<p>I need suggestions for good, fun, delicious new mexican restaurants in/near Santa Fe. Will be taking two Europeans there in July and would love to take them to some special local places, including restaurants. These two eat spicy food, love traveling in America, and have a genuine love of the southwest. Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>Gabriel’s is outstanding. Fresh, spicy and made with finesse by a very attentive staff. I forget its location but it is right on the main highway around 15-20 mins from Santa Fe. It was recommended to us by our conceirge at the Inn of the Anasazi and I would return to Santa Fe just to go to Gabriel’s. The entrance from the parking lot is a little underwhelming but the interior is very nice. Best Mex food I have ever had. I eat really spicy food too.</p>
<p>Santa Fe has lots of great restaurants.</p>
<p>SantaCafe, Gabriels, Anasazi, Coyote Cafe-- all wonderful. On the more elegant (and pricey) side. </p>
<p>The Shed is a local institution–their red chile is excellent. Casual.</p>
<p>Try the Tecolate Cafe if you’re craving a breakfast burrito.</p>
<p>Avoid Gardunos-- a local chain. Margaritas are huge, but the food is very unimpressive.</p>
<p>Another vote for Gabriels. It’s about 15 min dirve north of Santa Fe and definately worth the drive. Be sure to order the guacamole. We take all our out-of-town guests there. Excellent Mexican food. If you want to drive a little further north and see the beuatiful landscape look up Rancho de Chimayo, or Embudo Station (on the way to Taos, and in a beautiful setting). If you want a restaurant right in downtown Santa Fe I suggest either Guadalupe Cafe or The Shed, both a few blocks off the Plaza. I find most of the retaurants right on the Plaza over-priced, full of tourists, and kind of pretentious. But Gabriels is a must!</p>
<p>My favorite place to eat this style of food. Pasqual’s is a good casual place for breakfast near the square…</p>
<p>I can’t remember the name of the place on the square that looks like an old Woolworth’s, complete with counter seats. It was wonderful for breakfast. I had red chile over homefries. Yum. Just thinking about it makes me want to go back.</p>
<p>The Shed was also a pleasure and my husband really liked their margaritas.</p>
<p>I think that is the place that invented Frito Pie too.</p>
<p>Frito Pie originated in Texas.</p>
<p>I think not. </p>
<p>While David was being indoctrinated in tradition, Pat was having a feast of her own at one of the shrines of fast food, the Five & Dime General Store (formerly Woolworth’s) on the plaza. Like the hamburger on a bun, the origins of the Frito pie are shrouded in mystery, or are at least disputed.</p>
<p>Frito-Lay company lore claims that Daisy Dean Doolin, mother of Frito inventor Elmer Doolin, concocted Frito pie in 1932, the same year Elmer came up with the corn chip. Santa Fe legend, however, credits Woolworth’s lunch counter worker Teresa Hernandez for a 1960s inspiration to top Fritos with some of her mother’s secret-recipe red chili with beans. In these parts, everyone is convinced that the hometown version is the best.</p>
<p>The food counter is behind the postcards, trinkets, and coyote-branded shot glasses – all the way to the rear of the Five & Dime. To accommodate the noon rush, individual 2½-ounce bags of Fritos had already been cut open on one long side, ready for assembly. To fill each order, the server dug deep into the cauldron simmering on a stove top and ladled two to three scoops of red chili with beef and beans over the chips – all the while being careful to keep everything inside the bag. Then she plopped a handful of grated Jack cheese on top and handed it over. Diners added chopped onions and pickled slices of jalapeño peppers to taste.</p>
<p>You guys are terrific! Keep those suggestions coming… and I gather Gabriel’s is a bit on the pricy side?</p>
<p>Not at all, because it’s a bit out of the way, and tends to cater to lots of locals, Gabriel’s is very reasonably priced. Also, they do such an incredible business, and they turn the tables over so fast, dont’ expect a long leisurely meal. Full meals range from $10-15 at most. But trust me, order the guacamole first. You won’t regret it.</p>
<p>Not a restaurant but certainly worthy of note…[Ten</a> Thousand Waves - Luxury Mountain Spa Resort - Home](<a href=“http://www.tenthousandwaves.com/]Ten”>http://www.tenthousandwaves.com/)</p>
<p>Really a very nice experience and fantastic night sky.</p>
<p>Restaurant in La Fonda Hotel in the plaza.</p>
<p>Ten Thousand Waves is great. Be sure to check the layouts of the rooms on line as they all have a different theme. Or you can just go for the daytime spa.</p>