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Laguna Burger opens sixth location
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The sound of sizzling hamburger meat could be heard early Wednesday afternoon in Albuquerque’s Bricklight District near the University of New Mexico.
Residents are in luck. Laguna Burger has opened its sixth location, marking its second restaurant to open in under a year.
The opening also marks the third location for the eatery in the Albuquerque metro area, with a Laguna Burger opening early last year in Rio Rancho in the former spot of Mac’s Steak in the Rough.
“We’re the official burger of the Lobos, so it makes sense for us to go into the University area,” said Ryan Westerman, area manager for Laguna Burger, who oversees the two newest locations and the Laguna Burger on 12th Street. “Having that partnership for over six years (with UNM), we really wanted to capitalize on it.”
As part of the expansion near UNM, Laguna Burger hopes to hit a new audience while staying true to its brand.
The eatery, managed by Fuego Enterprises, a subsidiary of Laguna Development Corp., has plans to create student specials at the location — including a $10.99 smash burger and smothered breakfast burrito.
The eatery, located at 105 Harvard SE, will also host events on the outdoor patio it shares with neighbor business, Flock of Moons Brewing Co.
The location does not sell alcohol yet. But they are applying to eventually offer a full-service bar stocked with local brews from Bow & Arrow, Ex Novo and La Cumbre, Westerman said.
“We want to bring people in, especially during summer,” Westerman said.
The opening of another Laguna Burger is just the latest in a list Fuego Enterprises and Laguna Development Corp. hope to open in the coming years.
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Maxine Velasquez, president and CEO of Laguna Development Corp., the development arm of the Laguna Pueblo, said another location is slated to open in the second quarter of 2025 at the Albuquerque International Sunport.
“There have been folks asking for it in Farmington, in Gallup, in Las Cruces and in Santa Fe,” Velasquez said. “We’re going to seek out other opportunities, either throughout the state ... or regionally.”
