If you have ever chased the perfect bite of New Mexican red chile, you know there is a point where heat, sweetness, and smoke turn into something unforgettable. That point is why people drive hours to Mary & Tito’s in Albuquerque, a humble cafe that has been shaping cravings since 1963.
The carne adovada here is the dish locals defend with pride, the kind of slow-braised comfort that makes time feel slower and memories brighter. Pull up a chair, breathe in the roasted chile, and let the red do the talking.
First-Timer’s Guide: How To Order Like A Local
Start simple: choose your chile, red or green, or go Christmas for both. At Mary & Tito’s, red leads the show, and the carne adovada is your move if it is your first visit.
Ask for whole beans and rice as your sides, plus extra tortillas to scoop every last bit of sauce. If you like a lighter lunch, split a plate and add a bowl of green chile stew…