You Game?
December 3, 2012
Houma’s Zen emits evening feeling at high noon
December 4, 2012
Santa Fe Cattle Co. opened its doors on North Canal Boulevard in Thibodaux in June. And it hasn’t taken any time for the city’s newest chain to attract a regular herd. And for good reason, too.
Santa Fe fills a perfect niche in the college town. From the peanut shells on the floor to the vintage country décor – complete with cactus, wooden tables, booths and floors, and, hanging from the ceiling near the bar, a “Big Ass Fan” that moves the scintillating aromas coming from the kitchen around the bustling dining areas.
Beginning with my very first visit, Santa Fe has consistently delivered. We were quickly greeted at the door, escorted to our seat and handed a tin bucket of salted peanuts to tide us over while we looked over the casual restaurant’s abundant menu. The signage promises steaks, ribs and fajitas, but the menu is packed with much more: soups and salads, chicken pasta combos, burgers and sandwiches and selections for cowpokes ages 12 and under.
On this particular Friday night, the crowd outside matched the number of folks inside the restaurant. But to make the wait go shorter, Santa Fe set up a makeshift soda bar and handed out menus. Good thing. There are so many combos and options to consider, the extra time allowed guests to mull over the choices without worrying about holding the waitress up – not that our waitress would have minded.
People quickly transitioned to seats inside, and it wasn’t long before our pager lit up like a Christmas alarm.
Our waitress, who happened to be pulling double-duty behind the bar this particular night, was quick on the scene. At her suggestion, we started the evening with a combination of chips and queso with side dips. Santa Fe’s queso includes chunks of ground beef, melted cheese and just the right amount of seasoning. The fresh homemade salsa and guacamole dip were a perfect accompaniment.
The combination of good starters, good conversation and a recent addition to Santa Fe’s menu – the CoronaRita (a margarita served with a Corona tipped inside the glass) – it took a concerted effort not to get too filled up on appetizers.
Santa Fe does have an array of starters. Previous visits, my guest and I munched on peanuts and enjoyed the hot rolls and cinnamon butter that arrived soon after we were seated. But around us, tables enjoyed Texas Toothpicks ($6.79), thin strips of onions and mild jalapenos coated with a crispy, zesty batter, and Texas Sausage ($6.99). The Texas-made smoked jalapeno sausage is grilled with chipotle barbeque sauce and, according to our waitress, is a Santa Fe favorite. Maybe on our next trip, we’ll give it a try.
My guests quickly settled on a half-slab of Hickory Smok’d Ribs ($12.99) and the Club Steak ($10.49). The fall-off-the-bone pork ribs were indeed tender. And the homemade chipotle barbeque sauce is, as promised, finger-licking good. The 6-ounce Club Steak, meanwhile, is topped with a grilled pineapple slice and then covered with a teriyaki glaze. It was cooked perfectly and each bite captured the glazing.
Both dishes are accompanied by two sides – guests choose from the normal homemade sides, potatoes, veggies or Santa Fe rice. The creamy cole slaw received rave reviews. “It’s the way you hope your cole slaw will turn out at home, but never quite does,” my guest said.
At our waitress’s suggestion, I enjoyed the Lynchburg Steak ($10.79). Also upon her advice, I asked for extra Tennessee Whiskey glaze. The hot glaze with its bits of onions and garlic coated the steak, spilled over into the mashed potatoes and steamed squash, carrots and broccoli. Even the picky eater among us devoured my leftovers.
Leftovers, by the way, are a given. Santa Fe serves hearty portions that are every bit as good the next day, fortunately.
Normally, we order a dessert for these reviews. Unfortunately, on every visit so far, the peanuts and entrees have left us too full to even consider one more bite. Santa Fe does have an inviting dessert selection – Molten Chocolate Cake, Brownie Delight, cobblers and cheesecakes. And you can add a scoop of Blue Bell ice cream if the mood strikes. Our next visit, we’re going to pace ourselves to include dessert – or maybe we’ll just order our meal backwards!
Santa Fe’s menu also includes a number of chicken and seafood entrees as well as specialized salads. Lunch deals are available from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. And the restaurant caters events. It’s also worth noting Santa Fe has an in-house butcher. All beef is ground and steaks cut in-house daily. The meat is never frozen.
Friendly service, a diverse, affordable menu and fresh, never-frozen steaks cut in-house separate Santa Fe Cattle Company, Thibodaux’s newest family restaurant, from the rest.
$12.99
$10.49
$10.79
$6.99
