The Shop

We like this place. It’s unpretentious, the food is pretty good. So’s the price. But… Sometimes the service can be annoying. Also, the last two times we visited for Sunday brunch — they were out of eggs and salad greens, knocking out 80% of their menu. It’s also a bit slow. There are some management and training things that need to get fixed, but worth coming back to see.

I’ve given this place two shots and was still disappointed. The food is so good but it’s not worth going here. The first time I went here I asked for my eggs to be over hard instead of poached. Even after returning them after they first brought out my food they were still runny, and the server seemed irritated with me. The second time I went here they brought out my food but not my husband’s. About 20 – 30 minutes go by and still no food. Loads of people who arrived after us got their food. Finally I asked about it. Somehow the cook missed my husband’s dish on the ticket. How do you miss an entire dish? It wasn’t even busy. The service is a weird business model. Who do I tip? Our table was dirty when we sat down and no one refills drinks. It’s DIY, so why would I tip? Good service would have been the waitress checking on our order after numerous times walking by and seeing no food in front of my husband. Good food, but the place needs better structure.

I am a big fan of restaurants celebrating the bounty of NM produce and meats. Over the past several years, we have witnessed a revival of spaces that celebrate local ingredients, and local art. The Shop is also committed to this spirit, which by itself earns it a star or two in my book.
So then why only a 3-​star overall review?
Well, two reasons. First, I found the service to be somewhat cold and impersonal– not really a ‘Burque thing usually! While everything was perfectly efficient, it was completely devoid of any warmth.
Second, the food. Good food can mitigate a lot of other flaws– including poor customer service. However, the food here was mediocre at best. I had the falafel. The best part of the dish was the side salad. The greens were clearly fresh, local, and delicious. However, the falafel itself was quite dry. More glaringly, the «eggplant yogurt sauce» promised on the menu was nowhere to be found on that sandwich. Instead, it was full of goat cheese, which was just not a good substitute, and created all sorts of flavor clashes!
The Shop– local ingredients with a decidedly non-​local attitude. Eh, maybe I will have better luck next time.

First of all, I loved the menu, everything on it looked unique, conforting, but there wasn’t so much that I was overwhelmed.
I got the Biscuits and Chorizo Gravy. Oh heavenly. That gravy was so perfect. A blend of creaminess with that spicy chile flavor all served up with two perfectly poached eggs on top. The biscuits were fresh and had the perfect texture to scoop up all that deliciousness. It was so rich that I wish I had someone to split this with because all at once was quite a task to finish.
Their small patio isn’t in an ideal location since your view is a parking lot but it was nice to have a place to sit where I could bring my dogs with me. The waitress brought out some water for them which is always appreciated. I had some Earl Grey tea with my breakfast and it was a lovely morning.

We went here twice. Both times were before their closing hours. Please note that if they run out of food, they close up shop. The first time we went at 1pm. They were already closed and mopping because they ran out of food. The second time when we went, most of the items in their menu was out. I understand their kitchen is quite small and they can’t store much, but it really is inconvenient pack up a toddler and to drive all the way there and not have a pleasurable experience. Food was honestly okay. Both times, the place smelled like feet. Hopefully it’s not because of the dirty mop not being cleaned thoroughly. Haven’t returned since then and nothing has really given us a reason to go back. No feedback from other friends that suggest I should give it another try.

I really enjoyed the food here on the rare occasion that it is available. They are constantly out of things and today I was handed a menu that had all but four items crossed out on it. I was then informed that they where out of eggs, leaving only one thing remaining on the menu. A breakfast and lunch place without eggs? Strange.

By far the best breakfast in town!!! Great options with a slight twist that makes their dishes taste amazing!!! Service is always exceptional!!! And another plus is they serve Iconik Coffee!!! Stop in and give them a try.

The Carrot pancakes are filling, not to sweet, but you can add as much maple syrup and cream cheese icing as desired. The look of the place from the street may turn some off, but inside you are welcomed but delicious smells and an intriguing menu. You better come early though as they sell out quickly on their popular items! My college age kids tried the Cuban sandwich and the duck hash. Both very good. Conversation among the workers was on topic with current popular entertainment. They even engaged my 20 something children!

Great little hipster place located in Nob Hill. Only had a few minutes before meeting friends at the theater, so I ordered the huevos rancheros. They were excellent despite having run out of black beans. The double potatoes were excellent despite blowing my carb allotment. The over easy eggs were cooked perfectly and everything was complimented by the excellent red chile sauce. I will definitely return.

Located in the midst of Nob Hill, this little Shop (no pun intended. maybe) is a gem!
The first thing I noticed about this place was how comfortable the atmosphere was — the interior of the restaurant wasn’t too overwhelming as most of the interior was black w/​a hint of bright green. The worker there was really helpful & friendly w/​helping my friend & I decide what to get (although, we didn’t take her recommendations, the food was still good). The prices for what you get were quite reasonable & the food was beautifully displayed!
Overall, I would definitely recommend this place — always supporting local businesses!

I really had higher hopes for this place, especially seeing all of the great reviews on it, but my experience was not a good one. I was bothered by two things mostly. The first, had to do with the poor customer service experienced when we went to order. I was being a bit indecisive with the menu (they do have a nice of array of brunch options!) and the cashier was quite sassy about it. Now I understand being in a hurry or busy and how annoying it would be if someone can’t decide what to order, but this place was literally dead. When I asked her if the corn meal pancakes were gluten free, she laughed in my face and said «pancakes are never gluten free». The next incident with this cashier occurred when I asked for a glass for my drink, and she handed me a dirty glass. Then, when I said «hey I’m sorry can I get a different one, this is dirty?» She scoffed and resentfully handed me a different one.
The second issue I had may seem minor and not as big of a deal, but it really bothered me. As we were finishing up our meal they would try to pick up our plates instantly. I was done first but still kind of picking at my food, and a girl bussing tables just really wanted me plate back I guess. It was the strangest thing, as soon as someone laid a fork down they wanted to bus the table. And again, I would understand this if they were busy or were trying to turn the table, but this was not the case. Instead we just felt rushed and uncomfortable.
Lastly, I will leave one nice thing. The food was good. It came out hot and well cooked. They really do a good job preparing it and the dishes are very well plated. I would probably give the food 4 stars, but my awkward customer experience here is the reason for only 2.

Well I came here because of the reviews on Unilocal.I ordered the French toast
Bacon & eggs with mushrooms and a Mexican mocha.
The Mocha was flavorless minus the chili pepper that you could taste.
Eggs were fine bacon normal
FRENCH toast extremely salty. Like salt had accidentally fallen from a shelf into the frying pan while cooking it. I tried to like it because it was so beautiful. Excellent presentation .
Luckily the cashier was very friendly and considerate he never asked me if I liked my food but when I mentioned it was too salty he did offer to remake it or make me something else which I greatly appreciated. That’s good business !
I ordered the carrot pancakes and they were excellent but were missing the cream cheese frosting mentioned on the menu.
The people were nice. The entire meal costed me $ 22.50

Food was delicious but the service was not good. In a Sunday morning (11am) we had to wait 30 minutes after ordering to have out food. Then the waiter confused the plates and gave mine to my friend.
I wouldn’t recommend to go if you’re in a hurry (meaning 1 hour lunch or less).

My boyfriend and I had the carne adovada sandwich with the side salad and the duck confit sandwich with the chips to share. The carne adovada sandwich was great, the meat was juicy and flavorful. This sandwich has a kick of spicy to it, which I loved! The avocado and cabbage also contributed nicely to the sandwich. The duck confit sandwich was good, it had a milder flavor than the carne sandwich. The duck was slow cooked and tender! Both sandwiches are yummy and I would recommend either sandwich!
Service was great! We came in 10 minutes before closing and they took care of us.
There’s a small lot for parking, which was pretty empty when I came towards the end of lunch time.

A friend recommended The Shop for brunch but warned to go early since they sometimes run out of stuff. Unfortunately, he was right and ⁴⁄₅ people in my party had to modify their order. Kind of annoying but the staff were great about suggestions and substitutions. (I do wish they crossed off what they were out of on the board to make it easier to order)
The food we did get was pretty amazing. Lots of flavor and good presentation. The portions were also on the generous side so that is always a plus.
So, overall, a solid meal. We’ll certainly come back, though maybe a bit earlier next time.

Interesting, unfinished floors, with an industrial vibe which I’m wondering if intentional… neon green seems to be the theme, and I can get down with that.
A happy friendly young man greeted us, pointed out the detailed menu and the two items they were out of, and let us have at it. I was grateful that unlike in other reviews, there were only two items they were without, one being a beet salad, yeck lol, no way I was ordering that anyways. :P
We got the biscuits and chorizo gravy, which was recommended by a girl at Nosh who said, and I quote «the biscuits and gravy will change your life!» Soft biscuits with sliced avocado and poached eggs atop, then smothered with the chorizo gravy and red chile. Wow! An abundance of flavor — slightly spicy thanks to the chorizo and red chile, smooth and creamy with the avocado, and a hint of cilantro. The biscuits and eggs were cooked to perfection! I have to agree with the lass at Nosh… My life was certainly altered at least slightly after my first bite of those decadent Biscuits and Gravy.
We also tried the French toast, which was topped with powdered sugar and surrounded by blackberries and raspberries. The maple syrup was tasty, the berries were a nice addition, and the center of the french toast was soft and yummy. The thing I didn’t like was the crispy sides (I believe the bread used for the french toast was a very authentic and tough bread, and for me the sides were a bit too stiff… but I may just be one of those who prefer a softer french toast) — still, when all things considered, I liked it, but I wouldn’t order it again. I probably would try the chicken and waffles in the future though… if you haven’t checked out those photos, give ‘em a looksie and try to keep your drooling to a minimum ;)

Wasn’t sure how this would go. Saw some of my friends liked it and others didn’t. We’re not down in the Nob Hill area usually for breakfast, but this time we were and I’ve got to say I was really pleased. Yes, it’s a little hipster, but I can get over that easily by bribing me with some french toast.
I plan on bringing out of town guests here, to wait in line, find a little beat up looking table and eat some great breakfast. My husband got the chorizo biscuits and gravy. They were so yummy. Perfectly seasoned and runny eggs, spicy, saucy and goodness. I am super partial to french toast. I’ve got a waffle maker at home, I can whip up some pancakes, but the french toast is really all about the bread, and I never seem to be able to nail that, so I like to have some good french toast when I go out. I really enjoyed this dish and it had some nice fresh fruit, butter, syrup the usual. But tasty and I even took home a slice for later.
I also got a side of two eggs. Scrambled. Man were they delicious! I don’t know why, but they were really really good. I thought, yea scrambled, easy. No flair, no fanciness. Oh no, I can’t even tell you the flavor they had. I’m not sure how they do it. But I want more as I write this and it’s 3pm.
Would have liked the option of some decaf coffee. Only the full-​leaded variety served.

This new addition to Nob Hill’s culinary scene has been received with open arms. I never thought there would be a place that could replace the Chocolate Café (previous restaurant at The Shop’s location), but I have been continually impressed by each experience I’ve had do far!
Their breakfast spread is beyond impressive, the biscuits with Chorizo gravy is a must try if you get there in time (often sells out!). They always have a great roast for those coffee lovers out there. My girlfriend and I just split the chicken fried and the duck confit sandwiches, absolutely mouth watering, incredible flavor served with a side of home made paper thin potatoe chips that melt in your mouth!

Now that The Shop’s been humming along for a few months, I think we can at least reconsider the long-​running theory concerning why business after business in this triangle mall fails: location. Chocolate havens, comic book bastions, a beach-​themed restaurant (which was awesome, so sorry to see you go, Bailey’s), so many great places have gone ashes-​to-​dust. Judging from my last two visits to The Shop, I’m wondering otherwise. Here’s a thought: give the college students what they want, and they will indeed come. In droves.
We tried to eat at this place one Sunday around noon. The girl at the register grabbed a menu and circled, in red marker, all of the stuff they’d run out of. Two-​thirds of the offerings were off limits. «We didn’t expect… this» she gestured, peering out at a completely packed dining room. Neither did I. Front to back, every table filled. We decided to hit up Amore next door, which was unfortunately closed.
We returned on Tuesday and found bliss. Two meals for each sammie (these are baguettes, solid, with plenty between the buns), the Cuban was eh, pretty good, the carne adovada torta exceptional. No wonder this place is a huge hit for students. I can’t wait to try the breakfast options. Service is counter-​side, you order and they bring ‘em. Here’s a tip headache, for sure: do you tip? How much? I totally wanted to tip ‘em but they’re not, you know, waiting on you. Should you tip? I dunno. Especially when half the menu isn’t available. So whatever. This place is really awesome, the food delivers big time. Artisan. Fun. Popping with energy.

I stopped by The Shop hopeful to find a new lunch favorite, based on the previous reviews. The space is cool, feeling freshly repurposed and hip. Given the location right next to UNM, I was slightly concerned that they would be busy at the lunch hour, but that fear was quickly consoled as I realized that I was the only customer at 11:30.
First, the menu is limited. A respectable breakfast/​brunch spread is offered, but the lunch options are limited to sandwiches and a few salads — no entrees, which was a bit surprising. I shelled out $ 12 for the Chicken Brick sandwich accompanied by salad greens and a blue corn cookie — this was not a surprise, as other Unilocalers have previously noted the price point. I opted for water, and appreciated that they offered cucumber-​infused water in addition to regular.
I waited a few minutes and the sandwich emerged. Always one to tackle the salad first, I at once noticed the delicious flavor of the dressing (house lemon parsley, I believe) and the peculiarly small portion size. Next, the sandwich: the chicken itself was tasty and well-​cooked, albeit greasy; the sandwich toppings were yummy but the bread itself — a hoagie-​style bun — was tough and gave me the sense that some other bread company had baked it a day or two earlier. It appears that the same dressing used on the salad had also dressed the sandwich — a clever move, because that dressing is a winner.
The sandwich and salad was alright, pretty good, but nothing spectacular. The price for a lunch at The Shop competes with local favorites like The Grove, but the flavor, presentation, and overall experience was not enough to woo me from my addiction to the East Downtown eatery.
Before this review sounds too negative, let me emphasize the high points of my visit: the space is peaceful and includes free wifi, perfect to have a working lunch and get something accomplished. Or just relax, if that’s what you’re into. The outdoor seating is gated and has dog bowls — that’s always cool. I tried their Blue Corn Cookie, which needs to be capitalized because it’s fantastic. If it was less than $ 1.50, I would return every day and eat that cookie. I would buy all of them and have a private collection in my home. For now, I’ll settle for the occasional indulgence — and you should definitely give it a shot for yourself, if you find yourself in The Shop.