Southwest Cafe

We recently visited this place after hearing rave reviews from local bloggers. We were thoroughly impressed. The quesadillas, especially the pulled pork one, were delicious. The presentation and portion sizes were also impressive. We also enjoyed the queso fundido. The quality of the food was exceptional. It was refreshing to dine at a restaurant where the food was not frozen or from a jar. We highly recommend this place. Our waitress, Trish, was incredibly friendly and attentive. Overall, we had a wonderful experience.

Lived in ridgefield for a few months now but just found this spot. The restaurant itself was small but the atmosphere was so nice. Live music and good vibes. We got classic margs, guac and beef tacos and everything was great. Great portion sizes, tasty, seasoned food. I will definitely be coming back to try more things.

November 19th, 2024 - 4.7 There are so many great places to eat in Ridgefield. If I lived here or nearby, Southwest Cafe would definitely be on my regular list. Thanks to Southwest Cafe for being the sponsor this evening to the Ridgefield Playhouse concert featuring "The English Beat," which gave ticket holders a free margarita. This area sponsorship has introduced us to many fine restaurants here. (see my reviews) Sometimes the smallest thing can stand out throughout an entire meal. Here it was their salsa. For those who read my reviews, you know I lived out west a long time, though born in CT and now returned. Their salsa was something I had not tasted since I was last in Santa Fe. Mentioning this to the waiter/bartender and more, he remarked, "The owner has a house in Taos." There you go. The evening special of three tacos for $22. was a great deal. I chose the BBQ pork, swordfish, and beef. Only having room for one, I ate the pork. Not carnitas, but smokey and satisfying. A bite of the swordfish and beef before packaging it up to take home showed these two choices were exceptional, with both the fish and churrasco steak cooked perfectly. I did add a premium margarita to my meal. Who doesn't want a shot of Grand Marnier? They gave me a container of their terrific salsa to go. I look forward to trying more of their New Mexico cuisine in the future. Outdoor tented seating in addition to the restaurant and bar. Friendly festive environment. Attentive service. Easy parking.

Food was pretty tasty but terrible service - had to go inside multiple times to ask waitress to come to our table so we could order, pay bill... No one ever came to check on us. Staff were looking at phones instead. Waitress licked fingers while touching our credit cards, a little gross. Nice outdoor seating.

Excellent food! Great service and atmosphere! Good sized portions and outdoor seating is available!

I don’t understand how this place has such great reviews. I understand expectations should be lowered when you try TexMex in Connecticut haha but this was unreal. We ordered the bowl, fajitas, and quesadillas. Everything was clearly frozen food (e.g, frozen grilled chicken you get from Costco, frozen veggies straight from the bag, etc.). Tortillas just right from your local supermarket, stale. Just very very bad. Chipotle is an order of magnitude higher quality and cheaper!

Was suggested to me by a local. Had the Chicken, Pesto & Mango Quesadilla (I left off the pesto). Large enough to share. So yummy with the mango. Guacamole was excellent. Friendly service. Especially accommodating to a bunch of runners coming in just to use their restroom. Very glad this was suggested to me.

Was in the area for an event and the venue offered a coupon deal for this place so I decided to try it. Immediately felt comfortable as staff and customers treat everybody as a regular. Prices were very reasonable and the food was excellent. I had a enchilada plate and it was steaming hot and came with rice and beans on the side. Quality was excellent and the portion size was very good.

The very best green sauce outside of New Mexico that I have found. I have been there twice and the quality has impressed me and those I have been with. Friendly, attentive service.

For over 30 years, this locally owned and operated cafe has established itself on the basis of New Mexican cuisine. From late summer through the fall, don't miss the Hatch chili specials, based on amazing imported chilies from NM. As the appetizer version promotes, it's a bit of a gamble because nobody knows how hot your chili will be until you bite in. But the amazing apricot Crema will cool things down. Diverse menu of Southwestern specialties is complemented by a full bar and very cute, authentic interior. Many vegan options. The service is excellent and the prices are reasonable for made-from-scrath scratch cuisine. Do not miss the homemade red and green sauces. Or the amazing cornbread.

This was the first time my husband and I have been to this cute cafe. You felt like you were in someone's kitchen it was very cozy First of all I'm not a person that eats Mexican food however my husband loves it. He had the taco burrito combo with rice and beans The portion was generous and he said it was very good. I had my usual quesadilla cheese and chicken. Lots of cheese and chicken the Guacamole was very good We were the first ones in the cafe but within a half and hour it started to fill up If you like Mexican I would recommend giving it a try

We had a truly relaxing and enjoyable time at Southwest Cafe. The decor is charming..very festive. There are lights and pretty paintings for you to admire. The food we tried was delicious! I loved my cornbread and my main, and ordered a dessert to take home. I also had a mocktail, which was fun. Service was wonderful. Our waitress could not have been nicer. She did a great job. I will definitely return!

I had lunch at Southwest Cafe for the first time in quite awhile. I ordered the Chopped Salad and added shrimp, and let me tell you, the shrimp was the absolute star. Don't get me wrong. The salad itself was delicious, and I would gladly eat it with a different protein or no protein at all. But someone in that kitchen really knows how to cook shrimp to perfection. They were cooked to that exact point of being juicy and tender and not a second over. I plan to try more shrimp dishes there in the future!

Food and drinks are great here. The chef does an amazing job and puts an innovative spin on the dishes. Have never had a bad meal. I especially recommend the wine dinners. Worth the price they are fabulous. The service is always just right. Love this place for lunch and dinner!

The music is great, the food was authentic. , very nice owner and wait staff,..Saw a single guitarist there inside that's phenomenal, and a great Husband wife duo outside ...very enjoyable evening! I think they were The Unexpected Duo..catch them if you can!

Came here for dinner before a show at Ridgefield Playhouse. We really enjoyed our meal here. The place is small with a nice ambiance, and the food came out very quickly. I loved my chicken quesadilla. Would definitely return, especially because parking was such a breeze.

Great mexican for the area, drinks great. It's a small venue so can be hard to get seat. Service great, people very nice. Be sure to check it out!

It's ok. The setting is nice and the vibe is nice inside (there's some outdoor seating in a tent). The service was average, although I thought the bartender was great, with a great attitude. Owner is busy working all aspects of the establishment, but she seemed kinda emo and detached. Maybe she's tired of it all. The trouble I had was the food. "Southwest" is in actuality a basic Tex-Mex shop with nothing inspired on the menu. Just all the Mexican cliche dishes. Salsa was meh. Food was average to below average. I think Southwest Cafe is long overdue for a remake, with an up to date inspired menu, new decor and a new chef. It has the potential and demand to be great, but it did't live up to my expectations at all.

Some friends invited me to join them at this place for a beer and some special appetizers - and that's why they're my friends as this place rendered a five star experience for food, service, and ambiance. Because of the incomplete and short range in this first experience, the possibility that the great company biased my experience upward, and my policy of conservative scoring in such circumstance I well score at 4 stars and just rave about the place. The only downside is they have a rather limited selection of draft beers which is a small point since you should be drinking Tequila Margaritas. All else was upside. Your visit begins with deliciously light nacho chips with perfectly spiced salsa. All of the appetizers we ordered were delicious. I was beguiled by the sautéed chilies I could have continued eating them until I got sick. There was a interesting salty vinegary flavoring to accompany their own natural goodness. The house chopped salad was so light and delicious. And the lobster tamale was the heavyweight flavorful you would hope it to be. We sat at the bar. It is a tiny place with a nice ambiance and cozy which I will rate as a positive since we all got a seat. The service was great and staff were amusing and full of personality. I will be back as soon as I can for a full dinner and fully expect it will earn my coveted 5 Star rating

I ordered the special, blackened shrimp tacos. Two tacos with two shrimp cut in half Unacceptable! There was no sauce and was really inedible. I will not be back.

Exceptionally mediocre. I mean like the master of mediocrity. Food is edible. Service is dull. Ambiance is so dull. Peak mediocrity everyone. I saw the rating before I went as well. They meet their rating perfectly.

Coming from California I was curious to try east coast Mexican food. That ended quickly. I'm not sure what other people reviewed but I'm reviewing the food here, and it's not good. It's not even approaching good. It tastes like something you'd eat in an Idaho elementary school cafeteria, in 1987. Hard pass unless you're curious what a used diaper tastes like. Southwest Airlines has better food.

What a nice vibe, and the staff was charming! I'll be sure to stop back if I'm in the area.

Southwest Cafe never disappoints! We come almost weekly and I can't say that of any other restaurant in town. There are great specials, although I love the shrimp burrito so much, I order it a lot. The salsa is so fresh, actually all the food is fresh, and so delicious!. Portions are generous and you always leave full. The servers are super friendly, and are always checking if there is anything else we need! Ambience is great. Very relaxed. Love that we have such an amazing, friendly place in town.

The yummy enchiladas, the fresh guac, the cozy atmosphere, and the gracious staff make Southwest Cafe one of our favorite spots. Recently used them for catering and everyone remarked on how delicious the food was!

Our go-to spot at the moment for quality Mexican/Southwest American take out. Pick up orders have always been ready on time and correct/complete. Salsas are very good, guacamole is as well. Various salad dishes (with possible addition of various meat/fish items) are arguably the highlights; chicken quesadillas (younger daughter enjoys them when they are "right") have however repeatedly been soggy or overcooked and bland.. Overall, good ++ though; we'll keep ordering when the mood for southwest style cuisine strikes.

Food was cold, owner was rushing staff to give us our check without even asking if we wanted desert. We were regulars, not anymore.

Been here a few times for the last few years. The burrito is always good. The churros are always good. A friend got some kind of salmon one time and said it wasn't good and had to send it back.

Sat down in the patio. Got some alright tortilla chips and bland salsa. Had one too many place settings. Asked the waitress to take one away. Instead she took all but one menu and left the place setting. Then came back and asked what we wanted, to which I replied "could we please get a few of the menus back?" She looked at me dumbfounded and asked where they went, when she was the one who took them away . . . Then she returned with waters and menus. And then we noticed they were charging $22 for green chile stew. Also found out that while they supposedly get their chile from Hatch they don't know which kind it is, and when dealing with chile from Hatch it's very important to know as the spice level varies A TON. Dios mio de mi vida este restaurante es muy triste

One of Ridgefield's restaurant gems. We have not dined here in a few months, but had an amazing dinner here last week. Everything on the menu is fresh and well prepared. You can tell that the kitchen cares about what goes on the plate, which is hard to find at restaurants these days. We will be returning soon.

The staff at Southwest has always been amazing but last night I saw something remarkable: A very angry man came to pick up his take out food that he ordered online. He had made a mistake, which the staff were more than gracious to comp him. He threw the food at the waitress, screaming in a high pitched shrill " The customer is always right". The professionalism given by the staff was exemplary and I made sure my tip matched it. I love coming here and love them even more now.

Love this place!!! I'm obsessed with the nachos they're so good. Everything on the menu is good - the salad are filling, the quesadillas are delicious, the rice bowl is to die for. You cannot go wrong with this place. Everyone is super friendly and they know exactly what this gluten free girl needs.

Great business, good food, wonderful staff, enjoyable outside seating and supports the local community as they sponsor a 5k run every year. One of our regular stops as the food & ambiance are very nice. Posted 2 pics of some of the delicious offerings

We stopped at Southwest Cafe for lunch after an exciting afternoon at the nearby Yoga studio, and were not disappointed by this lunch. I enjoyed a typical Mexican ambiance, with tortilla chips and salsa to start, as one would expect. My meal was a chicken bowl, that was packed with veggies, rice, and chicken, exactly what I would be looking for on a day of exercise, to supplement this workout. The bowl had seasonal veggies which consisted of squash, peppers, and peas, as well as sour cream, guac, and green chiles. Everything was well cooked, and the flavors were present. All in all, a great lunch.

The restaurants in embarrassment the food is horrendous the service is dumb there's a restaurant on main Street in Richfield a little Mexican restaurant that is light years better than that garbage that they sell finished

Very good New Mexican food. Kind and friendly staff. We'll be back. I had the Hatch Chile Stew, my wife had fajitas. Both very good.

We actually really like the food here. We have only had take out but so far so good. I have nothing to complain about and it even pleases some city born and breed foodies - give it a try!

I can't believe the flavors that come out of this place! I have had nothing but outstanding meals and have also gotten my entire office hooked as of today. We tried tacos with different meat, the Southwest Bowl , the Santa Fe Chopped salad, Green Chile Stew and the Red Chile Pork & Posole. The guacamole and salsa were fresh made and delicious, even the side salads were well dressed with corn, beans and cheese. Please try this little gem in Ridgefield.

This is our go to place for Mexican and Southwest style food. We usually eat in, but have also ordered takeout. The food is consistently delicious, well prepared and presented. I love their chicken mango quesadillas, and their fajitas. They make a great red or white sangria, and tasty margaritas. Save room for flan. It's the best I've eaten anywhere. I'm looking forward to the warmer weather so we can eat outside on their covered terrace. Great Place!

Was hoping for those wonderful flavors you find in New Mexico but it was pretty average "Mexican" style food. Nonetheless, it was enjoyable with a varied selection and nice drinks. They took care to note several gluten free and vegetarian options on the menu. We had a salmon and a quinoa and vegetable concoction and all the dishes surrounding us looked fresh. They also have a lovely outdoor seating area with music making for a lovely dining experience. It's in shopping plaza with several other dining options as well. Glad I tried it as it had been on my list for awhile.

This place is always warm and welcoming. Great food, great service, and the best margaritas in Fairfield county!

Just a wonderful restaurant. Food awesome, service the best. Owner is caring and friendly and has been for fifteen years. Moved from ridgefield but still drive back. Especially love the salads but the specials are best.

Was in the area and decided to stop in for lunch. The place has a cozy atmosphere. It's a bit too dark inside however, that shouldn't prevent anyone from going in. Our food was tasty and speedy, which was super helpful due to timing constraints. Will gladly visit again.

The Mission Burrito special was a perfect warm lunch on a damp, cool day. Delicious and filling with a fresh salad on the side. We always appreciate the friendly service from their experienced staff!

The bartenders are amazing. The food is mediocre. If you don't mind most of your food being microwaved then u will probably be impressed. The owner is questionable at best.

I love Southwest Cafe - the food is fantastic; the atmosphere is very comfortable and the staff is super friendly. Although I really enjoy trying the specials, the New Mexican menu is excellent and so are the salads. The beer selection is excellent (craft and Mexican) and they make the best margaritas!

This amazing place is a family favorite. Food is fresh, tasty, and beautiful every time! We always order guac... it is light and delicious. Chips and salsa are always brought to the table. Margs are amazing! Outdoor seating is lovely when weather permits. Highly recommend!!!

Very dissatisfied.The fajitas consisted of dry, hard slices of chicken on a plate. I've been eating fajitas for years and have never seen it served on a plate and not come out on a sizzling platter. The menu is a misleading description with sweet potatoes( none) and broccolini (one piece) . I would have ordered a salad if I wan room temperature onions, peppers and sliced chicken on a plate ..

Southwestern food with a New Mexican focus. Some good options with green chile sauce and plenty of the typical enchilada, taco, fajita, and burrito options that one would expect in a Mexican restaurant. One of our family members had a chile relleno ($18) which was good but not great. A few of us ordered the soft shell crab tacos, which was one of the specials. Again, good but not great and it was overpriced ($24). I should have ordered the green chile stew of the chimichurri steak, both of which would have perhaps highlighted the New Mexican focus and would have perhaps been a bit more interesting.

Excellent place for a lunch or dinner. Went there for lunch. Excellent, just right fajitas and a rather plump burrito. We shared both entree's! The fajita was nicely cooked steak, peppers and onions accompanied by two tortillas. The flavors were wonderful, the quantity just right - filling, not stuffing if you get what I mean

This is our go to restaurant for date night. We love it here and the staff and atmosphere are always fantastic! If you love New Mexico Hatch Chile you have to go! I also love their mole.

If I don't like a restaurant I generally don't review it. I sympathize with how difficult it can be to run a restaurant. I would rather just let them fadeaway. However, it is been six hours since I have been here and I'm still grossly full. I didn't even finish my plate because it didn't taste very good and I was getting full while I ate it. Also when I came home I had to take an hour and a half nap because the MSG was overpowering. Maybe it wasn't MSG, but whatever it was made me feel like I was drugged. My waitress, who I think was the mother of the owner/manager, was rude and abrupt. I overheard her at the next table when a man started to ask her for another beer. "Just let me get your food out on the table." When I asked her why she was charging me 3 dollars for two different types of tacos, she said that its because it was "a combination and that's just the way they did it." I showed her what the menu said and she dismissed me. That kind of service can only come from family I am assuming. She turned on the "honey" near the end of the meal but I subtracted $3 off what should have been an $8 tip. I hate it when I leave a bad tip and I am sorry I left anything. I feel kind of like a dick writing this review but I'm on vacation and not feeling good after the meal. Southwest cafe has stolen half a day from me with mediocre food and bad service.

Have been here so many times before but hadn't been since before covid. Finally made it back and it EXCEEDED expectations! Everything was delicious! I had the southwest bowl with pork and I'm always nervous to order pork but it was cooked to perfection, not dry at all. My mom ordered the hatch Chile roulette, and it was to die for. You don't know how spicy it's gonna be, hence it being called roulette, so it makes it fun. The service was great too, very caring staff!

What a charming little find tucked away in Ridgefield! Clever updates to traditional mexican fare like our portabella mushroom and goat cheese enchilada, and the spicy cornbread with the green chile coumpound butter left us delighted and stuffed. Friendly and attentive staff and reasonable prices make this all a sucessful evening, I'd give it 5 stars but the drinks are a little weak. Even so, it's more than worth the visit.

While the food was tasty and fresh, what prevents me from rating this restaurant four stars is due to the manner in which my husband and I were treated by the bartender/waitress. Her attitude was curt and dismissive, and therefore we won't be returning. There are many fine restaurants in this area where our patronage is demonstrably appreciated. Perhaps her attitude is not pervasive throughout the staff and you'll have better luck if you choose to go. You may find that the food is worth the risk. Staff attitudes do influence the dining experience. It certainly affected ours.

I don't have much to say, I've been here maybe 20 times and always left content. I like the food, a little pricey, but it's a cute date night spot in Ridgefield. Partially the salsa and the guacamole, super yummy and addicting. I am a HUGE fan of the market place, and because of that I will always recommend Southwest to anyone. I understand what other reviewers say about being rushed, especially in the summer, and knowing that I would chose to eat a little later, so I can have an after dinner cocktail. But the real reason for the four stars is the owner. She is the nicest, most accommodating restaurant owner I have ever met. You should stop by just to meet her and see how being hands on in your own business makes for a fantastic experience for your customers. She handles her staff with respect and is constantly checking on the patrons. She truly makes coming here an enjoyable experience.

This review is solely based on the quart of salsa that the Southwest Cafe provided for our backstage catering tonight for our show at the Ridgefield Playhouse. I stood next to the salsa and chips, eating them for at least 10 minutes in total amazement - how could salsa this good be found backstage in the middle of Connecticut? I can imagine that the rest of their food is worth a try. We'll go check it out next time we're through town!