Jambo Bobcat Bite

Amazing food. We had the kabobs and fish/chips. Wonderful location with pretty southwestern views. Room for kids to roam about. Ginger lemonade is a delicious treat. Thank you!

This is one of Santa Fe's hidden gems. In fact, I'm reluctant to write this review because the selfish part of me would like Jambo Bobcat Bite to stay hidden. But it's far enough from Santa Fe's historic downtown that only locals and intrepid visitors with rental cars are likely to trek to its Old Las Vegas Highway (the other Las Vegas) location. We have been fans of this burger joint for decades, first when it was Bobcat Bite, only sat a handful of people, had a very limited menu and a divey vibe, and no patio. But the burgers were amazing. Then it closed for a while, then reopened as Jambo Bobcat Bite, which is now the burger-centric sister to another hidden gem: Jambo Cafe (but that will be a different review). In its reincarnation, JBB has the great burgers of the original Bobcat Bite, plus a much-expanded menu, much more seating, a comfy, rustic, Santa Fe vibe, a big, beautiful, colorful patio, a hidden bobcat, and great service, plus what looks like a party portal behind the patio. It goes without saying that you must try the Green Chile Cheeseburger. But after you've done that, try something different on your next visit. I loved the fish tacos on my most recent visit and the jerk stuff is great, thanks to the Jambo connection.

Live nearby but havent stopped there until this morning. Had the jerk marinated steak and eggs for breakfast. Was delicious! Steak was the juiciest, most flavorful with a hint of spice I've had in Santa Fe. Right up my alley. The beans, curry potatoes and eggs were great too. Totally recommend. Will be coming back more often!

Finally got to visit this new restaurant, Jambo Bobcat Bite, and really enjoyed it. It recently reopened under a new name, chef, and management. The place was busy, but we were seated promptly and greeted by the chef as well. The staff was very attentive, courteous, and happy. In fact, everyone working there had a smile on their face. The service was great. The food was excellent. I had an omelet with black beans and curry potatoes. My wife had the banana pancakes, and we both had some great Kenyan coffee. Both dishes were very tasty, the presentation was nice, and the portions were generous. The building is very warm and comfortable, decorated with various photos and articles from Kenya. It was busy, but not crowded and there was no wait time. The outdoor dining area looks inviting for warmer weather, and hopefully there will be some local live music playing this summer. We will definitely be back soon, and will try out the lunch menu as well. Don't miss this fabulous dining experience!

Came here for a birthday lunch and was a little let down. I haven't been here since it was the original Bobcat Bite, but I heard from others that it was just as good! Although I found the ambiance and the quality of ingredients great, the food itself was lacking flavor and our server was watching her kid at the same time as waiting tables. The kitchen staff was also quite loud in the dining room. It was nice to see what has been done to the old Bobcat Bite, but it was somewhat a let down for a birthday lunch.

Okay…..how do I find the words for this? This food is so good! It’s obvious so much love and creativity has been poured into it. We ordered a few dishes to try and the jerk chicken was honestly *the best* chicken I have ever had. The servers were friendly, place was clean (and had a fun atmosphere). There was a little bit of a wait for the food, but it was very busy and definitely worth the wait. If you don’t try it, you’re missing out!

I went for the burger, as everyone does, and it was decent, but it wasn't really up to the hype. I ordered to go, but had to wait a while to order because the front of house staff was slammed. Not their fault, they were working their butts off, the place just didn't seem adequately staffed. When I got my food, I tried to pay with a gift card, which I'd been told by staff at Jambo would be accepted and was the reason I was willing to make the drive. However, they apparently are lacking a card reader that can read gift cards, so I had to pay myself. Overall, the food was tasty, but the place doesn't seem to be well managed, and I don't think I'd go out of my way to visit again.

Recently renovated, lots of additional seating inside and out. I believe on my visit they were working out a new system, service was a bit clunky and slow. The street corn is a good idea, but it was a bit flat and needs to be served with a lime for the acid component. I really enjoyed the burger I had and felt it was one of the better burgers I've had recently. Suggests giving them a chance and hopefully they will fine tune their dishes based on feedback.

This spot is halfway between Cafe Fina and Harry's Roadhouse and every bit as good, if not BETTER. Plus is you can ALWAYS get in. If it's warm outside, they have a wonderful patio. Incredible breakfast and lunch with a New Mexico meets Africa flare. Comfort food if you want traditional and inventive, but exquisitely prepared.

We love Jambo in town and we have LOVED Bobcat Bite forever, but Jambo Bobcat didn't live up to the expectations set by either one. They should just focus on the Jambo side because nothing about the current "famous" Bobcat Bite Green Chile Cheeseburger is reminiscent of the original. It is a dishonor to the genuine to infer this is that. If you are looking for the real deal Bobcat Bite GCCB go to Santa Fe Bite. And I'd recommend Jambo in Santa Fe if you are looking for the quality of food Jambo is famous for. This location misses the mark.

Had a very pleasant lunch today at Jambo Bobcat Bite. For some reason this place gets overlooked, though it is convenient to Eldorado. The patio is very comfortable, and well behaved dogs are allowed. The service is great and the staff is kind. I appreciated the more chill, relaxing atmosphere. I wouldn't say the food is 5 star, but it is very good. I'll be back!

Another win for chef Ahmad! I really love the salmon quesadilla and the curry slaw, in addition to staple from the original Jambo like red beans and rice and hibiscus tea.

Met up with an old friend here and he chose this place because it was near his parents' house. I got The Famous Bobcat Bite Green Chile Cheeseburger. I felt like I kinda had to, since it was my first time here. Now, I never came here when it was the original Bobcat Bite, so I can't compare it to how it was, everyone says it was much better back then. Overall it was a decent burger. The harissa fries were really good. They also get my approval for having some local beer on the menu. The location itself is a little far out of my way to make this a regular stop, but I would like to come in and try some of the other burgers, like the elk and bison burger, and also some of the other dishes on the menu like Jerk Chicken. Service was good. The dining room is a little crowded with many tables in a small room. The other Jambo restaurant has also been on my list to check out for a long time.

We LOVE Jambo, in town, so we were excited to try Bobcat Bite! We brought our pooch & sat out on the patio. Lots of shady spots for the 3 of us! Chai iced tea was so flavorful it didn't need sugar! Which my waistline LOVED as much as my tastebuds did! ;) I tried the fish & chips... pineapple spicy sauce was amazing! Just enough "burn" but didn't block tasting the rest of the meal. :) We also had the house salad with Salmon -- all very fresh & delicious. It's a bit of drive, south of Santa Fe, but worth it to try some of Chef's flavors you can't get at the downtown location.

everything I eat at Jambo Bobcat Bite is wonderful. today I had fish tacos, yum ! the patio is a great area to sit and covered by numerous umbrellas. I am so glad they are only five miles from my house.

I took some friends to "The Bite" for a birthday and sat outside, and it was so lovely this time of year. Everyone loved the food. I wanted to try new items (I usually go for the classic Green Chile Cheeseburger). My wife and I split the Lamb burger and Crab burger, both of which were excellent. Of the two, the best was the Lamb burger, which came with an amazing harissa lemon aioli. You can also get this at the other restaurant (Jambo Cafe). One order came with harissa and cumin fries, and the other Sweet Potato fries; both were great! The crab burger came with habanero papaya aioli; I'd buy a gallon of that if I could. Amazing. Service was excellent, thank you Guillermo. I had a ginger Lemonade, which was scrumptious.

We used to eat at the former Bobcat Bite, and when it closed, we were sad. Not only were the burgers good, but the three or four tables and the bar in the hot dining room made for great memories. We were delighted when a new Bobcat Bite appeared, and although we knew it couldn't be the same, we were anxious to try it. The renovated space with the outdoor dining appealed to us immediately. While not trying to be the former Bobcat Bite, the new decor fits beautifully into the space. We decided to try the hamburger, and we really liked it. The addition of guacamole to it added a twist, and although I thought we should split the meal, we are glad we didn't. We each got our own burger . . . and we ate every bit. We also found the fries to be really nicely done, and the sauce that came with the sweet potato fries was delicious. Our waiter, Jamie (who is also the gardener), went above and beyond to make sure our experience was a good one . . . and he did so for the women seated next to us who wanted a different drink from what was being offered. He was able to accommodate her. Someday we may try some of the other offerings, but for us, we probably will continue to return just for the hamburger!

Have been here several times in the last couple of months. Food is awesome. They've added a lot of seating since the old bobcat bite. The patio is a great option when the weather is cooperating. The green chile cheeseburger is good (I'm partial to the mineshafts version. ) Crab burger and wings are also good. I love that they have sweet potato fries. Watch out for the $4 charge for soda. Service is hit or miss. The last time we had to ask multiple times for the same things, an order was wrong but it had already taken 40 minutes for our food to come out so just went with it.

2nd meal here. Both times an excellent experience. Excellent attentive service. Delicious food.

Compared with the bustling Harry's Roadhouse down the road, Jambo Bobcat Bite is quiet and comfortable. I came for breakfast and enjoyed their banana pancakes ($11.95) and coffee ($3.95). The coffee definitely needs improvement. The pancakes were light and tasty with banana slices on top. Sadly, service is very inattentive. With the number of staff chatting at the counter, it shouldn't be so hard to get a refill of coffee.

Nice greeting and seated right away. Great fish & chips and coleslaw. Cold beer hit the stop. Relaxing comfort to talk with friend for lunch!

So much to love, here. I work in Eldorado and we're something of a good desert on Mondays and a bit on Sundays too. I love and support Jambo and have since they opened. This combination of the best of BobCat Bite and Jambo is a true heaven is right here on earth experience! The patio is gorgeous, the food is sublime, the staff and help are wonderful, service quite good! And the cuisine itself is simply the best. I was greeted by amazing friends who happened to be there. The ambiance is glorious inside and out. A beautiful patio for this time of year! Please call a friend and take them out for a yummy treat. Try the mango ginger lemonade, and take some to go for a special friend! You will be delighted. We are so Blessed to have Ahmed at the helm of this beautiful magical treasure of a restaurant! So grateful!!

I was there yesterday for lunch. I chose the lentil stew with rice, as I am vegetarian. It was not good. The rice had crunchy and chewy prieces, tasted old and reheated. Basmati rice should be fluffy. The same for the stew. The flavor was good but it looked and tasted old, definitely not fresh. For $20 for a meal, it should be excellent. I enjoyed the location close to foothills, but won't return for a subpar meal overpriced. Disappointed!

Awesome food and service. A fun change in styles, definitely get the crab, the house burger was great, and the harissa fries were excellent. It would be 4 stars for me in the Bay Area because the lettuce was just OK, but then the service would be horrific. The outdoor seating would be perfect once it warms up.

We are grateful initially for Jambo Cafe, Jambo's Food Truck, and now Jambo Bobcat Bite. Santa Fe is a sweet and special place, where we have more locally owned restaurants, shops, and galleries, than anyplace I have lived. Chef Ahmed and his team, are truly the best, cooking up delicious food, ginger mango lemonade, fanciful desserts, and more. These restaurants and enterprises offer up the welcoming heart and essence of Africa, Kenya and Sweet Santa Fe. Now they are splicing in the best of Bob Cat Bite, burgers, and other original culinary offerings. When you wish to treat your self, your loved ones, or even if you are seeking a beautiful spot to share a meal with new friends, guests and visitors, please make Jambo Cafe, and Jambo Bobcat Bite first on your list. The ambiance, views, gardens, and green rolling hills, brighten your vibrant soul, and help enhance you to live in the beauty and joy of Heaven is right here on Earth! Obviously I recommend Ahmeds creations. I was blessed to attend the 15 year celebration party for the restaurants and the community. Friends shared stories of Ahmed being there for them, when they traversed life's hardest breaks. We just can't fit it all into one review. So go and try something yummy, and bring your friends. Odds are great, you will return again and again.

This place was a great breakfast find on the highway west of Santa Fe. I had the blue corn pinon pancakes, with cinnamon butter. My friends had the huevos rancheros and omelet. The fried potatoes side was spiced well.

Wife had Jambo Cafe's jerk chicken with coconut rice, black beans and plantains and it was delicious. Daughter had the Famous Bobcat Bite green Chile Cheeseburger with fries, again delicious. I had the Spiced Corn Meal Field Crab Burger with Harrisa Fries. Also very delicious. We had passion fruit ginger lemonade to drink and it was super tasty. Our only complaint is the servings were huge. Service was very attentive and amiable. This is a 5 star burger place with a Caribbean African twist . The restaurant has a pleasant light filled ambience!

Hands down...BEST EVER! My husband & I had 2 of the BEST burgers we have ever eaten. Paul - the bison burger. Me the veg burger. I can't sing them enough praises! Delicious ‼‼‼‼

I wish my first experience at this newly reopened restaurant had been better. The food, once it finally arrived, was really good. Unfortunately, our order was never submitted by our server and we waited more than 45 minutes before our order was finally put in to the kitchen. Our full dining experience was around 2 hours and we were glad we didn't have appointments or other places to go in a timely manner after. This was around 1:30 in the afternoon as well and was not during peak dining time. We finally had to leave the table and locate the waitstaff to check our order as our waitress never returned to check as to why we were sitting there without food when everyone that arrived after us had been served, many had eaten and left. No offer for a drink refill either. The owner did come out to visit once we asked for help and was super nice. We love Jambo and have been several times. Our meals were all good. I had the fish and chips which were perfectly cooked. The curry slaw accompanying the meal was also very good. Our waitress never returned to check on us but when she brought the check said "I guess you want a discount?" If I had been her I would have apologized and said I have discounted your meal, or better yet comped part of the meal, and said I am so sorry. but that wasn't the case. The discount saved us $8 between three people with full meals and drinks. I really am happy to see the Bobcat Bite location taking off and wish this restaurant and its owner the best of luck. Obviously, there are still some issues to work out, and we will return but will give some time first for them to work out some of the details with their serving staff. Three stars for the saving grace of great food and a super nice owner. https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g60958-d25650624-r902617529-Jambo_Bobcat_Bite-Santa_Fe_New_Mexico.html#I

Jambo is always great and Jambo Bobcat bite is too International gourmet meets classic American staples Jerk chicken still the best thing on the menu but his soups are amazing too This chef is really one of our Santa Fe treasures

We Just had an amazing lunch out on the patio of Jambo Bobcat Bite! My husband and my daughter had the falafel burger, which was scrumptious. I had the goat cheese and beet salad which was out of this world! The service and ambiance was outstanding as well! We're so glad they've opened!

Hands down some of the best food I have ever had. Huge serving sizes and it's very filling. The views are remarkable if you sit outside in the patio (I'd recommend this). Heavenly food!

Nice, pretty place that invites a pleasant, leisurely meal and owned by a talented, caring man, who, when he is there is very attentive. The problem may come from the fact that he has two places to run and his staff at Bobcat Bite don't share his dedication. This carries on into the kitchen too l'm afraid. l'm not going to go into details except the staff was very inattentive along with being rude. The particular dish l ordered required caring in it's prep to guarantee it's enjoyment and it certainly did not get it. l'll try again but l hope things change for the better by then.

Super friendly staff. Food is always awesome. Plenty to pick from and fair Santa Fe prices.

Very tasty burger and good service. Sat inside which was nice but the have outside seating too nice decor too. Very different from downtown Jambo restaurant all the better to have choices. Well run

This place is excellent. The huevos rancheros made a great start for the day. The fresh juice is quenching. The service from Eve, Jocelyn and Ose was friendly and attentive. I like the the fusion of taste. Please visit, you will not be disappointed.

In an era of questionable service and quality Bobcat Bite passes with flying colors on my first visit. Great food, service, and very cool (and big) dining area! Most definitely would recommend.

You would never know roadside what a gem of a place this is on the inside. The owner of the popular Jambo purchased this flailing business and pumped some vibe and good food into it and voila the parking lot is always packed!! The view is gorgeous, the food is fresh and tasty - I give it a huge thumbs up!!

We met our kids at this place in Santa Fe for lunch and we're very surprised that it wasn't "packed". We sat outside on their patio and it was very pleasant!! There were four of us and we each had a different one of their burgers. The lamb burger was good as was the original green chili cheeseburger. My husband had the crab burger which he said was not his favorite. My sister-in-law had the veggie burger which she said was very good.

Went to brunch with a friend here after she told me how much she and another friend loved it. I ordered the Crab Eggs Benedict with Harissa Hollandaise. OMG! Absolutely delicious. The eggs were not overcooked, which I appreciate, there was a generous amount of lump crab, and the harissa hollandaise was divine. Service was warm, friendly, and efficient. The desert views are lovely. There are other things I'd like to try on the menu the next time we return IF I can tear myself away from this dish but I wouldn't bet on it.

We used to come to the original Bobcat Bite at least once a month for green chile cheeseburgers. We were all very, very sad when it closed. We cried, we pleaded with the heavens, we went on strike, we offered up our life savings...you know. The whole deal. Then we moved on and just kept on living with that big 'ole whole that no other burger could possibly ever fill. Cut to yesterday when we driving to Cafe Fina and I was starting to say, "and there's where the beloved Bobcat Bite...green chile...burger...magic...tears...tears..." but then I saw a neon beacon reading "OPEN" and I nearly drove into a piñon tree trying to comprehend what my eyes were peeping. I looked it up, looked at the menu (not one thing I didn't want to eat), mouth started watering, spirit started dancing and I said, "That's where we're friggin going for breakfast tomorrow." Cut to tomorrow (today), at the door at 8am when they opened, and I literally heard angels singing as I walked into the fully, and beautifully, remodeled, but still thoughtfully, soulfully cozy and warm, and my heart jumped for joy upon seeing the gorgeous, expansive patio with a gorgeous mountain view and flowers and greenery all around. Ok, ok, ok...I'll wrap this up. I didn't get the The Original Famous Green Chile Cheeseburger because it was 8am, but I'm going back asap to have one. BUT I ordered the Huevos Rancheros with Christmas (red and green chile) which was completely delicious, a brilliant African / New Mexican fusion twist on a classic ( and I am a certified Huevos Rancheros Connoisseur). The curry potatoes were heavenly, the fried plantains a perfect bit of sweetness, the green chile as good as any in town and the pili pili red chile, a vibrant, spicy, flavorful, unique take on a classic red. My Mister got the Piñon Blue Corn Pancakes with cinnamon whipped cream and it was fantastic and I took advantage of his offer of "a bite." I haven't yet been to Jambo, the Chef/Owner's other restaurant, but my best friend has always raved about it, and after I hit Jambo Bobcat Bite five more days in a row, I'll definitely be going there shortly thereafter. Sorry for the saga. I likes what I likes, and I likes to thoroughly describe my most treasured dining experiences with the joy and pleasure I felt while experiencing them.

Incredible food!! The seasoned fries are a fantastic side with any meal! Great service and a beautiful patio is available at well!

Breakfast is amazing! Generous portions and amazing flavor. Definitely a good addition to Old LV restaurants!!

We were sorry to see Bobcat out of commission for so long. JAMBO restaurant is my favorite in town. I was thrilled when they took over Bobcat adding a little African flair to their spice profile, like the Moroccan lamb burger. Don't worry, they still make Bobcat's classic green Chile cheeseburger. Bobcat is in my neighborhood - the parking lot is packed for breakfast and lunch.

The lamb curry burger was so good! The place is cute and the patio is fantastic. Wish they were open for dinner!

I went there on a Saturday. The waiter was great very friendly interested in getting it right. They were no party we had four green chili cheeseburgers one was gluten-free. My wife requested to basically have her burger deconstructed with a bun on the side so I could share with her. They got everything right except for that the bun was on the burger. Everyone was served. It was no reason to send it back at this point , everybody wants to eat together and I have to wait for an order to be redone and it should've been done correctly the first time. It's not very difficult not to put a bun on and put it on the side. They said that the burgers of 8 ounce burger I don't think so. It's a little smaller than that but I have to say it was pretty nice except the burger by itself with no toppings on. It was pretty tasteless. The avocado, the sautéed onions, the green chili, the cheese did really make it great. I love Jambo and we should only good success. If you're in mood for a good burger, this is the place to go. I do still think bite is the best burger in town

Great food and service. Here to comment on kids' menu - both my kids loved their meals! Best hamburger ever, per one, and best fish and chips ever, per the other. (Their favorite at Jambo is the lentil soup, which they missed until they tried their food at Jambo Bobcat Bite.) They also both enjoyed the ginger lemonade. Thank you, Chef Ahmed and team! Can't wait to come back early enough for breakfast.

Fun and a great location outside of town. Patio seating in good weather, very nice. Helps to have Bobcat nearby when Harry's is packed. They have a liquor license finally I think.

Had the vegetarian falafel burger today. Best veggie burger of any type I've ever eaten, and I'm a pretty picky old bird! The sauce is other-worldly. My beef-eating husband, who enjoyed his traditional meat burger, tried some of my falafel and agreed it was in another realm of wonderful. The harissa fries were also a delicious variation on an old standard. So glad to have this great addition to our neighborhood dining options.

I was so excited for this restaurant to open. I have loved the food at both Jambo in Santa Fe and the old Bobcat Bite. The food IS delicious. I had the Jambo omelette with dill havarti and the tomatoes and vegetables inside were so fresh I would have thought it was summer. The coffee is the downfall. It was so weak that it looked and tasted like murky water. I mentioned to two waiters that the coffee was bad. Both replied, "Oh," and walked away. Not the expected, "Oh, let me get you a fresh cup." I managed cafes in NYC and Santa Fe for eight years in my youth. This is not a proper response to a customer's dissatisfaction. No matter how good breakfast is, if the coffee is terrible, it sets a tone.

Highly disappointed. The place is very busy and closes at 3 pm so we got there at 2:15 when it was about half busy. Took 10 minutes for a server to come to our table, after we waved down the hostess; it took even longer to get the check at the end and I had to go to the register to get the check-- very, very slow service even though there appeared to be plenty of employees/servers (they were huddled behind the bar for some reason). We ordered the plantain crab fritters, they were terrible, way under cooked basically raw and very sweet. They brought us a second batch, same thing. Professionally, they didn't charge us which was great )I left a large tip). Then we split the green chile cheeseburger, the ingredients were all good but there were too many and the burger was sloppy and fell apart. The harissa-cumin fires had a good taste but mine were1 inch long while my friend's were the normal 3-5 inch length. I also had a bunch of little fried balls which appeared to be crab fritter drippings. I think I got the end of day fry basket. As a side note, I don't think seafood should be cooked in the same grease as vegetables. And lastly, the toilet was broken, I lifted up the tank top and reassembled the flushing mechanism. Atmosphere is nice and the staff are very friendly when they do engage with you. Recipes and management need serious audit and modification. This is not like the prior versions of the wonderfully delightful Bobcat Bite.

Drove past this restaurant on our way back to the RV park after a fun hike on Sun Mtn Trail (highly recommend). Thought it looked interesting, so stop for a late lunch. Wasn't sure if it is Carribean with an African flair or African with a Carribean flair. The lunch menu has a lot of different burgers. We split the curried crab plantain fritters appetizer, which were very good with a slight kick to them. We then split a green chili cheeseburger. Also outstanding. I would have given 5 stars but have deducted one because the paint on the chair I had rubbed off on the back or my legs and on my hiking socks. We were sitting outside. My guess is they painted the chairs with interior paint which has broken down in the exterior sun. We didn't notice until we were back at the RV, otherwise I would have said something to management. In any event, it took several minutes of scrubbing my legs with soap & hot water to get the paint off. After one wash, my socks still have traces of paint. I'll try spray & wash next wash.

If you're going to be open only for breakfast and lunch, you need to nail at least one of them. They have a long way to go. Visited twice, once for lunch, once for breakfast. Lunch was unmemorable -- had the lamb burger, requested it medium rare, it arrived well done. The curry slaw was barely curried. Still, the lamb's flavor was good, considering how dry the meat was. Second visit: ordered the breakfast burrito with the turkey sausage, green chile. It arrived with red chile. When it came back, there was still red chile under the potatoes. (Aside: the people next to us had to send their food back too.) The burrito appeared huge, but several inches at the ends were nothing but tortilla, no filling. The turkey sausage was dry... the curried potatoes were soggy. Suggestion -- make the burrito smaller - - we don't need that much empty mushy tortilla -- and how about crisping up the potatoes? Just adding curry doesn't make food special. My partner ordered eggs and flank steak. The eggs were cooked perfectly, the flank steak was chewy. The toast came out about 10 minutes later, with diner-style containers of butter and jam. Really? If you're going to serve like a diner, then charge like one. Service was adequate, but not outstanding. They just don't have their act together at the Bobcat.