Back Road Pizza
Triangle District, Santa Fe
Restaurant in Santa Fe, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Casual
Why go
Back Road Pizza is Santa Fe's go-to when you want a break from New Mexican cuisine without sacrificing neighbourhood warmth. Easy to book, casual in dress and tone, focused enough on its craft to justify the detour from the city's chile-heavy canon. A practical, low-stakes choice that delivers on its single-minded premise.
About Back Road Pizza
The Verdict
If you're choosing between Back Road Pizza and a New Mexican spot like Sazón for dinner in Santa Fe, the decision comes down to what you want from the evening. Back Road Pizza operates on 2nd Street in a city where chile-forward, regional cooking dominates; and it holds its own by doing something most Santa Fe kitchens don't prioritize: focusing squarely on pizza craft. For explorers who want a break from the New Mexican canon without leaving the city's casual, neighbourhood energy, this is a sensible and easy call.
What to Expect
The feel here is low-key and neighbourhood-facing; think more corner pizzeria than destination dining room. The ambient energy runs relaxed rather than charged; it's the kind of room where the noise level stays at a comfortable conversational pitch, making it a better pick for groups who want to actually talk than somewhere like a packed downtown bar strip. It's not a place you go for atmosphere drama. You go because you want pizza done with some intention, in a city that mostly asks you to eat posole and tamales.
Santa Fe's dining scene rewards the curious eater, venues like Bouche Bistro, Bodega Prime, and 229 Galisteo St all carve out distinct identities in a market that punches above its size. Back Road Pizza earns its place in that company by staying focused. A pizzeria that tries to do too much tends to do nothing well; the narrower the premise, the more technical execution matters. That's the right framing for evaluating this kitchen.
Booking here is easy, walk-ins are a realistic option, you won't need to plan weeks ahead the way you might for tighter reservation slots elsewhere in the city. It's a practical choice for nights when plans come together last-minute. For a broader sense of where it fits in the Santa Fe eating picture, our full Santa Fe restaurants guide has the context you need, alongside our guides to bars, hotels, wineries, and experiences across the city.
If you're the kind of traveller who maps out meals the way others map out museums, comparing Le Bernardin tasting notes or tracking what The French Laundry is doing seasonally, Back Road Pizza is deliberately at the other end of the spectrum. That's not a criticism. It fills a gap in Santa Fe's lineup, it does so without pretension. Worth knowing before you go: this is a casual, accessible venue. Dress casually, expect reasonable pricing, arrive without a complicated agenda.
Planning details
- Location
- 1807 2nd St #1, Santa Fe, NM 87505
- Website
- backroadpizza.com
- Phone
- +1 505 955 9055
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Back Road Pizza presents itself as a neighborhood anchor rather than a tourist destination. It sits on a working stretch of 2nd Street and reads as unpretentious and community-minded — the kind of place locals return to regularly. The write-up frames the restaurant as a counterpoint to Santa Fe’s chile-driven identity, offering straightforward, familiar pizzas in a setting that privileges residency over spectacle. Expect a warm, relaxed room that feels lived-in and modest, where the emphasis is on consistent, everyday food rather than culinary theater.
Best For
Back Road Pizza is best for low-key, communal meals. Described as a neighborhood pizza counter, it fits casual hangouts, family dinners, and group outings where shareable pies and weekly routines matter more than formalities. Because it sits off the tourist routes and in a residential stretch, the restaurant suits locals and visitors looking for an authentic, everyday spot rather than a special-occasion destination. Plan visits around lunch or dinner service when the counter-style, community focus is most evident.
Ordering Tips
Keep the order simple and anchored in the menu’s signatures: the Norm Pizza, Greek Pizza, New Mexican Pizza and the Cubano Roll are the dishes that define the place. The write-up positions Back Road Pizza within the pizza-counter tradition, so expect a straightforward ordering experience and food built for sharing. Treat it as a neighborhood stop — try one of the signature pies and plan to return: the spot is framed as the sort of operation you visit regularly rather than once for a destination meal.
Venue details
Ambiance
Industrial-modern with red, black, and metal color scheme; black four-top tables on red and black checkered tiles, red walls, corrugated metal panels lining open kitchen extending into loft area and outdoor space.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Quick Bite
- Capacity
- Small
Signature Dishes
- Norm Pizza
- Greek Pizza
- Cubano Roll
- New Mexican Pizza
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Santa Fe Bite; Café, Café
- Harry’s Roadhouse; Chile Burgers, Chile Burgers
- Sazón; New Mexican, New Mexican
- Paper Dosa; Indian Cuisine, Indian Cuisine
- The Pink Adobe; New Mexican, New Mexican
Restaurant context
Against the obvious Santa Fe alternatives, Back Road Pizza occupies a specific and useful niche. Sazón and The Pink Adobe are the stronger calls if regional New Mexican cooking is your priority; both go deeper on local technique and tradition than any pizzeria can. But if your group has already done the New Mexican circuit or simply wants something different on a given night, Back Road Pizza is the easier, lower-commitment option.
Harry's Roadhouse is the closest competitor in spirit; casual, neighbourhood-anchored, accessible without a reservation strategy. Harry's wins on menu range and green chile credentials; Back Road Pizza wins if pizza specifically is what the table wants. Santa Fe Bite is a sharper pick for a quick, no-fuss meal with local character. Paper Dosa is the right move if you want something genuinely unexpected and technically accomplished in a non-New Mexican direction.
For value and booking ease, Back Road Pizza and Harry's Roadhouse are the two most practical options in this tier. If you're planning a multi-day Santa Fe trip and want to balance regional classics with something lighter, slotting Back Road Pizza in for a casual lunch or low-key dinner makes sense; just don't expect it to be the meal you talk about for years. See our full Santa Fe restaurants guide for a broader view of where to eat across the city, including venues like Bert's Burger Bowl and Bouche Bistro.
Explore Santa Fe
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Back Road Pizza guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Back Road Pizza
| Venue | Booking Difficulty | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Back Road Pizza | Easy | No published awards |
| Santa Fe Bite | Unknown | 2026 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Recommended2025 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #4252024 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #4132023 OAD Cheap Eats in North America in RecommendedPearl Recommended Restaurants |
| Harry’s Roadhouse | Unknown | 2026 Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives Featured Restaurants2026 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Recommended2024 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #5042023 OAD Cheap Eats in North America in Recommended |
| Sazón | Unknown | 2026 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence2025 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence2022 James Beard AwardsPearl Recommended Restaurants |
| Paper Dosa | Unknown | 2026 Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives Featured RestaurantsPearl Recommended Restaurants |
| The Pink Adobe | Unknown | 2026 Relais Chateaux Restaurants2025 Relais Chateaux Award |
Side-by-side comparison to help you decide where to book.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Back Road Pizza handle dietary restrictions?
Most neighbourhood pizzerias at this level offer gluten-free crust options and vegetarian pies as standard, Back Road Pizza on 2nd St fits that pattern. Call ahead if your restriction is severe; the kitchen is small and cross-contamination policies vary. Vegan and dairy-free requests are worth confirming directly before you go.
What should I order at Back Road Pizza?
Go with whatever the kitchen is putting forward as a specialty or seasonal build; that's where corner pizzerias like this tend to show their best work. Avoid overloading a pie with toppings on a first visit; a simpler order usually shows the dough and sauce quality more clearly. If the menu runs to New Mexico green chile as a topping, that's the local signal worth following.
How far ahead should I book Back Road Pizza?
Same-day or walk-in is the likely format here; this is a neighbourhood pizza spot on 2nd Street, not a tasting-menu destination requiring weeks of lead time. Weekends may see a short wait, so arriving early or calling ahead on a Friday or Saturday evening is sensible. If you need a specific time for a group, a quick call on the day should be enough.
What should a first-timer know about Back Road Pizza?
Back Road Pizza sits at 1807 2nd St, slightly removed from the main tourist drag in Santa Fe; that's a feature, not a flaw, since the crowd skews local and the vibe is relaxed. Expect a straightforward, low-key room rather than a polished dining experience. It works well as a no-ceremony dinner option when you want something grounded rather than destination-level.
What should I wear to Back Road Pizza?
Casual clothes are fine; jeans and a t-shirt are appropriate at a 2nd Street neighbourhood pizzeria like this. There is no case for dressing up here; the setting does not call for it and overdressing would be out of place.
Can I eat at the bar at Back Road Pizza?
Bar or counter seating at a spot like this depends on the physical layout, which is compact given the 2nd St address and format. If bar seating exists, it's suited to solo diners or pairs rather than groups. Confirm when you arrive or call ahead if counter seating is your preference.
Can Back Road Pizza accommodate groups?
Small groups of four to six are manageable at most neighbourhood pizzerias in this format, but larger parties should call ahead; the space at 1807 2nd St is not set up for big bookings. For a group dinner requiring a private section or guaranteed seating, Back Road Pizza is a lower-certainty option than a larger Santa Fe restaurant. For groups of eight or more, The Pink Adobe or Harry's Roadhouse are better-suited alternatives.
