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The battle for the hearts and wallets of local foodies is fully engaged.

National chains have stormed Albuquerque's moat during the past five years, with more surely to come. In many parts of the city, you can now go blocks without seeing a locally owned joint.

So, let's say you're a local restaurateur selling burritos. A lot of places do. Is there anything you can do to stand apart?

This came to mind recently when I happened to visit two Dos Hermanos locations within a week, one near Journal Center and the other on Wyoming. A funny thing happened while I was at each place. It wasn't what's on the plate, which is always solid. It was what's on the walls.

Art. Lots of it, in fact. And it seemed to be the same two artists in both locations.

One was Bill Tondreau, with some very captivating Albuquerque photography. The other was Sylvia Ortiz-Domney, with some arresting fine art paintings.

I don't know why, but I was surprised to see this level of quality hanging in a restaurant. I also found myself giggling at the Journal Center location, realizing the hall I was strolling down to see every last bit of it ended at the bathroom door.

I couldn't let this one go. Who were these people and - more curious to me - why did they choose restaurants to hang what is clearly gallery-worthy art?

"The next best thing after making sales is being recognized, and restaurants can do that for you," said Tondreau, whom I caught at the home he shares with Ortiz-Domney, his wife.

"There's a critical mass of people who will see your stuff. The initial exposure in restaurants is important."

Tondreau and Ortiz-Domney, 17-year residents of Albuquerque after moving from Los Angeles, are enthusiastic to a fault over what Dos Hermanos has done for their art careers.

And don't think these people are scraggly wannabes rolling coins. Tondreau worked as a photographer in the office of Charles Eames, the iconic furniture designer. Eames is probably best known for the Eames Chaise and the early wire mesh chairs for Herman Miller.

After Eames' death, Tondreau got into developing special effects software and electronics systems for the film industry, a leap that earned him three Oscars, including for "Lord of the Rings."

You just never know who you'll meet in this town.

Ortiz-Domney, a former dancer and doll-maker, has shown at the Spanish Market and has a passion for computer-generated digital art and sculpture, as well. Both have work hanging at the Fisher Gallery on Central Avenue Southeast.

Ortiz-Domney agrees fully with her husband. "No matter where I am, even when I'm showing at the State Fair, people always come up and say they saw my work at the restaurant," she said.

At Dos Hermanos' Fourth Street Northwest location, Krista Barrett has shown her photography for a year.

"A lot of people ask about it," said manager Katerina Rospopo. "People waiting for to-go orders will stroll around and look at it."

Barrett, who has spent time in Austin and Berkeley, sums up her experience hanging in a restaurant: "It's been incredible, really powerful."

But does it sell? A burrito is one thing, a few hundred for some art another altogether.

Barrett is ecstatic over the sales she's getting. Back at Journal Center, business is good for Tondreau and Ortiz-Domney, who sell three to four pieces a month.

I know a lot of artists who would love that kind of business.

Showing at restaurants is not without its problems. Tondreau estimates a quarter of the work is damaged over time, and the restaurants find themselves being asked if customers can make payments there, akin to a gallery.

It's looking like this is one of those win-win-win situations. The restaurants and their customers benefit, and, lo and behold, local artists are making both a couple of bucks and a name for themselves.

The next time you're scarfing down a meal somewhere, take a look around the walls. You just might be surprised.