Flying Star Review

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Flying Star

Fodor's Review:

Flying Star has become a staple and mini-phenom for many Albuquerqueans, and although it's a chain, each outpost offers something a little different. The cavernous downtown branch opened in 2005, and it's become a favorite for its striking setting inside the historic Southern Union Gas Co. building, designed by John Gaw Meem in 1950. The concept works on many levels: it's a newsstand, late-night coffeehouse (there's free Wi-Fi), a bakery, and a great restaurant serving a mix of creative Asian, American, and New Mexican dishes (plus several types of wine and beer). Great options include Greek pasta with shrimp, green-chile cheeseburgers, Thai-style tofu salad with tangy lime dressing, turkey and Jack cheese melt sandwiches, and machacado (a breakfast casserole of turkey sausage, bacon, eggs, black beans, cheddar-jack cheese, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, and red and green chile). Desserts change often, but there's always a tantalizing array of cakes, pies, cookies, and brownies. For a winning pick-me-up, employ some strong hot coffee to wash down a tall slice of the fantastic coconut cream pie.

The Far Northeast Heights branch has the largest and most attractive patio of the bunch, with great views of the Sandia Mountains. It's a good bet if you're hungry after a visit to the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway, and this branch also has an especially large work area where you can plug in your laptop and enjoy the free Wi-Fi. The Nob Hill locale is the most atmospheric, drawing college students, yuppies, gays and lesbians, artsy types, and all other walks of life. This branch is open the latest, it's set amid the funky shops along Nob Hill's historic Route 66, and it's not far from the airport, making it perfect for a quick pre- or post-flight meal. The North Valley locale is ideal for a break if you're visiting Rio Grande Nature Center State Park or the North Valley wineries, or you've just gone hot-air ballooning. The Uptown branch is close to a pair of shopping malls and has the same great food and vibe of the other branches, but this one has the smallest dining room of the bunch. Opened in August 2006, the West Side outpost is just south of the Corrales border, perfect if you're exploring the antiques shops and wineries of this funky little town or you've just been to either Petroglyphs National Monument or the Balloon Fiesta Park, which is just a couple of miles to the east.

  • Credit Cards: AE, D, DC, MC, V
  • Other locations: 4501 Juan Tabo Blvd., Far Northeast Heights, Albuquerque, NM, 505/275-8311. 3416 Central Ave. SE, Nob Hill, Albuquerque, NM, 505/255-6633. 4026 Rio Grande NW, North Valley, Albuquerque, NM, 505/344-6714. 8001 Menaul Blvd., Uptown, Albuquerque, NM, 505/293-6911. 10700 Corrales Rd., West Side, Albuquerque, NM, 505/938-4717

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