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If you are a fan of the Food Network hit, “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives”, then perhaps you are already familiar with this quaint little cafe. Never heard of the program? No problem. I am about to take you to this once quietly successful, but now well-publicized and even more successful, Santa Fe “hot spot” known as the Tune-Up Cafe.
First, you will need more than your average map or hi-tech GPS unit to find it. I drove right past this, off the beaten path, little cafe and never knew it. The Tune-Up Cafe actually has no obvious, easy to read signage. There is no large parking lot to separate it from the rows of houses it is nestled between. There are, however, large letters painted on one side of the exterior which spell, “New Mexican Food.” (That’s more of a hint than a sign). You could just ignore directions, landmarks, maps and GPS commands however. Once you begin seeing streams of people emerging from every side street, all walking in the same direction, park and follow them.
The first thing you will immediately notice is that the Tune-Up Cafe is quite small. The counter at which you order is literally 1 to 2 steps inside the screened front door. Patrons are everywhere, each vying for space, or a place at one of the two long, narrow tables just off to the left of the ordering counter. The wait staff adroitly negotiates their way through the visitors, tables, chairs, and each other. The decor is rustic southwestern. The atmosphere is a large dose of “easy-going and quaint” mixed in with a sprinkle of “busy NY deli”. The Tune-Up Cafe is comfortable for couples, acceptable for a small family, but unfortunately not suitable for large groups.
The menu features the well-established New Mexican fare complemented by Tune-Up Specials. Breakfast includes: Breakfast Burritos, Huevos Rancheros and the popular, Tune-Up Breakfast. (Chile relleno with roasted tomato salsa, 2 eggs al gusto, refried beans and corn tortilla).
If lunch is what you’re after, there is a wide variety of burgers, quesadillas, enchiladas, and Yucatan fish tacos. Tune-Up’s signature lunch item is their El Salvadoran Pupusas brought to Santa Fe by owner-chef and native Salvadoran, Jesus Rivera. His wife, Charlotte handles the ordering and keeps things running smoothly.
Dinner fare includes many of the lunch items but additional choices include Chicken Picata, Halibut & Shrimp Pasta, and Steak au Poivre.
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