Casa Chimayo Restaurante

Each New Mexico town and family has its own variation on classic dishes. Roberto Cordova, aka "the King of Chile," wanted to bring Chimayó style cooking to Santa Fe. He opened Casa Chimayó in his family's former Water Street home in 2011. He says the food, made from old family recipes, is "simple [and] rustic." He calls the restaurant's specialty, "Chile Caribe" [red chile]. These are the chiles his family grew in Chimayó for generations. Cordova says, "If the chile is not good, the food won't be good either." Casa Chimayó is known for posole, a stew made from dried, lime-cured corn much like hominy. When Diners, Drive-ins and Dives host Guy Fieri came to film at the eatery, he tasted this traditional dish and loved it. Ask Cordova to share his stories; he will. He says, "Our customers arrive as visitors, but leave as family."