The Mother Road

This year, New Mexico is going all out to celebrate the Route 66 Centennial. It’s a complicated time to celebrate the great American road trip, and yet it’s tough to imagine the Southwest without its network of highways and (mostly) paved byways. Today, even cowboys use them. And we can’t help but love the roads that take us up into the mountains, out into the wide mesa skies, or, of course, to the diners and dive bars serving up abundant Americana.

This week, we’re leaning into the collective nostalgia for the Mother Road—sharing stories about dining destinations that have helped sustain and revive not only the historic stretch of Central Avenue, but also the sprawling, scruffy, no-frills city that owes its modern existence to the road.

Get Your Kicks

Whether you’re Agent Dale Cooper or a food writer on assignment, a good slice of pie with a damn fine cup of coffee is hard to beat. In one of our earliest stories, “Get Your Kicks,” Candolin Cook highlights two Albuquerque diners on Route 66 serving up midcentury nostalgia à la mode.

Unfortunately, one of those spots—Lindy’s Diner—was recently closed by the city due to structural safety concerns, leaving the iconic location’s future uncertain. We’ll keep you updated as more information comes in.

An Imperial Staycation

The Imperial is part of a wave of old Albuquerque motels getting a modern facelift—complete with fresh dining and drinking options. In “An Imperial Staycation,” Ungelbah Dávila reports from the bar and food hall attached to the renovated property, where colorful cocktails are served poolside.

While some vendors have moved on, new additions continue to rotate in—keeping the space fresh and evolving.

Three Hotel Bars in Albuquerque

The Imperial isn’t the only stop along Route 66 worth visiting for a great drink. In “Three Hotel Bars in Albuquerque,” Robin Babb explores a mix of old-school and newly revived spots along the Mother Road, each offering a unique take on classic and creative cocktails.

It’s the perfect way to end a long day on the road.

The Sauce Boss

Digging into the archives, “The Sauce Boss” takes us back to the early days of Mesa Provisions. Now relocated across Central into a larger space, Chef Steve Riley continues to deliver a seasonal, flavor-forward menu.

And if you’re following the cocktail trail, don’t miss their beet-and-mezcal negroni—it’s as bold as the road that inspired it.