Go Here: Counter Culture

Posted by Sandra Schonenstein in Santa Fe

Go Here is part of a semi-regular series featuring places of interest to SFUAD students.

Counter Culture Cafe is a casual multicultural eatery, with a refreshing urban style for Santa Fe—exactly what Counter Culture’s owner Jason Aufrichtig wanted to create 17 years ago when he opened.

“It cost a lot of blood, sweat and tears,” Aufrichtig says. “I wanted to create a new café identity with an urban atmosphere and it was difficult to start from scratch.”

The menu is inspired by street food from around the world—from Vietnamese spring rolls to Carne Asada with green chile. Many of the ingredients are locally grown in New Mexico.

Every entrée on the menu is served at any time, which means breakfast is served all day long.

Aufrichtig succeeded in creating a comfortable cafe with a friendly atmosphere. The space has an industrial feeling, and even though the café is not that big, there are little corners that differ from each other. One corner may have a plain wall while the other may have a colorful pattern. The cafe includes an outdoor patio available for seating during warm weather.

The café also functions as a gallery, featuring an artist every month. And there are many events throughout the year such as poetry readings, live music, belly dance performances and storytelling nights.

Counter Culture is located in the Baca Street District just next to the Railyard. This district is best known for its artistic influences and creative environment.

“I chose this place because at the beginning many students moved to the Baca District because of the affordable rent prices,” Aufrichtig says. “ It was the perfect place for a café with a patio in an artistic and cultural environment.”

Counter Culture is a perfect place to taste recipes from around the world with a hint of New Mexican flavor, while getting out of the Santa Fe routine and enjoying a fresh city like feeling.  I particularly recommend trying their incredible big deserts, such as the delicious chocolate cake. I dare you to finish it !

Counter Culture Cafe

930 Baca Street

505-995-1105

Open daily from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Open evenings  Tues, Thru and Sat until 9 p.m.