Not open during published hours on web or on door, is still listed as cash only for those who want to try read more

Mesa Vista Cafe - 11 am on Saturday, July 19. Web hours don't match but either way should have been open - Diners Near Me - Ojo Caliente, New Mexico

The breakfast burrito was good and got quick service and unlimited OK I gave her five stars then now I'm gonna post to see well. I can't. I can't. I got ambulance to light up to coffee, nice atmosphere and family owned and operated, reasonable priced read more

Delicious breakfast burritos. With that said it seems like this place recently went through some big changes; The menu is extremely limited and sounded like the hours of operation are also subject to change. We weren't in a rush which was a huge benefit but it's worth noting service was very slow and it's CASH ONLY. read more

Amazing, fresh food. Had the chicken enchiladas with fresh green chiles. Absolutely recommend this place! Make sure to have cash, it's a cash only establishment. read more

On our way out to La Madera we stopped to grab breakfast at this lil' gem. You walk in and there are few tables but are greeted with a friendly hello from both patrons and owner. We ordered our breakfast and just carried on conversation with locals and those passing through. The food was amazing! Cooked to order and very good. We will have to make a stop again, worth the drive! read more

See all

After a visit to Ojo Caliente we stopped by one of the few restaurants in town. I ordered the pork tamales with green chilies. You could tell it was homemade. Fresh and delicious. After lunch I was tempted to try one of their homemade desserts- chocolate cake or apple or cherry pie but couldn't quite get there. The tamales were so filling. Besides myself there were only locals eating there so I figured maybe I found a hidden gem. The decor reminded me of being in an episode of American pickers. Lots of interesting antiques. If you are in the area, do stop by. read more

Mesa Vista Cafe - Diners Near Me - Ojo Caliente, New Mexico

We thought we wanted to eat at the Spa however, we saw this place was open finally. Since Taos County has opened for 50% indoor dining from being closed except for take-out due to Covid... We are so happy we stopped in for a delicious meal. We could order off the lunch or dinner menu and they had many choices. I picked the tamale plate and it was so delicious. The flavors were perfect and the tamale was stuffed with pork. I loved it. The lady working was fantastic. She had on a mask but you could tell she was smiling behind that mask. She checked on us several times and even make sure out Service Dog was well taken care of. We will be back next time was are passing through. The place has very cool decorations. Antique for sure. The food is for real..... go "check it out"! read more

I don't think "fancy" will ever be the word to describe this place... but that's A Okay with me. Everything about this little cafe made me think of being a kid, back home in Alabama, at my grandparents house. The smell - kind of like antique furniture, plus home cooked food, plus fresh brewed coffee, plus whatever they use to clean with. The decor -random animal heads on the wall, plants on every window sill, antique everything. The food - simple, fresh, homemade, delicious. Worth the stop. read more

Mesa Vista Cafe - Green Chile and cheese breakfast burrito. - Diners Near Me - Ojo Caliente, New Mexico

See all

This place is a solid meal. Humble place and friendly staff. I ordered a cheeseburger and it was balanced and tasty. Not the best but straight forward and pretty good. The green chile tamale was delicious and just the right amount of heat you want. The BLT had the right ratio to make it a tasty option as well. Nice place to stop along the road trip or if you're staying at the ojo hot springs. read more

This is the real thing. Most of their customers and staff are speaking Spanish in a Norteño manner. I'd recommend the Huevos Rancheros Christmas, because I can't decide which chile I like best. The service is excellent, and the Decour genuine. Like I said this is the real thing, the real New Mexico. Ten months luego, and still awesome! read more

If your at Ojo Caliente leave the resort and take a short walk to Mesa Vista Cafe, it is worth it. If your looking for better food and a welcoming atmosphere then the Cafe is your best bet! We went for breakfast and the portion sizes were huge and full of traditional New Mexican flavor. Plus they provide you with a bottomless cup of coffee!! Please support your local businesses and leave the spa for a wonderful breakfast or lunch at The Mesa Vista Cafe! read more

Mesa Vista Cafe - Huevos Rancheros...excellent! - Diners Near Me - Ojo Caliente, New Mexico

See all

Best service, the lady that works there, is like being around family. She is so easy to talk to. We sat at the counter, because I don't get to do that very often. It is becoming at thing of the past, diner counters. The inside of the restaurant is filled with tons of pictures, horse shoes, nostalgic cooking stove and more. You could spend a good amount of time just looking at everything. I find that part of the charm. Food not bad. I ordered the breakfast burrito with green chili. I don't really recommend that on an empty stomach. I learned the hard way. We also ordered 2 bean and cheese burritos, Christmas style for togo. Ate them at the airport. I used some of the salt they put in the bags. Tasted great. read more

What a delightful place! Owners were super friendly, as were all the locals stopping in for lunch. As they serve Huevos Rancheros all day, we both got that, and it did not disappoint. They also offer some homemade jams/jellies for sale, and we counted ourselves lucky to score some Chokecherry jelly. Easy stop right on Hwy 285, with easy parking for our travel trailer. read more

Great place we stopped in randomly for some lunch. We had the burrito plate, huevose rancheros, BLT, and turkey sandwich. We loved all of the food. These small town diners like this are real treasures. read more

Friendly, small family cafe & yummy red chili enchilada plates! Ate here over 10 years ago & was so excited it was still here as we were coming back from vacation! Plan your lunch stop here! read more

Mesa Vista Cafe - the front of the restaurant - Diners Near Me - Ojo Caliente, New Mexico

We were staying at the Ojo Caliente resort and had neglected to make dinner reservations at their restaurant and so had to eat in town. The Mesa Vista was listed on Yelp with a good review and there appeared to be many cars in the parking lot. We were optimistic. However, when we walked in the door there was only one customer (we still don't know where the cars came from!) and the restaurant smelled of old grease. We would have walked out, but a super friendly woman came out from the kitchen and we were too embarrassed/polite to leave. We should have left. Although the service was great and friendly, the food was horrid. I ordered beef tacos and my husband ordered a Mexican combination plate. All of our food was microwaved. (We could hear the microwave and its dings clearly from the kitchen.) My soft taco shells were so over-microwaved they were leathery. The beef was standard ground beef with no spice or flavor. My tacos had the plain beef, some bagged orange cheese and iceburg lettuce. Salsa that looked like Ortega came on the side as did what were clearly canned refried beans with a few sprinkles of the same bagged orange cheese. My husband's combination plate was also microwaved and consisted of the same pre-made food items (canned beans, jarred salsa, etc) It was all edible (barely) but not authentic, not homemade and not tasty. We had so many wonderful meals in New Mexico, but this was like the bad "Mexican" food you'd be served by someone's crazy aunt in the midwest. Very sad because the waittress (who clearly also served as the sole kitchen employee) was very friendly. We would not return and would not recommend the place to friends. read more

Awesome service and great Mexican American Vegetarian and Non Vegetarian Dishes. Sign says it opens at 7am but they told us 8:00. The service is excellent-there is a really good vibe in there. The Huevos Rancheros are HOTT and delicious. The Bison burgers with Green Chili might knock your socks off-it varies, it was super hot one day and tolerable the next. Hot pie right out of the oven topped with ice cream tops off the meal. This is the place to eat at when you visit Ojo Caliente Spa-prices are low but the food is wonderful. Enjoy read more

Mesa Vista Cafe - Mesa Vista Cafe - Diners Near Me - Ojo Caliente, New Mexico

What a great find in northern New Mexico. We were at ojo Caliente for the weekend and decided to come here for breakfast. Burrito with green chili... amazing. Frito pie and enchilada's were amazing. Great spot and great service. Highly recommend. read more

Mesa Vista Cafe - Breakfast burrito smothered in green Chile. - Diners Near Me - Ojo Caliente, New Mexico

There was moldy chicken in the enchilada. It's a weird place and a dental tool (Dremel) was being used in the "kitchen", and no smell of cooking food ever came out of there. Scary! read more

Great hole in the wall - mom and pop diner. Had the migas for breakfast and they were spot on. If you want fancy this is not your place. If you want character, local, good food at a reasonable price this is the spot. read more

People - staff Amazing Food - amazing Cute town I recommend the burgers, chile cheese fries - breakfast & homemade Pies !! read more

This place is exactly what I want from a NM diner. Low key atmosphere, NO music, great customer service, and the crinkle cut fries I remember from my youth. The most delicious chili cheese hot dog with impeccable NM red chili... for $3.50! It may open late or close early, but it is worth the gamble. Your food is made to order and is unforgettably delicious. read more

Mesa Vista Cafe - The chili cheese dog I eat in my dreams - Diners Near Me - Ojo Caliente, New Mexico

See all

There are many places off the beaten trail that I try that are not worth returning to, this Cafe is NOT one of them. I have returned for breakfast as this restaurant is authentic old school NM and it rocks! Super relaxed vibe, super nice people. It's clear I'm not from around here and I have received zero bad vibes because if it. The food is great! Did I mention that the food is great! This place gets five stars because it does what it does really well in a unique and authentic way. It's worth the stop, don't be loud and disrespectful when you eat at this gem, it's worth it! read more

Nice, welcoming spot. Great coffee. Huge portions but kinda bland...also took a long time but I am from NJ and admittedly impatient.

Nothing fancy, just solid food served by friendly people. We had both breakfast and dinner here, and it was all good. Reasonable prices. Family atmosphere. I would eat here again if I make it back to Ojo. read more

Friendly place, and great home style NM cooking. We shared a table with the locals and couldn't have had a more fun time. Waitstaff was busy, but efficient. Next time through, I'll be back! read more

Charming breakfast at this establishment. The regulars greeted us and chatted us up about the weather etc - made us feel welcome. Nice walk from Ojo, decent cup of joe. read more

Nice, welcoming spot. Great coffee, but I hate refills without being asked as I like to get the perfect mix of milk and sugar which gets ruined with a fresh dump of black. Anyway, huge portions on huevos rancheros but kinda bland...also took a long time but I am from NJ and admittedly impatient. read more

Super friendly, very clean. Had the homemade burger and fries. Fresh hatch green chili's amazing on fries and burger. Don't miss this quaint little place read more

Just perfect! Stopped here after soaking in the hot springs. I ordered the Tamale Plate and my wife got a bean burrito. We both agreed that the chili was perfect, we liked it better than La Choza. The woman who waited on us was very kind. This seems like a real neighborhood place where you get great food for a decent price. No pretensions, no frills, just local charm. read more

Mesa Vista Cafe - Beautiful in the setting sun. - Diners Near Me - Ojo Caliente, New Mexico

Very good food!!!! I would recommend to all my friends and family! The Green Chile is sooooo good!

Let me start by saying that the staff from Mesa Vista Café really care about your comfort and happiness. They really really care. And I knew this the moment I stepped in, because they had situated their mounted elk head in such a way that it could gaze contemplatively out the window, pondering its current state and how things got to this point. Not many people would take the time to make sure their dead elk has a proper view. But the owners of Mesa Vista Café did. Because they care. I simply could not applaud their heartfelt service more. Next: the food. Remember those crinkly freezer french fries from your elementary school cafeteria? Yes? Now imagine those covered in melted cheese and a delicious green chili sauce derived primarily from canned chilis. Mesa Vista Café has that! It's like a childhood dream and an adult nightmare wrapped up into one confusing, but ultimately satisfying dish. You should order it. My only complaint was that it wasn't Velveeta cheese, the melted gold of the dairy world, but really, I'm being overly picky. We ordered this dish as a starter, and we were extremely satisfied. Next we ordered a beef enchilada, a chicken enchilada, a bean and cheese burrito, and a chicken quesadilla. There were at least 4 other items on the menu to choose from, including gourmet frito pie, but we felt our four items were staple New Mexico dishes that should not be overlooked. And boy, were we right. The beef enchilada was simple, but tasty. The green chili was an exquisite accompaniment. It had a lovely fresh bite to it, and a lingering finish that truly captured the essence of roadside New Mexico dining. I could taste the culture. We were somewhat disappointed by the chicken enchilada. I could tell that the chicken was not free range, organically raised, or native speaking, which really came forward on the palette. But again, the green chili was divine, so we couldn't reasonably complain. Next was the chicken quesadilla. With a little salsa and lettuce, this was rather tasty. And last but not least was the bean burrito. It had a pleasing molten core. I've never had refried beans in a burrito before (and I mean only refried beans), but I'd do it again. I think. My only real complaint is that they were not serving breakfast burritos at 1:30 in the afternoon. I was somewhat taken aback by this, given their warm welcome and wonderful service. Breakfast is the single most important meal of the day, and I shouldn't be penalized for when I choose to get up. This is America. When the server informed me that, no, I cannot have a green chili and ham breakfast burrito, I glanced over at the elk. For a moment, he and I met gazes, and I could tell from the shame in his eyes that this had happened before. He has seen some things, that elk. Which is why he continues to gaze out the window across the New Mexico landscape. Imagining a life free of this daily repetition. Longing for something more. Like a breakfast burrito. read more

See all

The food is fine, the service is great, and the place smells of old grease. I had the breakfast burrito and my fellow diners had the tuna sandwich with fries (crinkle cut), and chicken and cheese enchiladas with red. read more

What a charming little place! Family run, full of really cool antique pieces on the walls, and serving a nice selection of NM specialties from frito pie to buffalo burgers. Check out the home made berry pie! If you go on a Thursday, you may end up in a great conversation with some local seniors who gather for lunch! A great alternative to Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs stuffy and expensive restaurant. read more

We made a wrong turn and ended up driving through OC, so decided to give this place a shot. The service couldn't have been friendlier and it was also prompt. The food was tasty and a reasonable value for the (low) price -- I preferred the red chile sauce but my friend liked the green... get 'em both FTW. We had some veggie and chicken enchiladas and tamales. It's not gourmet and it's not the best you ever ate, but it tasted fresh and good. Fun decor seals the deal. read more

Service was painful. Worst tacos I've ever had ever. Unless you're out of choices I recommend passing on this place.

As other reviewers said, we had excellent service from a very friendly waitress. My husband had a buffalo burger that was very good. I had a turkey sandwich and we shared an order of green chili fries. The food was good and reasonably priced. We will definitely return if we are in Ojo Caliente again. I also enjoyed looking at all the antiques and "Bill" the night watchman. read more

I just had the best Huevos rancheros I've ever had. I loved this place. Cute small town feel. I will say it is made fresh to order so if you are in a hurry or don't have patience move on. But if you want an excellent home cooked meal by hard a working family this is the spot. If the locals love it that says something. read more

The green chile burger. Heaven... The staff is friendly, like family. They treated mine like so. It's a tasty unique New Mexican restaurant in a magical area. read more

I wanted to like this place, I really, really did. The food was just extremely bad. I love divey Mexican food and am typically very forgiving of mediocre food but this was just not even up to the mediocre level. The one saving grace was that the server was very sweet. read more