First off let me just say I lived in Albuquerque for over 30 years and this was one of my favorite restaurants. When I moved back to town after a 7 year hiatus, I asked around about Charlie's and whether it was still around. I was told it was but the quality had plummeted. I refused to believe it. The owner would never allow that to happen, although I figured he was getting on in age now. Anyway, on my 61st birthday my sister's asked to take me to dinner. I suggested Charlie's Back Door despite my misgivings dreaming in my head about the savory meal I was going to digest. "Carnitas with green chile".

The moment we arrived I noticed the place hadn't changed it's ambiance and I secretly hoped the food hadn't changed either. We sat and ordered drinks to get the meal going and were greeted by a sully waitress who didn't smile or congratulate me on my birthday.

The drinks were the same as I remembered; a Manhattan On The Rocks came to me in the expected fashion with a glass of ice and a small pitcher of the elixir. I was happy.

We ordered from the same waitress who hadn't changed her attitude. My "Carnitas" and my sisters orders of a "Sour Cream Enchiladas" plate while the other had the "Steak Asada". We waited a short time and we were presented with our meal.

I couldn't believe it! My "Carnitas" were either over-cooked and hard or smushy. My sister with the "Sour Cream Enchiladas" commented they were not very tasty. The other sister found to her astonishment that her "Steak Asada" was cover with a slice of half melted American cheese. When she asked the waitress why, she only received a sullen look and an explanation of "That's the way we serve our dishes".

I asked if the old man Charlie still ran the place and was told his Son had taken over. That explained it all. We proceeded to leave without finishing any of our meals and the waitress commented that the Son was not there but could be reached by phone the next day if we had any complaints. On the way through the little alleyway heading to parking off Menaul we happened to pass the kitchen with an open door. I remarked that "You guys need to learn how to cook". Later as we were getting in our cars, one of the cooks came out and stood by the entrance in a threatening manner and told us not to come back.

I won't...

Too bad because I know if the Old Man Charlie knew what his Son had done to his recipes it would break his heart. But he probably doesn't eat their either.

A Long Time Customer