Food Glorious Food

How to validate your desire to pig out

Pancakes on the Plaza (Peter Sills)

By Alex De Vore

Poor, silly Colorado. You keep trying to compete with our chile situation, but we’ve got news for you: We’ve already forgotten more about chile than you’ll ever know! And really, that’s just the tip of the iceberg (we’re talking lettuce here). See, Santa Fe is home to so many top-notch eateries and food events, it’s almost hard to contain, enjoy or rank them all properly. We scoured the town for some specific highlights, both one-off and ongoing, just for you—so start eating.

The Chocolate Trail

Year-round

With seven chocolatey stops, this particular tour is like a dream for those suffering from a sweet tooth. Visit local chocolatiers like Cacao Santa Fe, Kakawa Chocolate House, Señor Murphy Candymaker and more. Get the lowdown by searching "chocolate trail" at santafe.org.

Margarita Trail Taco Wars

6 pm Friday June 2. $20. Santa Fe Community Convention Center, 201 W Marcy St., 955-6200

When restaurants like Derailed, Santacafé, Boxcar and Eloisa come together for a friendly game of who-has-the-best taco, everybody wins. Part of this year's Cocktails & Culture Festival, you'll also have the chance to get your Margarita Trail passport, which is a pretty great excuse to drink margaritas basically everywhere. Learn more at nmcocktailculture.com/margarita-trail-taco-wars

Edible Art Tour

5-8 pm Friday June 9 and Saturday June 10. $35. Various locations

Scads of galleries and eateries come together to celebrate art and food and the art of food for this year's EAT from ARTSmart New Mexico. Restaurants are paired with artsy spaces so patrons might gnosh while expanding their cultural horizons, and this year's festivities include an exciting visitor-voted contest element. Get the full schedule at artfeast.org.

Santa Fe Opera Preview Dinners

Select dates July 1-Aug 26. $66. Santa Fe Opera, 301 Opera Drive, 986-5900

The Santa Fe Opera may be better known for its tailgaters, but if you don't feel like bringing your own food but do feel like picking up some insider info, the Preview Dinners are the way to go. With special speakers offering introductions during dessert and a meal curated for each opera served in the SFO's open-air cantina, what could be fancier? Nothing. Nothing could be fancier. Pick a show at santafeopera.org.

Pancakes on the Plaza

7 am Tuesday July 4. $8-$30.Santa Fe Plaza

This year marks the 42nd year of this event which serves up about a bazillion pancakes to benefit local nonprofits such as Youth Shelters and Family Services, The Sky Center, St. Elizabeth Shelter and many more. And all you have to do is eat and brave the crowds. The website is pancakesontheplaza.com.

Green Chile Cheeseburger Smackdown

Friday Sept. 8 Santa Fe Farmers Market Pavilion, 1607 Paseo de Peralta, 983-4098

Chefs representing restaurants and food trucks from all over the state bring their own twists to the New Mexican classic alongside local beers and live entertainment. Who will win? That's up to the food-celeb judges. Who will eat the most? Probably us. We tried every single one last year. Check ediblesmackdown.com for deets.

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