sleepydoc

Taking a 9 & 11 year old, not the most diverse eaters! Mom & Dad still want good food and margaritas...is it to be found other than in the chains??

DebitNM

For Taos -- check these previous posts. First one is old, but most of them are still around:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34485710

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34955934

Santa Fe --
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34876241

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34568201

For Bernalillo area [north ABQ]

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34830335

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34921091

Hope this helps...
Debi

DebitNM

One more thing about eating in NM -- ask for the chile on the side. It is usually VERY hot for those not used to it. Comes in red or green. If you aren't sure which to get - order both [called Christmas]. The heat level varies from restaurant to another and even in batch to batch in same restaurant.

Also, if you are coming from sea level or lower altitude, do read up on high altitude adjustments so you have a great time. Sunburn and dehydration big issues, all year long, especially for kids.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34935779

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34865407

martym

Here's a link to a Santa Fe restaurant guide. http://tinyurl.com/3a5t58 you might read through the descriptions to find places that your children would like.

Edye

Last August we spent a week in Santa Fe area with then 8 and 10 year old daughters. Dining highlights that pleased all of us were:
The Cowgirl
Bobcat Bite
Harry's Roadhouse
Tesuque Village Market
Plaza Cafe
Bumble Bee's Baja Grill
Jinja
Gabriels
Cloud Cliff Bakery and Bagelmania for breakfast
We did not go to any of the fancier places as we were afraid our kids couldn't handle the more sophisticated meals. I am hungry just thinking about these places!

wtm003

We were in Santa Fe for a night last month and we also wanted good food and margaritas. My kids are good eaters, but they don't like hot. We started the evening at the Del Charro Saloon at the Inn of the Governors. While the kids had burgers, we enjoyed tasty margaritas, chips, salsa and guacamole. The margaritas were great and hit the spot after a long drive! After our snack, we walked over to The Shed (hour wait) for dinner. The kids had dessert and my husband and I were able to enjoy the spicy, hot food we were craving.

BeachGirl247

Ditto Edye's choices:

The Cowgirl
Bobcat Bite
Harry's Roadhouse (great courtyard)
Tesuque Village Market
Plaza Cafe
Bumble Bee's Baja Grill
Jinja
Gabriels
Cloud Cliff Bakery and Bagelmania for breakfast

and I would add:

Blue Corn Cafe (plaza)
La Choza (sister to The Shed)
Tomasita's (in the rail yard)
Upper Crust Pizza
Coyote Cafe Cantina - on the rooftop
Plaza Restaurant (on plaza) - burgers & NM specialties
Zia Diner


You should be fine with a 9 and 11 yr old.

Have fun! I'll be on my way to Santa Fe in 43 hrs and 15 min!! ( but who's counting!)

sleepydoc

Thanks to all of you! Some of the places you mention I had read about and then checked out their menus online...a lot of others you mention are new to me. Sounds like there is hope for my husband and I after all! One of these days I'll get these kids eating real people food...but then again I remember that I didn't start eating "good" food until I was in college (many, many years ago!)...and I'm still learning what "good" food is!
And yes, DebitNM, we are coming from Boston, so we are planning on taking it slowly. And wtm003, great idea about splitting dinner and dessert for the kids!

DebitNM

topping for samsaf

Gretchen

Order from the appetizer menu if there is no children's menu. Or ask the kitchen to fix them some pasta with butter and cheese--or whatever. We have never had a problem doing this when our grands are with us.
And at 9 and 11, they might need to start trying a little harder.