What are your suggestions for the best Mexican food for dinner in Santa Fe? We will be going with a group of 8 and are looking for the best food but nothing fancy and expensive, but also not totally fast food like. We want an authentic Santa Fe experience with great Mexican food for a group of out of staters.

Juldie, New Mexican cuisine differs a bit from Mexican food primarily due to the generous use of NM grown red & green chiles.

On the budget/moderate end I'd suggest The Shed, Tomasita's, and the Cowgirl Grill. I also like the Blue Corn Cafe, but am not sure if it's part of a chain.

In thousands of years of travels through skies over New Mexico, I am relate to you the truth of beginning of culture involving Spaniards who cook entirely different food menu compared to Mexicans.

The Spanish settled in this region 100s of years ago influenced the menus of everyone --- just as French persons influenced Louisiana so many years ago.

When I am far from my homeland to blending with another cultures, I sometime land in Mexico and the peoples do not always determine I am local or foreigner. In New Mexico it is a different people.

Do seek truth in all your travels and you will never be hungry, famished, or tasteless.

AR

Maria's consistently has the best Mexican food in Santa Fe, IMO. Try the 100 percent agave margarita, too, Wow.

www.marias-santafe.com

I think Rugpilot has given you some good advice, if you can make sense out of it, Juldie.

I second The Shed recommendation. I thought the Blue Corn was just average, except for the tortilla chips, which were the best I had during four days in Santa Fe a couple months ago.

And speaking of margarita's, don't miss the Ore House, on the SW corner of the Plaza. The margarita list is longer than most restaurants' wine lists. And their charred tomato salsa is the BEST!

Just my opinion, but I was completely unimpressed with the Blue Corn Cafe. The food was average at best, our server was missing several front teeth and kept winking at me. I lost my appetite pretty quickly.

I'll keep the other suggestions in mind for our next visit.

The Plaza Cafe is authentic, the green chili bowl will bring tears to your eyes.

I was in Santa Fe in August and had great meals at Tomasita's and The Shed. The burritos at Tomasita's were excellent, as were the sopapaillas (puffy fried dough with honey butter!). The blue corn enchiladas at The Shed were wonderful, and they also have a really delicious mocha cake there.