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Blake's Lotaburger Wins Title of Best Green Chile Cheeseburger in New Mexico
Best Green Chile Cheeseburger in New Mexico (2016)
One of the most famous burgers in America is the New Mexico green chile cheeseburger. New Mexico didn't invent the burger, but they did improve it by adding whole or chopped green chiles to a traditional cheeseburger, putting this sandwich on the map. So popular is the sandwich that there is an official Green Chile Cheeseburger Trail which will lead you to many versions of this great burger across the state.
Here are the 10 best, according to 10Best, USA TODAY and Sandwich America readers:
- Rockin' BZ Burgers - Alamogordo
- El Farolito - El Rito
- Santa Fe Bite - Santa Fe
- Buckhorn Tavern - San Antonio
- Mine Shaft Tavern - Madrid
- Anaheim Jacks - Ruidoso
- Sparky's - Hatch
- Big Mike's Grill - Belen
- Owl Cafe - Albuquerque & San Antonio
- Blake's Lotaburger - Statewide
Photo courtesy of New Mexico Tourism Department
No. 10:
Rockin' BZ Burgers in Alamogordo has a build-your-own-burger menu, with green chile, American and Swiss cheese as topping options. They also have a no-hassle option, The Champ, which comes with a half-pound beef patty, grilled onions, American cheese, Hatch green chile, lettuce and tomato. The Half Champ is perfect for diners with smaller appetites.
Photo courtesy of Larry Lamsa / Flickr
No. 9:
El Farolito, a charming hole-in-the-wall in an adobe building in tiny El Rito, easily has more fans than the town has residents. The menu of authentic New Mexican fare is highlighted by a very traditional green chile cheeseburger, served on a real hamburger bun with lettuce, tomato, onion and mustard.
Photo courtesy of New Mexico Tourism Department
No. 8:
John and Bonnie Eckre, formerly of Bobcat Bite, have brought their famous green chile cheeseburgers to a restaurant inside Garrett’s Desert Inn on the Old Santa Fe Trail. This popular version is made with fresh-ground boneless chuck and sirloin and served on a homemade bun. Gluten-free buns are also available.
Photo courtesy of New Mexico Tourism Department
No. 7:
In 2009, Buckhorn Tavern's Bobby Olguin faced off with Bobby Flay on the Food Network hit Throwdown and came out on top. Buckhorn Tavern has been grilling up award-winning green chile cheeseburgers since 1944 — Bobby is the third generation owner. The now famous Buckhorn Burger comes with cheese, green chile, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions and mustard.
Photo courtesy of New Mexico Tourism Department
No. 6:
Located in quirky Madrid (pronounced MAD-rid) on the Turquoise Trail, halfway between Santa Fe and Albuquerque, Mine Shaft Tavern specializes in what they call "New Mexican roadhouse cuisine." Burger lovers who order the signature Shaft Burger have their choice of Black Angus, Waygu or buffalo, topped with fire-roasted green chile, aged cheddar cheese and caramelized onions.
Photo courtesy of Anaheim Jacks / Facebook
No. 5:
Anaheim Jacks, a tiny eatery in Ruidoso, might not look like much from the outside. Head through the doors, however, and you'll find one of the state's greatest green chile cheeseburgers. You can add green chile to any of Jack's many burgers, but the Billy the Kid (pepperjack, bacon, guacamole) comes with it automatically.
Photo courtesy of New Mexico Tourism Department
No. 4:
What better place to get a Hatch green chile cheeseburger than in the town of Hatch, where the best New Mexico chiles are grown? Famous for its BBQ and decidedly funky exterior, Sparky's World Famous Green Chile Cheeseburger is made from scratch with local green chile, cheese and meat. Nothing else is needed, though adventurous eaters can also try The Oinker, which adds a helping of smoked pulled pork to the already tasty GCCB.
Photo courtesy of Big Mike's Grill
No. 3:
Sometimes simple is better. That's the philosophy behind the green chile cheeseburger at Big Mike's Grill in Belen — this behemoth burger made with two quarter-pound patties is on special every Saturday (but you can get it any time).
Photo courtesy of New Mexico Tourism Department
No. 2:
You can't talk about green chile cheeseburgers without mention of the Owl Cafe. Frank Chavez, a native of San Antonio, New Mexico, began grilling burgers outside his bar. This now-famous OwlBurger hasn't changed much since 1948: a fresh, hand-formed beef patty, grilled and topped with green chile, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles and mayo. A classic!
Photo courtesy of Tadson Bussey / Flickr
No. 1:
Blake's Lotaburger, a fast food chain exclusive to New Mexico, has a legion of local fans who stop in or drive through for their LOTA Burger topped with cheese and Hatch Valley green chile. And don't let the fast food label fool you — this green chile is spicy!
A panel of experts picked the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Experts Billie Frank (Santa Fe Travelers) and Lydia Schrandt (10Best Editor) were chosen based on their extensive knowledge of New Mexico cuisine.
Other nominated burger joints included Bang Bite Filling Station in Santa Fe, Blades' Bistro in Placitas, Bode's General Store in Abique, Bob's Burgers in Albuquerque, Del Charro Saloon in Santa Fe, El Bruno's Restaurante in Albuquerque and Cuba, Monroe's in Albuquerque, Sadie's of New Mexico in Albuquerque, Shake Foundation in Santa Fe and Sugar's BBQ in Embudo,
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Billie Frank
Billie Frank is a freelance travel, food and... Read More
Billie Frank is a freelance travel, food and feature writer based in Santa Fe New Mexico. Her blog, Santa Fe Travelers, is a treasure trove of information on the oldest capital city in the USA. Billie is also co-owner of The Santa Fe Traveler, a trip-planning and tour business.
Billie Frank
Billie Frank is a freelance travel, food and feature writer based in Santa Fe New Mexico. Her blog, Santa Fe Travelers, is a treasure trove of information on the oldest capital city in the USA. Billie is also co-owner of The Santa Fe Traveler, a trip-planning and tour business.
Jennifer Daskevich
After winning the World Sandwich Championships,... Read More
After winning the World Sandwich Championships, Jennifer took her love of America’s first and still favorite “hand held device” better known as the sandwich, and founded Sandwich America, America’s comprehensive sandwich driven meal occasion platform. Jennifer believes that “a sandwich is the only food genre that is good for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, or a snack.” Jennifer has won numerous cooking competitions and is a restaurateur, wine sommelier, award winning food photographer, TV food personality with NBC Affiliate WFLA in Tampa and appeared on FYI’s original series World Food Championships. She looks forward to embarking on The Great American Sandwich Trail this summer. Socialize with Sandwich America on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Jennifer Daskevich
After winning the World Sandwich Championships, Jennifer took her love of America’s first and still favorite “hand held device” better known as the sandwich, and founded Sandwich America, America’s comprehensive sandwich driven meal occasion platform. Jennifer believes that “a sandwich is the only food genre that is good for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, or a snack.” Jennifer has won numerous cooking competitions and is a restaurateur, wine sommelier, award winning food photographer, TV food personality with NBC Affiliate WFLA in Tampa and appeared on FYI’s original series World Food Championships. She looks forward to embarking on The Great American Sandwich Trail this summer. Socialize with Sandwich America on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Lydia Schrandt
Lydia, photo editor and Readers' Choice Production... Read More
Lydia, photo editor and Readers' Choice Production Manager for USA TODAY 10Best, has traveled to more than 30 countries in Europe, Asia and North and South America, and has lived in Albuquerque, Galveston, Austin, Thailand, Korea, China, Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil and now Spain. Each year she looks forward to visits home to indulge in New Mexico chile in all its forms.
Lydia Schrandt
Lydia, photo editor and Readers' Choice Production Manager for USA TODAY 10Best, has traveled to more than 30 countries in Europe, Asia and North and South America, and has lived in Albuquerque, Galveston, Austin, Thailand, Korea, China, Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil and now Spain. Each year she looks forward to visits home to indulge in New Mexico chile in all its forms.
