Restaurant has good prices, service and helpings
I find it reassuring when a restaurant where I’m planning to eat — especially a new restaurant — is busy. I was relieved to see that the (large) parking lot at Real Burger had plenty of cars and even happier to find just a handful of empty tables during a recent lunch.
Real Burger began under different ownership in 1974 and was taken over by the current owner, John Chavez, in 1985. A downtown Real Burger closed in 1996 and the business changed to catering. At the Old Pecos Trail location, Real Burger has found its place in Santa Fe’s restaurant hierarchy with good food, good prices and good service.
One surprise here is the depth of the menu. While burgers and New Mexican food are the mainstays at lunch and dinner, Real Burger has an abundance of other choices. You can order American diner fare, including chicken fried steak, fried chicken, and a hot turkey dinner with potatoes and cranberry sauce. Other tempting dishes include vegetarian choices such as Kung Pao Tofu and the gourmet option of lobster ravioli with a four-cheese cream sauce. Everything on the menu is under $18 and most choices less than $10.
At a recent lunch, I was impressed with the freshness of the food and the generosity of the servings. My friend and I could have shared his stuffed sopaipilla ($7.50) and probably not had room for dessert. The sopaipilla, flat instead of puffy, enclosed at least two cups of fresh whole pinto beans, Spanish rice and bits of chicken, smothered in a lake of mild green chile and finished with an abundance of yellow and white melted cheese. We had a sample of the red chile sauce, too, which was considerably hotter and full of flavor.
From the sandwich selections I picked the barbecue beef ($7.50) which came with a choice of potato salad, garlic mashed potato, fries or cross-cut chips. I picked sweet potato fries, and instead of a handful got a separate basket with enough for a family of four. The beef, served in a heavy sweet sauce, was tender and good, overflowing the bun which was the size of a salad plate. Most sandwiches come a la carte, with a trip to the “burger bar” where onions, lettuce, tomato, pickles and other toppings await. Real Burger also has a self-serve salad bar ($4.50). Everything on it looked fresh and welltended.
Real Burger serves breakfast from 7-11 a.m. daily, with choices ranging from a la carte items to a steak-and-twoegg feast with chile, potatoes and toast or a sopaipilla. We tried a hand-held burrito, generously packed with scrambled eggs, sliced bacon and potato cubes with a side of chile or salsa ($4) and the huevos rancheros, a big plate of eggs, corn tortillas, fresh pinto beans and hash browns, all topped with chile sauce and cheese ($7.50).
We also ordered a side of carne adovada ($2.75). Sensational — and with enough spice to get your taste buds wide awake. The ordinary waffle ($6.50) was saved from mediocrity by the lovely garnish of fresh kiwi, blueberries and a strawberry with whipped cream.
Service was friendly and professional on both my visits. Real Burger is off to a good start and promises to be a welcome addition to Santa Fe’s family friendly dining scene.
Real Burger
WHERE: 2239 Old Pecos Trail, Santa Fe, (505) 820-3311.
WHAT: Burgers, New Mexican food and more.
HOURS: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday 7 a.m. — 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. — 9 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
PRICES: $6-$17.50 for lunch and dinner entrees.
AMBIANCE: Casual
SERVICE: Good
