Jambo Cafe - Santa Fe, NM

I visited here in July 2016.  I just hadn't gotten around to posting my visit.

It was dark inside in contrast to the bright NM afternoon outside.  Kind of artsy like so much of Santa Fe. There were two people in African robes. Another white guy dressed like a 16th century Chinese peasant. Not sure what was up with that. Definitely interesting.  I heard lots of different accents; one table of Brits, another table sounded like South Africans maybe.  There were all kinds of African nick-nacks everywhere.

Probably the coolest thing is that the restaurant exists to support the jumbo foundation. The Gemma foundation is a medical clinic in Africa the prince medical care to people who might otherwise not have it.

They had an interesting menu.  I suspect that explains the popularity.  I ordered the salmon salad.   It had some really distinctive spice rub. I'm not sure what it was.  It also had moist capers on top.  It was okay.

Service was good and really fast.

Overall, I would give this place an 8.9.

A couple of storefronts down his jumbo imports. Jumbo imports has African art and spices. Make sure to save your money before coming in here. Some of the art for example to Afton bases were selling for $2500. I saw one vest that was decorated it was also going for $2500.

Jambo Cafe
2010 Cerrillos Rd
Santa Fe, NM 87505
jambocafe.net

Harry's Roadhouse - Santa Fe, NM

Harry's Road House should have been called Harry's surprise house because I found a few.  The first thing is that it looks like a tiny cafe from the outside.  Even when you first walk in there is a small counter with some 1950's diner looking stools.

But it wasn't tiny.  There were lots of little rooms, each with its own wood burning stove.  One room had a complete bar including a wall full of the expensive alcohol.

The next big surprise was that I would call this a German restaurant.  Not only did they serve German food but it was pretty darned authentic and good.

I ordered the schnitzel and spaetzle.  The pork for the schnitzel was pounded nice and thin, breaded and baked.  I came with just a thin layer of apple sauce. The spaetzle or potato-pasta was not quite as I remembered it in Germany.  I think that the spaetzle was a little over-cooked making it a little dry.  It was still quite enjoyable.

The portion sizes were refreshingly normal versus the huge portion sizes that only seem normal in the US in the past 15 years.

They also served cabbage on the plate.  It very much seemed authentic German to me. A lot of times the cabbage in German restaurants in the US serve Americanized cabbage which is sweet rather than the real stuff with is sour pickle-like.


I also ordered a Santa Fe pale ale which I found to be smooth and not too hoppy.  Something about the mountain air that makes the beer taste soo good.  I was there during the winter but, they had a very nice outside patio area.  Beyond the parking lot, the seating area looks out on the beautiful high desert.  I would like to go back in the summer.


Harry's was not a dive just a divy looking bit of a surprise.  The service was okay.  I would rate Harry's at 8.7.  It was a nice restaurant but, didn't blow my socks off.  I would and probably will go back.


Harry's Roadhouse
96 Old Las Vegas Highway
Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 989-4629
www.harrysroadhousesantafe.com