Welcome to El Cafecito
El Cafecito is a charming restaurant located at 820 E Santa Fe Ave in Grants, NM, renowned for its authentic New Mexican cuisine. With a simple yet enticing menu, patrons rave about flavorful dishes such as spicy teezer nachos, richly sauced sopapillas, and delicious chimichangas. The lively atmosphere is complemented by fast service and friendly staff, making every visit memorable. Standout offerings like their deep-fried cherry sopapillas and oversized cinnamon rolls enhance the experience, while gluten-free options cater to diverse dietary needs. Diners consistently praise the restaurant for its cleanliness, welcoming vibe, and top-notch breakfast, making El Cafecito a must-visit gem.
- 820 E Santa Fe Ave, Grants, NM 87020, United States Hotline: +1 505-285-6229
Welcome to the delightful world of El Cafecito, a culinary gem nestled in the heart of Grants, New Mexico. Located at 820 E Santa Fe Ave, this restaurant proudly serves an array of authentic New Mexican dishes that tantalize the taste buds and keep patrons coming back for more. With a simple yet enticing menu, El Cafecito has quickly become a favorite among locals and travelers alike.
Customers rave about the vibrant flavors that shine through each dish. Take, for example, the teezer nachos topped with spicy queso that sets the stage for an unforgettable meal. The onion and chiles are fresh, ensuring a burst of flavor in every bite. Don Givens couldn't get enough of the beef, bean, and guacamole sopapilla, drenched in green chile sauce, balancing the richness of the ingredients with just the right kick.
The dessert menu at El Cafecito is not to be missed. Diners are treated to a unique twist on a classic favorite with the sopapilla stuffed with homemade cherry pie filling. Deep-fried to perfection, and served with a side of vanilla ice cream, it's a sweet finish that leaves a lasting impression. Chas P. highlights the huevos rancheros and the handmade corn tortillas that elevate the breakfast experience, while others praise the Chile relleno and Chile cheese fries as must-tries that showcase the essence of New Mexican cuisine.
Beyond the incredible food, El Cafecito prides itself on exceptional service and a welcoming atmosphere. Diners appreciate the friendliness of the staff and the quick service, making it an ideal spot for any meal of the day. Whether you're in a hurry or looking to savor a leisurely lunch, this eatery caters to all. Customers have remarked on how clean and well-maintained the restaurant is, adding another layer of comfort to the dining experience.
If you find yourself in Grants, do not overlook this culinary treasure. Jessica Vogel and others affirm that a trip to El Cafecito is a dining experience you won’t want to miss. With gluten-free options and hearty portions that reflect the wholesome heart of New Mexican culture, your taste buds will thank you for making this stop. So, next time you're passing through, come hungry and ready to indulge at El Cafecito, where every dish tells a story and every bite resonates with the rich traditions of local cuisine.

Wow! Just wow - we tried this place on a recommendation from some friends and they were dead on! El Cafecito is amazing. Very simple menu but the flavors! Started with teezer nachos, the queso on it was spicy and fantastic. I had beef, bean and guacamole sopapilla covered in green chile sauce also had a beef chimichanga with guacamole with green Chile sauce both of these items were delicious! The real surprise was desert. Basically a sopapilla stuffed with home made cherry pie filling rolled up like a chimi and deep fried, served with vanilla ice cream (icecream was 1 extra) They also offered peach and apple filling and when I go back will sample the others as well and will update my review! When we were departing and paying up front they had the biggest cinnamon rolls I’ve ever seen and also turnovers with the same fillings described above! If you’re any where close to this place you should stop by, you will NOT be disappointed! I am posting a pic of my plate - it’s messy because I took a bite before the photo... I went back through here yesterday - 21Apr2023 - had breakfast. Larry’s special with green chile sauce - plus an order of French toast. Larry’s special was awesome the French toast was basic, but good. I bought a cinnamon roll to go and heated it up later with some butter as recommended by the staff and it was delicious. I’d recommend this place for any meal! Relocating to NM and on a house hunting trip...revisited on 7-24-2024. Herb took care of us and the food is as good as ever. On Herb's recommendation I got 2 hotdogs 1 with green Chile the other with red Chile and had Chile cheese fries. I didn't go to eat hot dogs, but they were AWESOME. Also had a Chile relleno with green Chile, it was excellent as well. GF had stuffed sopapilla and really enjoyed that. I love this place!!! Photos below.

My husband and I ate here and it was TERRIFIC. Fastest restaurant I have ever been to, and the meal was really really good. Plenty of gluten free options. Probably one of my best restaurant experiences, husband was VERY pleased. Will be back if passing through.

Looking for a good hot breakfast? Found it! Best huevos rancheros ever! Best green chili salsa! Amazing handmade tortillas, especially the corn tortillas! Hand squeezed orange juice! Great coffee! I knew that I had the right place when I pulled in and the parking lot was full. Friendly waitress and a wonderful atmosphere with the nice people and beautiful decorations. Oh my goodness! I can't say enough nice about this place. Mark it down on your saved places. You'll want to come back her for real authentic New Mexican cuisine. Get a quart of the salsa to go. You won't be sorry. The price is better than the local supermarket. Breakfast was cooked to perfection! I just had to write this all down before I head home. This place puts Grant on the map! And CLEAN! The restroom, the floors, the parking lot! Not too many places like this to be found. I thank God I found it. Thank you El Cafecito!

Visiting family and they took me out to eat here. I was extremely impressed! Yes, it’s not authentic Mexican per se, but it was definitely authentic New Mexican cuisine! I had the combination plate which was delicious, but I tried some of my cousin’s Chile Rellenos...and I immediately wish I got that instead! I will definitely be back!

What a great restaurant! We were staying in area looking for another place when we passed by this restaurant. Always a good sign when parking lot is near full. Exterior kinda plain, but when you enter, wow! Nice decorative interior. Welcomed upon entry and immediately seated. Server was pleasant and took our drink order. Was surprised when we asked for menu and server showed us the menu (smaller insize) already on table. Plenty of local options. We placed our order and within minutes it was served. And delicious! Would definitely visit again when in area.

I was traveling from Minnesota to Phoenix for a motorcycle ride in the hills back in April . I wanted a good authentic Mexican meal and this little place had some of the best food I’ve had in a long time. Great food friendly staff that cared to visit and give great service. Wonderful busy place I’d definitely go out of my way to eat at again. Thanks so much!!

We had a very nice meal and they were so accommodating to our two year old. However whatever sauce they put on the rice tastes like spaghetti-o's and it would be so much better to serve just the rice without the weird sauce. My only note.

Our party of 8 all loved their respective dishes. Let's face it, Grants has limited options and this place is definitely the best in town. The food is super authentic, priced well and our server was excellent.