Sadie’s of New Mexico has been a local favorite for New Mexican food for 70 years, but it’s evolved to be more than just a family-run business. Executive Chef Keith Dominguez is the first executive chef outside of the family at the restaurant that was originally started by Sadie Koury and her sister.
“They grew up in Bernalillo, and that’s where they started to learn to cook New Mexican food,” said Brian Stafford, the co-owner of Sadie’s of New Mexico and Sadie’s nephew. “[My family] would eat green chile when I was kid that would make your ears ring, that’s how hot it was, and they would eat it like it was nothing. That’s passed on in the recipes here at the restaurant.”
Chef Keith is now the one making those recipes. A born-and-raised New Mexican, he knew he wanted to work at Sadie’s as soon as he learned about it.
Left: Brian Stafford, Right: Keith Dominguez
“When I started learning about all their history and how family integrated it was and seeing how massive this production is from something that started so small, it was something I knew I wanted to stay a part of,” Chef Keith said.
He’s been cooking since he was 5 years old. As he got older, his love of food began to grow.
“Everything started from a very young age for me when I was just cooking to eat, and then seeing how it makes other people happy and my passion just grew from there to where it is now,” Chef Keith said. “I’ve always loved food in general. It never really mattered to me if I was working in a fast food restaurant or a fine dining restaurant, just seeing people smile is what makes me happy.”
He is making the customers of Sadie’s happy with the restaurant’s take on New Mexican food. The extensive menu features classic dishes and combination plates like the ribeye steak with a tamale to make sure customers get to try a little bit of everything.
@visitalbuquerque Sadie’s has been cooking classic New Mexican cuisine for decades! Check out Executive Chef Keith Dominguez’s favorite dish on the menu and see how it’s made! #trueabq #albuquerque #newmexicanfood ♬ original sound - Visit Albuquerque
“Me being rooted in New Mexico, green chile is my cuisine,” Chef Keith said. “It’s always been something I’m the most versed in, but I didn’t really realize it because it's something we do every day in our homes.”
It’s that home-style cooking that has led to Sadie’s longevity. The restaurant will celebrate 70 years in business in October, with a special celebration happening Oct. 5, 2024. The event will include live music, a beer garden and a tortilla slapping contest.
It’s all to celebrate a family legacy being passed on to a new generation.
“To be able to put out really good New Mexican food and see people’s faces when I change items or I adapt one of the recipes just to make it a little more savory for somebody and everyone kind of accepts it, it’s really humbling and it makes me feel like something I’m doing actually has a purpose.”
