El Cafecito - Grants

820 E Santa Fe Ave, Grants, NM 87020, United States
+1 505-285-6229
$$$ Mexican restaurant
(1434 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

El Cafecito - Grants is a modest, family-run Mexican restaurant situated along Santa Fe Avenue that offers a down-to-earth dining experience reflective of New Mexico’s blend of local and Americanized flavors. The atmosphere here leans toward casual and welcoming, with a focus on hearty, straightforward plates designed to satisfy both locals looking for comfort food and travelers passing through Grants.

This spot is best known for its filling combination plates that come with a variety of typical New Mexican staples—enchiladas, chimichangas, tacos—and are always served alongside warm, freshly made sopapillas, beans, and rice. Breakfast options like ham and eggs with a tortilla or classic huevos rancheros feature prominently, making this an approachable place to drop in early or mid-morning, especially for those wanting a solid start before a day of exploring or commuting.

The environment at El Cafecito tends to be lively yet family-oriented, with staff friendly enough to take a genuine interest in guests and create a familiar vibe that regulars clearly appreciate. It often hums with the busyness of local families and road-trippers alike, which naturally creates a welcoming buzz without feeling overwhelmed.

Some dishes, like the stuffed sopapillas and green chile fries smothered in cheese, highlight the distinct local palate, offering a slightly different twist on Mexican food compared to larger cities. This place leans into the American-Mexican style, so while it may not satisfy those seeking an entirely authentic or traditional Mexican culinary experience, it serves up reliable flavors with friendly attention and generous portions.

Visitors looking for a casual, no-fuss meal with genuine New Mexican touches—and who appreciate a meal that feels homemade rather than overly polished—will find El Cafecito a fitting stop. The setting and price points invite lingering over breakfast classics or a filling lunch, especially on a weekday morning or early afternoon when the place is comfortably busy without being rushed.

Highlights
Has fast service
Serves great coffee
Popular for
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
What they serve
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves food
Has private dining room
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Best for
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has counter service
Serves dessert
Has seating
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

07:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Wednesday

07:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Thursday

07:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Friday

07:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Saturday

07:00 AM - 07:00 PM

Sunday

Closed

1434 Reviews
David Opsahl

25 Dec 2025

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!!

Michael Martinez

24 Dec 2025

Family oriented restaurant with a friendly family environment. Great food. Wonderful Chili and good prices.

Kayla Norman

17 Dec 2025

If you’re looking for authentic Mexican food, this isn’t it, but service is wonderful and salsa is good. Very American Mexican food. Sopapillas were delicious and salsa was spicy green sauce was also delicious, but no authentic options for meat (options were ground beef, chicken, shredded beef).

Kathy Lovette

04 Dec 2025

My favorite Authentic New Mexican Restaurant. I moved to the east coast many many years ago. Come back to Grants to visit family every year and El Caf is a MUST in our visit! Great food, friendly welcoming staff & Real Soppapillas!

Michelle Lyons

02 Nov 2025

Stopped on a looooong road trip from WI to AZ. Food was homemade, plentiful, and welcome. Deceptively low prices for the amount and quality of food. Kind staff and a great value. Well worth the small detour from the highway.

Richard Ross

16 Oct 2025

What a amazing experience. My wife and I were traveling through, and I looked up good places for breakfast. This place is beyond excellent. The food is fresh, and this is what a taste of the southwest should be. Prices were excellent. Food was excellent. But without a doubt the service there was so above and beyond. Our server was a lady named Debbie. Very sweet and amazing person.

Don Givens

07 Oct 2025

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.

julie c

12 Sep 2025

We enjoyed are meal and felt the service was very good. Our server recommended the chilles rellenos platter which was very good, my husband chose the chicken special. The sopapillas were excellent.

Join the El Cafecito - Grants Newsletter

Get the latest updates on seasonal pastries, special events, and local highlights directly in your inbox.