Charlie's Front & Back Door

I was first introduced to Charlie's Back Door in 1972 by a friend who suggested we go there for lunch. I ordered the Sheepherder & have never forgot the experience of enjoing this tasty dish. I have since moved but make sure I vist the Back Door when I'm in town. I like the atmoshpere (think of Mad Men) which harkens back to the moody bars of the 60's with red vinyl booths, a horsehoe bar + juke box playing Sinatra. The owner & staff are diffinitly friendly. They serve authentic New Mexico food, which is getting harder to find, as many resturants are now serving food which flavors are more derived from a Mexican influence. If your expecting an atmosphere like the chain food restaurants this is not the place for you but if you like to harken back to the lounge era with distinctive food this is the it It's located @ Hoffman Town Plaza off of Menual & Wyoming in the Northeast Heights. more

Stopped by Charlie's for the 1/2 price huevos rancheros on Sunday 1/30/11. Normally, if I have a bad eating experience I make a note to self never to return and let it go. Unfortunately, my wife and I had the worst dining experience in recent memory and I can't let it go. They chile was extremely bland and the tortilla on the bottom of the plate, according to my wife, ""tasted like cat food."" We ordered a side of potatoes for our 2 year old and we received a plate of disgusting ,under-cooked, grease lathered potatoes. We sent them back with a promise from the waitress that she would bring a new batch. No Thanks, we're good! I guess all the grease didn't go on the potatoes because the sopapillas were equally as greasy and unappetizing. Even at 1/2 price this was a horrible, horrible experience. There are too many good New Mexican restaurants in town to give this place a second chance. The #2 at Golden Pride is not only quicker but light years better than the greasy spoon Charlies has become. I wonder if the owners have tried their own food lately? more

See, you just have to know the culture at Charlies. You give tude, you get tude, and isn't that the local personality? Charlies Front and Back door has been a big part of Albuquerque for decades and we adore the food and staff. Most people are on a first name basis with all the wait staff, but if you go in there with a chip on your shoulder, and give attitude, your taking up valuable space. I can remember many years ago when you could get your ass kicked for giving attitude to the wait staff and bartenders at Charlies Back Door. Of course those were different days, but if you ask any of the local Burqeans about Charlies Front and Back door, you'll hear nothing but praise for the exceptional food and service. I'm not affiliated or related in any way to anybody at Charlies Front and Back Door. I'm just trying to help folks understand how it works there. more

The Best 'sour cream enchiladas' in town!! The atmosphere is soft & enjoyable and the service is awesome. The margaritas are pretty good,too! The manager is very friendly and walks around to make sure everybody is satisfied but does seem to have a bit of an attitude somedays. Sopapillas are a treat! Pros: Sour Cream Enchiladas! Cons: small place more

I went to Charlie's with my 84 ytear-old father, expecting to spend an enjoyable, relaxed evening out. I hadn't spent time with my father in a while, and I wanted to try out a new restaurant. The service was prompt, and the food was okay. The chips and tortillas were very stale. I think they use cheddar on their enchiladas. After 24 minutes exactly, a teenage boy working there tapped on my shoulder, ""Is that all for you guys? We've got a bunch of people waiting for your table."" I looked at him in shock. We had barely been there. I had eaten about one-third of my meal. Then, about five minutes later, the manager asked me, ""Are you expecting me to put your food in a to-go box?"" They obviously didn't want us around. For the next half-hour, the manager stared at us almost constantly, told waiting customers that we were holding up their table, and then those customers would look at us, too. I couldn't believe it. My father felt so uncomfortable, we could hardly keep up a conversation. The manager was doing this to other customers, too. Even the elderly couple sitting next to us. They took the hint and left, though. I expect to be in a restaurant for at least an hour. Not at this place. If you want their so-so food, you might as well order it to-go. Pros: Atmosphere Cons: Service, food, the manager more