Santa Fe's "Musts" for Green and Red Chili

[habaneros]

Will be visiting Santa Fe for one week the last week in July. Not to sound overly enthusiastic....., each day, I plan on eating either green or red chili for breakfast, lunch and dinner! The hotter the better. I appreciate and thank you in advance for your recommendations on where I absolutely have to go.

[RobynS]

Well, to start its chile with and "e" not chili with an "i". As a former New Mexican for 9 years I can tell you it's a bit of a pet peeve of locals. I would advise trips to both Bobcat Bite for a green chile cheeseburger and Horseman's Haven for really hot green chile. Many are fans of Maria's, Tomasitas and Coyote Cafe as well. Blake's Lotaburger has good green chile cheeseburgers as well. Enjoy your trip!

[habaneros]

Thank you so much for the spelling advice and recommendations! I actually live in Chile (Santiago), so I was being overly cautious.... because we don't like people to spell this country "Chili" - go figure.... Can't wait!

[RobynS]

Okay, that's just funny, I used to live in Santiago as well so you can see why I'm doubly sensitive.

There are quite a few Santa Fe threads here so you should try a search as well. If you make it down to Albuquerque for a meal I really like Sadies and El Pinto is a favorite as well. I also forgot to mention my favorite breakfast place, Tecolote.

[IslayMan]

If you like hot, do breakfast at Horseman's Haven and order the Level 2 chile. It's not on the menu - by request only.

[habaneros]

Gracias a Usted tambien! Are there higher levels??

[IslayMan]

I'll try this again. For some reason the Chow Police nuked my response about Level 3 chile. They must've thought that it was off topic because I mentioned Level 3 instead of sticking with Level 2. It's tough to keep up with all the regs here.

Anyway, I said that one night having dinner at the bar at Il Piatti (a dynamite Italian place in Santa Fe) the bartender mentioned a rumor that you could actually order Level 3 chile at Horseman's Haven! Yowza!!!!!

[rollledspleen]

Pasqual's is a great restaurant for any meal. Specifically for chile go for breakfast - huevos rancheros

[Tillman]

Guadalupe Cafe on Old Santa Fe trail, just S. of downtown is good, and their green chile is usually hot. Ask for extra for extra heat. The chicken relleno is a house specialty. Good people-watching too. Bienvenidos a Santa Fe!

Cheers -- Pete Tillman

[nharper]

I'm told by friends who live in Santa Fe that the Coyote Cafe is under new ownership and is not what it once was. I'd be delighted to learn my friends are misinformed, since the Coyote once served some of the best and spiciest food in Santa Fe.Twenty years ago Mama Garcia's in Bernalillo (still there?) served hands down the hottest food I've ever eaten - -hotter than even the hottest Thai and Etheopian.

[DebitNM]

Cafe San Estephan - 4 table patio
Cowgirl - very casual
Coyote Cafe - casual
El Farol - few tables on patio
Guadalupe Cafe - traditional NM; no reserv.
The Shed - few tables.
La Choza-sister rest. to The Shed
O'Keefe Cafe
Harry's Roadhouse - nice outdoor area
The Railyard (owner of 315)
Tomasita's - casual;excellent red & green sauce
Tesuque Village Market - covered patio. a personal favorite

Geronimo - like inside only
Bistro315 -either inside or outside
Santacafe - either inside or outside
or La Casa Sena - Courtyard table
Julien's - inside or outside
Ristra

[IslayMan]

FYI.
Julian's is closed.

[DebitNM]

Thanks for the heads up on Julien's.

[ulterior epicure]

I'm thinking of spending part of a day at the O'Keef museum. Lunch at the cafe seems sensible. Is it any good?

[DebitNM]

This thread is 2 years old - that said, the museum is nice, won't take up more than an hour.

La Choza for lunch.

Or if you want to try and avoid crowds - Torino's 227 Don Gaspar Ave., Inside Santa Fe Village . You wouldn't know it was here if you weren't looking for it..Italian/French home style cooking at great prices

Deb