Welcome to Tune-Up Cafe
Tune-Up Cafe, a hidden gem in Santa Fe, offers a delightful fusion of Salvadoran and New Mexican cuisine. With shaded outdoor seating and a charming atmosphere, it provides a tranquil dining experience. The menu features must-try dishes like the El Salvadoran Combo with pupusa and banana leaf tamale, and the Chile Relleno with roasted tomato salsa. Customers rave about the fantastic food, excellent service, and affordable prices. Tune-Up Cafe is a go-to spot for locals and tourists alike, delivering unique and flavorful dishes that leave a lasting impression.
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1115 Hickox St Santa Fe, NM 875051115 Hickox St Santa Fe, NM 87505 Hotline: (505) 983-7060
Welcome to Tune-Up Café, a hidden gem located at 1115 Hickox St in the heart of Santa Fe, NM. This unassuming eatery specializes in an inviting blend of Salvadoran and New Mexican cuisine, perfect for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner. With a warm, friendly atmosphere, Tune-Up Café offers a dining experience where excellent service meets flavorful, creative dishes. It's no wonder that locals and tourists alike keep coming back for more.
From the moment you step in, you’re greeted with the rich aromas of home-cooked meals. The extensive menu features standout items such as the Tune-Up Burger, made with in-house ground local New Mexico beef and accompanied by hand-cut fries. Diners rave about the El Salvadoran Pupusa, filled with options like veggie or flavorful flank steak, served with cortido and salsa for that authentic touch. And for those who appreciate comfort food, the Green Chile Beef Stew is a must-try, promising warm flavors that embrace the spirit of New Mexico.
For a lighter option, the Tune-Up Salad offers a refreshing mix of greens adorned with roasted beets and fresh veggies, perfect for starting your meal. You won’t want to miss their delectable desserts, such as the Espresso Chocolate Brownie Sundae or the vibrant, vegan Fruit Crisp. These sweet finales, priced modestly at $6, prove that indulgence doesn't have to break the bank.
Patrons of the café have shared their delight in the vibrant yet cozy ambiance. Nancy Z. highlights the convenience and excellence of the café, suggesting it should be a staple for anyone visiting. Johnny K. appreciates the clever flavor combinations that make every visit an adventure for the taste buds. It's clear that the team at Tune-Up Café consistently hits the mark, as Nathan H. points out their commitment to service and satisfaction—even compensating for any rare hiccups during busy hours.
For those who enjoy a bit of spice, the toppings like manchego and sautéed mushrooms add a creative flair to the classic dishes, as Lee Ann R. discovered. While the café caters to a diverse crowd and is known for welcoming tourists, its essence remains rooted in the culinary traditions of New Mexico and El Salvador. Whether you’re a resident or just passing through, Tune-Up Café’s welcoming aura and tantalizing menu make it a must-visit destination.
In essence, Tune-Up Café is where great taste meets community spirit. Drop by, and you may just find your new favorite dish among the many flavorful offerings. It’s more than just a meal; it’s a delightful experience waiting to be savored.
We are staying just down the street at an AirBnB and this place is so convenient but not only that, it's fantastic. Prices are reasonable and service is excellent. We have eaten breakfast lunch and dinner multiple times. I am going to miss this when we go back home
Very tasty combinations of flavors. Several interesting options I'll be interested in trying next visit.
Cute atmosphere, good food, great service. We got the burro with flank steak and both sauces and the barbacoa lamb tacos. Both weee excellent, beans and rice were proper too. Starter salads were fresh and perfectly dressed. Great spot!
These guys are absolutely on top of their game. The food is amazing and comes out fast. 100% on point, even when it's a packed house (which is often). I've never had bad food, or a bad experience here. Shout out to the Tune up team! Only one time in the dozens and dozens of times we've been there, they lost one our orders. They comped the dish immediately. The manager came out and personally apologized and then offered a desert on the house on top of the dish (which we didn't take but really appreciated the gesture ). Chicken Piccata and the Beef Stew are tops!
Tune-Up Cafe is one of my favorite Santa Fe restaurants - creative, affordable, and delicious. For this visit, we both went with burgers. My lamb burger was fantastic - cooked perfectly, and the manchego and sauteed mushrooms I chose to top it with combined beautifully. My husband had the classic Tune-Up burger, topped with manchego and green chile. Tune-Up gets a lot of tourists, so the chile was really mild; my husband described the heat level as "Canadian." It had flavor, just no heat. Service was a bit slow, but we weren't in a hurry and they were busy, so it was fine. We'll be back!
I came here during my road trip as i wanted a taste of New Mexicos famous cuisine. The El Salvadoran Combo was excellent! I loved the pupusa. The banana leaf tamale was so fragrant. The red cabbage slaw was delicious and so spicy. I ordered to go and even after 20 minutes it was still hot and delicious. The server was super kind and attentive to me and updated me about order progress as it took about 20 min to come out. She even threw in a free house salad and a slice of their delicious banana cream pie. I will be back again next time Im in Santa Fe! This place is sooo good and def one of the highlights of my trip.
different but good chili relleno with Modelo especial sorry didn't get a picture before I dive in. Cubs had a chicken Molay enchilada with rice and plantains. Very good but again didn't get a picture.
A quick visit to grab a bite before continuing our shopping day. We shared some chips and guacamole and lox/bagel. We now know that coming at 11:30 a.m. is perfect. By 12 noon there was a line 10-12 people deep. Great seating options inside and out. Wonderful staff.
Tune-Up Cafe is a hidden gem in Santa Fe that truly exceeds expectations. With its shaded outdoor seating, you can enjoy your meal al fresco, surrounded by the charming atmosphere of this welcoming establishment. The moment you step onto the patio, you're enveloped in a sense of tranquility that sets the perfect backdrop for a relaxing dining experience. The menu is a delightful fusion of New Mexican cuisine and Salvadoran dishes, offering a wide array of options to suit every taste bud. The Green Chile Beef Stew is a must-try, with its rich flavors and tender meat that warm you from the inside out. And don't miss the Salvadoran Pupusas, cooked to perfection with a satisfyingly crisp texture. What truly sets Tune-Up Cafe apart is its inviting atmosphere and friendly staff. Whether you're dining alone or with friends, you'll feel right at home here. The attentive service and genuine hospitality make every visit a memorable one. So if you're in Santa Fe and craving a meal that's both delicious and soul-nourishing, look no further than Tune-Up Cafe. With its shaded outdoor seating and welcoming ambiance, it's the perfect spot to relax, unwind, and indulge in culinary delights that will leave you craving more.
My friend and I were on a roadtrip and I had found this place via yelp for a low key lunch. We came in and the place is very unassuming. You stand in line to order and then find a seat, and they'll bring you your food. I ordered a cup of the green Chile stew which was fine, and the lamb tacos, which were delicious (as were the rice and beans - totally simple, but amazing). My friend ordered the tofu mole enchiladas. I'm not a tofu person, but she suggested I try the mole, and holy mother of god! The mole was the best mole I've ever had. I repeat, I'm not a tofu person, but I regretted my order (albeit it was rather delicious) immediately, and wanted to order a jar of mole to go! We also got two slices of pie to go - I got the chocolate cream and my friend got a key lime pie. These were good, but the mole just blew everything away!