The Legal Tender Saloon & Eating House occupies a historic landmark building in Lamy, built along the original rail lines of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway with architecture rooted in Spanish colonial heritage. Chef and restaurateur Murphy O'Brien, formerly of Café Fina, teamed up with preservationist Allan Affeldt — known for his work on La Posada Hotel, Castañeda Hotel, and Plaza Hotel — to reopen the space in 2023 as a saloon, bar, and eating house with room for private events.
The menu runs toward hearty comfort fare: chicken liver pate with mostarda and candied walnuts, a dip duo of guacamole and pimento cheese with house-made tortilla chips, and red chile rubbed wings to start. Mains lean on New Mexican staples like a green chile stew with smoked pork, pintos, and posole, a house smoked pork quesadilla with asadero cheese and chipotle BBQ sauce, and a green chile cheeseburger topped with Tillamook cheddar.
Chef Michael Gintert, who has spent decades in the Santa Fe area's food world, remains connected to the restaurant in a semi-retired capacity, stepping in for special events and occasional weekend support.
The menu runs toward hearty comfort fare: chicken liver pate with mostarda and candied walnuts, a dip duo of guacamole and pimento cheese with house-made tortilla chips, and red chile rubbed wings to start. Mains lean on New Mexican staples like a green chile stew with smoked pork, pintos, and posole, a house smoked pork quesadilla with asadero cheese and chipotle BBQ sauce, and a green chile cheeseburger topped with Tillamook cheddar.
Chef Michael Gintert, who has spent decades in the Santa Fe area's food world, remains connected to the restaurant in a semi-retired capacity, stepping in for special events and occasional weekend support.