Influenced by the bold flavors of Mexico, chef Mark Kiffin of the Compound Restaurant on Canyon Road is set to open Zacatecas, a traditional taqueria and tequila bar, in Albuquerque's Nob Hill at the end of this month.

"Offering something authentic and new has always been my vision," Kiffin said. "The key to Zacatecas is to be a true Mexican taqueria."

With a full-service lunch and dinner menu, Zacatecas will showcase Kiffin's award-winning cuisine in an innovative way, which is sure to appease appetites from Albuquerque to Santa Fe and everywhere in between. Kiffin said a tentative opening date for the Nob Hill eatery is set for Jan. 25.

"Our customers can have a couple of tacos and a margarita for $10, and have a culinary experience unlike anything they have had in Albuquerque," the chef said during a recent interview.

Although it's an hour drive to Zacatecas from Santa Fe, Kiffin said the food will be well worth the drive. To combat the stress of highway traffic, Santa Feans should consider taking the Rail Runner transit system.

"There is so much more going on around Nob Hill that people can spend the entire day [there]," Kiffin said. "My friends, colleagues and restaurant clients [in Santa Fe] will definitely drive to Albuquerque to enjoy Zacatecas."

The restaurant is coined after the region of the same name in central Mexico, which is known for its classic, cross-cultural blend of foods and recipes. It's a place Kiffin knows intimately. The food at Zacatecas is a style Kiffin learned in the '90s with former partner Mark Miller, who he spent years traveling with throughout Mexico, enjoying a wide variety of taquerias and restaurants.

"I am working closely with a Zacatecas native chef to create authentic food with flavors that are true to the history and culture of this region in Mexico — a real taqueria," Kiffin said. Recipes for the food at Zacatecas have been handed down from generation to generation. The menu will include made-to-order gourmet tacos made with fresh corn tortillas and a choice of meat or seafood and organic garnishes; antojitos, or appetizers; and postres, or pastries. Some dishes are even prepared in traditional Mayan horno ovens and expertly wrapped in banana leaves.

The margarita bar will feature tequilas, mezcals and beer exclusively from Mexico, in addition to nonalcoholic liquidos.

The idea for Zacatecas was always there, Kiffin said, but the location took some time to develop.

"After owning a restaurant in Santa Fe for over 11 years, I envisioned a high-quality Mexican cuisine at affordable prices that extend beyond the New Mexican red and green option," he said.

Kiffin looked for another space in Santa Fe for years, but he jumped on the Albuquerque location when it became available, knowing how popular the Nob Hill area is for both business and dining.

"I always wanted to venture down to Albuquerque, even when I was a partner in other restaurants in Santa Fe," he said. "The real pleasure of Albuquerque is its business environment, and I have been fully welcomed and thanked from the beginning for bringing my business ... to the area."

Kiffin will continue to own and operate the acclaimed Compound Restaurant, which is known for its elegant contemporary American cuisine derived from Santa Fe's rich heritage of regional and Mediterranean influences.

Zacatecas will be Kiffin's 20th opening for either a restaurant and hotel in his 35 years in the culinary industry. "The struggles have been minor compared to some of the others I've had in the past," he said. "I can only thank the business and government community of Albuquerque for that."

Zacatecas is set to open Jan. 25, but Kiffin said to call the restaurant beforehand, especially during its opening week. After that, reservations will be accepted, but are not required.

IF YOU GO

What: Zacatecas

Where: 3423 Central Ave., NE, Albuquerque, 87106

When: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday

Information: Call 505-255-TACO (8226), or visit www.zacatecastacos.com