Smiling Faces New Mexican ~ Las Vegas, New Mexico

First visit: Feb 2021

The original plan was to eat at Perea's, one of our favorite restaurants in Albuquerque. They don't open until 8 in the morning, and we didn't feel like hanging around for an hour (plus whatever wait that may have been in store for us), so we bolted for home, with a planned stop a couple of hours north in Las Vegas to have brunch. We arrived at the chosen breakfast location, only to find out they were closed on Sunday (despite what it said online). A quick scan of Google Maps lead us to another place - that was closed for good. Obviously Las Vegas, New Mexico's Google Maps can use an update! While figuring out where to eat, Mrs. RJG noticed Smiling Faces right next door to where we were. Sounding more like a dentist office than a restaurant, I did some prompt research, and the reviews were excellent. And it's New Mexican food - which is what we were seeking. Awesome! 

We walked into a very spacious restaurant and were promptly seated. Our waitress came by and took our order right away. We were both starving, so this was working out great. And we did get our chips promptly, which curbed the appetite a bit. The salsa was excellent BTW.

Then we waited...

Waited....

Waited...

Waited....

At least we got to know the environs better than normal - while our stomachs were growling. It's very much a New Mexico styled place with painted concrete, brick floors, and wooden beams. And very Christian. Not a place for atheists and pagans that's for sure. Fine with us being of the faithful, and refreshing to see a public restaurant wear Christianity on their sleeve like this. And we needed all of God's strength from going bananas awaiting for our food. Every time the squeaky swinging door had a waitress emerge, we anticipated it was ours, only to see them deliver to another table. We presume everyone who comes here expects this wait - or they were starving like us.

45 minutes later, our breakfast emerges. Hallelujah! Amen!

I ordered the Ultimate Breakfast burrito, loaded with eggs, bacon and smothered in Christmas. And the unusual twist of putting the hash browns inside the burrito. Once again, the green proved hotter on this visit (must be the season), and the red was delicious. See photo - it was as good as it looks. Mrs. RJG had the Huevos Rancheros also smothered in red/green and asked for rice, which was also excellent. 

Was it worth the wait? That's a tough one to answer. The food was delicious, but sometimes you just got to eat! Problem for us on judging, is that we've only been once, so it could have been they were shorthanded that morning. Keep in mind, the lockdown restrictions had just been lifted in New Mexico, whereas other states have been partially open for months, including Colorado. We're willing to give them the benefit of the doubt for now. So if you happen to be in Las Vegas, New Mexico - give it a shot! Maybe bring a snack with you just in case....

3/3/21 (new entry)