Some years ago we caused quite a thoroughly impolite dustup when we announced we'd NEVER eat at Chipotle after the chain opened its Santa Fe location. We just don't super-duper like chains, man. We're not really a chain person. We're, like, local 'til we die types—mostly because we feel better spending our dollars there. We know all the "but locals work at chains!" arguments, and we know all the stuff about how they're often more accessible to people without money and we know that blah blah blah blah blah. This is a personal preference, bro.
And yet...
Somehow, La Forkette (being our partner) talked us into eating at Chili's here in Santa Fe with big promises about a new kind of mozzarella stick that took social media by storm. And so we went. And so we ate the sticks. And so it was. And it was fine.
First off, we're not sure "make it, like, wider!" is as big a mozzarella stick innovation as folks on TikTok would like you to believe, and the dang things really just tasted like any other mozz stick we've ever had at Denny's or wherever—y'know, vaguely herby and greasy yet delicious somehow and the tang of the included marinara sauce also tasted pretty good and also it was crispy and fried, so what's our problem? Secondly? We had a smash burger that was totally good. Better than we thought. Other than the smashie part (smashed burgers are smashed burgers, btw), the taste was reminiscent of the Bob's Big Boy Burgers of our youth. This thing came with American cheese, diced onion and thousand island dressing—total score, totally good.
Will we go back to Chili's? Nope. And we'll tell you why: It's loud as fuck in there, boyee. All 750 televisions were absolutely BLARING some sports match, and we couldn't think. Still, the service from a nice young tattooed gentleman was totally top-notch and we hope the Chili's overlords understand he deserves a raise.
In summation, if you're dying for a fatter mozzarella stick that does the stretchy cheese thing, you could do worse than Chili's. Also, we kind of loved the burger. Also? We hear they have baby back ribs. Still, we'll keep hanging around Santa Fe Bite and Second Street Brewery for our burger needs. Actually, One Trick Pony Burger is good as hell, too. Don't @ us.
They never say "ribs."
Also
- Local weaver Rhiannon Griego has partnered with chef Roberto Madero of Todos Santos for the Tatemado Itinerant Feast event slated for a private venue at 5 pm on October 19. We tell you this now a month in advance because seating is reportedly quite limited. At $170 per person, it's also bit of a splurge, but Griego's textile work is phenomenal and the included tatemado-cooked meal (if'n you didn't know, tatemado is a traditional Mexican fire pit technique) is sure to be a stunner. If you'd like more info or to reserve your spot, email Griego at info@rhiannongriego.com. The venue will be revealed closer to the date.
- The Bite newsletter from Edible NM has a pretty cool piece about mocktails available in the area, and while we're saddened to see Dinner For Two in Santa Fe didn't make the list, there are still plenty of other options for teetotalers such as your friend The Fork, our mom's friend Natalie and whoever else you know who doesn't imbibe. Who made the list? Well, Santa Fe's El Nido did (though our food critic wasn't impressed by the Tesuque eatery), as did The Stakeout in Ranchos de Taos, Saltos in Arroyo Seco and others.
- If you like pairing wine with art, Gruet Winery's Santa Fe Tasting Room has partnered with artist Ruth Austin for a tasting/viewing at 6 pm on Thursday, Sept. 19 (the same day this Fork drops, so sorry for the late notice). For more info, click here.
- The New Mexico Restaurant Association held its surprisingly non-creatively named 2024 Hospitality Industry Awards earlier this week at Sandia Resort & Casino in Albuquerque, and it was a pretty big night. Wayne Moore of DH Lescombes Winery and Bistros took the Restaurateur of the Year title with Jambo Café chef Ahmed Obo cinching the Chef of the Year category (Obo has also won SFR's Best of Santa Fe chef category for more years than we can remember, which is great and have nothing but respect for Obo, but maybe we could all look at some other chefs around here, like, oh, say, Eduardo Rodriguez of Zacatlán?). You can see a full list of winners by clicking this link.
- Speaking of Zacatlán, we're not sure how we missed the restaurant's big fourth birthday in July, but we wanna congratulate chef/owner Eduardo Rodriguez for getting them Beard Award nominations (which are somehow still not called Beardos, which infuriates us), plus all the killer food he makes. Rodriguez recently took over TerraCotta Wine Bistro, too, so that rules. We've yet to eat there, but after numerous next-level meals at Zacatlán, we really wanna. Last we heard, and we couldn't confirm this has changed yet, there was an issue serving alcohol, so please call ahead (like, we could be wrong that that's still an issue, we just wanted to mention it so you have all the info we do). Zing.
We aren't saying this is a good song per se, but we were weirdly mesmerized my its piano.
More Tidbits
- Regular readers likely know we have a writer's crush on Eater-dot-com's Jaya Saxena, who this week has a pretty glorious piece about how influencers' need to take lights into restaurants for content's sake are pretty rude. We jive with this.
- Gross-out warning: A new story from the folks at Food 7 Wine-dot-com delves into how our cutting boards (not specifically us, but, like, everyone's) are super-duper gross. Now, keep in mind there are factors to consider here, and we're pretty sure anything in our homes that gets touched a lot is gross. And though we'll spare you the nitty-gritty in this particular item, know that it's worth a read, just do it when you're not eating.
- As. we were talking about burgers before, we have some news about a popular burger, but it'll be bad news for some of you. It seems that Five Guys' cheeseburger is officially the un-healthiest cheeseburger in the country. We've tried it. It's fine. It's no Laguna Burger, but what is? Anyway, lots of other burgers made the list following a study from PlushCare, including Carl's Jr. and Whataburger. Our hot take? Burgers are obviously not great for you, but you've gotta eat 'em sometimes.
A totally scientific breakdown of The Fork's correspondence
In this week's edition of SFR, a visit to the Southside's Tribes Coffee House proves ultimately disappointing despite numerous recommendations from the townsfolk.
Number of Letters Received: 29
*Many of you long for an In-n-Out in Santa Fe. Just sayin'.
Most Helpful Tip of the Week (a barely edited letter from a reader):
"No one should read this."
*Did...did you come to that conclusion after you read it?
Actually Helpful Tip(s):
"Molly at [Bakery Feliz] makes great ice cream sandwiches and Key lime pie. Her cakes and cookies are the best in Santa Fe."
*Thanks for the tip, Tilda S! We will suck it up and eat that pie in the name of science!
Mozzarella stuck,
The Fork
