Featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

Why voted Best Restaurant in Santa Fe, over and over?

Rare Iconic Success on Route 66!

Dear Friend,

As a long time resident of Santa Fe, I remember back on the year I relocated to this quaint little town. I have learned that living here is….

Extra special.

It’s not your typical little town.

Being the oldest capital city in the USA is only one fact you quickly learn. After that the topic of food opens a new door.

New Mexican food is different than Mexican food. It’s unique and unlike anything you’ve eaten before.

New Mexican food is a fusion of Pueblo Native American, Mexican and Tex-Mex, with Spanish and Mediterranean influences.

With beans, corn, and chilies considered to be the basic ingredients, New Mexican cuisine is defined by the dominance of hot spicy chilies in green and red varieties.

On a side note it’s good information to have about how healthy red and green chili are.

With capsaicin contained in chili, it has been long known for it’s anti-bacterial, anti-carcinogenic, analgesic and anti-diabetic properties.

Chili peppers have amazingly high levels of vitamins and minerals, and are widely known to protect the body from free radicals during stress and disease.

It’s a must to have New Mexican food daily!

My First Visit

You hear about these almost mythical cafes where you can go and feel at home, and everyone knows you.

Where you walk in the door and know you belong.

Where you smell the good food and hear the friendly laughter and you never want to leave.

This is one of those special places.

As a local gathering place that provides comfort far beyond the food served, one patron says it’s like the television show “Cheers” and when you come and sit down, you find a new home where you are loved.

Voted over and over again, as Best Restaurant of the Year, should be enough to bring you thru the front doors.

It was a Sunday afternoon and I wanted to eat at a new place.

My older son told me about a new restaurant, not really new, but new to us. He said, “Mom, you have to believe me, this is the best place I have ever eaten.”

At 12 years old I thought, ok, but he probably just liked it because he went with his best friends’ family.

“Lets go!’” were my words after seeing the excitement.

After all, most places are simply a matter of preference because we all have different tastes.

He was so excited as we all loaded up in the van.

As we traveled historic Route 66, it wasn’t long until we arrived.

It had a whimsical turquoise and purple painted trim on the outside. Kind of cartoonish and to my surprise didn’t look much like a restaurant until we got up closer.

To my surprise the parking lot was overfull, but we found a place off to the side.

I wasn’t sure what this would be like and as I walked up to the front, it appeared to be reminiscent of a 1950’s diner as you entered to the right.

The waitress asked how many and then proceeded to seat us.

Straight ahead was a typical Santa Fe café-style room, filled with Southwest furnishings.

Because it was summer, we were asked if we wanted to sit on the patio.

Wow, beautiful wasn’t the word to use.

It was peaceful, almost magical with stepping stones, small koi ponds, as well as hollyhocks and sunflowers everywhere.

Full of color, the tables and chairs were carefully placed, each in their unique spot so one wouldn’t miss out on a paradise experience.

The Menu

If you’re craving something much more extravagant than just eggs and bacon for breakfast or a lunch menu that’s far from the norm, its’ time to visit one of the best known secrets in Santa Fe, NM.

A menu with local favorites such as Jambalaya risotto cakes with Tabasco hollandaise or something simpler but not ordinary, like eggs benedict with crispy polenta cakes instead of English muffins.

Reading over the menu makes it clear that this place is unique.

From Southwestern to Cajun, Italian, African, Cuban and more, this restaurant was one of the rare places where one could be served with comfort food and not only be amazed but want to come again and again.

Their signature dishes are what have given them iconic success for over 20 years.

Roadhouse barbecued chicken, Chesapeake Bay-style crab cakes, blackened catfish, and ranchero-style hangar steak with Oaxacan enchiladas and mole Colorado are only a few of their specialties.

Special dishes that I continue to order over and over are like the Halibut with cherry tomatoes, snap peas, and other fresh veggies.

Also the thick Buffalo burger, with green chiles and bleu cheese along with a Southwest Chop Salad made with black beans, bell pepper, jicama, corn, red onion, sunflower sprouts, tomato, avocado, and jalapenos.

I remember one time I ordered this amazing stew.

The Moroccan Vegetable Stew - butternut squash, chick peas, cauliflower, carrots, spinach, potatoes, and raisins served over couscous with Chermoula (Tunisian marinade) & Harissa (a Maghrebian hot chili pepper red sauce).

Like I said the food is unique and absolutely mouthwatering.

With a homemade menu of breads, desserts, daily soups and specials it’s no wonder why it’s voted

The Best Waitstaff

Best Patio

Best kid-friendly restaurant

Best Desserts

Best Sunday Brunch in Santa Fe.

Known for it’s rich, decadent and classic desserts…

One might choose a towering slice of lemon meringue pie….

A bowl of pear and ginger crisp topped with vanilla ice cream….

Or an indulgent slice of German chocolate cake…..

And if you are extra lucky on this night, you will find the cherry Clafoutis on the blackboard, or the peach cobbler, served a la mode.

With Peyton, as the original baker of all things fluffy and decadent, desserts are in rare form.

Homemade Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream Sandwich, German Chocolate cake, Chocolate Bread Pudding and even a Root Beer Float, as you soon discover….

You’ll never want to pass on dessert again.

No matter what you chose as a main menu make sure you leave room for dessert.

The Story Behind The Place

Harry Shapiro is one of those special kind of guys.

An unassuming man with a kind face, you often find him moving about his namesake restaurant observing and questioning customers to be assured they are completely happy with their experience.

Harry and his wife, Peyton started this neighborhood restaurant with the intention of good food, not always fancy, but always made from scratch, over 20 years ago.

They are both from Philadelphia and almost always in the restaurant, often catching up with the longtime regulars.

Harry likes to share jokes and stories, which always make you, feel right at home.

A true roadhouse, located on historic Route 66 has a sundry past.

It was once a gas station, a Volkswagen repair shop, as well as a number of diners, the last one named “The Nifty Café” in the late 1980’s.

In 1992, Harry and Peyton, looking to serve the neighborhood, “a square meal at a time”, opened their doors.

Not wanting another fast food restaurant, they choose the middle road.

Not too expensive but always made from scratch…..

A very special restaurant, with New Mexican flair was born.

Come See Us Soon!

Harry’s Roadhouse

96 Old Las Vegas HighwaySanta Fe, NM 87505505-989-4629

There is no shortage in Santa Fe, NM of good food.

This is where the trademark chile dishes are almost as big a draw as the vast amount of art galleries and festivals.

Harry’s Roadhouse is Santa Fe’s upscale version of the roadside diner where the locals know the wait for a table….

Is well worth it.

Known for it’s famous cliental, don’t be surprised….

If you are sitting next to one of the famous regulars who just happens to be…..

An actor, singer or director, perched on a diner stool.