Santa Fe Restaurant in Glen Ellyn's Mexican favorites a hit: Mystery Diner

GLEN ELLYN – Santa Fe is a Mexican restaurant just south of the train tracks in Glen Ellyn, with all the little touches of a homey downtown gathering place. The large windows of the corner location open onto an interior of warm woods and colorful walls adorned with artwork. Intimately sized dining areas wind from front to back. The impressive looking bar makes the atmosphere all the better. It draws the eye as soon as you walk in, and that's good for a place that boasts top-notch margaritas.

Any respectable Mexican restaurant treats the palate to chips and salsa before you order, and Santa Fe started the meal off right by doing something a little different with that traditional formula. In addition to a creamy-textured mild salsa was a chocolate-colored variety with a little more kick that grew on me by each bite. If you don't like hot food, fear not, these won't burn your mouth, but have a rich depth of flavor. We overheard nearby patrons in the know who were seeking a little more heat ask for the green sauce, but we were happy with our duo.

My companion ordered the guacamole appetizer, which delivered crunchy tortilla chips with a basic, but done-right guac. The big portion was fresh tasting and very smooth. We both agreed the guacamole was a standout and devoured it.

The menu has a wide variety of choices from burritos, tacos, fajitas, steak dishes, quesadillas and enchiladas to hamburgers, a patty melt and even a BLT.

My companion ordered the seafood enchiladas, featuring shrimp and crawfish wrapped in a tortilla, topped with sauce, cheese and lettuce. The shrimp and crawfish drew very positive remarks.

I typically go with tacos or burritos, sticking with the basics on an initial visit to a Mexican restaurant. They have to get the basics right first to make me want to be more adventurous, but on this menu I felt that would be a mistake. Instead, I went with a chorizo chalupa, combining chorizo sausage, cheese, lettuce, tomato, sour cream and avocado. The sausage was tender, tasty and had a bit of spice to it. I enjoyed it, and the mash of toppings made for a delightfully messy dish.

Santa Fe's welcoming, relaxing atmosphere was reflected in the number of regulars. And parking is a breeze in the neighboring municipal lot. We enjoyed the good service with flavorful fare, and a kitchen that accommodates special orders.

The Mystery Diner is a newsroom employee at Suburban Life Media. The diner's identity is not revealed to the restaurant staff before or during the meal. Only positive dining experiences will result in published reviews.