Breaking Bad is Breaking Borders

If you have lived in New Mexico, especially Albuquerque, for any part of time, you are most likely somewhat familiar with the name of Walter White. One of New Mexico’s most popular shows ever produced has brought fame to the city and nearly become part of the culture. Though the show ended twelve years ago, it still brings the most commerce to the metro area. One of the main attractions is the recreation of some of the most memorable locations in the show, most notably, Los Pollos Hermanos.

            Seven years ago, the first Los Pollos Hermanos opened in Albuquerque’s Nob Hill district. For the first year, the restaurant often had to turn away customers after the place received a ‘special’ visit from the fire chief due to exceeding the occupancy load by seventy-five people. Since the opening, there has been a consistent flow of people to the restaurant, always raving about the food and the atmosphere. Currently, there are a total of five Los Pollos Hermanos in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho. This is also one of the most popular stops on the Breaking Bad bus tours which have also grown in the recent years.

            Today, though is an important day in the history of the chain. The first restaurant outside of New Mexico opens in Dallas, Texas. This brings the grand total to fifteen Los Pollos Hermanos in the United States. Fans across the country are demanding the chain to become national. The business brains behind this all say they hope to have at least two of the restaurant in every state in the next ten years. Critics say this projection is not realistic because chains cannot develop at that pace. The Los Pollos Hermanos representative says their projections are perfectly reasonable because the nation as a whole is asking for this fictional joint to become a reality.

            New Mexico hasn’t always been known for the most  flattering things through its history but this seems to be a turning point for the state. For once, national attention is not because of a crime. As a whole, the state says thanks to Los Pollos Hermanos.

By Emily Lowell