Food & BusinessTuesday, November 10
Tomasita's in Albuquerque reopens after a six-week fire closure
The Today in Santa Fe team
If you've been missing the red chile, Tomasita's in Albuquerque is open again. The restaurant reopened Monday, and all 80 employees are back at work.
Tomasita's Albuquerque is back after a short closure
- 80
- employees back at work
- 6 weeks
- the restaurant was closed
- 52 years
- as a New Mexico staple
Source: KOB 4
Owner George Gundrey told the Santa Fe New Mexican the Sept. 30 blaze was caused by an electrical issue with an exhaust fan in one of the restrooms. "It had nothing to do with cooking," he said.
The fire and the reopening, at a glance
| Detail | What we know |
|---|---|
| Location | 4949 Pan American Freeway |
| Fire | Sept. 30 |
| Cause | Electrical issue, restroom exhaust fan |
| Reopened | Mon., Nov. 9 |
Sources: KOB 4, Santa Fe New Mexican
“I never thought we would not be back. I knew it. I was very relieved that it was only on the roof, though, and it was only six weeks and not six months.”
Kaela Childs, who has worked at Tomasita's for four years, temporarily transferred to the Santa Fe location during the closure.
- Owners: George Gundrey and Georgia Maryol
- Red chile: made from pods, Maryol said
Sources: KOB 4, Santa Fe New Mexican