6 Best Restaurants in Northwestern New Mexico, New Mexico

This locals' favorite is the best place for a full meal (lunch or dinner) in town. It made its reputation on pizza, but now you can fuel up from a broader menu that includes blue corn enchiladas and other New Mexican fare.

If you have time for only one meal in Gallup, do as most people do and head to Earl's. The home-style rib-sticking daily specials here include meat loaf and chicken-fried steak, pie, bottomless coffee, and the oversize servings you would expect. Though not in its original location, Earl's has been a family-run institution in the area since 1947. This is a classic diner, grand-scale and Southwestern style, down to the Naugahyde booths and the Western Americana objects hanging on the walls. It's a custom here for Native American jewelry vendors to go table to table displaying their wares. Simply say "No, thank you" if you're not interested and the vendor will leave.

Nothing fancy is served here, just big helpings of tasty regional favorites like enchiladas, stuffed sopaipillas, burgers, and the breakfast of Southwest champions: huevos rancheros, smothered in chile of course. Kids are welcome and happily accommodated.

Open daily, and serving fine traditional New Mexican–style enchiladas and the like, El Sombrero is the cozy alternative to Earl's.

The decor here is nothing fancy—just plastic tablecloths over picnic tables—but the whole family can fill up on generous portions of delicious smoked pork and beef barbecue. Ribs and brisket are as tender as they come, all slow-cooked in house-made sauce.

In a 1912 onetime drugstore with a gorgeous pressed-tin ceiling, exposed air ducts, and walls lined with vintage photos, this microbrewery whips up more than 10 kinds of beer (also available to go) with names like Roustabout Stout and Chaco Nut Brown Ale. The brews go well with the enormous portions of tasty soups, salads, burgers, ribs, pizza, and other basic pub grub served here. Stroll down the block a bit to find a friendly local scene at its respectably dingy Tap Room and pool-hall outpost (some of the patina from its original incarnation as Fred Carson's Trading Post remains); occasional live music draws a diverse crowd there.