Our Favorite Post-Sufferfest Food

After an hours-long day in the mountains, all we want to do is eat. These are the Outside staff’s go-to meals.

If there’s anything better than spending a day hiking, climbing, running, riding, or doing whatever outside, it’s the food you eat afterward. We fancy ourselves experts in both. And while some may call it “refueling,” often it’s really just about getting something tasty and satisfying into your body after a long, hard day of training.

Breakfast Burrito

Post-ride hunger is a beautiful thing not to be wasted on insubstantial meals. That’s why my go-to is a Betterday breakfast burrito. For those not familiar with foods worth eating, Betterday Coffee makes the most delicious burritos in all of Santa Fe: a perfect mix of potatoes, cheese, and delicious red chile all wrapped in a locally sourced tortilla. Besides boasting a healthy mix of carbs and protein, the burritos taste damn good. —Scott Rosenfield, digital general manager

Everything from Trader Joe’s

After a long day (or a few days) of climbing, I am in full treat-yourself mode. My favorite guilty pleasure is a Trader Joe’s feast consisting of their fettuccine Alfredo, arugula pizza, and a turkey burger patty or three. For dessert, I’m obsessed with TJ’s chocolate-filled crepes. You’re going to want two boxes of those. —Jenny Earnest, social media manager

Turkey Sandwich

After a long workout, nothing beats a turkey sandwich—homemade, of course. I prefer mine on a hearty oatmeal bread with a hefty portion of Boar’s Head turkey sliced extra-thin and all the toppings—like lettuce, pickles, mayo, and mustard. And a handful of Kettle-brand barbecue chips on the side. —Ben Fox, associate reviews editor

Your Go-To Brew

Specifically, a tall can of Tecate. —Matt Skenazy, senior editor

Breakfast Tacos

This is everything I want, no matter the time of day. I toast my tortillas, then stuff them to the brim with scrambled eggs, melted cheese, chunky avocado, and some homemade pico de gallo. I guess it’s true: You can take the girl out of Texas, but you can’t take Texas out of the girl. —Carly Graf, assistant fitness editor

Green Chile Cheeseburger

I go straight to Harry’s Roadhouse and get a green chile buffalo cheeseburger with fries and a Silver Coin margarita. I’m almost positive it contains nothing my body actually needs, but everything it wants. —Jonah Ogles, articles editor

Banana Peanut Butter Milkshake

Something like the Jimmy Carter shake they sell at Boloco, a New England burrito chain. Cold, creamy recovery goodness. I don’t need to say much more, do I? —Svati Narula, assistant social media editor

A Himalayan Spread

Before I moved back to Santa Fe, I was living in Boulder, Colorado. After every climbing, running, hiking, or biking mission, there was a 90 percent chance you could find me and my friends at the Himalayan restaurant Sherpas. We’d warm up with a round of light Sherpa ales and split a momo platter (a plate of Tibetan dumplings). Then it was time for the entree: My go-tos were the house stew, vindaloo, and curry, but I’ve never tried a thing at Sherpas I didn’t love. We’d top it all off with a round of the sweet house chai tea. Too many calories, great service, and a relaxed atmosphere: the perfect end to a try-hard day. —Abby Wise, online managing editor

Burger, Fries, and a Shake

I head straight to local Santa Fe restaurant Shake Foundation for their burger, fries, and shake combo. If I’m feeling like I need a fruit/veggie fix, I add avocado to the burger and parsley (and Parmesan) to the fries. If that’s too far, I grab a Snickers to hold me over. —Axie Navas, executive editor

Salty, Cured Meats

Really, any kind. Nothing tastes more life-giving after a day of sizzling in the hot sun at the crag. I’ve been slamming salami nowadays. If I’m feeling spicy, I’ll roll some peanut butter inside. Don’t knock it until you try it! —Emily Reed, assistant gear editor

Huckleberry Milkshake

I treat myself to a huckleberry milkshake after a long day deep in the Cascades. I’m partial to Wapiti Woolies, just outside Mount Rainier National Park, but a shake tastes even better alongside a burger and fries. If you’re in the North Cascades, the Burger Barn in Darrington, Washington, makes a mean version of both. I’ve replenished more than my share of calories there. —Abbie Barronian, assistant fitness editor