Winning a James Beard Foundation Award is about as good as it gets in the culinary world. Think of it as the equivalent of receiving an Oscar or Grammy. And, although you might expect these esteemed establishments to be on either coast, one of these rock star restaurants is located right here in New Mexico.

Yelp/Dave C.
Rancho de Chimayó Restaurante has been in business for over 50 years and it just won the James Beard Foundation’s "America’s Classics Award."
Yelp/Kevin E.
Chimayó is situated between Taos and Santa Fe. This small New Mexican town has 3177 residents, but a larger than life reputation due to the sacred earth at Santuario del Chimayó, which many believe has healing properties.

However, locals have long known that the wonders found in Chimayó don’t end with the chapel. Meals at Rancho de Chimayó Restaurante are pretty close to divine.
Yelp/Dave C.
In 1965, Florence and Arturo Jaramillo converted their family hacienda into a restaurant specializing in Northern New Mexican cuisine, bringing a whole new meaning to the phrase "mi casa es su casa."
Yelp/Joel E.
Inside the restaurant, rooms unfold in a succession of dark cozy nooks until you reach the sun-drenched patio.
Facebook/Rancho De Chimayo

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Yelp/Peg G.
Servers clad in traditional Mexican attire of white blouses and bright skirts greet you.
Yelp/Rachel P.
Standout dishes include colorful carne adovada, honey-drizzled sopaipillas (a.k.a. sweet clouds of bliss), posole, natillas, and so much more.
Yelp/Mallory S.
Yelp/Carol L.
Don’t miss the prickly pear margarita.
Yelp/Julie B.
The James Beard Foundation’s goal is to encourage and reward restaurants that reflect our nation’s vast culinary heritage and they couldn’t have picked a better example of those values than Rancho de Chimayó Restaurante.

Rancho de Chimayó Restaurante can be found at 300 Juan Medina Road in Chimayó.

Many of New Mexico’s best restaurants are hidden in small towns across the state. If you can’t make it to Rancho de Chimayó, here are some other great options.

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