City: Albuquerque, NM

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (505) 345-3935

Description: You could easily drive by Sophia’s Place and barely notice it’s there, but that would be a pity as, despite its humble exterior, this is a favorite Albuquerque haunt for breakfast and lunch. Nursing a big round cup of coffee in this colorful and cozy dining room feels like you’re hanging out at a friend’s place, with old vigas, quirky art, and corn dolls hanging on the walls. Order at the counter from the menu on a blackboard over the bustling kitchen, and servers bring the freshly cooked food to your table. Breakfast is served all day, including exceptional breakfast burritos smothered with homemade smoked red chile. The veggie burrito is supercheesy and might be stuffed with celery, zucchini, yellow squash, red cabbage, and potatoes. There are also tacos, quesadillas, salads, sandwiches on Sage Bakehouse bread with popular shoestring potato fries, and daily specials. Weekend brunch sees the Sophia’s Place famous pancakes on the menu with homemade piñon butter. Outside seating is not the most picturesque, but it serves as an overspill for the dining room. There’s no alcohol here, and Sophia’s Place doesn’t usually take reservations, except for large parties. (Sophia’s Place owns the nearby Ezra’s Place, which serves dinner.) Sophia’s Place is open weekdays for breakfast and lunch and on Saturday and Sunday for brunch.