Southwest Diner to Open in 10 to 14 Days

The Southwest Diner, a few blocks east of on Southwest Avenue, will open its doors in 10 to 14 days.

That's the word from Jonathan Jones, who is . It will specialize in northern New Mexico fare.

He and Sidel were taking care of details on Thursday afternoon.

"Everything is done as far as the city and the state, so it's all on us now," Jones said.

They shopped local antique stores to add to what they found around New Mexico to give their restaurant the right feel. A 1951 map of New Mexico hangs on a wall.

He said they need to finalize the menu and train the staff.

Green chili sauce for their regular gig at the Tower Grove Farmers Market was on the stove, so it already has the right smell.

"The food we're doing is more from the north, centered around Santa Fe," Jones said. "The chilies are grown toward the south, but that's a little more Mexican. What we're doing is pretty much New Mexican. It's kind of hard to explain the difference, but it's good."

He said he had just eaten a green chili cheeseburger.

"We'll be doing the classic diner-style burger like - the flattened on the top with cheese and green chili sauce - awesome."

They don't plan a big opening.

"We'll do a soft open," Jones said. "Put a little sign in the window. We don't want to be inundated. It would be great if that happened, but.."

He said they'll do a blast-out on Facebook about a week after opening.

"It's really fun to think about food again," Sidel said.