FAQs about our reboot

answered by our fearless leader, laurel {her valiant attempt at a press release}

  • The Avenue has evolved, and so have we! We realized we had already grown into much more than “just a pizzeria” over the years. We’re a place for fundraisers, weekly and specially-themed events, and some serious exploration of craft beverages. The name Del Ray Public House reflects our reincarnation to a much broader experience from the bar to the grill.

  • Not a chance. We aren’t folding on the food that put us on the map. We’re still serving up some of the best pies on the Avenue, using the same recipes you’ve loved for over a decade.

  • When we started the process, we really liked the idea of being able to stay true to our origins and remain “DRP”. A pub is a place built for everyone. It’s unpretentious, sturdy, and welcoming. We wanted to create a space where you can get high-quality meals without an outrageous price tag or a cookie cutter setting. It’s loud, it’s warm, and it’s centered on the idea that the best food is made simply and served generously.  

  • This isn’t just a "concept" we dreamed up; it’s a lifetime in the making. I am originally from New Mexico, and my family still operates a ranch out there with cows and deep roots in the land. Our new menu is a tribute to that upbringing, even featuring some of my stepmother’s secret recipes. We aren’t just "inspired" by the Southwest; we are bringing an authentic piece of it to Del Ray.

  • On a small family ranch, you learn to respect the livestock and the land. We carry that philosophy into our kitchen. We believe in sourcing the freshest, highest-quality ingredients available and making as much as we can from scratch.

  • We know everyone is feeling the squeeze. Economic pressure is real for all of us, and we don't think high quality should be a luxury—it should be a neighborhood standard. Whether it’s happy hour wings and a salad, a southwest platter or a fire-grilled steak, we want you to bring the family in and feel like you got incredible value for your hard-earned dollar.

  • Everything. It is a desired - if not mandatory- component of every meal, according to all New Mexican natives (myself included). We are bringing that obsession to the Avenue. Here is why it’s a big deal:

    • The "Hatch" Pedigree: Everyone should know that the best chiles in the world are grown in the Hatch Valley, where the soil and climate create a flavor profile you won't find anywhere else: a perfect balance of smoky, sweet, and a lingering heat.

    • The Sensory Experience: If you have ever been lucky enough to visit New Mexico in the fall, you probably have seen or smelled some Hatch chile getting roasted. We have a legitimate industrial-grade chile roaster and plan on bringing Del Ray TWO fresh Hatch Chile Roasts this year, aiming for the end of July and the middle of September. 

    • "Red or Green?" Green chiles are picked early and roasted for that bright, smoky punch. Red chiles are allowed to ripen on the vine for a more complex, earthy sweetness. (If you can't decide, just ask for "Christmas" and get both!)