Let me just start off by saying that most of the previous reviews should be discounted. Seriously? These people don't know good food. One of them thinks Texas Roadhouse is a good restaurant... Just saying.
Now, on to the review. I have been to this restaurant several times now. I live in Indianapolis but the girlfriend is from Scottsburg so we are down quite often to visit with her family. The first time we went there I was a little apprehensive. Authentic Mexican food in a one-horse town where 99.5% of people probably hate Mexicans? Doubtful, right? Wrong. I was raised in a town where Hispanics, and Mexicans make up a large portion of population. As such I was raised eating some pretty good, authentic, Mexican food. So, I can be pretty snobby about my Mexican food (That's right, I am judging you every time you go to Taco Bell/ Taco Time/Jack in the Box). However, this armed me with the knowledge that Santa Fe is pumping out some pretty good product in their quaint, family owned, location. Also, the menu is small with a good amount of choices and nothing overwhelming. Sometimes Mexican restaurants have menus that are 10 pages long, which can be frustrating.
The first time I ordered a combination dinner with some chicken enchiladas, a tomale, and a chile rellano and a Modelo Especial. The salsa that comes out first is simple, fresh, and tasty and the beer prices are almost laughable they are so low. The food is simple, delicious, if not plebeian, and wonderful. The mole sauce on the enchiladas was AWESOME. Warm, sweet, smokey with a touch of tang. This was a different mole than I was used to and suspect it is probably inspired by the family's specific region of origin. The tamale was your normal offering done well, but not spectacular. The ultimate prize was the chile rellano. Wow, this is one of my favorite Mexican dishes and I look forward to trying them out at every Mexican restaurant that I go to. And, I can say with utmost certainty, that this was the best one I have ever had. It was perfectly fried and filled with the warm, spicy, cheese that is typical to these types of chile rellanos. Its batter was perfect and the accompanying tomato sauce is one of the most delicious, and simple, Mexican sauces I have had. One can not understate the beauty in a simple sauce. This chile differed than most I have had in that it was made from a yellow banana pepper. Either way, the meal (and the rice, too!) were simple and wonderful.
The next time I came I ordered the same thing, with the same results. This time the chile was the more traditional poblano pepper, and it was just as delicious. The fact that they make little changes to their dishes only makes me want to come back even more. Either way, make it a point to stop in when you're in the area, you will not regret your decision! read more
