Adovada Burrito: Delicious soft meat wrapped in delicious soft tortilla.  Nothing else, just meat and tortilla.  Cheap.  Yummy.

Breakfast burrito: Big.  Full of eggs and green chilis and carne adovada.  Good at any time of the day.  

All in all, a very pleasant way to kick of a weekend of eating in Albuquerque.  Delicious, spicy but not overpowering, greasy as you think it's going to be, fast, economical.

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bob j.

La Mesa, CA

3 star rating
10/13/2008 2 photos

Classic, nostalgic, old school, greasy, noisy, crowded, tacky decorations - in other words a annual must visit stop on your Albuquerque vacation.  The burritos are interesting, nothing like you find in SoCal, and the cinnamon buns are drenched in butter.   I hope my arteries will clear before  next  year or before the heart attack) , but I could not imagine eating here on a weekly or daily (UNM students ?) basis.

P.S. Uploaded scan of menu from October 2008 to images

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Ryan T.

Mountain View, CA

4 star rating
5/16/2009

I met a long time friend here for a late night dinner. After 10pm, all the way until closing, the line was amazing, but thankfully for us it moved fairly fast. The staff just kept going in rapid fire assembly-line style, crankin out the orders. So I had my first honest-to-goodness New Mexican item, a veggie burrito smothered in green sauce with a side of rice and frijoles. Really awesome sauce and great veggie filling, and the rice was more flavorful than what I've had in a long time. True to the description I had read about this place, it's really awesome for people watching. And open late too, until 1am. Always grateful for these student hangouts that have become establishments in their own right, as well as making for a perfect example of local color.

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Bill E.

Seattle, WA

5 star rating
12/10/2008

Carne Adovada burritos and sweet rolls...
Oh my GOD! There is a line out the DOOR! for a reason. Across from UNM. I will always go here when in Albuquerque! Always! In fact, I would go just for this!

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