After numerous delightful visits to Pink Pony Soft Serve, conveniently located in the parking area of the El Rey Court Hotel, we finally decided to explore another culinary gem nearby. Friends had been raving about Tender Fire Kitchen Pizza, situated just across the parking lot from Pink Pony on Thursday nights, claiming it served some of the best pizza in Santa Fe. Intrigued by the consistent crowds we’d observed at Tender Fire Kitchen during our Pink Pony trips, we made it a point to arrive early for dinner one Thursday. While we didn’t entirely beat the rush, securing a table and soaking in the enchanting atmosphere of the El Rey Court grounds was a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
Outdoor seating area at Tender Fire Kitchen with pizza on a table
The El Rey Court exudes a unique and relaxing vibe, and Tender Fire Kitchen perfectly complements it, possibly even adding to the ambiance with music emanating from their truck. Whether it’s the music or simply the setting, unwinding under the shade of large trees on a beautiful evening was incredibly pleasant.
Guests have the option to sit at tables scattered across the lawn or create a more casual picnic setting with blankets. Our pizza wait time was around 30 minutes, which passed by quickly as we secured seats and grabbed some refreshing beverages to accompany our meal.
Tender Fire Kitchen menu board showcasing pizza options
Close-up of Tender Fire Kitchen menu detailsOutdoor seating area at Tender Fire Kitchen with pizza on a table
The menu at Tender Fire Kitchen promised an exciting range of pizzas, and we were eager to try their offerings. We opted for the evening’s special, an intriguing elote pizza (priced around $15), alongside a classic margherita pizza. Tender Fire Kitchen prides itself on using farm-to-table ingredients sourced from local farmers, a commitment we greatly appreciate. The elote pizza was a novel concept for us, but our love for elote made it an irresistible choice. The margherita pizza ($15) served as a reliable backup, just in case.
However, any apprehension about the elote pizza quickly vanished. It was an extraordinary and unique pizza experience. This special creation featured roasted corn, a flavorful poblano puree (courtesy of Green Tractor Farm in La Cienega), creamy mozzarella cheese, fresh corn from Shwabach Farm in Moriarty, cilantro from Groundstone Farm in Nambe, sungold tomatoes from Frehiesnm’s in Velarde, cotija cheese, onion, and a drizzle of hot chili oil. The dedication to sourcing local produce was truly impressive and evident in every bite.
Close-up of the Elote Special Pizza highlighting toppings
The Margherita pizza was equally delightful, boasting San Marzano tomato sauce, delicate Fior di latte mozzarella, shaved pecorino cheese, and some of the freshest basil we’ve ever tasted. It was simply scrumptious. Prepared in a portable wood-burning oven, Tender Fire Kitchen’s pizzas have a distinct char on the crust. If you prefer pizza crust without any char, this might not be the place for you – but for us, it added to the authentic wood-fired flavor.
Tender Fire Kitchen's Margherita Pizza with fresh basil
Ordering is done in person, and wait times can vary, with peak hours sometimes leading to longer waits, as we experienced. But the relaxed atmosphere and quality of the food make it well worth the time.
Tender Fire Kitchen's portable wood-fired pizza oven
Uncut pizza before slicing at Tender Fire Kitchen
Pizza being boxed up at Tender Fire Kitchen
In addition to their pizzas, Tender Fire Kitchen offers a market salad that looked incredibly appealing, like something straight out of a food magazine. Priced at $15 for 1-2 people or a family, and $25 for groups of 3 or more, it’s another tempting option to consider.
Leftover slices of Elote and Margherita pizza
To stay updated on Tender Fire Kitchen’s location and weekly specials, especially those unique pizza creations, signing up for their email list on their website is highly recommended. Emails are sent out on Wednesdays for the Thursday-Saturday week.
Tender Fire Kitchen operates from Thursday to Saturday, 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM. Excitingly, they are planning to open a permanent brick-and-mortar location in the future, with investment opportunities mentioned on their website, though those may be closing soon. Take-out orders are also available, placed directly at the Tender Fire Kitchen truck.
The El Rey Court, home to both Tender Fire Kitchen and the nearby Pink Pony Soft Serve, is located at 1862 Cerrillos Road in Santa Fe. Upon entering the El Rey Court entrance, turn right and drive towards the back to find the Tender Fire Kitchen truck on the left-hand side. For a memorable Santa Fe evening, combine the delicious wood-fired pizzas at Tender Fire Kitchen with a sweet treat from Pink Pony Soft Serve for the perfect culinary experience.
