Santa Fe Trailer (cart)
In a word: Better than anything from Acheson or Topeka.
The specs: #0691
Address, hours & details via Isthmus; reviews at Madison Street Eats, A.V. Club, Isthmus, Madison.com; official web site.
Latest Santa Fe Trailer news and reviews
JM ate the chili verde beef burrito.
Nichole ate the chicken taco and the carne adovado taco.
We split some chips and salsa.
The bill was $14, or $7/person, plus tip.
JM and Nichole gave Santa Fe Trailer an A (see our grading rubric).
Santa Fe Trailer is one of our favorites. It took us a year or more to get to them (see also: Ingrid's) but one of us has been known to sneak off for a bite there in the interim. The food's always fresh, the flavors pop, and the people are nice; other than Sabores Latinos (whatever happened to them, anyway? Are they only late-night now?) there's no taco/burrito truck, whether Tex-Mex, New-Mex, Hex Hex or Mexican, we'd rather go to.
All that said, the burrito is a less fun option because it's tricky to poke through the tortilla to the moist, meaty fillings. Maybe bringing your own metal utensils (and napkins, this stuff is juicy) is a good idea. Better idea: get the tacos.
Comparing the chicken and pork tacos side by side, it was obvious that the chili-rubbed pork was the better choice. The green chili added a nice kick. Yeah, the tortillas are flour, New-Mex style, but they're grilled to a warm suppleness.
The salsa is deep red and rich and the chips are crunchy. Gazpacho with sour cream, excellent chili, fresh guacamole, and rotating specials are all available on a regular basis. Even if you don't like cart eating, Santa Fe Trailer deserves a visit as soon as you can make one.
they have some killer breakfast burritos as well. Love the spicy salsa.
Posted by: Corey | July 18, 2011 at 09:11 AM
They serve their food at the Branch Street Retreat in Middleton on Monday nights... as well as their amazing Prickly Pear Margaritas!
Posted by: Joel | July 18, 2011 at 09:52 AM
Joel, that's really nice to know. I haven't been to the Branch in a few years now but the knowledge that I can get a Santa Fe burrito will get me through the door.
Posted by: Bruce | July 19, 2011 at 05:09 PM
I LOVE their green verde burrito, but I usually get it with chicken. Something about their green chile sauce that absolutely MAKES the burrito. Maybe once the heat dies down I'll go and get one at the library mall cart.
Posted by: Addi | July 20, 2011 at 03:49 PM
Just saw this posting for the first time. Thanks to all of you for your feedback on our food. I really take delight in serving you! P.S.(The burritos may be the most popular but the enchiladas are the BEST and easier to eat! Spicier too!)
Posted by: Lori H | August 30, 2011 at 01:17 AM