Down N Dirty Seafood Boil
6100 4th St NW, Albuquerque, NM, 87107
Down N Dirty Seafood Boil Menu
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Address :
6100 4th St NW
Albuquerque, NM, 87107 - Phone (505) 345-0595
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Garage, Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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Maria G.
I can't say we enjoyed the seafood here. The high price is one thing butler boil (shrimp, crab legs, potato, corn, and sausage) was drenched in butter before brought table side. I enjoy button on my corn and potatoes but butter on sausage? This place could do themselves a favor and leave the butter off. Fresh seafood shouldn't need to have the flavor covered up.
(2)Mike O.
At first I had the idea in my head that this place might be similar to Steamworks up in Durango, CO.....sadly I was wrong. No alcohol....ugh. Well I figured the food would be amazing and after ordering the separate items to have boiled up I was presented with a plastic bag on my table. The interior of this place is similar to a Long John Silvers which I can understand with all the mess of seafood going on but I was hoping the food would stand out and it wasn't really anything amazing. For a seafood place in Albuquerque its just alright but anywhere near an ocean this place would not last. Its a fun change of pace for someone looking to try something new.
(3)Stephanie N.
Yuuuuuumm!! So happy I found this place. They remind me of Boiling Crab in California. They bag your choice of seafood in your choice of flavored butter. The flavors they have are garlic butter, lemon butter, Cajun, & down n dirty. I recommend the down n dirty. Med or hot since mild was really mild & wasn't spicy at all. They do have fried options to choose from. My husband & kids enjoyed the fried options but I prefer the bagged w/ the yummy butter sauces. Make sure you add some corn & sausages in the bags if you do. The corn was so good drenched in that down n dirty sauce. Great service & overall a clean place. You can see how shiny the floors are in one of the pictures I posted. No lines & no wait. It was actually pretty empty. I'm sure that won't last long once more people find out about this place.
(5)Amanda M.
Our stomachs hurt. Over priced , no wonder this place is making money . Employ teenagers and charge ridiculous prices for seafood that grossed us out ten minutes into eating it . The down and dirty sauce (medium) was decent I guess .. Small crabs with tiny legs and I have to pay for the weight of the whole crab with no meat ? Come on . And I personally don't feel like cutting up whole potatoes and wieners in addition to spending time cracking open the sea creatures -just so I can get a little bit of meat. They could at least cut that other stuff . All in all for the price and overall yuck factor and lame atmosphere , which seemed cheap and literally disposable ..theres no way I'd come back here. especially since I'm writing this review from my bathroom and can't get that taste out of my mouth . One thing for sure , don't go here on a first date you're evening will probably be cut short . Maybe this "style" of sloppy half assed dining and food is cool in another city , but I'll pass .
(2)Michael M.
This place is definitely a first for Albuquerque as far as I can remember, but it is AMAZING. We all had different kinds of crab legs and different flavors. All of these were great; there was no complaints about the food. The colossal King crab legs where HUGE the size of a small child's arm lol, but they were great. The down and dirty medium sauce was the favorite for sure. The no plates thing is ok kind of messy but totally worth it when you taste the food. The big downfall is the size of the restaurant and how close to one another you sit. So you could catch a crab leg or two from another table. The only reason this place did not get a 5 was the service, though the server was polite for the most part she was never there. We had to wait 15 minutes for lemon slices and an extra bucket. We had to wait for refills but, all of that can be fixed and will definitely be visiting this great restaurant again!
(4)Funnyfox C.
3 of us went in. We ordered 2lbs of shrimp since we couldn't agree with who spends what on what and didn't want to eat so much. Then we ordered soft shell crab to split since I've never had it. Perhaps shrimp is not the best to order in a boil, but they were pretty waterlogged and tasteless. The soft shell crab was interesting but I'd also like a little more flavor in the batter. I'll give it another chance, but not too impressed.
(3)merilyn w.
The husband and I just left the restaurant. cannot believe how good everything is. We ordered the crawfish, crab claws, potatoes, corn, sausage and 2 orders of bread, you'll want it to pick up the amazing sauce. We picked the down n dirty medium, it was perfect for everything we ordered. The wait staff was friendly, helpful and attentive. You will want to go and try this great place for yourself! and don't wear good clothes they will just get full sauce.
(4)Ashley P.
The ONLY reason this place doesn't get 5 stars is because of the service. This joint is small, and a first of it's kind for Albuquerque (as far as I know). The food is absolutely amazing for seafood in Albuquerque- really. It's delicious, filling, and cooked absolutely perfectly. Be careful on your portions, a pound is way more than it sounds like, trust me. There were 2 of us and we shared 3 pounds of snow crab legs and a pound of shrimp. The shrimp DOES have the head on it- if you've never dealt with that, may I suggest finding a youtube video to learn beforehand because your waitress is not going to show you what to do. The service here is so abysmal, we wouldn't go back if it weren't for the food. There are more than enough waitresses to be able to handle the tables available, but each time we've been here we've had to wait excessively long for everything from silverware, refills, our food, to the check. I recommend the down n dirty sauce in medium- it's spicy but not so spicy you want to die. If you're into seafood and can handle polite but disorganized waitstaff, definitely visit this place. It's worth the nonsense to eat something so delicious- and unable to be found elsewhere locally.
(4)J-Shawna A.
Sooooo yummy. So glad my friend told me about this place. Fresh seafood. I would always have to go to the casino for seafood. I ordered snow crap and mussels with corn and potatoes and the med down n dirty sauce I was in heaven. Highly recommend this place if you haven't eaten here. Very clean very nice staff and great food.
(5)Samuel M.
The food was AWESOME! Menu is simple and I had the down n dirty (medium) flavor and it had me sweating but it was because the food was so good. My wife and I both had crab legs she had down n dirty (mild) flavor. I had king crab with sausage and she had snow crab with potatoes and each order is by the pound (lb.). We ordered fried clams and fries and could not finish the clams because too much crab. Be ready to get dirty no plates because comes in a bag that you eat from (down-n-dirty). The only problem we had was the sign to the restaurant was not on? So we missed it when we first drove by but when we were done and leaving it was on! Right next to the UPS Store so don't miss it! Small place so may have to wait if it is too crowded :( We are coming back with more family (kids) they love crab legs!! May need to have place like McD's/Wendy's where you serve yourself your drinks because one can of lemonade is not enough so ordered water but would have like more lemonade? Nice little place I expect this to grow in the future.... Thank you!
(4)Air S.
Food was much better than the decor. The seasoned french fries were good and serving size more than adequate. The shrimp were good but too heavily battered in my opinion. Go early to avoid a waiting line.
(4)Chris C.
A great addition for seafood in Albuquerque. No cheddar biscuits but didn't miss them. Got the seafood boil with shrimp, blue crab, potatoes and corn with the medium spiced down and dirty sauce. Very tasty and a lot of fun to eat, messy and juicy. I would pass on the blue crab and maybe go with the clams or scallops next time. The shrimp is a must. My wife also tried the fried shrimp basket. The shrimp had a nice delicate crust, pretty large also. Fries were so-so. This would be a great night out for a large group or entire family. Must go.
(4)Jared R.
Best Cajun seafood i have ever had including either coast and most of the gulf. Great service. May have to wait to be seated but is well worth the wait. Tried the crawfish, scallops, clams, fries, and the blue crab. (Note: blue crab is small and I don't think that all the work put into deshelling them is worth it) all of it was Cajun style. Hope to go back as soon as I get the chance.
(5)Bilal K.
Nice
(4)Fred T.
Wow, this place is great! I used to go to a similar place in Orlando (Florida, not Bloom) and I really missed it. I'm SO glad I found this place. The way it works is you decide what kind of seafood you want, shrimp, crab, etc. then you choose a sauce and a hotness level. I had the shrimp, which is what I mostly got in Orlando, and loved it. I also got an andouille sausage which was good, though I wish they sliced it before putting it in the bag. Oh yeah, when you order the broiked seafood, it comes in a plastic bag along with a bib. Don't let that throw you. And if you order extras, like corn on the cob or sausage that comes in the bag too (unless you ask for it not to). Prices are good-- my pound of shrimp was $10.88. Service was quick and friendly too. Note: it's next to a UPS Store and depending on which direction you're coming from, that might be easier to spot.
(5)James R.
Got a pound of clams with the down n dirty flavor, very delicious! Everything is ordered by the pound and you pick other things like corn or sausage to be boiled in the bag with your seafood. Good stuff
(4)Silviano T.
Everything on the menu is worth trying. They keep adding more items to the menu and they never disappoint. I love this place.
(5)M F.
Best crab in Albuquerque. I recommend the "down and dirty" spice at medium level. It was great and have never tasted anything so yummy!
(5)SexyChicken 1.
still no beer.
(3)Kristine S.
Good food and okay service. Waitress seemed overwhelmed for such a small restaurant. Have been to Boiling Crab out of NM and was excited for this place to open. $8 calamari? Half the calamari order was French fries. All of it should be Calamari. Our bill for 6 was $150. The shrimp is the best bet.
(3)Tc H.
We enjoyed this restaurant very much. It was our first time so we took the waitress's recommendation and she didn't steer us wrong. She recommended the Down and Dirty sauce medium hot and it was OMGoodness heaven. We could of drank it, it was that good. They should give us an option to purchase an order of baguettes so we can soak up the remaining sauce on the bottom of the bag. We had the shrimp and crab claws with corn and potatoes. We got a pound of each and it was enough for the both of us. Thank you for finally bringing a different restaurant to Albuquerque where we can enjoy great cajun food and where we can watch sports too! I hope they stick around for a long time so please support them. We know we will be back.
(5)Eddie P.
If you've never tried a seafood boil restaurant before, this is a fine example of the type. Canned/bottled drinks only is a minor quibble, but the food is solid, and the "pick your own spice mix" feature is great. As the name suggests, don't wear your best outfit if you're coming here to eat.
(4)Eric B.
Had shrimp with potatoes, corn and sausage done down and dirty. It was excellent! Pretty fair priced too except for having to pay for water haha. I'll be back for sure.
(5)Joseph V.
Dreadful... What a disappointment... I had my hopes up for fresh seafood, and I remember the crawfish boils from when I lived on the coast. I know what fresh crawfish and fresh crab tastes like; I used to go crawfishing and crabbing. We got there, and I ordered the ice tea with lemon. I didn't realize it would come from a lukewarm can, and in reality consists mostly of corn syrup. They have no ice water, and they have no Ice-tea. I ordered a pound of crawfish, a pound of blue crab, and a link of andouille sausage. My friend ordered fried shrimp and fried onion rings. The fried food was great. The crawfish and blue crab came in a double packed plastic bag with the down and dirty sauce. The down and dirty seasoning was very good, and I loved the butter and garlic. However, they should have platter where you can pour the contents onto the platter so that the garlic and seasoning is on top and not under a pile of shells. The crawfish was very old, and it tasted like it came from China. I can tell the difference between crawfish from least Louisiana and China. This crawfish was old, soft and mushy, had a faint odor of bleach. The crawfish were also very small. The crabs were a little better, but only one of the crabs was sort of fresh. The other crabs had meat that had dried internally, and a great deal of work went into pulling out dried crab meat that had caked onto the side of the shell internally. The interior of the crabmeat within the shell had an odd yellow color. I really couldn't get much crabmeat out of the crabs because the meathead been dried, and I couldn't separate it from the shells itself it had caked on the inside. There was a dead lobster in the lobster tank, and the water was cloudy. There were no crabs in the tank. You'd do better with quality and even probably better in price if you just go to Papados. I'm not a big fan of expensive Papados, and you really can't get boiled seafood there, but if you go here, you are likely to be very disappointed.
(1)Deb M.
We had a delicious snow crab legs and shrimp boil dinner!! Tasty, tasty! We highly recommend this casual eatery. We had cajun style seasoning and it was well worth it. The only thing that could improve this place is if they had a liquor license and could serve beer.
(4)Paul H.
If you're looking for a quality seafood place while you're in Albuquerque, Down n Dirty is a great option. I ordered a pound of the snow crab legs with andouille sausage. My friends also got snow crab legs, and we also ordered a basket of fried shrimp. When you order their main selections of seafood (such as the crab legs), the default marinade is garlic butter. You then have the option to choose other flavors AND the desired level of spiciness. I got mine with the Down n Dirty flavoring, hot. All of the food was great. My friends, who are BIG into seafood, were impressed. The service was great, too--our server, Emily, was friendly and came by often to check on us and get what we needed. We ran into an older couple there who said this was their favorite place to eat--they're there every week (for what it's worth). All in all, an enjoyable experience.
(5)Bobbie L.
By far one of the best seafood places in Albuquerque. I love to get the snow crab legs and the crab claws. My favorite sauce in the garlic butter, but the down and dirty mild is a really close second. They are not always the fastest with service but they are almost always busy and the food is worth waiting for. Once you order it comes out quick and has not disappointed yet. A great atmosphere and several TVs to give you something to do while chowing down. Oh, and the sweet tea is made right!
(5)Sarah N.
The food gets 5 stars! Great assortment of seafood that is fresh and prepared to perfection. Great place to go with a group which makes decision making easier since you can try a variety of seafood and sauces. Service left a LOT to be desired, we had to remind waitstaff multiple times for drinks, food items and other things.
(3)Nate L.
I was very surprised at how good the seafood was. My brother an I ordered a lb of scallops and a lb of crawfish. Garlic butter medium and Cajun medium sauces respectively. The scallops were cooked perfectly and they soaked up the yummy sauce. The crawfish were also perfectly cooked. I will be back. The bargain price for the crawfish was the "best buy" in my opinion. Special shout out to the fried oysters.
(4)Lisa F.
Tina was my server an she was great! It was my first time here an she guided us to the perfect dinner! Crab was devoured in matter of minutes. We tried 3 flavors ) Cajun, lemon an garlic butter) amazing!! Omg I actually turned down the last few legs because I so full! Amazing
(5)Jason T.
First time doing a seafood boil (and it was on my birthday). My wife and I really enjoyed the food and the casual atmosphere. We brought our 3 year old along for the ride and he loved it as well. We got the snow crab, jumbo shrimp and crawfish, all of which was cooked perfectly. The down and dirty sauce is a winner in my book. Definitely coming back.
(5)Vicki S.
My journey to find the best seafood boil in ABQ has lead me here. I have lived in North Carolina (Google Frogmore Stew), South Carolina (Google Low Country Boil) and East/Gulf Coast Texas (Google Crawfish Boil)....so my expectations were not high. 1. Location/Building: Could be bigger and in better location, but it will do. 2. Staff: We were greeted promptly and our server was pleasant. Complaint: the place is small, I could have done without listening to the server's problems getting Medicaid....just sayin. I did though enjoy them talking about the Crackin Crab, Joe's Crab Shack and some seafood boil place in Phoenix. 3. Food: We ordered a 2 pounds of headless shrimp, added corn, potato and sausage with medium heat Down n' Dirty seasoning......FYI....normally the corn, potato and sausage is automatically included and you tell them what you do not want in it....next time you visit the Carolinas or Louisiana, you will be amazed by this fact. 4. Quality: It was far better than the Crackin Crab, however still a too bit buttery and garlicky....I normally like garlic, but not in a shrimp boil. Also the shrimp were much bigger than I expected and they were cooked perfectly. 5. Server: AWESOME! (Alexis) We even let her know where we were from and what we expected. She checked on us several times asking our opinion. I appreciate that. Conclusion: Was it bad? No. Was it the good? It will do. Was it the best I ever had? No. Whose was the best I ever had? Mine! Recommendation: Try using no butter or oils and use basic Old Bay Seasoning, or something similar. Add some Cayenne for spice and please use lemons and onions when you cook it. Oh yeah, potato, corn and sausage is a given! Will I go back? Yes, it is the closest I found so far. Side Note: If there is a place in ABQ that has REAL fresh seafood, fresh off the boat and not frozen please let me know.
(4)Christina H.
Super duper!!! This is quite an experience. If you are super uptight about getting dirty then don't come here. But if you want some really excellent food that is cooked in the traditional boil style, then this is your place. Their selection of seafoods is impressive and even better - they know how to cook it and make it taste really excellent. Another thing I like about this place is that you can just get seafood. You don't have to have a side if you don't want to so you can just go nuts and eat only what many of us really want - the seafood. I had the king crab legs, my partner, the green mussels, my mom the lobster and my dad the shrimp - all of us had our seafood cooked in varying degrees of heat. It was ALL super. I highly recommend this place. You will not be disappointed. Just remember to use the plastic bibs and yes, they will bring you wipes when you are done :)
(5)Kellen S.
Another 5 star rating for my all time favorite seafood place in Albuquerque thus far! If you're a fan of southern creole seafood and Cajun boils this place will surely become a new favorite. Order by the pound and choose from several types of shrimp, crab, clams, muscles, scallops (my favorite mixed with the lemon pepper butter and down and dirty medium sauces combined!) lace up your little plastic bib, get your crab claw crackers ready and dig into the messy, yet undeniably best seafood in the 505
(5)Pat Z.
Tip for DnD dinners: Get a $5 off coupon when you spend $30 or more from: valpak.com/coupons/print… Expires 5/27/14
(5)Desbah B.
Super Yummy -- this place earns five stars for its food and good employees. Only one star is lost because of how the restrooms are shared with another business, and then there is only one toilet in the women's restroom, but at least the tissue seems durable. I love coming here for the jumbo shrimp. I am craving it right now. If I had the time, I would venture on over there at least once a month, but since it is out of our way, that is the only reason why I haven't gone there as much. I should have thought about going there for lunch today on my day off from work, but I really like going there with people since the food servings are large. Customers have to order everything by the pound (no half pounds allowed). But, it is perfectly filing, and I love the Down-N-Dirty medium heat spice. Every time I've gone there, customers really like this place. I have only personally witnessed one complaint from one other customer; he didn't like how they cooked their seafood, and he preferred it more like a dry rub. He even said he is from the south, and that is how he grew up having this type of cajun broil. It would be neat to try it this way, but I like the juiciness of the food the way it is normally cooked here. By the way, that customer who did not like his food with the buttery sauce, finished his whole meal, so at least this says something about the place. I mean, why waste seafood in a desert for crying out loud?! As far as being in this drought-ridden desert, this seafood that Down-N-Dirty brings to Albuquerque is such a treat. I really love this place. I always want to eat here. I usually get a serving of rice on the side to match my meal of jumbo shrimp, spicy andouille sausage, corn, and potatoes. My daughter likes the crab legs, but I only order them when she's with us. Personally I think those crab legs are a lot of work to open for the return of crab meat. I'd rather just stick to the jumbo shrimp because they take little time to peal. It is such a treat visiting here, and I always look forward to my next trip to Down-N-Dirty.
(4)Ricky M.
After going to the Cracking Crab and people telling me how much better Down N Dirty was I just had to try it for my self and see what all the hype was about. I will start off by saying the service was excellent and the waitress was beyond friendly. As for the food we went with the crab legs, shrimp, sausage with the down and dirty medium sauce, and sweet potato fries. The Fries were excellent and perfectly crispy the seafood was good although I just didn't like the sauce they used and they didn't use enough as the seafood was dry and didn't have enough of the sauce. I ended up asking for 3 sides of sauce to try and give the seafood flavor as it just tasted bland. Overall this place is good but not great if they made a change to their sauce they use I think this place could really be good as well as offer beer and wine. Overall Crackin Crab gets my vote over this place.
(3)Ellen B.
Hands down one of my absolute favorite restaurant in town!! The Down and Dirty seasoning is so legit, it's like crack! The jumbo shrimp is always broiled to perfection and tastes like lobster, crab claw is also my favorite! I recommend a bowl of rice and pour that sauce all over it!
(5)Jeremy K.
I'm in Louisiana! No oops still in Albuquerque but I almost felt like I was back in the bayou. This place is something the burque has been needing for quite some time! Everything is delicious. Get down and dirty flavoring no matter what you get! The prices are a little stiff based on market values. Hey we are really far from were all these sea creatures are coming from so it's not actually over priced for the quality. I think once they get there liquor license and maybe upgrade to a larger local it could be a 5star! What goes better with a sea food boil? Beer! Hopefully not to much local hipster beer. Cajun books are meant for the cheap stuff and Abita brewing co straight from Louisiana!
(4)Rebecca S.
This place is incredible! The best Seafood I've had in NM by far. The restaurant is clean, the staff are friendly. The food is phenomenal. We ordered a Seafood boil with clams, mussels, and snow crab. We had the mild Cajun sauce as our seasoning. We loved everything! Yes, you do make a mess and it'll be the best mess you've ever created. Highly recommend.
(5)Nanda V.
Best seafood boil! We always look for seafood boils after discovering one in Durango. We live in Denver and have tried a couple. But nothing compares to Down N Dirty! Seriously fresh seafood, big shrimp, huge potatoes, and a great kick if you order it Spicy. We visit once a month and we always have at least one meal here. They don't serve alcohol but you won't even care because the food is that good.
(5)Martin D.
This place can get very busy so be ready to wait. At times the hostess can be a little rude however I still rate them 5 stars because the food here just can't be beaten. This place makes Joe's shack look like long john silvers. I recommend everything and don't wear nice cloths because you will get filthy!
(5)Stephen S.
Amazing fresh seafood!!! The crawfish were big and had great flavor. The Mussels and shrimp were perfect in the Down N dirty. Wonderful service. Most items are priced per pound. We found this place on yelp for the first time, it won't be the last. Great Cajun food in the southwest!
(5)An V.
Very good crawfish joint for Albuquerque! "Down n Dirty" flavor is good especially with the shrimp. Clams are also tasty. This is my third time back and they have greatly improved. They ran out of crawfish and much of my seafood were undercooked during my first experience, but this meal was definitely satisfying. They run out of crawfish often and early, and it appears to still be an issue on a Saturday at 5pm. I am more inclined to returning after this recent visit, but will definitely have to consider going early if I want any crawfish.
(4)Chupacabra X.
1. Order one pound per person. 2. Add one side per order. 3. Choose your spices and your heat. (hint: they all rock) 4. Quit hogging all the crab legs you fat bastard. 5: Go home happy (not optional)
(4)Joseph L.
Awesome boil! My wife and I were just staying overnight and stumbled upon this treasure. I had the scallops and crawfish with the Down 'n Dirty sauce (medium). A little hotter than I like but the flavor was incredible. Tina was our waitress and was extremely attentive. GREAT SEAFOOD!
(5)Ryan F.
This place was a pleasant surprise. I have to admit I had my doubts when my mom wanted me to meet me there for dinner with two of my daughters. Seafood in the north valley, really? I ordered the clams, one of my daughters had the crab claws , the other the king crab legs. Grandma ordered the fish and chips. We all had a choice on the level of spiciness and the particular sauces. Everything came out quickly and was served traditionally in plastic bags, crab boil style. We all donned our bibs and dug in. The staff was very friendly and attentive, and the restaurant was fairly full of patrons. I commented that we need to come back and bring my wife and our other daughter too. All in all, I would say that Down N Dirty Seafood Boil was similar to a Joe's Crab Shack without all of the commercialization and other hype. I recommend checking it out for yourself
(4)Tim J.
Yep, it is very good sea food. Medium down and dirty sauce is awesome and classic butter always works too. Ordered take-out: 3 lbs king crab, 1 lbs scallops and 1 lbs clams ($119 as of oct 24 2014) and all tasted fresh and cooked just right. Will be back for sure. A beer and wine license would be a good thing and i would've probably ordered one while i waited.
(4)Brant P.
We ordered 2 lobsters, the whole lobsters, it looked great, but was so overcooked it was inedible. The tail meat was shredded as if the cook didn't realize the poor frozen lobster was already cooked! The lobster was two pounds at $23 a pound for a mess. Good thing the two other New Mexicans at the table didn't know what lobster was supposed to look like! They liked it! My Mussels were good and it was a fun experience. I am afraid everything is frozen and I could go to Smiths (across the street) and buy the same food for WAY less. BUT, I love the IDEA of fresh seafood in Albuquerque.
(2)Patricia A.
Best seafood in town!!! Not your ordinary dining experience, but the food is on point and the service is good. I plan on ignoring Joe's Crabshack when it comes to town.
(5)James B.
Am always up for trying seafood places as it is one of my favorite foods ( Abalone, not this time ) Anyways , went with a friend for lunch and were warmly greeted upon entering. Not a big fan of the plastic table cloths so went to bar which was plastic free. Looked at chalk board as well as menu and placed order. Would have been nice to have a beer or something, but alas, no alcohol. Now mind you , i don't always drink when out but if they don't offer it then the craving only gets worse. Bag of food shows up ( yup, in a giant food grade plastic bag of spicy goodness ) and we readily tear into it. The waitress did put down some paper since we sat at wooden bar, but that soaked thru about half way done. Nothing better than eating a fist sized potato like an apple, LOL. What a mess, but oh so good. Everything had good spice to it but my favorite was probably the mussels. Will be back for sure. Get a liquor license and I will be there once a week for sure.
(4)Michelle H.
I haven't been here in a while, but I recently tried another seafood boil restaurant and decided the marked difference between the two warranted a positive review of Down 'N Dirty. This place is great. Small and casual. I went with a group of approximately 10 people for a birthday celebration. The staff was friendly and efficient. The food was fantastic. Flavorful. Perfectly cooked. Everyone enjoyed both the food and the experience. It's been too long. See you soon, Down 'N Dirty.
(4)Shanda G.
I knew it would be good because we were going to eat shrimp and crab, but I was SHOCKED that the food tasted thAt amazing. I normally don't like crab that much, but their snow crabs legs with the down n dirty seasoning is one of the most delicious things I have ever eaten
(5)Morgan O.
The food was spectacular! The sea scallops were probably my favorite, although I ate a bit of everything so I have a variety of favorites there. I've been a few times now and haven't been let down. Their prices are a bit high, but you're also paying for market value seafood in Albuquerque, New Mexico (the desert). The only thing that's incredibly unenjoyable is the location they chose to stick this gem. It's a really tiny building that doesn't accommodate the growth of customer's they've drummed up. There are two restrooms in the next room (other building?) too. These restrooms are only meant for one person at a time... I feel like they would do so much better in a larger space, or even accommodating their messy menu with a huge washing trough in their random extra building space. (Yes, I'm vaguely describing Rudy's BBQ on Carlisle and Menaul.) Their fried food isn't very special, but their boiled bags of awesome are where the party's at! Their seasoning is a must as well! Their Down N' Dirty seasoning is perfect on nearly everything they serve there, but it may come off as too spicy for those who have the delicate palette of an American Northeastern.
(4)Andrea V.
Great flavor! I had the lobster corn dog--WOW! We also tried the down and dirty shrimp, also a winner. This place is way better than The Cracken Crab. Prices were reasonable. I also love that when you order the sausage, you get a giant piece and not just a nibble.
(5)Ling Tzu W.
Ok ok.. this is New Mexico so fresh seafood is out of the question. But this place is as good as it gets! I know anything boiled in butter is delicious but their Down N Dirty Seasoning on jumbo shrimp or lemon pepper on Clams are AMAZING. This is where I visit nowadays when I have a seafood cravings. Now from the outside, it does look like a hole in the wall and located next to a UPS Store you think this place seems so run down from the outside. But I am totally convinced that it is just their hole in the wall persona. The waitresses are always courteous and eager to explain to customers on their food. Did I mention their seafood is AMAZING?! People just have to see for themselves!
(5)Shannon S.
We enjoyed the king crab legs and the jumbo shrimp with the down and dirty seasoning. Awesome! This place is a must try!
(5)Andrew L.
The best seafood in Albuquerque hands down delivered in a perfectly boiled and spiced plastic bag directly to your table, shirt, hands, and stomach. No messing about at this gem, just delicious seafood by the pound.
(5)J S.
Great idea good food and portions really wish we could have had a beer! That would go great in this place!
(3)Esperanza C.
First time we tried this place, we didn't even get acknowledged. Fast forward five months, they have a hostess booth, somebody is actually manning it, and we got an eta on seats. Price point is a little high for landlock seafood, aka not super fresh, but I wouldn't call it ridiculous. Now, it may not seem like I'm a fan so far but I am. The flavoring was delicious. We ate every bite and were super satisfied at the end. We had a pound of clams, pound of Dungeness crab legs, andouelle (sp?) sausage, with a side of fries. I'm no connoisseur of sausage but it was tasty and quite the portion. It might take a few more trips to really make up our minds but so far do good. It seems like a classic case of a place getting too popular and the establishment not being prepared. Fear not...seems like they are working out the kinks. Oh, one more thing...our waitress was actually really helpful and attentive. What a pleasant surprise!!
(3)JD W.
If you know what Boiling Crab is, this is the closest dining experience to Boiling Crab you'll ever get in Albuquerque... But the taste is astronomically far from Boiling Crab flavors. The food: we ordered seasoned fries and one pound of Down and Dirty Shrimp, mild. The fries were really good, and that was the only good food. We thought the Down and Dirty flavor would be like the "whole shabang" flavor from boiling crab but came to find out the marinade/sauce in the Down and Dirty tastes like melted butter.... just plain melted butter. The sauce lacked flavor and we couldn't taste any of the spices that were supposedly in the sauce. I felt gross eating the shrimp because it felt like I was drinking butter. Even the fatty food lovers out there will think the calories in that one pound bag isn't worth it. To put it frankly, imagine heating butter in the microwave then drenching boiled shrimp in the butter then eating it with no other flavors. We ordered mild sauce and it didn't have any spiciness or heat whatsoever either. Completely disappointing. The only thing that helped our meal was the seasoned fries. Overall, we think this place has potential. Surprisingly, we are willing to go back and try the other sauces because we miss boiling crab and this is the closest we'll ever get. Hopefully the other sauces are better than the Down and Dirty sauce. We absolutely do not recommend that flavor even though it seems to be popular here on yelp.
(2)Pat A.
I really didn't expect to find such good seafood in Albuquerque but this was awesome. We had jumbo shrimp, clams, mussels, crab legs and scallops with corn in the down & dirty mild sauce and the garlic butter. We also some delicious bread that we dipped in the sauce. So good. The service was great, I only dropped a store because the location was a little run down.
(4)Chris L.
I had the King Crab Legs, Snow Crab Legs, & the Crab Claws. The Crab Claws are my favorite, because there is no work involved to enjoy the tender meat inside. They were all cooked to perfection! Don't do the old school Garlic Butter Sauce. You have to go for the Down N Dirty Sauce! It tastes so good, you'll want to drink it thru a straw! I will definitely go back again and again until I try the whole menu. Then I will start over. This place is the closest thing to Joe's Crab Shack in Albuquerque!
(5)Dino D.
Fantastic! I've been here twice now and I love this place. Great food, great atmosphere, and the servers are super busy but willing to talk with you to answer your questions and they're very friendly. My favorite dish is the Jumbo Shrimp with a length of Andouille Sausage thrown in, garlic butter, and medium spicy. GET THERE EARLY, this place fills up fast! Also, they don't give you plates. You eat out of the boil bag or directly off the table (or our of the fry basket if you get something fried). For every new group at a table they put down a clean tarp/tablecloth thing so it's not like you're eating off a dirty surface. To me, this is a part of the charm of eating here. I recommend you wear the provided bib, because once you get down eating you are going to get dirty. Seriously, their name is very fitting. They also bring moist towelettes for your use, and you'll be glad they do.
(5)Nathan H.
Great place, very friendly staff. Price was a bit high but cant complain since its in ABQ. The decor is unique and that adds character to the place. The only advice i would add is expand the place, the wait was a tad long. As for the main reason to be here, crawfish was good, flavor was up to par. I would definitely come back and recommend to others.
(5)Angelica C.
One of the greatest Seafood places to eat in Albuquerque. The down n dirty flavor will keep you going back for more. Looking for a little more spice...try the cajun flavor. You can't go wrong with the jumbo shrimp, blue mussels, and clams. For sides...try the potatoes and corn on the cob. Even though food was amazing, don't expect the restrooms to be clean or stocked with toilet paper.
(4)Phil S.
Went at about 5:15 on a Saturday night and was able to get right in. I got 2 lbs of head on shrimp, andouille sausage, and corn in medium Cajun. It was great! Will definitely go again and probably try something else just to change things up.
(5)Suz A.
Loved the shrimp, crawfish & crab legs! Don't worry about plates or utensils. You eat on the table and get "down and dirty"! The food is perfectly sized to share or get a bag of your own! I would recommend this place for all family, groups and/or singles.
(5)Clifton C.
Date night; dinner and a show and since the show was at the Adobe Theater on N. 4th (Sunshine Boys gets 4 stars and you should see it by July 12th) we took a chance on Down & Dirty since it was en route. Pretty darn good! Almost no regrets. Well I had few, though my date is a bit more fastidious than I and was a little taken aback by the "dirty" part, especialy at the price point which is not for the faint of wallet. The shrimp, crab legs and andouille were wonderful! I'll definately be back on the strength of the boil (can't wait to taste the scallops!). The onion rings were good and so was the service, though the Cole Slaw was very short of on par with the boil; really pretty plain, in fact. And no beer or wine? Not only was it a shame not to enjoy a Blackened Voodoo with my meal it seems a poor business decision. At the price point for the fish we thought they might have included a side or two as well.
(3)Mike L.
A true gem for Albuquerque. Had the crawfish, oysters, and scallops! Very good, especially for Albuquerque. Will be back for all the other options.
(4)Walter W.
Been to my fair share of Cajun joints over the years and Down N Dirty Seafood Boil is a pretty tasty Lousiana style boil. yelp.com/biz_photos/down… Like I've said I have eaten in many similar places in my travels and I like them all, some better than others. When this place opened 5-6 months ago I was all pumped up to get my hands on some spicy, garlicky, D&D Sauce extra spicy please! But at the same time bummed because the only way to eat this stuff properly is with an ICE COLD Mexican beer(s) with many limes. And there's no beer here (heard rumors) yet! Are the verbs twist , pull, suck, pick, pinch and eat more than just bedroom talk? Hate eating with your hands in public? Love the smell of garlic? Loathe waiting forever to be seated? Do Cajun flavored vittles turn you on? If you answered yes to any or all of these questions then the Down N Dirty Seafood Boil is the deal for you. But here is the trick. ORDER it TO-GO! All you gotta do is call and in 10-20 min pickup then you'll be trapped in your car with the awesome smell of garlic, seafood, and spicy Cajun goodness headed for home. Same great food to feast on in the privacy of your own home where you can eat like a freakin pig in your favorite old comfy T-shirt and be a careless mud-bug eating machine, having no fear of messing up your nice duds with bug juice as you suck the heads of crawdads and pick the shells off peel and eat shrimps. FOOD This time I added Blue Crabs yelp.com/biz_photos/down… to my normal 2lbs shrimp and crawdads yelp.com/biz_photos/down… BLUE CRABS ain't worth the money, too small and too little meat for the work you put in. 2**Stars CRAYFISH (Mudbugs, crawdads) are mighty tasty and easy to handle the and I kick up the D&D Sauce with some Franks Red Hot Original extra spicy style for me cuz that's how I roll! 4.5****Stars SHRIMP are the best deal for the money and are so good to eat to eat after they been swimming in that tasty sauce. 4****Stars All gone! yelp.com/biz_photos/down… Do not fear if you're a rookie and have never had a mud-bug, shrimp or a crab like this before. 'Cuz Uncle Walt is here to school ya'll at the finer tips of eatin these tasty lil' devils the proper way with a little help from You-tube. How to eat mud-bugs youtube.com/watch?v=_HyD ... (funny watch till the end), Shrimp youtube.com/watch?v=WXKf… (the clean technique), and how to eat blue crabs youtube.com/watch?v=5gXk ... TIPS: * Call Ahead! They get busy! yelp.com/biz_photos/down… * Let 'em breathe seafood goes bad if kept in the bag for too long (next day) so either eat em all or leave the bag open! * Ask for the table covers to take home. * Beer goes good with your bugs! * 4 kinds of sauces Garlic, Lemon Pepper, Cajun or the Down N Dirty that includes all three (recommended!) * If you like it hotter add Franks Red Hot like I do! * Have a roll of paper towels handy, you'll need them. * Don't forget your extras, like I did!!!!! Sausage, corn, gumbo, taters. The D&DSB is a no frills joint. Call ahead or order in, they'll get what you need for your Cajun meal. The food is hot and fresh and ready to eat. The girls who work the counter are friendly and quick too. 4****Stars
(4)Gene H.
Being from the south I was intrigued. The service was great. However I have to agree with other posts. Too much butter. In fact, the great boils I have had use no butter. The seafood should stand on its own.
(4)Lou P.
Down n dirty makes an awesome seafood boil. I had live Dungeness crab that they even let me pick out myself in the tank. Get their house special- down and dirty sauce (the best flavor) I picked medium spicy. Flavors were that good that I used the bread to sop up all the sauce. We got alligator and soft shell crab as appetizers, those critters were fried to perfection. Tasted good with the seafood boil too. We also got rock shrimp and crawfish with potatoes and corn in lemon pepper that was good. Next time we will go with all down n dirty flavoring. The servers were very attentive, refilled drinks and offer suggestions for the boil. Overall great experience, was worth the wait too.
(5)Karen E.
Great place! Met a friend there who did the boil sans garlic butter with just the cajun seasoning and that was great. I however went for the garlic butter with clams and shrimp. It was really good. Also became two meals. The corn and potato were great. I wasn't sad that we ordered the seasoned fries (though we couldn't finish them.) My only wish is that they had coleslaw.
(4)Jann K.
Oh my goodness. We just ate crawfish tails, jumbo shrimp, potatoes and andouille sausage. So yummy! Sauce is heavy on the garlic but the " down and dirty medium" spice was pretty kick in'! Place is not fancy- and there's no wine or beer ( no license)... But great seafood and Brittany, our server, was very attentive and friendly. A beer would have made it perfect.
(4)Ray G.
5 star rating This place is the real deal with awesome food and service. King crab legs Jumbo shrimp Sausage Corn Crawfish I highly recommend this place.
(5)Jess R.
My husband and I just discovered this place one month ago and have already been there three times. Oh the jumbo shrimp in garlic butter, how I crave you! Add in some sausage, potatoes, and whatever else and it's seafood heaven. If you like seafood, go there! Just get there early, it fills up quickly. My only regret is that I lived in Abq for 4 years before I learned of its existence.
(5)Nancy H.
A unique and beguiling little place. I could easily see becoming addicted to the down and dirty spice mixture, which is a chefs secret. However, I did find the unhotness of the hot spice level to be quite amusing. A "New Mexico hot" would be a good addition. Finally the bountiful variety of items for the boil just cry out for hush puppies as accompaniment. Please, please add them. They are a snap to make.
(4)Arielle B.
Very delicious and fresh seafood boil. I've been in several times and everything tasted good. Order the scallops, rock shrimp and crab claws if you don't want to get your hands dirty, but the best way is to eat with all your hands and fingers. True meaning to finger licking good. I love the spices and the whole combination. The soft shell crabs are tasty too. Call in for take out if you don't want to wait.
(5)mark g.
I think the food is good, but the portions seem small. Good place to go with family, that is if you like your family. And, they had better not be allergic to shellfish or kosher.
(4)Howie K.
Surgeon General's Warning: After reading this review, place your cell phone in a sealed, air-tight area, preferably several feet from your chair. Dining at Down N Dirty Seafood Boil has been shown to cause Splatter, particularly of the clothes, purse, and occasional projectile scrap upon the neighboring table. Adult behavior at said locale may also be viewed by strangers as childlike or inappropriately ravenous. Peel, crack and dig at your own risk. This eatery quenches an absolutely desperate Albuquerque thirst: good seafood, southern style. It's an exceptionally fun dining experience, best enjoyed with plenty of friends and an open wallet. You're buying the eats by the pound and it can get a little pricey for a real feast, but it's totally worth your dollar and it's best to come prepared to splurge. Oh, and you better come with folks that don't mind sharing germies. Sure, you can keep your little bag 'o shellfish to yourself, but who wants to do that? Dining orgy time, guys. Prepare to drown your grubby hands in sauce and wipe liberally with paper towels. Yes, you will need the bib, ya big baby. And if you're a Cajun spice lover, definitely go the distance of tasting the Down N Dirty sauce, it's like a N'awlins 'cane. (Okay, that's probably not tasteful, but it kind of fits how your tongue will react to the spice combo.) Add an order of corn and potatoes at a minimum, you'll want to smother everything in it. I wouldn't even touch the other sauces, personally. We tried the garlic butter, that's what it was. D 'n D was phenomenal. Done correctly, your chow session will run at least an hour and you'll have a few gashes on your digits, due to all of the pulling, snapping and popping. Bring fun people. Have fun. And don't worry, it's cool to be an Ol' Dirty Bastard today. (*Speaking of musicians, can we get some better tunes up in here? Creole, maybe? Taj Mahal? I'd prefer it over Katy Perry.)
(4)Wrayy C.
So.. Let's start off by.... Line was a long wait. Hostess said 30 mins, we ended up waiting about an hour.. By the time we got to our table, we had to wait about 10-15 mins just to get our drinks and started to order. We ordered 2lbs of shrimp and a basket of aligator! Aligator tasted like chicken. Not bad at all.
(4)Emma C.
Excellent seafood! The Down N' Dirty sauce (mild) was delicious. I had the snow crab, shrimp, potatoes, and corn, and can't wait to go back for more. The only downsides were the calamari lacked flavor, and they only had two waitresses although the place was packed and had a line out the door (on a Monday night). Our waitress was great and tried hard, but they should hire more staff. Beer would be wonderfuk, too! Anyway, despite those things I look forward to returning in the future to satisfy my seafood cravings.
(4)Edward G.
Delicious!! Delicious!! Best seafood I've had in a long time!! I'm from Houston, Texas and have had tons of seafood, but this place is awesome!! Great flavor plus great service!!
(5)Kim N.
Freaking great food. Almost don't want to give a review because I dont want to get the place so busy I can't get in. Great seafood boil. Had the crab claws and colossal king crab. Plenty of food you wont walk out hungry!
(5)Carolina S.
This place is not bad. The crawfish are a little pricey but its abq what do you expect?, ... the down and dirty flavoring is delicious, definitely get the potatoes and corn. Also had the calamari basket, it was definitely not what I was expecting absolutely horrible, tasted like I was eating fried tempurpedic mattress strips; definitely did not taste or even closely resemble calamari. Stick to the fresh seafood and you're good.
(3)Julie G.
Down and Dirty has excellent seafood. Certainly top notch. But whoever heard of seafood boil without beer? C'mon folks, get a beer and wine license. A ton of towelettes on each table wouldn't hurt either. That would make this cafe 5-Star in my book.
(4)Sam L.
Went with a large group, worth the wait. I had the rock shrimp which was delicious. Love this place.
(4)Nhu P.
Down and dirty is very good, however, never get the crawfish frozen always fresh. They have a good variety of sauces and they are all yummy. If they tell you to wait 45 minutes be prepared to wait for more then an hour. Service is okay... It's really a hit or miss.
(3)Mitch H.
Insanely good. Especially in the middle of the desert. Our waitress was awesome and so was the food. Only thing lacking is beer and wine.
(5)D M.
This has become a local favorite for my my wife and me. Soft shell crab, oysters, rock shrimp and lobster are a must. We love the various ways the food is prepared and love the Cajun spices the most. Service is always friendly and accommodating. My only constructive feedback is that the dining room is too small and a beer/wine license would complete the experience. All in all, we love to get Down N Dirty.
(4)Cassidy L.
I am interested in supporting local businesses. This place is one of those in our city. The food was excellent. The service as well. Waitresses were attentive and friendly, offering good information regarding the menu, and suggestions. However, I think there are several things that could be better. At seafood boil type places like this that I've been to, the tablecloths have been paper not plastic. I would personally like that better.. I find the paper soaks up better and doesn't allow for the rolling of sauce off the table and onto my lap. The presentation is a little odd. Plastic bag within another plastic bag is brought out with your order. Okay no biggie. Now try sticking your arm in there to get your delicious food out....wearing sleeves that can't be rolled up...no bueno. Oh and you can't dump it out because it's got such juicy and yummy sauciness. There's gotta be an alternative! Next, there's an issue with no beer. I hear they are working in this and if that's the case, then I'm thrilled. Local beers to go with the local place would be my first choice. Another issue, I walked up to the front door and walked away twice because the signage is not adequate to find your way to the front. I tried to enter the business next door and the door to the kitchen after I had already been to the "front door" cause there were no signs. Easy fix? Frost the glass on the door DIY that says "Down & Dirty" I think the options for spice and sauce were amazing. If you are a weird non-sharing person....you will go hungry. The food, yum! Great addition to our city. Please go here and try out the yumminess! You won't be disappointed.
(4)Benjamin G.
Just had lunch at Down N Dirty and it was great! Waitresses were all over it with service. Been there before so we knew exactly what we wanted but before we could order the waitress looked at me and said let me guess..... She nailed it! The food came out cooked to perfection with the seasoning and temperature spot on as well. Atmosphere was nice and laid back with several first timers there looking to have the same experience I've enjoyed for all my visits. Highly recommend you go there ready to eat and enjoyable great time with family and friends.
(5)Caroline C. B.
After about 7 trips here, this is still my hubs and my favorite date night spot. We get the food to go when we have the kiddo with us. Flavor and quality are both consistently high, and we have our favorites and have tried lots of new food here as well because the quality is so strong. Best was a huge lobster in garlic butter- and we like spicy!
(5)Barbara W.
Just a fabulous hidden gem in Albuquerque. We had the best jumbo prawns and tender scallops in a lemon pepper butter sauce. Don't forget to order bread for soaking up the delicious juices.
(5)Charles A.
Extremely impressed. These folk want your business. It shows in their service. Very busy they had lots of people waiting and every table full. I got their boiled shrimp and the boiled potatoes. Very tasty. I would give 5 stars except for the wait to get in. They really need more tables and a bigger space.
(4)Melissa M.
Every year for our daughters birthday she wants seafood, we usually end up going to the chain restaurant known for their seafood but no more! I was going through Yelp one evening looking for "seafood" in Albuquerque when I came across this place. We were a little skeptical but decided to give it a try because it couldn't be worse the seafood we were getting at the "other" place. We ordered 2 pounds of Colossal King Crab and a pound of Crab Claws steamed with plain butter, a side of fries and onion rings. I am telling you, this is THE BEST seafood dinner I have ever experienced. Erica was our waitress and she was super cool, tell her Jeff & Melissa from Taos recommended this place, you will not be disappointed.
(5)Fo S.
Tried this place recently. The Good: Flavor is on point. I got the Cajun medium flavor and it was really tasty. Great seasoning. Lots of food, had a pound of shrimp and sausage with blue crab. Lots of shrimp. One server only as it wasn't that busy, very friendly. Price is fairly reasonable, although the pound of king crab left me with more desired. The sausage and potato were great adds though. The Bad: OK, this is more of a personal gripe and doesn't reflect on the quality of the food. But if you're really really hungry, be prepared to work. The shrimp although plenty, is whole. Meaning you have to take the head, shell, tail off (tails standard). Takes me about 1-2 mins to peel the shrimp and a second to eat it! When all was said and done I still left about 6 shrimp and a whole blue crab as I decided to throw the towel in. The blue crab was definitely dried out as a reviewer mentioned previously. The meat was not plentiful and was a pain to get the little meat you could out, I would avoid if possible. Definitely not healthy as the boils are saturated in large amounts of butter, but that's why it's so delicious lol. The Ugly: You WILL get down and dirty here. I recommend wearing a t-shirt, nothing with long sleeves. As butter and meat will be slinging all over the place and will get on your clothes, even with a provided bib. I think next time I go I'm going to wear a poncho for EXTRA safety. This place is only a few months old and is still working out the kinks. I'm hoping in time it will only get better and be around for a long time. Definitely worth a go at least once. Bon Appétit!
(3)Jenelle O.
My boyfriend and I have dined here plenty of times and it still amazes us every time. I try something different every time but my favorite has been the crab claws with down n dirty mild sauce corn and potato. My boyfriend gets the same jumbo shrimp with down and dirty hot corn and potato each visit. The server even tells us our order before we even say it and that just shows me great customer service! Just don't plan on a date afterward as we have learned the hard way! U won't be able to move after all the deliciousness! 5 stars across the board.
(5)Eugene D.
If you're craving seafood in Albuquerque, this is the place to go. They have a chalkboard full of selection from crawfish to clams to lobster that they cook in their spiced-up garlicy goodness. Warning, this is no refined fancy seafood joint. They serve your seafood in a bag from which you go in hands-first. I just throw all the shells on the table (which they cover with a disposable layer). The sauce is pretty addictive; I ended up dipping my crawfish and shrimp straight back in the bag for the extra flavor. A big part of the fun is how messy the eating can get. Your hands will get wicked sauced-up! Bibs provided.
(5)Andrea H.
My husband and I found this place completely by accident. We'd never heard of it and had no idea that a new place had opened in this location. He had picked me up from work and we were driving down 4th street looking to grab something for dinner on the way home, and we spotted the sign. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but we were curious. We Googled it and were surprised to find that it had very high ratings, so we decided to give it a try. If you like seafood and care more about the quality and taste of the food than you do about the frills you'd find at a fancy, expensive restaurant, then you have to try this place. It's very casual, laid back, and simple. The food comes broiled whole in a bag marinated in the seasoning of your choice (I recommend the down 'n' dirty style, you can specify how spicy you want it). You just open the bag and dig right in. Yes, it does get very messy, but they supply you with plenty of paper towels and bibs (however silly you may think you look in a bib, they give it to you for a reason). Of course, being in the desert, New Mexico is not known for its seafood, but the seafood here was surprisingly fresh and very tasty. It is also very reasonably priced. If you are buying it by the pound, they have several selections that are under $10.00/lb. (the shrimp gives you the most bang for your buck as there is a lot more meat in a pound of shrimp than in a pound of crawfish or blue crab). We definitely plan to return, and will probably be ordering take out as well. As one other reviewer mentioned, though, one downside if you're dining in is that they only have soda available in the can for $1.00 each, so if you're big on soda it can be annoying to have to purchase individual cans as opposed to a refillable fountain drink. I forgot to ask our server how long they'd been open but they seem to be fairly new, so maybe they will consider adding a soda fountain in the near future.
(4)Francine O.
Really enjoyed our meal here. We have become big fans of a place in Vegas called "Hot and Juicy" that serves up a great spicy seafood boil in the heart of china town. Super happy that we now have a place to get this same kind of GREAT spicy seafood boil right here in Abq! We are looking forward to bringing a big group of friends to share in our newly discovered gem! Can't wait for the beer and patio come summer!
(4)Bryan C.
Smells incredible. Very casual.Everything ordered was off the hook!!!
(5)Portia H.
Parking was full at 12:10? I parked in the connecting strip mall. This restaurant is connected to UPS. There is no where for the UPS customers to park? Upon entering the restaurant it had a nasty, dirty odor. We were escorted to a visibly unleveled table. My dining mate found the menu a little difficult to read on his orange menu. Mine was on red laminate paper and he found it to be easier to read. I chose this restaurant for the fried clams, but The waitress said it had been months since clams were available:(. I got the fried shrimp and fries. The basket of shrimp was good and it was a reasonable portion. The fries were rather hard to find under the shrimp. I don't really like seasoned fries. They should serve plain dinner fries. I considered getting the fish and chips,but they don't use cod:(. I walked past a lady who'd ordered it and the pieces of fish looked small and sad. I'm glad I didn't order that! It was cold inside so I went out for a jacket. I got the orange Fanta, which was served in a big plastic glass with a good amount of large crushed ice pieces, and I mixed it with Rasberry UV since cocktails are impossible to find in Albuqurque. This is a beer town at best. My dining mate went to the restroom to wash up after eating that boiled shrimp in a bag with butter hot Cajun sauce. He also got the fried onion rings. I was glad that I'd worn very casual clothes. My dining mate said the bathroom wasn't clean. The waitress was very nice but I was quite taken aback from her excessive face piercings?
(2)SJane D.
I don't know where this guy learned to cook cajun, but he learned it well. I've been waiting for a place like this in ABQ for a long time, having enjoyed seafood boils in the pacific northwest, and in North Carolina. I didn't know exactly what to expect here, but it was a pleasant surprise for this to be Louisiana style boil. The trick is in their sauce, and we went for the house blend, lots of garlic and spicy hot, but not too hot to taste the seafood behind it. As was said before, this is a dirty job and not for the faint of messes. We ordered too much (1lbs ea mussels and claws), and appropriate sides of corn and potatoes, and we were just pigs about it and feasted on it all. Couldn't stop. Best $50. I spent in a long time, but we really coulda done well with half of what we got. Beware...you've been warned!
(5)Tiff H.
I really wanted to like this place because it smelled so good and the reviews weren't terrible. But, they do not know how to boil seafood! That mixed with the super tiny crawfish and the horrible diarrhea that happened within 30 minutes of eating here, I would not be able to come back! The boils they use are flavorful, but the seafood itself was falling apart, as in bad seafood or not cooked properly, or both. I am Louisiana-born and this just doesn't even come close to my expectations. We ordered the live crawfish at $4/lb more so they would be more fresh-tasting, but they were mushy. We also ordered fried soft shell crab basket, snow crab legs, clams and corn. The clams were good. The snow crab wasn't cooked correctly. The raspberry tea was good. The service was good.
(2)Christy S.
I'm from Louisiana, born and raised! Me and my folks gave this place a try. This place is a joke! NO CAJUN food is EVER cooked and SOAKED in BUTTER, like that. I watched the guy from the kitchen LADLE spoons of Margarine into mixing bowls to create these meals. Artery clogging. Let alone, none of it is close to fresh except the sausage and potato. The crawfish were already boiled and then reheated. Trust me "I KNOW", NO GOOD! The crabs, man the meat was like mush not lumpy. I was extremely dissatisfied for the price. To add CAYENNE is not the ONLY CAJUN spice on the market. People who NEVER had true CAJUN cooking will go for this! I can GUARANTEE you, we will NOT WASTE MY MONEY HERE AGAIN. We say back home si bon goût, "taste so good" in french! NOT HERE BOO! Gonna stick to what I know Sha, laissez le bon temps rouler "Let the good times roll"! I surly were spread the word! au revoir
(1)Jazmine V.
Just a fair warning. There is nothing healthy about Down n Dirty Seafood Boil. Oh...and be prepared to get dirty..and I mean very dirty. Now that I've gotten that out the way...break out the butter, garlic, and seasonings!! This place is simple. The menu is straightforward...and there's nothing fancy. That's the beauty of it, I think. You order the seafood by the pound..no half pounds allowed. I ordered the pound of mussels and my hub ordered the pound of shrimp. I got mine Down n Dirty Hot and he had his Cajun hot. There are about 4-5 different seasoning blends you can order, and you can have mild, medium, or hot. You can also order sides, like sausage, corn, or potato for them to put in the bag with your seafood. I recommend the corn and potatoes. They really absorb the seasonings..yum! So we were served a big bag of seafood covered in seasonings and butter with corn and potatoes inside the bag. You can basically make the bag into a bowl and get started. No plates needed! We put our bibs on and got started. Let me tell you..I felt like I was a kid again! It was so fun to eat with my fingers and enjoy the atmosphere of this place. The food was delicious, and I'm so glad we have a place like this in Albuquerque. As far as price goes, you can be as cheap or as expensive as you want. The menu includes inexpensive seafood (crawfish, full shrimp with the head and everything, mussels, clams, and a few others) and the more expensive stuff (dungeness crab, blue crab, and even lobster). Oh..and if you're not into getting dirty, the menu has some clean items like fried clams. calamari, or shrimp served up with fresh, hot french fries! But I think I'll stick to the down n dirty stuff! I loved the place and will be back soon!
(5)Sean M.
First time eating there and was not impressed with the meal. The alligator was kinda chewy and the catfish did not taste that good.
(2)L L.
Quaint, no frills, to the point. Down n Dirty is just the place to go to when you want a seafood broil without all the work. I stumbled upon this place when I was craving crab legs, looked on yelp and a mile later I discovered this treasure. I had the crab legs with their signature mix. Very reasonably priced and flavorful. Hit the spot! I'll be taking friends here so I can indulge without feeling so gluttonous about taking down a pound of crab solo.
(4)Tara M.
Hallelujah, finally a simple fresh seafood place in the north valley. Run don't walk and try it, we had crab and shrimp with the corn and potatoes with the garlic sauce and the hot down dirty sauce. Ah-mazing. Inside has been redone and is nicer then before ....hopefully they get a liquor license... :-)
(5)Sara R.
Being that my family is from New England we are very picky about seafood. Well, for New Mexico, this place takes the cake!! We ordered the snow crab and scallops along with some corn. We ordered the basic garlic and butter flavor and it was amazing. You may want to ask for some extra plates because it does get messy. My mother and I are going back and cannot wait to try the new butter flavors! Everything is market price so it is not cheap but well worth your money if you are a true seafood lover!!
(5)Becki M.
I do not like seafood but the kids wanted some so we yelped seafood. We were hesitant because of the location area. But from the outside we could see it was a nice exterior. But the best was the food. The kids raved about it. Shrimp & King Crab Legs. Would highly recommend this place.
(5)Joseph G.
So I have to be honest. When I saw the menu and all it said was "Market Price," I got scared. I overcame that fear and I'm so glad I did. Excellent food but be prepared to get messy. You eat out of the steam bags the food was prepared in and it was soooo good. I had a pound of shrimp and a pound of crab legs. With the sides, there was definitely enough for 2 people so I ate that and took the sides home. This was gor lunch and I was still full for dinner. A small and cozy environment and definitely worth the price. Enjoy my friends! I'll probably see you there one of these days as I intend to go back.
(5)Stephanie G.
Don't let the neighborhood deter you! This restaurant is very clean and has plenty of space. The service was great when I was there. One thing to know ahead of time if the server doesn't mention, the menu is "market price" on all boils which you order by the pound. Check the chalkboard by the kitchen for current prices. I had jumbo shrimp in Down and Dirty mild and Garlic Butter which were wonderful. Down and Dirty is definitely the way to go. Garlic Butter is good, but isn't nearly as interesting as the other.
(5)Clara S.
Probably better with a few friends to join and share, enjoyed my pound of crab legs but would like to be able to taste a little of everything and call me crazy but I'd rather eat from a plate or large bowl rather than a plastic bag. No matter, I ate it all and made a mess but it was soooo good. Take a few folks with you and share the goodness.
(4)Amber A.
Food is always amazing. It seems like they are always a server or 3 short no matter what day/time I come in. The staff is friendly and attentive though, even when it's really busy.
(4)D.G. H.
Probably the best down to earth Seafood to be found in Albuquerque! Go there now and get your hands and face dirty, but your mouth and soul happy!
(5)Vero P.
A five if they had beer (not til July '14).Good food. The hottest isn't hot but is flavorful. Best boiled shrimp I've ever had. King crab good.
(4)Jessica B.
Tasty seafood! A bit pricey for what you get but fun experience to dig in and get messy with friends! The seasoned fries were not seasoned at all and seemed like frozen ore Ida fries : ( the corn seemed frozen as well. Next time I will skip the sides and just fill up on seafood. Would also be nice if they served beer and wine!!
(3)Jason H.
Be prepared to get dirty! Perhaps one of the best seafood shacks in the desert. I took my wife and a friend for our first trip. We'll be going back often. We ordered crawdads, shrimp, muscles, and the snow crab to split among the 3 of us. The "down n' dirty" pot liquor is awesome. You're going to want to order several loaves of bread to soak up the liquor. It is a bit pricey, charging market price for the seafood. I think the pricing is fair and demonstrates the freshness of the seafood. If/when Down N' Dirty decides to get their alcohol license, this will be a favorite Friday night hangout spot.
(5)Mauro M.
I discovered this place by accident on.my way to Sadie's. And I'm glad I did. There are many choices of seafood to choose from at reasonable prices. We got mussels and shrimp and added corn and sausage to our boil. We requested medium for spice. It took.about 7 minutes to be served and gawd did it taste good! There were two of us and we were more than satisfied with the quantity and especially the quality of food. They source their seafood from various vendors, all I know to have the best seafood available here in the high desert. The food was terrific and we are definitely going back for more. I plan.on trying everything on their menu. I do hope they get a beer and wine license, that and the fact that they only had canned drinks. That's the reason I gave it a Four Star and not Five. Other than those two things I love this.place and will continue to go back. It's ABQ's newest hidden gem. Well recommended.
(4)Megan G.
Please keep this place open!!! The food is amazing and fairly priced!
(5)Dave D.
Great place to get together with friends. Order family style, with a menu of fresh seafood on the chalk board and market prices by the pound you'll want to try everything on the menu. I'm not a seafood fan by any means, but I really enjoyed this down home style restaurant with the YELP community this afternoon. We ordered several of the items from the menu so we all got a chance to try many of the offerings. We tried the clams, mussels, shrimp, crab claws, Andouille sausage, baked potatos, corn on the cob, and a couple of other items that I can't immediately recall. Everything was very flavorful. We tried several of the different sauces including the down and dirty hot, and the lemon butter pepper. The provided bibs are a requirement, wear them if you don't want to be wearing the sauce home with you! Staff was friendly and helpful in explaining how to order and what to expect. Great place for seafood in Albuquerque, we'll be back.
(4)J B.
Great off the beat restaurant. I had the clams, which are sold by the pound. If you have a shellfish allergy, you can ask for a fresh boil because they reuse the boils. The corn on the cob was steamed with my clams, yummy. My hubby had the fried catfish, first time not done, second time jerky. Good coleslaw too.
(3)