| Santa Fe Restaurant Reviews |
| El Paragua Restaurant New Mexican 602 New Mexico Hwy 76 (at Riverside Dr.), Espanola, NM 505-753-3211 |
Santa Fe Restaurant Review:
Located about 25 minutes north of Santa Fe in the town of Espanola, El Paragua restaurant
has attracted notice from food-o-philes nationwide.
SETTING - El Paragua (pronounced "pah-RAH-wa") is just off Riverside Dr. the main
north-south road, one block east on N.M. Highway 76 in Espanola. The business was started as
a taco stand by two brothers in 1958. In 1966 it was moved into the tack rooms of the family
home and then into an adjoining plumber's shop. More additions followed. An updated version
of the original taco stand, "El Parasol", is still located right next door.
FOOD - When it comes to New Mexican style food, this is the Real Thing. The reviewer
from the New York Times wrote, "El Paragua is a place on which a food critic can stake his
reputation". Need I say more? This place has become one of my "regulars". There are some
New Mexican restaurants in Santa Fe that can approach it, but none that can top it. Check out
the El Paragua web site to see the menu (which is more extensive than what is on the web --
my favorites being any enchiladas, anything with Carne Adovada or Posole, and the Carne Asada
Tampiquena. If you have time, take a look at the photos, which (in addition to the restaurant)
include guests Robert F. Kennedy, Robert Redford, Anthony Quinn, and Dustin Hoffman. (My
photo will follow soon, I'm sure.) Excellent margaritas -- they don't skimp on the tequila. This
place is consistently busy at peak times, and it's mostly locals -- always a good sign.
AMBIANCE - Rustic & original: rough stone, hand-hewn viga beams, a very large tree growing
up through the roof of the bar, a maze of rooms. No fake adobe here -- just some old buildings
that evolved into a restaurant many years ago. Park in the rear and you'll find the biggest
cottonwood tree you've ever seen.
BOTTOM LINE - Top notch Mexican food. El Paragua is as authentic as it gets.
Located about 25 minutes north of Santa Fe in the town of Espanola, El Paragua restaurant
has attracted notice from food-o-philes nationwide.
SETTING - El Paragua (pronounced "pah-RAH-wa") is just off Riverside Dr. the main
north-south road, one block east on N.M. Highway 76 in Espanola. The business was started as
a taco stand by two brothers in 1958. In 1966 it was moved into the tack rooms of the family
home and then into an adjoining plumber's shop. More additions followed. An updated version
of the original taco stand, "El Parasol", is still located right next door.
FOOD - When it comes to New Mexican style food, this is the Real Thing. The reviewer
from the New York Times wrote, "El Paragua is a place on which a food critic can stake his
reputation". Need I say more? This place has become one of my "regulars". There are some
New Mexican restaurants in Santa Fe that can approach it, but none that can top it. Check out
the El Paragua web site to see the menu (which is more extensive than what is on the web --
my favorites being any enchiladas, anything with Carne Adovada or Posole, and the Carne Asada
Tampiquena. If you have time, take a look at the photos, which (in addition to the restaurant)
include guests Robert F. Kennedy, Robert Redford, Anthony Quinn, and Dustin Hoffman. (My
photo will follow soon, I'm sure.) Excellent margaritas -- they don't skimp on the tequila. This
place is consistently busy at peak times, and it's mostly locals -- always a good sign.
AMBIANCE - Rustic & original: rough stone, hand-hewn viga beams, a very large tree growing
up through the roof of the bar, a maze of rooms. No fake adobe here -- just some old buildings
that evolved into a restaurant many years ago. Park in the rear and you'll find the biggest
cottonwood tree you've ever seen.
BOTTOM LINE - Top notch Mexican food. El Paragua is as authentic as it gets.
| The successor to the original taco stand, right next door. They say that this cottonwood tree is 300 years old. I wouldn't argue with them. |
