Albuquerque chefs behind award-winning BBQ, French toast and sandwiches share signature recipes
Updated: 7:53 AM MDT Jul 10, 2026
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Mighty Mike’s Meats has been delighting Albuquerque residents for eight years with dishes like brisket, pork belly mac and cheese, and pulled pork sandwiches, earning accolades such as Best Food Truck, Top 5 BBQ Spots, and Edible’s Local Hero. "I really hope people take away the love that I put into this food and the joy that I get from feeding their family," Mike said. Mike, a self-taught pit boss, starts his rib preparation by trimming the meat, seasoning it with a mix of equal parts garlic, kosher salt, and café pepper, and smoking it over coals.
V-M Coffee, a downtown Albuquerque staple for seven years, is known for its unique flavors crafted by Chef Yolanda Torres, who blends her New Mexican roots with training from New York and New Orleans. Her culinary creations have earned her several awards. "There’s a whole world out there, and I think I get to take you on a journey without having to travel," Torres said. Torres shared her recipe for one of the café’s best sellers, blackberry cheesecake French toast. The dish begins with challah bread dipped in batter, cooked, and topped with fresh blackberries, edible flowers, blackberry puree, and organic maple syrup. The result is a flavorful combination that keeps diners coming back for more. From blackberry cheesecake to crème brulée and carrot cake, Torres continues to surprise customers with new French toast flavors.
Relish, a sandwich shop in northeast Albuquerque, offers globally inspired sandwiches like the Cubano Especial and Albuquerque Turkey, both featuring their award-winning chipotle mayo. Vincent, a chef at Relish, demonstrated how to make the chipotle mayo by blending peppers, garlic, and cilantro until smooth and mixing it with mayonnaise. The Cubano Especial is made with Swiss cheese, chopped pickles, chipotle mayo, sliced tomatoes, and steamed meats, all pressed between warm sourdough bread.
