Flying Star Cafes

Open for breakfast, lunch or dinner, the Flying Star has become a local mainstay over the past twenty years. Now with eight locations and a ninth on the way, it has become a bit of an institution. But it’s the food that keeps folks coming back for more, even as the prices have risen over the years. The ingredients are fresh and whenever possible, organic and local. The desserts are gorgeous and the breads, rolls, cookies and other goodies, are consistently good.

The Flying Star started with very good soups and sandwiches, and luckily for us, they still have them. Over the years, they have expanded their menu to specialty dishes and daily blue plate specials, which often sell out. They rotate food items and bakery specialties, and focus on seasonal foods.

Although they haven’t always been a great place for extended Kids’ fare, the good news is the Flying Star has been listening. The Kids’ Menu items are evolving, and if you don’t see it on the menu, ask for it.

For breakfast, try the Southwest Bennie ($9.99), which is so large it has to be shared. It consists of two eggs over turkey sausage with cheese and chile, on an English muffin. Other breakfasts are too large to be eaten alone, but if you want to go solo, try the Graburrito, priced reasonably at $5.59. Or just indulge in a muffin, bagel or scone, all baked by the Flying Star Bakery, with a cup of good coffee.

Our family used to go to the Flying Star for dinner a lot, but as prices have risen, our visits have lessened. The Buddha Bowl ($8.59) was a favorite. It contains fresh vegetables stirred in with brown rice and a tasty lemongrass-ginger sauce. One always delicious option is the Soup of the Day. With beverage and shared dessert, the tab can even be tamed to less than $12. At the Flying Star, there is always a vegetarian option, and the complementary rolls are always good.

The Bernalillo location has a special Monday - Thursday, where kids eat free with an adult purchase (see website for details).