Ridgeback Cafe, Jemez Springs

The La Cueva dip is to die for! Its definitely a MUST TRY!

Not to belittle the green chile at the Ridgeback Cafe, but my preference is their red chile. It's a luscious deep mixture of piquant heat and rich undertones provided by the chunks of carne mixed in. I come from the Albuquerque area that while physically close (about 40 miles) is different than Jemez in their red chile size. The red in Albuquerque tends to be hotter, but less intense in flavor. While the southern version is good to great, what you get in Jemez is miles beyond (pun intended). This is the first red chile that I would eat on its own, however as an additive to Ridgeback's yummy dishes, it goes close to Nirvana. Try it on their chicken fried steak, burritos, elk burgers, and, definitely, fries! The food is so good that you won't stop until you feel a shiver of pleasure shoot up your spine. Oh, and beyond the rojo, I'd recommend the coffee. Hot, rich, and crisp with no aftertaste. I'm not a coffee drinking normally, but this brew is just too good to pass up.

My wife, children (13and7) and I spend alot of time in the Jemez Mountains. We have made the Ridgeback Cafe a family tradition. Any time we are in the mountains we stop at the cafe for a meal. My daughter and I always order the elk burger. While my wife and son enjoy the kicken turkey and grilled cheese sandwiches. The food, service, and atmosphere is fantastic. We did notice yesterday, Dec.21,09, the the resturant was for sale. I hope that it remains open and the same. We absolutely love the Ridgeback Cafe. Erik Johns