I'd give zero stars if I could. I am extremely disappointed in the way things are done at the Cottonwood Cafe at the ABQ Bio Park. $37.11 for the crappiest lunch on the planet. January 2021 my family, along with some family friends, went to the zoo. When it was lunch time, I went and ordered some food from the Cottonwood Cafe. I was charged $37.11 for two tiny kid's meals (one with a PB n J and one with a corndog) and a container of cotton candy. My friend was charged over $20 for one kid's meal and a cotton candy. The price for these items is EXTREME! I don't know if it was a mistake on the cashier's part, but it is not only extremely high, but also insulting. The food is not even quality food. The little animal tote bag it comes in is junk. The salty and oily chips are taken from a larger bag of chips and put into sandwich baggies. The applesauce was bland (we had to beg for a spoon, by the way) and not even a name brand. The Crustable sandwich is not worth a dollar to me, and the Corndog was really chewy. The tiny little animal shaped juices are ok, but not worth what you're charging, and the same thing with the cotton candy. I don't know what is going on there but I am informing every person I know, as well as typing up reviews to warn the world of the extreme, and highly priced junk that you all are selling at the ABQ Bio Park. It is ridiculous and I think it needs to be investigated. People are being ripped off, or taken advantage of because there aren't any other choices for buying lunch. If you are going to charge that much for food, it better be really good.

Normally, I don’t write reviews, but… This was a truly awful experience. Staff was rude and sneering, One of their names was Angel. Food was overpriced $51.86 for two burgers two fries two sodas. Took just over 45 minutes for the food to be ready and there was only three other guest in the restaurant. The fountain drink machine Is dirty, and completely full of mold. Out of cheese, out of ketchup. The atmosphere was horrible even though this was at the zoo because the employees seemed anxious for guest to leave, but it was 2 PM so I can’t imagine it was close to closing time. Employees on their phones, chatting with each other, and eating directly behind the counter in plan sight of the guest. Too busy to promptly, take orders, clean, any tables or complete orders. My tip was completely unappreciated and asked for upfront while paying for the order. I hate that practice because it makes you feel like your food won’t be the best quality if you don’t tip. No “thank you” or any kind of politeness at all. Very uncomfortable! I quietly went through this experience, but hope a manager really takes a look into the staff and operation at this restaurant. Thanks for your time.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 1
Service: 1
Atmosphere: 1

As a zoo member, I was so disappointed with the service compared to the excellent service I typically receive at the zoo. I was waiting for fries and multiple times I was blatantly ignored by the staff here. In light of the Covid restrictions and the new policies there was no one explaining the process of mobile orders nor was there communication when I went to the mobile orders doors. Three times I was at the door with zero acknowledgement. So disappointing!!!!

The food tasted fresh and home-made not microwave .Obviously they take pride in what they are making my granddaughter is very picky and loved her pancakes. We had a breakfast burrito Christmas style. . The potatoes are seasoned but flavorful.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Food was good but really expensive. You pay around $17 for a grilled cheese sandwich and fries. The burgers are great and pizza looked good. Takes a while to get your food but does tlcome out cold. They have a burger that has jalapeños, green chili, pepper jack cheese, and some other stuff on it that was great. More

I’m grateful they serve food in the middle of the zoo Sure, there’s a scope of improvement with regards to quality and taste of food.
Service
Take out
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 3
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Too expensive - wait is extremely long. I recommend to bring a lunch and have a picnic. We paid 120 for 4 burgers fries and a drink.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 1
Service: 1
Atmosphere: 4

Food was ok but the wait was like 30 minutes. We got there early. Two orders ahead of us and it was just sandwiches and fries/Mac and cheese. Very very slow and very frustrating.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$10–20

Food was good and relatively fast. But brother was it expensive. Two cheese burgers with fries and two waters cost over $36!! Mc d's doesn't cost that much. The area outside really needed to be cleaned. Glad we ate inside.

My boyfriend order a inferno burger with onion rings and I order the green chili turkey cheddar grilled sandwich with homemade chips. Food was fast and good!
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

$7.95 for a bottle of Gatorade? $4.95 for a bottle of water? All the water fountains are closed “for your safety” but who can afford to try to stay hydrated with these prices?

The food is pretty good for something you can get in a zoo. However, it is typical. Burgers, fries, chicken strips and pizza. The nice thing is the food does come out warm.

Pizza station at lunch today had the worst service I've ever seen. Three people sitting around doing nothing... literally nothing... customers were all shocked.

The green chile cheese fries are delicious! On-line ordering is very easy.
Service
Take out
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$1–10

Food was really tasty. Would definitely eat there again.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$10–20

Food cold, tables dirty, service sucks
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$20–30

Great ambiance with the peacocks! But terrible service and very very overpriced! Save ur money, go somewhere else!

I think that the burger's are precooked and then put under a heating device. Plus also very very over priced.

VERYYYYY overpriced food for the quality. The floor was so sticky that my shoes were sticking to the ground.

Good but way to expensive
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Brunch
Price per person
$20–30

Asked for a glass for water and tried to get soda with it, staff yelled at me. Dissatisfied.

Not too bad.
Food: 4
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 3

Typical over priced food at the zoo . Don't have much to say .

The burgers were great. Kids enjoyed the pizza as well.

No organization. Very slow. Pricey. Not great tasting.

The peacocks were amazing

Food is pricey but good

Spendy. But worth it!