I will second Tomasito's (Santa Fe) and Los Cuates and El Pinto (Albuquerque). In my opinion, and that of many other locals, Sadie's is the best New Mexican restaurant in Albuquerque, however. Also try Dos Amigos on 4th Street and I-40 for the best "chile-cheese fries" you will ever eat. Cervantes, on Gibson past Kirtland AFB, is also outstanding for local flavor, and has a liquor store attached for convenience.

As for non-New Mexican (which I would not recommend, unless for some reason you can't eat chile, cheese, sopapillas, etc. for a week straight ), in addition to those mentioned, try Paul's Monterey Inn on Juan Tabo, an old-fashioned steak house, and Zinc's, an upscale wine bar/bistro on Central Ave. near Frontier.

I detest Garduno's. It's touristy and the food is just mediocre in my opinion.