Blake’s Lotaburger

I like blakes a lot, but this is my favorite blakes. Everyone is always super nice, the employees sing and seem genuinely happy, and have consistently been the most consistent. Never an order wrong, never rude, never attitude. I love it. It’s exactly what I need when I’m too exhausted to cook or deal with people.

It was a dark and rainy night. The kind that makes you want to do weird things like chase cats in the dark, or hunt for werewolves on Albuquerque side streets, or head off to Lota Burger on Washington near Menaul for an impromptu diet Pepsi with just a little ice. So, there I was, with the driver side of my window down, thinking that it would produce that romantic, rained out look, listening to some old, washed out version of der Kommissar by Falco cranked up high, remembering days of old when rain reminded me of living in Paris, France and wondering where all my youthful enthusiasm went. As I turned into the Lota Burger parking lot, I noticed a few cars that I assumed were cars of the employees that made it look like the lot was full and business was teaming at the burger joint. The rain died down enough for me to make a mad dash to the counter and I promptly ordered a large diet Pepsi as I envisioned myself slurping down large gulps of the drink while I traveled down Memory Lane on my way home.
I noticed the worker, a woman by the name of Linda, produce the drink so fast that I wondered if she was one of the famed Indian skin walkers that distinguished themselves from the mere werewolves of yore. Something about the way she exclaimed «Oh, here!» after glancing to her left and to her right before sliding a tall cup of diet Pepsi my way. I remember uttering «Wow, that was fast» under my breath as I made my way back to my car and proceeded on down the street with cup in hand and Madonna screaming «Like A Virgin» down the block. I also noticed that my cup felt bottom heavy and also noticed how quickly the soda became nothing but ice after taking five short sips of my diet soda. So, for another block, I weighed the decision of either stopping off at a convenience store, pulling up to Sonic, or calling Lota Burger up and requesting a quick refill — I would pay. I opted for the latter and the woman, Linda, identified herself as a manager of the store. I told her that it didn’t take more than five short sips of my diet Pepsi before I hit dead ice and she informed me that it was just the way they made their drinks. I also told her that I wondered if the drink was already pre-​made and that I didn’t see her making the drink while I was there. Linda got very condescending and even identified «…the one one who stopped by and paid $ 20.00 for a diet Pepsi?» I’m sorry; but when is paying twenty dollars a crime for a large cup of diet Pepsi. The drink cost me two dollars and she kept the change. This was at the end of the day (I believe they close at 9 pm). I would be happy if a long-​term customer stopped off at my store and paid two dollars for a diet soda. She told me to return and she would replace the soda before hanging up on me with a snarky attitude.
I turned my car around and headed back to the burger joint. I walked up to the counter and Linda begin laughing her crazy head off and said: «That’s how much ice we put in the sodas!» before throwing her head back again and sarcastically sniveling while I showed her how much ice was packed into my cup (with less than two inches of space from the top, mind you). I was not impressed nor amused. She quickly and forcefully emptied some ice out of the container and said «Here, I’ll refill it for you» all the while smiling very weirdly at me (Overkill…with an emphasis on KILL, if you ask me) as she took a cup, filled it with ice and diet soda. The cup had diet soda swimming down it’s sides and the lid was filled with brown soda as she had taken the same lid that I had returned and slapped that on top of the new cup she had given me. By this time, I noticed that what I thought was a weird customer service smile had turned into a very mean, sarcastic and condescending smile when I thanked her for the exchange. I noticed that she was mimicking the way I said «thank you» and was following up my every move with a mime of me conjured up from hell knows where! I told her that I felt that she was being very condescending to me and that I did not appreciate she standing there looking at me and mimicking me … and the woman stood there and smiled that sick smile and mimicked me again! I told her that I was going to video tape her so that I could let her manager know how condescending she was being toward me as I walked off and I heard her say «Oh, shut up» as I walked away from the counter. WOW! I was completely freaked out by the woman’s behavior! Against my better judgement, I walked back to the counter and told her that I heard her tell me to shut up and that I was reporting her to the corporate offices the next business day and she challenged me by saying «Go ahead. I don’t care!» I was beside myself. I felt helpless and upset and disgusted and freaked out all at once! As I left, she begin to say «You’re crazy. You’re funny,» again, with the utmost condescending manner (and that wicked smile). I tried reasoning with the woman’s emotions and decided it was all she knew.

Dry meat patty, greasy yucky fries and too crispy chicken tenders.
Sorry New Mexico, but I had your «local» stuff and I think my money would have been better spent at Wendy’s.
Nice people but slow service, drive to and walk up window. Picnic tables.

Food was alright, but the employees were just not getting it and we had to repeat our order 3 or 4 times for each burger, and they still got it wrong. Very slow service, and coke was flat. Overall, I won’t be back.

Have to agree with joe l. And if you are ever in another country for a long time and cant get any green chile shipped to you… Well you have Dreams of these burgers at night. you really do. This small location has a place in my heart and high school memories. And the billards palace is right next door, if you need to shoot a game of pool.

Great New Mexico based burger chain. Burgers great, even better with green chili. A must stop on my trips to Albuquerque. Chocolate shake is great too