The Santa Fe Railyard has laid tracks to fun this year! Autumn arrives with the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market’s harvest produce and the Railyard Artisans Market holds creative court in the Market Pavilion on Sundays. I’m hungry for everything: live music nights at the Second Street Brewery at the Railyard, the one-and-only Buckwheat Zydeco in the Farmers’ Market Pavilion on Sept. 24, an all-British car show on Sept. 28 – and that’s just one month! And when I get hungry, I want to eat. Fortunately the Railyard has that part covered too.
Flying High in Santa Fe
As easy as eggs are to prepare, breakfast out makes me happy. And when I can have breakfast all day (and night), I am even happier. And I am happiest of all when the plate in front of me has Eggs Florentine on it. I can thank the Flying Star Cafe for this family favorite I no longer have to whip up myself. Served on a bed of polenta cakes to soak up the yummy egg yolk, this breakfast for dinner is a winner. The café’s massive menu boasts a host of appetizing choices, and whenever I just want to sit and noodle on my laptop with a scone and a cup of coffee, I fly over to this Railyard spot.
Tomasita’s Has New Mexican Food Down to a T
Let it be said: I love – no, I adore – our New Mexican cuisine. I never, and I mean never, get tired of anything slathered with green chile or floating in a pool of rich red chile. And let it also be noted that I never get tired of eating at Tomasita’s. From its early days as a little west-side neighborhood café to today’s Railyard food magnet, the food has remained consistently delicious and reasonably priced. Tomasita’s green and red chile are both delectably spicy and – since I can never choose – I always order my dish Christmas style (that’s red and green on the same plate). And mind you, choosing the entrée is just as big a challenge: Chile rellenos? Chicken enchiladas? Lunch or dinner, there’s always good reason to return!
Brewing Up Cool Santa Fe Cuisine
Octoberfest is right around the corner, and stein-lovin’ sisters like me have completed our scouting in preparation for celebrating with craft beers and complementary treats. You’ll find me toasting Ein Prosit with my pals over a pint of Kolsch at the Second Street Brewery at the Railyard, The Brewery has earned its burger bona fides—winning the critic’s choice award at the 2014 Green Chile Cheeseburger Smackdown – but Second Street has so much more to offer. I plan to work my way through the menu – and the beers – in October and beyond. The bar snacks alone motivate me to quaff a variety of brews, but I must confess that the green chile cheese fries do seem to appear in front of me with predictable regularity.
The Junction of Food and Fun is in the Santa Fe Railyard
Conjunction-junction, what’s your function…remember that one? That sing-song phrase always makes me laugh when I settle down to a meal at the Junction. This sports bar has its function down: Offer good food, fun specials and a welcoming pub atmosphere (with two nine-foot pool tables, I might add) and the crowds will come. Junction even hosts a regular doggie happy hour on their porch! Having your furry companions along when you pair a local craft brew and a game on the big screen will make this joint a favorite. And I was lucky – I didn’t even have to share my fish tacos, since my honey ate before I picked him up. That meant he could have dessert, and my sweet boy did share his ooey-gooey apple pie delight.
Dining Destinations in Downtown Santa Fe’s Back (Rail)Yard
Art-browsing through SITE Santa Fe or the Artisans’ Market making you hungry? A stroll down Guadalupe Street on a vintage hunt has you calling for a glass of vino? I’ve given you a few tasty hints, but rest assured there’s more than one City Different dining delight to discover when you relax in the Santa Fe Railyard.