If there is anything I’m sure about, it’s that New Mexicans love their Green Chile Cheeseburgers! The green chile cheeseburger originated in NM and you can find one in just about every town across New Mexico. And every New Mexican has their own personal favorite. Joe and I are no different, we’ve embraced the challenge to find the best green chile cheeseburgers as we’ve traveled around the state. We have different opinions on the best burgers, however we both agree it’s hard to find a green chile cheeseburger that isn’t good. We’ve found differences on how the burgers are prepared, they might be smash burgers, flame broiled or seared on a griddle. They may offer a choice of cheese, while others offer different condiments. Any or all of these can alter an opinion on how they appear and taste. One of the main things that Joe and I look for in a great burger is the heat and flavor off the green chile. If the chile is too mild, it won’t elevate the burger, so what’s the point! The experience of eating a burger is also a component of our list. I love a good burger that I can eat without it falling apart and I hate eating in public when a burger is so juicy it runs down your arm. The most enjoyable burgers are paired with great fries. There are a few on this list that are outstanding. If you’ve ever had a NM Green Chile Cheeseburger, I would love to know what is your favorite burger and where you found it.
#10
Twisters – Green Chile Cheeseburger . . . this burger is a part of the Twisters fast food chain mainly around the ABQ metro area. They are known for their breakfast burritos but they also make a great green chile cheeseburger. This burger has ketchup as well as mustard which is different than most but it works with this burger. The fries are curly fries and good when fresh but if you order takeout, skip the fries. Fun fact; The Twisters location on Isleta SW was used to film the scenes for Gus Fring’s chicken restaurant “Los Pollos Hermanos” on Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul which aired on AMC!
#9
Blakes Lotaburger – New Mexico Style . . . Blakes Lotaburger is a NM chain that can be found all around the state. It’s the nostalgic burger I grew up with and still love to this day. When I was a kid, the Lota Burgers were huge. They’ve since downsized their burgers but are still beloved by New Mexicans. For a lighter meal, try the ITSA Burger, it’s the smaller version of a Lota Burger. Just make sure to add the cheese and green chile. Like Twisters, the fries are good if fresh, we usually eat inside if we get fries. Blakes has partnered with farmers in Hatch, New Mexico that have created a unique chile variety grown and roasted expressly for Blake’s. The chile that Blakes uses is some of the best tasting chile on any burger. It’s got heat and flavor which makes it one of my favorites!
#8
The World Famous Laguna Burger – Laguna Wimp . . . Laguna Burgers originated off of The 66 Pit Stop off of Interstate 40 at Laguna Pueblo, west of ABQ. There are now 6 locations and one that just opened their doors in Rio Rancho which is just a few minutes away from home. I feel so lucky! The burgers are consistently listed as one of the top burgers in NM. Everything is fresh and made to order; you can’t go wrong with a Laguna Burger. There is always a line to order so come early or order online.
#7
Café Abiquiu & The Terrace – Abiquiu Burger. . . This is our go to restaurant when we visit Ghost Ranch. This lovely cafe located inside the Abiquiu Inn is so inviting with the local artwork displayed on the walls of the indoor seating. The outdoor terrace is surrounded by a beautiful landscape where Joe and I usually ask to be seated. After a day of hiking at Ghost Ranch, we are always hungry and anxious to go to the Inn for a burger or one of their many delicious menu items. I would love anything on this menu but today we’re talking burgers and I want you to know how good this burger is. It’s made to order with all fresh trimmings and a brioche bun which makes their bun one of the best. They add a green chile aioli which is a bit different but fits their spin on the menu. It’s one delicious burger and when you’ve hiked a few miles, this is the place you want to go to!
#6
Duran Central Pharmacy – Duran’s Green Chile Cheeseburger . . . Duran Central Pharmacy is located a few blocks from Old Town on Central Avenue. Inside the pharmacy lies a New Mexican Diner that was once a soda fountain back in the day. Inside the store is a full service pharmacy and gift shop that features many locally made crafts. I love strolling around the store looking at all the unique gifts while we wait for a table. It’s always busy and we’ve always had to wait 30 minutes to an hour to be seated. It’s well worth the wait. They are famous for their made from scratch menu of New Mexican food but their Green Chile Cheeseburger should not be missed. Their burger had me at first bite, the bun is a soft sesame seed bun, the beef patty really tasty with melted cheese and a dollop of chopped green chile. It’s served with chips instead of fries which I miss, but the burger is so so good!
#5
The Burger Stand at Taos Ale House – Green Chili Cheeseburger . . . Yes they spell it chili which would drive some New Mexicans to call blasphemy! However, I will give them a pass since the burger is so deliciously good! We love the beautiful drive to Taos and the surrounding area, it’s a charming small town with beautiful surroundings, local artists and galleries, plus a variety of restaurants. When it is time for lunch we get a burger at The Burger Stand. They use pepper jack cheese and a spring lettuce mix which is a bit different than most of the burgers we tried but it works well. Sit outside if there’s a seat available, it’s beautiful being outdoors in Taos!
#4
Sparky’s Burgers, BBQ and Shakes -Combo #1 World Famous . . . Sparky’s is located in Hatch, NM, the “Chile Capital of the World”. When you see “Hatch” green chile in your grocery stores in August, it’s not a variety of chile, but rather the area around Hatch, NM where it is grown. Labor day weekend is the annual Hatch Chile Festival where you can taste the best chile in the world along with arts & crafts, live music and more. Sparky’s burgers have the aroma of flame broiled burgers and comes with cheese and green chile. They have sliced onions and pickles on a counter to add to your burger but if you like lettuce and tomato you’re out of luck. I love lettuce and tomato on a burger so this is my only criticism and why this burger landed at #4, but that is only my opinion. The green chile had the right amount of heat and taste along with the perfectly grilled burger. Joe loved it and would have ranked it higher on his list. The wedge fries are perfectly seasoned and crisp on the outside. I have to say these fries are the ultimate companion to the ultimate burger. My top 4 picks were the hardest to rank; any of the last 4 burgers could be #1.
#3
The Owl Cafe – Chile Cheeseburger . . . The Owl Cafe has 2 locations, the original Owl Bar & Cafe in San Antonio, NM and The Owl Cafe in Albuquerque. We haven’t been to the original Owl which some New Mexicans claim have the best burgers. The Owl in ABQ has a nostalgic diner vibe with an oval counter with bar stools, a small jukebox in every booth, checkerboard floors with metal tables and chairs and a pie safe that takes you back in time. The wait staff bring out a small bowl of pinto beans with green chile and crackers before you order. You may think it odd, but that’s the way they’ve always done it. Once you get a bite of the green chile, you know it’s gonna be good! The Owl burgers are consistently good; we’ve been numerous times and there’s never been a time when I wasn’t wowed! You get the biggest bang for your buck with these burgers, at just $6. The fries are ordered separate and 1 order is enough for 2.
#2
Buckhorn Tavern – The Buckhorn Burger . . . The Buckhorn and the Owl Bar & Cafe are both located in San Antonio, NM. They both have been featured on The Food Network and other publications. There is a rivalry between them on who’s burger is best, however, I find them both at the top of my list. San Antonio, NM is east of I 25 and south of Socorro. Almost every November we take a trip to the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge which is about 8 miles from San Antonio. It’s a marshland where thousands of Sandhill Cranes, Snow Geese and Bald Eagles come to migrate for the winter. Photographers flock to the area in the winter and we are no different. So on our way to the Bosque del Apache we stop by for a Buckhorn Burger. They don’t take reservations and you may have to wait outside but it’s well worth it. We have been quite lucky the last couple of years by arriving promptly at 11 am when they open and last year we were the last ones in the door before closing which happened to be 3 pm on a Saturday afternoon. We both swooned when we took that first bite. The green chile was fantastic, the bun was soft but not too soft, the beef patty was cooked perfectly and it tasted beyond delicious!
#1
Range Cafe – Santa Fe Line Burger . . . At #1 my favorite all time burger is the Santa Fe Line Burger that was originally the creation of the Freight House in Bernalillo, NM. Sadly, Freight House closed during covid and I was heartbroken. Later, I found out that Freight House was part of the Range Cafe family. They adopted the Santa Fe Line Burger and put it on their menu. It’s a smash burger with 2 beef patties that have these crispy edges that reminds me of my Mom’s homemade burgers. This burger practically oozes with melted cheese and tasty green chile. It’s loaded with fresh toppings and house made pickles on the side. It’s a huge burger and the first time I ordered it, I ate the whole thing! . . . And I never eat a whole burger so that tells you how amazing it was. This burger was so good I skipped out on the fries. The next time we ate there, I made sure to taste the fries that I hadn’t tried before. Oh My Goodness, they are seasoned perfectly and so crisp. Range Cafe has a great menu but once they added the Santa Fe Line Burger, 9 times out of 10 we go there just for the burger.
As Memorial Day weekend nears, I hope everyone enjoys the long weekend with friends and family. Whether you grill outdoors at home or go out for a burger, have fun and be safe!
An Inspired Cook 
41 thoughts on “The Best Green Chile Cheeseburgers across New Mexico”
Dorothy's New Vintage Kitchen
If I ate beef, this would be the one!
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NativeNM
Awe, you’re missing out my friend! But I understand, maybe a veggie burger with green chile and cheese perhaps?
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Dorothy's New Vintage Kitchen
Sounds good to me!
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Michael Dean
The original Owl Cafe in San Antonio is the best bar none. Don’t forget to add bacon. A Burger is not a burger without be bacon.. 😊😊
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NativeNM
Thank you, I look forward to trying one. We always go to Bosque del Apache in November so we’ll stop by then, Thanks for the recommendation!
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Lea Ann
Thanks for taking the time to write up this list of “the best”. As many times as I’ve been to NM, I’ve never had a green chile cheese burger. Crazy me! I wanted to stop so badly in San Antonio, but we were on the highway and on a mission to get to our destination. Loved all the signs along the highway announcing the best burger. I think I’ll shoot for Sparky’s. We hope to plan a trip to Las Crusces and White Sands this Fall, and of course Hatch would be a stop.
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NativeNM
You can’t go wrong with Sparky’s! We took a long weekend to Las Cruces and White Sands a few weeks ago and had an amazing time. Fall in NM is always beautiful and the weather is cooler so it will be an enjoyable time to visit.
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Karen
I would never have guested that a green chile cheese burger was such an important part of NM living. If a hatch chike isn’t a variety but the place it is grown, are any number of varieties referred to as a hatch chile?
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Bryan Chasko
yes, “big Jim” green peppers engineered at NMSU are what normally are referred to as “Hatch” peppers.
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NativeNM
There are many types of chiles grown in NM, most common are Sandia Chile/Hot, NM Big Jim Chile/Medium and various others ranging in size and heat. Hatch is the most famous and became the marketing name that you find shipped all over the US that you may find in your grocery store come August. There are farms all over NM that grow green chile, and supply those areas of the state. We usually buy Lemitar grown chile which is grown in Central NM near Socorro. The farms bring in fresh chile usually to a farm stand during the season and roast it to order. Green Chile season is a fun time to be in NM.
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Christopher P Benavidez
There is a restaurant in Moriarty called Double C, that makes a delicious green chilli burger that I think a hidden Gem .
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NativeNM
Thanks for the recommendation, I look forward to trying it out someday. Since I wrote the post I’ve discovered more great Green Chile Cheeseburgers that taste so good. I may have to do another post to showcase those “hidden gems” that I missed!
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Sarah Boardman
Lotaburger…..
thr Burger boy down from Sandia mountains
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NativeNM
Thanks for the tip, I will try Burger Boy!
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Wadell Maupin
Try BZ Bugers Champ Burger in Alamogordo NM. Owners: Rusty & Tammy Childress
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NativeNM
Thanks for the recommendation, I haven’t heard of BZ Burgers but I look forward to trying one when we get back to Alamogordo!
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David Giles
Next time you’re in Las Cruces, try the Green Chile Smash Burger at Smokey Sensations, downtown (located in the old Days Burger space). You won’t be disappointed!
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NativeNM
Thanks David, I look forward to it next time we are in Las Cruces!
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Eric Gonzales
sorry ppl bit nothing beats a burger at home, my wife makes killer burgers n food with hatch gr red Chile, haha!!!
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NativeNM
Oh I don’t doubt that for a second! You are lucky to have such a skilled wife. Nothing beats homemade with the best NM chile!!
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Diane
Except San Antonio is south of Socorro…
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NativeNM
Great eye, thanks for catching my mistake. All fixed!!
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JJ
Benny Burger in Bosque Farms!
Outstanding! Green chile and guacamole.
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NativeNM
I am sure Benny’s has a great green chile burger and I promise to try one! I am a big Benny’s fan, we always stop for the Benny’s burritos. . . Christmas! They have the best red chile as well!
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Victor Freeman
I am snow bird 🐦, I stand with HATCH NM GREEN CHILLS, THE WORLD BEST CHILLS 😎 😋🙏amen, and I live in pueblo west Colorado, and I stand with THE WORLD FAMOUS HATCH GREEN CHILLS,in Colorado to,😂🤣😂testimony victor freeman 🙏 amen,
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NativeNM
Thanks for the comment! No matter where you live NM Green Chile makes everything taste better.
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Tony B
How could you? You put the Buckhorn ahead of the Owl Bar? Without even trying the Owl Bar?
The Owl makes the best GCCB I’ve ever had. And I’ve tried the Buckhorn.
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NativeNM
This post is only a reflection of my own experience. The times I’ve been in the San Antonio area to try the Owl Bar and Cafe, they were closed so I cannot rate them. As people, like yourself give me your favorite places, it gives me some new restaurants or local bites to try and maybe I’ll write another list of the best of . . . GC Cheeseburgers in a future post.
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Dominique
have you tried Big Mikes in Belen or Isleta Grill in Isleta? Both are amazing and have won State Fair blue ribbons for their burgers.
Get off the beaten path and you might find some new non-commercial burger joints.
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NativeNM
Recently we drove through Belen over a weekend and was prepared to stop at Big Mikes, however it was closed. It is on my bucket list for sure. I had not heard about Isleta Grill, but I did see that they won 1st place at the State Fair, so I would definitely love to give it a try.
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Peter Wolfe
I live in Mississippi, spent 20 years in New Mexico, what a contrast, but when I visit NM I head to Capitan and Oso Grill for the best gccb in the state!
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NativeNM
After the Oso Grill won the best GCCB at the State Fair, I recreated it on my blog. I haven’t had the honor of tasting Oso’s cheeseburger but I think I did a pretty good job. Check out my copycat which I called the Zia Burger, and see what you think?
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Carl
You need to check out the burgers at Andy’s Grill in Logan. I drive a long ways to eat there
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NativeNM
Thanks for the tip, my hometown is Tucumcari so I actually get over that way a couple times a year.
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AJ
We live in Texas and our family is in Colorado, so NM is always part of our trips back and forth. And Bruno’s in Cuba is often our fav stop for Green Chiles. Their green chile cheeseburgers are out of this world. I’m excited to try these others though too – thanks for the post!
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NativeNM
Thanks for the recommendation. Next time we are in the Cuba area, we will definitely try Bruno’s. I’m always looking for that next great green chile cheeseburger!
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Nick Constan
Any discussion of GCCB that doesn’t include JV’s in Chama is missing the point. Nick and Lynn
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NativeNM
I haven’t been to Chama in years but I’m taking down all the recommendations for best Green Chile Cheeseburgers so when I do have the chance, I will stop in. Thanks for the shout out to JV’s, I will definitely put it on my list of go to places for the best GCCB’s!
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Donna
W😍W. Googled “best green chile” while driving up I-25 and we are SO grateful for your recommendations. We stopped at Range Cafe. Everything was simply delicious. Portions were great and I must agree, that was one delicious green chile burger! The homemade desserts looked out of this world but we were too stuffed to try any. The salads, chicken sandwich and all sorts of plates coming out looked like we could repeat here often without running out of yummy options. Thank you so much!
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NativeNM
I’m glad you enjoyed The Range Cafe and was able to experience their green chile cheeseburger! It’s always been a favorite of ours.
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