Tune-Up Cafe
1115 Hickox St, Santa Fe, NM, 87505
Tune-Up Cafe Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Santa Fe for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
1115 Hickox St
Santa Fe, NM, 87505 - Phone (505) 983-7060
- Website https://tuneupsantafe.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :7:30 am - 10:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
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Sheba G.
Stuffed French toast was the best we've ever had anywhere! Goat cheese omelet special with green chile, zucchini, spinach & tomatoes was enough for 2 people! Chicken enchilada was savory and the chicken was seasoned to perfection! A must try off the beaten path and go early before the crowds!
(5)Laura L.
I've only had one meal here but I already know I'm going to be a repeat customer. Great food, ambiance, and attentive service. I had the el salvadorean combo and it was so flavorful and filling! For so much food, I couldn't believe it was only $12.. I felt like I was straight robbing the place. The watermelon agua fresca was only so-so though. Parking can be a bit tricky since the restaurant is settled in a neighborhood. I parked in the gravel side lot which only has space for about 5-6 cars. I'd probably walk from my house if I was desperate enough (which wouldn't be bad, I only live a mile away). Can't wait to come back and try their breakfast!
(4)Shah S.
What a great place! Since we were just visiting Santa Fe for a few days and staying close to the city center, this was a little bit out of the way but well worth it. It's quite small but things move quickly. The food is excellent and perfect for brunch or breakfast. My wife and I share omelet and corned beef hash. Mmmm... Yum!
(4)Sue C.
Tune up cafe needs a tune -up The hamburger I had was average. I will say it's the first burger I've ever had in all of New Mexico. Perhaps others give it a 5 star based on the other burgers. It was an acceptable burger and fries. What was not acceptable was the ketchup bottle. I added pictures to the photo gallery. It was disgusting. The bottle obviously has been reused way passed it's prime without being cleaned. It was dirty, scratched up and worst of all had old dried up BLACK ketchup that looked moldy not only inside the cap but around the top of the bottle. The place was very busy as we expected. One would think that with the ratings and crowd they have that their cleanliness standards would be in order. I can't say it was even an off night. How long does it take for a ketchup bottle cap to get that nasty. Be warned.
(2)Ryan B.
Unbelievable! Very small intimate environment but the food is some of the best in Santa Fe.
(5)Anna C.
Tune Up is impeccable. From friendly, attentive service to flavorful, fresh plates from 7 am to 10 pm plus a sick vibe that is very Santa Fe. Always check the chalkboard specials menu hanging right when you walk in. Or if you're seated for dinner, be awed when you waiter/ress rattles off two minutes of detailed off-menu options. Try the barbacoa tacos, salmon eggs Benedict or fried oysters. Tune Up has a huge wheelhouse. On-menu are some treasures. My mainstays - literally any breakfast dish, brown rice nut burger (meat eaters will love it too!), cubano, and to be honest, I'm frequently tempted by specials. Pop in for a drink at the recently added bar, a coffee or tea, a meal. Pet the pups outside or join the joyful din inside. You won't regret it.
(5)F M.
Authentic New Mexican food. Loved the service, loved the food! Satisfied my New Mexican food craving.
(5)Sunshine W.
Was just passing through Santa Fe and had a really great dinner date with my friend. Even though it was super busy and the space is really squished, the waiters were cool, the service was timely, and the food was delicious. They did a great job with this little space. Even on a monday night when I went, it was packed. I had the veggie El Salvadoran Combo - So delicious. My friend had the Grilled Salmon tacos and didn't want to share. Highly recommend!
(5)Alexander H.
Was in Santa Fe for vacation and wanted to get away from the main tourist dining hub. Ate on the patio with my wife and dog. Service was excellent, food was out of this world. I like that they had a flight of four different draft beers available for $7 bucks allowing me try and bunch of stuff. My meal was filling and delicious (I got Mole Enchiladas). My only regret is that I didn't have a chance to go twice!
(5)Stephanie P.
This was so "our kind of place" and we sooo wanted to love it, but the entire experience was disappointing, most especially the food. In THEORY this place is great: --breakfast all day --non-touristy and good prices --intentional creativity, ingredients But our experience fell short, and our food was totally bland: --Some generic veggie egg scramble that was flavorless. --House-made veggie burger that also lacked flavor, and in spite of having garlic mayo on the menu was served without. When we asked for it--it was ON the menu!--we were told it wasn't; our server hadn't even looked at the menu. It helped add lubrication but not enough flavor. --The best item was a special seasonal fall salad, which was overflowing with candied pecans, goat cheese, and pomegranate. That helped, but it didn't save the other two dishes. --Coffee was nothing special. It came so highly rec'd by a local, and it should have lived up to better expectations. I'd go back one more time in hopes we caught them on an off-day.
(3)Sarina T.
Amazing. Came in after seeing that this was on diners, drive ins and dives and it did not disappoint. Smaller than I thought, a cute little place. My husband and I both got the el Salvadorian pupusas. I wish I had gotten a photo but I didn't bring my phone. The flavor was amazing and the tortillas were to die for, very unique. I also got a cranberry (and maybe orange in it?) scone to go, currently enjoying. This meal was filling and you need to go here. That is all. I am sure whatever you order will be just as amazing. I saw a few burgers and WOW.
(5)M H.
Excellent food. Everything I've tried is great. Try the strawberry rhubarb pie. It's memorable.
(5)Sam A.
Mediocre food in a trending neighborhood. The owner has a history of not treating her customers very well and being a little insensitive towards her employees.
(1)Alanna F.
Everytime I am home, Tune-Up is one of the go-to restaurants. The ambiance, food, and whole experience is wonderful and so uniquely Santa Fe. For breakfast, I most often get the huevos el salvadorenos or the breakfast burrito smothered - both are incredible. For lunch or dinner, the el salvadorean pupusas and chile rellenos are really yummy; the mole is also ON POINT.
(5)Amber I.
Wow!!! I love this place! Great atmosphere, very friendly staff, and the food is to die for. I had the vegetarian mole enchiladas. Better than the enchiladas I had in Mexico.
(5)Nicholas H.
Best chile relleno ever. Loved Cafe Pasquale but this was just as good and almost half the price
(5)Rachel C.
My boyfriend and I stumbled across this place by accident because every place in Santa Fe closes by 8 o'clock on Mondays. The outside was dark and kind of off the road. We were really unsure what to think of this place. From the second we walked in, we felt like we were in a restaurant in Austin (like home). We had the papusa for an appetizer...DELICIOUS! My boyfriend had the Buffalo burger with blue cheese. I just had a regular burger. It was one of the best burgers. The fries with the garlic mayo...MMMMMMMM! Very happy with this place. We will definitely be back and recommend it to anyone.
(4)Crystal S.
Yum! Don't miss out on the pupusas! The gluten free ricotta waffle was out of this world! Amazing!
(5)Laurie P.
This place is a great little gem in Santa Fe. While the restaurant is tiny and quaint, the ambiance is fun and eclectic -- and the food is yummy! We ordered two breakfast specials: huevos rancheros and bagel/lox. Both were very tasty and came out quickly. The staff is super friendly and it's an all-around happy place. A great spot for an easy breakfast bite if you're ever in town.
(4)Martin M.
Really cool neighborhood spot with a great local atmosphere and terrific food! Stopped there for breakfast and will surely be going back. If you're in the area, definitely check it out!
(5)Rachael Jewell S.
Went for Saturday night dinner - sat outside and really enjoyed ambiance and service. Ate Salvadorian combo and husband had rellano plate both were enjoyable and liked the house salad with beets that came with meal. My 2 year old had breakfast for dinner and the pancakes were very good as well..
(5)Sarah M.
This is one of my favorite small restaurants in town. On Sunday's for brunch they have smoked salmon eggs Benedict which is incredible. I also love their lamb tacos (on the specials board). Their rotating specials are usually incredible. I've enjoyed everything I have tried so far. Definitely a reliable and enjoyable spot.
(4)Jess P.
Cool little place. The food was awesome. The staff was friendly. Vegetarian options. Awesome.
(4)Lance R.
Great breakfast, they have a very diverse and local sourced menu. Total old school. You order at the counter and they bring it to your table. Daily specials. Huevos rancheros and chili rellanos ROCK OUR WORLD
(5)CB W.
It was good! Delicious salmon tacos along with chips and guacamole. Very small restaurant but the staff was super nice and prompt.
(4)Caleb R.
Excellent food, fast and friendly service, crowded in a good way. Loved the food! Will return to try everything...
(5)Jennifer O.
I love the pupusas (both the beef and veggie are delicious), so if I'm in the mood for those, this is a great place to go. However, I'm not really a fan of the coleslaw (too sweet for my tastes), and the one time that I went here for breakfast, I found it uninspired. On a practical note, there is some perpendicular parking available next to the restaurant, but if it gets crowded here, you're likely to have to find street parking.
(3)Fancypants J.
It was pretty good. Both husband and I had pupusas with steak. They were made of cornmeal so not as heavy as traditional pupusas. They actually were falling apart and didn't hold the meat very well but they were tasty. I also got fried banana with sour cream on the side & it was good but I was kind of wishing for plantains. I would probably eat here again if in the area.
(4)Gigi G.
Oh the baked goods are delicious! Little to no parking, so ride your bike. The Tune-up burger was very good.
(4)Kirk G.
Like the people are saying. It's simple , sophisticated and homey. The favors were a knock out. Try the chicken calabacita & avocado soup. Ohhhhh yeaaah!
(4)Russell F.
One of our go to places in Santa Fe. The food is fresh and flavorful. We like to start with the guacamole and chips. The chips are nice and crunchy and the guac is flavorful and fresh. I love getting the Colorado mole enchiladas. These are layered enchiladas with chicken and mole sauce. My favorite part is the grilled banana that is placed on top. I prefer to sit outside when I come here as it can get really cramped on the inside. Parking is also a challenge when coming here.
(5)Kayla B.
Came here since my other favorite breakfast spot (Pantry) was already packed. Ordering at the counter was a bit of a chore since the line was long and the staff a bit slow. I had the special goat cheese and farmers market vegetable omelette with the red chile. The red chile here was off, it tasted like someone mashed up a bunch of sweet red peppers and added liquid smoke seasoning to it. Not spicy at all and the charcoal taste ruined my food a bit. Thankfully it was on the side. The omelette by itself was another miss. A thinly cooked egg was wrapped around a glob of goat cheese with some vegetables around it. It looked like someone wrapped a snowball in a scrambled egg.
(3)Aya L.
Good food and service Must order desert!!
(4)Tim H.
This spot is my jam. My wife and I have eaten here for years and are satisfied every time. The food is always cooked well, the service is friendly, and the location is nice and quiet.
(5)Pontius P.
Good food, but NO WIFI (What century is this again?), and more Portland-style hipsters than anywhere else in town. Attention Men: You MUST be wearing a beard to patronize this place! Please do not show up cleanshaven. The best deal on the menu lunch is the combo: Chicken quesadilla, cup of soup, side salad for $10.95. Very good.
(4)Cheryl F.
We stopped in for lunch. The place was hopping! Staff was friendly and fast. The chili relleno was good. The cheeseburger was excellent! Thick pattie, juicy, great soft, sesame bun. Definitely worth the stop.
(4)Liza V.
I gotta say, when planning a trip to NM and searching through yelp for places to hit up, this is the place I was most excited for. We went out of our way to try it out. And it was a flop for me. First of all, it is tiny. Fo' real. And you order at the counter, which is about 4 feet away from the door. So there was a cluster of people blocking the entryway the entire time. The only spot we could find to sit after ordering was the small counter right inside the door, so this cluster was surrounding us while we ate. I'll start off by saying the brisket tacos my boyfriend got were fantastic. I ordered a chorizo burrito. The lady at the counter specifically asked me whether I'd like a breakfast or lunch burrito (b'fast had eggs and taters) and I asked for lunch. Also specified I'd like a side of beans and rice. Food came, no beans and rice- asked the guy to please bring a side of beans and rice, he told me "he'd go check" and he never returned. We all got water, which we had to get at the counter, as you don't really have a waiter, but it was too crowded to even get through. And me+spicy food=super thirsty. Bad experience. Big bill. Womp Womp.
(2)Julia R.
On my first real visit to Santa Fe the kids and I were roaming the downtown area for dinner spots. We tried the Shed and the wait was over an hour so we decided to give the Tune Up a try and it was a win. My only regret is that we weren't starving and so we didn't order any of the specials which all sounded delicious. I tried the agave wine hibiscus margarita which was perfection, and an a la carte chile relleno with both chilies. The red one wins in my opinion. It had that deep smoked flavor to it that catches up a bit later on. The kids went with the traditionalist, burger and chili cheese fries for them to split. I loved the feel of the place and the coziness as well as the crowd. My daughter takes her sketch pad everywhere she goes and she couldn't have been more at home. :)
(4)Joy H.
The lamb tacos were awesome as were the enchiladas with red sauce. Always a good meal here.
(5)L L.
We were vacationing in Santa Fe, New Mexico in late October and found this gem Tune Up Cafe. We tried their breakfast menu and was really impressed with what we got. I'm sure everything else on menu was great. Order at the register and then find a seat. They bring the food to you. Loved: breakfast burritos with green and/or red chile huevos rancheros pancakes my favorite the omelette with green and/or red chile the toast that came with the dishes latte service I am a huge fan of this place.
(5)Gordon M.
Really dug this place. The pupusas are delicious, as are the Salvadoran tamales. The mole colorada also rocked. Nice staff. Cute place. Good selection of beer on tap.
(4)Kat C.
I really want to love this place because I dig the relaxed, restaurant in a house vibe. The staff is very very nice, but as far as food, I've had very hit or miss experiences. The place is casual so the fact they forget about us when they seat us in the other room is forgivable. My hamburger (which I typically order) is either overcooked to the point of being inedible, or so raw I need to ask for more fire. Sometimes things are soggy or oversalted, etc. It just seems very inconsistent. The biggest issue for me is the amount of flies in the restaurant during the August-September season. The amount gets really and truly unacceptable and I yes, I know flies are difficult to control. Last time we went there were so many I couldn't finish my meal. Too icky.
(3)Sue S.
Chicken picatta, steak and red snapper dinners were very good. One of us loved the wasabi mashed potatoes. That would be me .
(4)Kendra G.
I love coming here! The food never disappoints and the staff is always friendly! This place has a home away from home kind of feel. The amount of food they serve here is always generous and I always end up taking left overs home :) which is more than good for me!
(5)A S.
On my first day in Santa Fe, my Airbnb host recommended this place as a nearby brunch spot. I was starved after an early morning flight and euphoric to finally be in the land of New Mexico's culinary bounties, but I clearly ordered wrong at Tune Up. The buffalo burger was gamey and under seasoned. I ate around the edges of the patty but couldn't stomach the whole thing. I also ordered a piece of the lemon custard toasted coconut cake to go, which was tasty but in my mind too pricey. Still, props to them for having gluten free dessert options like this. The counter-ordering process was also stressful, especially for a first timer on a busy Sunday. I felt uncomfortable and in the way the whole time. Other people's plates looked much more inspiring and I would consider returning, but not during weekend brunch rush.
(3)Bachi A.
Very disappointed for our first time here. We decided to try because of how many reviews with an average of 4.5 stars. The ordering & seating system (or lack there of) is very disorganized & unpleasant. The service staff was unhelpful & have an attitude as if they are doing you a favor by taking your order, bringing a spoon or when returning completely burnt (as in black) fries even after messing up the order. Food was mediocre & the latte was awful. Totally unimpressed, leaving stressed & unsatisfied.
(1)Wayne E.
Well, on a trip where I was the definition of a tourist, this place was a place where it was clear the locals find a safe haven from people like me. The tune up café is a bit off the beaten path. It is a very cool space with a front patio and open dining area, a nice inside seating, a tucked away bar, and the cleanest restrooms you will find in a small restaurant. Order at the counter, find a place to sit, and when you food is ready they will bring it to your table. We had a wonderful enchilada suiza and the papusas. They were fresh, delicious, and beautifully presented. It wasn't the most amazing meal we had on the trip, but it was one of the most pleasant! Definitely will return.
(4)trent h.
We went with 4 adults and 5 kids under 4-years old. The staff was amazing. Very accommodating and friendly. The food was very good too. Three of us had burgers and one had enchiladas. Everyone was pleased. We shared three desserts - the cobbler was especially tasty. Everything was fresh and though our crew wasn't very adventurous, there were some more progressive options like a roasted duck special with chilies...
(4)John G.
We had excellent smoked duck quesadilla, a chili relleno and green chili beef stew. They also had a surprisingly nice selection of desserts where we got a couple of wedding cookies and a mixed fruit cobbler. The restaurant has a nice hip feel to it and would fit in nicely in any major city. All round, excellent food, service and very reasonable prices.
(5)Sarah O.
What a quaint little surprise! Just like everything in Santa Fe, you think you are in the worst part of town about to get robbed, and then you pop into a little hut on the side of a street and surprise! You are actually in a bougy little cafe that could be in SF, Denver or Portland. Santa Fe is (strange) and surprising that way. The place has a bohemian vibe about it. I ordered the chicken enchiladas and my husband had some sort of monstrosity with green sauce all over it. It was fantastic! We will be back.
(4)James W.
Good atmosphere, but the food can simply be just a tad above average. The burger came feeling a bit thin for what they are charging, but Santa Fe is a tourist town. The extra costs for two thin slices of bacon was certainly a huge disappointment. Also, the small dab of green chili was a big joke. The Chicken Enchiladas were good, but nothing really special. What really was an insult was the poor service. My visit for Sunday dinner after the weekend Folk Art Festival started out with a pleasant greeting from the hostess. Unfortunately, our waitress gave me a dirty glass for my beer and then neglected to tell us there were Specials for the evening menu. Everyone else around us was treated with better service and my party was left with a bitter after taste. Tune-Up Cafe is a casual place. The value is about a few dollars above what I would value, but on par with Santa Fe's tourist pricing. If it weren't for the poor service, this place may actually be the hit The Food Network hyped it to be.
(2)James M.
Ate here twice on our vacation, both times were outstanding. The pupusa was great. Sandwiches, burgers, and salads were also great.
(5)L O.
have loved Tune up for years. so sad----gone down hill a bit, lately. think they are overwhelmed with business and have too big a menu for such a tiny kitchen. I think they should clean up house and not offer so much. it is cosy and sweet to be there but the food is really lacking these days. under cooked potatoes more than once in the burrito.... if you don't have time to cook potatoes properly, there's an issue. clean it up Tune up.
(2)Mary E.
The best creative local ambiance. Food is fantastic and service is great. Prices are low for Santa Fe.
(5)Will V.
This place has gone downhill. We used to be regulars. But they fired their entire waitstaff and rehired people who are less competent. They have high turnover and those that we know say it is not a good work environment for employees. Feels less like a locals place now, and more of a place for Texan tourists to come and talk loudly at. We still come here every few weeks because the food is good and it's in our neighborhood. It's just not what it used to be.
(3)John O.
Took the g/f here for brunch after church when visiting Santa Fe. I had heard so much about the food in Santa Fe, having come from Salt Lake (NOTHING is spicy here), I was eager to get my chile fix on............. The restaurant features the "order up front option" (less formal than a sit down restaurant) which is my style. Everything on the menu sounded outstanding, I had a hard time deciding. As a native Californian, I'm a connoisseur of breakfast burritos, so I opted for the breakfast burrito smothered in chile. It was so effin good! All things pork and dairy related (cheese, eggs, bacon, sausage) with a divine, spicy, chile sauce on top. Every mouthful was a delight. G/f ordered the hash and it too was done very well. Great, strong, coffee here with unlimited refills. I loved the vibe and the decor of this restaurant - it is obviously a locals favorite in Santa Fe. If you find yourself in SF, be sure to check out Tune-Up Cafe, grab a seat outside, and soak up the beautiful New Mexican sun while you enjoy the delicious southwestern cuisine. Life is good.
(4)Jennifer D.
A casual lunch-brunch-whenever place with outdoor seating and some legitimately great southwestern food. Service was fast and the flavors were spot-on - plus, they had some nice beer options. The nice thing is this is a bit out of the center of town, so you can actually find parking on a Saturday or Sunday without paying for a lot. Oh, and apparently Guy Fieri was here. This adds nothing for me, but he spray painted his face in the entryway. Cute touch. Oh, the Drill: snag a menu when you get in, Order at the counter, they give you a number and your drinks, then go camp out a seat.
(4)Luke S.
Service is always intelligently polite. All the employees seem to have a thorough understanding of urgency and how to communicate in a polite manner. They have true smiles on their face when they are smiling, and it makes me feel at home. Kevin is a great example of a down to earth overall great person and server. Check this place out! The specials are always INCREDIBLE and their mocha's are what I crave a mocha to be, heavy espresso taste with a hint of chocolate to sweeten the aftertaste. Never change Tune-Up!
(5)Jana D.
Love tune up cafe it's so simple and the food is so good!! The puposasa are so good! Buffalo burgers are delish - homemade fries are yummy! Overall anything u get is pretty tasty!
(5)Christina I.
Nice little place to visit. We were looking for somewhere to eat after 9:30 and this place was still open. My husband didn't care for their red chili sauce but everything else was good. Liked the chips that came with guacamole and I had Green chili beef stew that was good.
(5)Michael M.
Great decor and service. I had the Mole Colorado enchiladas and my wife had the buffalo burger. Started with the freshly made guacamole and chips. All excellent choices. Excellent selection of beers. Finished off with a huge slice of yummy German chocolate cake. Never got my house salad but had no room.
(4)Jenna E.
Not bad at all and (mostly) reasonably priced. I had the buffalo burger- yum! And they had Left Hand Milk Stout on tap which makes me happy. The service was decent and friendly. I really hated how crammed the tables were next to each other. I could hear the next table's conversation and practically put my butt on the other table trying to walk by...awkward. I was really hoping the one conversation was more scandalous to make it interesting but, alas, it was about walking around aimlessly and freeing the mind. A very Santa Fe topic of discussion. My fellow dining adventurer had one of the specials- I think it was a NY Steak with bleu cheese and garlic mashed potatoes or something. While it was good, the price was more shocking. We assumed it would be priced like other items on the menu (~18). Um, no. It was a whopping $25. It was not a $25 steak or meal by any means. It was fine but just mediocre. My buffalo burger was tasty though and more reasonable. I think the most memorable part was the dessert. OMG...the German chocolate cake was like crack. I have never had a GCC taste that decadent. Wow. I'd go back just for that. Good recommendation by the waitress. Bottom line: I'll go back. There's a definitely a few other items I'd like to try (salmon tacos?!) and while it's a little divy, kitschy, etc. it's a pretty solid find.
(4)John B.
Well I must say this as one of my favorite spots on my journey and was so tempted to return. The only thing that stopped me was the fact that I wanted to try other local fare. I had the Cubano sandwich which was probably the best one I have ever had. Now I have tried many different Cubanos but this was superrb! The meat was not too dry but not greasy either, as a matter of fact I could only eat half and heated up the other half at dinner time and it was just as good (no joke). The fries are very good although fries are still just fries. I also tried the Blue Corn Tortilla Waffle which was probably the best waffle I have ever had. If ever in Santa Fe you need to check this place out. There are plenty of choices on the menu so you will definitely find somethig you like.
(5)Misha U.
Good food, great atmosphere, love the chicken mole.
(5)Heather W.
Whenever we come to Santa Fe for the weekend, we eat breakfast at Tune Up at least two of the mornings. Their breakfast burrito with green chile is seriously one of the best things I've ever eaten. YUM. The coffee is always super hot and strong - some of the best I've had, too! The service is always quick and friendly and the vibe is always relaxed and homey. My husband is obsessed with their corned beef and hash - says it is the best he's ever eaten! Our favorite breakfast spot in town!
(5)Ellen L.
Great little place for an intimate, casual dinner. Very reasonably priced wine list. Salmon fish tacos were good, but the salmon was overlooked- could have been great. Burger was good and cooked to order. Service was excellent and atmosphere was good, sat on patio and enjoyed the ambiance.
(4)Troy M.
Casual dining for breakfast was very tasty! Service was constant, food fast and lots of variety. Loved the atmosphere, close but like you were surrounded by friends.
(4)Jesseca T.
I owe my friend a beer for this recommendation - First time here today, arrived at noon and waited 15 mins or so to order, then found a great table in the corner. This breakfast/lunch place was packed the entire time we were there, but everyone was laid back and relaxed. This place could have been lifted straight from Boulder 15 years ago - it's a mix of harry's roadhouse with boulder's dot's diner or lucile's --interesting and good food with a hippie vibe. Outdoor seating in shade or sun, indoor seating in main area or a cute back sunroom-type area. I had Tune Up breakfast, which was chili relleno smothered with two eggs on top and refried beans. There was one corn tortilla, i swear they just made it, it was so good. It came with a mild tomato salsa-picante -ish sauce, very tasty. My husband had a lamb burger that he said was great, and he's greek so he knows lamb (or at least has strong opinions about it) - with tip it was $27 for two meals and one coffee. Service was quick, parking was across the street, free, and fairly easy. Wish I had room for that carrot cake, their desserts looked inspired! ON the way to the clean and spacious restroom I noticed they had some good looking happy hour beer specials, plus I saw a high end champagne on the shelf so they might have some good wines/other drinks. I will investigate further and report back, this seems like a great place to kick back outside on a summer's night and have some drinks.
(4)Cyndi C.
I'm catching up on a few reviews! We had brunch here and really enjoyed the food! The restaurant was small, we placed your order at the counter and then someone brought us our food. Everyone working there seemed really friendly. I would go back.
(4)Bryan B.
Chicken enchiladas were great! Good spice. Flat, like they should be, good portions. Like the atmosphere.
(5)Mark V.
Breakfast, lunch or dinner, the Tune UP has consistent quality food, friendly service and is a pleasure to visit. My favorites are the breakfast Salmon Bagel, lunchtime Oyster Po Boy and dinner take your pick. Oh, yes did I mention how nice the people are?
(5)Patron X.
I have hesitated to review this joint for awhile because it's one of the few gems in Santa Fe that haven't been spoiled by tourists, but that is changed of late so I begrudgingly recommend this place. The food is an eclectic mix of Salvadoran, American New, and New Mexican and they do all of them very well. The prices are reasonable for the main menu, a tad steep for the specials, but the food is always great, the service always friendly, and it has the charm of being a neighborhood joint that is off the beaten path.
(5)Georgie M.
We really look forward to our trips to Santa Fe and it's local restaurant scene, most of all Tune-Up Cafe. Over the years, we've found many of Guy Fieri's places on Triple D to be hit or miss. Well, not here -- it's definitely a hit and we really like all their great food, particularly the stuff poblano for only $11.50. It's delicious. Another one of our other favorites is their Tune-Up Burger for $8.25, served with garlic mayo and hand cut fries, It comes with just about anything you want for a slight up-charge of $0.75 -- cheddar, jack, bleu, manchego, provolone swiss, green chile, avocado, grilled onion, sautéed mushrooms. Their bacon is well worth the extra two bucks. Enjoy!
(4)Nathan B.
I was so excited for this grub and ordered a chile relleno and imagine my disappointment when it arrives with a ton of onions in the cheese used to stuff it! I will never order it again, I hate hate HATE onions, they literally make me vomit. My wife and daughter enjoyed there's very much. We also ordered desert and my German chocolate cake was a bit dry and seemed old. One more chance for Tune Up!
(3)Kathy H.
Lamb curry special w/ basmati & spinach was very tasty, large portion so we took some home. My hubby ordered Tune Up Cheeseburger, & daughter ordered buffalo burger plain. Not sure who got what cuz they insisted hers was buffalo although there was cheese on it , & none on my husband's. He said hers was much more flavorful. Burger buns toasted nicely. Sangria was boring & flavorless w/ no fruit except slice of lime. Skip it. Would prefer ice in my water & in daughter's lemonade. Servers are friendly & fast. We tried the pupusa flank steak app. Yummy. Cortida (slaw) tasteless. No room for dessert but they looked good.
(3)J.Z W.
the rating, that's all you need to know.
(5)Robyn P.
Pupusas were pretty bland. So was the rice. I expected more beans in the veggie pupusa as listed in the menu. But their tres leche cake was a saving factor. Though it seems like a very popular establishment there isn't a lot of room to move or even order. But I guess Food network's Guy F. Was there Nd that was neat to visit a famous place.
(3)Michelle C.
Yummy yummy I had Tune-up in my tummy. Only reason why we ate here, was because it was featured on "Drive-ins and Diners." My first impression of the restaurant was, it is small yet has charm to it. Most people preferred to eat outside. Since it was windy, I didn't want dirt in my food. You order with a lady behind the register, and take a seat. Prices are moderate. I had the Mole Colorado veggie & tofu option. Really good! I'd have to say it was the best mole I've ever had yet.
(4)Meagan D.
AWESOME Food!! Very Santa Fe Cuisine...not sure what style of Mexican it is but it was sure yummy. Its a pretty casual place. You order at the counter and then seat yourself. I'd definitely head back here for lunch or breakfast.
(5)Drew T.
We came to the Tune-Up on our honeymoon, after seeing them featured on Triple D. The wait staff was very attentive, and the restaurant was clean. We had enchiladas and tamales, with fried oysters as a starter. All of the food was fresh and authentic, miles above what passes for southwestern cuisine back east. They had some local beers available, which we also enjoyed. Would definitely recommend. Even though this place is a destination, it didn't seem touristy in the least.
(4)Jeanne J.
Really great coffee at this place! The green chili is good and they had a very nice patio. We order the normal breakfast of eggs over easy with green chili. My eggs were over done but the flavors are nice here. We did about drive by it doesn't look like a place to eat. I really liked it :)
(3)Sergio S.
I ordered green chile chilaquiles off the specials menu and I consider it one of my lifetime's best decisions. The dish is the kind of thing you sit and savor every moment of. I love those moments! The green chile had a mellow, delicious kind of heat--that was perfect for the brisk weather. What really amazed me is how perfect my scrambled eggs were. My hibiscus water, was another story. Pretty weak, but I'm definitely giving this place a round two--minus the hibiscus drink.
(4)Erika F.
The food is delicious, the most authentic huevos rancheros, and that Mexican hot chocolate warms your soul. A must try in Santa Fe!
(5)Amy M.
Fast friednly service. My husband and I ate here on our last night in Sante Fe. I had had my fill of New Mexican food so I opted for a steak and my husband pushed through and ordered enchiladas. Both meals were tasty and we sat at a nice quiet area in the back. While there is a counter you can order from we opted for the sit down waiter service.
(3)Betsy O.
Great little local place! Phenomenal breakfast burrito and coffee. Quaint and cute-don't miss!
(5)John P.
I just love the tune-up...aqua fruita is fantastic, and so are the specials...one of the few places where I break the "don't order the fish if you can't see the water" rule.
(5)Mark O.
This was another fun place we visited while on our trip to Santa Fe. Great food. Good service. It's a bit cramped and that makes for a loud atmosphere, but overall a worth while local restaurant.
(4)Mehdi S.
I ate here because everywhere else closed at 9pm - and I'm so glad i did - Excellent home cooking with skills. I had the special - leg of lamb... absolutely great... i had a soup - and it was also great - excellent friendly staff... and the place has a great chilled feel to it. Loved it - again, another place i wish i had local to where i live!
(4)Patrick C.
Came here on the advice of a local! The guacamole is delicious as is the buffalo burger! Will be back for sure!
(5)Patrick S.
So I've been back a few more times. They killed it with the Mole Colorado. Five F'ing Stars.
(5)Lauren M.
Walking in, be careful with the door- there's a table right behind it. Yup, they managed to squeeze an incredible amount of seating into this place. It works, though. It doesn't feel overly crowded or uncomfortable- more cozy and friendly. I'd almost call this place a microcosm of Santa Fe, at least as I perceived it: diverse, welcoming, genuine, and a pleasure to be a part of- even if only for a little while. Though they only serve beer and wine, they somehow manage to make a margarita- and a good one, at that. The salad that came with our dinners was very good and obviously fresh. I like that they go easy on the dressing- keeps things light and lets the veggies be themselves. And the food? Some of the best we had in Santa Fe. At the server's suggestion I tried the El Salvadoran sampler. Good call. The pupusa- a first for me- was incredible, as was the chicken tamale. Husband thoroughly enjoyed his chiles rellenos as well. The batter here is light and delicate- quite unique and very, very good. He enjoyed being able to taste the actual poblano, unencumbered by heavy, greasy batter. To summarize: great space, great staff, delicious food. A great way to wrap up our time in Santa Fe.
(5)Steph C.
Matt B. and I stopped for lunch at Tune-Up Cafe because we had it on good authority that the place was dog friendly. It was! You have to order and pay inside, but the seating is outdoors on a very cute patio, where dogs are welcome. The place was moderately busy for a Tuesday afternoon, but there was no line at the register. The cashier was friendly, and once we ordered, our food came to us outside relatively fast. I liked the cheerful, eclectic decor, and the atmosphere was warm and relaxing. The food was quite good. I had the El Salvadoran Pupusa platter, which came with two pupusas, roasted tomato salsa, and curtido, an El Salvadoran fermented cabbage slaw. I had the pupusas studded with flank steak, chile pasado, and queso fresco, and they were delicious. They were dense and reasonably large, with a great fried crusty crisp to the outsides, and warm, satisfying innards. The salsa was pleasant, and I really enjoyed the curtido. I'm Korean, so maybe I'm predisposed to liking fermented cabbage slaw. This one came with slivers of pickled carrot and jalapeño, which were excellent with the rich fried dough. I washed down my lunch with a fantastic watermelon agua fresca, which I'd highly recommend. Meanwhile, on the picky eater's side of the table, my fiance had the pancakes with blueberries. They were great pancakes, fluffy and moist, worthy of any good brunch stop. If Tune-Up were in my neighborhood, I'd probably go pretty often. The place also serves some alcohol, and I imagine it'd be nice to sit out on that patio with a beer. I'd recommend a stop at Tune-Up to anyone passing by, especially anyone traveling with a dog.
(4)Tone L.
Really nice outdoor little patio. This is a chill little spot. You can eat inside or outside, you can usually park right out front on the street plus they have a little lot. You then just go in and order and pay at the counter and they bring you your food pretty quickly. Everything I've had there has been good, in particular the tuna sandwich and the enchilada Colorado. Bravo chefs! Always consistent and delicious.
(5)Dyron H.
Limited parking and small place as expected. The service in the bar area was excellent. I would recommend the El Salvadorian Combo but the chile relleno was a disappointment after seeing the feature on DDD. Peach/berry cobbler was average. Expected more based on reviews.
(3)Vic T.
So so local community table place, bohemian style, food was a bit bland for an highly rated place, I think that lt's more of a neighborhood local palette, try if your adventurous and like bland food!
(3)Katrina M.
Local lamb burger is delicious as are the sweet potato fries! Feeling happy to be a tourist!!!
(4)Me Y.
We were passing through Santa Fe and found good reviews on yelp. It was easily accessible from highway 84 for travelers. Comfortable indoor and outdoor seating but crowded. There was a pretty steady businesses flow. You order at the counter and servers bring your food to you. Service was friendly but not very informative and a little flustered even though it was not very busy. We ordered the pupusas and the Buffalo burger. I have never had pupusas before but they were pretty tasty. I tried both the veggie and meat versions. The buffalo burger was just standard. It comes with choice of green chillis or cheese and a homemade mayo. We went with the green Chilli option, however they did not put enough green chilli or the mayo on it to cover the burger so it was mostly plain. The meat was char grilled which was nice. But as far as burgers go, it was underwhelming.
(3)Chad F.
What makes this place so great is that it is tucked away in a little neighborhood. Small little place that has several communal tables and separate seating as well. Breakfast and lunch is counter service only. Great looking cakes, cookies and treats line the counter when you order. I had a burger and asked for a fried egg on top with a side of there green chili salsa. Um... More please! Very tasty and worth the $9.50 they charged for the burger also came with a nice size portion of crispy fries. All staff behind the counter and grill very friendly and attentive. Can't wait to come back and try breakfast. If you venture away from the famous square ask some locals about this place you will be in for a real treat.
(4)Michael J.
Meh, meh, meh! Sounds like a recurring theme, huh? Service was friendly, but food is a not a very good value for a divey little place like this. The Santa Fe Special chicken sandwich was short on chicken and not very lovingly made. Accompanying sweet potato fries were the most greasy I ever had. Fish tacos: tasty but pretty small portions for the price. We asked for water, and they gave us 2 large glasses that were standing on a shelf for God Knows how long...and no ice. In the words of this So Cal resident, take a Pasadena on this one, baby.
(2)Whitney H.
We ended up here after searching high and low for something new and different to try. While the atmosphere is a little noisy, the food is definitely worth it. You come in, order at the counter and then wait for them to yell your name so they can bring your order to the table you have chosen. It was perfect for us, grabbing breakfast before a day of shopping in Santa Fe but I wouldn't recommend it for a date night or any situation in which you want to hear the people you are with. I had the organic ginger chicken sandwich and it was great. It was served on ciabatta bread which made me feel like I was eating a grown up and delicious meal instead of a run of the mill chicken sandwich. The service was fast even thought it was packed and the food was delicious and tasted really fresh. While it's off the beaten path, that can sometimes be a good thing for Santa Fe. We will definitely be back.
(4)J. L.
The staff is fantastic, five stars for them each time I have been (5). Food is fair, not great. I like the atmosphere, a nice/casual place to eat when you want a burger and fries but it won't be a great burger and fries, and it is cute and kind of funky looking (but very clean!). I like it, but don't love it.
(3)angela h.
YUMMM!! I had dinner with my man here on our trip to visit Santa Fe and it was a fun and enjoyable experience. Cool ambiance and decor, though a little bit crowded where it was hard to get around with the tables with them being so squished together but I was there for the food so it didn't bother me too much. I ordered the special entree salad with crispy quail on top which was meatier than it looked and delicious. My partner ordered the Mexican plate which included a pupusa and tamale. The portions sizes were just enought to leave us pleasantly satisfied without leftovers and we had room to share a lucious slice of pear and berry pie for dessert, which by the way, was gluten-free. I was very happy that they had lots of gluten free options as well as nice people sitting around us and serving us.
(4)Lyric K.
I love the Tune Up - it is one of my regular places. They know my name and they know my order, which is something I made up from their menu items. They're happy to accommodate. Always friendly and always professional. And they speak spanish too! The food is just nourishing and comforting - they always come up with something interesting for their myriad of specials as well. This is a real locals place, but for tourists who like to get in with the locals - this is the place to stop in and eat.
(5)Laura A.
I used to live a block away from Tune Up and it quickly became my favorite place to brunch. Even after I moved to the other side of town, I still returned to Tune Up regularly for one of the best smothered green chile breakfast burritos in the state of New Mexico. Their green chile sauce is to die for. Last meal kind of stuff. Even after moving across the country, I still make a point to eat at Tune Up whenever I return to Santa Fe for a visit. It is a must. The food is always farm fresh and local. The owners, Jesus and Charlotte Rivera, are not only great restaurateurs, but super nice and welcoming. Tune Up Cafe feels like home.
(5)Erin P.
Absolutely excellent!! Got the pollo pibil special. Chicken was fall of the bone tasty, loved the flavors, came out quick and hot. Refried black beans and rice very nice touch as side dishes. House salad excellent. Boyfriend got the Caesar salad and chile rellenos, also excellent. Highly recommend.
(5)J B.
Chorizo nachos are THE BOMB! The wife liked the chicken enchalidas. Great place and great service
(4)Jen B.
Great local spot. Dinner of flank steak was excellent. Green chile stew is more of a soup consistency but very yummy. I've had breakfast here too. Omelettes are wonderful and blue corn waffle was great. Service is quick and prices are fair. Always busy but I've never had to wait for a table.
(4)James C.
Lives up to its billing. Great food, casual. Priced right locals like it and will advise on menu. Lots of choices
(4)Natalia C.
I ordered the Huevos El Salvadorenos (scrambled eggs with scallions & tomatoes, with refried beans, pan fried banana, creama & Alicia's corn tortillas) and it was just ok. For a place with such hype, I'd expect that the eggs would at least have some salt. And thanks for the one cold tortilla... I also am not sure how sanitary it is to have the huge open jars of jam with flies swarming around them. Alas, I passed on the jam for this very reason.
(2)Lacey B.
I really like this eatery, what a great local find! My party got their nachos, cuban sandwich, and hamburger with french fries. Although, their fries were a little overcooked, the rest of their food was divine! This place has a nice, local, friendly feel to it. The prices are reasonable and conveniently located next to lots of shopping, so it offers a nice place to eat and rest your tired feet! There is outdoor seating, some of it is covered, and a large indoor eating area.
(5)Mindy R.
I ordered their breakfast burrito smothered in green Chili and I ate the whole shebang! Generous portions but not excessive to the point you feel guilty for having food left over on the plate and if your plate is clean you don't feel guilty you ate all of it in a blink of an eye. The service was friendly and quick. Just an enjoyable experience and will surely be back for more when I visit NM.
(5)Adam R.
This is a real Santa Fe spot for the locals. Decent food at a great price. Even better atmosphere. Great beer on tap. Good coffee in the morning. Seating is a bit snug --but that adds to the atmosphere. Service has always been great. I recommend whatever the daily special is.
(4)DessyJoe T.
If you wanna check out a cool Triple D restaurant in Santa Fe, NM check this place out. Cool little hippy haven, with some hot dude working the cashier. Bomb New Mexican food with a twist. Cool vibe bomb chile relleno! Check this place out if you're interested in expanding your waistline. HOLLA hook it up.
(4)Brian R.
This place is a favorite of locals, including a few friends who will boo me for my two stars rating. Having lived in Santa Fe for a number of years, Tune-up has that ersatz funky quality that the APHs (aging post-hippies) and young IMBEs (I missed the Beatles Era) artistes find wonderful. The little tables. The chalk-graffitied walls. The warm woods inside and the eclectic menu and the relatively hipster-free environment all suggest that you are in for a treat. Then they serve the food. They have a Salvadoran twist, and I have been graced with some outstanding cuisine from that corner of Latin America in the past. This is not it. Had they told me they had a polenta cake griddled with meat in it, I might not have thought too unfavorably of it. To call that thing though a pupusa is to denigrate the art of putting meat into wonderful fresh, uncooked tortillas, press it, and griddle it into wonderful little cakes. This was a greasy, gritty, mess. In a town where there are tamales of such excellence at places like Posas (the local tamale deities) and Marias and elsewhere, where you get firm, wonderfully flavored steamed bundles of yum, this swampy, mushy, overcooked and listless thing that they put in my plate was sub-par. Both were served with what is supposed to be the pink-tinged spicy cabbage of El Salvador that is their equivalent of slaw, that adds a little heat and breaks up the heavier flavors of the food. Theirs was mild, limp, and had bad mouth feel. Yuck. We ordered guacamole and chips as well. What came out were chips burned beyond good taste, and guacamole that, if it wasn't frozen, which the large amounts of that dry citric acid preservative in it suggest, was made as badly as frozen, which is a sad statement indeed in a town like Santa Fe where, again, fresh, well made guacamole is kind of a given. It may have been better once upon a chef. Service was poor, but it's Santa Fe so my general expectations are low. They gave me full plates rather than a-la-carte items that I had ordered, overcharged me, and then I had to hunt down the gal who "forgot" to credit my bill and refund my money (You pay when you order at the counter.) If the kitchen could hire someone who doesn't burn chips, and kill the rest of the food, maybe it lives up to its hype, BUT dear yelpers, this one is DEFINITELY way over-rated until the kitchen gets its act together.
(2)Craig R.
Great atmosphere and very good food. We had a chicken burrito, omelette, tuna melt, kid's nachos and kid's quesadilla. We liked everything, but there were 3 missteps from the staff: the red chile we asked to be on the side of the omelette was on it, the quesadilla did not have sour cream even though we asked for it, and the nachos came without salsa (although the staff overheard us talking about that and rectified it). These omissions are not enough to keep us from returning as we enjoyed the experience - but we will speak up more next time!!
(4)John W.
Excellent food & excellent service - everything made from scratch. The peach & cherry cobbler was probably the best I've had in years. It's worth the calories!
(4)Sarah B.
Wow, I do not get the rating here. We Yelped Tune-Up as we passed through Santa Fe to see the NM capitol building. It was packed, so we sat at a small ledge at the front window. The place was really gross, at least from where we were seated. We sat next to a tray of sugar packets that had a dead fly literally stuck on them. Flies were around our heads and on the window the whole time. The ledge had a bunch of really grimy looking children's books stacked in front of us. I give 2 stars because the food was ok... I had the tamale and pupusa plate. The former was mushy and I didn't really care for it, but I did like the pupusa. My friend liked his salmon tacos. I wouldn't come back here.
(2)Chocolina R.
Simply delicious. Wish if there s any time not crowded...
(5)Simone V.
This place is great!!! The food is excellent and the vibe is really great! Great neighborhood gem :)
(4)Steven Y.
We were on a swing through Santa-Fe and had to pick from the many places that there are to eat here. We chose the Tune-up Cafe because it had been on Diners Driveins and Dives and also got great reviews here on Yelp. The restaurant is truly tucked away in a neighborhood and is quite popular. We arrived late for lunch, around 1:30, on a Saturday and the place was still full and the people just kept coming. We tried three different dishes and passed them around so that everyone could try different things. 1. Flank Steak Papouses - these steak and cheese filled pockets were a hit with everyone. The flavor was great and unique. This was the favorite dish of our 13 year old who devoured them. We ordered two orders and one of the four that we were served had been reheated on the flattop a little too long and had parts that were almost burnt. We would defiantly order this again. 2. Banana Leaf Wrapped Chicken Tamale - This was a good tamale, but very different than many tamales that we have had before. Done in the El Salvadorian method the masa had a slight cinnamon flavor to it. The filling had chicken, corn, peas and cheese. The tamale was served with a delicious variation of rice as well. 3. Chili Rellenos - We order a single chili rellenos on the side. I thought it was a fantastic rellnos. The pepper was flavorful, it was stuffed with delicious cheese and had a wonderful light egg batter coating on the outside. This was really yummy! If you are looking for food that represents what the food scene in New Mexico should be, look no further than the Tune-Up cafe.
(4)Rutvi J.
Even though it is in a quiet neighborhood, this was bustling with people at breakfast. The menu had many options and I was impressed with the really fast service. Delicious and very fresh food. Perfect way to start the day.
(5)Mary W.
Fantastic neighborhood cafe. Home-style yet sophisticated Southwestern and Central American cooking with fresh ingredients. My breakfast favorite, cobbled from the sides: hash browns with scallions, topped with a fried egg and the great green sauce.
(5)Nicole S.
On our cross country road trip, we got to Santa Fe around 9pm on a Sunday. Most other places seemed to close at 9 according to Yelp, but Tune-Up cafe was open til 10, so we were excited to give it a shot based on the great reviews...and I'm glad we did! The restaurant was still very busy when we arrived, busy for any place on a Sunday night, with no indication of closing anytime soon. We sat down outside, ordered a beer (our waitress was nice enough to give me a sample first), and just took the whole place in. The vibe was very laid back and a lot of people at the tables seemed to be regulars. First we started with the nachos, which were absolutely delicious! Let me start by saying that I love nachos, and am often disappointed by the ones I get at restaurants due to lack of toppings. That was not the case here. These nachos were loaded with refried beans, cheese, peppers, salsa, and had a side of sour cream and guac. Every chip was full of toppings, so you were never disappointed with any bite. For dinner I had the grilled salmon tacos which were also delicious. They were simply grilled with lettuce and tomatoes, and had a yogurt-like tzatziki sauce drizzled on top. I wasn't able to finish them because I was so full from our nachos, but I would definitely recommend them. My boyfriend had the buffalo burger which he said was okay, but that it was too small and a little dry. He would try something else next time. All in all I definitely recommend coming here for a good meal in Santa Fe. Service as not so good though; After our waitress brought us our beers she was pretty much nonexistent for the rest of the meal.
(4)Franny J.
The first time we went, about 6 months ago, it was okay, not great, nothing stellar, but worth a return trip to try something else on the menu. The last time we went, will be the last time we ever return. Holy Crap Barfman! 2 full days of food poisoning plagued us within 45 minutes of leaving there. NEVER NEVER NEVER AGAIN!
(1)Adam S.
Like most of the food in Santa Fe, this place is good. I had the burger with bacon and of course green chiles. It was very good. The bun was nice, the bacon was tasty, the meat was juicy and cooked a true medium rare, and of course the green chiles were perfect. I also tried their lamb burger which had feta and green chiles added to it. It was pretty good, but not the best lamb burger I've had. Not even the best in Santa Fe. Not bad, but not great either. The regular fries were average. The sweet potato fries were above average. The set-up is a little unusual insofar as you have to order at the register, seat yourself, and then someone brings your food to you by shouting your name and looking for who responds. Doesn't seem to be the most efficient system, but I guess it works for them. Anyway, a nice little spot in a city full of nice little spots.
(4)Vince L.
Sooo good, probably one of the best meals I've had here in Santa fe. I had the Lamb Barbacoa Tacos and they were fabulous along with the beans and rice that came with it. I also tried the green chile beef stew and was delicious as well. I also tried the chicken picata, I thought was just slightly over cooked, and vey lemony but I'm REALLY picky about chicken and I don't find very many places that do it justice. I also tried the pasta with some kind of fish that I can't remember and shrimp and was really good too.
(5)Ciera T.
I used to live right around the corner from Tune-Up, close enough for a hangover walk, and I miss it so much! First, it's a tiny place. They recently expanded, but they're still teeny tiny. The tables are mostly community style, which has allowed me to make friends and hear all kind of crazy Fe stories. If you'd like some privacy, try to get the fancy booth! (It's where me and my bf had our first date.) There's lots of outdoor seating as well. Second, it's probably going to be busy. I often got lucky, maybe because of all of the hangovers, but if you go when normal people don't eat you'll find a spot! It's counter service, except for dinner - but don't be shy if you need something (like water), just walk up to the counter. The specials board changes all the time, which is awesome. There is always something new and yummy. The drinks menu is modest, but the sake cocktails are where it's at! I always recommend the mole to newcomers, but I also love the green chile stew, huevos rancheros, and the poached salmon eggs benedict (with green chile, of course). I always wash it all down with some agua de Sandia - Watermelon juice! Yum. Wish I could walk there right now.
(5)Shane B.
Oh man did we love this funky offa the beaten path hip divey joint! First, it's an eclecticly assembled amalgamation of shack-itecture. Like a couple garages stapled together with some doors carved in. And that's definitely part of the attraction. You squeeze thru the front door (once you figure out where it is) and boom-there's the counter with employees sorta crammed together taking orders and a hopping kitchen cookin away right on their heels. Muffins and cakes and chalk boards and other patrons all squeezed into a foot by foot and a half space... kinda awesome to behold... so you place your order, grab your drink then off to find a table or chair or bench... we ended up wandering into what amounts to a sort of bar area (the attached garage if you will) and plopped our butts into seats a little 2 topper. Really cool vibe. The artist Robin D Williams had some of her expressive contour pen and ink drawings hanging on the walls; we loved her work... enjoyed walking from illo to illo examining her fluid but Coltraine-esque visual vibrations. Food: First; guac, salsa and nachos to the table. Super fresh guac. Zesty clean salsa. Homemade chips... excellent. Next: Christy is served vege tamales wrapped in banana leaf with side of pickled cabbage and jalapeno slaw with rice and beans. Wowzers. Spicy and succulent. Not a morsel spared. Authentic and unbeatable. My dish is Salvadoran pupusas (vege) . Shazam! Perfectly fried and savory... cheese melty and rich but not heavy... Crispy outside and creamy inside... 3 or four of them in a pile with a side of slaw and small dish of delicious salsa... Honestly, this is just about perfect food.... If you come in from out of town and are vegetarian and /or want a cool vibe and some amazingly fresh and authentic food.. find TuneUp... they give a damn and do it right and you will not be disappointed.
(5)Lorri E.
One of my go to stops whenever I am visiting Santa Fe. Food is always solid and they have many gluten free options. They are great about clarifying ingredients if you have any food allergies AND the have GF red chili so this is an amazing plus for me. I typically get the huevos rancheros. The desserts and agua frescas are also yummy!
(4)Beth C.
What a refreshing community breakfast place. We loved the food and the service. The Tune-up Special was great. Loved the chili relleno . Great price also. Out of towners and we loved it!
(5)Anye F.
I've been here thrice now and still am full of love. The pupusas are made of sheer delight. First I ordered them in a combo with the tamale, but I wasn't so keen on the rice that it came with so when I came back a few days later I just ordered them a la carte. I had a bite of my friend's pancakes and they were super delicious. The cobbler was also fresh & fruity, the kids loved their carrot cake though I don't like it so can't judge. If I lived here (and maybe I'll be lucky enough to someday) I'd just go back and forth between Tune-Up and Pantry for my green chile needs.
(4)R L.
Loved the green chile burger, while the Salmon Tacos very just okay. I would have loved to try everything else especially since so much dedication and love was put in the food preparation.
(4)Steve N.
This place is extra-super sincere, and clearly another local go-to. The red and green are classics. Order at the counter, and your food arrives at the table. The second visit was a special: Blue corn pancakes and eggs. The daughter had a breakfast burrito with red and green and chorizo and eggs, etc. Overwhelming and wonderful. The coffee is tasty. We spent about $33 with tip. There is a sunny porch that's a cross between indoors and out.
(4)Dean G.
My wife and I loved Tune-Up. On vacation in Santa Fe we stopped by on our last night in town to grab some grub after a day on the slopes at Ski Santa Fe (which was wonderful, by the way). We ordered burgers and ate our fill, which was just what the doctor ordered for sore snowboarders. The interior is very small and feels a little crowded, but if you don't mind rubbing elbows with the folks next to you, then it's not an issue. I kind of like it, so long as there's not a crying infant around. It's funky and eclectic, but not to the point of feeling overdone or pressured. It's small and local, and it looks and feels the way small and local should (at least as far as I could tell for small and local Santa Fe). We sat at the bar. The seats were not the most comfortable things I've ever sat on (but it's a restaurant, not an Ikea, so all can be forgiven). The barman/waiter was nice and attentive. Our food came out quickly and service was great. The burgers were wonderful. Maybe we were just really tired and hungry, in which case anything short of tire rubber would have tasted great, but those burgers were good. My wife had lamb and I had the regular burger. Both were thick and well cooked. Both the regular and the sweet potato fries were excellent as well. There's a good selection of beer, and the tres leches cake was quite a treat (please order it--it's huge and delicious). Prices seemed fair. I can't speak to regularity and consistency, but from our one stop in Tune-Up, everything was wonderful and we left stuffed and happy. I would definitely return for another burger or some mexican classics (which we did not eat, but what we saw on other peoples' plates looked mighty fine).
(5)Danon M.
Really tasty soup and entrees. Wait staff was great and the place is cozy and not on a Main Street. The flat iron steak and mole enchiladas were excellent. Salvadoran Chicken tamale was interesting and also good. Very warm inside when it's cold out. I think the booth seats are heated.
(5)Amy H.
I love this place. My 3rd time here. Awesome gfree desserts and entree options. I've never been glutened here which is really great. Try the Chicken Mole or Lamb fajitas. Servers are friendly and good; food is excellent and delicious. The vibe of the place is casual, cozy. This is a standard stop any day.
(5)Hilary M.
Great breakfast spot. We had the breakfast burrito with green chile and the gluten free waffle. They were both delicious. I could have eaten two of the burritos the green chile was not spicy but so tasty. A local spot for sure!
(5)Dennis U.
I like this place. We came here after tasting a delicious soup in the Souper Bowl competition and found a great spot. Comparing it to Pasquale's downtown. I'd say you have all of the quality but less of the hype and way less on the cost. I had the Tune Up breakfast ,a chili relleno with eggs and refritos, very good. One of my companions had the corned beef hash ... home made but not my favorite spicing ... good none the less. the other companion asked for an egg and tomato mix that they were happy to comply with. Tasty and reasonable. I'd come back.
(4)Steve N.
Half chicken smoked for two days in banana leaf: amazing! Even the coffee is fantastic.
(5)Jay K.
Nice quiet morning at Tune-up... Not many folks there. Ordered a Chai tea, very good; spicy and perfect bitter/sweetness. Ordered the poached eggs with corned-beef hash. You have a choice of regular or local eggs. I opted for the regular eggs. Good thing too, it took them THREE times to get it right! When they first brought it over, the yokes were already cooked through and hard! I told the waitress/runner. When I was explains to her that the white should be cooked and the yoke runny, I felt I was asking for the biggest favor in the world. I didn't care, I wanted my eggs right. She took my whole plate away and I am grateful it was retuned (minus the eggs) as I was eating with someone else, so at least I had something to nibble on, while my eggs were being redone. Then, I get one egg cooked right and the other was almost completely raw (how'd they do that?!). So, yes, I told them again... For me, a poached egg is the white is cooked and they yoke is runny, I repeated. Third time a charm! That runny yoke was so lovely with the corned beef hash... I just wish I didn't have to work so hard for it.
(3)Elijah L.
Mole enchiladas are amazing: addition of banana is unexpected, sublime. Kid-friendly atmosphere: children's books awaiting kiddos at counter! Great service, nice patio, eclectic decor ... a definite do-over.
(5)David M.
Great food. Cheap. Fun. Value up the kazoo. Best chile rellenos and empanadas / pupusas in town. Incredible baked goods. Vroooom. Vroooom. The Tesla Roadster of Santa Fe locals' hang-outs!
(5)Hana V.
Expect a wait here if you come at prime dinner time, but it's worth a wait. Charming little 'greasy spoon' diner with Mexican and Salvadoran food, in addition to burgers and draft beers. I had the Salvadoran Combo which included a banana-leaf wrapped tamale and a pupusa with spicy cortido (a topping of shredded peppers and jalapeño). At first I thought it was a bit bland but when I put the cortido on top it was quite fiery. I'd never had pupusa before but it was delicious. I like the casual atmosphere and friendly servers. It's a bit noisy but that's part of its charm, and if you manage to get a corner booth it's not bad at all. I will definitely return to try more menu items the next time I'm in Santa Fe.
(4)Kim C.
It's not that it's not still good, depending on what you order, but I do feel like it's gone a little downhill over the years. It's starting to feel a little bit slopped on the plate with less attention to detail/quality lately. Still a pleasant neighborhood spot for a bite to eat and some people watching. I therefore adjust my rating from "Yay! I'm a fan" to "Meh. I've experienced better." Again, not "bad" but I definitely have experienced better.
(2)Ken H.
Just got in town for a 2 week vacation. Tune-Up was our first restaurant on the trip. It's gonna be hard to beat. I had the Colorado Mole Chicken Enchiladas. To die for. My wife had the Green Chile Stew. Yummy to the tummy. Mexican home cooking at its best. We will be eating here again before heading out of town.
(5)Faith A.
It wasn't on my list, but when out in search of meds for the hubby's sinus attack, I started jonesin' for a breakfast burrito and Yelped it up. Cute spot with pleasant staff, sweet outdoor seating, and hoards of young hippy families and singles talking about yoga retreats in Mexico. I ordered my fave: chorizo and papas, which comes either hand-held or smothered. I was assured that smothered had more chiles, but as usual had to request a bottle of Cholula hot sauce. The potatoes were odd - red-skinned and looked like they'd been boiled rather than cooked with the chorizo. More healthful, yes, but it increased the already-bland quotient. WARNING: As I was leaving, I saw one of the hippy kids - no parents in sight - take a bottle of ketchup off the table, fasten his open mouth around its open mouth, and do a shot.
(2)M K.
Delicious! The buffalo burger was a juicy cloud and the lamb tacos were fabulous. A must visit if you come to Santa Fe. Make sure you try the refried beans with cojita cheese, they're delicious. Yum!
(5)Todd L.
OMG. Show me anywhere else that pays as much attention to detail with their food. Everything was flawless including the service, chill decor/vibe. We came to santa fe for our 1 year anniversary and my gf said that we never eaten any food this good..(even the desserts and tap black butte porter beer!) Goin back again...
(5)Roy M.
I love this place. Fresh, easy, wholesome sort of New Mexican food. You order at the counter but they bring the food out to you. Great prices too.
(5)Rachel S.
We just had breakfast here and it was beyond delicious! The best food we've had yet in Santa Fe. I had the burrito covered with red, and he had the special omelette covered with red and green. So tasty! We will definitely be back. You order at the counter and they bring out your food. Cozy atmosphere. Super friendly staff. Great food and the coffee and hot chocolate were the hottest (temperature-wise) we've had in Santa Fe.
(5)Stu S.
Another Yelp find that was superb. We ate here twice. The enchilada with Colorado mole sauce came with plantains and was delicious. The huevos ranchero we were able to order with red and green chili and it was great. We got a couple of cookies to go, peanut butter filled with Nutella. Yum. The place has vegan and gluten free items. It is a small crowded place with a counter where you order that is cluttered with their desserts and tableware, but they have a system down. The bathroom is an oasis; large, with fresh flowers.
(5)Pete G.
This place is not just a Triple D restaurant, it's the third D...DIVE! yelp.com/biz_photos/1VhI… For a moment, I thought I was down under. There were so many flies; everyone was doing the Australian Salute. No offense Aussies! This place was like a comedy of errors with legit cuisine! I had the Banana Leaf wrapped chicken tamale yelp.com/biz_photos/1VhI… topped with a house made tomatoes salsa accompanied by rice and beans and I'm glad I did! Tune-Up Café is worthy of Triple D status. Seriously, the food was delicious and like I said, it was definitely a dive!
(4)Dikran T.
An amazing experience! Great service and great food, period! Fish special was outstanding.
(5)Reena P.
This is a must visit place if you are in Santa Fe. It's a hidden little gem but the food is soooo good! I was there with two friends and everything we ordered was excellent. I recommend the steak papusa and vegetarian tamale which is what I had. I also had a hibiscus lemonade that was so yummy! We also ordered nachos which my friend loves to order and she says these are some of the best nachos she has ever had. I think it's the chips that make it taste so good. All three of us were very pleased with our meals. We found this place on Yelp and were so happy that we did. The service was very good and the servers were friendly and helpful in making recommendations on what to order. If you are in Santa Fe, go check this place out. It's a fun little place and the food is so dang good!
(5)Tamaki I.
Everything here is absolutely delicious; you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. The owners of the place love what they do and it shows through the excellent service, great food and wonderful atmosphere. The locals can't get enough and whenever I run into tourists that want something good to eat, I automatically direct them here. I've had breakfast, lunch, dinner and just dessert here. Sometimes when I'm down, I come here for some coffee and dessert... big fan of their creme brulee.
(5)Karen P.
Tune-up was about a block or two from the house we rented in Santa Fe and the owner of the house recommended it. I stopped by with my teen and preteen for a mid-afternoon lunch. I was surprised how many people were there at that time. The atmosphere is casual and you can tell they have MANY regulars that the staff know by name. You walk in, menus are by the door, and you order at the counter. My kids both ordered hamburgers and I ordered the banana leaf wrapped chicken tamale with beans and rice. I'm from Texas and this was not my typical Tex-Mex tamale. This was a flavorful little piece of heaven! I'm used to ginormous servings of food in Texas and fist thought the portions were small. It ended up being the perfect amount, satisfying yet delicious. My kids care that the hamburger meat was organic, no antibiotics or steroids, but they did care that they were freaking delicious. The homemade fries are a meal all by themselves. We were so impressed with the food, staff and atmosphere that we brought the rest of the family--hubby and 7 year old--back the next day for an early dinner. Once again, late in the middle of the afternoon there was still a crowd. People seem to come in and out all day for their wonderful food or even a cup of coffee. On our second visit, I ordered a breakfast burrito with turkey sausage and red chili on top. It was big and yummy. Could only eat a little more than half so my hubby was on the receiving end of the rest. Once again the flavors and seasonings were perfect. My family also tried a lamb burger, fish tacos, and kiddie burger. One thing I can say about there food is that it is all so flavorful and seasoned perfectly. I almost forgot, they had cinnamon rolls. We had one as our "appetizer" and it was sinfully delicious. You could SO tell it was homemade. I so wish the Tune-up was in my hometown as it is the kind of place I would want to hangout and become a regular. I saw so many things I wanted to try--the pupusas, the pancakes, and the brown rice nut burger. Give Tune-up a try, you won't be disappointed.
(5)Liz E.
Wonderful green chile, huevos rancheros, burgers and more. Very low key and local. You won't be disappointed. This is a busy place so be patient.
(5)Renukah H.
Absolutely the best Sunday brunch spot ever!! this place just keeps getting better and better! sweetest people work and cooking here, I can't wait till my next visit to Santa fe and Tune-Up cafe! if you get there on a Sunday, the eggs bennadict is MUST
(5)Rebecca A.
Super cute friendly neighborhood place. Tune up has a very loyal local following with good food at every meal. The pupusas are amazing! Many of their ingredients are local and organic including practically all of their meat. The atmosphere is very cozy. It can get a bit crowded sometimes, but the staff is very good at seating people as quickly as possible and moving through the line. Very friendly service-oriented employees, especially the morning staff. Great for a quick meal or for hanging out for several hours with a book.
(5)Diego A.
Great food, the pupusas are the real deal, also the tamales, great service and very clean.
(5)Carla M.
Great place with great food. Service was excellent. Appeared to be a family run restaurant with food made from scratch. Waiter was very friendly. Not your typical Mexican food but very, very good. Thanks Yelp for the recommendation.
(5)anne c.
Our "go-to" place and it never disappoints. Friendly, clean, a bit crowded but in a good way. A neighborhood eatery in a cool neighborhood. Food tastes like it good for me and yet I like it... what goes on here! Love it and will keep coming back!
(5)Tony S.
Hate to be the bearer of bad news to all these glowing reviews, but the Tune-Up Cafe really let us down... It took three (3) tries to get a simple burrito to us. The Tune-Up Cafe is listed on Yelp as a vegan vegetarian restaurant. As their website was down, we called and they assured us on the phone that they had (or could easily make) a vegan burrito with all kinds vegetables. So, we headed right over. My partner orders her "vegan burrito" and even asked the counter waitress if the red or green chili sauces were made with meat. She confirmed that there were vegetarian versions. When the food arrived, we immediately noticed that the "vegan burrito" had both cheese and eggs. We pointed this out to the server, who was also surprised and suggested that she had perhaps picked-up the wrong order. NOT! We waited for a while and eventually a second burrito came out, sans cheese. OK, no prob. Mistakes happen. Well, my partner took a big bite only to find that her second "vegan burrito" was loaded with... sausage chorizo!!! Not a pleasant surprise for someone who doesn't eat meat. Called the server back again and she also confirmed the chorizo invasion. So, we waited again for a 3rd "vegan burrito." It arrived and I guess we should have been more excited to see that they finally got it right this time. But, it was the most basic burrito we'd ever seen... pinto bean & potatoes. That's it. Come on! Even Taco Bell puts a smattering of tomatoes and lettuce on theirs. It was such a let down. Where were the vegetables they had promised or even an apology for this fiasco? The server never came back again... probably didn't want another burrito experience either! Given this, I'd suggest avoiding this place unless you really don't care what arrives. By contrast, we had great experiences at Counter Culture Cafe and Santa Fe Baking Co.
(1)J H.
The green chile beef stew was delicious. Not impressed with the lack of service after placing order. No greetings, refills or table checks of any sort. The vegetarian lady that took my order was very patient and helpful despite the long lines and crowd. Very busy place. They can make your burrito Christmas; half red and half green chile. Wait for food was longer than expected. Saw orders come out before ours for people that ordered waaaay after we did. Menu was simple yet offered a variety. Food was 4-5 stars and service at a 1-2.
(3)Steve S.
We enjoyed breakfast on the patio at this funky neighborhood diner this morning, and the experience was divine. The steak and eggs was perfectly prepared, with amazing crusty skillet potatoes specked with chilis and onions. A pug/french bulldog mix sat proudly next to us, serenely enjoying the morning sun, while his papa ordered for them. The joyful noises of young children danced in the air, as we devoured our delectable delights. Go there, relax and enjoy- you will be pleased with your decision to do so.
(5)Tania S.
Meh. Just okay, food-wise. I do appreciate the chill atmosphere (especially the patio in warmer weather), and really dig many of the desserts, but my food has seemed thrown together and not-super-tasty of late. It's not cheap, either. It is also super-inconsistent--some days I enjoy my food, other days I'm totally bored and unimpressed with it. I'm sure I'll return here because I'm a local and everyone here seems to adore it, but I'm sticking to my opinion that it's just okay and only ordering dessert.
(2)Sharon H.
One of my all time favorites. Consistently great food. Kinda my comfort place.
(5)Rob M.
My partner and I went here based on the great Yelp reviews . Only one message was mediocre. I have to agree with the masses. We enjoyed this place from the moment we walked in. We were greeted by very nice staff members, looked over a pretty varied and sizable menu. Note: they even serve breakfast all day! We immediately eyed the Strawberry Rhubarb pie that others have mentioned as well (we got that to go!) I ordered the grilled chicken sandwich and he had the cubano. Both sandwiches were delicious. The feel of the place was very nice and casual, and it is perfect for lunch on a slow lazy Sunday afternoon. I would definitely recommend this place!
(4)Xylar A.
The Tune-Up Cafe is one of my favorite restaurants in Santa Fe. I lived in Santa Fe for 3 years, and frequently went there both on my own (it's one of the friendliest places in Santa Fe to eat alone) and with friends and guests from out of town. I recently stopped by on a visit back to Santa Fe and found it to be as good as ever! The Tune-Up has a wide variety of food styles, all of them excellent. I have yet to try something that I didn't find outstanding.
(5)Ted O.
Oh wow. This was the first place we tried on our recent Santa Fe trip, and it was definitely the best. I can't really understand how they manage to offer such high quality food for such low prices. Typically when I talk about the food quality being out of proportion to its cost, I'm saying that the food was overpriced. Don't tell the owner, but this food is WAY cheaper than it should be. Calling what they brought me before my meal a "house salad" would be an insult to the dish of fresh organic greens and vegetables that by itself would cost as much as some of the entrees if it was served elsewhere. I ordered the special fillet mignon, and holy sweet delicious cow batman. It was melt in your mouth amazing, and it came with crazy good mashed taters, pickled onions, and broccoli. All for $23. Which, incidentally, was the most expensive thing on the menu (by about $6). A fantabulous place. Check it out if you're visiting or if you're lucky enough to be a local.
(5)Pazinhim B.
Awesome!
(5)Ven V.
oh hell yes. eat anything here. yummerz. I go here whenever in Santa Fe. Mix of New Mexican, El Salvadorian, and fresh contemporary dishes. And breakfast burritos make me happy, so that's just something I have to deal with.
(5)Debbie B.
Looks are deceiving. If I was going here alone, I would have just kept driving by. This cafe is in the middle of a small neighborhood in a tiny old building. I saw no sign with their name displayed. Only saw some funky painting on the side of the building and "New Mexican Food" . One side of the building looks like they are trying to expand, but we just see plywood. Are they expanding or is is falling apart? Some outside tables and the guests stared at us as we drove by (missed it the first pass), as if we were the entertainment for the evening. We did backtrack and verify that this was the correct address. Hubby went first and once inside, a totally different impression. Very nice wait sfaff, cozy atmosphere (tight). Upon entering we saw cake globes with delicious looking cakes and tall glass containers filled with huge cookies. I know what I'm taking home! NACHOS: Delicious home made nacho chips, thick and crispy with layers of melted cheeses, refried beans, guacamole, sour cream, and sliced peppers. Came with a "roasted tomato salsa". The salsa was disappointing. It tasted almost like a thin tomato pasta sauce. CORN SOUP: This was the soup of the day. Delicious. Wonderful blend of sweet corn, celery, spices and nothing over bearing. Came with 2 wedges of a hearty home made bread. We ordered the cup, which came in a coffee mug, so was quite a large serving. CAESAR SALAD: Average and not enough dressing to rate. MOLE COLORADO CHICKEN ENCHILADAS: Delicious. The mole sauce took a while to get used to since we'd never had it before. Ended up being very tasty. Chicken was moist. Came with a Caesar salad which was average with not enough dressing to rate. Sauteed bananas were excellent and the Spanish rice was delicious and unique. Odd spices that worked. The rice was light and not gloppy. We were so full we took deserts to go. CARROT CAKE: Large wedge of layered carrot cake. Cream cheese icing was plentiful and delicious. Unfortunately the cake was lacking. Dry and not much to it. My home made carrot cake has golden raisens, coconut and pineapple in the batter. This cake seemed almost from a mix. Did not feel any of the texture of the shredded carrots that usually go into a carrot cake. GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE: Redemption is here. This cake was delicious through and through. Large wedge of layered german chocolate cake which is not as dense or chocolaty as a regular chocolate cake. Sides were covered with a very dark chocolate icing. Not very sweet, but tasted like you were eating a very good dark chocolate candy. Center icing and top was the normal icing for this type of cake. Sweet coconut, caramel and pecan icing. Definitely tasted home made and buttery caramel taste. MEXICAN WEDDING COOKIE: Huge & tasty.
(4)Claire S.
I like this place, it is cute. Got a lamb burgie with feta cheese, green chillies, and sweet potato fries. Very delish. I would say the food here is above average and the service is friendly. My dislike about this place is it is extremely cramped and loud and crowded on the inside. We took Vin here and thank goodness he was asleep for most of it. Even without Vin it would have felt a little stuffy, doesn't make for the most pleasant dining experience. But that said I did enjoy my burgie :)
(4)Stacey G.
I stumbled across this hidden gem while driving randomly down side-streets and was pleasantly surprised. It looks a bit like a dive but go inside and you find quirky decoration and really good food. My husband and I both had the burger which was great, but everything being served around us looked delicious!
(4)Chris J.
Generous portions, great atmosphere. Came here with our 3 kids, ages 6 to 10. The restaurant was our cozy, warm rest stop; we were on our way to Taos. Papusa was fantastic, breakfast foods were great, desserts terrific, too. Will be a must-stop when visiting NM fo sho.
(5)Jen O.
Best. Meal. Ever! This place is legit!! We've lived in NM for almost 8 months (ABQ), and this is by far the best place we've eaten!! Small but excellent beer selection, almost every entree can be made vegetarian (yes, we're veggie), and the Nutella Peanut Butter cookies for dessert were amazing! The prices were just right, and the food was authentic El Salvadoran...YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS PLACE!!!! Cool, quirky atmosphere, and super nice staff!!! Get here soon!!
(5)Theresa A.
I had delicious Green Chili Beef Stew, my hubby had delicious Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas, a must stop in Santa Fe!
(5)Lori R.
The pupusas are a must! Eat them while they're hot. You order/pay for your food and then find a place to sit. Even if the line is out the door it doesn't take long. Finding a place to sit can take a while if they are busy, but I have always found a seat before my food was ready. They also have gluten free desserts!
(4)Elle F.
Talk about good! My boyfriend and I decided to hit this place up for beer and burgers. Lamb burger is by far the best in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Their sweet potato fries, sprinkled with olive oil and garlic is to die for. They also have a nice selection of beers -- West Coast IPA, from Green Flash Brewing Co., is what we enjoyed. We also split the espresso brownie sundae. So, so good! Beers were also super cheap. $3.50 a bottle! Entries are not expensive at all. Burgers with fries were about $11 after tax and, beers $3.50 and dessert around $6 bucks. For Santa Fe, this is CHEAP. Their menu is eclectic. Don't let the "Mexican" category fool you. We'll definitely be back to try their steak and shrimp and halibut pasta, along with their fantastic selection of beers/wine/desserts.
(5)Tara R.
Great little lunch stop after or CrossFit WOD passing through town. AWESOME hand cut sweet tater fries!!
(4)Jennifer J.
Wonderful local food and setting. Exactly what a local restaurant should be. Options for indoor and outdoor eating. The Salvadoran breakfast is quite delicious - and the organic egg option is appreciated. Have also enjoyed the Cuban sandwich and Greek salad with salmon. Atmosphere is warm and inviting.
(5)Corey J.
Tune-Up Cafe is responsible for the best meal I ever had in my life. Though I feel their normal menu is a bit hit or miss, the specials almost always deliver. The Pollo Pibil, when you can get it, is a beautiful ode to all things delicious and wonderful in life. Slow-smoked chicken marinated in achiote, orange juice, and various other savory spices is served on a banana leaf, with delicious rice and unexpectedly great black beans. When you get it, don't go for the chicken breast. In fact, never go for a chicken breast. It's a one-way ticket to Dry Town. Instead, try the chicken thigh. It is the most tender piece of meat you will ever consume. The flavors will hug your tongue, and make you never want to finish the dish. Pollo pibil only comes around once in a while. Which is truly unfortunate. In terms of their regular dinner menu, I've had the El Salvadoran combo, and I found the pupusa to be delicious, but the tamale to be a bit on the...sour...side, which was strange. Also, it wasn't very warm. Perhaps this is how it's supposed to be served? If so, it's just not my bag, I guess. I can't fault them on that. Also, if you get a chance to try the tomato-corn soup, I suggest it (especially if it's cold out). It's served, like all of their soups, in a thrift-store coffee mug with a piece of crusty bread. Mmm. I've also been for breakfast, which is a little more of a mixed bag (but perhaps I tried the wrong things?). The breakfast burrito was fairly good, but the red potatoes inside were a tad on the underseasoned side, and they were fairly large, which made the whole food-navigation aspect a bit of a challenge. I also found the Green Chile sauce to be a bit lacking. So it goes. HOWEVER--the hash browns (*not* the homefries, dear reader) are the apex of breakfast potatoes. They are magnificent. Made with black pepper and scallions, the hash browns are perfectly crispy (none of this brown-on-one-side-raw-on-the-other-Denny's-IHOP-ÂBS), and the salt content mitigates any need for ketchup. ANY need. If I ever see you put ketchup on them I will be very disappointed and judge you internally. They are better than that. They don't deserve to be doused with anything except your own saliva. So, try Tune-Up Cafe. It's great. I saw a Cubano sandwich on their menu the last time I was there. Perhaps that's my next adventure.
(5)Michael M.
What a serious letdown. The butter lettuce peach salad and cold carrot curry soup were great. The pupusa not so much, very little tenderloin. The lamb burger and sweet potato fries might've been much better (pretty skimpy on the green chile, though, particularly for this town) had they not been brought to the table after my wife and I had barely started our appetizers. By the time we got around to it the fries were limp and cold and the burger lukewarm. Really amateurish service, too, compounded by a complete lack of accountability, other than to tell us that they've "had problems with timing before, we're talking about it". Glad you're "talking about it", didn't help with our dinner tonight, sad to say.
(2)David F.
Best. Restaurant. Ever. Seriously I wish this was in my hometown. I ate here while passing through. Amy took great care of me and catered my order to my dietary restrictions. They use some local meats too. I had a great lamb burger, sweet potato fries and a flourless brownie. Awesome.
(5)Liz V.
Had Mahi Mahi Tacos and my husband had the burro, both were wonderful.
(4)Julie T.
Best breakfast burrito so far in my experience in Santa Fe. The tortilla was perfect, the red chile was so flavorful, the potatoes thin and crispy, and sliced avocado to make it a masterpiece. It doesn't get any better than this!
(5)J B.
Decent place again - nothing fancy. We tried their pupusa is nothing to write home about seeing that we have had the best in the outskirts of Boston. The atmosphere was more earthy crunchy people with dreams of an organic food utopia in their town. We seen these places and they are nothing new to us. Trendy look with high priced average foods - have fun and enjoy the great talks about literature and debates on whether Jesus was a vegan...
(2)M M.
This is a cute little dive restaurant in the middle of a residential area. It is a bit crowded and a little noisy. The servers are very polite, helpful, and attentive. The specials are usually on the amazingly delicious side. But I do agree with others.... the chips are a bit burnt and the guacamole lacks flavor. The menu has a lot to offer.... it isn't just Mexican food. For desert I tried the fruit crisp sweetened with agave. The fruit part had a great flavor but the crisp part tasted more like mushy oatmeal.
(4)Monica T.
We got our breakfast on here before a day of gallivanting around Canyon Road and other portions of downtown. I got the corned beef hash and eggs because of course I did, and spiced it up with a side of green chile. You should try that sometime. It was super nice. My boyfriend got a breakfast burrito and was quite satisfied. Prices aren't too bad, and we liked their little outdoor patio. Life was good. I mean, it still is, but it was especially good then. After that breakfast, we had much energy for the gallivanting that ensued. Aww yeah.
(4)Skelly K.
Love this place! Great breakfast place esp. Corn beef & Hash
(5)Jim D.
I wonder if the Tune-Up has been coasting on its previous reviews. The last time we were here a few years ago we liked it so much that we made it our first stop this trip. Disappointing. While the service was friendly, the dinner we ate was so-so. We were barely three bites into our over-dressed salads when the entrees arrived. This ain't a Wendy's, so when the food comes out that quickly, you know it's time to worry. The tamale was lukewarm, watery and loose. Pupusa was decent but a little grainy. Chili relleno was soggy, like it had been battered and fried earlier in the evening and then just reheated for 20 seconds in the microwave. The best thing about the meal was my Left Hand Milk Stout on tap. Maybe breakfast is better? Don't think I'll risk it, though.
(2)Emily U.
Found this place through "Triple D" and yelp. Off the beaten track for us out of towners. Went early for dinner so we got a seat right away. 6pm or after you'll prob have a wait. Its not huge, but has outdoor seating if the weather is good. Great atmosphere. Cozy and friendly. Curry carrot soup was yummy. So was our main plates. Everything so satisfying and fresh! I'm always ho-hum about getting Mexican food- never feel good about sitting down to a big plate covered with re-fried beans and cheese. Not so here! Great cobbler and coffee after. Lovely waiter. Lovely evening.
(5)Laura N.
This more than exceeded expectations. I had a special of the day, haddock which camber with Rosemary potatoes, asparagus and fennel. The fish was delicate and the while ensemble very flavorful. My husband had the carne asada served with loss of grilled peppers, onions and garlic. For starters I had a spinach salad with goat cheese and cashews and dried cranberries. He had the house salad and poblano potatoe soup. For desert we had a peach cherry cobbler a la mode that was to die for. The service was very good and funky, fun surroundings. Liked the eclectic music playing in the background.
(5)Chad S.
Excellent food with fresh ingredients. The entrees and desserts were fresh and quite tasty.
(5)Alysse W.
What a lovely ambiance! It was a warm Santa Fe evening, and we sat out on the patio. They are dog friendly, which was sweet. Server was pretty on point and sold the specials well, so we went for them! We had an arugula salad, which was solid-- ingredients were crisp and colorful, and a sort of deconstructed lamb gyro, which was fabulous though maybe slightly overdressed. Guac was well textured and a def win. I would absolutely return!
(4)Jen D.
Walking up, I couldn't see what the big deal was...mis-matching dining tables, patched walls with artistic decor and chalkboard walls were somewhat misleading of the amazingness that was about to happen. THE. FOOD. everything we ordered was housemade and off-the-charts good! Burgers and green chile soup, handcut fries and to finish, apple-raspberry pie a la mode! We sat right by where the food came out of the small yet efficient kitchen and were mesmerized by the ouse specials that came out...crab cakes grilled to perfection, colorful salads, house-made cookies and desserts made us salivate waiting for our own delicious meals. Definitely THE place to stop for lunch in sante fe.
(5)Annie S.
One of my favorite restaurants in town. I always order their Tune Up burger with fries - very fresh and not soggy. Their chicken sandwich is tasty and not dry. I like their prices (not $$$) and they have great service. They have communal/private tables but expect to wait if you go during weekend dinnertime. They have a very small parking lot next door (about 3-4 spaces) but plenty of parking on the street. I have yet to try their brunch menu but hope to be back soon!
(5)Kate S.
Found this place through Yelp and it's worth visiting! I found the food here delicious and quite refreshing after loads of beans and rice all week during my trip to NM. I really enjoyed that the food was local and farm fresh.
(5)Tim V.
The Tune-Up is a family favorite. My wife, in-laws, and I go every time we're in Santa Fe. I've been about 6 times and it has never disappointed. Good mole enchiladas, salads, pupusas, strawberry rhubarb pie. You can tell they emphasize freshness and quality.
(5)Mark K.
Another awesome meal here. This time I had the El Salvadoran papusas filled with steak and cheese, awesome! My daughter had the Cubano sandwich which came on a nice chewy baguette. We've only been here twice but we have never been let down. I do have to say that the parking lot is probably a little smaller than the dining area.
(5)Buneesa T.
Just went back this evening and had the porcini mushrooms gathered at the Santa Fe Ski Area (delicious - beyond belief delicious) and the gazpacho (again, delicious) and for dessert the gluten free lemon custard shaved coconut cake. I am so happy Tune-Up is so nearby.
(5)Steve O.
Brilliant place. Great energy, excellent service, amazing food. I had the breakfast burrito with turkey sausage. Easily some of the best green chile I've had. The only disappointment is that I didn't find it sooner.
(5)Davina D.
I'm an atheist but please please feel free to convert me here in this holy divine low key place. YUM. it's beyond an infatuation at this point, after you consume a meal here, i'm letting you know, the feelings for tune up cafe becomes kinda holy and spiritual, whoa. starters: HOMEMADE HOMEMADE HOMEMADE NACHOS with organic chix and the works. (for the chip fans or the crunchy eaters.......................DUDE...if you need a first impression gone right, this is your first base. FEAST! Entree: El Salvadoran Combo (chicken tamale, flank steak pupusa, roasted salsa and rice and beans) YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO................this is your steal, HOME RUN MUDDAFUKKA! Holy divinity. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM. My dude had the flat iron flank steak and it took his steak breath away. he was hyperventilating while inhaling this dish, juicy and bursting of flavor. WTF HOW is this so damn gooooooooooooood... Us NYC folks and our steak expectations are very at very high stakes and tune up held up great for its state. BAM DAMN I'm letting you know, whateever you eat here,, it's going to make you see some holy ass SHT. I love you so much.
(5)Ross B.
Off the path a little, but an excellent little place, we got there and people were hanging out the door. Even then the service was quick! My first ever bison burger and was excellent. My only suggestion would be to have some menus available outside , because the entire time we there people were out the door!
(4)Marcos C.
We went here for a late breakfast during our visit to Santa Fe and other reviewers were right ! the food is delicious, freshly prepared, and inventive. My daughter had the French Toast with Cream Cheese and Fruit Compote and I had the Lamb Burger on Brioche. Yuummm Would return in a heartbeat !
(4)Ellen M.
We are in Santa Fe on vacation. Based on Yelp reviews we went to Tune-Up for breakfast. It was delicious! We went about 10:00AM midweek and had no trouble getting a table. I ordered the Rancho El Salvadoreno. My husband had the basic breakfast. The portions were good and everything was fresh. The home fries were outstanding! It's a no-frills place with great food - well worth a try.
(5)Kathryn B.
We stopped here a few nights ago as we were passing through Sante Fe. We LOVED IT! I had the papusa, but only got to have a few bites because my 3 kids kept wanting more. My husband had the Green Chili Stew and said it was fantastic. It was spicy, but we are from Texas and can handle the heat. We arrived late, around 8:30 and there was still a line. Hostess thought 30 minutes and we debated on waiting, only was 10 minute wait and am really glad we stayed. The House margaritas were really good too and different than your standard margarita. Be sure to order the Agave Margarita with sake. Would highly recommend a visit to Tune-Up.
(4)Mike G.
Great food! I ordered the rib eye special, local grass-fed, and cooked in mushrooms and brandy; it just melted in my mouth. Perfectly cooked and great quality steak! My friend got a half chicken smoked in banana leaf for 2 days. They said it was damn good!
(5)Kendall B.
I saw this restaurant on Food Network when Guy Fieri visited it on Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives. I've always wanted to stop in on a place they've been to on the show. We just happen to be in Santa Fe with a friend who suggested going there. It was really good. Great breakfast. We all had a variety of food from pancakes to omelets, to the classic breakfast. Definitely would stop here for breakfast again.
(4)Anna E.
Great Ambiance! This is a gem in New M! The food was flavorful and the service was great. I had the pupusas and it was my first time trying them and they were very tasty with the slaw on top. I wish we stayed in NM for more than a day so I could get the burgers that everybody said were delish! The tune-up won't dissappoint you if you need a good place to chow down on some gourmet NM style food or just plain good food! Yes, the prices were a little steep for the portions but that was for the pupusas.
(4)Tricia K.
This place is a nice (and cheaper) alternative to Pasquals if you don't want to wait a long time to eat and its much easier to find parking. Also the plaza isn't as nice as it used to be so I find Tune Up's location more desirable. The menu is well thought out so you don't end up with a huge plate of food if you don't want. Try the pupusas, odd name but they are delicious! Pupusas are fried cornmeal cakes stuffed with either steak or veggies and come with a yummy salsa. This was the first time I have ever had pupusas so I don't have anything to compare them to but I found the masa seasoning to be well balanced and delicious. My uncle had the real corned beef hash which was fabulous too! I am interested in trying out their fish tacos.
(5)Hannah C.
I know it seems silly but we stopped here specifically because I saw it featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. Amazing choice. We were eyeing a few things on the menu but when they came to tell us about the specials we were sold! We had the fresh heirloom tomato salad with goat cheese and it was amazing and local. I have been dreaming of it ever since. For an entree we got the lamb tacos served with rice and beans. AMAZING! Even the simple house salad was great, it had roasted beets on it. Overall this place was a great choice. Only regret...I wish we saved room for one of their amazing sounding desserts(the list went on and on).
(5)Ron S.
Read about this place from Diners Drive-in and Dives and thought that it was worth a visit in otherwise boring Santa Fe (sorry hippies, Santa Fe is pretty lame). The place has nice atmosphere: communal tables where you can lean over and recommend the plate that you are having (I explained what a pupusa is to an older woman who is probably in town only because she bought some property here), nice patio outside (we were here in the winter so it wasn't occupied but I can see how it can be pleasant in the summer), and friendly servers. One of the servers pronounced it po-tah-to which made me snicker at him a little. I sensed a little bit of gluten-free pretension, but the pupusas were tasty; however, it was hard to taste the flavoring on the beef, which was something in particular that DDD built up. The chile relleno was quite good- the cheese was as melty as it should be, and the plate itself was flavorful but not too spicy. Unfortunately, wouldn't recommend the sangria- granted that sangria is typically made from no-good wine, the sangria we had was too sour. Probably worth a future visit. The fact that it was in a semi-residential district is a nice touch- it's the type of place where you can walk to if you didn't feel like cooking dinner that night.
(4)Dennis J.
Wow! Another great Yelp find. The green chile stew is amazing. I had never even heard of it before (I'm from Illinois). The chile Relleno was excellent. And the Tres Leches cake was huge and covered with whipped cream and strawberries. I highly recommend this place. I would never have found it without yelp braces it is in a residential area. If I don't cut this road trip short, I'm going to weigh 500 pounds soon!
(5)Carrie D.
Stop #5 on the 9 restaurant/10 hour eating our way through New Mexico extravaganza. We wanted to try the Tune-up because we saw it on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, but this turned out to be the #2 "Fieri Fail" of the trip. The place is populated by the artsy, Santa Fe desert hippy type. There is both indoor and outdoor seating, with a counter for ordering and then food is delivered to your seat. Perhaps I ordered the wrong thing, but I was in New Mexico and wanted New Mexican food. I had the chicken and cheese tamale served with rice, beans, and beet/cabbage slaw. The masa was mushy and tasteless and had the consistency of creamy polenta more than masa for a tamale. The rice was a basmati rice that didn't really go with the tamale. The beans were great. The slaw was just odd. As I was on a 9 restaurant tour i really didn't feel as if the food at the Tune up was worth giving up valuable space in my stomach for it. I would probably return and give it another try but not have the tamale again.
(2)Corey F.
Wow, the papusa's are to die for. Great neighborhood restaurant.
(5)sue m.
I have very limited data on the Tune-Up, having been there once and having tasted just one dish, so this review might be taken with a grain of salt, no pun intended. The dish, the chalkboard special chicken sandwich with green chiles, mushrooms, cheese and other things that I wish I'd paid more attention to so that I can reproduce it at home, was fantastic! Normally, I don't order chicken sandwiches because they tend to be dry and uninteresting, but this one rocked my chicken sandwich world. My young'un, who is not as jaded as I WRT certain food preparations, also fell in love. Other than that, the restaurant 1) was PACKED, but we didn't wait long for our food, 2) was not very high on the cleanliness scale, 3) had efficient and friendly-enough wait-staff, and 4) had post-hippie (where's the macramé?) decor. None of this was problematic. Will try to go back soon. Still fantasizing about the sandwich...
(4)Anne J.
El Salvadorian meets Spanish meets Mexican meets New Mexican meets deelish!!
(5)Alison F.
Yum, this place was really good! Thank you Yelpsters for all your reviews that directed us to it. This place is close to 5 stars - if only I had eaten there more than once when I was in Santa Fe. We went there in the mid-afternoon and the place was bustling and full! I can guess that it's always that way. The interior was cozy and fun. We didn't immediately understand that we needed to order our food first and then sit. So we waited in the line and got to the cash register and were asked what we would like to eat. Oops. Then we found the menus. My husband waited in line while I grabbed a table. My husband had the lamb burger with the sweet potato fries. We shared the butternut squash soup. I had the veggie pupusas. All of it was delicious and just the right warmth! We will DEFINITELY go back next time we are in Santa Fe.
(4)Nina T.
I like the Tune Up and am a frequent customer. I loved the salmon eggs benedict. The two times that I have requested an alteration to my meal, however, they have gotten it wrong. Most recently, I asked for the special salmon omelette without cream cheese; it came without cream cheese or salmon! They seem to have a hard time making any alterations to the plates. The coffee drinks are also sub-par. Otherwise, it's a nice, casual atmophere, and great for a quick meal.
(3)Yugg O.
What can I say that hasn't already been said? Everything on the menu is great - just close your eyes and point anywhere, you'll be fine! The staff is especially great - no attitudes, just smiles. This has been our go-to lunch spot in Santa Fe for the past two years and now when I think of Santa Fe I can't help but think of the Tune-Up!
(4)david w.
Becoming 1 of my favorite spots. Fresh local ingredients, tap beer, and walking distance to my apartment. Try the Mole, it's awesome!
(5)J C.
My first stop here deserved 4 stars, the second is maybe worth 3 (but rumor has it the owner was away this past week). Tune-up serves up great food (a mix of items with American bistro and Mexican flair) in a totally casual setting. The food has been consistent; the service and cleanliness of the dining area are what seem to fluctuate.
(4)Elizabeth C.
We drove through Santa Fe on our way to Taos and happened to see the reviews for Tune-Up Cafe and knew we had to stop. It was hopping on a Monday night! We waited a bit and were sat as soon as a table was free. Such a cute little redone house but so few tables! But that's ok if that keeps them making the fantastic food that they serve. We ended up getting two plates of the tamale/pupusa plate. They were both delicious but what really amazed us was the dessert. They seriously had the best strawberry-rhubarb pie I've ever had. Oh my goodness. I am still dreaming about the crust, so perfectly flakey as delicious. And the filling was the perfect tart/sweet blend. Our waitress was so sweet and gave us great recommendations. Very personable, I felt like I was chatting with a friend while talking with her. You can tell a lot of love and energy goes into planning all of the meals. Definitely a place that is worth stopping at!
(5)Alexandra Z.
Wonderful pupusas and buffalo burgers! I love how they have brioche buns.
(3)Michael R.
This is an amazing place, folks are terrific and so is the food! Fresh, organic and healthy or if you want to go and really treat yourself this is the place for that too! We loved it and went several times during our visit to Santa Fe. It does look completely different from the photo here, but hey who cares! with such great food and folks it doesn't matter! Highly highly recommend this place, and that's coming from a 4**** Seattle chef. (my partner). Lots of locals go here and visit, I would if I lived here.
(5)Katy B.
For Santa Fe Casual fair, this is pretty good. I say for Santa Fe because standards are a bit low..Good value for the most part, they charge you for a side of mayo or anything else like that, and I have been overcharged the last 4 time I went..example-they tried to charge me extra to cook my fries crispy..? It has a small patio on the street, and since they just expanded, the dining room isn't as crowded as it used to be.. If you go long enough you will notice cooking inconsistencies... I only go back to get a few things... (after trying quite a bit of the menu ) The smothered steak breakfast and lunch burritos are darn good , the Cubano is good, the weekend only salmon eggs Benedict is quite good..Good chile... green and red.. the heat and flavor vary. Some days burning, others super mild.. Occasionally they have some pretty good specials like the candied bacon BLT. Hit or miss but I still go quite regularly.
(3)Emily G.
Ahhhhhmazing. We had the special heirloom tomato salad and lamb tacos. Every bite was magical. A must stop restaurant in Santa Fe.
(5)Kirsten S.
We went here for lunch. It was a Monday and very busy. I love to ask questions about the food and menu. There was no time for that here. My husband got the chili relleno with red chili sauce instead of the tomato and it was very good. I got the Papusas, which were great. Different than anything I've had. I liked the meat one the best. The kids got burgers and fries. I thought the fries were really good, and stole several off their plates. Next time I would like to try breakfast!
(4)Lindsey B.
LOVE the Cubano and have a tendency to stick with what I know I like. But I make it a point to try something new every other time I visit Tune Up and have never been disappointed. If you are looking for a quiet intimate place to eat, this is not it. Intimate - yes, but that is because the dining area is tiny. Which I feel is part of its charm. Great service and friendly reviews.
(5)Kate A.
Mostly our favorite place!!! But once they forgot the eggs on the steak and eggs!!! How is that possible! !?? And we found bacon in the salmon benedict! ! Why? We also usually really like this spot, just some strange stuff happened.
(4)SS K.
Good food, helpful friendly staff, lots of veggie options. All sounds good, right? We've eaten here a few times, staff is always friendly, even when they are busy. Reasonably priced with good options for us non-carnivores. We had Papusas and a burrito in our party, plus a shared German chocolate cake. My only complaint was that I didn't get enough of the coleslaw/salad/garnish with our plates, but they provided us with enough when we asked. We'll have to move it up on our list to go back again...
(4)Genevieve B.
Traveling into Santa Fe, heard about this place on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Thought we'd give it a whirl. By far, the best meal we had on our trip. I had lamb tacos which were moist, flavorful and delicious. My partner had the breakfast trout which was lightly battered and perfectly cooked. We we're both incredibly impressed by the menu choices and small prices. For just a few dollars more than a drive-thru meal you got a fabulous atmosphere, quality ingredient food prepared by people who actually care about their craft. Tune-up Cafe was an absolute pleasure and we'll stop by again our next time through Santa Fe.
(5)Angie H.
So good! The hubby and I went there for breakfast, based on a friend's recommendation. First of all, the atmosphere is great. I guess we seemed lost when we walked in so one of the waitresses explained the drill. For the uninitiated, you pick up a menu at the door, decide what you want and then approach the cash register to place your order. After your order, you pick a seat and wait for your food. And people watch! The special of the day was organic pumpkin waffles. WHAT??? Pumpkin waffles with strawberries, candied pecans and maple syrup. One word...Wow!
(4)Melanie B.
While in New Mexico, I tried to visit as many Diners Drive-in's and Dives spots. This was another awesome spot to visit. The staff was so nice and the food was quite tasty. They have a wonderful little patio out front and it was nice to sit in the sun. There were a lot of flies out there though. :( I'd visit this spot again for sure!
(5)Jan W.
Second meal here in 3 days, and everything has been excellent. Fresh ingredients, and creatively prepared. The slow cooked lamp tacos that were the special tonight were awesome, but the three off the menu items from out first meal here were just as good.... Chili Relleno, chicken enchilada with green chili, and the Los Burros with flank steak. Wish we had room to try all of the desserts! I think we'll have breakfast there too tomorrow before we head home...
(5)Sharon G.
My parents, fiance and I were in New Mexico for a wedding and stopped here because I had seen it a few years back on "D, D & D". I was so excited. That was one of the most delectable episodes I had seen and the food lived up to it. We all ordered the flank steak pupusas and really enjoyed them. My parents dropped us off at the airport (their flight was the next morning) and then went back for dinner! They said their dinner was excellent as well.
(5)Margo N.
Kinda bummed since I frequently choose to eat at Tune-Up cafe but the last two experiences sucked. 1st time for breakfast a couple of weeks ago and the service was TERRIBLE! Got our food and first cup of coffee and never saw a waitress again! Tonight, chile rellenos smothered in........salsa? A soggy, tasteless mess. Our waitress was attentive until she disappeared, no, really. We ordered two desserts, one came immediately and the other, well, I kept thinking that must be it, wow that looks good but none ever made their way back to our table. I finally flagged someone down to bring us our check and complained to the manager that our waitress was MIA! he apologized and took the dessert that never came off the bill. Our waitress you ask, apparently her shift ended and as we turned to leave, we saw her sitting at the bar having a cocktail! Oops
(2)Erica V.
This place is fantastic all around! It's a little off the beaten path which makes it feel like a treasure when you pull up. There is a nice patio and a cozy indoor section. When I asked the gentleman at the counter what they could do vegan-wise he was friendly and counseled me to order the enchilada. It turned out to be an excellent choice. The atmosphere and service were excellent. They have some of the best sweet potato fries ever.
(5)Jonathan L.
This place is great. Relaxed, local atmosphere. Definitely a little more hip than your typical new mexican restaurant in Santa Fe. Service was extremely friendly. Mole enchiladas with plantains were delicious.
(5)Douglas S.
This place is OK by me... There, I said it. The food is good and the location is great, especially if you live in the Hickox neighborhood. They have a nice outdoor seating area that Dave's did not have. This place also attracts a different crowd. A more sophistoesque type of patron. At the end of the day. I'm sorry Dave's is closed, but I'm glad Tune-Up is here.
(3)Lisa C.
We had an absolutely fantastic meal here! I'm an extremely selective eater and couldn't have been happier. The papusa was fabulous. This was among our best meals in Santa Fe. Worth finding your way there!!
(5)Ellen P.
Loved It! You definitely need to look for this place--its not in the touristy area, but not too far from it either. An old bike repair shop in a residential neighborhood that's been turned into a bar/restaurant with awesome food! You'll have to wait, and they don't take reservations, so get there early! You may likely be sitting at a communal table, which works out great (get to see everyone else's choices). We started with the guac and chips. Got talked into the salsa, which we didn't need. Guac was great, the salsa was good and hot (temperature wise, actually warmed up). We moved on to salads (came with our meal), which were a little heavy on dressing but otherwise good. I had the chicken enchiladas Christmas style (both red and green chile) and my date had the combo plate with the El Salvodoran dishes. Both yummy. Good beer and wine selection and we were way too full for dessert. We'll be back!
(4)Who W.
In an interesting neighborhood, Tune-up is quintessential Santa Fe, the food is most organic and local, the clientele are mostly aging and wealthy hippies, the outdoor seating is very nice. I'd probably go for a 3.5 star rating here, the food I thought was good but not that special, wine was served in a small water glass, which didn't matter too much as it wasn't very good wine, but don't folks realize that the glass does affect the flavor? I'd go back if it was in the neighborhood but I wouldn't be real excited about it.
(3)Tracy S.
Wow! The ONLY reason we ate here was because 3D's went! We would have just kept on driving by if we hadn't seen this on 3D's! Let me tell you we are so glad we went!! I had the best Chile Relleno I have ever had and my husband loved his salmon. AND their carrot cake was to die for...not too sweet like carrot cake can be.
(5)Sam P.
We loved the Tune-up. Great food. Owner hard working and friendly. Would definitely go back. In fact, when we were in Santa Fe, we went twice.
(5)Chris C.
I heard about Tune-Up Cafe from that white trash wonder, Guy Fieri on 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives' and put it on the Santa Fe List. Glad I did. We stopped in for lunch and were wowed by this joint. There isn't much to speak of in the way of ambience but, that doesn't bug me in the least. This place, with its picnic style, do-it-yourself vibe is a big home run in all the right areas. From Burgers to Salvadoran Pupusas, the meals were delicious, to put it lightly. It was a welcome detour from my diet. My girlfriend had the burger and finished the whole thing (even though she had promised to share). That's testimony enough. I had the pupusas (featured on the show) and as I slowly enjoyed them I realized that a hundred restaurants pretending to be authentic (as you find around NYC - save some notable exceptions) are no substitution for the real thing. The hand-pressed tortillas tasted of corn and mixed perfectly with the flank steak, queso and salsa. I had to eat slowly to take it all in. I remember happy faces around our table indicating that in finding Tune Up, I done good. You can see the owner in the restaurant. That counts for so much. That's one of the things that makes the Tune up the real deal.
(4)Shelley B.
We tried the Tune Up Cafe at the end of our week-long trip to Santa Fe........ it was easily the best place we tried. We ate Breakfast, Dinner, and Breakfast again -- and then left Santa Fe. Really fantastic food, great vibe, completely local neighborhood place -- I honestly give it SIX stars. If you miss this place, you have missed everything that's good about eating out in Santa Fe.
(5)Chris E.
I was back home visiting in ABQ and we all decided to go up to Santa Fe for the day. My wife and I had seen the "Diners, Drive-In's and Dives" where Guy Fieri went here so we wanted to try it. I am sure glad we did. The food was great and the service was great as well. I had the pupusas and my wife had the Chile relleno because that's what Guy had on that episode. The food was nothing short of spectacular and I think I can still taste the pupusas in my mouth right now. The Chile rellleno wasn't too spicy but it had tons of flavor. The location is a little hard to get to but it is well worth it. There is even a spray painted picture of Guy's head on the outside of the restaurant. If you're ever in Santa Fe, make sure to check this place out and make sure you get the pupusas.
(5)lafeet l.
We love this place and eat there often. The food is made from scratch. There is a feel of being in another country for moments during the dining experience. The dinner specials are always terrific. My husband says that he had his best fish dish there ever. They take special orders (I avoid carbs) in stride. The staff is always good. They often comment that the owner is always there and is a great guy to work for. There are usually fresh flowers and seasonal decorations. I especially love the tall juice containers filled with lemon aide or watermelon juice or whatever. It's a hole in the wall place with great food. The tricycle T-Shirts are cute. There are kid books and newspapers. It is in a combined residential/business neighborhood in a quaint area of Santa Fe, NM.
(5)Janice B.
Lives up to the hype. Had the pupusas which were wonderful! My husband enjoyed the chicken enchiladas which were great. Highly recommend going here!
(4)mk f.
Unique place with good atmostphere--in or outside tables. Had breakfast and lunch--both interesting ingredients and flavors. Watermelon juice cut the thirst. Good place for those avoiding gluten too (cake you wouldn't know).
(4)B B.
I can't say enough GREAT things about this restaurant to my friends. I loved this place. Great food, nice atmosphere. I can't wait to go back, if only I lived in town. I was in town on a short vacation with my girlfriend when we came across a review in one of the local magazines. I did a little research on-line and then remember seeing Tune-Up on Triple D. I knew I had to try it and I'm so glad I did. They rank as my #2 restaurant of all time only behind Millennium in San Francisco. We sat in the booth, the only booth, which just added to my overall great experience. I had the El Salvadoran Combo (all veggie), a MUST try entree. My girlfriend had the Fish Tacos. We shared both dishes, which was the way to do it. I enjoyed both dishes. Just try it, you'll love it.
(5)Tracy T.
Wow! The ONLY reason we ate here was because 3D's went! We would have just kept on driving by if we hadn't seen this on 3D's! Let me tell you we are so glad we went!! I had the best Chile Relleno I have ever had and my husband loved his salmon. AND their carrot cake was to die for...not too sweet like carrot cake can be.
(5)Holly B.
I was in Santa Fe visiting with friends, and was brought here for breakfast. I am a gluten-free, no-red meat, no-dairy sorta girl, and I had a great meal here. First, I like the décor. Really cute little independent place. The prices are very reasonable to me. The place was about 70% full when we went in on a Monday morning around 10ish. I ordered something like the eggs salvadores (can't remember exactly...) which was scrambled eggs, homemade corn tortillas, and refried beans. When I asked the girl to not put cream in the eggs, she double-checked with me to see if I wanted to switch to black beans because they put cheese in the refried ones. I appreciated her mentioning this, and they did switch it, no prob. As we ate, our table was frequently visited by various employees with the coffee carafe, our cups never emptied. And I was way excited to see they had some super fudgey, super wheat-free brownies to go with my coffee! I really enjoyed eating here, and will def visit again when I am around Santa Fe next.
(5)Robert M.
Quintessential Santa Fe. New and old flavors mix with patron who ate half granola and half green. I'm a local and I recommend highly.
(5)Ave H.
we swang through santa fe over new years on our way to las cruces for a family visit. tune up had been recommended to us by a friend, and thankfully on that cold new years eve, it was just a hop from our hotel. we were sooo glad to be there! it was pretty empty that evening, which seemed unusual, but the temperature was below zero and not having a reservation ourselves we were sooo lucky for people not braving the cold. the service was super, waiter was very helpful and friendly. we had small tune up salads, which were very good, the chicken mole (which was FANTASTIC) and the salvadorian combo (also excellent.) the mole had cinnamon and other spices in it that just made me want to melt onto the plate and swim with it (seriously) yum! we shared some wine that we ended up taking back to the hotel, but their selection was decent as well. we did not stay for dessert, but had we i am certain that we would have been impressed. a great healthy alternative to the mexican food that is so prolific in that region. if i head back to santa fe, i sure, sure hope to stop by there... maybe for a breakfast this time.
(5)Steve T.
Seriously, the best fish tacos (red snapper) Jami and I have ever had. The beans and green chile sauce were fantastic. Great service, laid back atmosphere.
(5)Fly Spy G.
I'm sorry but this place is not good. The service was good and the ambiance is adorable. Our waitress was good and I have no complaints in that regard. But unfortunately I was very disappointed in the food. I ordered the huevos rancheros and the red chile they use is the powdered store "chili" you get from any grocery store. NOT hatch.
(1)Janet O.
Our dear friends who are Santa Fe locals highly recommended this place for breakfast. So on our way out we dropped by and we were the first customer of the day! On Labor Day! I am a fan of Corn Beef and French Toast. On this venture I decided to try the former and forsake the latter. I was in the mood for something savory that day. I made the right choice. This dish was superb. Home made and two over easy eggs on top was like the icing on a cake. Chuncks of corn beef with a slight crunch on the the sides ( favorite part). Mixed in there were onions, potatoes and green peppers. So simple. So good. It's the corn beef. It's the star and rightfully so. The inside is ridiculously cute! With a small bar. There is another room in the back that is a bit more private for a sweet rendezvous :) there is an outside area to people watch. Parking on the side or street parking. Not a pro tip: but someone who has dined here once. You order. Pay. They will bring your order to you. In the meantime feast your eyes on the cute inside. Bonus tip: very cute male server for you out there that's in the market. You are welcome!
(5)Keith C.
Tune-Up Cafe offers New Mexican food with a Salvadoran twist. They're consistent in quality, and their specials and desserts tend to be excellent (try the Mexican Wedding Cookies!). They've also added a small bar, a great selection of beer and wine, and they even have hard cider on tap and a selection of wine-based cocktails. The vibe is relaxed and determinedly local. We regularly bring out-of-town guests to Tune-Up for a local eating experience, and the reactions are pretty much 100% ravingly positive from our visitors. It's off the beaten path, and few tourists ever bother to find it. After five years of eating at The Tune-Up, we'd like to see the menu revamped a little bit, but the constantly evolving specials make up for this small desire on our part.
(4)M B.
Low key, relaxed atmosphere, outside seating, clean and efficient. Food was ok...great squash blossom quesadilla special. Burger was undercooked but ok.... I'd go here again...nice to sit outside and relax...
(4)Linda X.
I travel a lot and this is still one of my favorite restaurants of all time. The tamales and pupusas here are the BEST I have ever had. The restaurant itself is very cozy and the service was attentive. If it's nice weather outside dining on the patio is great especially at night with the lights up. I always order the El Salvadoran Combo ($13) which comes with banana leaf wrapped tamale, pupusa, rice, and a caesar salad to start. I highly recommend this entree! The tamale is soo soft and has such a unique flavor. The pupusa is extremely cheesy and has the perfect crunchy outside. My boyfriend got the chile relleno ($12) which was pretty good but honestly nothing even close to the tamale and pupusa! We also ordered the guacamole and chips ($6.50) which was really delicious too. Overall you have to try this place if you are in Santa Fe! There's a bit of a wait sometimes but it's definitely worth it!
(5)Dave D.
Stopped here after a day at the flea market. It was packed with folks at 2 pm when we arrived, but we were able to find a seat outside. We didn't know that we had to order at the counter, so we waited for about 15 minutes for a waiter to stop by. When they didn't I went inside and figured out what we had to do. Based on all the positive reviews, I was expecting a tasty lunch, but I was a little dissappointed. The food was good, but average, nothing special. I had a breakfast burrito with green chiles. The chiles were mildly hot, the eggs, potatos and sausage in the burrito were stacked so that you got all eggs, or all potatos or all sausage in your bite, not all three at once which is the way I prefer it. I'd eat here again if somebody I was with wanted to go, but probably wouldn't come back on my own.
(3)Jim L.
Probably the best corned beef hash & eggs I've ever eaten . Love this little out of the way locals place. Homemade everything including bread, desserts, and yes, the corned beef.
(4)Live Laugh L.
The best corn waffle in town. The patio is nice, and the service was excellent! I like the counter service just order sit and enjoy the atmosphere.
(5)Shauna S.
Just stopped by this place while visiting Santa Fe this morning... And it was fantastic! We wanted a delicious brunch and everyone was craving something different, so this was the perfect choice! The atmosphere is so inviting and cozy. Everyone who works here is so nice and they move quickly! It's a bit small, so I'm sure there's some waiting during their busy times. I got the gluten free waffles. They were on special, so I'm not sure if they have them all of the time, but if they do, they are a must get. Also, the bacon was cooked to absolute perfection, which is becoming a rare thing to find anymore. It was the perfect mix of crunchy and chewy and flavor!! I highly recommend this place... So does Guy Fieri since his name is next to the door.
(5)Blake C.
The food good but over priced. They are now the most expensive for handheld breakfast burrito. Charging up to $8. The food is good but not worth the price.
(3)Matt S.
I live in Santa Fe and consider this one of my favorite places for breakfast. Corned beef hash is excellent and i've always had great service. It's a perfect place to visit before heading up to the ski slopes! The place has a great vibe with a casual atmosphere and you always feel like a local.
(5)Garrett D.
I'm so glad I found this place. The chicken burro with the christmas sauce was amazing! Definitely the best food and value I have experienced in Santa Fe so far.
(5)Mike O.
Tune-Up is good, but it ain't great. And that distinction is purely a matter of my own singular taste. Came here on a weeknight, alone, as I travel for work. I was shoved into a tight, dark corner. I like to read when I'm alone at restaurants, and this wasn't very possible. Good thing phones can provide a little light. Despite Santa Fe being placed in the middle of a vast desert with plenty of space, Tune-Up is kind of cramped. For those of you who live in densely populated areas, you'll feel at home rubbing shoulders with the other patrons, half eaves-dropping on their conversations, and the like. I sat next to a couple that really had nothing interesting to say, which was kind of a bummer. I think they were students. I ordered a couple beers and the chile rellenos. I had to order the Christmas chiles special, and my request was made to seem like it was highly unusual and would take special dispensation from the kitchen. Oh, I get it. It was then I realized that Tune-Up sees itself as a different kind of New Mexican restaurant, one that serves the traditional food but with its own flair reserved for the artistry of the chef. That's okay. I just prefer the dives and greasy spoons off Cerillos,then. Needless to say, the chiles were rather weak, although the meal wasn't bad. I could totally see people loving this place. Like I said, my review isn't objective, it's my personal preference.
(3)Thomas M.
Great little place. Went for dinner and some great fresh and flavorful food. The lamb fajitas were awesome. Food was so good went back the next morning for breakfast. Corned beef hash some of the best I have had. Service fast and friendly.
(5)Paul C.
Best meal in Santa Fe! Mole sauce was delicate-they nailed it! Vegetarian quesadilla perfect. Great vibe. We'll be back!
(5)Denise H.
So, I had NO IDEA that tamales could taste THIS amazing. I don't know if I woke up on the magical side of the bed today or what, but I was not expecting the explosion of startlingly impressive flavor to flood my mouth with the tiny little first bite I took. They had a cute collection of books for kids to read, which I thought was a nice touch and my kids enjoyed. The atmosphere is relaxed, but busy, friendly, even joyful with the crowd that was in this morning! This kitschy little dive cafe has a lot of bang for your buck. We will be back!
(5)Zach L.
While much about this place has been said before, I must comment on the Mole Chicken Quesadilla. When my wife asked me what Mole sauce was, I described it as a chocolate sauce with spiciness, and not as much chocolatey-ness. Tune-up hit it on the head with how that sauce is supposed to be enjoyed: the walnuts and raisins added a depth of sweetness that almost prolonged the taste, where some mole can be dry at the end. Well done Tune-Up!
(5)Preston M.
While in Santa Fe for work, I have been relying almost exclusively on Yelp for places to eat (since I'm eating out every meal). I took a co-worker to check out Tune-Up Cafe and we weren't disappointed. The cafe is a bit small for big crowds and the line to order takes up a large amount of open space. The employees were very informative and were able to help my co-worker quickly pick out a vegetarian option from the menu. The kitchen is essentially open to the restaurant, so get ready to smell all the delicious smells and hear busy cooks at work. I had the steak pupusas and they were fantastic. They were not overly-greasy, and the portion size was great for lunch. The steak inside was tender and mine were not overly-cheesy. My co-worker ordered his vegetarian and they looked delicious (but potentially a little cheesier). Afterward, we grabbed some of the tres leches cake with fresh cream and strawberries and it was delicious. Gotta check it out!
(5)Sahsha S.
My girlfriend and I, new to the area, saw the Diners, Drive-In's and Dives video about the Tune-up cafe and we were so excited to check it out. Upon arriving, the restaurant was empty, yet we were not greeted.. Finally we sat ourselves and eventually someone brought a menu. The Pupusa was deep fried and saturated in oil, the Cesar salad was a few peices of lettuce with 2 heaping tablespoons of a thick mayonnaisie dressing (disgusting), and the Chile Relleno was a small minuscule excuse for an anihime chile, drowning in 2lbs of cheese, oil and batter. The food was so uneatable that We paid and left. :( We will never go back... Maybe it sold ownership.. June 2015
(1)Rand R.
It took 2 attempts to eat at Tune Up, but it was worth it! Crazy busy at peak hours with limited seating can make the wait a little long. On my second try, I came for an early lunch on a weekday and had no trouble whatsoever. Based on other reviews, I requested the Salvadoran combo dinner (which is not on brunch/lunch menu) and they gladly served it up. Wow, it was fantastic! I had the chicken tamale and the steak papusa and was in heaven. Fast, friendly service too. You won't be disappointed!
(4)Cyndi J.
Worth the high reviews. I was a little dismayed that I ordered Christmas on my chicken enchiladas, but got just green, but they were super busy, so I enjoyed the green chili. The beans and rice were actually quite delicious, a great compliment to the meal. The menu is super creative. I'd have loved to have beef on it, though. Looks like they really cater to vegans, but that's okay.
(4)Emily O.
Had dinner here after a recommendation from a friend who used to live here...we were not disappointed! We both had the specials for the day- halibut and lamb barbacoa tacos. Great selection of drinks too. If we hadn't been so stuffed from our meals we would've tried the amazing dessert menu- maybe next time! Grey intimate but casual ambience.
(4)Julian L.
Stopped by here with my father for lunch. It was a bit tough to determine how to order; ordering is cafe style at the counter and then a server brings your food to your table. The place was pretty busy, but we found a small table outside on the patio. We both ordered the pupusa plate. I got the veggie pupusas... They were interesting, definitely different than the standard pupusas I've eaten at Salvadoran eateries... more crisp and flaky, with more fillings. The salsa was decent and the curtido tasty, but I would have liked more of each. I wouldn't have minded some beans or plantain too... Overall I felt a little hungry after the meal. I'll certainly be back to check it out, I'd like to try some other dishes.
(4)Wendy B.
We have dining at this location when we pass through town since it was "Dave's Not Here". Love the food! The cream brûlée was excellent and so were the Papusas! This is a great place to people watch as well!!
(5)Shyam S.
My girlfriend heard about this place on "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives," and OMG, was it good. This was my first pupusa and holy smokes, it exceeded my expectations. We ended up ordering another one, as well as an order of the chicken tamales (wrapped in banana leaves), before having our minds blown again by the fucking stellar pecan pie. Please visit. If you eat at only one spot in Santa Fe, for the love of God, eat here.
(5)Ann R.
After moving here in January someone we met ((a native Santa Fe-ian) recommended Tune Up Cafe as her and her husbands #1 go to for great food in a a casual setting. We agree!! Having been here many times now we can report its ALWAYS good. The staff is friendly and patient with questions. Some of our favorites: the off the charts great chicken quesadilla - the tune up breakfast - corned beef hash (made on-site) - the burgers including the veggie patty. Portions are very generous too. Two thumbs up!
(5)Katie B.
I'd probably go 3.5 for the visit if allowed. Tune-up Cafe was another stop on a quest for green chile in Santa Fe. While the green chile was delicious, it was more like a tasty vegetable soup as it lacked heat altogether. The accompanying tortilla - delicious. The side of mole sauce - outstanding. Mole sauce has plenty of cinnamon - Kind of a warm feeling - and is very balanced compared to many mole recipes that are too sweet. The patio is a great place to sit - ample warmth but protected from direct sunlight. Friendly staff. I'll return on my next visit to Santa Fe but for something other than chile. I'll bet that my rating will be much higher.
(3)Jordan R.
I came here with not expectations just abysmal hunger. I left very very satisfied. I had the corned beef hash which comes with a poached egg on top. I had a side of the hatch green chili salsa with this. Perfect contaposto The hash is made in house it has a large chopped texture and was cooked off on the flat top. It was scrumptious. Hash was spiced perfect to say it was rubenesque. A small layer. Of potatoes on the bottom. The hash. Then the eggs. That's it it was simple and decadent. The table had a side of cheesy hash browns done perfectly I could have eaten the hash browns all by them selves too. All together totally satisfying. And completely recommended !!
(5)Nick G.
Oh My Gawd - how can food be so delicious?! I got the beef burrito with red and green chile (xmas style as locals know it) and nearly died from happiness. The burrito I had was in a standard wheat tortilla (not whole wheat) with beans, beef, and cheese and then drenched in green and red chile. It was a great brunch location! They even had mimosas (the ultimate brunch drink for those wanting a great morning out)! And with so many different menu items waiting to try out I am planning on going there again and again to enjoy their wonderful outdoor patio while the Santa Fe weather remains beautiful.
(5)Astarte S.
This is one of my favorite lunch spots. Many gluten-free options including great scones, pies, and an amazing lemon cake, and waffle with fresh fruit. Also, the hashbrowns are my favorite, and they always have fresh watermelon juice, or other juice. Very friendly service.
(5)Yael G.
The tamales and green chili soup were both amazing. Nice, casual vibe and good service.
(5)Jools H.
This place is so good!! I had the Huevos Rancheros. He had the Tune Up Burger with green chile and grilled onions, the little one had simple beans and cheese with a flour tortilla. She loved it!! She never loved anything. My eggs were delicious, his burger was amaze balls. The only thing that gave me anxiety was coming into the place when 8 people were all coming out. This spot is a tight fit, for those suffering from crowdial anxiety, be prepared with your Xanax. But worth the extra heart rate for the food!!!
(4)Char V.
Best restaurant in Santa fe
(5)Astrid P.
Love this place! Service is attentive and they are very flexible in accommodating special dietary needs. Many dishes with local ingredients and interesting variety of specials that change frequently. Absolutely awesome Tres Leches and the gluten free lemon coconut cake is one of my favorites.
(5)Andy A.
I can't rave enough about this place. I can't vouch for the $20+ dishes, but the basics are fabulous. The other day I went just for the nachos. Make sure you get them with chicken and guac. Where do they actually make in-store tortilla chips anymore? They are divine. Beef chili stew is just like homemade. Soup prices are a bit high but the prices for most other menu items don't leave you in a MasterCard daze. Gluten free dessert options? Many and affordable. French fries - also made in house - are to die for. Arrive by 5:30 to get a table you want. At 6pm the place is a zoo. Love that Tune Up is 1/2 mile from my house and removed enough from the Plaza area that it seems like more locals and less turquoise-draped obnoxious tourists.
(4)claire g.
After spending a total of 8 weeks in Sta Fe and eating just about everywhere I've determined Tune-up to be the BEST FOOD in town! We are vegetarian and there are many many options (beans & rice vegetarian made). While my daughters and I usually stick w/ our favorites: pupusas & chili rellenos my disciplined husband gets the oatmeal topped with berries and even this is OFF THE HOOK! They also have more traditional American breakfast dishes that also look divine: waffles, stuffed French toast, etc. Fresh juices are great. Also hear that their chicken enchiladas are to die for. Wonderful service too. I love this place!
(5)Phil T.
Today July 8 2015 the food simply sucked. My friend and I ordered veg enchiladas he green me red. My red sauce was good but the beans and the rice and the enchilada all tasted the same. As did my friends. I have been eating at the Tune up for over 5 years... But no more... Something bad has happened. Sorry it was good.
(1)Carolie H.
We expected based on the stellar reviews for some awsome Mexican food. However we were let down. Maybe our expectations were too high. We took the advise of other reviewers and had the Banana Leaf Tamales and Papusas. The tamales were bland. Everything tasted like the pinto beans that it came with. It was also a small portion and I am not a big eater. The Papusas didn't come with rice and beans so again the portion was small. The flavors were there but it just wasn't a complete meal. You order when you walk in and the area is small so it was overcrowded with customers and servers. I am not a fan of order when you walk in because I like to browse the menu and never feel like I can do that standing in the way. The place was clean and service was fast but overall we feel like we could have gotten this food anywhere.
(3)Anita C.
The coffee is very good, the people are great. The location and atmosphere are great. Food is usually very good, but just short of great. I'd come here just to relax, chat and sit when it's not so busy.
(4)Lynn W.
We spent the weekend in Santa Fe and decided to try this place based on the outstanding reviews on Yelp. We had the halibut and chicken mole with bananas. It was delicious! Highly recommend this place! Will definitely come here every time we're in town.
(5)Carolyn L.
The prices were a little more than I was expected but was definitely well worth it. Portions were large enough to share between adults and delicious. I cannot review the service as I only ordered for take out but the woman at the counter was friendly. Food was amazing and worth the price. Attraction interior decoration as far as I could tell. Very cute and most of all very good food.
(5)Mr. A.
Great menu selection, friendly and knowledgeable service staff, fair prices, and a nice dinning experience all the way around. My group had the Colorado enchiladas w mole sauce, nut burger, & fish tacos. All of it was great. Small place w a communal dining feel.
(5)Rachael K.
On the way there we were wondering where the GPS was leading us. Then we came upon this hidden gem tucked away in Santa Fe. After looking at the website, we were expecting a diner atmosphere but it's as far from diner as you can get with dim lighting and an intimate setting (roughly 10 tables inside the restaurant, more on the deck and patio but it was too cold for eating out there). We went in around 7:30 on a Sunday night and there were other patrons but plenty of seats available. We ordered the soup special (asparagus and corn), local beers (there are several to choose from), fish tacos with house salad, and salad special. The food was great, the soup had fantastic flavor, the house salad was unique, the special salad was choc full of very fresh fruit, and the fish tacos weren't fishy. I'm from the Boston area and for an atmosphere and quality like this I would have expected to cost us more like $60 instead of the $41 before tip that we paid. The only drawback was the service, the waiter seemed like he was ready to go home but it was the end of a Sunday evening so who can blame him? The food came out just minutes after our soup so we didn't have time to enjoy the soup before digging in to our meals. Also, parking in the lot could be tight if the restaurant is busier but it looks like there is plenty on the street.
(4)Dawn H.
This is such a great little surprise. Great food and great service in this tiny little place. My boyfriend and I shared the soup of the day, a squash soup. It was very tasty and served with a home made bread. For dinner I had the Brown Rice Nut Burger on brioche bun with garlic mayo and a Caesar Salad (the classic with house made garlic crouton). The burger (home made veggie burger) was fantastic. Best vegetarian burger I have ever had. My boyfriend had the El Salvadoran Combo - banana leaf wrapped tamale (chicken), pupusa (flank steak), with roasted tomato salsa, rice, & cortido. His was very tasty and according to him, very filling. For dessert we each had a piece of pie. I had the peach pie and he had the strawberry rhubarb pie. Both were great and home made. Everything they served was made in house and the server was very nice.
(5)Marlene B.
I was traveling through Santa Fe with my mom and read the reviews on Yelp. My mom and I love lamb so we went there for their natural lamb burger with sweet potato fries. It was a hit. My mom and I were totally pleased with the quality, flavor and customer service. I'll be back when I visit Santa Fe again.
(5)Jill B.
Very good Savadoran/Mexican food. Great farm to table produce and local organic food. These people know seasoning.
(5)Alisson S.
Great coffee if you just need something to go- but stick around for the food if you have a minute! Breakfast/ brunch is my favorite Tune-Up time. The food is Southwest in nature, so the ingredients are fairly safe even for the struggling celiac. Eggs and chile (red or green) are the perfect way to start any day- so enjoy them out on the sunny patio either alone or with friends. The Huevos El Salvadorenos are my favorite- tasty and easy to share with someone else. But take a look at the entire breakfast menu (and lunch and dinner menus) to see what else they have to offer: tuneupcafe.com/Breakfast… Tune-Up Cafe is about 1 mile off the plaza- easy walking distance from the RailYard, but far enough away to avoid tourists, if that's something you're looking to do.
(5)Carol H.
Outstanding food in a funky cafe atmosphere! Had the peach avocado salad with fresh creamy goat cheese bruschetta, then wild caught haddock for an entree. Finished with delicious freshly baked strawberry-rhubarb pie! Exceeded our expectations!
(5)Colleen B.
okay. chose this place because of the reviews and there was not much else open on a sunday night. upon recommendation, i ordered the combo plate, which was an empanada and papusa. pretty flavorless. husband ordered the chicken piccata, which was pretty dry. service was good but i wasn't impressed withe the food.
(3)Candice C.
Food was excellent, had to try the pupusas and was not disappointed, could eat the "coleslaw" that comes with it, all day long. I can't do heavy heat without it ruining the whole meal... this had just enough heat for a fairly wimpy local Anglo, the sauce gave it just enough kick to clear the sinuses, but still maintain the tastebuds. DH had the chicken enchiladas, and love them. Was a smidge disappointed with my son's burger when it arrived... alotta bun, small burger... but then when he tried to bite into it, I realized it was almost as tall as is was big around, and I had the last bite of it, and it was amazing. We thought going there at 2:30 in the afternoon on a Tuesday would be a good bet, but it was still completely packed... we had to sit by the dreaded bathroom, but the atmosphere was a lot of fun. Busy and loud, and definitely what you would call a "dive", but in the most positive sense of the word. Thanks to other yelpers and Guy on triple D for turning me on to this neat place!
(5)M H.
We ate here after hiking Atalaya Mountain and working up a very good appetite. Being from out of town and having delicious, hearty food on our agenda, we headed to Tune-Up Cafe thanks to the stellar Yelp reviews. He had the lamb burger (medium rare, with feta) and sweet potato fries. I had the pupusas - one meat, one veggie. He declared it awesome and delicious. The sweet potato fries were similarly awesome - cut more like home-fries than the skinny, sometimes limp sweet potato fries more commonly found, they were perfectly crisp and flavorful. My pupusas were perfect - cheesy, a bit greesy, crisp, flavorful. I loved the slightly spicy cabbage and beat slaw that came with them and the beans rounded out the meal nicely.
(5)Nik D.
I have nothing bad to say about this place, so there's not really much reason for a review. I could make stuff up like: "Tune-Up Cafe secretly makes their bacon from monkeys." "Tune-Up Cafe donates 10% of the bill to fund the Viet Cong." "Tune-Up Cafe is owned my Monsanto." But those would be bald-faced lies. And I'm no bald face. Everything here works together to perfection: friendly service, nice atmosphere, fresh food, great coffee. I wish I lived in Santa Fe so I could go here more often. At least I have a mug as a momento. Why hello mug, may I reminisce with you?
(4)Pedestrian C.
OMG, I stopped at this place driving through and it rocked my world! It's sooooo good and the ppl there are so nice. Unfortunately, I didn't get to have the brunch too...next time.
(5)Chirag C.
Super cute rustic little cafe, off the tourist path in Taos. Perfect for a romantic and casual evening out--our food was interesting (not just standard New Mexico fare, but a bit of central american mezcla!). Our server was attentive. A great add on a culinary adventure in the region.
(4)Larry C.
My wife and I were there last night,and the food,the service, and the deserts were EXCELLENT. We both had Chicken Picata plus garlic mash potatoes.Because we're from out of town,we hadn't been there for nearly a year,so their new addition with a wine bar was a wonderful surprise.Do try there deserts!
(4)Lindsey B.
Awesome little hole in the wall that we popped into on accident! My mom had a cheeseburger and I had a tuna melt, both yummy! Only reason I'm not giving five stars is bc they didn't have fountain soda and you had to walk up and order.
(4)Katrina M.
The food is ah-mazing!! And wonderfully priced. I'm so glad they finally got proper servers hired too! Whenever you go in, always ask for Jessica. She has the personality and know how that this place needed!
(5)G M.
One of my favorite lunch spots in Santa Fe, great service, good food, lots of locals. I try to go as often as possible.
(4)Clare M.
I don't know what it is about this place, but I absolutely adore it. Easily one of my favorite places to go when I'm in the mood for some good eats, a crossword and some people watching. Offers both indoor and outdoor seating. I'm partial to the patio, but that is only for the warmer months. The staff is all very friendly, the good is always consistently great and something about the atmosphere just works for me.
(5)Ron F.
Awesome! Another top ranking by us for a Triple D eatery, and all so far, in NM. Don't let the location or the size of this place upset you, as you are in for a culinary treat of a lifetime! This is the best food for the price we have ever had, bar none. It can compare with the finest of restaurants in taste and presentation. Be prepared to wait, because it appears to always be busy. I had the El Salvadoran Combo with a banana leaf wrapped veggie tamale and a beef flank steak pupusa. The meal was served with roasted tomato salsa, cortido, and rice. My wife had Halibut and Shrimp pasta with feta cheese, kalamata olives, and fresh tomato. The meal included a small TuneUp or Caesar salad. Drinks were a glass of house white wine and a Guinness Dark Ale. For desert we share a piece of warm strawberry-rubharb pie with a scoop of vinalla bean ice cream. Total bill was just under $50, plus tip. When in Santa Fe, you got to try this place. Come and enjoy this cook's spin on a different set of flavors not normally experienced here in the US!
(5)Jason M.
Good place to eat. This place has been featured on tv shows, just like every restaurant in Santa Fe. But the food was solid. My enchiladas were tasty and they were just slightly on the heavy side. The beans and rice were great. I noticed that most of the beans in Santa Fe are stewed and not re-fried, which is nice and refreshing. The banana wrapped tamale was solid too.
(4)K D.
Last meal in Santa Fe on the roadtrip and it was SO GOOD. Split the special goat cheese Omelet of the day and a fruit parfait with a friend. The Omelet was perfection, excellent amount of guac and veggies, and the parfait was delish too. Great morning ambiance and made a friend with a fellow breakfaster. Loved it!
(5)Carol S.
Great food! If I lived here I would be a regular. Huge portions. We split a main dish and a soup. It was plenty. Friendly if a bit disorganized service. Sat outside. Couldn't ask for more.
(5)Andie F.
One of my husband and I's favorite spots in Santa Fe- great for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The chile relleno is one of my favorites, but they daily specials are always great. Great on tap brews too!
(5)Andrew N.
If you're looking for a consistently good meal in a unique and casual setting then Tune Up is the place. This is like having a great meal on a friends patio where the conversation can flow between the tables and the food has that personal touch. The burger is a religious experience while the specials verge more on orgasmic.
(5)Constant C.
It's true, this place is a staple. The service is good, the food is good and the atmosphere is grounded. I can't say the food is knock-your-socks off spectacular, but still very enjoyable and well done. You don't always want your mind blown when you eat though. Most of the time you just want a tasty satisfying meal, served in a friendly manner, at fair prices. And that is what you'll get at the Tune-Up cafe, without fail. They even have GF buns for the burgers. The Salvadoran choices are the more dynamic meals for sure, and the sandia gazpacho is pretty darn tasty.
(4)Rachel S.
This place is sooooooOOOOOooooo cute!!! It is a tiny house that's been converted!! The tables are all shared community tables-- which is sooo fun and gives you a chance to meet new people. It is VERY small so if you go during peak times be prepared to wait. If you like south american food you will love this place. The plantains that they serve with the breakfast plates are OUT of this world!! :P Enjoy!!
(5)B.T. M.
This place is a little hidden gem. I felt really lucky as a tourist to have stumbled upon it. Food here is delicious & they serve local produce & meat, so you can feel good about it! Service is great, Menu has awesome options, & the bathroom is super clean! Don't pass up on their fresh squeezed juices either!
(5)Sonya D.
Def a triple d dive, amazingness!! Had the steak puposa, which was yum. The shocker was the cinnamon roll, so simply awesome!! Not your typical food, will go back for more
(5)Klint D.
As a chef you gotta root for places like this. Non pretentious place w their own twist on good basic foods. Atmosphere not quiet and place is cramped but as a foodie don't miss getting at least one meal here. Loved the soft shell crab special and the corned beef hash....
(4)Amy B.
This should be a 3.5 My husband loved his steak special, which came with mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus, and mushrooms. He also liked the Santa Fe pale beer. All entrees aparantly come with your choice of house or ceasar salad, and we did both enjoy the house salad (it has beets and a nice dressing). Here comes the reason why I felt I couldn't give four stars. We ordered chips + guacamole for appetizer, and right away I noticed that the guac tasted off, as if it had been sitting out (that sort of tingly vinegar taste). We asked for them to switch it out for some fresh, which they did and it was so much better, though a bit small on the portion size (not enough to polish off all the chips, even though we dipped sparingly). Once we pointed it out to them, they agreed about the problem, but it was an inauspicious start. Chips good though oily, guac average. I had the El Savadoran plate, vegetarian, which meant I received a pupusa, an enchilada, and the surprise sides of weird tasting cabbage slaw and rice I didn't like (it was flavored in a way I didn't like, more like mushroom or health food). I liked the enchilada, and the pupusa was definitely the highlight, as others have said. So I didn't eat my sides but ate the other half of the plate. I was surprised when our bill was about $51, since I'd not liked or eaten half my plate--it's never a good sign when you don't think you got a good value for your money. However, my husband really liked his food so he still tipped generously.
(3)Alice E.
This place is wonderful! Service was excellent, ambience was eclectic, food was spectacular! Wish we lived closer.
(5)James F.
I had lunch at Tune Up Cafe with my wife and though the Nut Burger was excellent the service was a bit lacking. I would recommend it as a quick and delicious stop for a vegan lunch, but don't expect stellar service or many options.
(3)Richard B.
Since moving to Santa Fe six years ago, the Tune-Up Cafe has become my go-to restaurant. It's not the finest dining in Santa Fe, but it's the homiest and coziest, the most reasonable, and it's always dependable for fresh ingredients and well-prepared food. The breakfasts are great, the lunches hit the spot and the dinner menu and specials never leave one without a choice. It's small, the table service is not the best and it's always a little too crowded. It's crowded because Santa Feans like to eat there. It's a little off the beaten path so it's not a tourist destination but the locals love it. PS - The hamburgers are great (and Santa Fe is a hamburger town with lots of competition). The rellenos are delicious and if they're featuring their barbecued cabrito (goat) tacos get 'em. They're the best tacos you will ever eat. Well, they're the best tacos I ever ate and I've eaten a lot of tacos. This isn't a Mexican restaurant, it's Salvadoran. Their Salvadoran combo plate is excellent.
(5)Paul H.
FABULOUS place! I've been there for breakfast twice (I don't live in Santa Fe) and each has been unique. This morning I had trout, with some perfectly poached eggs and potatoes. The last time I had a Salvadoran dish, and though i don't remember what it was, I do remember it was good. Lots of locals. They are expanding.
(5)Natalie K.
Awesome local place! I was in Santa Fe traveling and Tune-Up was recommended to me by someone from the area. I had the Chicken and rice soup and a side of a chile relleno. The CR was a bit cheesy, but still delightful. The highlight, and really the reason why I chose to write this, is because the owner/baker for Tune-Up surprised this elderly couple with a cake for their anniversary and birthday! How endearing and genuine! Next time I'm in Santa Fe I'll be back!
(5)David F.
Fabulous selection of conscious menu to suit all dietary needs. The food is scrumptious especially the el salvadoran combo. Lots of friendly locals and excellent staff. This a must on every visit to Santa Fe.
(5)Galen G.
Awesome burger! Cooked to order and the garlic mayo was perfect. Prices were good and the place was already getting busy at 5:30 pm on a Sunday afternoon.
(4)Matt F.
I am going to make this short and sweet. This food is awesome. We were vacationing here over New Years Eve and my finace' remembered this place from DDD. It is a small place with long bench seats where you share the table with other people. Don't be mistaken, the food is comparable to The Shed. It was fantastic.
(5)Lola D.
Love this place! The crowd is very local, young and old, hipsters and family's alike. I have had so many items on the menu and have always been satisfied with the consistency and service. The gluten free brownies are to die for even if they are a bit over priced. Worth the wait if you are unlucky to find yourself there during a rush.
(5)Eli M.
The staff is so nice and the restraint vibe so awesome. That I expected the food to suck. You can't have it all can you? Well with this place you can. Thank you tune-up cafe for exceeding my expectations and rocking one of the best breakfasts we have had our entire stay in new Mexico.
(5)Lindsay N.
Amazing food. Good service. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all excellent. Organic and local foods are used giving it a fresh taste everyday. Don't forgot their desserts.
(5)James T.
Breakfast was better than expected, kind of a out of the way place, plenty of street parking. We had Huevos Ranchero, and Tune Up Breakfast chile relleno with eggs and refired beans. Price about $20 with coffee. A do again place, next time lunch menu. Limited seating inside, outside seating available.
(5)Bonny B.
I traveled from CO to NM after seeing their feature on Food Network. With a glitch with a rent a car, we had to get our food to go. It was FANTASTIC! The Pupusas lived up to their hype and so did their rellanos.. The staff was so nice and getting our food to go was quick. We had been to The Shed as they were hyped as the best place in town. No longer....Way to go Tune UP! We will be back for sure and appreciate all you do....xoxo
(5)Mim B.
I only went here once, but I'm compelled to give Tune-Up 5 stars. The Boy, some friends, and I were on vacation in Santa Fe last week. The Boy, his brother, and I stopped in for breakfast before hitting the slopes at the Santa Fe ski area. Enchiladas suizas were a specialty that day (you could get 'em either veg or chicken). The Boy and his bro got the veg with an egg on top, and I opted for just veg sans egg. I had a decaf, The Boy had a regular coffee, and I think his bro got the hot chocolate. The coffee is quite good. Tune-Up does some seriously good cooking. Those enchiladas - three per plate - were beautiful. Stuffed with loads of perfectly cooked veg and just enough cotija cheese to give it a little heft, they were served alongside rice and beans and topped with tomatillo salsa, fresh cilantro, and avocado. The flavors were fantastic. You have the earthy corn tortillas, the green tasting and almost sweet veggies, tangy tomatillo, salty cheese, and buttery avocado with the more neutral rice and beans. Everything was beautifully balanced. The best part - besides the thought that went into the cooking - was that I didn't leave feeling like I swallowed a plate of grease. I'm not sure how to describe the cooking other than "clean." Not ascetic, that's for sure, but I didn't leave feeling bloated or greasy. When I say I was really full, I mean I definitely ate more than I do when I have breakfast myself at home, but it was still a manageable full that I was able to easily ski on. And I wasn't hungry for several hours. Someone commented that the portions look small... I can't say I agree with that assessment. :) I'll definitely be back on subsequent visits to Santa Fe, of which there will be plenty!
(5)Joanne S.
...review coming...later.
(5)Heather M.
Friendly, accommodating, delicious, fast and affordable. My favorite spot in Santa Fe.
(5)Elizabeth T.
This was a great place. I loved the papusas, and the asada tacos melt in your mouth. The atmosphere was relaxed and comfortable.
(4)Ben B.
We stopped here for brunch before we left Santa Fe. The style here is pretty relaxed. I found the clients there to be of a younger crowd. Before we went we watched a little video from the Food Network about one of their special dishes, so we ordered that. I gotta say, those Pupusas are amazing. I would have ordered 2 more plates if I wasnt trying to watch my weight. Damn, that was a good dish. The prices here are pretty damn good to, I must say.
(4)K G.
On a strong recommendation from some locals, my wife and I recently tried the side-order chile relleno and huevos rancheros here while on vacation. The chile relleno had excellent, unique flavor and was one of our favorites in a week of restaurant-hopping. The huevos rancheros was solid, although not special. Service here was incredibly friendly, helpful and speedy. Genuine smiles, greetings, advice, etc. Prices were among the best we saw in a week of eating in Santa Fe. Solid value. The venue is an old, small, "dive"-type place with some private and some communal tables. The decor is nothing special, but it felt homey and comfortable. Much of the seating (good or bad) is near the bustle of the kitchen. We'd definitely return.
(4)Jeff C.
This place is so good that we went in for breakfast and came back for dinner and breakfast the next day! Great french toast, carrot cake, tacos and soup. Friendly staff and busy every time we went in, though not really a tourist spot.
(5)Daniel C.
I find it interesting that it is under the category of "Mexican". It is very eclectic. Went here with a good friend who was familiar with the dining experience and we have the most wonderful healthy crab cakes and salads and rellenos. Great service and nice atmosphere. If Guy Fieri and the Food Network like it, then I gotta say I like it too!
(4)Craig A.
Halibut with posole!!! Chili relleno was great,too. Close on seating space but lots of fun. Portions are perfect. Full but not stuffed. Wouldn't have found it without Yelp sorting for recommendations on Sunday open restaurants. We used the GPS to find it. We've had great luck with food in Santa Fe. La Choza, Maria's and now Tune-Up.
(4)Rebecca R.
This cafe was opened by a fella who worked previously at Pasqual's, a local favorite in Santa Fe. Tune-Up is a great addition to the local line-up. We went on a Mondays when many other restaurants are closed. We had the El Salvadore inspired appetizer, which was very flavorful & filling. Share it with a friend to save room for your entree! Soup of the day is served in a coffee mug with a slice of toasted, buttered french bread. Fish tacos came 2-to-a-plate with an amazing rice-&-bean combo, the most unique and delicious we've ever had. The vegetarian enchiladas are best with 'Christmas sauce' - a combo of the house red and green chili sauces. The bakery and dessert selection is robust. The coffee was still fresh at 1 pm. The pies remind us of those at Pasquals and there were several flavors available when we visited: banana cream, chocolate pecan, strawberry rhubarb. The atmosphere is friendly and local; be prepared to share a table when things get busy.
(4)Donald M.
Tried this restaurant while we were in Santa Fe due to its appearance on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives. Food is excellent while prices aren't all that high. Ambiance isn't all that but it's fun, if cramped and you have the option of indoor or outdoor seating. Indoors can get a bit loud and chances are pretty good that if you're a couple or small group you'll end up sharing a table but the food is worth it. We had the El Salvadorian combo and the lamb chop special. The pupusa (part of the combo) is a must-have. The lamb chops were also excellent.
(4)Jeff S.
Well this place is nice a cozy, great food, off the beaten path kinda place. Salvadorian chef with a nice twist. Great beer selection no draft.... A very nice change of pace with all the NEW MEXican food everywhere else. Loved it and will go back.
(4)Francesca F.
This is a true gem for Santa Fe, I'm staying here for a couple of months and am lucky enough to walk to this tasty place. Last week I had the Halibut special, I'm allergic to corn so sad to say they had to leave off the pasole, that didn't make a difference this dish was one of the best Halibut dishes I have every had, the flavours and spices were perfect. Now I'm from the NW so fish is ALL over the place there, but this dish I can honesstly say beats many of the 5&4 star restaurants in Seattle......my background is cooking in those top 5&4 star places, so I do know a bit about cooking. So my friends take advantage of the season and treat yourselves to the Halibut, before it's gone at the end of the month. Actually off to dinner there right now! Cheers Francesca
(5)Kuriko D.
Took the Sis and Bro-in-law to the Tune Up in April 2010 when we were there on vakay. The weather was less than desirable, but the Tune Up wasn't! Found out that it's best to get there around 3 p.m. after lunch, but before dinner (not as busy). I commented in my previous post that I would have liked more papusas, well I asked and you can order an extra one a la carte! So I had the normal 2 Papusa plate with one extra, and it was awesome! I was quite ravenous for them that day, so 2 1/2 really fit the bill and I shared the remaining half with my sister. I can't wait to get back and hope that my colon doesn't blow from all of the excitement....oh and food!
(4)Doug W.
This place is a little hard to find, but the garmin put us right on it- it was very busy but they took or order promptly and we were served pretty quick. We got a triple combo, a chicken quesadea, vegetable soup and a salad. It was way worth the moderate price of $9 or so. Highly recommend.
(5)Patrick K.
Tune-Up cafe has one of the best burgers in Santa Fe. Their Papusas are really good as well. Get there early, as this place fills up quick!
(4)Mark N.
I have been to El Salvador so this review is about the Salvadorean food served here, which was the attraction of this place to me and thus what I tried.. First off, a pupusa is a very thick hand made corn tortilla filled with cheese and maybe some vegetables like squash or the bud of a flowering vine that grows in El Salvador called loroco and maybe pork and maybe beans.. Pupusas are typically served with curtido (a lightly fermented cabbage slaw with red chilies and vinegar) and a watery tomato salsa or maybe hot sauce. Within Santa Fe, there are definitely better options if you want to find out what the cuisine of El Salvador is like, the Red Enchilada has much more authentic and tasty pupusas, and there is also Pupuseria y Restaurante Salvadoreno.. Tune-Up is a husband and wife outfit and the guy is from El Salvador.. They have a pretty big menu of somewhat New Mexican or American breakfast items and some pastries, so those may be OK. The place is certainly quite popular..
(2)k d.
I can't say enough good things about this little place. EVERYONE was nice and they ran the place like a well oiled machine. They had three excellent sounding specials, I had one and it was exactly as described. The servers knew the alcohol and made excellent recommendations. They even had a great selection of GLUTEN-FREE desserts (BLESS YOU BLESS YOU) and the pumpkin pie was to die for. We will be back before we leave town and will recommend it to anyone coming to Sanfa Fe.
(5)Evangeline O.
This place is AWESOME! The ambiance is so great. And the food is so good. I like it more at night because of the lights. It made me feel relaxed. My friend already made a blog about this place, and her readers want to try it! We definitely want to go back again!
(5)Q J.
It was closed to the house we rented for a family vacation at Santa Fe. I took the family there per yelpers' recommendations. It's small and cozy, very nice local eatery vibe. We had a fish special and a pupusa/tamale combo plate. And a cup of green chili stew. The stew and fish was great. The combo plate wad good but not as breathtaking as I expected from all the reviews I read. I like the fact they use local and fresh produce. We also ordered a cobbler to share. I would not recommend the cobbler. It was good but nothing special. They have many other desserts that sound awesome.
(4)Mark I.
We dined here New Year's Eve. Love these kinds of places. We are two families, six kids ages 5-12. Cozy and hoppin' with good natured hostess and servers with colorful personalities. The food and wine were terrific, and we felt reasonably priced for the town. Thanks for a great memory.
(5)Tsan A.
We wanted to like this cute little restaurant, but we won't be back. The food sounded great. Some of it even looked fantastic as it passed our table, but at the end of the day, the execution was lacking and everything was just a little "off." We thought the green chile stew was going to be amazing, but It was watery and the meat was tough. The chile relleno was filled with cheap cheese and the salsa topping it was bland; the chile fries were so soggy that they might as well have been mashed potatoes. The salad was very good, but it didn't save the rest of the meal. On the waitress' recommendation, I ordered the Pupusa. We passed the plate around to the other diners and it still didn't get eaten. In short, the food simply was not up to the Southwest standard we're accustomed to when in New Mexico. Stick with Pasqual's. It's worth the hype.
(2)Norman G.
Awesome! One of our favorites in Santa Fe. Try the Mole Colorado, a Papusa, and the deliciously hoppy Butte Creek Organic IPA. Yum!
(5)M O.
This was a nice suggestion from Yelp. The parking lot was full when we got there (don't ask me how, because the place is tiny). But we parked on the street with no problem. They sat us at the only booth in the place, which was nice. Some of the tables looked like community-dining experiences. The dinner entrees come with a salad, and we opted for the Tune-up salad which has roasted beets and a nice vinaigrette. My friend had the Flat-Iron steak which was quite good. I had a special - Chicken smoked in a banana leaf with an orange sauce. I have to say I didn't taste the smoke or the orange, but I had the same problem at several restaurants in Santa Fe. Maybe the altitude affected my taste buds. Anyway, there was a lot of chicken and it was fall-off-the-bone tender. The desserts were very good and home-made - an expresso-brownie sundae and a berry crisp.
(4)Carolyn B.
Stopped here while vacationing in Santa Fe because it was on Triple D. It was a lot smaller than I expected -- there's not much room inside, and maybe in the summer there's good seating outside, but on a winter night we were a bit crammed in. The prices were a bit higher than I was expecting, but the food was pretty good. I had the mole enchilada, which was tasty, although the mole sauce was just okay. The grilled banana on top was absolutely delicious, though! Actually, everything we had could be summed up as "pretty good". Not great, but a nice meal all the same.
(4)David T.
The bottom line: Tasty food, great prices and somewhat self-service. My Santa Fe musician friend (and his artist wife) directed our attention to the Tune-Up. Wife, I, and musician friend ended up here for a reunion lunch (ended up taking my parent back for a round two). As you walk into the Tune-Up you've gotta grab your own menu from the wall near the door. Then pick a place to sit, outside, a community table, or perhaps a table of your own. During my first (and second visit) I had the Salvadorian pupusas (once with meat, once veggie) as I knew one of the owners/chefs was from El Salvador. Crisp-fried outside and warm corny goodness inside, they were delicious. We briefly chatted with one of the owners (the female) and she was very friendly, as was the service. I'd certainly return to the Tune-Up next time in Santa-Fe.
(4)Amber H.
Get that mole with chicken, so very tasty.
(5)Amy W.
The Tune-Up rocks! We were in SF for our honeymoon and read about it in one of our guidebooks -- stopped for lunch and were not disappointed. I had a giganto cheeseburger that was fabulous and I finished every bit of it. The whole vibe is so nice -- cool staff, cozy room, and a sunny patio with funky oil-cloth covered tables that is so perfect to settle in on when it's warm -- which we did on our second visit a few days later for breakfast -- yeah, it's so good we had to come back twice... Split the breakfast burrito and kicked back reading the paper -- blissful end to a terrific week...
(5)James B.
Stopped in for dinner on a whim while driving from Austin to southern Colorado. Thanks to Yelpers for leading us to this great local joint far from the tourist traps! After a short wait we were seated out front. Service was a bit slow and uninterested, but she also looked overworked and the place was packed. That's the only complaint I could even possibly com up with, as the food and ambiance were great. Started with guacamole and chips, and the guac was perfection. For dinner, husband had the Green Chili Beef Stew and the steak, both of which he declared to be superb. I had the squash soup, which was a bit generic and boring compared to his tasty stew, and a chili relleno that was comforting and delicious. Food was simple and honest, great southwestern flavors without burning our taste buds out with too much heat. Next time we drive through Santa Fe, we will definitely stop here again!
(5)Dominique N.
Lovely place for dinner a bit off the usual touristed Plaza. We stuck with the Tex-Mex and had some delicious papusas...they were surprisingly light and had more roasted corn than cheese inside. The house salad, as other have mentioned, is great as well. Best of all though is the cobbler - its done right with real fruit (not the overly sweet canned stuff) and topped off with some seriously delicious crust and ice cream. So leave room for dessert!
(4)Charles W.
Delicious food and great laid back vibe out of the tourist area.
(5)David F.
Came back again in May 2012. Even though it was a bit crowded, we got seated out front fairly quickly. Had a really great mean and so did the person I was with. Can't seem to beat this place most of the time. I'll be back.
(4)Carl P.
i'm not one for communal seating, so this place will likely not be one i visit again. but, the service from the hottie was good and the food is unique and tasty...definitely not your run of the mill restaurant. parking is horrendous but people flock to this place like it's the holy land.
(3)Florence N.
Excellent food at modest prices, good locals' experience. There Salvadorenian chef brings a touch of distinction to some dishes. Special mention goes to the Pupusas, a corn patty similar to the Venezuelan arepas. The service is good, the place tends to be crowded and sometimes smokey in some indoor areas due to a poor ventilation system.
(4)N A.
This is a great place to have breakfast at. The service is great, and the atmosphere is pretty nice too. The food is good, but I still haven't eaten anything that was out of ordinary yet. I mean, everything has been really good, but I just haven't tried anything I can't get at other restaurants.. so tune-up hasn't become my favorite yet...
(3)danielle f.
Decided to go after seeking out places to eat from DDD. The place is in a residential neighborhood and appears unpretentious. The food was worth all the hype and raving by Guy Fieri! The pupusas were phenomenal and the mole chicken enchiladas were to die for!!!! The chili relleno was one of the best I've ever had and the watermelon juice was delicious. I will definitely be returning for breakfast before leaving town.
(5)Jamie A.
Such a fun place to stop in and eat at. Everyone was incredibly nice and the cafe was spotless. Everything we ordered was delicious. I ordered the vegetarian pupusas and they were SOOO good! The portions were good, couldn't finish both of them. Already recommended this place to a few friends! Will defiantly visit again!
(5)lisa s.
Spent a few days sampling the food in Santa fe. This is the only place we just had to go to twice. Everything was delicious and fresh, from enchiladas to pupusas to stew. The service was great and friendly, the atmosphere so casual it seemed like everyone there knew each other. Lots of musicians (carrying instrument cases) came and went, walking or biking by and stopping to chat with friends. We got a taste of the local culture as well as the food. If you go to Santa fe, skip the pricey restaurants and go straight to the heart of the city.
(5)Spaceman S.
What more can be said? this place is excellent. Service is fast and friendly and the food is super tasty American cuisine, with a local New Mexico flair. I had the flank steak with beans, which came with a dab of guacamole and salsa in them. The steak had green chile on it, and it was the most tender and tasty flank steak I ever ate. The place is an old house, so the dining room is a bit crowded, got brushed by the waitresses a few times, but didn't mind. I'm not sure what they could do to improve the room in their other than blowing out one of the walls and expanding. in the meantime, just get there a little early or a little late to beat the crowd. I'd give them five stars, but need to go there a few more times to confirm my opinion. FYI, if you have 6 or more in your party you need to call for reservations.
(4)Bianca R.
This is a great laid back place for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Feels like home. We came in hungry after a hike and ordered guacamole and chips to tide us over. Very creamy and tasty. I had glass of white wine that was surprisingly lovely for the price point. I ordered the chile rellenos (which were fantastic) but the cheeseburger was the best dish at the table...next time I am going for the burger and can't wait to try the pupusas!! The desserts looked fabulous too!
(5)april k.
Nice place, ambiance, service. The food was very good and it was not far from the freeway. The pupusas were wonderful. We will definitely be back.
(4)Jeff A.
Well I will not continue the lamenting of losing Dave's. I finally went to Tune Up and found it perfectly charming. Great atmosphere and full of locals! The menu offers twists on local favorites to avoid being too easily confused and blended with the dozens of other Santa Fe restaurants. I recommend trying this place! You'll find local people, local ingredients, bold flavors, and a welcoming family type atmosphere. There are always smiles on the faces of customers and staff. That is usually a great sign!
(4)jennifer b.
i went here friday night with 2 friends. at 6:30, there were plenty of tables to choose from, but it got packed pretty quickly. i loved the laid back atmosphere. it was small & cute with a very mixed crowd of locals, young and old, with definitely some artists thrown in. i'm from brooklyn and i felt very comfortable there! the chef is from el salvador, so the menu features a lot of those dishes, but it is definitely a mixed menu as many restaurants in santa fe have. i got the chicken enchiladas ($12) with red & green chile, and it was quite tasty! it came with rice & beans & a homemade flour tortilla which was delicious. my dining companions got pupusas which i became quite envious of once i tasted them. they were so delicious! i am quite familiar with salvadoran food as there are many restaurants where i lived in dc. this was seriously tasty! and maybe it was a more gourmet version of pupusas, since the ones i've had have tasted more homey and basic. it was crisp on the outside, and filled with meat & cheese. mmmmmmm! we tried the fruit cobbler with ice cream ($6), which i loved because it reminded me of the cobblers we made when i was a kid--it definitely had that homemade taste, not that straight-out-of-a-sysco-box taste. it was only after this dining experience that i discovered it was on that food network show. so, i do hope it's good for their business but doesn't make it impossible to get into in the future. i plan on returning there all summer during my stay here! and i will bring my friends!
(4)Jorge N. D.
I loved this place. Many organic choices on the menu. Great ambiance! Service was prompt and curteous!
(4)Abby A.
delicious brunch. delicious.
(5)Linda R.
Driving thru and had a great lunch. Definitely worth the stop.
(4)Leahi M.
The Pupusas are amazing! I'm very glad I got to come here...the atmosphere is excellent. I went on a first date here and we ended up staying for three hours after we were finished with our meal. Definitely an experience to remember!
(5)Bob S.
Fun little place with some of the best breakfast Chile Rellenos and Pupusas we have had. Very kicked back atmosphere in a small place. Loved it.
(5)Stephanie L.
We came across this place by suggestion and will be sure to hit it up each time we're in Santa Fe. They have a large selection of gluten free meals/desserts that were all amazing. The place doesn't look like much form the outside, inside is smallish...to be honest I didn't expect much. I was wrong! Presentation, service, quality, flavor were all outstanding. It's been a few months since we were there and we're still talking about it and craving more...a true highlight of our trip.
(5)attack t.
The Tuneup was my baby boy's very first outing after his birth. We love this place!
(5)Edwina G.
LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this restaurant! grew up across the street when it was the original Tomasita's, and tried Dave's once, this is a great place. We closed our business for the 4th of july, and decided to try this Cafe after reading many reviews on it. We have a coffee shop, so priority is great coffee, they use a local company and we were happy with our coffee. The food? now that was stellar, hubby had a great breakfast burrito (red), I had lunch for breakfast, as is my habit, and loved it (it was the ginger chicken sandwich). I had to keep stealing red chile off my hubby's plate, because it is just that good. Dana is an old acqaaintance from my SFBC days, so super to see him there, we reminisced, and Iwill most certainly return and bring folks with me too. Glad to see my old stomping ground still serving great food.
(5)Fang A.
My wife and I went here when we were on a road trip around the U.S. We saw this on Triple D and wanted to give it a try. Wow. The food is really good. Quality and freshness of food is extremely important in my book, and this place delivered. We will def go back when we are in NM again.
(5)John K.
We have been to Santa Fe about 10 times and have a few favorite places to eat. Tune-Up goes on the list and near the top. This is located in a local neighborhood and is an eclectic place on a busy street. We go for the food, which is fabulous. Someone mentioned that the chef used to work at Pascual's, which is testimony enough. We also had brunch here, and it was delicious as well. Maybe the best pancakes I've ever eaten. They buy fresh and healthy ingredients and create some very interesting dishes. Recommend the Salvadorean combo plate for dinner. Don't miss this on your trip to Santa Fe.
(5)