Follow Eric

I am not a glutton

2013-05-23T21:44:00.000-06:00

I was browsing through the selection of cards at The Octopus and the Fox today when I came across this one. I felt it was especially fitting for Follow Eric.

Food Trucks in Five Words

2013-05-17T10:14:00.002-06:00

Here's a little challenge for you today. It's a game called "Food Trucks in Five Words." The rules are super easy: Describe a favorite food truck of yours in just five words.

Five words. That's not too hard is it? Here, I'll give you some examples...

The Boiler Monkey: crazy bus and crazy crepes

The Supper Truck: Southern with a creative twist

Gedunk: Rarely the same thing twice

Rustic: darn good burgers and fries

The Toasted Bean: warm crepes and hot coffee

Soo Bak: Korean Seoul meets Albuquerque flavor

The Scottish Pie Shop: kilt-raising good food truck

The Melting Truck: melty cheesy ooey gooey goodness

Alright, now it's your turn. Use five words to describe a favorite food truck of yours in the comments...

Nutella jar ice cream bowl - What can I say? I'm kind of a genius

2013-05-09T22:46:00.000-06:00

Sometimes genius comes at unexpected moments. Like when you're staring down into the mouth of an empty jar of Nutella, contemplating how much effort it would take to scrape out whatever little bits are left.

And then an idea hits you.

What if instead of discarding the "empty" jar, you instead filled it up with a few scoops of melty ice cream? Then with each creamy spoonful, you could scrape up a little chocolaty goodness.

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Chatting about food trucks with James Cunningham, host of Eat St.

2013-05-06T13:22:00.000-06:00

Should I be at all surprised that the first question a Canadian asks about Albuquerque is about Breaking Bad?

Of course not.

"I frickin' love that show."

Besides being a Breaking Bad fan, James Cunningham is also the host of Eat St., a Cooking Channel show dedicated to sharing food trucks from all across North America. I had a chance to chat with him today about food trucks, the Eat St. cookbook, the current season, and about the trucks here in Albuquerque.

The first thing I wanted to confirm, simply for its irony, is that James can't cook.

"I can't cook to save my life and I admit that in the first few paragraphs of the book."

The book he's referring to is Eat St.: Recipes from the Tastiest, Messiest, and Most Irresistible Food Trucks.

James may not be able to replicate the delicious dishes in the book, but he makes up for it in other ways. He's a comedian by nature (I assume it's his Canadian nature) so he brings the element of humor with him to the show. I asked about some of the funnier food truck names he's encountered and he rattled off a plethora of pun-based truck names, including Swede Dish, Grillenium Falcon, Truck Norris, and NaanStop.

As James puts it, "If you have a food truck, you are a master of puns."

With three seasons already under their belt, Eat St. has come out with a companion cookbook, sharing recipes from food trucks all over North America.

They found that viewers were trying to replicate dishes they saw on the show in their own kitchens, but without cooking times, temperatures, or complete ingredient lists, it wasn't working out. So Eat St. put a call out to food truck owners, asking them to send in a recipe or two they'd like to share.

"We were literally inundated with all our trucks sending in three or four recipes," said James. "So we went through them and chose the best ones and put them in the book. We have 125 recipes from some of our top trucks."

James was especially impressed that the owners wanted to give their recipes free of charge, simply because they wanted to "make people happy."

"We find these passionate foodies who just love what they do and the common denominator we hear time and time again is 'I opened the food truck because I want to make people happy.' We hear that over and over again."

It's easy to see that James has become something of an expert on what he calls the "food truck revolution."

Citing the downturn in the economy around 2008, James explains how out-of-work chefs opted to hit the streets with their own mobile food operations.

"The trucks match the personalities of these food truck owners and the way they're marketing themselves is pretty cool. It's all this new stuff that never really existed before."

Currently on their fourth season, James says he encounters owners who didn't even have a truck back when Eat St. first started airing.

"It's funny because the show is really coming full circle now. The show has actually inspired people to open food trucks and now they're on the show. It's really kind of cool that way."

The fourth season of Eat St. is on the air now. It's a double season, covering over one hundred food trucks through 26 episodes. Between those and the previous three seasons, there's a bounty of great finds--but they still haven't been down to Albuquerque!

I told him all about the awesome trucks we have and asked what it would take to get Eat St. to come down here. He suggested sending in feedback to Cooking Channel, telling them about the trucks in Albuquerque and asking that the show be renewed for a fifth season.

I took the liberty of finding the contact page on their website for you: http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/site/contact-us.html

Send in your feedback so James and the Eat St. crew can keep on exploring the best food trucks in North America and hopefully the ones here in Albuquerque, too!

Follow @EatStTweet

Follow @jamestellsjokes

One Year of Blogging in Albuquerque

2013-04-30T09:22:00.004-06:00

It's always a good thing to take a minute to reflect on things. Or in this case, three and a half minutes to reflect on the last year of blogging in Albuquerque. For those of you who are new or those who don't know the story behind the blog, this is a great place to start.

Special thanks to Nick Delgado for putting this video together.

It's been one year since I moved back home to Albuquerque.

Before that, I spent three years living in a small northwestern Oklahoma town called Enid.

And it's been six years since I first started blogging.

Six years. That's a long time, at least in blog years. Over that time I've made a lot of changes to the blog and to its focus. But ultimately it's still just a personal blog where I share whatever is on my mind.

But I did make a change back in 2008 when I decided to buy a custom domain name. I looked around and all my top choices were taken but eventually I found one that I really liked. I bought followeric.com for just ten bucks a year. Little did I know just how much that small change would really affect the blog and ultimately even impact my own life.

Enid, Oklahoma has a population of roughly 50,000 people. We're talking less than a tenth the size of Albuquerque's population.

Everyone warned me about the culture shock I could expect when moving from a big city to a small town. They'd say the same kinds of things over and over.

"There's nothing to do here in Enid."

"Nothing happens here."

"It's so boring."

Instead of taking that as a warning, I decided to take that as a challenge.

In a town that has just one of everything--one Walmart, one Starbucks, one mostly vacant mall--I chose to seek out and find the local places and community events around town.

I found that local businesses had the friendliest owners and local restaurants served the best food and the servers always remembered my name. I made friends with musicians and photographers, poets and other artists at coffee shops and events around town. I hung out downtown for First Fridays and played my guitar at local coffee shops and theaters and art galleries--even once inside the mostly vacant mall. I came in third place in a hot dog eating contest and started writing for some local magazines.

I once led a small group of friends on a 24-hour adventure around town in what would be the first in a series of Follow Eric Blogathons. I spent an entire day--from before the sun came up until nearly midnight--on a road trip to Oklahoma City with some friends, stopping at local landmarks, cafes, and restaurants along the way. I spent three days in Tulsa exploring all of the local ins and out in town, running around and literally running in the St. Patrick's Day 5K.

So when it came town to move back home, I made sure to bring that love of all things local with me back to Albuquerque. Because I found the same things they were saying in Enid, they were saying here.

"There's nothing to do in Albuquerque."

"Nothing happens here."

"It's so boring."

And I discovered that the same small-town mentality can be found even in the bigger cities. And I learned that the best way to combat that is to get out and explore what's happening at the local level.

In the last year I've really taken to heart the mantra of "exploring the local, sharing the personal." It's the tag line I use on Follow Eric. And it's been a guiding factor in rediscovering the city where I grew up.

Over the past year, I've been part of cash mobs, Free Art Friday, poetry nights. I've had coffee from every local cafe I could find. I've made friends with a whole fleet of food truck owners and was even fortunate to be voted among the top five best bloggers in Albuquerque the Magazine's Best of the City awards.

Sometimes it can be a little hard to sum things up when people ask me what my blog is all about so I'm hoping that this helps give you a better understanding. And more than anything, I hope that it helps to challenge you and inspires to go out and explore what's happening at the local level. Go out and find a local eatery over a chain or get to know your local business owners. Go to a restaurant where you know the chef's name and they know yours.

That's really what it's about when I say "exploring the local and sharing the personal." And I just want to say, thanks for reading the blog.

Food Truck Friday

2013-04-26T12:40:00.001-06:00

Fridays are already a typically good day to catch some food trucks out and around Albuquerque and it's only getting better.

Today a new pod of trucks set up at Talin Market for lunch. Wednesdays are the typical day for food trucks at Talin but they're going to give Fridays a try as well. I stopped by today to check them out and was pleased with the result.

Today's lineup included...

The Lunch Box

This was my first time ever seeing The Lunch Box in action and even though they typically serve up a selection of subs, I was not one bit disappointed with their offerings today. I opted for some lasagna and received a slab of cheesy goodness and some crusty crispy garlic bread. It was just the perfect portion. And by perfect portion I mean it allowed me to still try the other trucks after I finished.

Doggerz

I'm really glad I was one of the early customers because Doggerz sold out of their Sloppy Pulled Pork sandwiches before I had even moved on to dessert. Slow cooked for 11 hours and served up soaked in its own delicious juices, the sandwich was super satisfying.

Gedunk

Whether he has his cart or his truck with him and whether he's serving up savory sandwiches or sweet treats, Pat from Gedunk is always a welcome sight at Talin Market. Feeling the effects of having filled up on lasagna and pulled pork, I took my raspberry vanilla trifle to go.

The Toasted Bean

Even if I can't fit another serving of food in my voluminous belly, I can always sip on something cold. So I ordered a vanilla iced coffee from The Toasted Bean to help wash everything down, quench my thirst, and give me a little midday boost from the caffeine.

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Now if you'll excuse me, I have some calories to burn off before I pay a visit to the food trucks parked outside of Tractor Brewery tonight...

Around ABQ - Junkado Parade

2013-04-24T21:25:00.001-06:00

So the other day I was standing in line to order some dinner from The Supper Truck when a random person approaches me and hands me a flyer.

That person turned out to be Aryon Hopkins and the flyer was for Junkado.

Unless you're already in the know, you're probably thinking the same thing I did: What in the world is Junkado?

I wish I could easily sum it up but I think you'll be best served by checking out the website at junkado.org.

Intrigued by the idea of a "people powered parade with a prize," I ventured down to Nob Hill this past Sunday to see what it was all about.

Here are just a few of the pictures I took.

(Find more pics on the Follow Eric Facebook page)

Again, if you want to learn more about Junkado and how awesome it is, check out their website or connect with them on Facebook.

junkado.org

My Thoughts on the Boston Marathon Tragedy

2013-04-16T11:14:00.000-06:00

I thought I would share some thoughts on the tragedy at the Boston Marathon. Not because I have anything different to say or that more needs to be said, but only because I want to share my own personal story and reaction.

I was on Twitter when it happened.

In past tragedies, you typically have a vivid memory of where you were and what you were doing upon hearing the news. I was sitting at the computer, getting ready to work on an article I'm writing, when I saw the tweets and retweets start to trickle in. I jumped over to a room with a TV to see what was going on. Of course, Twitter is always a step ahead of network and even cable news so it took a few minutes before the anchor cut her interview with a guest short to bring in the breaking news.

The initial reports were terribly uninformative and left me without a clear understanding of what had occurred. It wasn't until network news broke in with their coverage that a clearer picture began to form.

And then the video started coming in.

In an event that's already swamped with cameras and with the addition of onlookers equipped with smartphones, it's no small wonder when vivid video and pictures from all angles start coming in to give you a fuller perspective of the events.

But with that fuller perspective comes a more keen awareness of the terror.

For me, I was left with two prevailing feelings: sadness and concern. They came in alternating waves. Sadness over the tragedy and concern over the emerging details.

But it never gave way to fear.

As terrifying and tragic as the events at the Boston Marathon were, I won't allow fear to be my guiding factor. I won't allow it to deter me from still getting out and enjoying our local gatherings and community events. I won't stay home out of fear of the unknown. I won't.

Though at times you may feel fearful, do not allow that to be the guide for your decisions.

I will still cling to my mantra of exploring the local and sharing the personal. I'll be out and about at the big events and community gatherings and I'll take the time to share what I find with you.

Crossing the finish line at the 2012 St. Patrick's Day Run in Tulsa, OK

A Few of My Favorite Things - Beverage Edition, Part 1

2013-04-10T14:10:00.001-06:00

It's impossible to write up a list of my favorite things and avoid getting tunes from "The Sound of Music" stuck in my head. But here it goes anyway.

I chose to start with a list of my favorite beverages that I can get around Albuquerque. Here's the first half, in no particular order...

Are any of these your favorites, too? Any that you'd like to try? Pin your favorites and feel free to follow me on Pinterest.

ABQ CashMob #14 - Abuelita's and Judy's Trading Post & Auction

2013-04-09T14:43:00.000-06:00

I'm telling you, this whole cash mob thing is starting to catch on. I'd like to think that my recent article in the Alibi helped, but honestly, I have to give it up to Sam and his small team of organizers for consistently pulling together these events each month.

For the most recent cash mob this past weekend, we met up at Abuelita's down in the South Valley. As a South Valley resident myself, I was glad for the short commute to our meeting place and I was just in the right mood for some good New Mexican grub.

I had a chance to meet up with Jason who owns Bigglesnorts Toy Store on Montgomery. Jason has experienced firsthand the impact of ABQ CashMob. His store was one of the targets of December's mob. In response, Jason tries to join in as many cash mobs as he can.

It just goes to prove what I've said before: Local businesses support local businesses.

Speaking of which, after lunch we all headed just a little ways down Isleta to Judy's Trading Post & Auction.

This place has everything. I'm not kidding when I say I circled around that place over and over and even by the fifth time I was still finding items I hadn't seen before. It's definitely worth checking out if you have a chance. If nothing else, you can buy yourself some ice cream or enjoy the free coffee and popcorn while you browse.

Fast Food Frenzy- Taco Bell's Doritos Locos Tacos

2013-04-01T16:40:00.002-06:00

Can you think of any greater combination than America's most beloved triangular snack food and the most popular post-midnight fast food chain in the U.S.? Of course not. I mean, what could be btter than layers of "meat" and "cheese" and other "stuff" wrapped in a little boat made of... made of... I'm not really sure what goes into the making of a Doritos tortilla chip. Corn, I hope, but I can't be too sure.

But who am I to question these things? No, these things must be enjoyed, mindlessly, preferably while tuning out in front of a television set.

Today I ventured out into an actual Taco Bell retail location. This was one of those fancier, more advanced dual Taco Bell and Pizza Hut combos. As tempting as combining "Mexican" and "Italian" food sounds, I stuck to the TB side of the menu and ordered something called a "Big Box."

Even after the lady manning the register explained the combo a couple of times, I still wasn't sure what I ordered exactly. So I waited patiently an entire two minutes until my order was called.

I opened the box to discover three items: a Cool Ranch Doritos taco, a Nacho Cheese Doritos taco, and a burrito-like food thing.

Unsure of the contents of the third item, I poked and prodded to see what was inside. I could identify flecks of onion and small strands of cheese swimming in a flood of liquid beans (and meat, maybe?). After managing one bite, I chose to move on to the Doritos Locos Tacos.

The Cool Ranch taco sort of tasted like Cool Ranch Doritos chips mixed with a Mexican bean dip. Oh wait, that's basically what it was. The same could be said for the Nacho Cheese option. That's not to say they were horrible. They certainly lacked a certain quality, but at least they were edible. That's more than I can say for the burrito thing I dumped in the trash.

As a reward for getting through most of the Big Box, I ended with a churro, which was easily the most normal part of my meal.

So, did we learn any lessons from today's exercise in very non-local, fast food "food?" Yes. Avoid it if at all possible. It's just not worth it.

Also, enjoy the rest of April Fools' Day.

7 Signs of Spring in Albuquerque

2013-03-20T17:22:00.001-06:00

It's official, spring starts today. Even if the weather suggests otherwise, I'm gonna hold on to the fact that today marks the shift from cold, wintery days to warmer, brighter days ahead.

So to commemorate this occasion, I thought I'd give you guys a heads up on what to expect in the coming weeks and months. These are the signs that spring has sprung in Albuquerque...

Parks will be packed. Between dogs chasing frisbees, kids chasing each other, and LARP-loving folks fighting one another, Albuquerque's parks will be teeming with people burning off some energy and having fun in the sun. I had my own preview of the park scene last night at Hyder Park. It was my first time visiting Hyder but if last night was any indication of the kind of fun I can expect in the coming months, then I am stoked about spring and summer. Sage Harrington was playing her ukulele, The Supper Truck was serving up their Chicken and Waffles, and if the weather was just the tiniest bit warmer, it would've been a perfect evening. It was a tantalizing preview of what's to come.

People will take to the trails. Walkers, joggers, bicyclists and even riders on horseback will soon take to Albuquerque's trails. I'd say we're pretty lucky to have a pretty good trail system. I enjoy taking walks along the Rio Grande and if I owned a bicycle, I could see myself riding clear across town along the Paseo del Bosque trail.

The Bosque Fire Watch begins. It's sad but inevitable. Considering how dry it's been, I wouldn't be surprised if we have to deal with fire troubles again. Enjoy our beautiful bosque but be safe out there, folks. People's homes, businesses, and lives are at stake.

Parties on the patio. Whether it's a brewery or restaurant, patios will be the place to be as the evenings get warmer. My personal favorites are Marble Brewery and Kellys Brew Pub, but I need to try out places like The Grove and Bailey's on the Beach.

More markets in more places. Farmer's and Grower's Markets will soon resume their spring/summer schedules. Some markets are on a sporadic winter schedule right now, but soon they'll start up with more frequent dates. I plan to do a lot more cooking at home based on the produce I find at the markets in town.

Shirtless Don Schrader sightings will increase. As the temperatures rise, Don Schrader's wardrobe will inevitably diminish to nothing more than some sparse denim short shorts. Please, shield the eyes of your children and don't stare.

Food truck lines will start getting longer. It's been a rough winter for the burgeoning food truck scene with pipes cracking and lows temps and high winds keeping customers away. But the trucks have emerged from the harsh cold stronger and ready for the warmer months ahead. You might find yourself clamoring for some curbside cuisine among a crowd, but it's worth it. Look for them in parks, breweries, and special events all spring and summer long.

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Q: What other signals of spring do you look for in Albuquerque?

Expanding Horizons, Part 2

2013-03-18T10:58:00.000-06:00

We're a couple of weeks into the month of March, which means I'm about halfway done with my challenge to try out local businesses I've never been to.

When I started, I thought I would go to at least one, maybe two places per week. Two weeks in and I've already managed to cross nine places off my list. Five of them happened in just the last week, including...

Cecilia's Cafe in Nob Hill

Most of the time, I venture out on my own or with a good friend or two. On Sunday, I decided to take my entire family out for lunch. All six of us hopped in the car as I provided my dad directions to Nob Hill. None of us had ever been to Cecilia's but we were comforted by the fact that they've been featured on TV shows like "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" and others.

I ordered up a Sopapilla Burger that was alright if not a little too salty. Cecilia herself suggested I try it smothered instead. A little too late for that but there's always a next time. The dish I envied the most was my mother's carnitas. I may have to try that again. Or something smothered. I hear there are some differences between the Nob Hill and Downtown locations so I may have to head downtown for my next trip.

66 Diner

This place is a favorite of my friend Rebecca so I invited her along to join me for my inaugural visit. We started by splitting a plate of green chili cheese fries. I wish the chili had been a little hotter but it did well enough to hold us over until our plates arrived.

I went for the Chicken Fried Steak while Rebecca ordered a cheeseburger with queso on the side. (Side note: That also happens to be the exact same thing she ordered during our date night at Nob Hill Bar & Grill. I'm gonna have to help her expand her horizons in the future.)

The food was good, classic diner food. In fact, the whole place, inside and out, screams classic diner. I mean, just look at it.

Q Burger

This place has always captured my attention with its prominent placement on the corner of Central and 3rd, even in its other incarnations. It was not as big inside as I imagined yet it still felt pretty roomy. I met up with my friend Carlos and we took our seats at the bar. Our server was exceptionally helpful in making food and beverage selections. She convinced me to try the Mesquite Bison Burger with a side of green been fries.

I have a quick confession to make: I'm actually a pretty big fan of those fried green beans you can get at that one Friday's place. I know, I know. It's about as far from local as it gets but I enjoy their green bean fries.

These are better.

Way better. Don't believe me? Go try them for yourself.

There's one more thing for which I have to give Q Burger major props. All of their beer and wine, all of it, comes from within the state of New Mexico, including a ton of beer options from Marble Brewery right here in Albuquerque.

You're doing things right, Q Burger.

Blackbird Buvette

Moving a little further west on Central but staying downtown, I stopped by Blackbird Buvette for the first time. I can't give it the full review it deserves because I only had time to stop in for a minute, just long enough to start in on the Geeks Who Drink trivia and realize I was way out of my league.

But I liked the atmosphere and I really liked the little outdoor patio they've got hiding in the back. I had no idea it was there! I also hear their Sunday brunch is pretty awesome so I think that's when I'll plan my return to the Buvette.

Limonata

This is one of those places I promised I would try months and months ago but just never got around to it. Even though I often find myself in the Nob Hill area, I keep forgetting it's there. Maybe it's because Limonata doesn't sit right on Central, but rather on Silver just to the south in a little conclave of businesses called The Village.

When I visited, I had just left the gym and was looking for something refreshing. They say when in Rome, do as the Romans do. I say, when at Limonata, order the lemonade. That is some good stuff. I would use some more vulgar vocabulary but I'm trying to keep this blog at a G-rating. But seriously, it's good stuff.

The sandwich was no small contender either. It was crispy, crunchy, tasty and more flavorful than I expected from a turkey sandwich. I'm really glad I took the time to stop in. I know I'll be back.

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Make sure you get out and support this great local businesses. I hope I've inspired you to try a new place or two! If you missed Part 1, here it is.

Cecilia's Cafe in Nob Hill - Urbanspoon
66 Diner - 66diner.com
Q Burger - qburgerabq.com
Blackbird Buvette - blackbirdbuvette.com
Limonata Italian Street Food Caffe - Urbanspoon

Getting Crafty for Free Art Friday

2013-03-14T13:44:00.000-06:00

Sometimes you just need to roll up your sleeves and get a little crafty. That's what I did earlier today when I met up with Stephanie at I Scream Ice Cream on Carlisle. Stephanie runs the Facebook page for Free Art Friday Albuquerque.

For those who don't know, Free Art Friday happens in cities all over the country. On Fridays, artists offer up free art for the taking by placing it in public places around town, usually with a tag instructing passersby that they are welcome to take the artwork home.

I think it's a pretty awesome concept and even more awesome that Stephanie works to ensure new art goes out week after week. I'm sure it's no easy task but I certainly had a great time helping her out today. I'm sure it didn't hurt that were working from within easily the coolest ice cream shop in Albuquerque.

We worked on some green clovers that'll go out tomorrow and on St. Patrick's Day. Keep an eye out for them. If you see one, take it! That's the whole idea, right?

Be sure to give the page a like to keep updated on future art drops. Who knows? Maybe some of you will participate by creating your own art. I'd encourage it!

Expanding Horizons, Part 1

2013-03-08T17:01:00.000-07:00

If you'll remember, last week I challenged myself to start trying new places during the month of March. I set the bar pretty low at just one new place each week. In this first week alone, I've visited no fewer than four local businesses. Not a bad start if I do say so myself.

Church Street Cafe and San Pasqual's were the targeted locations of the most recent ABQ CashMob. My siblings all tagged along as we dined at one of Old Town's best known eateries and then did a little shopping next door at San Pasqual's. You can read more about it here.

Old Town Pizza Parlor is another Old Town gem that I'm ashamed I haven't been to until now. I made my way there on the Rapid Ride which dropped me off just across the street at Central and Rio Grande. I met some friends and we split a pie together. Pizza was great but the mac and cheese really knocked my socks off with little crunchy bits of bacon spread all throughout. I'll definitely be back for more.

Golden Crown Panaderia has long been on my list of places in town to try. It took the nudging of a blog reader to finally get my butt down there. Man, I wish I had gone sooner. I always worry that when too many people say so many nice things about one place that it's not going to live up. My worries were completely pushed aside as soon as I walked in and was handed a free cookie. And not just any free cookie. This was one of the best biscochitos I have ever eaten. To top it off, the toasted salami and provolone on a baguette really hit the spot for my lunchtime hunger. I can't wait to go back to try their empanadas and pizza options. And another biscochito, of course.

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So how about you guys? Have any of you taken the challenge? What new places have you tried this week? What places do you plan on trying for the first time?

Happy National Cereal Day!

2013-03-07T12:44:00.001-07:00

Happy National Cereal Day, folks! Come on, who doesn't love cereal? You can toss it in a bowl with milk or snack on it straight up whenever you get the hankering. Here in Albuquerque, a couple of local businesses give you the chance to add some cereal to their sweet treats.

At Rebel Donut, you can snack on yummy donuts topped with some of your favorite cereals, including Cocoa Pebbles and, my favorite, Fruity Pebbles. Stop in anytime to see which cereal-topped treats are available that day.

There's also Olo Yogurt Studio where you have a ton of mix-in options at your disposal, including a few cereal choices. Because a little crunch in your froyo goes a long way.

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So which cereal would you pick as an addition to these tasty treats?

ABQ CashMob #13 - Church Street Cafe and San Pasqual's

2013-03-04T13:35:00.000-07:00

The latest gathering of the ABQ CashMob went down over this past weekend. Over 40 people showed up in Old Town on Saturday to dine at Church Street Cafe before heading next door to San Pasqual's Furnishings and Home Decor.

Lunch at Church Street Cafe was a first for me. Old Town tends to attract the tourist types visiting New Mexico but that doesn't mean the locals can't enjoy a good meal here every now and then.

At my table alone, we had steak fajitas, a Navajo Taco, and an Old Town Turkey on marble rye.

The other nice thing about Church Street Cafe is that you can get a head start on your shopping as soon as you walk inside.

Of course, the main shopping event was happening next door at San Pasqual's where the mobbers sorted through their various home furnishings and other wares.

San Pasqual's has all sorts of items for the home. From home decor to furniture to kitchen items, and nearly everything has a little bit of that Albuquerque quirk to it.

There's just so much stuff to sort through that the best way to figure out what's there is to visit for yourself. Even with a mob rummaging through everything, there was still plenty of space for everyone as they picked out their day's purchases.

So next time you're in Old Town, make sure to take a stroll down Church Street and pay a visit to these two wonderfully New Mexican businesses.

AND, be sure to follow ABQ CashMob for info on future events!

A Challenge - Try Something New

2013-03-01T15:09:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite things about blogging in the field of local business is that I often hear about people who felt compelled to try a new business I shared or eat out at a local restaurant they've never been to. It's one of the best feelings when I help people discover new things and watch them break out of their shell of routine and safety.

It happened again just this week when a blog reader said they would be trying a new local restaurant after seeing pictures I shared. In response, I feel inspired to try something new myself. So for the month of March, I'll be challenging myself to try at least one new local business every week.

So whether I find a new place to shop, eat, or drink coffee, I'll share it with you guys every Friday in the month of March. Who knows? Maybe it'll extend even further than that but let's just see how March goes.

That means I expect some of you guys to join in as well. Do you wanna take the challenge? Try one new local business at least once a week. That's four businesses over the next four weeks. You can do that, right? Come on, it'll be fun.

If you're willing to accept the challenge, let me know in the comments below or head over to the Follow Eric Facebook page and share your experience.

All Aboard the Rail Runner! ABQ to Santa Fe, Part 4

2013-02-28T13:43:00.000-07:00

(This is the last one, I promise. So be sure you've caught up on parts 1, 2, and 3 first.)

Our day in Santa Fe was coming to a close. But there's no way I was going all the way up to Santa Fe by train and not stopping by the Flying Star Cafe. You guys know how much I love FSC. I've been to every Albuquerque location. Now I've scratched Santa Fe off my list. The only one left is the Bernalillo site.

We stopped in with just enough time for some coffee and dessert before our train was scheduled to leave the station.

It was the perfect way to cap off a day in Santa Fe. Of course, our day wasn't quite over. There was still the two-hour commute back southward to Albuquerque. Luckily, the Rail Runner is a very comfortable ride and so we were able to rest most of the way back.

I highly recommend you plan a day trip on the Rail Runner sometime. Check out their website for details on rates. There are quite a few opportunities for discounted rates and children under 9 are free. So grab the kids, take a friend, or just head out on your own. Stop by the Flying Star Cafe right across from the Santa Fe Depot or head down to the Plaza to eat. Either way, it's a fun little adventure and an affordable escape from the city limits.

Visit the Rail Runner's website at nmrailrunner.com.

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Now that I've shared my RR experience, how about you guys? Have you take then train to/from Santa Fe? Does this make you want to go if you haven't? Leave your comments below!

All Aboard the Rail Runner! ABQ to Santa Fe, Part 3 - The Roundhouse

2013-02-27T14:59:00.000-07:00

(Make sure you're caught up on Parts 1 and 2 first. Done? Alright, let's move on.)

After a hearty breakfast at La Cocina de Doña Clara, we worked our way toward the New Mexico State Capitol, home of our State Legislature, you know, where they make all the laws: The Roundhouse.

We worked our way from the plaza and up the steps to one of the entrances.

It's the only round capitol building in the United States, hence the name. At the center is the Rotunda which I've managed to capture in all its panoramic beauty.

We spent some time touring the different levels and watching the legislators in action. I use the term "in action" loosely here since in the hour we spent watching both the House and Senate from the galleries, we heard little more than various memorials and an ever-expanding list of special guests to be honored. At some point, I think the term "special" is lost when used to describe pretty much anyone and everyone in attendance.

That was pretty much all there was to see. Even if it wasn't the most exciting day at the Capitol, I still felt it was important to spend at least one day in Santa Fe during the legislative session. Oh, and then there's this picture of me and a buffalo head.

Yep. That's about it for the State Capitol. Stay tuned for the fourth and final part of my trip aboard the Rail Runner to Santa Fe.

All Aboard the Rail Runner! ABQ to Santa Fe, Part 2 - Breakfast

2013-02-26T10:23:00.001-07:00

(First of all, did you catch Part 1? OK, good. On to Part 2.)

After two comfortable hours riding the Rail Runner, we arrived at the Santa Fe Depot stop and stepped out into the cold and blowing snow. We headed out toward the Plaza, the wind whipping snow right into our faces.

I hadn't thought ahead to see what places we could grab breakfast but I figured there'd be plenty of options. We walked around until we ran into this sign beckoning us to come inside, out of the freezing cold and into the comfort of indoor heating.

Soon we were finding our seats at La Cocina de Doña Clara. Finding a seat wasn't too difficult. In fact, we were the only ones dining that morning. I'm guessing the morning rush happened before our 9 a.m. arrival.

I took a quick glance over the menu. It was typical New Mexican fare so I picked out a safe bet and ordered huevos rancheros.

I must've worked up a pretty good appetite with all the morning traveling because I cleaned off the plate down to the last bite. I also wanted to make sure I had plenty of fuel to keep me going because we still had more in the day's itinerary.

Next stop: The Roundhouse.

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All Aboard the Rail Runner! ABQ to Santa Fe, Part 1

2013-02-25T13:26:00.003-07:00

Over the weekend I had a chance to take a trip out to Santa Fe. I've been out to SF plenty of times before but this was my first time traveling by train. And not just any train -- I took the New Mexico Rail Runner Express.

The Rail Runner has been around since 2006 and is New Mexico's first commuter rail service. The nearly 100 miles of track cross through Valencia, Bernalillo, Sandoval and Santa Fe counties. But for most people in Albuquerque, the Rail Runner means a new way to travel to and from Santa Fe.

That's just what I did on a Friday morning. I took the 7 a.m. train headed northbound for my two-hour ride to Santa Fe.

If I had done my homework, I would've known there would be free Wi-Fi available on board and I might have taken along my laptop. If I had known there would be easy-access outlets, I would've taken my phone charger. But instead, I ended up passing the time working on the crossword from the Weekly Alibi.

The ride is quite comfortable and truly enjoyable. I recommend it to anyone looking to make a quick getaway for the day. Even though it takes about twice as long as driving yourself, you get to enjoy the commute. And if you think ahead, you can make it a productive commute by bringing along a laptop or some reading material.

Over the course of the two hours, I noticed the weather shifting from clear skies to light specks and by the time we arrived in Santa Fe, we had to walk through blowing snow whipping right into our faces.

It was quite the welcome but we took it in stride as we headed out in search of breakfast...

And that'll be the next post. Look for it soon.

Around ABQ - The Oasis Birthday Party

2013-02-21T12:19:00.002-07:00

I'll take any excuse for a good party. Last night, 103.7 The Oasis threw a party to celebrate their first year on air. Being a fan of smooth jazz and good parties, I decided to join the party at Hotel Andaluz downtown.

But first, I made a quick stop at Dressed To Kill Clothier next door on Copper. I stopped in to grab an extra entry form for a chance to win door prizes at the party but it was also a good excuse to check out the shop.

I've got to promise myself to come back to this place once I'm down to my goal weight so I can replenish my wardrobe. If/when I do, I'll be sure to share it on the blog.

On to the party...

I've never been to the Hotel Andaluz but the little that I saw while there was pretty impressive. I'll have to come back for a visit to Lucia, their in-house eatery. I mean, they received a Four Diamond Award from AAA so they've got some chops, right? Maybe I'll include them on a future date night.

Of course, the best part about a party thrown by the best jazz station in town is the music. Oh, and there was cake from Le Chantilly!

So help me in wishing a Happy Birthday to The Oasis. Here's to another year of great jazz in Albuquerque!

Bottoms Up at Tia Betty Blue's

2013-02-19T14:46:00.000-07:00

When it comes to soda options, there's only one option for me. I'm a Diet Dr. Pepper fan all the way. If it's available at a restaurant, that's what I'm going to choose, guaranteed.

But while dining at Tia Betty Blue's today, I decided to live a little on the edge.

You see, TBB has got one of the largest selections of various pop flavors, ranging from your expected cream and fruit options to some far more adventurous choices.

Today I decided to go way out of my comfort zone and try a Peanut Butter & Jelly flavored soda.

Would you try a PB&J soda?

I had really high hopes for this drink choice. I'm not sure what I was thinking. It tasted just like an over-sweetened, liquified, carbonated PB&J sandwich. But the only way to find out if you like something is to try it, right?

To wash out the sweet and nutty aftertaste, I picked out a second soda. This time I chose a considerably more conservative choice by plucking out a guava-flavored soda from the fruit drink section.

Made in Australia. That explains the kangaroo.

This one went down much smoother. It wasn't too sweet, despite having real cane sugar, which was a welcome surprise.

Lesson learned: Don't be afraid to try anything at least once. You can always chase it down with something better.

Sweet Tooth - Rebel Donut's Chocolate Potato Chip Donut

2013-02-15T19:51:00.002-07:00

Q: Would you be willing to try a Chocolate Potato Chip Donut?

I recently found myself pondering this question when visiting the new Rebel Donut on the west side of Albuquerque.

Rebel Donut has built a reputation on pushing the envelope and coming up with unique donut creations for Albuquerqueans to enjoy. I've enjoyed their doughy deliciousness from their location on Wyoming plenty of times but now they've opened up a new shop at Coors just north of Paseo del Norte.

For my inaugural visit, I chose to take a chance on the Chocolate Potato Chip Donut. It was good, although I expected a little higher salt to sweet ratio. I'm a big fan of salty/sweet combos so I was hoping for a little more yin-yang balance. Still, it was a darn good donut and I'd try any of their creations at least once.

Check them out online: rebeldonut.com

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So what about you? Would you try a Chocolate Potato Chip Donut? Have you ever tried one?