Though I had been to Tesuque Market on prior trips to Santa Fe, I had never before experienced it.  It’s not just a place to eat or buy grocery staples,  it’s  a way of life and can become quite habit-forming.

I have now been for lunch, dinner and drinks, and each time I didn’t want to leave. There’s something about it that is so laid-back and relaxing, but it’s hard to define the quality that is so alluring. And  though online reviews are not always glowing,  I  can’t figure out why. The chile sauces were as flavorful as any of the more revered restaurants, the service was friendly and warm, and the drinks were the best we had during our stay in Santa Fe, using fresh squeezed blood oranges for margaritas and pineapple for specialty mojitos.  The selection of artisan beers was vast and there were even Happy Hour  specials, a rarity in a city that doesn’t  need to lower its prices to attract people. The posole, green chile stew and tortilla soup were all outstanding–flavorful  and hearty, and the market even has a relatively healthy version of  a chile relleno. It was roasted, not battered and fried, stuffed with corn and mushrooms before being smothered with cheese and red chile  sauce.

Not into New Mexican flavors? The Market even has an outdoor pizza oven and makes pies to eat in or carry-out.  There is truly something for everyone unless, of course, you are looking for a white tablecloth experience. That it is not.

While you can find plenty of upscale eateries in Santa Fe, I find the most rewarding adventures to be those of the local variety. There are certainly tourists at the Market, but its homespun, no-frills, laid-back, stay and play ambiance will entice you to become a local!