South Valley native brews heritage and pride at Albuquerque’s Cutbow Coffee
By Royale Da
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KOAT) — As Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated across New Mexico, one Albuquerque business is brewing more than just great coffee — it’s serving up a story of culture, community, and deep-rooted pride.
Paul Gallegos, founder and master roaster of Cutbow Coffee in the North Valley, has turned his passion for coffee into a tribute to his heritage.
Raised in Albuquerque’s South Valley, with family ties to Las Vegas, Wagon Mound, and Mora, Gallegos blends his cultural identity into every cup.
“I feel like I represent a culture and a state and a family who is very proud of their heritage,” he said.
Gallegos launched his roasting career in the late 1990s, starting in the Bay Area before returning home to New Mexico to open Cutbow Coffee. The café’s name is inspired by the cutbow trout — a hybrid fish found in northern New Mexico — symbolizing the blend of cultures that define the state.
For Gallegos, roasting is more than a trade — it’s a responsibility.
“I feel a great sense of responsibility to represent a rich and proud heritage,” he said.
Today, Cutbow Coffee is a local favorite, known not just for its quality brews but also for its welcoming atmosphere and community focus. Gallegos hopes to continue mentoring young roasters while preserving the traditions that shaped him. Cutbow Coffee is located on Rio Grande Boulevard, just north of I-40, in Albuquerque.
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