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Cafe Pasqual's

Cafe Pasqual's Review

A perennial favorite, this cheerful cubbyhole dishes up Southwestern and Nuevo Latino specialties for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Don't be discouraged by lines out front—it's worth the wait. The culinary muse behind it all is Katharine Kagel, who championed organic, local ingredients, and whose expert kitchen staff produces mouthwatering breakfast and lunch specialties like chile relleno picadillo (cheese-stuffed chile with eggs and a smoky tomato salsa served with beans and tortillas), huevos motuleños (eggs in a tangy tomatillo salsa with black beans and fried bananas), and the sublime grilled free-range chicken sandwich. Dinner is a more formal, though still friendly and easygoing, affair: char-grilled lamb with pomegranate-molasses glaze, steamed sugar-snap peas, and pan-seared potato cakes is a pleasure; the kicky starter of spicy Vietnamese squid salad with tamarind, garlic, and tomato over arugula is also fantastic. Mexican folk art, colorful tiles, and murals by Oaxacan artist Leovigildo Martinez create a festive atmosphere. Try the chummy communal table, or go late morning or after 1:30 pmto (hopefully) avoid the crush.

    Restaurant Details

  • Credit cards accepted.

Member Reviews

  • FraninMtl, from Montreal
    7/19/08

    We had dinner at Cafe Pasqual's while visiting Santa Fe. Our meals were so delicious that we decided to have lunch there before we left Santa Fe. Both meals were perfect! The service was very friendly and there are plenty of vegetarian options. Despite the fact that we did not have reservations, we did not have to wait for a table. Try Cafe P, you won't be sorry!

    Ratings details: Food: 5 | Atmosphere: 4 | Service: 5 | Value: 4
  • uncledave8, from Denver
    7/14/08

    Well I have mixed feelings about this place although I go frequently when I'm in town. Some of the food I really love but you can easily go astray and after waiting an hour to get in that can be a downer. Great buzz though and always full of local color. All things considered there are many places just as good and much less expensive with shorter waits but you really haven't been to Santa Fe if you don't eat here at least once.

    Ratings details: Food: 4 | Atmosphere: 4 | Service: 3 | Value: 3
  • lobo59, from Santa Fe, NM
    4/14/08

    While breakfasts and dinners have been reviewed, and are generally delicious, my favorites are on the lunch menu. The menu is not your typical New Mexican fare, but includes such items as hamburger, Yucatan influenced chicken breast salad, Tamales El Salvadorean Style, and Blue Lady Enchiladas. My personal favorite is the Grilled Squash and Red Onion Enchilada. It is a mouth-watering blend of cheese fresh foods in enchilada form covered with a medium hot and very flavorful red chile. A very nice cilantro rice also is on the plate.

    The cafe is almost always busy, and while they take dinner reservations, lunches are on a first-come basis. During tourist season we generally show up about 11 a.m. and give them our name (on a list which is already long), then walk around town for an hour or so (they will let you know about how much time you have). It has always worked out well. The food is worth the effort.

    Ratings details: Food: 5 | Atmosphere: 4 | Service: 5 | Value: 3
  • donrchap, from Maine
    10/1/07

    $35 for four overeasy eggs and two potatoes sliced as papas fritas. So oily and soupy no wonder it was served in a bowl. A big big disappointment.

    Ratings details: Food: 1 | Atmosphere: 3 | Service: 2 | Value: 1
  • cawestm, from Anchorage, Alaska
    9/3/07

    This was hands down the best food we found in Santa Fe. The staff was wonderful and made us feel welcome...for three days straight. The squid salad was superb and the lamb was among the best I've ever had. Well done!

    Ratings details: Food: 5 | Atmosphere: 4 | Service: 5 | Value: 4
  • onashoestring, from Amarillo, Texas
    7/2/07

    There is not a better breakfast around. You may have to wait for a table but the wait goes fast. The food is excellent and the service amazing!

    Ratings details: Food: 5 | Atmosphere: 5 | Service: 5 | Value: 5
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