Elote Cafe

Elote Cafe: modern Mexican cuisine in Sedona

Elote Cafe is a restaurant in Sedona, Arizona, that combines traditional recipes from southern Mexico with the fresh flavors of the American Southwest. Its approach is inspired by Mexican markets and defines itself as modern Mexican and Southwestern cuisine. The establishment, located at 350 Jordan Road, offers views of Sedona's Red Rocks.

Background and career of chef Jeff Smedstad

The restaurant is owned by executive chef Jeff Smedstad, who specializes in the bold, flavorful cuisine of southern and deep interior Mexico. Smedstad learned to cook aboard a Coast Guard cutter and later attended the Seasons of my Heart Cooking School in Oaxaca. For more than twenty years he has traveled the back roads of Mexico, shopping in local markets, eating in restaurants across the country and spending time with Mexican families to broaden his knowledge and inspiration. His cuisine incorporates sustainable, local, healthy and organic products. Juan Rojas is the general manager.

Menu and signature dishes

The Elote Cafe menu includes small plates and main courses that reflect the cuisine of Oaxaca, Veracruz and Puebla, with seasonal and locally grown ingredients. Among the preparations mentioned in reviews and press coverage are:

• Seafood tacos with ancho-glazed cod and shrimp.
• Lamb adobo: Colorado lamb shank braised with a sweet-and-spicy ancho chile sauce.
• Smoked chicken enchiladas with house-smoked organic free-range chicken, salsa verde and chipotle crema.
• Roasted squash chile relleno with seasoned butternut squash, corn, Jack cheese, mole verde and pepita crema.
• Smoked pork cheeks with cascabel chile sauce, buttermilk cumin drizzle and grandma's corn cake.
• Elote: fire-roasted corn with spicy mayo, lime and Cotija cheese.
• Guacamole.

The cuisine is complemented by a selection of local wines, cheeses and regional products, as well as a cocktail menu with selected tequilas and mezcal.

Awards and press coverage

Elote Cafe has received attention from national and international media. Phoenix Magazine included it in its list of the 50 best restaurants in Arizona in 2016. Fodor's gave it a starred review. MSN.com placed it among the 50 best Mexican restaurants in the United States, and Fox News/Gayot included it in its list of the top 10 Mexican restaurants in the country. The Arizona Republic highlighted it among the top 9 restaurants in Sedona. It has also appeared in The New York Times, The Boston Globe, Toronto Star, Sunset Magazine and The Chicago Tribune, among others.

Experience at the venue

The restaurant offers a colorful interior and an open-air deck with views of Sedona's Red Rocks. Dinner service is offered Tuesday through Saturday starting at 5 p.m. The venue also sells a cookbook, gift certificates and merchandise, and has an email club and a reservation system.

Location and contact

350 Jordan Road Sedona, AZ 86336 · Email: info@elotecafe.com