by Shandea Williams
Daily Lobo
After reading history of the Church Street CafÇ, I was excited to visit this small New Mexican restaurant.
According to the restaurant's Web site, the little house was originally built by the Ruiz family in the early 19th century. The building served as a residence for the family until Rufina G. Ruiz died in 1991. After that, the house was purchased by the Coleman family and turned into the Church
Street CafÇ.
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When I first walked in, I noticed it was not only a restaurant but also a shop. It sold its salsa, teas, Red Rock Roasters coffee, postcards and jewelry.
I was greeted by the restaurant's owner, Marie Coleman, who directed me to a table inside. There was a nice outside patio with a fountain in the back of the restaurant.
After being seated, I was
treated to a basket of chips and salsa. I love when restaurants offer chips and salsa as an appetizer for no cost. The salsa was a nice medium - not too much tomato, not too many chunks.
The restaurant was busy Sunday afternoon, so it took quite awhile to receive anything. I spent nearly two hours there. I wasn't sure if the restaurant was short-staffed or if things were just moving extraordinarily slow, but it definitely was irritating.
I ordered a couple of dishes, including the "Mile-High Pile" - eggs, potatoes, cheese, bacon and chile - for $5.95 and "Nachos de Rio Grande" for $6.95. The Mile-High Pile wasn't nearly a mile high, but it was quite filling. The nachos, on the other hand, were closer to such a height. My eating companions enjoyed them, but neither finished the dish.
After finishing our meal, we noticed the dessert menu, replete with a great deal of favorites. It includes deep-fried ice cream for $3.50, natillas for $2 and a sopapilla stuffed with vanilla ice cream for $3.50.
Overall, the restaurant was busy. The food was pretty good, but the service was slow. Be careful when using a debit card here because the restaurant will charge a service fee at the register. Plan ahead and bring cash. Besides its flaws, it is a nice family restaurant with a beautiful outside seating area right in the heart of Old Town.
Church Street CafÇ
2111 Church St. NW
Open every day
8 a.m.-9 p.m.
Recommendations
Mile-High Pile
El Gringo
Vegetarian fajitas
Marie's Vegetarian
Deep-fried ice cream
Tortilla burger
Tabitha Roybal / Daily Lobo
Diners eat on the patio at the Church Street CafÇ on Sunday.
