A popular, trendy venue among both locals and tourists, Tune-Up Café offers an unpretentious casual setting to enjoy a large variety of simple yet tantalising dishes. Owned and run by married couple Jesus and Charlotte Rivera, the funky café serves an assorted menu of savoury delicacies with a touch of Salvadoran, New Mexican, Mexican and American influence. House specials include heirloom green tomato pie, grilled Atlantic salmon and organic chicken livers.

For lunch, grab a bison or chicken mole taco at Taco Fundacion or pretty much anything on the menu at the Tune-Up, a local favorite that serves up everything from burgers to Salvadoran pupusas. If you need a break from the green chile, Back Road is a locals’ favorite pizza joint, Rowley Farmhouse Ales has big burgers and award-winning saisons, and the newish Tumbleroot Brewery and Distillery is a great place to catch live music. But if you have time for only one mixological adventure, download the Santa Fe Margarita Trail Passport app and visit one of the 45 restaurants and bars on the town’s newly christened “Margarita Trail.

A few blocks down Paseo de Peralta from the Railyard District, across busy St. Francis Boulevard, the street changes names to Hickox Street, and the ambiance goes bohemian—there’s a liquor store, a Tibetan Buddhist Center, a few artist spaces, and a neighborhood of funky bungalows. Tune-Up Café is ground zero for youngish locals, although the friendly staff welcomes everyone as if they were friends. Christmas lights outside, a lively outdoor patio, and delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner make this a hangout where you can dine extremely well.

No list of Santa Fe brunch spots would be complete without mentioning Tune-Up Café, a laid-back eatery known for its creative twists on classic comfort food. Whether you’re craving a hearty breakfast burrito stuffed with eggs, potatoes, and green chile or a plate of fluffy blue corn pancakes drizzled with maple syrup, Tune-Up Café has something to satisfy every palate. With its welcoming vibe and eclectic menu, it’s no wonder this quirky neighborhood spot has become a staple of the Santa Fe brunch scene.

BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNERTune-Up café is located at 1115 Hickox St, Santa Fe, NM 87501. Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” featured the restaurant in an episode called “Neighborhood Favorites.” However, the cozy, casual atmosphere doesn’t prepare you for the exceptional food pouring out of the kitchen. Everything is tasty, with ample gluten free options for diners with dietary considerations.Tune Up Café is a great place for brunch, though the weekends can get busy, often with a wait.

This cute cafe offers the usual selection of south-of-the-border breakfast plates, with some unique additions courtesy of the owner’s Salvadorenean heritage. You could opt for a plate of huevos rancheros, or you could try something more interesting with the huevos El Salvadorenos. Grab some traditional buttermilk pancakes, but make things interesting with the addition of fried bananas or a pupusa.

For a hot and quick breakfast, midday lunch getaway, delectable dinner, or dessert that makes your mouth dance, check out Tune-Up Cafe. Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives featured this eatery, which is famous for its El Salvadoran specialties, Mexican entrees, and a few American favorites. If it made his list of the best Mexican restaurants in Santa Fe, it should surely be on yours!

The list of recommendations is endless, but several places you’re guaranteed an excellent meal include: The Pantry, Tecolote, or Palacio Cafe for breakfast; Tune-Up, Cowgirl (get their green chile cheeseburger), Caffe Greco, or Shohko for lunch; and La Choza, The Shed, El Farol, Paloma, or Cafe Pasqual’s for dinner. For an uber-special night out, try Sazon, the Compound, or Geronimo.

A lively morning crew rolls into Tune Up Café for hefty plates loaded with chef Jesus Rivera's signature scrambled eggs with green onions and tomato. If you're craving something sweet, opt for the buttermilk pancakes with your choice of banana, blueberry, or chocolate chips. Unlike most greasy spoons, this hole-in-the-wall also boasts plenty of gluten-free options.

Tune Up is a snug, fuschia-walled neighborhood restaurant with a menu that includes El Salvadorian Pupusas, New Mexican Green Chile Stew, lamb tacos, and perfect Caesar salads. The counter holds jars of agua fresca and Mexican wedding cookies, while the coffee is refilled almost too quickly—making Tune Up Santa Fe’s quintessential lazy morning nook.

Went to this place because the website indicated it had gluten-free items. However, because I am not only gluten intolerant, but also allergic to many other ingredients such as peppers, I was down to two items that I could order according to the waiter whom was very impatient and rude. I ordered the hamburger which was one of the items he suggested.

Tune Up Cafe: A fun local’s spot that is a great new find in Santa Fe. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and brunch on weekends, they have a variety of great New Mexican, El Salvadorian and Mexican specialties plus salads, burgers and much more. It is a colorful, casual spot where you order at the counter and then the food is brought to you.

Things continue to go well for the Tune-Up Cafe which was initially featured on the Food Network’s most popular show in 2009. Ten years later when Guy Fieri returned, he discovered that the restaurant has undergone only modest expansion in terms of physical space, but tremendous growth when it comes to day-to-day traffic.

It’s a little different than the other restaurants on this list because it is “order-at-the-counter” style. It’s also a place where you typically have to sit at a community table, but with COVID restrictions, that has changed a bit as well. I live for the pancakes at the Tune Up.

Tune Up: A true neighborhood joint busting at the seams with food options to suit everyone’s tastes and dietary restrictions. Their veggie enchiladas are my favorite in town -- filled with fresh veggies and covered in the best Christmas chile; full of flavor, not too spicy.

If you’re looking for more than just a burger, your group will find plenty of variety here. Known for both their red and green chiles, this tasty topping will be found on many of the menu items. It’s also an optional topping on their burgers, of course!

Next on the list of the best breakfast in Santa Fe is Tune-Up Cafe’s New Mexican dishes. This café is a Santa Fe institution and deserves a visit while in the city. They are tucked away in a quiet neighborhood with friendly and accommodating service.

This small, no-frills spot is a local favorite that serves Latin American dishes and a whole lot more. Order at the counter before finding a table, which the restaurant packs in elbow-to-elbow. Try not to be overwhelmed by the options.

(NOTE: We did not visit this cafe but received enough recommendations for it we are adding it to the list). American, New Mexican and Mexican options from breakfast through dinner. The list of gluten-free desserts certainly caught my eye too.

Called Tune-Up Cafe, it was featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives with Guy Fieri. It features food with an El Salvadore-style touch, such as a Pupusa which was delicious. I also had a Tamale wrapped in a banana leaf.

Local neighborhood restaurant serving Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner 7 days a week. restaurant, New Mexican, El Salvadoran, local, Gluten free, vegetarian, bar, family friendly, desserts, patio, breakfast, lunch

- Rating: 4.3/5 (1539 reviews)- Price level: $$- Address: 1115 Hickox St. Santa Fe, New Mexico - Categories: New Mexican Cuisine, Breakfast & Brunch, Salvadoran- Read more on Yelp

Opt for a casual, relaxed ambiance when it comes to dinner tonight at Santa Fe Bar & Grill or Tune Up Café. Photo courtesy: Tune-Up Cafe