Frybread tacos, Indian tacos, Navajo tacos - no matter what you call these yummy, goody-laden slabs of frybread, they are always a welcome treat. We've rounded up a few of the top-rated fry-bread tacos in New Mexico. Take a look.
1. Pueblo Harvest Cafe (Albuquerque)
Located in the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Pueblo Harvest Cafe distinguishes itself beyond a "museum" cafe by serving Native American food with a contemporary twist. For lunch, grab a traditional Tewa taco. For dinner, upgrade to their Keresan taco, the fanciest frybread taco on the list, with sous-vide flat iron steak, braised beans, red chile crema, heirloom tomatoes, and roasted onion all on San Felipe fry bread. Pueblo Harvest Cafe is in Albuquerque.
Read more about the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.
2. Plaza Cafe (Santa Fe)
This cafe on the Santa Fe Plaza has been serving up a variety of fare, including traditional New Mexico treats since 1905. Their Indian taco, a customer favorite, comes with your choice of chicken, carnitas, or carne asada, beans, cheese, chile, lettuce, and tomatoes, or get it veggie style with calabacitas. Find the Plaza Cafe on the Santa Fe Plaza.
Learn more about the Plaza Cafe Santa Fe.
3. Indian Arts Center (Laguna)
This is the place for super fresh frybread, road food style. Get a stuffed taco sandwich or go sweet with frybread topped with honey, cinnamon, or powdered sugar. Check out the Native American arts there too; locally crafted jewelry and pottery are sold onsite. Enjoy this hidden gem- it has some of the best tacos in New Mexico!
Check out more about the Indian Arts Center.
4. Earl's Restaurant (Gallup)
Earl's has been a Gallup institution since 1947. This friendly, family-style restaurant has straightforward American diner specialties, like liver and onions and fried chicken, plus some of the best Navajo tacos in New Mexico. They're as big as your head (with toasty green chile) – so bring a friend. This place has a local feel and the wandering vendors may be a turn-off for some, but it's worth a turn off the interstate.
Find out more about Earl's Restaurant.
5. Monroes's (Albuquerque)
Monroe's started in 1962 as an Albuquerque Old Town drive-in. Now, it's a full-fledged and well-known New Mexican restaurant. The food is old-school but they keep up with the trends, offering low-carb and veggie items. Their Indian tacos come with your choice of beef, chicken, or carne adovada, with everything else "piled on." If you're looking for unique food in New Mexico, this is the spot for you.
See more about Monroe's New Mexico.
6. Nataani Nez (Shiprock)
This "locals" place has a breakfast and lunch buffet but the frybread and lamb stew are the stars here, as well as their Navajo tacos. Nataani Nez can be a little tricky to find. Look for it next to the Subway. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Read more about Nataani Nez.
7. Church Street Cafe (Albuquerque)
Church Street Cafe is a traditional Mexican/ New Mexican place in Old Town Albuquerque. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, they feature handmade tamales, oven-cooked pork, old-fashioned rellenos, and some of your new favorite Navajo tacos in New Mexico. There are also sandwiches, salads, and desserts. This place has a tourist vibe, but sneak in and enjoy a beer or glass of wine on their patio while people-watching.
Learn more about Church Street Cafe.
8. Tim's Stray Dog Cantina (Taos Ski Valley)
Editor's note: Tim's Stray Dog Cantina is permanently closed.
Touting legendary margaritas and flame-roasted chile, Stray Dog Cantina has been feeding the apres-ski crowd in Taos Ski Valley for more than 25 years. Their Navajo taco is traditional New Mexico frybread topped with beef, beans, lettuce, and tomato, all smothered with red or green. They warn that their chile isn't for amateurs, so go with your best New Mexican mouth.
9. Yum-Yum's (Tularosa)
Don't let the size or appearance of this tiny place scare you off. It's a must-stop. Yum-Yum's serves a limited breakfast and lunch menu but everything here is good. The brisket and burritos get top billing, but the Navajo tacos aren't to be dismissed. Top your tacos with their red-chile pork, brisket, or ground beef. Be sure to save room for one of their fresh, melt-in-your-mouth donuts too.
Find out more about Yum Yum's.
10. PC's (Santa Fe)
Veer off the downtown tourist trail and head over to PC's Restaurant and Lounge on the south side of Santa Fe. Here you'll find some honest New Mexican food and stellar red chile – which goes great on their Navajo tacos – homemade fry bread topped with whole beans, ground beef, and cheddar cheese. They also have a full-service bar with award-winning margaritas. Have a great time at this long-time Santa Fe locals joint.
Read more about PC's Restaurant and Lounge.
11. El Patron (Las Cruces)
You might be tempted to overlook this place, but don't! The Navajo tacos are a "special" and not always on the menu, but whatever you have will be good. Options are the burger and brisket nachos (or brisket fries if you know who to ask). While the brisket and Navajo tacos are a treat, you'll want a slice (or two) of their homemade cakes. Trust us on this one.
Check out more about El Patron.
Are any of these fry bread tacos in New Mexico your favorite? Who should we have included on our best Indian taco list? Let us know in the comments!
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