Jambo Cafe — Restaurant in Santa Fe

We really wanted to like the food, as we’re Caribbean (born & raised) and looked forward to having a taste of home that is scarce in NM. Our order included:

Mango Ginger Lemonade (not bad, but just ok);

Caribbean Spices Slow Cooked Oxtail w/ Mafongo (menu spelling has mAfongo but mOfongo is the common name) and Collard Greens (This does NOT taste like any oxtail dish from any on the many islands I’ve lived and visited or even the UK which has a large Caribbean/African population. While the overall flavor was not bad, I would not recommend if you’re looking for an authentic tasting dish. I was very disappointed and felt even more homesick. The mofongo was ok, but again not Caribbean mofongo. I do know that Puerto Rican and Dominican Republic Mofongo is inspired by the African dish, so I’m assuming what was served erred on the African side vs Caribbean. Collared Greens are not native to the Caribbean (callaloo is though) so I assume this to be another fusion inspiration, but since food has a universal appreciation I was not completely put off by its addition;

Combination Plate 3 - Chicken curry, goat stew, peanut chicken stew, w/ rice and roti (The curry goat was tender but did not have enough curry and spice to mimic Caribbean curry goat. The Chicken curry tasted more like Indian curry vs Jamaican/Trinidadian/West Indian curry; while these are strongly influenced by Indian curry they are all very different in taste… e.g. Japanese curry vs Thai curry = very different. The Peanut Chicken Stew wasn’t bad, a tad bit overpowering but overall good. The roti disappointingly tasted like a tortilla… IYKYK);

Coconut Chicken Curry w/ Basmati Rice (Mistakenly served the Tofu Coconut Curry, but the mistake was immediately rectified once staff was informed. Both the tofu and chicken tasted [again] like Indian curry not at all Caribbean influenced. I will honestly say that I’m not familiar with all African curries so maybe this is it shrugs, but for a Caribbean-African fusion restaurant the Caribbean did not make an appearance;

Summary: While none of the food tasted ‘bad’, the Caribbean influence just wasn’t strongly featured in the taste... honestly not even moderately featured. Would I recommend as a normal eatery? Yes. Would I recommend as an African-Caribbean eatery? No. Also noticed a lack of “native” (definitely not referring to NM) employees in an African- Caribbean restaurant. Not a big deal but I bring this up because of the dish descriptions we overheard the servers explaining to customers… it just wasn’t based on intimate knowledge and appreciation of the dishes/ingredients and was painfully obvious to those familiar with the...

Let me tell you about the Jambo Cafe. The staff is friendly, service is excellent in terms of the staff checking in once in a while to get any items you need, drink refills and what not.

I like the fact that the cultural antiques and other things that relate to the African and Caribbean foods, spices and ambiance is really appreciated. Items that caught my eye are Caribbean, North African, Moroccan, Kenyan. The menu has Starters, Salads, Specialty dishes along with different imported drinks from that region.

The selections of food for those 2 regions of the world. Once I found out about this place by a search "Caribbean ", Jambo Cafe is the top search return. I was hoping for Caribbean Meat Pie. By searched on their site menu, but didn't see it. Having the pies before elsewhere, and remembered the spice, the light burn with the tasty meat filling. Alas, I confirmed they didn't have that dish when speaking to the staff when I got there.

Now for the food. I selected a combo platter. The selections of 3 of 7 entrées. I selected the ones I know (the others items had Tofu, Chickpee and Coconut) that was not in my taste craving this particular visit. My selections made were: Chicken Curry, Land Stew, Goat Stew. This meal comes with Rice and a tortilla like flat bread called (Roti). All in all the stews had potato and carrots, as they should. The vegetables were aldente (under cooked) but this was fine. The rice soaked up the curry and stew sauces and the Roti complimented both by stopping the ingredients together. The goat had a little gaminess to it but I can tell that the spices masked some of the game by tasting like a licorice as an acquired taste. The desert was limited, but all sounded very good. I selected Mango Cobbler. It was warm sweet and delicious.

All in all, a good place to try a different cuisine. I will have to get this place 4 stars based on the good food, friendly staff and ambiance. The 5th star is reserved for all of the above and especially if they honor Military and Veterans year round with a discount. That is my sole passion which is to let all my Armed Forces active and Veterans know where the business are that...

It's 7:45 on a Monday evening in June and every table is full; they all have been for hours; the same was true as we raced into town just in time to meet our reservation here two nights ago. The hostess (who embodies all of the grace, confidence, and beauty that I wish I did) compliments our Pride shirts as she seats us. Despite the packed floor, before we hit our seats we are immersed in the homey feeling and engulfed in the enticing scents that have made Jambo the famous Sante Fe mainstay that it is. It is dinner time.

There's really nothing to say about this place except that it is AMAZING. We've been coming here every time we come to Santa Fe since 2013; they are always this busy; they are always this welcoming; and--if possible--their food has only gotten better. There is not a single thing that I've had here that I wouldn't recommend. My best advice is to come really really hungry so that you can eat as much as possible. Thinking of sharing an appetizer? Share two...and a salad...and your entrees...and a couple of desserts. Whatever you order, the only things that you'll regret are the things that you don't try.

It's 8:05, we've ordered and started our glasses of wine. The chef is making his rounds , checking in with all of his tables--as he has every time that we've been here--"How are you? It has been too long!" "Hi! How was everything?" "Welcome! Is this your first time here?" He stops at our table, "Hi, how are you? Didn't I just see you here last week?" ...yes... yes you did... and you will continue to do so as long as your...