Santa Fe Grill

The barbacoa quesadilla with pico de gallo is my go to. The quesadilla has a ton of meat and the perfect amount of cheese. The green sauce is deliciously spicy. I also recommend the con queso burrito.

Walked in with one other table eating and no one ever said a word or anything to me. I saw a lady in the back peek her head around the corner so I know they saw me. FYI this isn’t a real restaurant for those who have never been here and use Unilocal to find places like I did. This is more like they live upstairs in their apartment and just opened a «restaurant» on the bottom floor. Shame too because it had good reviews. Since I didn’t get to try the food I can only go on looks alone, and on looks alone it looks like a hell hole with a screen door on the front.

If you eat meat, this place is very good for authentic Mexican food.
Its sort of sparse-​feeling inside, but service is great and the prices can’t be beat! Its conveniently close to the university, as well.

Would not recommend this restaurant. The chips were clearly store bought, round chips. I ordered the chicken fajitas with white sauce and they were very spicy, and just okay. The rice was perhaps a microwave in the bag type as it had freeze dried sweet peas in it. I could have made this meal at home.

So this was my first venture to Santa Fe Grill. I moved to Louisville 12 years ago and had always heard of this elusive Mexican restaurant, in a rough area of town, that only takes cash. When I heard people talk about it I felt like you had to be part of the «in» crowd or you couldn’t walk in. This could not be farther from the truth! Here are my tips for newcomers to Santa Fe: 1– JUST GO. 2 — They they take credit cards. 3– Seat yourself. 4– Yes, the chips are probably Kroger Brand but the rest of the food makes up for it. 5 — Order a Burrito and watch the faces of others around you as they set the massive plate down in front of you. It’s small and friendly. I couldn’t give it a 5 just because of the Kroger chips and semi-​bland salsa but everything else makes up for that. Don’t second guess yourself and don’t miss it … ITS THE PURPLE BUILDING. They also serve lime with their water and it makes me smile.

My absolute favorite Mexican place in town. Been coming here for almost 7 years. Homemade chorizo, big portions for little prices and a grocery store around back to grab a treat after lunch/​dinner.
We call it ‘Purple House’ and I honestly didn’t know the real name for probably the first 2 years. Everyone who works here is friendly. Real Cokes (Mexican coke, sugar/​no corn syrup, in the tall bottle) and horchata bring in the double bonus. Burritos are huge, quest and salsa are good enough, but the hot green salsa is my favorite.
I usually get three Mexican tacos (chicken, chorizo, pork or lengua (beef tongue)) and I’m good to go.
Street parking only. Be aware of Churchill race days, UofL baseball games and football. Parking gets scarce.

I’ve been eating here since opening. Best tacos Mexican style. Best fresh quac. If you can handle the heat… Best red sauce around! Makes everything taste better even if eyes and nose are running. Get a Horchata drink, tastes so good & will help put down some fire! My favorite? Huge Chicken burrito, of course, only Mexican style! My daughter orders hers with white sauce on top which must be queso. Sweet owners also, their cute Son has grown up here in Louisville

First time diner. Heard so many good things
about this place. Was not disappointed. I had the enchilado with beef. It was HUGE and only $ 7. My friends both had an enchilado blanco platter with chicken. Both loved it. Great food, prompt friendly service and decent prices. Definitely be back.

I love this place. Their food is fast and fresh. The atmosphere sports much Mexican paraphernalia, pictures of the owner’s family and the many awards the restaurant has won. It’s always super busy for lunch, but dinner time is a little more tame and less crowded. I visit so often that the owners know me. I bring visitors to the city here as an example of a nice family-​owned Mexican restaurant. So far, everyone has enjoyed the food as much as I.

Mom & Pop Mexican café, nothing fancy but classics are all very good. Jarritos and Mexican Coca-​Cola, homemade lemonade are available but no beer. Salsa is not spicy, homemade spicy verde and habanera salsas made upon request and served hot and excellent. Great place for take-​out and they do a lot of it here.

First time here. It looks a little sketch from the outside but once inside the service was super fast. I ordered the quesadilla with chicken, cheese and beans. It was amazing. It was soooo good that after I finished it, I went glutenous girl status and ordered another one. The chips and salsa were also good. Would def go back!

Santa Fe is close to where I work, so I eat there a lot. The food is fantastic each and every time. I recommend the Mexican style tacos with Pastor pork. The only reason I would not give 5 stars is that the service is somewhat apathetic. Not bad, particularly, just meh.

Great mexican food at even better prices! The food at this place does not dissapoint. It’s near University of Louisville’s campus and serves up some of the better mexican food in town.
The service is always friendly and they are efficient too.
They also have fun mexican sodas, try one.

I used to eat street tacos as a kid growing up in San Diego, CA. Those were the best tacos I’ve ever had. Growing up, then moving to Kentucky, the struggle to find something like that was real.
Fast forward to college, when my dad finds this place. I ordered 3 tacos that day — carnitas (pork), pastor (saucy pork), carne respicada (steak) — all Mexican style (cilantro and onion). You guys, I don’t do this often, but I cried when I first bit into the pastor taco because MY CHILDHOOD! I haven’t had a taco this delicious since I was a kid! And the price? it’s like $ 1.50 per taco for corn tortilla. So not only was my precious taco super delicious, but it was also hella cheap!!!
If you haven’t gone here already, you need to check this place out! Except don’t plan on eating too many of the chips and salsa that comes out prior to your food. They’re usually kinda stale… But it’ll save room in your stomach for more tacos!

Good as ever, so gratifying to be assured with every visit their quality and standards are A-​OK. I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy a side of the most authentic chili relleno since La Posta in La Mesilla. You will not find the Monterey Jack milky goo that is so common in Derby City. Cheers

Santa Fe Grill is the best-​known little-​known hotspot that I can think of.
Despite the fact that pretty much all of my friends know about it and that it has a very devoted, almost cult-​like following — especially among anyone who went to UofL — it maintains its underground feel.
And I hope it continues feeling special to eat at for a long time to come.
Santa Fe’s burritos are my go-​to. I get the American version — that’s what it’s called on the menu — which has lettuce and tomato. The Mexican version has onion and cilantro instead.
These burritos are huge — definitely able to fill you up and perhaps then some.
While I can’t put my finger on how they’re different, they taste better than 90 percent of the other burritos I have eaten.
And at $ 6.90 each — from what I can tell, the prices have gone up in the last year or so – they are as easy on your wallet as they are uneasy on your waste line.
Santa Fe’s guac is also praise-​worthy, as is the fact that it carries Mexican Coca-​Cola — made with sugar cane instead of corn syrup — along with a good selection of other Mexican sodas.
And they now can take credit cards, which was the one thing I have been critical of in the past.
If you’re out by campus and pass a pink building on the corner of Third Street, take some time to go in and get a truly great meal. You’ll feel special being on the in with the rest of the population.

I absolutely love this place! Where else in Louisville can I get great tasting tacos as cheap as $ 1.90? If you know, please tell me!
Every single visit, I order Mexican style corn tacos. I’ve never had their flour tortillas, so I can’t tell you anything about that. I always order the shrimp tacos because they are the best! The tangy shrimp is cooked and flavored perfectly. I used to order chicken and pork, but the meat is dry sometimes. Chorizo is a must! It has enough spice to make my nose run, but as a spicy food noob, I can handle it. Also, each taco has two tortillas, not one.
As for the other food, the complimentary chips that are served when you are seated have changed a few times. Sometimes they’re super salty, but I don’t really care to complain because they’re complimentary. They come with salsa roja and salsa verde. I don’t like the salsa verde because it’s hot. I’ve had the chicken flautas twice, and they were alright. The rice and beans were decent also. I haven’t tried anything from the rest of the menu because I LIVE FOR THESE TACOS. Order the tacos (at least 3), and you will leave happy.
About the service, the people are really nice. I’ve never had anyone who was rude in the slightest sense. Sometimes it is busy, so the waiters can be slow. But I’ve observed that there are waiters who also work the register and take to go orders and the food runners. So if you see a guy standing around near the kitchen instead of asking you if you’re ready to order, don’t be offended because he’s not your waiter.
Other notes, there is street parking and you seat yourself when you walk in.

Yo, this was my spot. Veggie burrito game on point. Chip game on crunch. Salsa game on bazongazong.
Plus, this place is too authentic. You know if there’s a picture of Jesus per table you’re in for a treat and I swear there might be two.

Santa Fe Grill is by far the most authentic Mexican restaurant in the area both in price and in product.
I usually get 3 tacos Mexicanos (= with cilantro and lime) and they fill me right up for under $ 10. With as little as we’re spending I figure 20% of $ 10 is a measly tip considering how good the service is.
Ooo the chorizo con huevos tacos are def my fav. *salivating*
Please note that lunchtime on weekdays is especially crowded. From cops to construction workers to high brow business men, this place can get packed. Fortunately, they have ample seating. Although, you may have to wait for a table on an extra busy day. Good thing about the restaurant is that there is PLENTY of street parking, no matter how crowded it is.
Enjoy!

I really want to have authentic Mexican food and not a Mexican chain like oh I dunno… El Nopel. I want to see what was out there, in our neck of the woods.
I had the fajita mixed (chicken. Steak, shrimp) w/​tomatoes, red/​green peppers. My GF had a enchiladas (1 cheese, 1 steak, 1 chicken) and the little guy had some beef tacos.
Overall…amazing!
I mean I was expecting good but not great!
My fajita tortillas where even brown n crusty like they suppose to be when made fresh…
My GF said they where awesome!!!
Price was high but that to be expect at most Mexican chains. For real good Mexican food you pay a pretty penny for a great meal.