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Warm eatery for Mexican & American mains such as Frito pie & steak, with a patio facing the plaza.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 50 Lincoln Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87501
Phone: (505) 490-6550
Website: http://thunderbirdsantafe.net/
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Thunderbird Bar and Grill
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Dining style Casual Dining. Price $30 and under. Cuisines American. Phone number (505) 490-6550. Dress code Business Casual. Location 50 Lincoln Ave, Santa Fe, …
Reviews
Jeff Phillips
We stopped into Thunderbird Bar & Grill in Santa Fe for lunch and were pleasantly surprised by how warm and welcoming the atmosphere was. The vibe is relaxed yet lively, perfect for a midday break.
What really made lunch shine, though, was bartender Rick’s engaging personality. He was friendly, attentive, and made us feel like regulars from the moment we sat down. He made choosing GF options a breeze!
The margaritas were fantastic — balanced, flavorful, and clearly made with care. I ordered the enchiladas, and they came topped with an excellent homemade red sauce that was rich, smooth, and full of authentic New Mexican flavor. Same with the beans—delicious! For dessert, the homemade apple crumble was the perfect finish…warm, sweet, and fantastic.
All in all, Thunderbird delivers a great combination of good food, great drinks, and a fun, comfortable setting. Definitely worth a visit when in Santa Fe!
… moreWhat really made lunch shine, though, was bartender Rick’s engaging personality. He was friendly, attentive, and made us feel like regulars from the moment we sat down. He made choosing GF options a breeze!
The margaritas were fantastic — balanced, flavorful, and clearly made with care. I ordered the enchiladas, and they came topped with an excellent homemade red sauce that was rich, smooth, and full of authentic New Mexican flavor. Same with the beans—delicious! For dessert, the homemade apple crumble was the perfect finish…warm, sweet, and fantastic.
All in all, Thunderbird delivers a great combination of good food, great drinks, and a fun, comfortable setting. Definitely worth a visit when in Santa Fe!
Jerry E.
While the view from the Thunderbird Bar & Grill is arguably one of the best in Santa Fe, the culinary experience often struggles to reach the same heights. Located directly on the historic Plaza with a second-floor balcony, it is a prime spot for people-watching, but travelers should temper their expectations regarding the food and service.
The Atmosphere and Location
There is no denying that the location is the primary engine keeping this establishment afloat. Sitting on the outdoor deck with a margarita while overlooking the hustle and bustle of the Plaza is a quintessential Santa Fe moment. This proximity to major landmarks like the Palace of the Governors makes it an easy, convenient choice for tired tourists.
The Food: A Mixed Bag
While the menu promises a “contemporary Southwestern” experience, the execution often falls short of the high bar set by neighboring eateries.
Temperature Issues: A frequent critique is that dishes—particularly the burgers and enchiladas—often arrive lukewarm or cold, suggesting they may spend too much time sitting under heat lamps or waiting for a server.
Mediocre Quality: The flavors tend toward the “safe” and generic side. In a city world-renowned for its complex red and green chiles, the offerings here can feel uninspired and mass-produced compared to the authentic, scratch-made fare found just blocks away.
Service Struggles
The service at Thunderbird is often described as inattentive or slow. It isn’t uncommon to wait a significant amount of time for a water refill or for the check to arrive. While the staff is generally friendly when they do appear, the high volume of customers driven by the location seems to frequently overwhelm the floor team, leading to a disconnected dining experience.
The “Local” Paradox
Interestingly, you will still see a fair number of locals here, but usually at the bar. For many residents, it functions as a reliable spot for a local craft beer or a quick tequila after work rather than a destination for a gourmet meal. It’s a “comfort” spot for the atmosphere, even if the locals themselves will admit the food is better at places like The Shed or Cafe Pasqual’s.
Recommendation: Go for a drink and the view, but save your appetite for one of Santa Fe’s more dedicated culinary gems if you’re looking for a truly memorable New Mexican meal, at a lower price.
… moreThe Atmosphere and Location
There is no denying that the location is the primary engine keeping this establishment afloat. Sitting on the outdoor deck with a margarita while overlooking the hustle and bustle of the Plaza is a quintessential Santa Fe moment. This proximity to major landmarks like the Palace of the Governors makes it an easy, convenient choice for tired tourists.
The Food: A Mixed Bag
While the menu promises a “contemporary Southwestern” experience, the execution often falls short of the high bar set by neighboring eateries.
Temperature Issues: A frequent critique is that dishes—particularly the burgers and enchiladas—often arrive lukewarm or cold, suggesting they may spend too much time sitting under heat lamps or waiting for a server.
Mediocre Quality: The flavors tend toward the “safe” and generic side. In a city world-renowned for its complex red and green chiles, the offerings here can feel uninspired and mass-produced compared to the authentic, scratch-made fare found just blocks away.
Service Struggles
The service at Thunderbird is often described as inattentive or slow. It isn’t uncommon to wait a significant amount of time for a water refill or for the check to arrive. While the staff is generally friendly when they do appear, the high volume of customers driven by the location seems to frequently overwhelm the floor team, leading to a disconnected dining experience.
The “Local” Paradox
Interestingly, you will still see a fair number of locals here, but usually at the bar. For many residents, it functions as a reliable spot for a local craft beer or a quick tequila after work rather than a destination for a gourmet meal. It’s a “comfort” spot for the atmosphere, even if the locals themselves will admit the food is better at places like The Shed or Cafe Pasqual’s.
Recommendation: Go for a drink and the view, but save your appetite for one of Santa Fe’s more dedicated culinary gems if you’re looking for a truly memorable New Mexican meal, at a lower price.
Kemper Fant
I wondered why this place has a 3.9 stars with so many locals liking it. Now I know. The food could have been outstanding as the taste and presentation was fantastic. But, it was almost cold enough to send back. Tepid. And I’m sure it is a reflection of the service which is poor. The waiter was slow coming around and when he did, he did a great job of making recommendations on the menu. But, after that it was the same slow service. Food came quickly, but there were no check backs and I had to ask the host or manager or whoever that very pleasant person was to get a Togo container and the check. There is no sense of urgency here. I can only imagine that my food sat up on the kitchen counter waiting to be served and getting cold. This could have easily been a five-star rating with even average service. $10 margarita was a real value and delicious.
… moreKathy H
Great balcony overlooking the square. Great for people watching and enjoying the vibe. Food was good.
… moreCrazy Frog
Very disappointing. Ordered a Prickly Pear Margarita $13 that I swear, I swear twice had no tequila. Took 35 minutes to get a beer and the margarita. The chips came much later. Another 10 for napkins. We hate to complain but we did and no effort was made to make things right. The Frog does not recommend this place. Maybe it was a bad day doesn’t matter they could have offered to make another Margarita or throw in a beer.
3.9 after 1400 reviews. That’s not real good.
… more3.9 after 1400 reviews. That’s not real good.
Ruth Kulis
Unfortunately I wouldn’t recommend. Party of 4 for lunch. The kitchen was busy and made a burger wrong, so they held the other 3 meals to remake the burger instead of asking us. When we questioned our server she got snippy. Food wasn’t great after sitting out for so long.
… moreSandra Woodall
This is our go to place for casual food and drinks. The food is consistently great and the service is usually excellent. Friday after Thanksgiving we went to the Santa Fe Plaza for the holiday lights ceremony and for food and drinks. The food was great and the service was excellent. Tikal was our server and she fabulous. So personable, friendly and helpful. Always smiling and on top of everything. We have been going there for over 8 years and while the service is always good, she was the BEST!!!
… moreMcKayla Haldorson
First time and Santa Fe, and my friend picked the best spot for lunch. We were able to sit on the balcony with a beautiful view of the mountains as well as ample people watching opportunities. The chicken nachos were superb.
… moreM. O’Connor
This restaurant is upstairs. It’s right on the Plaza with a tiny balcony. We were greeted and seated quickly. Super friendly, personable service from numerous staff. I ordered soup and salad. My companion ordered a burger. I really liked my salad. I think their blue cheese dressing is very good. The soup did not appear to be right in any regards to its description. Looking back, I should have asked if I received the right soup. My companion said his burger seemed pre-made and was not cooked to his order. He wanted a medium rare burger and got a well done burger. He was not satisfied with that at all. This place is a bit of a throw back. It has a big bar with tvs. They offer a good beer selection. Even though it’s a tad dated it’s OK. I would go back. Parking will be tricky.
… moreAlexis Bustillos- Kaposta
This was our first time dining at The Thunderbird Bar and Grill, and overall, it was a great experience. The food was good, and the service stood out. Our server, Isaiah, was excellent. He was very attentive, friendly, and impressively managed both of our tables with ease.
We ordered a variety of dishes, including the combination fajitas (chicken and shrimp, and chicken and beef), burgers, and quesadillas. Everything came out quickly and tasted great. The only dish that missed the mark was the kids’ mac and cheese. It lacked flavor and could use a little improvement.
We sat on the balcony, which offered a beautiful view of the square. The setting was lovely, with a peaceful atmosphere and a nice touch of seasonal flowering that added to the charm.
We’ll definitely be back to try more from the menu. Highly recommend, especially if you can grab a seat outside!
… moreWe ordered a variety of dishes, including the combination fajitas (chicken and shrimp, and chicken and beef), burgers, and quesadillas. Everything came out quickly and tasted great. The only dish that missed the mark was the kids’ mac and cheese. It lacked flavor and could use a little improvement.
We sat on the balcony, which offered a beautiful view of the square. The setting was lovely, with a peaceful atmosphere and a nice touch of seasonal flowering that added to the charm.
We’ll definitely be back to try more from the menu. Highly recommend, especially if you can grab a seat outside!