Best Business: Cerrillos Road
1. Beck & Bulow
With its premium meats, seafood and charcuterie, Beck & Bulow founders Tony Beck & John-Paul Bulow have built a business with loyal customers who would likely follow them to any neighborhood. “A big thank you to everyone who voted for us,” reads an email statement from the company. “We are honored to supply Santa Fe with steaks that are ‘better than sex’ according to one of our loyal customers in his 70s.”
1934 Cerrillos Road, (505) 428-6827
2. CHOMP
CHOMP proprietor Ken Joseph has slowly but steadily built the local food hall into something special. Whether you’re after quality baked goods from Wild Leaven; Cambodian magic from chef Nath; some of the city’s best pizza from Oshia’s; charcuterie from Picnic NM—or a full bar, live music and parties—CHOMP’s got it.
505 Cerrillos Road, (505) 772-0946
3. Century Bank
Banks are perhaps not entirely sexy as far as businesses go, but Santa Feans are looking for trustworthy institutions to best keep and handle their money. SFR’s readers say Century Bank is top on Cerrillos Road, though you’ll find others dotted around town with friendly workers and practices you can trust since 1887.
4062 Cerrillos Road, (505) 995-1200
Best Business: Downtown
Owner Dorothy Massey has run her award-winning store in two different downtown locations in the 28 years she’s owned the business. The Galisteo Street location afforded the popular bookstore more space to add a coffee shop and comfy seating. Why would you ever leave? About winning best downtown business for the second year in a row, Massey praises the downtown business community as a whole: “Santa Fe downtown businesses are a strongly bound, tight-knit community sharing ideas on everything from marketing to safety,” she says. “And we work together to keep this area the city’s gem.”
202 Galisteo St., (505) 988-4226
2. Doodlet’s
Doodlet’s may have won first place in the childrens’ toy store category this year, but make no mistake: Everyone, regardless of age, has fun visiting this downtown mainstay. Doodlet’s defines whimsical, with its floor-to-ceiling array of candy, miniatures, cards, novelty items, folk art, books—the list goes on and on. Plus: friendly sales folks and a joyous environment.
120 Don Gaspar Ave., (505) 983-3771
Walking into this downtown hotel is like walking into history. La Fonda celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2022 and has a PBS special documenting the important role it’s played in the city’s history. Locals love it for the history, its live music scene in La Fiesta Lounge, the killer views to complement the killer margaritas on the Bell Tower Rooftop Bar and the authentic New Mexican grub in La Plazuela Restaurant (and that’s barely the half of it).
100 E San Francisco St., (505) 982-5511
Best Business: Eldorado
1. Café Fina
SFR staffers have made no secret of our love for Murphy O’Brien’s glorious brunch and breakfast joint at the mouth of the Eldorado subdivision, nor have readers, who voted Café Fina as the best biz out there for the third year running. You can get a killer burger at Café Fina, no question, but nothing beats the cloud cakes for our money, as they’re the sort of fluffy and tasty pancakes most restaurants can’t muster. The employees seem upbeat, too!
624 Old Las Vegas Hwy., (505) 466-3886
Once upon a time, the denizens of Eldorado had scant few options for food and drink, but the area now boasts some of the best eateries and drinkeries around. According to our readers, those in the neighborhood should head to the Eldorado Coffee Corral for a nice cup of joe.
7 Caliente Road Suite A-4, (505) 466-3510
Make your nerd jokes if you must, but behind every good card, board and TTRPG shop lies a community of passionate and fun-loving people brought together by the love of play. WZKD has it all, from popular board games and MTG to Warhammer, Star Wars, Yu-Gi-Oh! and…well, it’s a lot. And it rules.
7 Avenida Vista Grande, B-4, (505) 490-3600
Kelli Johansen
Santa Fe Farmer’s Market
Best Business: Railyard/Guadalupe District
The Santa Fe Farmers’ Market’s popularity should come as no surprise to anyone who has ever been to the market on a Saturday morning and run into everyone they have ever known while buying farm fresh lettuce, eggs, kimchi, roasted green chile, mixed-berry juice—well, the list goes on. Attending this Saturday/Tuesday morning institution isn’t just a shopping experience; it’s a community ritual. “We are honored to have been selected as the Best Business in the Railyard!” Santa Fe Farmers’ Market CEO Debbie Burns says in a statement. “Thank you, Santa Fe, for your support! The Santa Fe Farmers’ Market has proudly served this location since 2010, contributing to its vibrant community for 14 years. We are grateful to be a part of such a thriving neighborhood!”
1607 Paseo de Peralta, (505) 983-4098
2. Violet Crown
Violet Crown’s arrival in the Railyard almost 10 years ago was such a game changer, we can barely imagine or remember what life was like before. If all founder Bill Banowsky had done was bring delicious food and drink to a theater with comfortable seating that would have been enough. But he also brought excellent programming, special events and a community focus.
1606 Alcaldesa St., (505) 216-5678
If you spot someone wearing the cutest and coolest New Mexico attire around, odds are good they picked it up at FS2 Supply Co., a family-run company that lets locals wear their New Mexico pride on their sleeve (or hat). The company also partners with Santa Fe Kiwanis and has a 100th anniversary T-shirt designed by artist Michael E. Martinez for sale this year.
500 Market St., Suite 108, (505) 920-4356
Best Business: Rufina and Siler District
1. Second Street Brewery (Rufina Taproom)
Sure, it stung when the stalwart local brewery/concert venue/restaurant shuttered its original location on its namesake street in 2022, but the city took it in stride after falling in love with the Rufina Street location. Setting aside the sudsy goodness, the Midtown Second Street hosts some of the best shows in town and serves up a menu with longtime faves, regular specials and the type of staff that remembers the regulars and makes a night out fun and easy.
2920 Rufina St., (505) 954-1068
2. Kitchenality
We’ve all been in that situation that calls for some kitchen doodad or piece of cookware we don’t have. But rather than spending a fortune, we can turn to the Kitchenality resale store from nonprofit Kitchen Angels. You’ll cook better and the org dedicated to serving meals to the homebound picks up a little funding. Win/win.
1222 Siler Road, (505) 471-7780
Santa Fe is a clay-lovin’ town, but with no shortage of ways to learn the art, where do you turn? To Paseo Pottery. Not only does owner Angela Kirkman offer tons of workshops with guest instructors and masters, the nonprofit donates 100% of its income after costs to local charities as voted upon by its students and patrons.
1273 Calle de Comercio, (505) 988-7687
Best Business: Southside
The Southside spinoff of the historic downtown Plaza Café has won this spot more years than we can even remember, and its place within the “best place in town!” discourse has been nothing if not steadfast. It was also the first spot in town to offer the Impossible burger, boasts one of the most popular breakfast menus in the land and still serves up the kind of chile that even draws the downtowners. “We really appreciate our great customers,” owner Leonardo Razatos says, “and we’re really honored to be in Best Of Santa Fe once again.”
3466 Zafarano Drive, (505) 424-0755
2. Fusion Tacos
In its early days, Fusion Tacos kind of came out of nowhere—an upstart taco truck with a penchant for birria. Word-of-mouth spread quickly and, to date, Fusion Tacos has opened up 13 regional locations spanning trucks and brick-and-mortar, plus sister restaurant Fusion Delicias Café. The real ones, though, swear by Fusion’s Southside origins. We’ll take the carnitas tacos, crispy.
5984 Airport Road, (505) 501-3677
San Isidro Plaza has no shortage of popular restaurants, but when you want a strong cup of coffee to go with your food, you choose Tribes. The baked goods and bowls are legendary among locals, but the specials turn heads, too (hellllloooo, sweet potato chile cheese fries). Of course, if you just need caffeine on the go, you can do that, too.
3470 Zafarano Drive, (505) 473-3615
Best Business: St. Michael’s Drive/Triangle District
Though it’ll always be Bobcat Bite to some of us, Santa Fe’s favorite burger joint is now also your favorite business on St. Michael’s Drive. Obviously they’ve got the aforementioned burgers—and new-ish owners Anglea Mason and Armando Rivas aren’t messing with the recipe—but folks also love the Saturday-only fried chicken and New Mexican options, too. If you can pry yourself away from the green chile cheeseburger long enough to try the tacos or chalupa plate, you might find a new love.
1616 St. Michael’s Drive, (505) 428-0328
2. The Candyman Strings & Things
If you currently or have ever played an instrument, joined a band or needed anything related to making music, you’ve certainly visited Rand and Cindy Cook’s Midtown mecca. The Cooks take care of the locals, too, with personalized service, workshops for youths, regular sales, constant camaraderie and a level of community engagement that’s unparalleled.
851 St. Michael’s Drive, (505) 983-5906
3. State Employees Credit Union
Welcome to the lineup, State Employees Credit Union! As for the rest of you? No, you needn’t work for the state to open an account—you just need to live, work or worship in Santa Fe and six other nearby counties. Beyond that, the CU maintains a local perspective across a wide variety of services. What more can you ask for?
813 St. Michael’s Drive, (505) 983-7328
Best Business: Westside/Alameda/Agua Fría
1. Piccolino
Santa Fe’s favorite Italian restaurant is also locals’ favorite stop on the west end of town, offering unwavering family-friendly service on the busy corner of Agua Fría near Siler, and quite possibly the largest menu in town. Seriously, Piccolino’s boasts more than a dozen pasta dishes alone. We’re partial to Olga’s Favorite: grilled eggplant, garlic, tomato, basil, and goat cheese, named after co-owner Olga Tarango-Jimenez, who runs the bustling restaurant with her entire family. You’ll feel welcome in the homey eatery, with its checkered tablecloths and friendly service. Bring an appetite.
2980 Agua Fría St., (505) 471-1480
One need only bite into a fresh veggie or piece of fruit from this West Alameda mainstay to know there’s a better quality of food out there than big grocery would have you believe. La Montañita is committed to organic excellence across the board, and you’ll also find no shortage of crazy good ice cream treats while you’re there—for vegans, too!
913 W Alameda St., (505) 984-2852
You’ll almost never find owner Tom Frost’s place anything but packed, and it’s been that way from the beginning. Find rotating coffee roasts from Stumptown on the daily, plus teas and cold drinks and the famous breakfast burrito in-a-jar; and do those things in a nicely appointed and bright ‘n’ breezy space perfect for hanging.
905 W Alameda St., (505) 780-5638
Best Eco-Friendly Business
Not only does the Reunity Resources farm host excellent concerts on the regular, its commitment to community-scale agriculture is unparalleled. In addition to the regular farm action one might expect, Reunity also stocks a fridge for those in need, offers classes for kids, runs a farm stand and welcomes locals to come see and learn how it’s done. “We’re so excited,” Program Director Juliana Ciano tells SFR. “We know that a supportive community is what makes this work possible, so we’re just grateful to be here doing good work with so many people.”
1829 San Ysidro Crossing, (505) 393-1196
According to the Plastic Oceans organization, humans dump roughly 10 million tons of plastics into the ocean each year, so what’s a person to do? In Santa Fe, you can take a bite out of the issue with Soap & Supply, a local outfit that combats single-use plastics by refilling common items (like soap and beauty products) that often come packaged in plastic containers.
1925 Rosina St., (505) 772-0644
3. Broken Arrow Glass Recycling
This has been a good year for the Santa Fe company on a mission to re- and upcycle “as much glass we can.” In addition to the ongoing curbside glass pickup program for its current 300 residential and 20 commercial clients, Broken Arrow picked up $83,000 in job training funding from the state in May to add to an $18,000 award from the New Mexico Regional Development Corporation the month before.
17715 US 84/285 Suite B, brokenarrowglassrecycling.com
Best Employer
1. Solace Sexual Assault Services
For Solace Sexual Assault Services Executive Director María José Rodríguez Cádiz, recognition as an employer carries significant weight. The nonprofit has led the way in offering its employees paid family and medical leave, along with four-day work weeks and other benefits. Its focus on its staff earned it platinum-level recognition in last year’s Family-Friendly Business New Mexico Awards in the areas of pay equity; diversity and community investment. “This is very important and difficult work,” Cádiz tells SFR, “so to have professionals who can care for themselves and their families while doing this amazing and relevant service is fundamental. It is on us to stay as healthy and able to respond to the next person as human beings can be. That is what survivors deserve.”
6601 Valentine Way, (505) 988-1951
2. State Employees Credit Union
SECU makes the list again, this time as an employer, and we think we know why: People who get to work in ways that impact the community are happy people, and the State Employees Credit Union is dedicated to impacting the lives of locals. As a gentle reminder, too, you don’t need to work for the state to join, you just need to live here.
813 St. Michael’s Drive, (505) 983-7328
3. Century Bank
SFR readers seriously like Century Bank, it seems, as it has now hit the Local Living section for a second time. Again, this one has been around since the 1800s, so it’s clearly doing something right. Perhaps that has something to do with the bank’s simple vision: to be the bank of choice in the communities it serves.
4062 Cerrillos Road, (505) 995-1200
Best New Book by a New Mexico Author
1. The Way of the Bear by Anne
Carrying on legendary Southwestern writer Tony Hillerman’s legacy might seem like a heavy load, but author Anne Hillerman has made it look easy, and has made the fictional world her father created her own. Her latest, The Way of the Bear, continues the Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito series, as Navajo Tribal Police officers Jim Chee and Bernadette Manuelito tackle unexpected violence on the outskirts of Utah’s Bears Ears National Monument. “Illicit romance, a fossilized jawbone, hints of witchcraft and a mysterious disappearance during a blizzard add to the peril,” the book’s synopsis notes. Winner of both the 2023 New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards for best mystery and the 2023 New Mexico Book Association Southwest Book Design award, Hillerman’s eighth book in the series will appeal to newbies and Dark Winds fans alike.
2. Dog Lessons: Learning the Important Stuff from Our Best Friends by Hersch Wilson
What can we learn from our canine friends? A better question might be: What can’t we learn? Firefighter, writer and speaker Hersch Wilson’s book takes his lifetime of living with dogs to offer life lessons. For instance, Wilson’s 8-year-old Bernese Mountain dog Nellie taught him “how to be old,” he writes, even as she suffered various ailments, from a broken leg to partial blindness. “Her spirit was stoic,” Wilson writes. “She emanated grit, a determination that as long as she was with her people, she’d go on.”
3. Farewell Cuba, Mi Isla by Alexandra Diaz
Santa Fe resident and award-winning children’s and young adult author Alexandra Diaz is the daughter of Cuban refugees. Her latest middle-grade novel Farewell Cuba, Mi Isla takes inspiration from her parents’ lived experience to tell the story of Victoria’s and her family’s forced emigration from Cuba circa 1960 to Miami, leaving their family—and Victoria’s best friend—behind.
Kelli Johansen
The Food Depot
Best Nonprofit
When The Food Depot’s long-serving Executive Director Sherry Hooper left the organization at the end of June after serving in that role for more than 20 years, she left behind a nonprofit (now ably helmed by former Deputy Director Jill Dixon) that tackles Northern New Mexico’s entrenched food insecurity issues with muscular fortitude. The numbers alone tell the story: The Food Depot, along with its partners, distribute 10 million pounds of food across nine service areas each year. Last year alone, its fleet traveled 400,000 miles to bring services to 40,000 people experiencing hunger. The Food Depot also helps Santa Feans help its neighbors through annual community events such as The Souper Bowl, support for local food drives, volunteer opportunities and more. The Food Depot’s largest fundraiser is underway right now, in fact: The Neighbor to Neighbor Fund Drive continues through Sept. 23. Learn more at thefooddepot.org.
1222 Siler Road A, (505) 471-1633
Like The Food Depot, this nonprofit, which serves homebound and chronically ill residents nutritious meals, is facing a change in leadership. Executive Director Tony McCarty, who has served in that role for more than 30 years, will retire at the end of 2024. He grew an organization that began with 30 volunteers in 1992 to one with 350 who had served more than 2 million meals by last year. Its work is crucial, and Santa Fe appreciates and thanks them.
1222 Siler Road, (505) 471-7780
Chief Executive Officer Jan M McCray leads this nonprofit dedicated to providing shelter and services to people threatened by domestic violence. Its resources include counseling, transitional housing, court advocacy and programs for immigrants and children. Esperanza runs a 24-hour crisis hotline: (505) 473-5200 or (800) 473-5220
3130 Rufina St., (505) 474-5536
Best Nonprofit for the Environment
Reunity Resources has ecology on the mind, and it’s an ethos that has served the farm well since its 2019 opening. This is no willy-nilly dig and grow operation, but rather a concerted effort to engage in the best practices for production and the environment. This means thoughtful water use strategies and seasonal know-how, plus a dedicated effort for both the present and future of the farm and community.
1829 San Ysidro Crossing, (505) 393-1196
Museum Hill isn’t just for museums, Santa Fe, it’s also where you’ll find our sprawling Santa Fe Botanical Garden. Take a tour through the myriad plants and trees and such while learning about local ecosystems, but know you can also catch live music, storytellers and sometimes even Shakespeare, but always something good for the whole fam.
715 Camino Lejo, (505) 471-9103
3. Randall Davey Audubon Center & Sanctuary
Take the drive to the tippy-top of Upper Canyon Road to find yourself at the intersection of hiking, wildlife, bird tours and more. This one’s great for the kids, no question, but adults can learn a lot or possibly even volunteer for the only nature center in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristos.
1800 Upper Canyon Road, (505) 983-4609
Best Outdoor Trail
The Santa Fe River Trail is more than a trail—it’s an ecosystem of everything important in Santa Fe: wildlife, humans, dogs, trees and, of course, the Santa Fe River. Spend an hour walking, riding, skating or even sitting on or along the trail to be part of the community. Right now, the recreational byway runs several miles from St. Francis Drive to Siler Road, but will continue extending in the years to come, following bond approval by voters to do. “It’s wonderful to hear it’s getting the love it deserves,” Santa Fe Watershed Association Executive Director Morika Vorenberg Hensley tells SFR of the trail’s first-place win. The Watershed Association works with the City of Santa Fe and Santa Fe County in its work to protect the river through community cleanup days, the upcoming Watershed Fest (Sept. 21-26) and a community-science project mapping the “leading edge” of the river as it changes through the seasons (check it out at santafewatershed.org/leading-edge). “Just like the river itself, the trail is an artery of our city that brings us together and brings us closer to this thing that makes it possible for us to live here,” Hensley says. “Something I love to remind people is that if you’re seeing a dry river bed and wondering where the Santa Fe River is, just look around you at your fellow people or yourself: The Santa Fe River is inside you.”
Multiple access points, but Frenchy’s Field, 2001 Agua Fría St., is a popular hub
Hikers, bikers and equestrians can explore more than 40 miles of trails on close to 10,000 acres in the Galisteo Basin Preserve, an area whose conservation efforts have been hard fought by groups like the Commonweal Conservancy and The Conservation Trust, as well as philanthropic organizations like the Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw Charitable Trust, which stepped in several years ago to help preserve this land—home to ancient relics, wildlife and breathtaking beauty.
Astral Valley Road, galisteobasinpreserve.com
This trail system isn’t just an amazing 25-mile network allowing hikers and bicycles access to a winding network of wilderness trails for all levels. It’s also a slice of Santa Fe history thanks to Conservation Trust Dale Ball cofounder Dale Ball, who envisioned the trails, and fought alongside others to preserve Santa Fe’s open spaces.
Access off of Hyde Park Road, Cerro Gordo Road, Upper Canyon Road and Camino Cruz Blanca
Best Park
“Come for the beer, stay for the horticulture” is not a slogan we imagine the folks at the Railyard Park Conservancy will glom onto anytime soon, but it does nod to the wonderful urban/wild interface of the Railyard Park, where residents can sit in nature or just wander through before or after having dinner, seeing a show or doing any of the myriad activities available in the Railyard proper. “It’s such a dynamic park in terms of the biodiversity, the different gardens, and the different areas that have native plants,” Executive Director Izzy Barr tells SFR. “Because of where it’s located, we get so much foot traffic and spill off and cross-pollination from the Railyard businesses. It’s such a gem right in the middle of town that people can go to the Farmers’ Market and walk over and sit on the grass. I know from the feedback we get how invaluable it is to the people who live the community.” The Conservancy also hosts numerous programs, such as its 10 am to noon summer Saturday morning nature sessions for toddlers, its public art program and the always popular “graze days,” when goats come to weed (the next ones are Aug. 9-10). “We’re just so happy people love this park as much as we do,” Barr says. “We hope that people will keep coming out and taking advantage of it.”
740 Cerrillos Road
In recent years, folks may have begun to associate Fort Marcy Park with pickleball, but the 30-acre park also includes picnic tables, play equipment, grills and space for all sorts of recreational activities (and a giant puppet burns in the nearby ball park each year as well).
490 Bishop’s Lodge Road
3. Harvey Cornell Rose Garden Park
No goats. No pickleball. Roses galore. And by any other name would they smell so sweet! Stop and smell the more than 20 varieties that grow in this peaceful park that has provided respite for Santa Feans for more than 25 years.
1320 Galisteo Parkway
Best Senior Living
Senior living simply does not get better than The Montecito, where the grounds are gorgeous, the food is top-notch and the residents have access to the kinds of activities people sincerely want to do. Throw in a gym, a spa, the famous Starlight Lounge—not to mention access to day trips and full-on apartment dwellings—and even those of us who don’t need assisted living start to think we might just go ahead and move in there.
500 Rodeo Road, (505) 428-7777
2. El Castillo
With a proven track record dating back to 1971, El Castillo offers up myriad amenities, clean and spacious grounds and constant access to Santa Fe’s cultural spectacle. The apartments are specious, the gym is a modern marvel and you can take your dog, too, because it’s got a dog run.
205 E Alameda St., (505) 988-2877
Who knew Santa Fe had so many fantastic living options for seniors who need such services? Kingston Residence nails it in the food department, we hear, thanks to chef Maria Lujan, and with other amenities including fitness and 24-hour nursing care, residents can stay strong and safe.
2400 Legacy Court, (505) 471-2400
