Looking at the pictures on the walls, it appears The Pantry has been serving Santa Fe a good, long time. That longevity is easily explained by the polite, efficient, and rapid service. It can also be explained by the generous portions and excellent flavor balance.

Raz had the Durango Omelette, which is I think what happens when you take a Denver Omelette, and then go southwest. The mushrooms, sour cream, and gratuitous smothering of green chile sauce are certainly welcome additions to the classic ham & cheese. The Cottage Fries were definitely the right side to help sop up the extra green chile sauce, and the wheat toast was very much a high quality bread.

I had the Two Eggs and Meat breakfast with grits and a tortilla. When tortilla is an option, it's always the best one with scrambled eggs, since you've then got an effective breakfast burrito... Our server asked if I wanted ketchup or hot sauce with my scrambled eggs, and being not entirely alert, I replied "salsa." Next time I'm in, I'll be saying it on purpose, as it's the best secret-option-number-three I've stumbled upon in quite some time! The house salsa is super fresh with hearty chunks of tomato and roasted green chile. There's a hint of cilantro, but only enough to accentuate that smoky roasted-chile flavor. Not only was it a perfect compliment to my eggs, but it kicked up my thick slice of grilled ham steak from good to awesome. The grits I had for my side were simple and plain, but accompanied by whipped butter. I added a generous helping of sugar from the old-fashioned sugar bowl the table was equipped with, and then my grits were precisely the way my mom used to make them. 

I really have to respect The Pantry for not stooping to any kitschy, vintage touches like mid-century-modern tables or old style diner uniforms. Our server was in t-shirt and jeans, and the tables & chairs were basic Santa Fe style pine, and have probably been in the diner since it opened. Just like the diner menu itself, the furnishings are simple, local, classic, and intended to withstand the test of time.