Site Map | Archives

HomeEntertainmentFood & Dining

Punk Rock Pizza and Wrap It Up offer fresh eats under one roof

Punk Rock Pizza / Wrap It Up

922 Coal Ave. S.W.

342-9727

Dining room open Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; drive-through and delivery 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Credit cards

related linksMore Food & Dining


*Note: The Tribune does not create and is not responsible for the blogosphere's headlines and stories. These links to blogs talking about ABQTrib.com are automatically generated. Use them at your own risk.

SHARE THIS STORY [?]

When Punk Rock Pizza opened last year under the same roof as Wrap It Up sandwich joint, it became something as original as the punk club CBGB.

In fact, they have a wrap sandwich by the same name - grilled chicken, bacon, guacamole and baby spinach ($5.99). It's one of the many wraps that will really make you say "Oi!"

The space that houses Punk Rock Pizza and Wrap It Up is a perfect spot to grab some grub and hang out with friends and family Downtown.

Music such as Green Day and the Pogues blares loudly from a stereo and sets the scene in the bright tangerine and sunflower yellow cafe. The restaurant's indoor patio chairs and wooden tables beckon for food and good times.

On one side of the restaurant is a tiki figurine and on the other is a big-screen TV. Unique paintings and photography hang on the walls and brightly colored ribbons are tied to the air conditioner vent like confetti. Even the bathrooms have creative touches, like hand-painted flowers around the mirror.

My 40-something father was my dining companion for the evening, but the loud music and bright visuals didn't put him off. He enjoyed the original artwork and casual atmosphere.

My mother, on the other hand, is more Yanni-inclined. She enjoys the food but opts for take-out.

I can't say it's a bad idea; these restaurants don't have a liquor license yet. Call me a lush, but the flavorful fare is even better with a cold beer or a glass of wine.

You can taste the difference in the fresh ingredients that only a mom and pop joint could consistently offer. When the quiet but friendly staff brought us our order, it was as if a friend just made us lunch in their own kitchen.

The Green Chile Philly ($5.49) wrap bursts with chewy roast beef, Swiss cheese, peppers, onions, juicy mushrooms and green chile. I could easily develop a craving for this baby. The green chile is thick and offers a nice bite without scalding your taste buds.

Wrap It Up also offers salads ($4.99 to $5.99), a soup of the day ($1.95 per cup or $3.95 per bowl), eight-ounce hamburgers ($3.99 to $4.99) and a variety of craveable New Mexican foods. Think tacos with soft corn tortilla shells ($5.99 to $7.99 per plate), carne adovada enchiladas ($6.99) and of course, breakfast burritos ($2.95 to $5.99).

In case none of these options gets you going, don't forget that Punk Rock Pizza comes from the same kitchen. The pizza's crust is crispy on the outside, soft on the inside with generous toppings and lots of cheese - minus the pools of grease that plague most pizza joints.

The small pizza ($4.95) is a personal size and includes two free toppings. While the medium ($7.95) includes three toppings and the large ($13.95) includes four.

In addition to the usual toppings, Punk Rock Pizza offers roasted garlic, artichokes, pesto, broccoli and, of course, green chile. You can add extra topping as you please (75 cents to $1.50).

This joint also offers freshly baked chocolate-chip, oatmeal-raisin and macadamia nut cookies for dessert. I couldn't resist trying each of them and found them to be crunchy and delightful.

There is also a rich, dense chocolate cake with thick chocolate frosting. It is as soft and rich as the one your mama makes, but don't be fooled - this chunk of deliciousness is actually from Sam's Club, believe it or not.

Nonetheless, these two restaurants make for one great time. You can absolutely taste the freshness of the veggies, meats and cheeses. And, of course, the prices appeal to the penniless punkers who no doubt frequent the place.