| Santa Fe Restaurant Reviews |
| Maria's New Mexican 555 West Cordova, Santa Fe, NM 505-983-7929 |
Santa Fe Restaurant Review:
A poll of Santa Fe chefs voted Maria's restaurant as the best "New Mexican" food in Santa
Fe. It attracts knowledgable Mexican food lovers from far and wide.
SETTING - A building dating back to 1952, a couple miles south of downtown Santa Fe.
FOOD - Casual New Mexican. This classic Santa Fe -- you'll find thick tamales and
excellent chile rellenos. For me, the ultimate is any plate with a taco (fresh-made, world class
tacos here), or the Blue Corn Enchiladas with Carne Adovada inside (an extra $2 for the
Adovada). Wow. And if you like margaritas, this is the place. Maria's industrial-strength
margaritas are the best in town -- in my opinion, and also that of Santa Fean magazine which
has voted it "Best in Santa Fe" for 15 straight years now -- and Maria's has a long list to
choose from. The 100% Agave "House Traditional" ($7.00) is the way to go. I know -- I've
had more than a few.
TEQUILAS - Whoa! Maria's can quickly become a party, because they serve a hundred
different tequilas, and the usual "top shelf" standards like Cuervo Gold aren't even good
enough to make the cut here. Try a "flight" of 3 one-half ounce samples served in stemmed
crystal glasses. Maria's gives you a list with 3 columns: the left is premium Silver (light)
tequilas, the middle is premium Gold tequilas, and the right is the super premium Anejo
("ahn-YAY-ho": aged) tequilas. For $10, you pick one of each. We pass them around the table.
You don't need to "shoot" them -- they're silky-smooth sipping tequilas. If you've never had a
really good tequila before, Maria's is the place.
AMBIANCE - Maria's is always busy. Park in back. The interior of the restaurant is
tastefully understated with white-washed walls, wood floors, and a slightly western look. No
touristy Mexican decor here. The building has been added onto several times, so it rambles
into various rooms.
RESERVATIONS - They do take reservations, which I've never done, but they might be
worthwhile at peak times like weekends.
BOTTOM LINE - I was reading an interview of actor Val Kilmer not long ago. He owns a
ranch near Santa Fe, and his favorite place for Mexican food is . . . Maria's. No surprise.
Their web site.
A poll of Santa Fe chefs voted Maria's restaurant as the best "New Mexican" food in Santa
Fe. It attracts knowledgable Mexican food lovers from far and wide.
SETTING - A building dating back to 1952, a couple miles south of downtown Santa Fe.
FOOD - Casual New Mexican. This classic Santa Fe -- you'll find thick tamales and
excellent chile rellenos. For me, the ultimate is any plate with a taco (fresh-made, world class
tacos here), or the Blue Corn Enchiladas with Carne Adovada inside (an extra $2 for the
Adovada). Wow. And if you like margaritas, this is the place. Maria's industrial-strength
margaritas are the best in town -- in my opinion, and also that of Santa Fean magazine which
has voted it "Best in Santa Fe" for 15 straight years now -- and Maria's has a long list to
choose from. The 100% Agave "House Traditional" ($7.00) is the way to go. I know -- I've
had more than a few.
TEQUILAS - Whoa! Maria's can quickly become a party, because they serve a hundred
different tequilas, and the usual "top shelf" standards like Cuervo Gold aren't even good
enough to make the cut here. Try a "flight" of 3 one-half ounce samples served in stemmed
crystal glasses. Maria's gives you a list with 3 columns: the left is premium Silver (light)
tequilas, the middle is premium Gold tequilas, and the right is the super premium Anejo
("ahn-YAY-ho": aged) tequilas. For $10, you pick one of each. We pass them around the table.
You don't need to "shoot" them -- they're silky-smooth sipping tequilas. If you've never had a
really good tequila before, Maria's is the place.
AMBIANCE - Maria's is always busy. Park in back. The interior of the restaurant is
tastefully understated with white-washed walls, wood floors, and a slightly western look. No
touristy Mexican decor here. The building has been added onto several times, so it rambles
into various rooms.
RESERVATIONS - They do take reservations, which I've never done, but they might be
worthwhile at peak times like weekends.
BOTTOM LINE - I was reading an interview of actor Val Kilmer not long ago. He owns a
ranch near Santa Fe, and his favorite place for Mexican food is . . . Maria's. No surprise.
Their web site.
