Sugar’s BBQ is the ideal sort of BBQ restaurant — basically a metal shack in the middle of nowhere with great food. Situated in Embudo, on the highway between Santa Fe and Taos, Sugar’s is one of Gourmet magazines top 10 drive-ins. There is no indoor seating, just a bunch of tables with umbrellas to the side of the metal building. Behind the building they smoke the meat — across the highway is the Rio Grande. We thought Sugar’s was so good we went there for lunch two days in a row. First after Bandelier and the museum in Los Alamos and then after hiking at Ghost Ranch.
The food at Sugar’s is not fancy, but it is probably the highest quality food we ate anywhere on the trip. In our two meals we ate the signature Sugar Burger which is a burger topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, green chiles on one side of the meat and bacon, cheese, and mushroom on the other. The BBQ meats are served two ways as a sandwich which is well sauced — and slightly spicy with a hint of the New Mexico green chiles — and in a burrito served with a straight green chile sauce. You have your choice of brisket or pork for the bbq. I didn’t get a chance to try the ribs as they’re only served on the weekend.
If you’re in Santa Fe take the time and drive to Embudo for a meal at Sugar’s (they’re open from 10am – 7pm).