Stuck on a barren stretch of North 4th Street in Los Ranchos, where neighboring businesses are feed stores and car-repair shops, Sophia’s Place (6313 4th St. NW, 505/345-3935, 7 a.m.–3 p.m. Mon., 7 a.m.–3 p.m. and 5–9 p.m. Tues.–Fri., 9 a.m.–2 p.m. and 5–9 p.m. Sat., 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Sun., $8) is a colorful gem that’s well worth the drive, the sort of bohemian café that serves fresh farm eggs but doesn’t brag about it. Get those eggs on a breakfast sandwich, which you’re really ordering for the side of highly addictive red-chile-dusted home fries. If it’s lunchtime, you can opt for a big bowl of noodles or a fat sandwich stuffed with your choice of grilled meats, and at dinner, there are duck tacos and other delicious things. In any case, this is the sort of place where you’ll want to laze around, reading the newspapers strewn about and musing over the oddball art and vintage calendars on the walls.

If, for some crazy reason, you’re in Corrales and don’t want to eat enchiladas at Perea’s for lunch, you can get a somewhat lighter meal at Hannah & Nate’s Market Café (4512 Corrales Rd., 505/898-2370, 7 a.m.–2 p.m. daily, $7), which specializes in elaborate sandwiches, such as a New Mexico BLT (green chile, naturally, goes along with the holy trinity of sandwich components) and one made of porchetta link (boneless pork roasted with herbs). There’s also a full breakfast menu, with all manner of egg dishes as well as a dazzling variety of burritos.