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Bang Bite
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"Love," Bang Bite's Enrique Guerrero says when asked to identify the secret ingredient in his killer burgers. Guerrero, whose résumé reads like a blueprint for foodie superstardom—ripe with stints at NorCal's The French Laundry and NYC's Le Cirque—has been there, tasted that. So, in developing the menu for the bright orange shack found at the corner of Paseo de Peralta and Old Santa Fe Trail, he went for down-home comfort food with a dash of gourmet. Try the newly minted "Hush Papi's" ($4)—sweet white corn- and green chile-stuffed hushpuppies—with a signature aioli that he says is guaranteed to make you moan,"¡Ay, Papi!" For your main, any of the burgers on the menu should do the trick. The signature No. 2 Bite Burger ($10.25)—featuring a five-chile blend, smoked bacon, avocado and jalapeño aioli—is hands down one of the best, if not the best burger in town. For a buck 25 more, the OMG Burger is enough for three sandwiches with its behemoth patty and a mound of BBQ pulled pork. Insert second moan here. While there, make sure to read the set of house rules printed on the back of the menu. They include: "Please don't act your age," and "No pissy, no bitchy or PMS attitudes."
502 Old Santa Fe Trail, 469-2345
Lunch Monday-Saturday.
bangbitesf.com
Extra Sauce
The opening/closing/moving report: The Green Owl Café on St. Michael’s Drive has closed permanently. After a landlord dispute, Pollo Asado has found a new home of the 2800 block of Cerrillos Road (at the Cheeks parking lot). Jalapeños is set to take over the old Café Olé (2411 Cerrillos Road) space in coming weeks and both Barrio Brinery (1413 W Alameda St.) and Verde Juice (851 W San Mateo Road) are now up and running. Need a sugar fix? Chocolate giant See’s Candies just opened up shop at the Trader Joe’s shopping center. Also, thank you, Baby Jesus! Cheesemongers of Santa Fe is opening this week right next to Reporter HQ; check out 3 Questions on page 25 for more.
Featuring the likes of L’Olivier’s Xavier Grenet and Osteria d’Assisi’s Cristian Pontiggia, another successful Holiday Pie Mania has been recorded for the books. If you like your yum with a side of good karma, mark your calendar for Saturday, Jan. 17 when the 21st annual Souper Bowl stews at the Convention Center.
Looking for a picture-perfect bird without the hassle? A number of area establishments like 315 Restaurant & Wine Bar and Terra at Four Seasons Rancho Encantado are offering to-go Thanksgiving banquets. Speaking of pictures, make sure to share your feast porn pics on Instagram using #SFRfoodies
Santa Fe Reporter