New Food Cravings

Posted by Whitney Wernick in Santa Fe

This past week, I decided to go to five places to eat and rate each on food, pricing, ambiance and service. Each restaurant is under a mile from campus and you’re able to eat a meal for under 10$. These places consisted of ; Jambo Cafe, African and Caribbean Cuisine: .2 miles; Baja Taco, Mexican: .3 miles; Red Enchilada, New Mexican: .4 miles; La Loncherita Salvadoreña-Ricas Pupusas, Salvadorian: .4 miles; El Parasol, Mexican: .6 miles.

At each restaurant I ordered the most popular item, which has to be the best idea I’ve ever had. Everything from each of these restaurants was delicious and unique.

Out of all, Jambo Cafe was my favorite in every way. Regardless of the service being a little slow, the drinks, food and atmosphere made up for it all. I ordered a mango ginger lemonade, and the curried chicken salad wrap with a side of sweet potato fries, which was all so delicious. Let me just say that everything was so good that I’m already thinking of when I will go again. Jambo also has a store a few doors down that is fun and worth checking out for clothes, gifts, and yummy spices. Overall Rating: 10-10

Having gone to Baja Taco numerous time prior, I felt the need to branch out and order something other than my regular chicken and shrimp tacos. This time I ordered the chicken enchilada plate. Even though the enchiladas were still very delicious, I think I may stick with the tacos. Overall Rating: 7 out of 10

Right across the street from us is a very quiet and nice restaurant that stays constantly busy. Red Enchilada carries a variety of New Mexican dishes, for every time of day, which are all so good—from their chips and salsa, enchiladas, all the way to deserts. I ordered the tri-colored tamale plate that had so many different flavors in the tamales and in the sides. Overall Rating: 8 out of 10

Having never gone to La Loncherita Salvadoreña before, I was not sure what to expect. The cooks Vilma and Geovanni were so nice and helpful with my order. I tried their two best selling items, #1 Calabacitas, which is roasted zucchini and quesillo (El Salvador style cheese) pupusas made with rice flour, and the #6  spinach and cheese pupusas made with corn flour. The food had flavors that I had never experienced before and Im happy to say I tried something new, it was worth it! Overall Rating : 9 out of 10

Going to El Parasol for the second time, I really did not know too much about it. I ordered a chicken taco with guacamole, and was pleased with the amount of flavor for a little taco. I tried the red salsa, which is really good do not get me wrong, but was extremely spicy. Overall Rate : 8 out of 10

If you’re looking to branch out on some new cultured food, here are some great places to try out that are under a mile and under 10$ for majority of the items!
Hope you enjoy them as much as I did!