La Choza Restaurant — Restaurant in Santa Fe

I work nearby this location and the smells that have lingered from across the street have been nothing less than divine. It's always busy so I didn't want to dine in. I called my take out order in 20 minutes prior to my lunch break, and a kind woman answered and took my order. I walked from the down the street and walked inside, the host guided me over to the bartending area and I was able to pay, pick up my order, and leave within 3 minutes.

The bean dip and fresh chips were a wonderful starter for this first timer. The bean dip was so perfectly seasoned, it didn't require any salt or pepper. The chips were crispy, fresh, and nicely salted.

++ The Kale salad had lovely big pieces of kale. It had a wonderfully stinky parmesan, roasted pecans, cranberries, and the vinaigrette that brings it all together. I've never had such a fresh vibrant salad at a New Mexican food establishment, this was nice and an unexpected surprise. I've just been trying to incorporate more veggies with any consumed meat, this was an awesome salad.

It's cold so that means posole and green chile stew would've been my main staples. However, once I saw the Green Chile Clam Chowder, I became inquisitive and decided this was my go to for today's first timer. The clams were perfect texture and flavor wise, the baby potatoes were fulfilling, the carrots & celery complimented, and the green chile was a welcoming spice on the tip of your tongue. However, I like my chile spicy so if you're a native, just a heads up, it's not going to be as hot as you like it. It will still be flavorful and amplify the chowder, but you'll probably want it hotter if you're a native chile junkie like myself.

Maybe one day I'll brave the 45 minute wait and have lunch or dinner with my wife here. However, they make the take out experience so friendly and easy, I wouldn't mind placing an order for some good pickup here at...

La Choza is always my first stop when I arrive in Santa Fe because I have to get those first bites of true New Mexican flavor. The food here is great and the portions are plentiful, not to mention that they can make a pretty good margarita as well. Unless you arrive early there will probably be a wait for a table, but it is worth it.

I keep trying to force myself to try new things on the menu but when you do not live in the area, you have to get your favorites in while you can. Some of the items that I like on the menu are the Green Chile Clam Chowder which takes a traditional New England clam chowder and adds New Mexico green chiles to it. It adds that little extra that makes it special. I also frequently get the Enchilada Plate which is done in the New Mexico style of stacked enchiladas. You can choose your chile or go for the "Christmas Tree" if you want to try both the red and the green chile. I tend to get the green chile. Don't forget to order an over easy egg on top of your enchiladas. The Vegetable Enchiladas are also very good and have a great mix of vegetables in them.

One of the other things I really like at La Choza is the Posole. I will ask them to substitute the beans for an extra side serving of the posole with my enchiladas. The posole is cooked perfectly with chunks of pork and spices. It is delicious. To top off the meal you get sopapillas and honey which is a real treat.

La Choza has been one of my favorites since I found it and I will come back each time I...

Oh my, what a great first meal in New Mexico, having just flown into ABQ and driven to Santa Fe. Lucky us that our Airbnb was only a 4 minute drive from this little piece of dining heaven. It was every bit as good as all of the other reviews claim.

Arriving around 6:30 on a Saturday night, we were warned about the long wait. My wife left her name on separate lists for the dining room and the bar. 45 minutes later (less than we had feared), we were escorted to a bright table surrounded by colorful native inspired artwork. They have an extensive selection of tequilas from which you can create your own perfect margarita as well as several good local beer choices (at a very reasonable price I might add).

What can I say about the food other than I can't imagine how the locals tolerate this much goodness as well as the chili heat. I had the enchilada plate with pork carne adovada, including both the red and green chili sauces (Christmas style). So much flavor, so much heat, so many napkins to dab my sweaty forehead. The included posole was so good as well and the pinto beans offered a respite from the chili heat. My wife built her own combo plate of a spinach enchilada and a pork tamale. Even she, being spicy food challenged, was happy, as you can request the chili sauce be served on the side. To top it off, the dinners include a sopapilla which makes a wonderful honey-drizzled dessert....