The aroma of feta and spicy chipotle peppers wafts up to the nose, attacking the senses, the perfect compliment to the glistening tomato slice, which rested on a warm honey-colored ciabatta bun.

Even before biting into it, Sante Fe Cafe’s One-Eyed Burger takes one by surprise.

This cafe, located at  9946 W 87 St, Overland Park, KS 66212  sells authentic trail food – virtually everything that the pioneers ate as they traversed the great wild west. On average, these lunch and breakfast items cost $7-$8.

 And Sante Fe Cafe’s  ambiance is very much that of a country-home style decor, with warm wood tones and colorful brick walls.  Vivid attention-grabbing tribal patterns line everything from the table cloths to the wallpaper.  The homey feeling that the cafe provokes is what keeps the customers coming back.  Well that and the affordable prices.

The cafe sells authentic trail food – virtually everything that the pioneers ate as they traversed the great wild west. On average, these lunch and breakfast items cost $7-$8.

But even with a slew of meal items to offer, Santa Fe Cafe is known for its pies.  From Rhubarb to Butterscotch, Meringue to Lattice, each is made with a flaky, buttery crust.  That crust is then baked to perfection and served with a heaping scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.  The menu is made up of  very typical diner dishes.  It is the perfect place to go when in need of a pick-me-up or comfort food.

However,  his restaurant is not the typical run of the mill franchise.  This is the most attractive aspect of working there for waitress Alice Pierce, who enjoys the personal and intimate impression of the cafe.

Comfort is something that Marilyn Rugova, Santa Fe Cafe owner,  values greatly.  And she finds great comfort in her daytime soaps. One day Rugova and her husband sat watching Days of Our Lives. The next image they saw on the screen, as the program cut for a commercial, would change the very course of their lives for good.  It was an advertisement for  an empty, rundown, slightly decrepit restaurant. This so-called “dump” happened to be everything that Rugova dreamed of.

Rugova is a seasoned woman who has been in the restaurant business for her entire life.

Nine years ago,  Rugova chose to fulfill her lifelong fantasy of owning a cafe.  She purchased the establishment and named it the Sante Fe Cafe. This isn’t just a name for Rugova’s cafe, but its geographical location as well.  The Sante Fe Trail runs straight through the restaurant.

This trail, unlike the Oregon and California Trails, exclusively traded with Mexico.  Yet Rugova chose to go against the grain and use Western decor and menu options.

“I’m trying to put the cowboy and Indian side of the trail on the map,” Rugova said.

Ironically enough, one of the most popular items, is the Taco Breakfast Wrap. The wrap is made up of a grilled flour tortilla, brimming with smoky chorizo, sweet italian sausage, Rugova’s secret “Santa Fe Sauce,” fresh green peppers and a scrambled egg to cut the sharp flavor of the smoky Spanish-style meat.

Despite the mind-blowing burst of flavors that overwhelm the senses in the Taco Breakfast Wrap, it is not the top-selling item.  That title is reserved for none other than The Breakfast Plate which consists of hashbrowns, bacon, eggs and toast. Even though it’s simplistic, it’s in high demand and, as Rugova states, they sell what sells.

The food at the Sante Fe Cafe sells, but the speediness of the service does not.  It is somewhat slow, often times the wait staff lollygags before taking orders.  However, they make up for their lack of speed by being very pleasant and welcoming. Upon sitting down, one will immediately be presented with drink items(Coke and Pepsi Products) as well as the breakfast and lunch menus.  Typically it will take 15-20 minutes to be served the meal depending on the item ordered.

The clientele is composed mostly of elderly people and businessmen.  The majority of the customers are regulars who return week after week. Day after day.  This is the most attractive aspect of working there for waitress Alice Pierce, who enjoys the personal and intimate impression of the cafe.

“I’ve been in the restaurant business all my life,” Rugova said, “I used to be a waitress.  I took care of my customers and they took care of me.”

 And Rugova’s customers do take care of her.  After all, they’ve been open for nine years without fail.  No doubt a result of the succulent dishes offered at the cafe.  For instance, upon finally sinking into the One-Eyed Burger, one experiences a circus of flavors, each vying to stimulate the taste buds.  The chewy, slightly sweet ciabatta, is the first burst, followed by the bitter bite of the onion, which is quickly soothed by the crisp lettuce, the canadian bacon thick and salty, and lastly, the star of the show, the sirloin in all of its juicy flavor.  The Sante Fe Cafe may have slow service, but there is no disputing that this Cafe and Rugova are here to stay.