El Callejón Taqueria & Grill — Restaurant in Santa Fe

A MUST for authentic Mexican food.

Update from 12/5/23. The service could have been so much better it really was a let down as was the cleanliness of the dining area. With gnats flying around and the walls could be cleaned. Luckily my companion washed his hands in their kitchen sink and noted on how clean it was in the kitchen- which was a relief because I was seriously questioning that after the dining room appearance. The service could have been better too. But this is the kind of place where all those concerns go out the window cause the food is that damn good! This time we had the chicken quesadilla and cheese enchiladas. All worth it.

I order the flight of tacos : 3 tacos of my choice, a side of black beans and a small helping of slaw. (The corn tortillas are house made!)

Tacos ordered: Carne Asada, Pollo Asada and Pescado. Each offered it own unique, flavor. The Pollo Asada was my favorite, even had a small kick of spice to it. I liked it so much I ordered one to go!

The salsas and the guacamole were also impressive and delicious. The guacamole was smooth in texture, blended like, very different from anything I'd had before, and scrumptious.

The slaw, albeit small was full of flavor as well and was perhaps suppose to be topping for the tacos lol. But I love my veggies so ate it separately.

The customer service was superb. The establishment is family owned and operated. Kevin is very friendly, he's comfortable making recommendations about the menu, showing the pride taken in what's offered.

I was so impressed with my first visit, I had to go back to get the Chile Relleno and chips and salsa- before I left town.

They did disappoint!

The chips are thick and dusted with a seasoning. They pair well with the blended, dark red, flavorful salsa which was not spicy - which was fine.

The Chile Relleno was good, simple and what you expect traditionally. I would have probably had my blacks beans in a bowl to preserve the crisp texture of the Relleno had I know they come served on the plate. The rice was colorful, but did not live up to its vibrancy in taste. It was simple, plain, not at all what I was expecting after all the other food was bursting with flavor. The mini salad that accompanied the dish was simple but also tasty.

...And of course I had to get a Pollo Asado taco for the road.

FUN FACT! This restaurant and it's Chille Relleno was featured on Andrew Zimmerman! (Haven't fully verified this, just what Kevin told me!)

Highly recommend and will be...

Let me start with the positive. The food at this restaurant is literally the next Mexican food we have ever eaten. I had the fish special and my husband had the shrimp fajita’s. We ate at lunch and the plates were full! Fresh ingredients all around. Salad, rice, avocado… We commented to the male waiter who turned out to be the owner. He spoke to us about the family recipes and where he was from in Mexico. He took the time to explain the fish, what kind it was and how to compare it to well known fish. Very kind and accommodating.

Now for the negative. The female hostess/waitress was downright rude. I forgot my mask in the car and didn’t realize it until we walked in the restaurant. I explained that I forgot it, we are from Colorado where masks aren’t mandated and asked her if she had a spare. No. Ok. Let me go back to the car if you want and then we can be seated. She rolled her eyes and quickly escorted us to a table. She then proceeded to lecture me on the mask rules and how I will need one if I go into any building. I again reminded her that I had one. It was just in the car. She brought water and never returned. We asked her for a paper menu because my husband’s phone wasn’t linking to the Q-code. Rather than just go get a paper menu, she wasted 7 minutes of our time to get us the menu on our phone. The owner came over after we’d been sitting there for awhile and was surprised that she never took our order.

This won’t deter us from going there again if we are ever in Santa Fe again, but it made for an unpleasant start to our meal. Which is why I gave 5 stars. The food...

A truly memorable dining experience is marked by three crucial elements: delectable food, dedicated staff, and an enticing ambiance - El Callejon excels in all three, creating an atmosphere where every visit is a treat.

From the moment we stepped into El Callejon, we were greeted with warm smiles from the staff, instantly making us feel welcome. Their service throughout the night was exemplary, demonstrating not only professionalism but also genuine care for each patron. They were prompt, attentive, and knowledgeable, enhancing our dining experience significantly.

The food at El Callejon is an absolute delight. Every dish we sampled was bursting with flavor, indicating a careful balance of fresh ingredients, skilled preparation, and creative presentation. Their menu offers a variety of tantalizing options catering to diverse palates, each one leaving us eager to return and try more.

But the excellence of El Callejon extends beyond just their food and service. The ambiance of this establishment is both charming and relaxing, making it a perfect setting for any occasion. Whether it’s a casual dinner or a celebration, El Callejon’s warm and inviting environment makes every dining experience feel special.

El Callejon is truly a gem. They have set a high standard for what a dining experience should be, successfully blending excellent cuisine, top-notch service, and a wonderful ambiance. I cannot recommend this place...