Elote Café in Sedona

Elote Café is Sedona’s most sought‑after modern Mexican/Southwestern spot, famous for its namesake elote corn appetizer, creative mains like lamb adobo and smoked pork cheeks, excellent cocktails, and a reservation‑only system that books out weeks ahead.

Atmosphere and reservations

• Located at 350 Jordan Road in Uptown Sedona, it overlooks the red rocks and has a warm, casual room with copper tables, Mexican art, and a lively bar; dress ranges from hiking clothes to smart casual.
• It now runs on reservations only (no more long wait line); you can book online up to 60 days in advance, and many diners note that prime times fill quickly, making it one of the hardest tables to get in town.

Food style and signature dishes

• The menu is compact but focused on creative, original Southwestern and Mexican cuisine built around fire‑roasted corn, slow‑braised meats, and house‑made sauces.
• The must‑order Elote appetizer (fire‑roasted corn with spicy mayo, lime, and cotija) is repeatedly described as the best elote guests have ever had and is the restaurant’s calling card.
• Other heavily praised starters include guacamole with house‑fried chips, goat cheese balls with pumpkin‑seed crust and arbol honey, sweet corn bisque with huitlacoche and white‑truffle crema, and seafood or pork belly tacos.

Popular mains and desserts

• Top entrées mentioned in reviews and on the menu are lamb adobo, smoked pork cheeks, duck carnitas, smoked chicken or brisket enchiladas, carne asada, buffalo mole poblano, corn‑crusted scallops, and grilled halibut with mole verde and “grandma’s corn cake.”
• Vegetarians often go for the calabacitas chile relleno or green corn tamal, which still showcase the kitchen’s roasted‑corn and chile flavors.​
• Desserts are a big highlight: Pastel de Elote (sweet corn cake with dulce de leche and vanilla‑agave ice cream) and Mexican chocolate pie are the most‑recommended, with flan and agave ice cream also getting strong praise.

Drinks and prices

• The bar is known for mezcal and tequila cocktails such as blood‑orange and pineapple mezcal margaritas, plus specialty after‑dinner drinks and tequila/mezcal flights.
• Current menu prices run roughly low‑teens for starters (elote, guacamole, tamal), high‑20s to low‑40s for mains like chicken enchiladas, duck carnitas, halibut, or buffalo mole, and about $13 for desserts such as Pastel de Elote or Mexican chocolate pie.​

Elote Café’s current prices put starters mostly in the low‑ to mid‑teens, mains in the high‑20s to low‑40s, and desserts and cocktails around the low‑ to mid‑teens.

Starters and small plates

From the current “Eat” menu:​

• Elote (signature corn): $11.00
• Guacamole: $8.50 small / $14.00 regular
• Sweet Corn Bisque: $8.00 small / $13.00 bowl
• Ensalada de Romaine (Caesar‑style): $14.00
• Nopales Salad: $14.00
• Goat Cheese Balls: $14.00
• Seafood Tacos (2): $20.00
• Pork Belly Tacos (2): $18.00
• Green Corn Tamal: $13.00

Main dishes (platos fuertes)

All served with rice and refried black beans:​

• Lamb Adobo: $41.00
• Carne Asada (Prime skirt steak): $40.00
• Smoked Brisket Enchiladas: $32.00
• Shrimp and Pork Belly: $35.00
• Corn‑Crusted Scallops: $48.00
• Grilled Halibut with mole verde: $42.00
• Buffalo Mole Poblano (short ribs): $41.00
• Smoked Pork Cheeks: $29.00
• Duck Carnitas: $32.00
• Chicken Enchiladas: $28.00
• Calabacitas Chile Relleno: $24.00

Desserts and after‑dinner drinks

Sample prices from the same menu:

• Agave Ice Cream Sundae: $13.00
• Other desserts like Pastel de Elote and Mexican Chocolate Pie are also listed around $13.00.

After‑dinner drinks and coffee:​

• Coffee: $5.00
• Cafe Elote: $12.00
• House liqueurs (Almendrado, Incendio, Pasita): $10.00each
• After‑Dinner Flight (three house liqueurs): $15.00
• Reserve Añejo Tequila Flight: $30.00

Margaritas, cocktails, and N/A drinks

From the drink menu:​

• Classic & flavored margaritas (Jeff’s Margarita, Roasted Pineapple Mezcal, Luxury Margarita): $14.00–$18.00
• Other cocktails (Mina de Oro, Tequila Manhattan, sangrias, mojito): $15.00–$18.00
• Non‑alcoholic coolers and limeades: $8.00–$10.00
• Sodas and bottled waters: about $5.00

The dishes most often recommended at Elote Café are the signature elote corn appetizer, smoked pork cheeks, lamb adobo, smoked brisket or chicken enchiladas, and the Pastel de Elote or Mexican chocolate pie for dessert.

Starters you should order

• Elote(fire‑roasted street corn with spicy mayo, lime, cotija) – universally described as a must‑order and the restaurant’s signature dish.
• Goat Cheese Balls with arbol honey – repeatedly praised in reviews and local articles as an outstanding first course.
• Guacamole with house‑fried chips – often ordered alongside elote; guests highlight how fresh and well‑balanced it is.
• Sweet Corn Bisque and Green Corn Tamal – called out in reviews as additional “don’t miss” starters if you love corn.

Best main dishes

• Smoked Pork Cheeks with cascabel chile sauce and corn cake – the single most‑raved‑about entrée; many reviewers say it was the star of their meal.
• Lamb Adobo (braised lamb shank in ancho chile sauce) – frequently mentioned as a favorite and a reason people return.​
• Smoked Brisket Enchiladas – highlighted in blogs and reviews as a top choice, with 14‑hour smoked brisket and rich chipotle sauce.
• Smoked Chicken Enchiladas – very popular on Yelp’s “most ordered” list, especially for guests who want something a bit lighter than brisket.
• Carne Asada – another highly rated entrée, especially among steak lovers.
• Grilled Halibut with mole verde and “grandma’s corn cake” – often praised for its complex mole and perfectly cooked fish.
• Calabacitas Chile Relleno and Green Corn Tamal – go‑to vegetarian mains that still showcase their roasted‑corn and chile flavors.

Desserts worth saving room for

• Pastel de Elote (sweet corn cake with dulce de leche and ice cream) – repeatedly recommended in reviews as unusual and fantastic.
• Mexican Chocolate Pie – another “must” that many locals and visitors mention as their favorite dessert there.