Second Street’s Rufina Taproom, Santa Fe

Ok, once again I haven’t been to the original Second Street Brewery in years. However, I go by the Second Street Rufina Taproom on a very regular basis. The parking lot has lots of cars and there are people on the shaded patio. All good.

We started with some chips and salsa(7) We decided to have the pico de gallo and some tomatillo sauce. The chips are house made as were the salsas. They are excellent bar food.

Since it is Octoberfest season, I am out looking for some good beer to go with my food. Little did I know that the Rufina Taproom would fulfill those hopes.

First of all, I have to say that I felt right at home here. I really like a place where families of all sizes and ages gather. Second, our waiter, Irwin was incredible. He was right there. He wasn’t intrusive but he was very good at his job. I have always asked for a small taste of a beer before I buy a pint. This is the first place where the waiter took the time to label the tastes. That is a big deal to me. I never want to accidentally order a beer that I don’t like. The serving team was great and only added to the enjoyment of our meal.

The Tastes at Second Street- Rufina Taproom

I had checked out the menu online so I knew I was getting the Northern New Mexican Enchiladas(12). Right on the menu they tell you that the corn tortillas are from Alicia’s. How could you go wrong? I love Alicia’s. (Note to self, I have to get back there). The second high note was the black beans. They were perfect. But also was the Spanish Rice. The rice was very moist and light. There were vegetables in the rice which is always another plus for me. I had Christmas because I couldn’t decide if I wanted red or green sauce. Wow! next time, I will be having the red. It had a wonderful punch to it. I really liked it. The pico de gallo, the guacamole, and the sour cream were all delightful as were the vegetarian enchiladas. Yum!!!

My second choice for dinner was the Taos Wrap(12.50). Good thing my better half had it. The wrap looked fantastic! The green tortilla really looked incredible. (like it was really healthy((which it was)).

The sweet potato waffle fries were perfectly cooked. The wrap and fries came with blue cheese dressing on the side. Did you see all those carrot slivers on top as well as the sprouts? It was as beautiful as it was tasty.

I actually didn’t have the Octoberforest or the Kolsch, I had the delicious Skimboard Sour which was a fruited Gose beer that is sour. I love sour beer right now. This is a tip that I am giving you all so that you will know. I always order a glass of water with my beer. So if I am really thirsty which is most of the time. I drink my water first then my beer. Or a switch on and off, just so I don’t throw back a beer. This is a tip from Joan Blake , a nutritionist whose book is Nutrition and You. I read the 3rd edition for a class on nutrition at the community college.

The beer was excellent and paired well with my dinner. It was a beautiful evening in Santa Fe so eating on the covered patio was a pure delight.