Pizza is almost always a great value. It's filling and often well-priced. Il Vicino, part of a small local chain, started in Albuquerque's Nob Hill in 1992. They specialize in wood-fired pizza. You can get an individual-sized by (the only size they offer) for as little as $7.75; most don't exceed $10. Choices run from the classic Margarita (cheese and fresh basil) to the more exotic Angeli featuring sweet balsamic marinara sauce, mozzarella, roasted chicken, portobello mushrooms, artichoke hearts, gorgonzola and fresh rosemary. There are a lot of choices in between. One of the best deals here is the Insalata della Casa (house salad), romaine topped with tomatoes, asiago and the house vinaigrette. Go wild and add gorgonzola cheese for a dollar. If you each order a pizza, it's big enough for two to share. There are other offerings but stick with the pizza.
Recommended for Best Value because: This order-at-the-counter casual pizza joint is great for a well-priced, casual dinner at a convenient downtown location.
Billie's expert tip: The location, just down the street from the Lensic Performing Arts Center, makes it a great choice for a quick before concert meal. When you order your pizza, ask them to make sure the crust is crispy if you like it that way.
If you don't mind eating either early or late, Il Piatto has some great dining deals. The charming restaurant, with its Italian farmhouse ambiance, is under the creative helm of chef/owner Matt Yohalem. Check out the two daily Happy Hours here. The Afternoon Happy Hour (aka early bird dinner) is from 4:30 to 6pm and their Late Night Happy Hour is from 9 to 10:30pm. All appetizers and small-sized pastas (most made in-house) from both the regular and daily special menu are half-price. There's also a daily specials menu. They also offer 50% off selected wines. After 9pm, there's a three-course prix fixe menu available for $25.14. Diners can select any appetizer, entrée and dessert from the regular menu.
Recommended for Best Value because: The Happy Hour deals at Il Piatto offer diners high quality food at an upscale dining spot at comparatively good prices.
Billie's expert tip: Check out the daily specials menu. Il Piatto's chef Matt Yohalem is known locally for being a big advocate for locally grown and produced foods. It will reflect the freshest food available from local farms as well as what he's passionate about at the moment.
The Plaza Café, opened in 1905, has been run by the same family since 1947. It's a Santa Fe institution. The retro diner-like ambiance will have your feeling like you're in a time-warp. The large menu also offers something for everyone, so it will please a lot of eaters. Diners will find anything from traditional New Mexican foods to sandwiches to comfort food s like turkey dinner and chicken fried steak. There are also salads and lighter fare. Remember the old Blue Plate specials? They're alive and well here. The no-frills spot, right on the historic Plaza, offers big portions at reasonable prices. They can be busy at prime meal times. Arrive either before or after the rush and you won't have to wait to be seated.
Recommended for Best Value because: The Plaza is a long-standing tradition in Santa Fe. Couple that with ample portions and reasonable pricing; it's a must for the list.
Billie's expert tip: If you're staying downtown and want a restaurant in walking distance with good-sized portions and reasonable pricing head for The Plaza. Santa Feans have been doing just that for over a century.
For the most part, Santa Fe eateries specializing in New Mexican cuisine offer large portions and are more reasonably priced than many places in a city where dining prices can be high. One of the most inexpensive is Café Castro. They've been serving up local favorites since 1990. If you want to dine where the locals do, this family-run spot, located out on Cerrillos Road, should be on your restaurant list. Prices are really reasonable and portions are ample. You can get a big plate filled with an enchilada, stuffed sopapilla or burrito with beans, rice and posole for $8. The most expensive item on the menu is a steak, served with all the already mentioned sides as well as a cheese enchilada, for $10.99. All entrees come with sopapillas (fluffy fried dough pillow) that you can eat with your meal or save for dessert.
Recommended for Best Value because: The food is authentic New Mexican made from old family recipes. The portions are ample and prices are reasonable for good value dining.
Billie's expert tip: Café Castro is a bit hard to find. This is one of those places where a GPS really comes in handy. From downtown, it's a bit after St. Michael's drive. Look for Pep Boys or Jackalope on your left. The restaurant will be on your right.
There's something to be said for longevity. The Pantry has been feeding hungry Santa Feans since they opened in 1948. The Cerrillos Road eatery is a bustling local favorite. The same menu is served for lunch and dinner and you can get breakfast all day. Many entrée prices are under $10. The ample portions will fill you up. The menu offers traditional New Mexican favorites such as carne adovada, slow-roasted marinated pork cooked in The Pantry's 'signature red chile,' alongside American comfort foods such meatloaf, chicken-fried steak and grilled pork chop. Sandwich choices run from burgers, to a classic Ruben to the all-American hot turkey covered with gravy. For dessert: try the tres leches cake.
Recommended for Best Value because: The Pantry's diverse menu offers diners good value. The prices are reasonable and the portions are ample.
Billie's expert tip: Want to add a little spice to your meal? Go for one of the traditional American comfort food dishes like meatloaf but change it up. Instead of the usual gravy, ask to have it smothered in The Pantry's famous red or green chile.
Some of the best value dining is found at Asian restaurants. Pho Kim (pronounced Fa), a Vietnamese eatery in the Solana Center west of downtown, has some great bargains. The menu is HUGE. Each dish has a number and there are over 120 items listed. As their name suggests, they specialize in pho, the traditional Vietnamese hearty beef-based soup. The huge bowls filled with the meat, seafood or chicken and noodles, come accompanied with cilantro, Thai basil, mung bean sprouts and lime wedges. It's a meal in a bowl. You may even have leftovers for later. Other offerings include rice noodles prepared a variety of ways, stir fries, omelets, curries and vegetarian dishes. At under $6, the real bargain is the banh mi. These popular sandwiches, made with beef, pork or chicken and topped with cucumber slices, cilantro, carrots and sliced chiles come on a crusty baguette.
Recommended for Best Value because: If you want to fill up and not break the bank, the casual, reasonably-priced Pho Kim is a good choice.
Billie's expert tip: For more variety split dishes with your dining companions. You can try more of what the menu's over 120 items. Start with an appetizer such as the spring rolls or crispy egg rolls sand then order one of the many rice dishes, an omelet or the bargain banh mis.
Red Enchilada is one of those places that locals know about but is a bit off the radar. It's also off the beaten path in a small strip mall off Cerrillos Road. The interior is downright casual but the food, a mix of northern New Mexican and Salvadoran cuisine, is good. Santa Fe has a number of cooks from El Salvador and a few have opened their own eateries. The menu offers a few Salvadoran dishes such as papusas as well New Mexican-inspired ones including tacos, enchiladas and burritos. Prices are the same at lunch and dinner. There's a great selection of entrees priced at around $7. The highest price on the menu is $10.95 for a steak. Portions are ample. If you still have room, try their house-made tres leche cake or flan for dessert.
Recommended for Best Value because: Two can have dinner at the Red Enchilada without drinks for under $20. It doesn't get much cheaper than this.
Billie's expert tip: Start your meal at the Red Enchilada with papusas, a traditional Salvadoran dish made with a corn tortilla and filling. They're served with a jar of pickled cabbage to put on top of these small corn cakes.
Del Charro Saloon, just a few short blocks from the historic Santa Fe Plaza, is a popular spot with both locals and tourists. They have a winning combination: location and reasonably priced, well prepared food. It's a place where diners can easily fill up for under $10 without drinks. Their signature burgers made from locally raised, grass-fed beef served with fries, are a great deal. Fans of batter-dipped and fried will love the vegetarian stuffed poblano pepper. The best deal here: the daily specials. Each day brings a different one ranging from Sunday's Country Fried Chicken to Saturday's sliders. Save room for their signature chocolate mousse cake in Oreo shell with raspberry coulis. It gets pretty busy here. If you don't want to wait for a table, avoid prime dining times.
Recommended for Best Value because: Del Charro's convenient downtown location and reasonably-priced food plus one of the best green chile cheeseburgers in town makes it a winner.
Billie's expert tip: Want a late bite? Del Charro Saloon is one of Santa Fe's few late-night dining options. They serve their complete menu until midnight daily. Great options for late-night munchies include green chile cheeseburgers, nachos or wings.