Tim's Place Features Breakfast, Lunch and Hugs

Tim's Place provides breakfast, lunch and plenty of warm, friendly hugs from Tim, the owner. Tim's has been a staple of the Academy/Wyoming area in Albuquerque's northeast heights for several years. Its emphasis on customer service and the personal touch brings customers in for food with a side order of hugs.

8050 Academy Blvd. NE
Albuquerque, NM 87111, suite 101

6:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., 7 days a week

Owner Tim Harris provides breakfast and lunch at this centrally located restaurant in the northeast heights. For breakfast, choose from New Mexican favorites, pancakes, waffles, omelettes, everyday favorites or specialties such as a country biscuit bowl. Lunch on soup, salad, burgers, sandwich combos, New Mexican specialties or try one of Tim's lunch box favorites.

Tim's Place has been featured in People magazine and CNN Headline News Network because the business defies expectations, as does Tim. Born with Down Syndrome, Tim graduated from Eldorado High School in Albuquerque and continued on to Eastern New Mexico University, where he earned certificates in food service and restaurant hosting. His dream of one day owning his own restaurant came true in October 2010 when Tim's Place opened its doors.

Tim has free hugs on the menu, right along with sandwiches, coffee and eggs, and customers come back for a regular friendly fix along with plates of food.

Stepping inside Tim's Place is like stepping in to the arms of Tim himself. The entry wall has pictures of Tim in various places, posted beneath his motto, "I'm More Like You Than Different." It's a welcome hello. Eggs and sandwiches are on the menu, but I suspect more than a few people visit Tim's because of the restaurant's friendly attitude. We all need a good hug.

Tim's offers breakfast staples such as pancakes and eggs, along with some New Mexican specialties. We tried the malted pancakes, which were light and tasty, and came with two syrup cups for eyes and butter pats that made a mouth. That lighthearted attitude is carried over into the restaurant itself as Tim navigates the customers, chatting with them and giving out hugs. My breakfast potatoes came in a generous portion and weren't greasy. I'd definitely go back for more. A popular item at breakfast is the cinnamon roll, which comes with whipped cream cheese.

Lunch items include grilled sandwiches such as Tim's Caribbean Reuben, served with Caribbean Island dressing on marbled rye. New Mexican specials include burritos, enchiladas and quesadillas.

Tim's also offers takeout, catering and special events hosted and catered at Tim's.

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