Budai Gourmet

Came here for lunch. There were signs posted that the restaurant is short-staffed, and requested patience. There was one server for the whole restaurant. We did have to wait about 10 minutes for her to take our order. While waiting, I noticed that the server waited on customers in the order they were seated. Well done! Once we ordered, our food came out quickly and was delicious! It was well worth the brief wait. We will be back.

We have enjoyed every visit to Budai, and especially appreciate how they're able to make most entrees gluten free. Their service is always friendly. The black pepper lamb may be perfection!

I've finally found my favorite Chinese restaurant! I went with a friend today and ordered the mini shrimp dumplings, ma po tofu (extra spicy), salt and pepper short ribs and beef stew in clay pot.

Everything was so good and flavorful! The mini shrimp dumplings were soft, tender and tasty. The ma po tofu had little bits of pork in it and was full of umami flavor and soft tofu. It's the best I've had so far in NM. Salt and pepper short ribs were super tender inside with a light and crispy exterior and perfectly seasoned. There was no prim and proper way to eat them, so we just dug in. The beef stew in clay pot was impressive! It came sizzling to our table and the aroma!!! So flavorful with tender beef, Napa cabbage and clear glass noodles on the bottom. So very good!

We had just missed the lunch rush. The service was polite and efficient. Our server seemed to be happy to see us enjoying our food so much. Very nice guy.

We were so happy to be seated at a comfortable booth. So many restaurants seem too modern and almost sterile. This place has a warm and comfortable feel.

This is a place we'll go out of our way to visit again. I can't wait to take my husband next time!

Food (garlice sauce squid) was very tasty. Service was a little lacking but to be fair, they have signs up stating they are short on staff and to please be kind. To explain, I was never offered water or given my check until I went to register. Room temp was uncomfortably warm but that could just have been me. Overall, it was good food and the people were courteous enough.