Squeak Peek: Santa Fe Express Goes Taco y Taco with Cantina Downtown

[Ed. Note: Santa Fe Express es muy finito. No trespassing signs up 8/31/2011. Adios Santa Fe Express!]

The holes in the facade from the rudely dislodged former "Bama Bistro" sign which once hung above the door a few months ago have not yet been filled, but the space has. Our elite commandos recently received hard intelligence that a new "Mexican" restaurant was now occupying the 15 Commerce Street "hole in the wall" location of the former Bama Bistro. Although the intelligence was questioned due to the implausible idea of another Mexican restaurant opening within a block of the Cantina in the Alley, for the safety of the dining public, once the new restaurant was confirmed to exist, the fearless and expendable GGPs were deployed to investigate by any take-out or eat-in measures. Sorties were launched Tuesday and Thursday by land and air units of the Gump Guinea Pigs. Here is their report, now declassified for the public as written by "Squeak" their shadowy and furry commander:

A rare photo of Squeak using his MRIV (Mexican restaurant insertion vehicle)

At 1200 hrs 23 June 2011, The Santa Fe Express door was already open so (classified) and I entered and noticed one booth full of stateys in full feeding mode tearing into their lunches like two-year-olds opening presents on Christmas morning or like raccoons going through a trash can. It was not hard to move past them without being noticed. One customer was leaving the counter with a bag heavy with a take-out order. They paid us no attention or did not see us in the brim of our insertion vehicle (see above).

Since our mission was to eat-in, we sat in an open booth and in no time a very nice young waitress greeted us and brought us our requested water with lemon. A few seconds later a "free" (note this Cantina owners) basket of warm nacho chips and a bowl of delicious salsa was brought to the table.

The salsa was very tasty on the warm chips and on the burrito that followed.

Upon perusing the menu (classified) and I immediately saw a bargain and an opportunity to try more than our usual one entre: "Create Your Own Lunch." This deal allows you to pick 2 items ($4.95) or 3 items ($5.95) from a list of 15 items including: burritos, quesadillas, tostadas etc. The order was placed and within minutes very hot plates were presented with extra napkins and very fair portions of food. (Classified) had the chalupa and tamales which he announced to be consistent with expectations and the fare of other decent (but not great) Mexican restaurants in the Gump. I chose the beef burrito and a chicken quesadilla and was equally satisfied especially after adding the sour cream I requested and some of the salsa brought for the chips.


We sent in another team on a take-0ut mission the same day. It was noted that a bag full of warm chips along with a fair helping of tasty salsa is equally available for take out orders (gratis). The take-out team thought it was rather cool they were playing music via an ipod connected to a small speaker. The music appropriately filled the small space (not too loud and not too soft). Their use of minor copyright infringement to keep the cost down was noted and appreciated. The take-out team ordered the burrito with sour cream and a soft taco. They confirmed the quality and price were comparable to most other "Mexican" places in town

The required incubation and quarantine period having passed, I can report that Santa Fe Express is not only approved for the general LITG gang it proved to be a very quick and inexpensive lunch for the public at large. Expect nothing fancy. Expect nothing out of the ordinary. But with a 98 health rating from the local health inspectors, expect clean surroundings and good food at a really fair price. It may give the more expensive Cantina a run for its money.

Obviously, no casualties were reported.

Over and out.

Squeak.