Frontier

Looking for grub after the show, we saw the iconic Frontier with a line out the door. I suggested someplace else. Snap, we're through the door. A glance at the 70's décor led to another dining suggestion. Too late; caught in the crowd. Someone grabbed my butt. It was a briefcase. Seated people were nodding at me. Mr. Briefcase had a lip ring and tie. Dreadlocks was saying meet here, 5 AM, free coffee. Skater said the green chili stew was kick@ss. Snap, we're at the counter. The vast menu overwhelmed me. Skater suggested burritos - I ordered. We watched fresh tortillas being made. Cinnamon filled the air. We double-checked the check because this low price had to be wrong. That's our number. No trouble finding a table despite the 100 people. College students. Suits. Was that a loincloth? Art majors discussing the juxtaposition of John Wayne and tacky. My burrito had tasty eggs, hash browns and lots of greasy cheese--yum, wrapped in thin tortilla. Two tables over someone called out, Try the chili. It's free. My burrito entered the next level. Flavorful chili sauce without the burn. My wife's enchiladas? Delicious. 

Frontier is where the Village People meet real cowboys. Freshly squeezed OJ - great. Folks introduced themselves and we asked what they were having. Carne Adovada Burrito. What? John said red chili pork with tortilla, cheap, Brilliant! Anka said the burgers were OK, but the huevos rancheros - the bomb. Try some. Excellent! We shared our cinnamon bun with them. It was the size of Texas, flaky, smothered in butter. We laughed and shared stories. The guy over there, the apparent transient - UNM professor, the tat lady - realestate mogul, the guy in the corner - bum. Everyone calls this home.

Forgive us for thinking dive. Frontier has great food, dynamic personality and cheap prices. No pretense and everyone's welcome, even Mr. Loincloth who was doing impressions. We agreed the Frontier is a must as we nodded to the people in line.

Order at the counter and pick up when your number is called, served on china with metal fork and knife.
Free coffee or tea with breakfast.
The tortillas are fresh - watch them being made as you wait for your order.
The orange juice is fresh squeezed.
The roasted green chili sauce is self serve out of a heated pot.
One of the few places on earth where if you order an egg over medium you get it that way.
Afterwards they clear your table, so leave a tip for the bus boy.