Flying Star Cafe
4026 Rio Grande NW, Albuquerque, NM, 87107
Flying Star Cafe Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Albuquerque for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
4026 Rio Grande NW
Albuquerque, NM, 87107 - Phone (505) 344-6714
- Website https://www.flyingstarcafe.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :6:30 am - 10:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : Yes
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
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L G.
My cousin, a lifetime resident of Albuquerque, recommended the Flying Star Cafe tonight, and I'm glad he did. We wanted a good place that was casual, with a lot of choices for salads and entrees, close to our hotel, and this fit the bill perfectly in all those categories. I had the Chicken Mediterranean Salad, which I greatly enjoyed. The chicken was perfectly cooked and seasoned, the lettuce, cucumber and cherry tomatoes were all very fresh, and the dressing was just right. Garbanzo beans and a nice sprinkling of feta cheese complemented the flavors beautifully. The only thing I disliked were the croutons; too hard and crunchy for my liking. My husband had the New Mexico Chile Beef Stew, with green chilies. He thought it had great flavor and was pretty spicy, but he likes it hot. It came with 2 huge and tasty flour tortillas. Our only major disappointment was dessert. We love lemon, so shared a large slice of Lemon Cake, which was priced at half off. We found out why; the cake itself was very very dry, and really should not have been sold. The best part was the lemon filling layers, which were very moist and sweetly tangy, but were just a very small part of the cake. The cloyingly sweet white frosting (buttercream?) was hard and basically flavorless. Overall we liked this restaurant and would return. We just won't get anything that's priced at half off!
(4)Sharon G.
Definitely some of my favorite desserts. I highly suggest the southwest bennie, the mac and cheese, Buddha bowl, or the eclair. This place is definitely on the pricey side (expect to pay ~$15-20 per person) for lunch and a drink. This particular location is dog friendly though! (Your pup will have to stay outside while you're inside ordering food-that's understandable though.)
(4)Carmen S.
I've come here more times that I can count over the years. Who else remembers Double Rainbow??? I love that they have pet-friendly patios (aka "petios"), free wifi, and their food is not exceptional, or even especially delicious, but it is solid diner fare. Coffee's not bad, either. It's a great place to study and read when the noise level isn't too bad.
(4)Kerri H.
Had a delicious breakfast with eggs, potatoes, bacon and toast. I really enjoyed the mango iced tea. This place has a great outdoor seating area where you can bring your dogs. Great ambiance and good service.
(5)Phillip R.
Food was awesome but they make you pay and tip before the service is done. We had fair to good service. They forgot to make our shakes. I had to ask for them twice. Still a great environment.
(4)Sherri B.
My niece calls this place "the poochieo" which I think is totally a perfect description. You can sit on this huge patio with your doggy. The food was good too. Everyone was so friendly and all the doggies seemed to be having a wonderful time. I would definitely come back for breakfast :)
(4)Daniel L.
Three of us came to this breakfast diner one morning after having taken a walk at a nearby farm. The inside was strikingly modern, colorful, and filled with large windows and comfortable booths and chairs at every turn. The protocol starts with a line that leads to their glass case filled with fresh baked goods. Eventually we got to the ordering counter before finding our own seating. The environment was casual, family friendly, and a good place for people watching. There were college students seated at various corners who were plugged into their laptops and the free wifi. We too, had the same intentions to make progress on an important project. The staff was friendly and periodically would come by to refill our water. Before pulling out our laptops, we had an ambitious agenda to conquer their menu. We started off with the Breakfast Hash ($10.99) that came with basted egg layered on top of a mix of quinoa, mushrooms, two types of sweet and savory potatoes, red peppers, red and green onions. The ingredients were fresh, and the combination of flavors was inspired by the egg yolk overflow that nicely coupled the sharp, sweet, and savory contrasts. The Southwest Bennie ($12.99) came with two poached eggs, turkey green chile sausage, cheese and chile sauce, and grilled English muffins. Great kick coming from the chile. The sausage was lean and the English muffins were nicely charred to provide the subtleties. The best dish we tried was the Egg Florentine ($12). It comes with two basted eggs, applewood smoked bacon, spinach, mushrooms, grilled polenta cakes, and feta. I love polenta so it made all the difference. Lastly, this was the first time that I tried Flapjack ($4.59). It was an acquired taste for me with the combination of brown and rice flours, millet, and pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower seeds. I'm probably biased to compare it to pancakes, but would be interested in giving it another try. Overall, on the counts of flavors, freshness, and consistency, the experience was a pleasant surprise. This diner still will not compare to the best and the most fancy breakfast places, but it had many characteristic and elements that made the visit enjoyable. The only complaint I had was the presentation and its greasy appearance. Prices appeared high but portions were sizable and satisfying. 3.5 stars. I'd be interested in visiting their other locations in the area.
(4)Rachel S.
Love the trendiness of this restaurant. They do not have a kids menu per say but they have a mini size order of Mac n Cheese or grilled cheese that was just perfect. The salted Carmel blonde was out of this world even though I only got a taste since my daughter ate it all. Little pricey but all good quality.
(4)Anna W.
Flying Star has terrible customer service. We waited for 15 minutes in a cluster of a line before Kirsten (who was a trainer) skipped over us and took the order of a larger party. When she realized her mistake (after I complained loudly mind you), she did not even apologize! Instead she tried to recruit someone else to take our order. Alas, everyone else was busy so we waited about another five minutes to have our order taken. They were out of several items that I wanted to order, so I settled for the grilled chicken sandwich. Food was average. Although, they did not bring out our entire order at once. At our seats, I could see multiple plates of food waiting for a runner to take them out to their proper tables. I watched our food sit out for five minutes before being brought to the table- and we were still missing our onion rings. Still no apologies for terrible service. The staff really needs more training ASAP.
(1)Amber N.
Huge breakfast burrito that you can make vegan. It is pretty good. Close to where we were staying in ALBQ we ended up eating here twice. The second time we asked to split the burrito with no cheese and both sauces. Sadly it came out with cheese on top and inside it so it was inedible. I felt really bad about sending it back but they were nice about it and remade it quickly and although we only sent back my half they brought the other half for my husband, which he preferred anyway so that was nice. Or recipe didn't show our order so we couldn't check it there, but when we ordered we got verbal confirmation that he heard us say no cheese, so I didn't feel totally rude. I hate sending back food. The burrito was good, but was the only thing on the menu that looked interesting to me that was vegan. I could see myself going there every so often if I was a local, but it made me sad that they have you pass all the sweets and none are vegan. Outside seating is really nice!
(3)Molly G.
This restaurant was good. It had a little bit of everything to satisfy everyone's preferences. The staff was friendly and the food was decent. We came here on a recommendation from Sue at Cinnamon Morning B&B.
(4)california w.
Excellent, healthy food, generous portions. You can never go wrong by going to Flying Star Cafe where the food is handmade, and a lot of consideration goes into creating each dish. From salads, to hearty soups, and other main dishes --you think that'd be enough. But where Flying Star entices people in is with their baked goods. Pies, cakes, brownies cookies --they're excellent, and as good, if not better, than their entrees, sandwiches, salads, and soups. The Flying Star on Rio Grande has a mostly retired, older clientele, who bring their dogs in on the patio to share in the bounty. Be sure to check out the bookstore next door, as well as Lily Barack, for incredible deals on handmade jewelry and other local goods.
(5)Danielle S.
Not our first time at Flying Star. Ordered the blueberry pancakes for breakfast. They were ok. Very dry. My boyfriend ordered Huevos Rancheros and they were decent. Service wasn't too great. We asked for tabasco sauce and ended up going up to the counter to retrieve it since our waiter never returned with it. Also the busboy wiped down our table for us and told us how he was currently sick and fighting something. Why is the coffee so darn expensive!?!
(3)Lyssa D.
I think Flying Star is consistently good. I have a few friends who don't like Flying Star, but I probably come for a meal every couple of weeks. I particularly like this Flying Star on Rio Grande. The outdoor patio is one of the best (dog friendly) patio's in the ABQ. I love sitting outside surrounded by trees. But, that's another story. I had the Spanish Frittata, an egg dish with potatoes. My mom had the Huevos Rancheros. Both were tasty. This isn't food that is going to win a James Beard award, but it is consistently good. I really like that they try to source local products and lean towards more organic, humane meat sources, etc. They also have a few gluten free dessert options. I only mostly eat gluten free, because I try to reduce or avoid carbs, so I very rarely would eat a dessert, and if I'm jumping off the deep end and into sugar, I'm gobbling up the Eclair.
(4)Nazia H.
I'm not sure why there aren't already 5 stars at this place, but this needs to change!! We came here while vacationing in ABQ, and decided to come because everything else was closed New Year's Day. Already had a great impression given it was open. As we walked in, seeing that it was connected to a bookstore, it got even better!!! My goal in ABQ was to have everything green chile-fied, so I got the green chile stew...SO GOOD. Seriously the best thing I've had in ABQ, hands down. I love the vibe of this place. Seems like a great place to meet friends or sit on your own and read a book or do work. The guys at the counter were so nice and helpful.
(5)Joseph H.
Tried Flying Star again, this time on Rio Grande. Speed of service better than usual. We shared a panini and a vegan scramble. Both were very tasty and satisfying. The presentation of the vegan scramble with the ingredients on top of an open tortilla we found a little odd but something we readily and quickly got over. I do think Flying Star has gotten some of its mojo back!
(4)El W.
Let me get this right. You add the price of the tip to the dishes and there's no table service?! This place is a local monster/chain and way overpriced. Basic.
(2)Jeff W.
Nice little spot. Like the other locations they've got a great feel. Decent food and service for the most part, your mileage may vary fron day to day.
(3)Alexis E.
Each visit to Albuquerque I make it a point to have breakfast or lunch here. I'm a plant based foodie and have a set couple of favorites: the spicy tofu tacos, meatless burger and much more. If you pass through Santa Fe make sure to check out the one at the Rail yard.
(5)Suzanne K.
Baby pancakes under cooked. My two yr old could have gotten sick..Gob manchurian not crisp. Waiter fixed our order right away. And second time around it was very good
(3)Max S.
Generally, the lines are long but the service people are friendly. The coffee is not bad. The food here actually appears to be better prepared then some of the other flying star locations I have visited. I was impressed with the rosemary chicken and couscous.
(4)Keira M.
We stopped here to grab a coffee on the way to the zoo. It is so gorgeous on this patio. One of my favorite locations. Pet friendly too.
(4)Carolyn J.
Fantastic options for breakfast and dinner! Love the egg sandwich with turkey sausage. Outdoor patio is a gem!!!
(5)Mona M.
Overpriced and underperforming. Ive had issues at this location before, but wanted to give it another shot, two counter people are working, I waited over 30 min to pick up my to go order, which had to be substituted anyway (no discount offered). Then, I get home, beef burger!! I ordered a veggie one!!!It's no wonder they've filed bankruptcy and are closing stores, they're nothing great! There's far better, and I won't be returning again. Vegetarians beware!!!!
(1)Boom F.
I've been supporting this business since they were named double rainbow. I would receive ample points on the frequent flyer card they give you to get 5 dollar vouchers for every 50 dollars spent. But as a regular Customer you begin to notice minor hikes in the price. Then the frequent flyer card became 75 dollars to get the 5 dollar voucher. Now they are no longer recognized and they have come up with some other gimmick for those who spend money here. Not to mention the menu has changed frequently and the price has gone up yet again. I know times can be tough in this industry so hopefully the price change helps the employees get paid more... All This being said I believe the quality of the food is now lacking despite a price increase and I would recommend the Grove Cafe over flying star any day of the week. If you want to pay 10 and up for a meal at Least you can be assured the grove is using high quality local ingredients. Flying star on the other hand seems more interested in cutting corners then serving quality food.
(2)Tara P.
I too have been frequently visiting flying star since it was called double rainbow, and the food, menu and pricing had all gone downhill. If you are a wealthy middle to old age dog lover who appreciates good ambience but doesn't care about what the food tastes like, flying star is the place for you. Their burritos and Mac and cheese has a shit ton of velveeta in it. They've gotten rid of many great menu items and increased the prices on everything.
(2)Edwina D.
Flying Star Cafe is a local favorite and voted "best of the city" in several categories, including dessert, coffee, and mac and cheese. I was eager to eat here and had high expectations. Unfortunately, I was underwhelmed by the New Mexico Chile Stew that I ordered. I didn't enjoy the chunks of ground beef in the stew, which were somewhat flavorless, and the stew itself was too thick and couldn't make up for the lack of flavor. I did like the kick from the chiles (I ordered the stew "Christmas"), but overall I would not order the stew again. I think I would have enjoyed the enchilada stack or classic mac and cheese better. However, not everything I tasted was disappointing. My sister ordered the NM burger and it was very good. The same goes for the dessert. I tried the Rio Grande mud pie and it was delicious! Fluffy, just sweet enough, and a great chocolate crust. I can see why this place was awarded "best desserts." Their key lime pie and red velvet swirl looked good too. And I wish I had tried their coffee! When I am back in ABQ, I will give FSC another try. The service is really friendly and efficient, and the petio is a great place to eat on a warm day. I just wouldn't order the stew again! If anything, skip straight to dessert.
(3)Howie K.
I dare you to find a bad dish on this menu. Only you're not allowed to order the fish 'n chips if you don't like fish and then take a bite and say "See, this is awful" because that's just not cool. And it's a waste of food. And money. And time. Which is not what I'm doing with this review, I'm just pointing something out. Flying Star on the Grande Rio--because that's what it is, folks, a magnificent river stretching bank to bank as far as the eye can see--is a lovely respite from the everyday, particularly if you've been riding your bike and you need to fuel up. While you can pretty much take your pick off their generous menu, I suggest any of the following: Southwest Bennie, a massive breakfast burrito with turkey sausage, Buddha Bowl, Asian noodle fusion, the fish dish, Garden Harvest, enchilada stack, Great Grains (wow, gluten free!), Greek Goddess, chicken Cesar, chopped cobb, any of the sandwiches and burgers including the veggie, the soups... and yes, unlike so many aspects of modern life, the desserts truly do taste as good as they look.
(4)Evan G.
Great place for coffee and the food is amazing and also to study you have to try the grilled cheese best in town.
(5)Jess R.
We went to Flying Star Cafe for dinner on a Sunday evening. We ordered 2 dishes: *Winter Grains & Greens (Kale, organic quinoa, edamame, roasted pistachios & feta, garbanzos, golden beets & raisins, lemon honey dressing) *Rosemary Chicken with Couscous Risotto I LOVED the "Winter Grains & Greens" dish. It had a lot going on but it worked. My partner love the "Rosemary Chicken" dish so much that he bought the ingredients to replicate it at home. The service was very quick. I have to admit I don't like the counter ordering model, but due to the fact that we didn't have to wait in line it didn't bother me much. We will definitely be back to eat here again.
(4)Jennifer M.
Usually this place is spot on....this time not so much. My burger was both really greasy and burnt. I was disappointed. Sad day.
(3)t. o.
I'm sitting here wondering what it is that keeps me from actually liking this place. Prices are a little too high, the food is not quite as good as it should be, I don't like the counter ordering business, the staff are a touch surly, the menu is kind of limited... but its fine. Almost good, even !
(3)Jen H.
Brunch is tasty especially when eaten on their nice patio ! Yes, long lines, but thats a good sign! :)
(4)Danielle A.
I usually like Flying Star, but I'm so grossed out by the dozens and dozens (maybe 100?) of flies swarming everywhere that I'm nauseous. Burger without a bun was gross. Caesar with avocado was incredibly generous on the avocados, so that's a positive.
(2)Teresa T.
This place never ceases to amaze me. Their authentic New Mexican cuisine mixed with fine cuisine that you would see at $40 a plate restaurants combine to make fantastic food! Their pies and dessert are among the best I've ever tasted. I crave their fruit tarts on a weekly basis, but as I don't live in Albuquerque anymore I no longer can acquire on a weekly basis. My bank account appreciates me though as a meal here can get pretty pricey quickly with the side of deliciousness here and a slice of sweet awesomeness there, etc.
(5)Brian G.
Visited the area and stopped by for lunch. Wish I had the time for a second visit - might have worked their wya to 5 stars - I would give them 4.5 now. Visited with wife and a coupel of my kids - everyone was happy. Kids Mac and Cheese sophisticated enough for the teen - yummy enough for the 6 year old, My wife had an avocado Ceaser salad she couldn't stop talking about - very tasty apparenlty. The avocado was coated/fried in some way - apparently really good. I had tofu breakfast tacos - - awesome all the way. Nothing more to say - really great stuff. Iced tea good, deserts looked very yummy as did a number of other items. Enjoy
(4)Melissa Whittington B.
$40 for a sandwich, chili burger and kids burger. My sandwich was great (artichoke), but the burgers were both dry and over cooked. Sweet potato fries were not fully cooked. Waitress never once checked on us or offered refills. Will not go back.
(2)Ana R.
One of my favorite places to go to when I want to get a little bit of everything. I don't think I have been un happy with any of the dishes I have tried. Yes it is pricey but well worth it. If your visiting and don't want to do your typical fast food, stop by one of their locations, you'll leave happy.
(4)Quinn A.
Best eggs benedict ever - only here it is a Southwest Bennie, and it has green chili turkey sausage. I'm sure it's about 1800 calories, but what the hell. If you have it for a late brunch then you don't need to eat for the rest of the day anyway. The bakery items here are sublime - including my favorite, the creme brule beignet. Yeah. It's as good as it sounds. Not be consumed in the same sitting as the Southwest Bennie or you might, I don't know, pass out from mouth bliss. The only reason I'm giving it four stars instead of five is because I've had better coffee, oh, everywhere.
(4)Ashley E.
I like this location of Flying Star the best. (I may be biased--I used to work there.) They just revamped their menu and have even more "Gluten-Not" options than before. The menu can be overwhelming, especially because so much of it is really tasty! Their breakfast menu is really good. The Southwest Bennie and South by Southwest are both delish. They are not figure friendly though, be warned! They just added new protein pancakes to their menu that I haven't had the chance to try yet. The staff here are trained better here than any other store because this location is the training store for management. The people are friendly and knowledgeable. It's clean in the kitchen AND dining area. One thing I will say is that if you're looking for super hot chile, then don't go to Flying Star. It's a restaurant that gets quite a few tourists and they have toned it down a bit so tourists can try and enjoy our cuisine without burning their faces off.
(4)Susan R.
This place has the best veggie burger a girl could ask for! The New Mexican food is also awesome and I've taken many tourists there and watched them light up as their mouth caught fire on any of its fabulous chile dishes. New Mexican food must be world famous and the casual Flying Star is no exception! The Flying Star in the North Valley is also a very dog-friendly place with its year-round open patio seating. I love this place and look forward to my next visit.
(5)Elizabeth B.
This is a family-friendly place to have a great meal. Ordering at the counter speeds the service -- and makes a regular tip optional. The food is both creative and satisfying, with a rich mixture of entrees, salads, soups, and sandwiches. Kids and adults both love the informal atmosphere. If you're visiting Old Town, it's worth driving the mile or so to get away from tourist central for a genuine ABQ institution.
(4)Katharine E.
Definitely the best Flying Star location in Albuquerque. The have a very nice"petio", a patio where you can bring your dog, cat, horses too! It's counter service which can get a bit hairy during peak hours but it's a great place if you have a big party hungry for different things. Plus breakfast all day!
(5)Linds B.
My Aunt lives down the street in walking distance from here and I am visiting from LA. The first morning we just went for coffee and I tried the Mexican Latte and my boyfriend who hates delicious coffee, also tried it. He loveddd it and we saw the breakfast and decided to come back the next morning to try it out before we hit the road back home. The portions are great, my boyfriend had one of the sandwich called "The Veggie Bennie" and it was delicious. I got the half ranch breakfast and the potatoes were bomb. We loved it.
(5)Corey N.
Over priced food, over priced dessert, the only good things I can say about flying star is it is a good place to sit down have a study group or do some homework restaurant is clean and sanitary. They don't really go above and beyond with customer service.
(3)Oly S.
I had their green chile stew today. It's so good! It's served with a white corn tortilla. It's not very spicy. The location has a nice fireplace outside, and they usually have it working during fall and winter.
(4)Ellen L.
My favorite Flying Star restaurants are the locations at Rio Grande and Wyoming. I have been a fan for many years. The soups are wonderful; the salads are among the best in Albuquerque and the desserts are hands down the best. The locations are convenient, family friendly and the ingredients are local (when possible) and fresh. A real plus are the outdoor patios with great views. There are few if any comparable options for casual and excellent dining in ABQ!
(2)Dolores G.
5 Stars easily for their sweets and desserts...3 for their other food and pricing...[This is a local chain, and I have visited all their sites at least once...some like their Nob Hill or downtown location more than I care to admit...but usually only for their sweets] Yes, other than their desserts I have found their food over rated and over priced, but hey why change it if you have people lining up out the door to get it I guess. If you are vegan or veggie they do have several options on the menu. But imagine for 3 of us at breakfast we paid $50 for 2 orders of huevos rancheros (just ok) and a 2 egg with bacon breakfast, 2 coffees (regular cups o' joe) and a chai. I can have similar better tasting meals at say Garcia's or even The Range for under $40. Oh.... their sweets....I am a sucker and have always been a sucker for their cakes and pies and tarts and oh those sugar cookies. Add a glass of their "Red Stuff" a hybiscus/mint/cranberry cooler and I am oh soooo good.
(4)Bill W.
Wish we had one of these in Atlanta. Great coffee, great food. Great place to just hang out. I bought a big bag of food for the flight home.
(4)Karen T.
I frequent Flying Star every week with a group of friends and this one falls short in many areas. First, the bathrooms are filthy with sticky doors, filthy floors and sink and is often out of toilet paper. Since my group meets. eats, and stays for up to three hours we have to frequent the restrooms. Also, the dirty dishes are left on the tables. There is a busser but he doesn't get do much. Finally, the fruit they serve on the side of sandwiches is awful. For the price of sandwiches we should get fresh, attractive fruit. I recently got brown, cut up apples. I couldn't even look at it much less eat it!
(2)Andy B.
I usually head to Flying Star to breakfast and order either a bagel or English muffin (which are huge at this place) and an order of their green chile turkey sausage along with a coffee. Back in the day they used to have a vegetarian breakfast burrito which was amazing - but they changed the recipe and despite emailing their corporate office to ask them to change it back, they never did and so I can't recommend you order it. The green chile turkey sausage is house made and is fantastic - it has a bit of spice, a bit of char from the stove and just really darn good flavor (and it probably is a lot better for you than bacon or ham). They have a pretty decent loyalty card that it is worth signing up for. When you walk into a Flying Star you are probably going to be very interested in the massive quantity of cakes, muffins, pies and other desserts. Maybe it is just the choices I have made every single time I try a pudding there, but they never taste as good as they look.
(3)Jamie R.
My favorite breakfast is the yogurt, fresh fruit, and walnut parfait, along with a side of local green chile turkey sausage. The Jasmine hot tea is amazing, a pot of that and some reading has me content for at least an hour. Lunch you're good to go with an Abq Turkey sandwich. Do not usually enjoy the desserts, they look amazing but it stops there. At this location, staff is great and shaded outdoor doggie friendly patio. Only negative is lack of parking, be prepared to search for a spot.
(3)Charles K.
I will always return to Flying Star as long as they serve the fish dish. Very good food and coffee, acceptable baked goods (quality has slightly declined in recent years), and an open, inviting atmosphere are par for this Albuquerque institution.
(4)Amanda S.
...As my mom said while eating her cold eggs on a burnt bread heel, "This place just gets by on reputation." And it used to be a well deserved reputation. I loved Double Rainbow and have supported Flying Star/Double Rainbow since it was just one small location on Central Ave. And even when it first expanded, it was different, but still good. Tasty desserts, interesting sandwiches and salads, and a great vibe for meeting up with friends for a chat over tea. I can't speak for every location, but the past few times I've visited the one on Rio Grande, I have not been impressed with the quality of the food... especially for the price. A $10 breakfast should include real toast, not two heels. Bacon ordered "crispy" should not come out so raw that my family has me googling whether you can get food poising from raw bacon. I no longer live in Albuquerque, but I still always make a visit to Flying Star because it's a tradition. The Fiesta Morning sandwich is consistently good, and I like it that they have a dog patio and source some of their food locally, but as a whole, Flying Star no longer lives up to the hype and has been disappointing on my last several visits.
(3)Ella L.
Breakfast served all day, organic options to the max and oodles of desserts just like mom used to make. This place is awesome! Lots of vegetarian options and there's a "petio" patio outside for man's best friend, too cute! Oatmeal is rockin' and wholesome with cranberries, walnuts, milk and cinnamon... and for dinner (yes, I'm eating here three times in 24 hours) the Late Winter Harvest plate is perfect for a warm you up just right night. Butternut squash, fennel, carrots, parsley and polenta cakes with a generous dollop of goat cheese. Mmm mmm good!
(4)Susie D.
First of all, this is New Mexico. Step up your green chile game. Bland and plain are the two words I'd use to describe the number of uninspired food experiences I've had at Flying Star in the past...well, since it opened when I was in middle school. (We enjoyed eating the free bread there back then as we didn't have enough money for their overpriced food....but they don't have free bread anymore and it wasn't very good.) This place is popular because of it's location. When friends suggest Flying Star its "oh well it's right there so" and then we go because it's close and makes sense, but I always regret paying for another slice of that really good looking but not so tasty after all carrot cake, which is missing some very key spice component. But I won't return. I wonder why there aren't any locations in the south valley? I appreciate its local chain status but there are several up-and-coming local restaurants that serve ONLY local foods and ingredients and have one chef who has an individual vision rather than following the recipe for the Flying Star white people food (fish and chips? c'mon. Where are we again? the desert? are y'all serving silvery minnows?) for too much money. I love that "red stuff" but its raspberry zinger tea, iced, for NEARLY 5 DOLLARS A GLASS. ridiculous. This place is overpriced. Anyway, I'll usually just enjoy a pot of tea at Flying Star and read the magazines, which I really do enjoy, since that's all I can afford. I'll save my money for tasty, inspired and seasonally appropriate cuisine from another local establishment that has an even better view. Or may I recommend a picnic in the bosque with homemade sandwiches? They will taste better.
(1)Keith R.
NOT HAVE AGAIN: the 3 Thai tacos were not very Thai, not your typical corn tortillas and just not tasty. Lots of other dishes are wonderful, but not this one.
(2)Marie M.
I love Flying Star. This particular location is homey and inviting. The food is consistently great and so is the service. I enjoy the pecan pie that is offered during the holiday.
(5)Alicia F.
The food here is good. I can't say i've ever had anything bad there. The desserts are the best. Although, their food is really expensive.
(4)Tofu D.
Love this place, it's a big store, and it's in a pretty good plaza. The staff is friendly and their outdoor patio area is very nice, with a large fireplace. Always busy, and parking can be hard as it is in a small plaza with great shops. But, there is additional parking in the back and on the street.
(4)Tom L.
Definitely not worth the price. My girlfriend and I went there for breakfast and we both got French toast. First of all it cost $28 and to top it off, her French toast was made with garlic bread. Maybe they would have noticed if they weren't constantly checking her out.
(1)Marti M.
Breakfast is served all day and if you're vegan (like me) there are plenty of options - and they'll happily sub tofu for eggs without looking at you like you have three heads! I LOVE this place but I also LOVE coffee-shop/diner type food (also hard to find if you're vegan) plus it has all those New Mexico signature flavors (awesome red and green chile) and I love that any dining companion I bring along is going to find stuff they like as well - burgers, kids menu, decadent desserts, healthy stuffs..... I also like that they try to use local whenever possible and really make an effort to be eco-friendly and very "green"...
(5)Tiffany H.
Ate breakfast here on a recent vacation in Albuquerque and loved this place. Went on a Sunday morning around 9 - it was crowded, but line moved quickly and servers were quite nice. Got the best french toast I've ever eaten, bar none. My husband got the special - Eggs Florentine and said the English muffin was amazing. Loved the atmosphere - the bookstore next door was even open on Sunday morning! We did go to the downtown location the next morning and it was fine, but not as good as this location - too big and cold and the food/service were both just average.
(5)Kat O.
Wonderful place! Incredible Green Chile, maybe the best I've ever had. Great variety in the menu, the kids loved it, the pastry/bakery counter was off the charts. It's a full-service restaurant menu, with fast casual service. A little annoying that there isn't table service, I don't like getting up for extra napkins, and having the desserts delivered with the entrees. Organic, free range meats, eco-friendly, everything made in-house. Awesome. I'd love one in Denver!
(4)Amanda H.
Flying Star offers standard cafe food with a healthy, eco-friendly and New Mexican twist. You can see by their menu that they use quality ingredients and go organic, local and sustainable when possible. They also offer an extensive and tasty looking pastry counter that would be worth a visit. P.S. Their website lists where they purchase their meats, eggs, etc. that would be worth checking out if you're a local.
(4)Erica S.
Everything is good here! My new fav. is the Ranchers Melt! Yum! Thinly sliced steak and green chili on sour dough oozing with cheese! So good! The manager Jacob Cohen was very nice and well organized. I was impressed with how well run it was! Great company!
(5)Justin L.
Well, I wouldn't call this place "sprawling," however, compared to many of their other locations, I suppose it is larger. In any event, though I don't live in Albuquerque, I am routinely there several times a year visiting family. Flying Star has always been one of my favorite fast-casual spots in town. The perfect place for a quick bite of "higher quality," than your average equivalent establishment. This location in particular is probably my favorite. I stay with family in the area just north, along Rio Grande, and I find it gets most of my time and money. Plus, the patio area is incredibly inviting. Where I live in Phoenix, places like Flying Star are a nearly a dime-a-dozen, but in the ABQ, it's still a diamond in the rough. Sure, there are better places in town, but for familiarity and consistency, served in an upbeat, contemporary and un-pretentious atmosphere, Flying Star is one of the best. Their coffee, their massive homemade dessert selections baked inhouse daily (tarts, cookies, fudge, brownies, etc.), and of course there varied menu of fresh sandwiches, salads and other "comfort foods," done quick and easy. Everything is generally worth a try. Even some of their New Mexican food specialties are more than satisfactory. And yes, I know this place is a chain. However, it's a small, home-grown chain, that prides itself in being a product of New Mexico. That's fine by me.
(4)Catherine A.
This is my favorite Flying Star location of all time. I've come here since I was little, and it still somehow feels the same to me (in a good way). Of course it has all the amenities of all the other Flying Star's, but there's something about the peaceful Rio Grande Boulevard that makes their amazing chai and cheese danishes even better. I love the "Petio," and appreciate their vegetarian-friendly menu (my mouth is watering just thinking about the Californian... mmmm!).
(5)Rachel F.
i usually don't go for flying star (it has a chain-y feel, and a little on the pricey side for me) but this location is beautiful- they have an outdoor patio (where they allow dogs!) and I discovered there's bottomless refills on the iced coffee. A nice place to sit and kill time on the free wi-fi (or peruse their extensive magazine selection) and sip your beverage of choice.
(3)Brad L.
Such awesome food! Will go straight back the next time I'm in Albuquerque.
(5)Santhosh N.
Quick visit to Albuquerque on a second honeymoon. Found this great restaurant out here, and saw a veggie burger on the menu. THIS THING WAS FANTASTIC!! It may have been the tastiest restaurant-made veggie burger that I had ever eaten, and that includes a great patty at Houston's and an always-awesome burger at The Counter around Los Angeles. The ambience is fantastic, young and light with just a little music in the background. The service is very sweet and kind, with just a hint of humor. Right next to a great book store.
(4)Jennifer S.
My husband, dog, and I went this morning for breakfast. We really liked the pet-friendly "Petio"--it was big, shady, and they had a fireplace that would probably be nice in the fall. The service was also great. On the other hand, the food was not very good. I had the Southwest Bennie and husband had the Graburrito with green chile and turkey sausage. I thought both were way too creamy and heavy for my taste. I would definitely not order either of those items again, though I might go back and try something else. It was also rather pricey for very meh food--24 for those two items plus two coffees.
(3)david p.
I had dinner at Flying Star while on vacation last week. I don't know. Maybe breakfast is better because my $14 rice bowl sure didn't have much flavor. The chicken tasted like rubber. Overpriced and apparently over rated for dinner.
(2)Damon A.
I took a trip to Kansas to visit a friends family. We stayed the night in Albuquerque as our halfway point. We were hungry when we got in and decided to use Yelp to find a decent place to eat other than fast food. We stumbled upon Flying Star and thought we might give it a shot considering they had vegan options. We stopped in to pick up food to bring back to the hotel. I got the Lo Mein w/ tofu. The food was great.. and they gave you just enough. On our way back from Kansas, we stopped in again and decided to have breakfast at their "petio," (their dog-friendly patio) with my friends dog. The patio was nice and big with plenty of space for the dogs. They even had dog bowls for water and leash tie offs at every post. The breakfast was great. I had the tofu scramble. All was awesome. This place was great... and an awesome alternative. The staff was super friendly and happy! I like that. Makes me happy to eat their. And we loved the fact that they are organic and the owners support animal rights. A big thank you for that! I will definitely come back if I'm in that area again. Thank you Flying Star!!!
(5)Ashley M.
I got today's special: Matzoh Ball Stew. The broth and veggies are very awesome, but the matzoh ball itself is not dense enough, and is overly-herbed. From noon to 1pm on a Monday, the place was pretty packed, and there were only a couple of 2-person tables empty. All-around good experience.
(4)Alice S.
I have mixed feelings about the Flying Star. On one hand, the Rio Grande FS is the only halfway decent place to eat that's close to home. So, it's convenient and mosly a casual and pleasant place to hang out. BUT, the food quality is inconsistent and overpriced. They have WAY overcooked tofu on several occasions---and downright BURNED it twice. The last time, I called the manager over and asked how they could possibly allow my dish to leave the kitchen that way. He apologized and brought me some unburned tofu twenty minutes later. I have also gotten cold eggs with cold toast a few times. Also, you have to know what to order. The salads are usually reliable.
(2)Mark D.
Cool place. My relatives live around the corner so we popped in a couple times while in town for the balloon fiesta last week - once in the evening just for dessert and then a day later for lunch. Great location next to the bookstore, we browsed books for a while then sat and ate our desserts, which were rich. Very rich. We shared the red velvet cake and tiramisu - both were incredible. For lunch we shared a black bean burger and a bowl of the potato leek soup. Very tasty. Apparently they prepare two soups everyday, and they make sure that one of them is always vegetarian, which, being vegetarian, I much appreciate.
(4)Katy T.
Though this place does have some atmosphere, it is lacking in many areas and I don't recommend it. The service is abysmal. Slow, forgetful, and not very friendly. Prices are high for what you get. Often the food is overcooked and burned. Once I ordered fish and chips and the fish was burned black. Once I ordered a burger and it was burned and dry. A friend of mine ordered a burger and when he looked inside there was no meat. Whoops !!! A high degree of quality is just not here. You might be ok if you are justing getting a drink or dessert, but the food is definitely not very good and the price too high. They have free WiFi, but often it does not work at all or is very slow. Bring your own broadband modem if you have one so you do not need to rely on their buggy WiFi. There are far better places to shell out your hard earned cash than here. Don't go......
(2)Elizabeth H.
Albuquerque food at New York City prices. The patio is quaint, and the magazine section rocks. The food, gussied up diner fare at fancy prices. The driest, worst $8 burger I've ever had. Stick to breakfast or just grab a delicious dirty chai and spend your money next door at the bookstore.
(2)J P.
...if a mediocre, over-priced hummus salad (hummus glob, 2 mealy tomato slices, a few olives, and cold hard pita triangles) on an OK patio appeals to you, why not give the place a try? They of course have a number of other things on the menu that must have been better, given the apparent popularity of the place.
(2)Cyrus Z.
Pricey but the food was great and coffee was good. Price was expected because of the quality of the food, ie organic and range free food.
(4)leah m.
Our first time visiting ABQ. At a gas station we saw a couple of police officers and asked them where the nearest Starbucks was. They kindly told us to ditch Starbucks and try the Flying Star instead. So glad we did! As we pulled in the marquee greeted us with the promise of cake and free cupcakes. And, ohhhh those cakes! Layered Pineapple Upside Cake with cream cheese yumminess between each layer, Raspberry Chocolate Ganache, joined with our complimentary Red Velvet and Strawberry heaven cupcakes were our personal choices for the evening. We ordered two towering glasses of hot chocolate with avalanching whipped cream and an omelet to complete our midnight snack (by this time it was 11pm.) And even though they closed at 11 the staff weren't a bit rude, rather they served us with smiles and reccomendations. There were two other groups that had already been there, and none of us were asked to leave or hurried one bit. The diner itself was modern yet charming with a touch of whimsy- my kind of place. And there was a children's bookstore called Bookworm next door- things like that make me happy. Anyway, it was a wonderful experience and i will go back everytime i'm in ABQ. The only reason I gave it four stars was because, though the food was tasty and the bakery items supreme, the omelet and hot chocolate were not the best i had ever had. But don't get me wrong they were still quite good! Love this place.
(4)tofulicious y.
Giant breakfast burrito! + Chocolate covered mint cookie shaped like a heart!!! + Fresh OJ! = YUMMY ! P.S. The cookie gets an extra YUMMMMM!!!
(4)Jeanne H.
Always overpriced. Dessert is the only thing sure not to disappoint. Everything else is a crap shoot on any given day. Convenient place to meet so they get my dime.
(3)Jay V.
love it, great concept. great food, and the service was good to us tourists. will definitely go back when in the hood.
(4)Elizabeth S.
I've eaten here multiple times. I think the food is consistently good, the atmosphere good but what has really impressed me is the service. Last week, we waited and waited for our dinner. When I went to check why it was taking so long - others who came well after us had already been served. Somehow our order was removed from their computer before it was prepared. So they gave us our dinner free. So not so great that they lost our order but they admitted it and immediately offered free dessert or free dinner. I can't eat the dessert so dinner was credited back to my credit card. Tonight we sat outside for dinner. Due to a communication problem on our end, I ended up with an entree I couldn't eat. The server immediately offered to take it and reprepare the meal - no charge. I appreciate the good service and going the extra distance for customer satisfaction - they even brought a treat to our table for our dog. My uncle is in a wheelchair and the restaurant is easily accessible.
(5)