Banana leaves at Tune-Up, corn husks at La Choza: masa filled with red chile-braised pork, steamed and unwrapped at the table. Christmas Eve tradition across Northern New Mexico.
Tamales come into Northern New Mexico from Mexico, with the corn-husk version standard among Hispano households for centuries. The Salvadoran banana-leaf version arrived with the 1990s Central American migration and now coexists at places like Tune-Up Cafe. Christmas Eve tamales are an annual family ritual; restaurants take pre-orders by the dozen each December.
4 editor picks for Red chile pork tamales in Santa Fe, ranked by editorial score. All Santa Fe signature dishes · Red chile pork tamales across every city.
Tune-Up Cafe ★ 4.5
agua fria · 1115 Hickox Street, Santa Fe, NM 87501
Tune-Up plates pupusas, tacos al pastor, banana-leaf tamales and breakfast burritos in a Hickox adobe; Guy Fieri filmed Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives here.
La Choza ★ 4.5
railyard · 905 Alarid Street, Santa Fe, NM 87505
Sister of The Shed, La Choza has plated Northern New Mexican on Alarid Street since 1983; voted #1 New Mexican by Santa Fe Reporter readers repeatedly.
Casa Chimayo ★ 4.4
downtown · 409 West Water Street, Santa Fe, NM 87501
Casa Chimayo cooks family Chimayo red and green chile and Dine accents downtown; Guy Fieri filmed Diners, Drive-Ins for the blue corn enchiladas.
Atrisco Cafe & Bar ★ 4.3
downtown · 193 Paseo de Peralta, Santa Fe, NM 87501
Atrisco builds family-recipe red chile from sun-dried whole pods at Devargas Center, served with local Santa Fe lamb, beef and honey-glazed sopaipillas.