Santa Fe
“The chips aren't my favorite (I like light, crisp) but the guacamole is yummy fresh with tomato, onion and garlic as is the salsa.”
“I'll definitely be back and recommend checking out this spot if you live on the UWS.”
“Bartenders and wait staff are great, super friendly, and there's almost always a colorful cast of regulars animating the discussions at the bar.”
Santa Fe
Takes Reservations: Yes
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Has TV: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
6 reviews
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I went here recently with a large group of co-workers and my husband. The atmosphere is low key and pretty nice. In the back of the restaurant a large table was set up for us and -admittedly we were quite loud after a few margaritas ( top notch) but the servers were excellent and nobody else seemed to mind.
We got free desserts as their was a Birthday in our party and the service was punctual. I am kinda straining to say good things about the service and atmosphere as the food itself was pretty mediocre. The free salsa and tortilla chips was actually a highlight!
I have to say the guacamole was pretty bland- and nearly 11.00 for a size equal to a baby's cereal bowl is crazy! Bean dip Bland, Steak Fajita's bland. etc.
For American Mexican I was disappointed with the lack of the usual guc, sour cream, salsa that usually accompanies everything. The rice and beans were pretty bland.
Cafe Frida is still my fav Mexican on the UWS, a tad pricier but really good. We could sit there and eat the Guacamole all night as an entree.
Yet another overpriced Mexican restaurant in NYC. As an example, just a very small order of guacamole is $12, which is ridiculous. The guacamole was mediocre at best. The chimichanga was decent and the service wasn't bad, but it's just hard to get over the horrible price: quality ratio for mediocre Mexican food. Sorry guys
Hi, I'm drunk. That's how I greeted most people there after drinking the margaritas here. Not only do I forget my own name, it's the only thing that's on my mind, is how drunk I am. Honestly the best bang for your buck is the large margarita (get it on the rocks). But that's not saying much: given that this place is right by another Mexican place (well technically this is more Southwestern/TexMex fare, but same drink menu essentially) on the same street, its criminal what they offer here (which is precisely why I haven't been here in over a year). And their hours! I believe they're only open during the week 4-10 pm. What? No happy hour specials, and almost always no seating at the bar. Sounds counterintuitive, but somehow that's always the case (lots of folks from ABC just up the street on Columbus come there after work). I think Monday night they have a fajita special. Can't say I've had them but I guess b/c everything is so marvelously overpriced on the menu, I guess $10 is a steal. I've had their burger — it's good. But in a neighborhood where Shake Shack is a few blocks away, can't say it's mind blowing. I've been there to brunch. TOTAL. RIPOFF. No good drink specials, charge an arm and a leg for mimosas (smaller than margaritas – you're almost better off killing your liver with THAT at the prices they charge). And their huevos rancheros – feh! you'd think they'd at least get that right (with Jalapeno down the block, if you want rancheros style, definitely go there first, you at least get complimentary mimosas). The interior is very charming — I feel like I'm in Arizona, to be honest (I know, it's a New Mexico theme though). But I'm not there for ambiance, I'm there for food and beverage and the neighborhood has much better to offer. Pass.
Chipotle Eggs Benedict.
I went here for brunch. I'm wouldn't go so far as to say I licked my plate when I was done because I'm not 10 anymore hahahaha…. Shrug I licked the plate when I was done.
I've walked past this place probably 500 times. Finally the other day we were discussing that we can't find a good Mexican spot on the Upper West. We both couldn't figure out why we never stopped in here. So for Sunday night dinner we finally did!
The place was larger than I expected. The seats by window were a bit chilly but great for people watching. The bar area was hoppin. I think a spot like this would rake it in with happy hour. Sadly, they don't have one and the drink prices are steep. However they are strong and very tasty!
We began with the shrimp rolls. They were a special and boy were they special. The flavors blended so well. It was a crunchy shrimp with a pop of mango. To top it off you had the option of dipping it in a chipotle sauce. It was cut into 3 pieces. We believed 4 pieces seems like a better way to divide it.
Then for the fajitas. I was torn between the shrimp or chicken fajitas. There was about a $5 price difference between the two. The waiter said he could do half chicken and half shrimp. The problem? I got charged the full shrimp price, but was only served three small shrimp. $26 for 3 small shrimp and 4 small strips of chicken? Eek. I did enjoy it, but I felt like I was taken advantage of. My dining partner ordered the chicken and steak. He was charged the full cost of the steak. Then I asked for cheese for the fajitas and was charged another dollar. While everything was delicious, it was way overpriced for very small portions. I feel the business would do a lot better if they dropped the prices a bit and didn't charge for small items like cheese.
So will we return? Not as often as we'd like, but once in a blue moon we will swing by since it's so local. The waiter and vibe were cool, but prices need to match the food/ambiance to score 5 stars in my book.
Santa Fe is a quiet, laid-back spot that I sense is great for weekend lunches and dinners when you can take more time for your meals.
The server I interacted with was super attentive and quick with taking me and my eating pal's orders and getting our food to us. We shared the chimichanga dish and my turkey burger; I preferred the chimichangas, since the meat was moist and the creamy dressing really brought out its slightly smoky flavor. The highlight of my turkey burger, though, is that it came in an English muffin, and I had never eaten any burger with that type of bread before, but it worked out great.
The chips and salsa I got were some of the best I've had: the chips were thick and well seasoned (think Sun Chips), and the salsa, I could tell, was freshly made, and I appreciated that it wasn't spicy.
The interior of this place made me forget that I was in the middle of a busy city; once you walk in, you feel like you're closer to a beach instead. Whenever I'm in the Upper West Side area during the weekends, I'll keep this place in mind as a lunch or dinner spot to try some of its other food options!