Rancho De Chimayo Restaurante
298 Juan Medina Rd, Chimayo, NM, 87522
Rancho De Chimayo Restaurante Menu
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Address :
298 Juan Medina Rd
Chimayo, NM, 87522 - Phone (505) 351-4444
- Website https://www.ranchodechimayo.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
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Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
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David T.
The 5 stars are for the total experience - ambiance, food, margaritas (of course), service and history. It's just a lovely place in a rustic New Mexico setting. Some of the most memorable evenings I've ever spent in the Santa Fe area have begun with the short drive up to this converted hacienda just on the outskirts of Chimayo. You might even want to go a little early and tour the famous santuario. If the weather is nice and the terraces out back are open - that's the way to go. So romantic on clear New Mexico evening with the candles flickering. The interior is totally a step back into old New Mexico and on a cold winter night with snow falling and a fire burning in the corner, it's hard to beat. Absolutely start with one of their very authentic margaritas - not the big punch bowl of limeade that pass for margaritas a lot of places. Now just a word about the food. This is the "real deal" New Mexican dining and it is not for the heat challenged. If the server tells you that the chile is hot - trust me, it will be hot. The heat can vary depending on the season though, so be sure to ask if you have concerns. Otherwise, dive in. I've never had a less than perfect meal here. By all means try the carne adovada - sooo tender and long simmered. You can really taste the love. Enchiladas, posole, and chile rellenos are also TDF. Try not to fill up on the sopaipillas and honey but they are the best fried dough this side of New Orleans. I usually don't have room for dessert but they have some traditional New Mexican offerings. Maybe just a little after dinner snifter of something sweet by the fire. Ah, life is good. If you've thought to reserve ahead you can just stroll across the street and spend the night and drive back to Santa Fe tomorrow. Oh, and by the way, pick up a copy of their cookbook. Not only is it a treasure trove of their recipes but also a very interesting history of this historic part of New Mexico - sets the context for the food very well.
(5)Andrew G.
Took us 2 1/2 hours to eat dinner for four, and over half of that was spent waiting. Abysmally slow service, bland, mediocre food (fruit salad wasn't even remotely fresh). The only thing that was good was the prickly pear lemonade. Other than that, not recommended.
(1)Tonya P.
There are so many reasons why I fell in love with New Mexico, but Rancho de Chimayo is top on my list. We were visiting the winter farmer's market in Santa Fe and a vendor told us if we felt like making the trek we should go to Chimayo. The drive is absolutely breathtaking and when we arrived the restaurant was full of charm. Our waiter was very nice, the food was delicious, there is beautiful art everywhere. If you like to venture off the beaten path, it is a must. The actual town of Chimayo is fabulous. It is a dirt road with, it is really hard to explain, it's really religious and full of kitsch, but I bet they don't know that. Or maybe they do and it's a crazy tourist trap. HMMMMMM. In my restaurante reviews, I try to stay food focused with my photos, there are photos of the actual town of Chimayo, they are too fun not to share.
(5)Damien F.
My girlfriend and I dropped into this place due to suggestion from Yelp! mobile. The restaurant was very highly reviewed and we definitely were not let down. The restaurant is situated out in the woods away from the hustle bustle of the city of Chimayo. The drive is a beautiful wooded drive with vistas overlooking the Sangre de Cristos. The place isn't hidden at all with a large white sign on the side of the road. We were seated in the back dining room with a view of the rear garden. We were quickly taken care of by the waitress who took our drink orders. A few minutes later the waitress was back with drinks and asking if we were ready to order. Quite quickly our dinner platters were served to us. I ordered the Platon Especial with the Green Chile and my girlfriend ordered the Chile Relleno with shredded beef. My tamale, Enchilada. taco and Chile Relleno were very good and my girlfriend enjoyed her Chile Relleno very much. The Sopaipillas were also very good, warm and tasted great with the honey at the table. Over the dinner service a gentleman and his guitar walked around to the families and chatted and sang while while we finished our dinner. He took requests, had a great voice and I found this to be a nice touch. The gentleman interacted with guests as they were his own family and remembered little details like the family not having their children with them or that he hadn't seen the family in a while. Overall the restaurant was great, and has become one of the few favorites we plan to visit again.
(5)Patrick K.
When it comes to New Mexican food, Rancho De Chimayo is one of the best. The Red and Green Chile here is some of the best in NM that is served outside of a local Abuela's house! I highly recommend that you try the Carne Adovada (pork marinated in red chile), I think it is the best in New Mexico! The Natillas (a traditional NM custard) for dessert is also great! The service can be slow, which is typical for Northern NM.
(5)Jim W.
Some locals took us here as it is one of their favorites. The food was wonderful. Together with the historic ambiance of the place it was a totally delightful experience.
(4)Rachel C.
This lovely restaurant has been around since the mid - 60's. I haven't been eating there that long, but wish I'd know about it earlier. I've been going from the 80's and one of the best things to say about this place is that the excellent quality has been consistent all that time. No surprises - you can always count on a great experience when you eat here. The margaritas and sangria are fresh. Not some bottled prepared crap. The menu occasionally changes a little, but the traditional New Mexican dishes are always there. My favorite continues to be Carne Adovada - only get this one if you are a real meat eater. Nothing pansy about it. The do have traditional steak, fish, chicken dishes which are good (I've tried almost everything on the menu), but if you are going I would highly recommend eating one of the traditional New Mexican dishes - you can get standard stuff any where. Try the sopapillas with honey butter. In New Mexico these wonderful fluffy fried breads are served as a bread accompaniment to the meal, and not as a dessert as it is in Arkansas, California, Ohio, and New York. Their menu includes a number of great desserts, but traditional flan is just the right amount and not too heavy after a big meal. Try it! The atmosphere and service can't be beat. These folks have figured out what great customer service means and are actively practicing it. They want you to come back, so they are making sure your dining experience is a pleasant and friendly one. A short drive from Santa Fe, but worth the time. If it's summer, be sure to ask for a patio seat when you make your reservation. The mountain views are fabulous. While you are in Chimayo, check out some of the shops and local color. The weaving shops are especially unique.
(5)Sam A.
The food is excellent, but getting there at night from Santa Fe, using the map provided by the restaurant, is a nerve racking experience. First of all, the restaurant's map is not exaact, at all, so I missed two crucial turns and had to backtrack twice. That sucked and made me nearly 20 minutes late for the party I was going to meet. The restaurant is a circle, so if the host(ess) tells you to go straight, past the bar, to the right... take a right and walk straight instead because your party is actually 10 feet away instead of several hundred. Drinks are poured well, so you probably want a designated driver with your party. In the spring, summer, and fall they open up their gardens for dining, and that's a whole other experience. In the winter, however, it's cold (even inside at some spots), so keep that sweater on.
(3)t b.
Two words: Strong margaritas! Go easy as it is likely you will be driving back to Santa Fe. BE CAREFUL!! Food was really good. Ambiance and service were also good. Recommended stop on any trip to Santa Fe!
(4)Carolyn D.
My cousins and I visited Rancho De Chimayo and had a wonderful experience. We are all native New Mexicans who traveled back home to celebrate our birthdays together. We loved our meal, the atmosphere and the service.
(5)Marie T.
Rancho de Chimayo has the best sopapillas and the best honey in northern New Mexico. The menu is very local traditional, usually very well prepared, usually very good service. We stop here often as it is half way from our house to Santa Fe and we have decided that it's worth coming here to gorge on sopapilas and honey that come with most entrees. The honey is served in little cups covered with a piece of plastic wrap instead of that greasy plastic bear that some places use. The honey is special honey from the honey guy that sells his many varieties at the farmer's markets around here. Nice big bathrooms, lots of parking (shade if you have a dog in the car). Gift shop if you have to wait. Call for a reservation if it's a busy weekend.
(4)Joanne C.
The Rancho de Chimayo Restaurante, nestled in Chimayo was a nice stop for us en route to Taos from Santa Fe. The drive was easy - thankfully no California traffic that we're soooo used to. There were some wild dogs and cows walking the streets, nice shrubs and greenery -- very rustic country, which the restaurant displays. The atmosphere is very cozy, quasi-romantic, with local charm. Also, very baby friendly and very accommodating with our humungo stroller we were pushing around. We started off with some chips and salsa which were fantastic! The red chilies really had a distinct sweet but spiciness to them. Combined with the crunch of the house made tortilla chips and it was like heaven in your mouth -- OK, a bit dramatic, but you get the picture. We had chicken enchiladas with green chilies, served with sopapillas. The enchiladas were very flavorful: soft rolled tortillas with spicy green chili sauce, tender chicken, rounded out by the ooey gooey cheese. Delicioso! :) Would I drive all the way JUST for the food? Probably not. But I enjoyed it. very much.
(2)Bart C.
Super romantic restaurant in a beautifully restored old hacienda in the small country town of Chimayo, which is about a half hour (very scenic) drive outside of Santa Fe. There's also an adjoining country inn (if you're looking for a spot for a secret romantic rendezvous, this is about as secluded as it gets ...) Rancho Chimayo is known around the world for its traditional and contemporary take on New Mexican cooking and the food lives up to the acclaim. The restaurant opened in 1965 and was a leading advocate for the region's cuisine before regional cooking was really on the map. The chefs love the famous red Chimayo chile (which was first popularized here) so things can get spicy - be sure ask your server to ease off if you like your food mild instead of wild. There's a beautiful patio for hot nights and a dining room with a roaring fireplace for the winter. I would highly recommend this for anyone traveling through the area. The combination of Chimayo's potent sangria and the light of the Santa Fe moon can make powerful magic. Don't miss this ...
(5)Chris B.
Went there with a friend. There is no way you would think a place like this would be in the middle of nowhere. Great food with extremely reasonable prices
(4)Ted B.
Superb restaurant with outstanding food and friendly service.
(4)Julie B.
on the road from Taos to Sante Fe, we eagerly looked forward to stopping at Chimayo Santuario. along the way: we stopped at Rancho De Chimayo for lunch. it's a nice place to pause along the pilgrimage. The restaurant is kind of nestled back from the road; real adobe walls, with bright red ristras strung along the roof line make a lovely entrance to the rustic old-house looking place. Great atmosphere with little rooms dotted throughout the place, lending a lot of intimacy to a place that would be otherwise loud. rustic wood tables and rail-back chairs on wooden plank floors all come together for a really cozy atmosphere. My father had the prickly pear margarita, which was a syrupy disappointment, as was the gazpacho, with lacked in taste whereas the rita way overcompensated. Excellent guacamole and wonderful crisp fresh tortilla chips. the chile relleno and enchiladas were also fresh-tasting and highlighted by rich, smoky red chile sauce. The service and speed we got our food was very good especially in light of the fact that we walked in just behind a huge wedding reception that took up most of the restaurant. All in all, i wouldn't go out of my way to go here, but it was a great choice for a stop along the road.
(3)Asia S.
It is a beautiful place, and food is surprisingly cheap. I ordered Carne Adovada, marinated pork in their special red chili sauce. I still can recall the delicious flavor giving me the simplest pleasure.
(5)J M.
To be overcharged on a typical mexican meal that you can get better from an average little mexican restaurant is ridiculous. I notice this restaurant is advertised every month in the New Mexico magazine & word of mouth for it is overwhelming so we decided to go. Very nice setting and waitstaff are prompt, food....no good. I got the shrimp enchilada, these are salad shrimp and the blue corn tortilla were so tough I didn't eat them, it came with the basic black beans. My husband got the carne asada, it was so thin and was very disappointing, he orders this at every mexican restaurant we go to and this is by far the worse and most expensive. They charge for every soda ordered, for chips n salsa, ect. They will get you on everything and it's not worth it.
(2)Nancy D.
Lots of great ambiance. Good service and great food. The drive out is also beautiful. I recommend the prickly pear frozen lemonade. Anything is good.
(5)Martin S.
Happened on this place after seeing Nambe Falls, another great thing to see in NM. Great atmosphere especially on the patio. Stuff sopapillas were GREAT according to my wife. Friendly staff. Worth the trip up the high road to Taos!
(5)Fine Diner H.
YEAH!!! I'm a fan of this restaurant, and have been since the first time I ate there 20 years ago. Over the years, and countless visits, we've had everything the menu offers and have never been disappointed. Whether it's red, green, or Christmas, the chili rocks. I would gladly give the 5 star rating if it weren't so crowded. The tables are so close to each other you can hear every word from nearby tables, but the food, history, ambiance, and total experience is worth the drive to Chimayo. Always!
(4)Jedi M.
Way over rated. It was decent and the prices were great for the quality and amount of food served. But there should be some type of spicy rating for those not native to New Mexico. The green chili stew was borderline inedible to someone not use to eating hot food. The frozen prickly pear lemonade slushy helped ease the burning lips from the food but was so sweet that I had to pour half of it into my water glass, though it was refreshing.
(3)joanna s.
We were so impressed by this place. The salsa was to die for (spicy level) and the guacamole was impressive. The house special pork dish is amazing and we finished every single bit of it. My favorite thing though is toe sophipila (wrong spelling) which is this puffy bread that is fresh off the oven which is sooooo good. I loved this place. Customer service was ACE - the hostess took the time to explain everything about new mexican food and was extremely patient with us. Prices are also reasonable. it was about $80 for the 5 of us.
(5)John K.
We come here everytime we visit Santa Fe, probably ten times now. This is a beautiful place off the mail highway. You'll have to ask someone how to find it. Traditional New Mexican selections, prepared perfectly. Service is very welcoming as well. Try the blue corn enchiladas or the stuffed sopapilla. Never gets old.
(5)Jeff W.
I'm not sure I have ever reviewed a restaurant that is quite this remote. The town of Chimayo is a stop on the High Road, a popular drive outside Santa Fe. The Rancho de Chimayo must easily be the most successful business in this small town. The restaurant is surprisingly solid. My pork tamales rojo were about as good as I have ever had here or in Mexico. I'm a big Tamale guy; to me it's a test of how Mexican a place really is. The corn masa was excellent, not too thick and doughy, and the filling flavorful. I like my rojo sauce spicier but this place feeds a lot of Yobo tourists. All lunch meals come with a basket of sopaipillas which is fried dough. You dip the sopaipillas in honey, and it's very good. My wife's chile releno was also solid. Not surprising when you're out in the middle of East Stick-in-the-Mud, the food is also cheap. Service was very good and sitting in the sun on one of the outside decks was delightful. I wouldn't write home about the food. But considering the closest thing to Rancho de Chimayo is some bad weaving galleries and scary tourist art places, it deserves three stars when you're driving by chickens and rattlesnakes. Little trivia: Chimayo was once a big heroin spot and instigated in a major DEA drug bust in 2000. I didn't see anyone nodding off the the restaurant though.
(3)A S.
This place was recommended to me by a friend. Totally overrated. Complete tourist trap with mediocre food. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
(1)Michael D.
Stuffed sopapilla with chicken and covered with just the right amount of red and green (Christmas) chile. I nearly passed out when I was done eating this lunch plate until I revived myself with a hot sopapilla and honey served on the side. The rice and beans inside the sopapilla were properly proportioned and the excellent guacamole on the side just topped off the great dish. Couple of cold Mexican beers didn't hurt matters either. Service was attentive and sitting in an enclosed patio area made for a great lunch. Definitely worth the scenic drive from Santa Fe.
(5)Nenette Y.
Very nice and surprising find in Chimayo, a remote town 30 min. away from Santa Fe. Really great customer service, they will go out of their way to answer any questions and make sure you're happy. Try to get seated in the "patio" area in the back... the lighting is much better there than up front which is pretty dark. Known for their margaritas and sangria...
(4)Marjorie D.
We come through Taos every fall for a month's stay and look forward to eating at Rancho De Chimayo. A few years ago, I would given a 5-rating but this time we felt the quality had slipped. The service was less than it has been and the food seemed somewhat industrial although tasty ... not up to previous standards. Chips and salsa are no longer brought to the table with the drink order. Perhaps this is a cost saving measure, but it is a noticed lack since most restaurants still provide that amenity. Overall, we were disappointed.
(3)H D.
A place we have visited several times over many years. It has lost none of its charm or quality. The green Chile stew was quite good, and the Carne Adovada excellent. Their sopapillas were delicious. I will definitely come back for more.
(4)Amy E.
The drive out from Santa Fe is long, but gorgeous once you get off 25. The food is good, New Mexico fare. I was there with a very large group, and they have plenty of space to accommodate that. The sopapillas were excellent. If all you want is dinner, it is probably not worth the drive. If you are looking to make an outing of it, and get away from the tourists, this is a nice spot.
(4)Chris B.
I get as many recommendations from YELP as possible, but I rarely write one myself (only when I think the current reviews are seriously lacking in content). Here is an example. The atmosphere of this restaurant is above par, with a local, but classy charm. The food is Mexican (or as the locals prefer, New Mexican), and slightly above average for that genre. What makes this place good is that it is truly a local favorite, well known in the area, but relatively free of tourists. If blending in (not being a tourist) is important to you; you will love this place. The down side is that it is way, way, way out in the country, and a bit hard to find if you don't know your way around. Personally, I don't think it is worth an hour drive from Santa Fe.
(3)James P.
I just got back from a great dinner with 8 adults, 2 teenagers and 2 small children. everyone enjoyed their meal, including the children. I had the Chile Rellenos which were quite tasty. Some of us had the Carne Adovada and all proclaimed it excellent. I read a lot of other reviews before I decided to write this one. I feel sorry for those whose expectations for the food or service were not met. I have been coming here with my family since the place first opened in the mid 60s. Over the years the food has had its ups and downs. The most disappointing was many years ago when my enchilada had unmelted cheese because it hadn't been in the microwave long enough. However, in my recent visits the food has always been very good to excellent. Some advice to newcomers, this is not Mexican food. It really is New Mexican. The families of these folks have been in Northern New Mexico for over 400 years. It is also not Tex-Mex. If that's what you want go back home. To the fellow who dipped his sopapilla in the honey, watch your fellow diners. They tear a corner off the sopapilla and put the honey inside. Sure, you don't get a squeeze bottle but you can spoon it in. Dipping it implies double dipping which is a no-no in my book. The food is not big city gourmet with a fancy presentation. It is down home traditional New Mexican cuisine adapted to restaurant service. You can find its equal at a number of restaurants in Santa Fe and Espanola, but what you get here in addition is unbeatable atmosphere. The inside rooms, some with fireplaces are pleasant and cozy in the winter. The patio is nice in the summer, except during the monsoon season. Someone complained about flies. The only problem I ever had there with insects was on the patio when an occasional errant honey bee would drown itself in my bowl of honey if I left it uncovered. Oh, yes. The people in my party who ordered drinks said the Sangria and the Margaritas were excellent. My son and son-in-law said the house specialty "Chimayo Cocktail" (Apple juice and Tequila plus ??) was very tasty. Me, I'm happy with a bottle of Dos Equis Amber, although I prefer it from a tap. My advice: Relax, have a nice dinner at Rancho de Chimayo and remember you are in a third world country where manyana (no nya on my computer) means "maybe tomorrow." Actually I was very impressed with the service. All of our 13 meals were served virtually simultaneously.
(5)Suzanne K.
We showed up late-ish (8:00) on a Tuesday for a much-anticipated dinner. Our food was tasty, and the service was good. Atmosphere struck me as if this is the local huge "have your 500-person wedding here" sort of place. We sat in a patio-like room where the furnishings were well past their prime and the dust clinging to the ceiling fan looked clunky enough to tilt off and drop into your meal at any moment. The restrooms were a train wreck- meanwhile, 5 or 6 workers sat around as if there was no work to be done. Considering that the owner was dining with his dog in a stroller next to his table, I gathered that cleanliness is not priority #1 here. On the plus side, the food was cheap!!
(3)Eileen R.
one of my favorite restaurants worthy of a drive from Huntington Beach
(5)Sophie S.
Very romantic spot. It's a drive into Chimayo from Santa Fe, but this place is really really beautiful, has outstanding food, and is located in a funky little town with a very cool church nearby (you know if I'm going into the church it's a nice one). In summer they have a great patio, but I hear that the winter fireplace action is excellent as well. Definitely a reservation spot.
(5)Michelle D.
We were expecting for this place to be a tourist trap for visitors to the nearby sanctuario, but this was not the case. Chips and salsa: fantastic. Sopapillas: perfect. Tamales Christmas style: excellent. Adovada: delicious. This food tasted homemade and what a wonderful find, especially considering our reception was dismal in this part of New Mexico. This is a must-see as part of your foodie pilgrimage throughout New Mexico. You won't be disappointed!
(5)Steve B.
Well, Rancho de Chimayo is legendary, and I suspect that's the problem. Expectations too high, execution too spotty. Too successful, too much volume, no firm hand in the kitchen, founders are gone and second generation maybe making too much of a business out of things. Or maybe they've just been eclipsed by more careful chefs of the same cuisine they originally put on the map 50 years ago. Food was inconsistent, as was the service. Ambiance depends on where they seat you, so do your homework and reserve ahead and ask for where you want. The carne adovado and the posole and beans were top notch. One might say transcendant. Worth the trip. (Though after reading other reviews here it mightt depend on just when you hit the kitchen.) The enchiladas and tamales and margarita were meh at best. Sopapillas only OK. Red chile sauce I would call mild by New Mexico standards. The roving musicians were a lot of fun, and talented. I asked for something heart-rending, my wife asked for something traditional so they played what they said was an old song about a beautiful woman who cried after eating too much hot Chimayo chile. OK, so maybe you had to be there, but it was perfect. So, go, make the pilgramage I guess. But there is better New Mexican food to be had in Santa Fe.
(3)Liz H.
Had the flautas lunch, came w 2 crispy flautas, tasty guacamole (TG it wasn't brown & mushy), sour cream, but missing lettuce and cheese (what I'm used to), but asked waiter for some cheese, which he kindly brought. Lunch also came with refried beans (not the best, but ok) and soft puffy sopapilla. Food was good and warm, so was the atmosphere. Waiter was nice and attentive, which I always appreciate and that actually brought my rating up, oh and I can't forget the yummy prickly pear margarita! Would come again, if in area.
(4)Joe H.
We ALWAYS make time for Rancho De Chimayo when we're in the area. Never disappointed. Food is fantastic, service is efficient and friendly, the building and dining experience is second-to-none. Absolutely worth the effort to get there. I've never been here when the place is really busy. But it's huge - rooms, patios and tables seem to be everywhere and never-ending.
(4)Jo R.
The food was pretty good and presented well so it gets 1 star for that because it was ruined at the door by the hostess when i asked for a table for 4 and she said she'd have to check what was "Available ". When she led us to a table for 4, we passed one huge dining area completely full of empty tables for 4. The second dining area where we sat had at least 6 tables for 4 "available" and the outside area had number of tables open as well. Wait staff a bit aloof as well -maybe too much anality (a made up word)-control crazy folks in charge. Although the food looked and tasted ok, it didn't deserve a picture because of the 4 stars they didn't get for making us feel unwelcome. I ordered beef enchilada and got chicken. Everyone else at my table was nearly finished eating by the time they brought out the beef enchilada without any apology. I'll pack my own lunch next time I visit Santuario.
(1)Chuck C.
We stopped for lunch and were seated right away. We started with the chips and Guac which was creamy, chunky and delicious. We had the prickly pear lemonade which was delicious and very refreshing. We then had the shredded beef tacos and pinto beans. The tacos and beans were tasty with their red salsa. The second lunch entree was the pork tomales which were spicy and delicious. Service was very good and this was an excellent meal. We would definitely come back!
(5)Christina H.
We eat here almost every time we are up in Northern New Mexico. This place has some of the best New Mexican food in the state but in addition has some nice variations of salads as well. This trip we had the shrimp salad with red chile ranch dressing - yummo! And as usual, sopapillas with the locally sourced honey and the prickly pear margarita! The atmosphere is good and the service is generally decent.
(5)Eric Y.
Love the atmosphere and history of the restaurant and always enjoy the food. The red sauce is amazing and one of the best around. Service is always friendly and the food is standard mid quality New Mexican fare. Nothing too fancy but all the usual suspects are represented and well done. Of note is the signature coffee - delicious (and available in the gift shop along with other food items).
(4)Jeff G.
Was looking forward to another great experience at Rancho, but was disappointed on this trip. Their rellenos have always been my favorite, followed closely by the chicken enchiladas. They both missed the mark...has the batter changed? Also, I agree with Carina, the queso was very similar to velveta. One of our party had the chicken fajitas, which seemed to have been pre-cooked and we're only slightly warm. We made a rather sizable detour to have the Chimayo experience, but wish we had eaten in Santa Fe instead. Probably won't return.
(2)Marie F.
We had been told by many many people that Rancho de Chimayo was a "must" on our trip to the Chimayo area. People said it was the absolute best food in the area and as a wonderful "experience". We couldn't have been more disappointed. While the outside was somewhat charming, the interior facilities had the stale looks of a a 70-90's hotel. The signage seemed to focus a lot on the various gift shops. We visited one near the front entrance where we were not greeted by the lone girl who sat bored and twirling her hair. The restaurant's interior space felt cold, over-lit (for dinner) and the lame polyester table cloths really made it feel "cheesy". The host took a very long time to seat us, despite the fact that it was early in the evening and nearly half of the tables were open. We waited for 10 minutes past our reservation time. It seemed difficult for him to even crack a smile at us. Not how you want to be treated on a "special" evening out. We waited for nearly 10 more minutes for a server. One finally came over and took our drink order. She seemed very unfriendly and rushed despite the fact that the restaurant was quiet, and there appeared to be one server or bus boy to every two patrons. Interestingly, once our drink orders were taken, THREE more servers came by and offered to take our drink orders. I kindly explained that we had placed our orders. All but one scowled at us and acted very irritated to hear this news, then stomped away without a smile or apology. At this point it was clear that this was not to be the romantic and special evening that we had planned for. It was so bad that I even considered leaving. But, given the recommendations, I thought that the food would maybe make up for it. Our table was adorned with the cheesy table cloth that I mentioned, a bowl of honey with over-sized piece of plastic wrap on it and a vase of tired and dusty silk flowers. Our food eventually arrived and it was just ok to say the least. The red chili was very good, but everything else was bland and boring. My chili rellenos were COLD on the inside. They were clearly pre-made. We went home very disappointed. Where was the jovial, romantic and special restaurant that we had been told about? Maybe it is just the memory of something special that locals hold on to. If it was there... we certainly missed it.
(2)Bill R.
Probably the best Mexican food I've ever had and at a reasonable price. The margaritas were killer! All four members of our party raved about their meals. Love the building too.
(5)John H.
Excellent chips and guacamole. Very fresh. The chicken sopapilla was outstanding...big enough to share. The green and red Chile's topping was also very tasty. Very cool atmosphere in the middle of nowhere. Highly recommend.
(5)Timothy M.
Good New Mexican food. Very out of the way though. Considering all of the places around Northern New Mexico to get similar food, the drive is a bit tedious. If you are looking for a unique experience though, you will probably love this place. The out door dining area is nice.
(3)Jennifer L.
Off the beaten path and worth some true authentic New Mexican flavor. The portions were large and filling. I loved their fry bread and I had a sampler platter that included a tamale, enchilada, posole, beans, and rice, slathered in green chile. The waitress was kind and attentive and the ambiance of the adobe mud structure is charming. Great place to patronize in my opinion on your way to Taos.
(3)Mary F.
This is best New Mexican food restaurant ever. I like Tomasita's in Santa Fe and El Paraguay in Española as well. But this place is the ultimate. The chili rellenos are scrumptious and the so are the sopapillas, just the perfect texture. The frozen strawberry margarita was the best I have ever had.
(5)Chuck R.
The place has seen better days. We have dined here dozens of times over a 30-year period and have usually driven away quite happy with the experience. Not this time. On arriving, after noting only a few cars in the lot and many open tables, we checked in and were told the wait would be an hour. Huh? We, and everyone else arriving at this time were directed to the bar, where we could of course order beverages and appetizers. After 20-30 minutes, a hostess located us and said we could sit outside right away if we wanted to, which is precisely what we asked for in the first place. We had enchilada dinners with mixed results. One plate good, one not so good. The red chile sauce was far too salty. Step it up RDC. We'd like to return, but this visit left a bad taste in our mouths.
(3)Julia O.
I took my parents here when they were visiting from abroad (Asia). It's a beautiful drive to the restaurant, the food is excellent, and the ambiance is great here. Delicious food, terrific service all at a reasonable price! Definitely recommended for special occasions (mostly because it's a bit of a drive to get to the restaurant).
(5)Anthony V.
I enjoyed the location and the ambiance the most on my visit. I tried the basic combo plate, taco, tamale, enchilada. The salsas were tasty and meat was tender. I eat Mexican food daily so wasn't impressed with the taco shell or tamale masa. Good place to stop in after a visit to the Santuario.
(3)Nick P.
Best New Mexican foood I had in all of new Mexico. Hands down. Very surprising. Stopped for lunch before visiting the sanctuary. I ordered Chile Relleno and the chimichanga. The flavors were amazing. The chile was huge and most tasty. Service was friendly and spot on. Very helpful. I would certainly come back. The only drawback was the wait, that's how busy it was. Make sure you get there early.
(4)Carol L.
The SOPAIPILLAS here were heavenly. Much better than at Tomasitas, the place many recommended for sopas. We would've been so content eating these hot, fried pastries drizzled with honey, washed down with some refreshing WHITE SANGRIA, for the rest of the trip! Sigh, now I'm day-dreaming... We drove up from Santa Fe to visit El Santuario de Chimayó and stopped here for lunch after asking a local store owner. It looks like it would be something of a tourist trap and yet, it was probably the best meal we had on this trip. They recently offered a special BEER-BATTERED ZUCCHINI appetizer, so we asked our server if it was still available. He checked and the kitchen was able to make it. These slices of deep-fried zucchini were fantastic! The batter was light and crisp and it came with a nice red chili ranch dipping sauce. We all concurred that the sopas, sangria and zucchini were awesome, but I may have liked the rest of the items more than my companions. We split: * GREEN CHILI STEW AND SALAD - We were told over and over again that we had to have green chili while in New Mexico, so we had this stew with pork, green chili and chunks of potatoes. I thought it had just the right amount of flavor. The side garden salad came with these great super-crunchy croutons. * SOPAIPILLA RELLENO - Our server said that this and the dish below were the most popular so we went ahead and got them. This sopaipilla was stuffed with shredded beef, beans and Spanish rice, and came topped with red and green chile (we asked for both), cheddar cheese and guacamole. It's one wet saucy mess, but I enjoyed it. * CARNE ADOVADA PEQUENA - A hefty portion of marinated pork cooked in a red chile caribe sauce, served with posole and Spanish rice. It wasn't spicy at all. It was decent, but I'd get the sopa relleno over this one. One sopaipilla was included with each entree. That was definitely not enough so we ordered a few more and each was only $0.50. Well worth the change! Trust.
(5)Jim J.
A delightful setting and a reasonable, scenic drive from Santa Fe. We came for lunch, were quickly seated and our waitress was extremely friendly. We had the queso appetizer which was okay, but about what you could make at home with Velveeta cheese and a can of Rotel. After a short wait, our blue corn enchiladas arrived and were just great, Be sure you order "Christmas" with both red and green chili to experience both flavors. The egg on top was cooked jus as I ordered. We had a wonderful time and will plan to return on our nest trip to New Mexico.
(4)Nancy S.
We have been to this place numerous times, tonight we had a Mother and Son birthday celebration. we made reservations 2 days ahead. when we arrived we were disappointed. the hostess did not welcome us or had a smile. we waited to have a glass of water served,when we finally got water there was only melted ice. my husband ordered a beer and to I ur surprise it was served 30 minutes later, after he had to go to the bar and get his own and still in search of a bartender. our meal was served an h I ur later from ordering we had 4 small children and very hungry children , they were never acknowledged nor did our waitress acknowledge we were celebrating atwo birthdays. as a manager of operations in a hospitality setting. my staff recommends our guest to this resaurant. however, after our experience tonight I will not recommend the resaurant. at least 5 waiters and waitresses were observed sitting outside petting a dog.i recommend it is time ti hire folks that are happy with the job they do. the cooks that take pride since or meal was cool to the taste.
(1)Joe C.
Wow, this restaurant is big... and quite popular. I get it though. My guess is a lot of people from Santa Fe like take a leisurely cruise up to here on the weekends. At least that's what it looked like to me one particular Sunday afternoon. My guess is they first hit up the El Santuario de Chimayó, grab a fistful of dirt, and then drive over here for lunch (or dinner). It makes sense. Heck, that's what would do. I actually did do that but I did it in reverse order. Unfortunately I happened to arrive during the busiest time of the day. So I opted to fill up on just a few appetizers in the bar area. That worked out great because I wasn't too hungry and didn't have a lot of time on my hands anyway. I got a lot of cheesy things....tortilla chips and chile con queso and .....flour tortilla topped with green chile and cheddar cheese. All were great! The layout of the restaurant is interesting because it's located inside a old ranch house. There are many rooms and a very nice patio in the back. Check out the fireplace in the bar area. It has a wooden bed set on top of it, so I can assume it's probably one of the first heated beds in the country... old school style... long before electricity. I'd return again, but perhaps when they're not too busy. But I get the feeling they're always busy.
(5)Manasree P.
I have mixed feelings about this place. We stayed at Chimayo for 4 out of our 8 day trip to NM & had to do some adjustments to Taos & Santa Fe schedules to make sure we get a meal at Rancho de chimayo. We made it here for lunch at I must say at a time between the normal lunch n dinner times. The place is huge which added to the empty feeling at that hour of the day. Even then our waitress did not seem to be very enthusiastic. Wasn't rude, just lacking service & the pleasantries. The food was reasonably priced & there is a huge variety to chose from. There are combination specials as well to taste a bit of the usual New Mexican fare. I would rate the quality of food as good with the exceptions that : I found some ground beef on my plate which was not part of the dish I ordered The enchilada was stiff at a tiny portion - I did not taste that part to know what happened there Did not expect these lil glitches at a place so raved about.
(3)Katelyn H.
I had the sopaipilla relleno, stuffed with chicken, rice, and beans and some guacamole on the side. Also had some plain sopaipillas. The food was all really good. Had a friendly waiter. I think it's cool that this place has a little gift shop. I bought some cactus marmalade in there. Be fore warned that there's not AC (or at least there wasn't when we went). So don't go when it's super hot.
(4)Parker P.
We ate lunch at this place last week. It was one of the worst meals we've ever had anywhere, in or out of New Mexico. Will definitely never return. A frozen TV Mexican dinner would have been a lot better.
(1)Ranjani S.
Right, so when the guidebook to Santa Fe refers a restaurant, it's definitely worth giving it a try. Not because it's biased, but because it's usually a good place to start when low on options. We stopped at Rancho De Chimayo at lunchtime on our way to Taos from Santa Fe. The place looked really neat and with the number of cars outside, it looked really popular too! We walked in and the girls at the front desk looked less than interested in their jobs. We were walked to some dingy room with purple tablecloths. It looked upscale but depressing. We asked to be seated outside since it was a sunny day. But were told it was full. Our waitress came instantly & we were served water. My husband also ordered a chips & salsa with a side of the guacamole, which came equally fast. In the meanwhile, our friend decided to give outdoor seating another shot. And one of the girls informed him there was seating outside. She started to guide us to the table outside. And funnily enough, asked us to carry our own waters, chips, sals & guac. It's probably the FIRST time that I was asked to carry my own food from table to table at a restaurant. That is 2 stars deducted right there for poor hospitality. The original waitress that served us seemed rather offended that she wasn't going to get her original tip. She looked really angry that we were moving our tables and excused herself. Once we were seated outside, she brought the bill from the first table, which we had no issues paying right there. But, she billed us for two chips, one salsa & one guac. And we only received one of the chips. Very passive aggressive, IMHO. Her tip was obviously reduced. But it was still close to 20% of the bill value. My husband is rather generous, I'd say. The second waiter was sweet. But rather distracted. While our food arrived promptly, he kept forgetting to bring a glass of water without ice. My friend requested it 3 times. The bill also made its way promptly to the table. He did get us additional salsa in exchange for the missing chips. We're obviously very diligent when it comes to paying bills & giving tips. I was not particular impressed by the food, given that I ate at Tomasita's the day before. My friend couldn't even eat a morsel of her shrimp pesto enchilada, because it was oversalted in some places and undersalted in some places. The sopapillas were COLD. No bueno. I couldn't be bothered reviewing the remaining order because it did not leave an impression on me. Overall, I'd give this place a skip. I was not impressed by the service. Nor was the food impressive by any means.
(2)Chris O.
Highlight of the High Road. Excellent food, great value. Try the Sopapilla rellenos, green chile stew or shrimp enchiladas. Yum! Salsa is also very tasty--fresh tomatoes with a spicy kick. Unless you're really into cider, pass on the signature cocktail. Have a beer, margarita or tap water instead.
(5)rori c.
I had the sopaipilla relleno and it was delicious. The lunch portion was huge, I can't imagine what the dinner portion looks like. The chips and salsa were definitely worth the calories. I will admit that I was tasting as much as possible to see if we should have the restaurant cater an upcoming event and I was pleased with what I got.
(4)S N.
This restaurant is close to the santuario de chimayo. The place is popular. We went there today, which is Saturday December 27, it's winter and the parking lot was packed at 2 in the afternoon. We had to wait about 30 min as we did not make a reservation but it did not seem long as they have a gift shop, a small jewelry store inside and also and most importantly, a lounge where you can wait. I liked the food, it's new mexican. I had the vegetarian tamales and it was good. The waitress was very nice. The sangrias were good and the margarita that my husband ordered was really good. For dessert, I had the piñon chocolate mousse and it was good. Overall, I would go back, I liked the food and the drive to get there is very beautiful. Oh, and to add to the real new mexican experience, on our way out, we encountered a goat along with two dogs that were just chilling... It was quite amusing. Very friendly, I pet both dogs and also the goat.
(4)Carina S.
Nasty. The stuffed jalapeños were like the ones you'd get at a bowling alley. The queso tasted like velveeta. The cheese in my enchilada was not melted. The beef in the taco tasted like it had been sitting in its own grease all day. The relleno was utterly disappointing. I could go on, but you get the idea.
(1)Lauren H.
Such an amazing meal. The green chile stew was absolutely delicious and so was everything else my family and I ordered. The prickly pear lemonade and margarita were amazing. I make the trip out to Chimayo every time I'm in New Mexico just for this restaurant and it's completely worth it. They never fail to provide us with an amazing selection of food, wonderful service and a beautiful restaurant.
(5)Dave C.
My mother, Mary, was the manager here for 14 years and it was always a treat to eat here whenever I would come to New Mexico to visit. The owner, Mrs. J, is very nice. Rancho de Chimayo is world famous and the food and atmosphere are very authentic southwestern. Val Kilmer even eats here sometimes. If you're looking for traditional southwest New Mexico dining, this is it. You won't find the more perfect and secluded ambiance with picturesque scenic vistas especially if you are driving west toward Chimayo along highway 76 from the Sangre de Cristos overlooking the beautiful panoramic southwest landscape. Traditional tortilla chips served with con queso and salsa are good appetizers. The beef sopapillas smothered in cheese is one of my favorites as are the chicken enchiladas. The deep fried sopapillas served with honey are yummy. Flan and chocolate mousse are also on the dessert menu. The gift shop sells local art and their house spices, chiles, salsas and pinon coffees which were also sold online at chimayotogo.com . It's very beautiful to eat here during the spring/summer, but unfortunately there are indeed lots and lots of flies on the patio area so be warned. You'll be swatting and shooing at them throughout your meal so you might want to request eating inside the dining area to try and evade them. It's my only pet-peeve. Last time we were here we also stayed at the Hacienda de Chimayo bed and breakfast across the street. Highly recommend if you are looking for a place to stay around the Chimayo/Espanola area. It's a very cute and comfy inn and a great location in between Taos and Sante Fe. Rancho de Chimayo is the perfect taste of the old southwest.
(5)Megan M.
I have been going to this restaurant for 20 years, every time we go to the shrine & mission. The food at our last visit was awful. The calabasitas was soggy. The salsa was like liquid hot sauce with no texture or tomato, the beans were bland and stale, the tortillas stale as well. this is no longer THE place to eat when you visit Chimayo.
(2)Margaret B.
Rancho de Chimayo is a charming looking place with multiple rooms, white tablecloths, and patio seating in the back. I had lunch here with my grandparents, we ordered the guacamole as an appetizer, and I had the Chile Relleno served on top of with green chile sauce. The green chile gives it a subtle kick of spice. The Chile Relleno was traditional, decent. The breading was a little too reminiscent of greasy, fried state fair food. Our lunch came with a basket of sopapillas. I was pleasantly surprised as they weren't deep fried and crispy but were chewy, fluffy pillows of goodness. My only complaint is the house fly situation on the outdoor patio. I'm sure it's near impossible to get it under control outdoors but at one point a yellow hornet was also buzzing around our table as well. Overall this is a great place to stop for lunch; the El Santuario de Chimayo, which is a great photo op, is right down the street, so you can eat a great lunch then walk it off with a little sightseeing.
(3)Jody B.
Good ambiance, food is ok, not great, but they couldn't get the order right, and the menu is misleading, but the red spice margarita earned the two stars... There are so many places to go in SF that I'm not sure this would be first on my list. We went on the recommendation of a friend. Nothing was special. The back patio was nice. Hubby had a beer and I had a red chile margarita. The waitress got our drinks right. Mine was hot but not overwhelming. It hit the spot. We both ordered tacos. Hubby had ground beef and I had red chile brisket. I also had a side of pork stew. I ordered corn tortillas, Hubby flour. When we got our meal, Hubby's had 2 tacos on it. They said if you get flour, you only get 2 tacos. Nothing on the menu about it. They did bring out another taco free (I added a star just for that... and they have a check in offer). When we got the bill, we saw they overcharged us for the pork stew... honest mistake? I'm glad Hubby always checks the bill! Anywho... it was ok... and good sustenance for an afternoon around the plaza!
(3)Terry S.
When my friend from New York flew into Albuquerque I took her straight to Rancho de Chimayo for dinner. She called for a reservation on the way. We were seated promptly on one of the terraces out back of the building. It was a lovely evening in June, perfect timing. The service was excellent and the food was even better. Our server was very professional and friendly. I had the Carne Adovado as recommended and my friend had an enchilada and a frozen margarita that she swore was the best she'd ever had. We shared some flan for desert. I live in Taos and eat good New Mexican food often but the experience at Rancho de Chimayo was about as perfect as it gets anywhere I've ever eaten in New Mexico, Seattle, Portland or New York. I plan to take many more future visitors from out of state to Rancho de Chimayo.
(5)Brad S.
GREAT NEW MEXICAN FOOD. The location is beautiful and the outdoor seating is recommended. 3rd Best new mexican food I've ever tasted. It is worth the drive. Prickly Pear Lemonade was bananas!
(5)keem d.
I have loved and frequented Rancho many times over the past 35 years. Needless to say, it is tops on my list when I am in NM. It pains me to report that their Carne Adovada was less than stellar and their reaction was nonchalant. It should be fall apart tender and spicy hot. The spice was there but the meat was in chewy chunks, not what I had waited 7 years for! Most disturbing was the waitperson's attitude. "She'd let them know." Not "we're terribly sorry", not "let us remove that meal from your bill", no visit from the manager. Nada. The setting is ideal and the sopapillas were delicious. Can't say that I will go out of my way in the future to eat there
(2)Jamie L.
My sweetie loves the Rancho, and very excitedly brought me here the first time we visited his family's homestead up in the hills on the High Road to Taos. (It runs between Taos and Espanola en route to Santa Fe, and is beautiful, with awe-inspiring vistas and scenic, winding roads) ...But I digress. The Rancho de Chimayo is along that road, in (oddly enough) Chimayo. It's a beautiful setting, set far back from the road up a light-and-tree lined driveway in a charming, big old house. It's like a garden setting, really. Inside, there are multiple dining areas, a cozy bar area with leather seats and low tables, and both a glassed-in patio and outdoor patio. All have art on the walls and plants, making for a very New Mexican ambience. We always start with the housemade Tortilla Chips, Salsa Roja, and Queso (With SPICY local peppers!). I like to add a bowl of their housemade Guacamole to round out the flavors. Their tequila-based house drink is always a crowd pleaser, too, and helps build your appetite for the main course. Their menu ranges from light (salads with a Mexican flair) to hearty (Grilled Steaks and Fajitas.) They have a few combination plates, too, for those who can't make up their minds, consisting of enchiladas, tacos, posole, tamales, spanish rice, beans, etc. But we like to stick with our tried and true favorites. There are Shrimp Enchiladas in Blue Corn tortillas. I get those with their amazing Green Chile (They'll come smothered and topped with White Cheddar) and they're served with black beans and spanish rice on the side. The man just loves the Sopapilla Relleno. A fried Sopapilla, split and filled with meats, then smothered in their Green or Red Chile. He loves the seasoned, ground beef option, and I really enjoyed my Ropa Vieja version. These I get their Red and Green chiles on the side, so I can enjoy the crispy fried exterior of the fresh Sopapilla. This also comes with the Spanish Rice and Beans. All entrees are served with fresh, Fried Sopapillas and Honey. And their portions are so big that I begged last time for them to serve me the lunch size! Yet, somehow, we still find room for dessert. But with Flan like this, who wouldn't? And Chocolate Mousse topped with spiced Pine Nuts? Yes, Please. An evening at Rancho de Chimayo is non-negotiable when we make the trip down to Taos and Santa Fe. The Man was right. (Ssh! Don't tell him that!) This place is wonderful!
(5)Jennifer C.
Glad we went here! I really thought this was a tourist trap since it's right down the road from the church but one of the "locals" there told us to go try it out. Glad we did. And we will drive the extra 30 mins to eat here when we stop in Santa Fe. Great food, good prices and the staff was super sweet. Don't forget to stop by the gift shop and pick up some adovada sauce to take home with you. It's the best!
(4)Candace F.
Relaxing patio in cool shade, fresh vegetarian choices (soy cheese is available too) for Nuevo Mexicano plates that are delicious and look pretty in presentation. Service is old Hispanic culture hospitality.
(4)Sarah B.
Great drive on the way out! Our waitress, Laura, was sweet, attentive, and handled my grandmother and her friends very well...sometimes it's hard to wait on old people. The food was AMAZING. Best fajita salad of my life. The prickly pear frozen lemonade will be in my dreams. I always always always have a positive experience at Rancho De Chimayo and this time was no different.
(5)R. H.
The food was pretty good, but not great. It IS a great setting (they have a great outdoor eating area), the service is good and fast, and the food pretty good. It makes for a memorable event IF you happen to be nearby. It is a ways from Sante Fe, but combined with a trip to Bandolier National Monument this makes a great day.
(4)Kathryn C.
If you love chili rellenos this place has the best I've found in northern New Mexico. Large flavorful chilies, crispy batter and cogito cheese with excellent red or green sauce. The pasole is very authentic, and the beans are good. The sopapillas are large fluffy and wonderful! The restaurant is in a beautiful area and has a lot of charm. It's worth checking out.
(4)Julie B.
What an amazing dinning experience. This place is lovely. We got excellent service from our waiter. Order the Camaronez appetizers to start with. I had the Chicken Fajita Chimayo. The Prickly Pear Margarita had great flavor to it. If we had not had a long drive home we would probably ordered more. The flan I had for dessert was the best flan I have ever eaten in my life. Luckily for me my mother does not read yelp reviews and will not find out that her flan is no longer my number one favorite flan. This place is a must for us to return to. Even if we have to make a six hour drive. I was sad that after dinner I noticed their outdoor patio. I would have loved to have eaten outdoors.
(5)Cyndy L.
Food was decent but not stand out. We had the sopaipillas rellenos stuffed with chicken and the chicken fajitas. Service was quick and friendly. Prices quite reasonable for lunch. The restaurant was huge and festively decorated for Christmas.
(3)Tony S.
A beautiful oasis in Chimayo! The ambiance was great with multiple terraces, the staff were very helpful and professional. Our family has eaten here before and really enjoyed themselves. But, the food was just OK this time. Chile Relleno - underwhelming, bready with minimal cheese inside. The green chili sauce was a bit bland, had too much corn starch, and was thick & viscous. Chicken Salad - pretty basic and, unfortunately, the lettuce had a a bunch of slime in it. NOTE: they apologized profusely and took the salads off our bill. Green Chili Stew - not bad, but pretty mild. We had better in Santa Fe. Red Chili - very good, nice burn, and with shredded meat giving it a rich and hearty flavor. I could have made a meal of that alone! Even with the minor problems, it was nice experience. When you're traveling on the High Road, we recommend it.
(4)Gwynedd D.
Good solid New Mexican fare in a pleasant setting. It's down the street from the famous Santuario de Chimayo (sadly tarted up over the years and not the dusty mysterious old church of yesteryear. Still worth visiting, however.) The back porch room is light and airy. The food is a bit heavy but well prepared and the lunch was so generously portioned, two moderate or light eaters might split an entree. We had tamales and green chile (mildly spicy), a tostada and a chicken burrito (very large.) Fried sopaipillas and honey served with lunch and we ordered guacamole to start (very fresh, mashed by hand but no blue corn chips?) Very reliable and good but not over the top. Who said it was better than Tomasitas? Maybe. I didn't compare stuffed sopaipillas, for which Tomasitas is famous.
(4)Robert K.
I grew up in New Mexico coming to this restaurant. The food and service has always been excellent. The green and red chile are hot. My years away from New Mexican Cuisine definitely showed as I was not able to handle the heat. This is a place to dine if one is ever in the area.
(4)Dale L.
Amazing! Their signature dish, Carne Adovado, was outstanding. The side dish of Posole was among the best I've ever had and New Mexico has some fantastic Posole. We hope to return in the fall (we live in Texas). I am ordering their cookbook today.
(5)Shradha A.
What more can i say to compliment this place than the fact that my birthday weekend in santa fe will forever be marked by this amazing food and place! From the best sopapillas possible to enchiladas and tacos, to really attentive, caring and quick service! This place was so worth the detour on our way to Taos from Santa Fe! Highly recommend!!
(5)Danielle N.
Had such an amazing dinner here! We have a loud, high maintenance party of 8. Our server Shayleen was AMAZING! Great service, great food, great sangria. Off the beaten path a bit, but worth the drive. Really cool little place...we didn't sit outside, but the patio was gorgeous!
(5)Rae Ann C.
I would highly recommend and would make reservations for sure to sit out side. The staff was amazing and the food was off the charts..
(5)Scott W.
The great thing about famous restaurants in small towns is that it becomes a rite of passage - if you find someone who went to Small Town, USA, then you've met someone else who has eaten at that famous restaurant - a secret society in the making. The dangerous thing about famous restaurants in small towns is that they are aware they are famous and have a looser approach they could choose to take. Thankfully, Rancho de Chimayo puts effort into it, though I think I had quite better meals in New Mexico. I had chile rellenos, the only time I had them on my trip. And those are not typically my thing, but I knew I needed to try them on my trip. As it was, they looked like they had been flash-fried (good) and were crunchy and had a level of spice that I don't associate with the dish (very good) but something lost me a little all the same. Maybe it was the cheese, a little bland, perhaps? It came out feeling like there was something critical missing (oh, I'm vegetarian, that might count for something). The sopaipilla certainly wasn't missing anything, except for maybe 5 more just like it. I just had a piñon coffee for dessert, which had a rich, beautiful taste. I took it slow, partly because I enjoyed it and partly because it looked like my waitress forgot I existed in the busy Saturday evening. Mariachis roam the vast restaurant, and in a stop-the-presses mode they were great! Elder gentlemen strumming multi-verse ballads and narratives on their acoustics, from thundering baritones to sunset falsettos. I clapped, and I NEVER do that. People came from other rooms to tip - so you will be entertained here. I think it's things like that that make this place such an experience. And because of that, you might not get the perfect dish. But if you eat with all if your senses, you can soak it all in. And then when on the course of your travels, you meet another person who's been to Chimayo you've got an immediate bond, and you can talk about how great it is even if it's just good. Sorta like I'm doing now.
(3)Olivia G.
Hot and tasty food! A great place to eat after visiting El Santuario de Chimayo. The stuffed shrimp and stuffed jalapenos were great appetizers with the creamy cheese and crunchy crust.. The carne adovado was spicy and scrumptious. I personally enjoyed the grilled chicken breast with green chile and calabacitas (squash). They also had some of the best sopapillas. Thin and soft, they were delicious with honey.
(4)David D.
I'm not here to slam Rancho D C because in all honesty it's pretty good. One couldn't ask for a prettier setting. An old ranch house with a to die for multi level patio in the back. Heck, they couldl serve dog food and I'd give it two stars. I'm gonna pick on it for one thing, they served the frickin sopapillas with the meal. Of course by the time we got to them they were room temperature. Come on, how much time and effort would it take to serve them warm or, gasp, even hot (a la Gabriels!!) after the meal? The rest of the meal was a notch above average. Plusses (in addition to the slightly above average food) a GREAT Prickly Pear Cactus Lemonade. Heck, that thing on the patio on a hot weekend afternoon is heaven. The Gold Coin Margarita was perfect (not as easy as it seems, I've had a lot of strong margaritas in Sante Fe that miss the mark, a la, the right combination of ingredients(are you listening Gabriels?) ). Pricing was quite reasonable. Anyway, above average food and drink, beautiful setting, well worth the drive, and on our hit list for Sante Fe visits til we can't drive anymore.
(4)Cocos B.
On one of our days wandering around New Mexico, a couple friends and I decided to visit the village of Chimayo. Of course Rancho de Chimayo was a must try. THE best New Mexican that I have ever had. It's off the beaten path and a nice drive from everything. As we walked in we noticed people just relaxing outside. The place has a really homey feel to it, as if you are visiting your grandmother's place to have a great meal. When you walk in there are family pictures all over. The hostess was very cheery and had a huge smile on her face. She happily escorted us to a table and gave us our menus. As we waited on our food we wandered around some. The place is really quaint and comfortable...just like granny's. I ordered the chicken blue corn enchiladas. PERFECT. It had just the right about of spice, the red chile was fantastic, it wasn't sloppy...the absolute best. I just wanted to take my time and chew every bite slowly...just to savor the taste. The margarita was really nice and fruity with a small bite. Perfect for a hot day. It was perfect for that day too lol...even though it was rather mild out. It went with the meal perfectly. For dessert we tried the flan. Flan isn't really my thing but it was soft and delicious. I definitely recommend Rancho de Chimayo.
(5)Faith A.
I don't get it. We arranged our entire pilgrimage to El Santuario de Chimayó around the restaurant's hours. All I can think is that Sunday lunch is cursed. The actual menu didn't resemble the one I'd studied online, so - at a loss - I asked the gift shop clerk, the hostess who sat us, and the waitress all for recommendations. All 3 recommended the green chile stew and carne adovado. Both came in about 3 minutes (terrifyingly fast) and yet were cold. Cold green chile stew. Cold carne adovado. Our waitress never returned to check on us, so when I shyly asked a passing waiter if carne adovado was supposed to be served cold, he looked annoyed (like, This again?!) and immediately took it away. Our waitress delivered the "new" plate which was my old plate, microwaved - including the side salad. In case you're wondering, microwaved lettuce releases quite a bit of water, so the rice and posole sides were swimming. The carne, while now hot, was flavorless (we took turns playing, Pork, Chicken, or Tofurkey?). I loaded on the salt and mopped up the sauce (flavor = red) with sopapillas that tasted like Fry Bread from every State Fair you've ever been to. To its credit, the (cold) green chile stew was flavorful, and the prickly pear frozen lemonade was brilliantly colored (and appropriately cold). So one star for purple.
(1)V E.
It can be, ways to drive yet if you are on a visit and hungry, this is the place to be. Their service, food and drinks are great. Their food and prices are good, however if you happen to be there, on a week day (closed Mondays) their lunch menu 12-4 PM is the way to go, their prices are good as well. Their fajitas estilo de Chimayo is worth a try as well as their green Chile stew. Again it may take you a bit to find the place yet very worth the time and patience. Located nearby the famous religious place " El Santuario de Chimayo".
(5)Maggie M.
If you want a treat, take a drive up to Chimayo during the fall. The fall colors are like candy for your eyes. It is spectacular! Chimayo is authentic NM where you will find apples for sale on the road-side, bright yellow trees and red ristras next to adobe houses that have been there for well over 100 years. If you go, stop at Rancho de Chimayo for lunch. Menu is NM food - tamales, enchiladas, tacos, etc. I started with one of their margaritas and WOW - was it strong (I think it killed every bacteria in my mouth). They had an apple/tequila drink (which I tasted but not my favorite. That really doesn't mean much considering I got sick on tequila one time and I pretty much exclusively drink it in a margarita on special occasions). If you are a tequila drinker - it is worth a try. They have special Cactus juice for the kids, which is really one of the most fabulous colors of pink I have ever seen. I guess it must have been good because they drank it all. If you go, forget your diet and order their queso, guacamole and chips - YUM YUM (could become an addiction it is THAT good) . I ordered their tamale plate which was ok (not great), my husband had their fajitas which was very good but the kicker was the red chile sauce. I proceeded to dip my entire sopapilla in that delicious sauce until it was all gone! Even started nibbling on a 2nd one! Be sure to make a reservation if it is Easter/Spring or Fall. Stop by the Church in Chimayo and be sure to bring a container to the church and take home some of the "sacred healing dirt." (PS - I would also suggest ordering a pint of their red chile sauce from the restaurant to bring home - better then the stuff in the jar and you can use it on some homemade enchiladas!)
(4)Cecilia T.
So good! And gluten free! Was yummy yummy! Their beans were so tasty! It was all good! Will definitely go back!
(5)Tim B.
Dinner Monday night. Service was okay waiter was friendly, the young man filling water glasses kept them full, food was so so, a little on the greasy side for the tacos. Lunch was at the sopapillas factory.
(3)Bill T.
Simply really good New Mexican cuisine. I eat here whenever I'm on the High Road, or staying in Truchas, just up the road.
(4)Barbara S.
What a delightful and delicious find! We stopped at this lovely place for lunch while taking the High Road to Taos. The parking lot was full and we didn't have reservations; we thought we'd have to wait quite a while, but the place is surprisingly large and only had to wait about 10 minutes. We were seated outside on the garden terrace which was wonderful. Our server was quick to greet us and take our drink orders. Although the place was busy, we never felt rushed at all. The tacos (1 beef & 1 chicken) were done to perfection. The meat was seasoned perfectly and the shells crispy and not at all greasy. The blue corn chicken enchiladas were absolutely delicious! Both dishes were plated beautifully, as were the many plates we saw being delivered to those around us. Of course, what is New Mexican cuisine w/o sopaipillas? And were they wonderful! Very fresh - and the honey was delicious, too - they get is locally and is sold in their gift shop. If you are anywhere near Santa Fe or Taos or Los Alamos or Albuquerque, you really need to try this restaurant. You will not be disappointed at all.
(5)Jesseca T.
Went here for dinner last night with my husband for his 40th bday. Con Queso with fresh chips and bowl of green pork chili for apps - both were flavorful (and the queso was excellent, EVEN better than Jose Muldoon's in Boulder, which is my baseline for queso). He had a pork platter with tamale,and lots of green chili. Said it was awesome. I had a Vegetarian Pequin platter, which was a bean and cheese taco, the BEST relleno I've had in my life, and a cheese enchilada. Dessert was flan (on the house for bday boy) and chocolate mousse with toasted pinons (a creative touch, that, and it works!) The housemade red sangria carafe ($12) was fresh, not watery, and they used good wine.- Good stuff Service- attentive backwaiter kept our glasses full and table cleared, and our waiter was personable and efficient. There's a beautiful outdoor dining area, the sky is so clear and the drive out here really gets you in the mood for a relaxed evening being cared for and fed well. Finally, the total bill for three courses was $62 before tip- that's a steal, this type of meal would be $80-$100 in Santa Fe or Boulder easily. Tiny request- give a little more room between the tables in the main dining area please- I felt like a fat cow when I had to ask to move the table to get up- not a good feeling for your diners to have- We had a romantic and memorable evening, Rancho De Chimayo, I look forward to bringing our next guests out here and sharing with them why we moved here- and next time I'm eating outside! 10/30/10 Back again, dinner for two with a bottle of New Zealand Sauv Blanc was $55 - AMAZING! Con queso, flan, veggie platter and pork avadavadvbado or something - anyway great food, better table in the corner, good service, a good time all around.
(5)Rich F.
My favorite Mexican food there is and one of my favorite places to go on the way to and from Santa Fe. I always order the Carne Adovada, the best around. Absolutely love Chimayo cocktails, but, they aren't for everyone. Great sopapilla's also. Great prices and the service is typically very good. Have been coming here since 1991 and it's always been very consistent...
(5)Idan S.
I've been there 3 times now and I have to say that I'm really surprised at the variation of food quality there. The first time I went there I got a carne adovada stuffed sopapilla (xmas) with a fried egg on top and can definitely say it was one of the best things I've ever eaten! However, the second time I went there I got the exact same dish and was mildly disappointed. The third time I went there I got a combo plate with a chile relleno, a shredded beef taco, and tamale (xmas on everything but the taco) - and have to say I was really disappointed with all 3 items! The only item whose integrity remained constant throughout my experience there was the prickly pear margaritas - very strong and tasty! I would have given them 2 stars based on my last 2 experiences there, but decided to give them 4 stars overall: for my first experience, tasty cocktails, and great ambiance.
(4)Jeanie B.
We had lunch there this weekend. Restaurant was busy, but not packed. I ordered the house special of Carne Avodado and it was pretty good but I thought the meat was dry. The White Sangria was to die for, but the waiter never came back to ask if we wanted a second one, which I would have ordered - but by the time he looked in on us again, we were finished and ready to go. My husband ordered a shredded chicken burrito with Christmas sauce and it was good, but not great. Sopaipilla was to die for. Light and fluffy but hardly any honey in our bowl to drizzle on it....and once again, waiter was MIA to ask for it. This is a detour off the main road but with it. I put three stars but it is more a 3.5.
(3)J L.
Best meal I've ever had anywhere. Anywhere! Not just in New Mexico, but in the entire U.S. So worth the drive from Santa Fe to eat here. The food is fresh, not heavy, and the taste of everything we tried was like 4th of July fireworks. Awesome. Go. Eat. Leave a changed person who will never want Mexican food anywhere else again as long as you live.
(5)Ms. W.
I was touring with some out of town visitors. At 3 in the afternoon, we wanted drinks and a lite bite to eat and they tried to make us sit away from the rest of the EMPTY tables. When we said that we wanted to sit in closer in the nicer part, they sat us but left us there with not even any water service. After 5 or 10 min of being ignored, we left. Really rude. No more referrals from me, it's over.
(1)Sean H.
Excellent food, good price, very nice atmosphere and service. I had the combo plate with a beef taco and cheese enchilada, and my wife had the tamale with green sauce and every thing was good.
(5)Teresa L.
Rancho de Chimayo was a part of every summer vacation trip we took when I was a kid. The food has been consistently excellent, the ambiance is beautiful, and service is friendly and attentive. I had such fond memories that I brought my husband there on our honeymoon (twice...in one day, actually). By the second time, the servers recognized us and were glad we came back- and threw in a celebratory bottle of champagne, free! As far as food goes, the stuffed sopaipilla is a house specialty...for a reason, because it is DELICIOUS. Ask them to put the red and green chili on top. My husband had a few things but liked the carne adovada the best. When in doubt, ask your server what they recommend- they won't steer you wrong! We also stayed at the Hacienda across the street- tied to Rancho de Chimayo somehow (their website is the same). Anyway, I would not recommend staying there if you value a good night's sleep. Our bed was just two single beds pushed together. Walls are PAPER thin so we were rudely awakened at 3 am by a neighbor's snoring like a freight train. And the beds were squeaky. Painfully squeaky. We couldn't even scratch an itch without making noise. PLUS there are no TVs, so come prepared with something else to do (that also doesn't involve the squeaky beds!).
(5)Rodney V.
The food was typical New Mexico cuisine. The guy at the chili shop next to the El Santuario de Chimayo said there food is all created using Chimayo chili so that was all it took to convince us to give it a shot. The chili was good but I like my chili recipe better. The chili store has some sun dried ground red chili powder that is the best tasting chili around! The extra hot is truly EXTRA hot, so if don't like screaming hot red chili like I do, don't buy it! I guess I would eat here again but I believe I would avoid the (dry as a bone) chicken breast smothered with cheese and green chili. My wife's carne adovada, served with a scoop of posole was excellent.
(3)Vanessa H.
Had the sopapilla stuffed with beef, tasty, but had I known every entree came with a sopapilla, I might have ordered otherwise because that meant I ate the equivalent of *two* doughnuts at lunch instead of just one! Visit the Santurario Chimayo afterward -- it's beautiful and strange and moving.
(4)Darcy G.
I hope tourists don't think our food here is like this, I was dissapointed in the food, pretty tastless and not that good. I had the Chili Relleno, very little chili, covered in a thick fried batter, ugh, and no cheese. Sorry, but it was very bland. Try La Plazuela at La Fonda Hotel for good Northern New Mexican food...
(2)Trent R.
Cool, historical feel to this place. The food is REALLY good...Decent portions...And very reasonably priced.....I usually get the Burrito de Carne...it's pretty big....
(5)Andrew M.
I went here with friends from the Barbershop Harmony Society Chapter in Los Alamos in 6/11. By the time I got there, I was really hungry, so the chips and salsa, which were kind of average, tasted really good. I had the chiles rellenos with added meat. In Indiana, your stadard CR is a stuffed poblano. These were New Mexican green chiles and they were fabulous. Add to that the tasty sagria and the pinon coffee at the end along with the ambiance and good service, and it was a very pleasurable experience with good company!
(5)Maya M.
We got a recommendation for this place from a local native, on our way from Santa Fe to Taos via the High Road. We were very, very surprised to find something that looked more like a country club than a local restaurant, nonetheless, the food was absolutely delicious and we had a great meal.
(4)Chirag C.
After all the hype on Yelp, we decided to make a little pit stop on our way from Taos to Santa Fe. We arrived at the restaurant after a beautiful drive through some of the most scenic country in the West--rolling hills, canyons, postcard perfect vistas--with a voracious appetite. And we were sorely disappointed--the quality of ingredients used reminded us of a Taco Bell. Our appetizer, the grande nachos, were smothered in a substance resembling cheese, with other toppings crudely thrown on. This reminded me of the kind of place I'd expect to see a van of tourists on an organized tour (wait, we did see one!). I recommend a pass...
(2)David T.
Rancho de Chimayo is a long drive, but worth it. I'm not a fan of Southwestern food, but their fare was fresh and authentic.
(4)Nancy M.
This is one of my favorite places and I always stop for lunch on the drive to and from Colorado. They had a fire here so a lot of the interior and exterior has been redone. This place seats around 300 but with all the rooms and patios it still seems very intimate. I always like to be seated on the patio out back and enjoy the flowers and sunshine. The wait staff is very attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. They have lunch portions at noon or you can order a larger meal off the dinner menu. We had enchiladas and a chicken dish with the green chillie which I like the best. The lunch came with a small salad and sopapillas. We had a great time enjoying a leisurely meal and ordered the Chocolate mousse with roasted pinion nuts that I thought was a great finish to the meal. Even though I know about this place, it is easy to miss as you are driving the winding roads. It is a very special place with a unique dining experience.
(4)FiveZoseys B.
Wow. There are very few words to describe just how disappointed we were with our experience at Rancho de Chimayo. Two of us had been there 10 years ago and loved it. We were really looking forward to bringing the rest of the Zosey clan to a beloved New Mexican institution. Unfortunately, almost everything about the experience was bad. Service: Very slow. Our waiter was well-intentioned, but he disappeared for very long periods of time ... leaving us desperate for drink refills. Atmosphere: Absolutely horrendous. We were seated at what is now known in our family as the Infamous Table Ten. Table 10 is on the covered patio area right next to the door. There were FLIES EVERYWHERE. We were eating our meal with one hand on the fork and the other shoeing flies away from our plates. It absolutely ruined the meal. We don't know what it takes to get rid of flies, but they need to figure it out ASAP. Food: Good, but frankly overshadowed by the insect swarm. And if that's what you have to deal with, then go to one of the TONS of great New Mexican restaurants in the Santa Fe and Taos area. FLIES, FLIES, FLIES, FLIES, FLIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(2)Susan P.
Quintessential northern NM cuisine! Be sure to order the carne adovada, featuring the best red chillie sauce I've had in New Mexico. Our waiter was very attentive; the ambience very cozy... Lots of smaller rooms in an older building with wonderful old photographs on the walls. I'm so glad we stopped for dinner- an unexpected delight!
(5)Amy K.
Great stop after visiting the Sanctuario de Chimayo. Light lunch of salad and tortilla soup was marvelous. Spicy ranch dressing was great and the tortilla soup thankfully was a light chicken base and not creamy ala Ohio. Guacamole was very good and salsa was just spicy enough. Sopaipillas were a great finisher.
(4)Pamela S.
I lived in NM for over a year, and have been returning every so often since I moved. I love green chile, red chile, sopapillas... Have been to a lot of NM restaurants, and have to say that this is the best NM food I've ever had. I know, I know, I said that about Matilda's, but Matilda's is the best in the grandma sense, Rancho de Chimayo is the best in the restaurant sense. On my most recent trip, just this past weekend, I went twice. Was staying in Santa Fe, drove up to Espanola to go to Matilda's only to see it closed! What a disappointment! Thank goodness I remembered that Rancho de Chimayo was close by and they were open (unlike the last time we were there...) Quite the perfect happy accident to head up there. We had their margaritas (whooee are they strong!), green chile stew, beef stuff sopapilla Christmas, carne adovada, and the chicken with chile con queso. Then we had the chocolate pinon mousse and the flan. We ate a lot. Like so much we could barely move the rest of the day a lot. Needless to say, we enjoyed everything that we ate. Even their weird salad dressing. Sopapillas come with every entree you order, one entree one sopapilla, two entrees two sopapillas - it is on their menu. The honey for the sopapillas is so delicious. I respect a restaurant that makes a decent chicken dish, makes me think that if they care enough about their boring chicken then the rest of their food is going to be good - that theory hasn't failed me yet. The next day, we returned, had more green chile stew (nothing like a good green chile stew) and each of the two combinacion platters (picante and traditional.) Also, delicious. We were seated outside the first day, then under the canopy the second day. Was absolutely lovely. Can't wait to head back! Maybe we'll stay at the hacienda and enjoy the surrounding mountains. What a beautiful place.
(5)Becky S.
Great drive and loved the garden setting for lunch. Great service and delicious food and a great price. Best chile relleno of my life!
(5)Mark N.
This is a beautiful restaurant in a very nice location.. However, having lived in New Mexico for many years (just moved to FL a couple months ago), my opinion is that this place is to some degree a tourist rrap as the food to me seems like very typical New Mexican food, nothing particularly extraordinary in my opinion. It is good, but not great. That said, if you are a visitor to NM Chimayo and El Santuario are must sees, and this is a convenient place to have lunch or dinner in conjunction with a visit. Chimayo is a beautiful place, and the decor and architecture of this restaurant make it worthwhile stop for a tourist in my opinion. It is a romantic location for a dinner also.. I just think the food is kinda overrated. I have found much better New Mexican food in many other places , although perhaps not in such a charming venue..
(3)Oscar C.
Best meal we had in New Mexico. Not only was the food great, but the ambiance and location added to the charm. This place is popular, so get there early or make reservations. I tried two entrees while here: Carne Adovada and the tamales with both red and green chile. Both dishes were excellent, but the carne adovada really stood out. You can tell that the meat was simmered for a long time which makes the meat fall apart tender. It was served with rice and posole. The two pork tamales I ate were served Christmas style (both red and green chile) and was served with pinto beans and rice. The tamales were great. The meals were accompanied by the best sopapillas we had in New Mexico. The prickly pear lemonade was unique and flavorful and the sangria was good and strong. Very good experience for a very reasonable price.
(5)