An American-style breakfast at Rubia’s Mexican Fine Dining in Aztec. (Sebastian Fortino/For the Tri-City Record)
Since the Aztec Restaurant closed two years ago, breakfast at Rubia’s Fine Mexican Dining is a welcome addition to local fare. Breakfast started in March 2025.
Rubia’s Fine Mexican Dining, located at 116 South Main Avenue in Aztec, serves breakfast from 8-11 .m. Tuesday through Saturday.
I didn’t find time to enjoy the breakfast until recently. One Thursday at 10 a.m. the bar area hummed with locals greeting each other, to the rich smell of freshly ground coffee.
Sebastian Fortino
Rubia’s recently launched a newly designed menu, showcasing the wonderful mural on the side entrance by local artist Elmer Yazzie. Lunch and dinner offers seafood ceviche, and oysters on the half shell. But, we were here for breakfast.
“Breakfast is especially popular on Saturday. My favorite? Huevos rancheros with Christmas chile,” my server Jewell shared.
Jewell recommended the breakfast special with two eggs, two pancakes, two meats, and potatoes. I chose sunnyside-up eggs, housemade sausage patties, and ham steak.
The potatoes are perfectly salted, and browned — each bite delightfully crisp. There was no cold inner potato hiding under a deceptively golden crust. That’s because they’re made from fresh, never frozen, potatoes. The sweetness of sautéed onion and green bell pepper rounded everything out. As I’m no fan of breakfast potatoes, or green peppers, that’s saying a lot. No hot sauce was deployed.
The yolks of my eggs were a perfect golden yellow. I can’t remember the last time I ordered pancakes. Or are they flapjacks in the Southwest? The crumb was perfect, emphasizing the cake in pancake. Finished with real maple syrup, warmed before serving, it’s a delightful touch.
“We’re not just a breakfast spot. It’s a place to socialize, and start the day refreshed,” manager Andrea Vela-Rios said. “Rubia’s has always been a gathering place for locals. Breakfast here fills the void left by the Aztec Restaurant. Many of our senior guests come in a few times a week. It starts the day fresh, and brings a sense of community. They visit with friends, read the Tri-City Record, or catch morning headlines on their phones.”
My friend Susan Hand, a semi-retired professor of philosophy and literature, hence her rhyming, joined me. She shared the manager’s sentiment; for her it’s “the place to meet, greet, and eat.”
Breakfast burrito at Rubia’s Fine Mexican Dining in Aztec. (Sebastian Fortino/For Tri-City Record)
“If you get there at eight o’clock, as the first of the gang to arrive, a server gives you menu advice and listens smilingly at your day’s first thoughts,” Susan said. “That’s a treat, because you’ll have to compete for air time when the gang is complete. The server always tells you what’s best when you’re indecisive. Trust the cook at the stove, as he’ll leave no egg white exposed, and serve your eggs as you propose.”
Susan’s hearty breakfast burrito came beautifully plated. Three eggs and bacon, in their tortilla pouch, have a rich flavor I’ll order next. For sauce, whether you go red, or green, or Christmas, it’s a two-dollar add-on diners should invest in.
A bloody Mary at Rubia’s Fine Mexican Dining. (Sebastian Fortino/For the Tri-City Record)
For those who enjoy morning cocktails, an “eye-opener” our grandparents called them, order a bloody Mary. Ours were just right. Some versions have horseradish coming through the straw like a geyser, too much vodka, and enough pepper to sneeze at. Not at Rubia’s. They come with a decadent salt rim, a spicy peperoncino, green olives, and a lime wedge.
We thoroughly enjoyed our meal, which turned Thursday breakfast into weekend brunch. Rubia’s is open on Monday but doesn’t serve breakfast. Still, that’s five mornings a week to enjoy excellent coffee, a bloody Mary, piping hot eggs, and some of the best breakfast potatoes you’ll find.
Editor’s note: Sebastian Fortino is a writer, editor, and menswear stylist. The Fordham University graduate has been writing and editing for most of his career. A Philadelphia native, he has been in the Four Corners since 2022. Fortunately, he has yet to see a snake. Happily, he finally saw a prairie dog.
Dining and Cooking