CHIMAYO N.M. Historic restaurant Rancho de Chimayó is holding its grand-reopening celebration this weekend after it had been closed by an arson fire 14 months ago.
The New Mexico restaurant, which was honored with a Nation’s Restaurant News Fine Dining Hall of Fame honor in 1988, had a soft re-opening on Sept. 26.
“Things are pretty much back to where they were before the fire,” said Holly Justice, manager for the past 10 years.
No arrests were made in the arson fire July 11, 2008, which started in a woodpile outside the kitchen. The blaze destroyed the kitchen and caused smoke damage to much of the 4,000-square-foot adobe structure, which includes part of the 19th century home where founder Arturo Jaramillo grew up.
The restaurant now has a new kitchen and gift shop.
The 350-seat restaurant, which is 27 miles north of Santa Fe, is back with much the same menu and best-sellers such as the $13.95 Platón Especial, which features guacamole, cheese enchiladas, pork beef taco, chile relleno, Spanish rice and refried beans.
Arturo and Florence Jaramillo opened the restaurant in 1965. Since a divorce in 1988, Florence Jaramillo has operated both the restaurant and the seven-room Hacienda Rancho de Chimayó, which is nearby.
In renovations after the 2008 fire, the restaurant opened The Company Store, which sells salsas, preserves, T-shirts, hats and other items.
Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected].