If I'm going to have only 1 green chili cheeseburger, which one?

[Deven Black]

In Santa Fe or Albuquerque? I've read the posts on this board but need more current, more concise info, please.

[Perilagu Khan]

Here's a list of ostensibly great GCCB joints from people who claim to know:

http://newmexico.org/greenchilecheese...

[Passadumkeg]

Thanks, PK, I thought I had already posted that link.

[Perilagu Khan]

It would make a worthy road trip to hit all of those GCCB spots, eh? You should be able to do this now.

[Passadumkeg]

It is on my list! Plus a search for The Holy Red Chile Enchilada, The Holy Green Chile Sopapaila and the Holy Bowl of Green Chile Stew and the Holy Bowl of Posole and I might even look for the Holy Navajo Taco.
To quote The Blues Brothers, "I'm on a mission from Gaad!"
The dilemma for Labor Day: Durango? The Prewitt Bi-county Rodeo & Fair, Sante Fe & Zazobra or down to Hatch??? What a dilemma!

[LikestoEatout]

Blake's Lottaburger Green Chile Cheeseburger is a favorite of mine but so is the GCCB at the Owl Bar in San Antonio NM.

[Erich]

Anyone recollect the name of the joint in Grants that got acclaim for their GCCB last year? (They won President Richardson's GCCB taste-off at the fair or something?)

[finlero]

Looks like Badlands Burgers, will have to check that out:

http://www.governor.state.nm.us/press...

[Passadumkeg]

I was just told verbally that Badlands Burgers has closed.

[Erich]

I'll be out there this week - sorry to hear that.

[Passadumkeg]

Me too, I'm moving back there next week.

[finlero]

The thing about GCCBs is that just like any other burger, there are a bunch of "subspecies" to consider. Among others, you have griddled fast-food-style, pub-style, char grilled backyard-style. So when you get a thread like this, the debate isn't always as apples-to-apples as you might think or hope.

On the fast-food-style front, Blake's isn't bad (if nothing else, it's certainly ubiquitous around NM), but it never knocks my socks off either. There's not all that much flavor to the meat, and the condiments they use always skew a little tart for my taste; the fries are fine, but again, I always find them a little dull. My favorite fast-food-style GCCB would probably be the Fiesta Burger at the Frontier. Nice collection of flavors, and the thin fries are delicious.

Pub-style, I really like the GCCB at Sadie's in ABQ; the rest of the menu is a little overrated, but I feel like you can always count on the burgers. Good taste to the meat and bun, and their chile consistently brings the heat. The fried disc potatoes are a little different, and I think very tasty. I've never tried their tortilla burger, but I understand this is what put Sadie's on the map, so maybe worth checking out.

For char grilled backyard-style, I think the best combination of taste and local color would have to be the Bobcat Bite outside Santa Fe. The GCCB is gigantic (10 oz.), with tremendous flavor to all the ingredients. You get a little more variation in taste from trip to trip because everything is prepared on premises (they even grind their own beef daily), with fresh ingredients, but that's part of Bobcat Bite's charm. Along similar lines, the place is quirky in that they don't have a liquor license (a beer would taste so, so good with their GCCB), and their home fries are, IMHO, a pretty sad alternative to French fries.

If you were going to have only one GCCB, I'd personally send you to Bobcat Bite. It might or might not be your overall favorite if you tried every burger in the state (I hope you know a good cardiologist), but I'd argue it's the safest bet for a single meal.

-----
Bobcat Bite Restaurant
420 Old Las Vegas Hwy, Santa Fe, NM 87505

Frontier Restaurant
2400 Central Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106

Sadie's Dining Room
6230 4th St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107

[Erich]

I posted the other day and it disappeared. My feeling is that the Buckhorn in San Antonio does the best GCCB I've had (thanks for the abbreviation, Finlero), but that there are perfectly fine ones around. Frankly, a number of the ones out there leave me sort of flat, though. One thing that really seems to make a difference for the better is grilling the onions and chile in the beef juices.

Anyhow, a place that I'd recommend in ABQ (doesn't get a lot of buzz here, but it's plenty full at lunch with folks who know) is the Little Red Hamburger Hut on Mountain at 15th (just E of Old Town - take the Rio Grande exit S off 40 and then go E on Mountain). Only, I'd recommend getting the burger with _both_ the red and and green. These folks operate on a OCD sort of "satisfaction guaranteed" basis, and their burgers are really pretty outstanding.

Anyone been to the ABQ Owl Cafe in a while? I used to like their GCCBs, but haven't been there in getting on ten years or so.

[Passadumkeg]

Fin, I was just talking to our Hampshire College son this morning, that you were the one that gave us the lead to the NM style resto in S.Hadley Ma.
I'm so very much looking forward to returning to Nm and becoming a Summer Person in Maine.
Thanks,
Mark

[finlero]

Yeah, Autentica ain't exactly NM quality, but it's about as good as you could reasonably expect 2000 miles to the northeast.

[mrbigshotno.1]

I know most won't agree but Blakes Lotaburger is the best in my book.

[Passadumkeg]

There will be Blake's a block from my new home; as Al Barnes said, "Gimme a wheelbarrow. "
"Double green chile w/ mayo, hold the mustard & ketchup", please, says I.

[foodywannabe]

From another jersey boy, you are going to have to develop a new schtick. However, I am heading tro Maine for early Sep and have been reading your posts. Thanks so much. And by the way, I have been all around the SW a number of times, and the best Green Chile Cheeseburger is in TX. Sorry. This one had green chiles and onions, on a japaleno cheese roll. Might sound a little busy, but it was delicious.
Thanks again, hope to hit some your down east spots

[Passadumkeg]

Why Pard, escaped the Garden State in '65; going back to The Land of Enchantment to finish my NM state retirement. I've owned 7 acres in the mtns for 35 years. I was forced to live in Bon Joviville for 7 years.
Follow the Green Chile Cheeseburger Rd to the Land of Oze.
The Frontier restaurant on central has been noted for its green chile for decades. A UNM/Duke City institution.

[foodywannabe]

We stopped at the Frontier last year on a Sunday morning on the way from Las Vegas (NM) to Chiricahua NM to hike for a few days. (Turned out to be very strenuous for old folk like us)(but rewarding). Did not have the Chile Cheeseburger but had some house special burrito platter that was daunting and wonderful. What I liked best about the experience at the Frontier was that it was absolutely packed on a Sunday morning and driving down the road back to the Interstate, EVERY OTHER RESTAURANT, (including Mc----) was empty. It was beautiful. Going to Maine next month, will post some questions for you on the appropriate board

[Passadumkeg]

I'm moving back to NM to teach this Thurs. Either post to the appropriate address of send me an email at my profile. Remember, real Maine starts east of Ellsworth.

[BabsinTX]

From the description, I think foodywannabe is referring to Alamo Springs Cafe in Fredericksburg TX. The owner is from New Mexico and this is one of the very few places I've seen green chiles in Texas. The burger is awesome; it was judged by Texas Monthly to be the 3rd best burger in the state a couple of years ago, and was pictured on the cover. (It was just way better looking than the 1st and 2nd place winners.) If you're going through the Texas Hill Country, you need to try this.