Santa Fe Mexican Grill - Newark

Def try the wings! Best wings ever!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great food and atmosphere!

Very good food, nice and quick service, good for a quick dinner!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I enjoy the happy hour deals here! Normally I sit at the bar. The food is delicious and they have a large margarita menu with specialty margs. Free chips and salsa is a huge plus! Full meals are a little pricy and don’t expect too much spice, but a nice campus visit. Indoor and outdoor seating.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Birria tacos were not the best. Consomme was good and had the expected cinnamon and clove flavor, but was extremely watery and not reduced. Tortillas themselves were soggy because of the takeout packaging. Beef was fatty and unseasoned. You can get better Birria from numerous establishments within 5 miles; if you go here I would order more popular items.

Food: 3

The food is delicious and they give large quantities. The chimis and burritos and massive, filling, and mouth watering. Not our first visit and it won't be our last.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Used to be my favorite Spanish restaurant went last week was very disappointed compared to the past years

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 2

Service: 2

Have eaten at Sante Fe several times for both lunch and dinner and always had a good time. Service has always been fast and friendly. The outdoor seating is nice. The free chips and salsa are a nice perk. The Margheritas are great. And the Chicken Fajitas and Street Tacos are delicious. Highly recommended.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Fajitas

Our daughter lives in the area and heard a lot of hype about this place. We decided to check it out for dinner. Perhaps it had been too hyped to us, because we weren’t impressed. Our server clearly didn’t know the wine selections, so when my husband ordered a Cabernet Sauvignon he seemed unsure of whether the bar offered that and offered a Pinot noir. Upon discovering the bar menu on our table we saw Cabernet Sauvignon is one of ONLY 4 reds served of 8 wines in total. We were not off to a great start with our server, but rolled with it. We’re a family of four, we ordered tacos from the appetizer menu, a shrimp burrito, short rib enchiladas and a short rib chimichanga (pictured). Portions were generous though all of our rice & bean sides were barely room temperature, rice filler to meat ratio was a little disappointing. Flavors/seasoning was mediocre. Prices were fair for the portions. Booth seating was a little uncomfortable in that the seats benches were low for the table height. Our kids thought the best part was the complimentary chips (served warm) and salsa. Overall, nothing to brag about here.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 3

Loved this restaurant! It is one of go to’s when my mother comes to visit!
It is a warm and welcoming restaurant! I would definitely recommend!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

It is a good restaurant but in my experience , the lack of need to be clean is concerning. I had found a bug in my food indicating the lack of cleaning there is in the vegetables. I had ordered chicken fajita tacos on August 3rd, and as I took my last taco to go I proceeded to take a bite to then see a big crawl from some of my food that had fallen out of the taco. I was horrified, this did not help my existing fear of eating out due to the low sanitary standards and lack of care people have. The food was good when I first ate it but not anymore now that I know it is not clean. To add on, I even went there when it had just opened for the day, so you would think everything is clean and prepped. I had gone with some friends and we were placed in the back of the restaurant. When we asked if we could be placed in somewhere with more sunlight, we were told that it wasn’t set up yet and we would have to just stay there. 20-30 minutes later, someone had been seated in the area we had requested . I was a little confused because setting up ; adding silverware , wouldn’t have been much of a hassle and we wouldn’t have minded waiting. The restaurant was empty as well, so there were plenty of seats but I am uncertain of the motive there. But I can’t speak on their behalf. Anyway, I am not sure if I want to return but maybe it was just one bad experience. I hope everyone can enjoy the restaurant and take my experience as a tip! Enjoy !!!

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 4

Great place to hang out, solid drinks. Live music occasionally during the summer months. Bartender was not speedy, but attentive.

Sky high prices for fairly mediocre tex mex style eats. $15 quesadilla almost made me cry. Also tried the quesa birria tacos and felt they lacked flavor despite the sauces available.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 3

Worth a review! Birria Quesadillas were delicious and presented well. The chicken in the tacos - shredded - was so well seasoned and full of moisture and flavor that we told everyone it’s a must order when they visit. It was our first time dining - in and Christian was our server. He was well spoken and knowledgeable about the menu. Only downfall was how warm it was in the dining area. We will absolutely return.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 5

Santa Fe Mexican Grill brings vibrant Southwestern energy to Newark’s Main Street, combining festive decor, lively music, and flavorful Mexican cuisine. As soon as you walk in, you’re welcomed by colorful walls, upbeat Latin rhythms, and the aroma of spices and grilled meats. The menu includes all the classics—enchiladas, tacos, burritos—as well as more inventive options like cactus salad and mole chicken. I ordered the carne asada tacos, which came with grilled steak, onion, cilantro, and lime. The steak was perfectly seasoned and cooked medium rare, providing a smoky, charred flavor. The tortillas were soft and warm, clearly fresh. My companion tried the enchiladas suizas—filled with pulled chicken, topped with a creamy tomatillo sauce and melted cheese. We also ordered a side of guacamole made tableside, which was a fun and tasty touch. Margaritas here are strong and generous, with a good balance of citrus and tequila. Service was upbeat and attentive, even on a crowded Saturday night. Prices are reasonable, and the portions leave you full. Santa Fe is a great spot for group dinners, casual nights out, or anytime you’re craving flavorful Mexican food in a festive setting. It’s lively, consistent, and full of personality.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Birria & margs 10/10.

Server was also adorable.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5