the shed

an out-of-town request for chicken enchiladas only from the shed. on palace avenue close to the plaza, so it is bound to be a tourist favorite, but that doesn't take away from the food. at lunch time, you need to be prepared for a wait, but come a little later and much of the crowd has gone. we had a three-year-old and a two-month-old, so we were prepared for hustled service, but we were mistaken. the receptionist was very pleasant and helpful, and the server, thomas, was amazingly pleasant, helpful, and efficient. with a big crowd he had no time to hover, and he didn't, but he was always available if we needed water, a straw, or whatever. he was prompt with the bill, which was quite reasonable.

a big choice of margaritas. we chose the sangre de cristo because it had blood orange liqueur, and it turned out to be tasty and agoodpour.

for one order, hot sauce was on the side with no argument. the green chile chicken enchiladas were tasty, especially with a fried egg on top. the posole was exactly the way i like and make at home - not soupy the way it is in most santa fe restaurants. ranch beans instead of the tired samo-samo refritos was a welcome change. guacamole was a bit pricey - maybe because of the limes - but it was well made. the three year old ate every bit of the gigantic scoop of rainbow sherbet. the out-of-town request was more than fulfilled.


-----11 sep, 2010-----

quintessential santa fe because it's close to the plaza in a quaint old building. popular with locals and tourists so always busy.goodversions of new mexico standbys like blue corn enchiladas. margaritas ok.

heard so much about this place, but it was disappointing. margarita was very sour (used a premixed sour mix). cheese enchilada would have beengoodif the red sauce wasn’t burned and bitter. and what’s with garlic bread served with enchiladas?

margaritas are spot on with an extra shot of mezcal. the red chile lives up to its reputation. wowzer. long wait which isgoodbut we decided to sit at bar. great service.

if you came to santa fe looking forgoodsouthwest cooking, this is the place.  comfortable setting,goodmenu selection at reasonable prices. and great tasting food.

always good. this is one of our favorite places to eat in santa fe. yesterday we had #5 (cheese enchiladas) and the chicken enchiladas. both were great. service was a little slow (too be expected on a saturday at lunch), plus my plate broke when it was placed in the blast furnace to melt the cheese, so our server brought us salsa, guacamole, and chips. that definitely warded off the hunger, but it also filled us up to the point where we didn't have a piece of the chocolate cake for dessert. too bad, maybe next time. and there definitely will be a next time.

what people must realize is that this isn't mexican food. you're in santa fe! you're in new mexico! the food is going to be different here, especially in santa fe. it is the city different, after all. the food is going to be different in every local restaurant you go to here --- and that's agoodthing! try it. enjoy the differences! expect them to be different.


-----12 jun, 2013-----

always good. we were there on saturday, may 25th. one order of cheese enchiladas with red chili and one order of chicken enchiladas with red chili. both were great! we split a mocha cake. also great!

verygoodfood. fresh ingredients. great service. reasonably priced. what more could you ask for?

the shed is amazing and offers gluten free too!. great food - authentic. verygoodmargaritas too. the wait is long, but worth it. one of the sauces is gluten free and fabulous. we ate there twice during our visit. each time was delicious. highly recommend!

just blah.... once again, as i find myself in an area away from home for a few weeks, it is increasingly obvious how different people's idea of 'good food' can really be.

i am not a huge fan of mexican food, but i have had some verygooddishes. this, however was disquised with too much spice, not flavorful at all and mediocre service.

i could not believe how many people kept pouring in on a lazy tuesday afternoon.

i had chicken enchiladas and i regret wasting my money. they side it with pinto beans instead of re-fried and the pisole' is so-so.

the side of french bread was the best thing on the table, so take that as you will.

lesson learned...off down the food trail i go a huntin'.

not bad. it wasn't bad! the red chile was flavorful and deep, which is what gets thegoodpoints here. i had the polo adobo and a cup of corn chowder which was also good. my fiance's green chile burrito was not asgoodand the lemon soufle wasn't fresh, which soufles really ought to be. i don't know where "creative cooking" comes in to play, this isgoodol' new mexican cooking. the guac was nice, the server was nice, the wait was crazy long.

terrible, overpriced diner quality new mexican. if you enjoy terrible service, uninspired food and paying a premium then the shed is your place.

if you wantgoodgreen chile go to south side cafe - the best.

if you want a much better lunch in the same proximity, just walk a couple blocks up the street and dine at cafe palicio. the food is much, much better quality and prepared with care.

a little disappointing. the food wasgoodbut not thrilling. it is a nice place and our large group enjoyed themselves. there is better food in santa fe.

lives up to expectations! great!. initially i thought i wouldn't enjoy my meal at the shed. i assumed it would be more of the same, and wouldn't live up to the hype. boy was i wrong. this meal was, hands down, the most enjoyable meal i had in santa fe. i had the blue corn tacos with the turkey sausage. fantastic! enjoyed the outdoor atmosphere and the proximity to the square made us want to eat here again and again! will definitely go back! no frills, justgoodfood!

authentic food & tasty margs!. i do love agoodmargarita, and the shed has them! although this wasn't the best mexican food i've had, it was certainly delicious. they aren't lying when they say the red sauce is spicy...i warned you! the bread that comes with every meal is delicious and hits the spot, the service was great and the proximity to the plaza is a plus. overall a tasty little lunch spot!

great food and drinks. the margaritas were top notch and very flavorful. the food was well prepared, tasty and wonderful.goodservice made the evening a fondly remembered experience.

the best new mexican food in town.. i have been eating new mexican food since 1952 and in my judgment, the shed is asgoodas it gets.

contrary to some of the reviews, the shed is not solely a tourist place. it is very busy in the off-season when it is full of locals. almost without exception, my long-term new mexican friends and relatives prefer the shed to any other new mexican restaurant in town-though there are many other verygoodrestaurants. one of my very best friends, a ft. worth texan no less, actually prefers the shed food to his otherwise beloved tex-mex.

this is new mexican, not tex-mex (an aberration in comparison) or mexican. the food is always fresh and in my experience, always well-prepared. what sets new mexican food apart is the chile. you simply will not find it anywhere else. while the shed green chile is very good, it is the red chile that is most exceptional. in my opinion only mary & tito's in albuquerque has red chile that is better. both chiles are tasty and piquant.

among my favorites here are the taco and enchilada plate and the carne adovada (available only at lunch). the margheritas are generally verygoodas are the deserts, especially the mocha cake and hot fudge sundae.

some people have trouble getting a table in the evening. i have found this to be a problem, also, on occasion. i prefer eating lunch here. i show up around 11:30 in tourist season and 11:45 in the shoulder seasons to avoid the crowds. also, it seems to me that the food is a tiny bit better at noon.


-----23 nov, 2011-----

hot fudge sundae. the shed makes their own hot fudge and it is simply the best i have ever eaten.


-----23 nov, 2011-----

taco & enchilada plate w/red chile. the taco can be ordered with ground beef or chicken. it is a soft taco, meant to be eaten with a fork. i like it with beef and smothered in the shed's great red chile. this is quintessential new mexican food, and it is delicious. posole (very good) and beans accompany the dish.


-----27 oct, 2011-----

the best place in santa fe to sample new mexican food.. i was raised in abq and have lived in santa fe for 12 years. i have eaten nm food in perhaps 100 restaurants. in my judgment, the shed is one of the two best best restaurants in new mexico for new mexico style food. (the other is mary and tito's, in abq.)

what makes new mexico food unique is the chile. the shed has the most consistent chile; it is unadulterated by cumin or other spices and is made fresh multiiple times daily. the red chile at the shed is exquisite. the green chile is very good. i particularly like red chile, so that is what i usually order on my enchilada plate or my taco and enchilada plate (both with blue corn tortillas). i ask for a side of "red" as well, to slather over anything left uncovered. the carne adovada, available at lunch, is also quite good. the posole is quite good, also.

i have had perhaps 100 meals here and have never been disappointed. lunch is best in my experience, i know not why. since the shed is always crowded, arrive around 11:30 during tourist season and prior to noon during off-season. for dinner, make an early reservation. by arriving early, i always avoid the crowds and my service has beengoodto great all but once.

note that this 16th century building. if you are seated to the left, enjoy this historic building. it is likely you will not eat in an older building in the states. also, because of the building, they do not accommodate large groups very well.

in addition to the new mexican food, their soups and salads are surprisingly good, their margaritas are fresh (not made with a "mix") and good, and they have severalgooddesserts. i particularly like the mocha cake and the hot fudge sundae.

finally, when eating here, if you are an out-of-stater, remind yourself that this is new mexican food-not mexican nor tex/mex. the names of the dishes are the same, the tastes are different. i hope you enjoy the food and visit as much as i do.