Search for the Greatest Green Chile Cheeseburger in New Mexico: Episode 1
There are many questions that this mysterious world has to offer us. What’s the meaning of life? Is there a higher power? What really happened at the end of The Sopranos? While all of these are valid inquiries, there is one that permeates through my troubled mind consistently: where can I find the greatest green chile cheeseburger in New Mexico?
This is something I intend to find out by visiting the many restaurants in our state that offer this wonderful sandwich. Before I begin my greasy, cholesterol-filled and ultimately delicious adventure, there are a few rules to my scheme.
1. The restaurant must have originated from New Mexico.
2. At the very least, the burger must include green chile, cheese and a patty (meat, veggie or otherwise).
3. I must take the burger as they present it. I cannot exclude or include anything from the restaurant’s set recipe for what they as a company believe to be the best representation of their GCCB.
Let’s do this!
My search begins in the city of Las Cruces inside a small strip center off East Madrid Avenue. Appropriately named, Burger Nook offers sliders, onion rings (which are incredible), hot dogs, tacos and burritos as well as their “Great Burger” which you can even add another patty to, if your stomach has enough room for it.
The restaurant itself is a plain dining room area with another smaller room connected off to the side, just in case you want to privately inhale your meal without any judgmental eyes befalling you. While the walls have a few newspaper clippings praising the restaurant’s burgers as well as a few pieces of art, it’s minimally dressed, but charmingly so. In the front, they sell cookies, chips, and bottled sodas, but I would implore you to save room for the food that’s featured on the main menu.
My order was taken by a woman who wrote my order down on a plain notebook with a pencil. Over the counter, you can see the grill where the burgers are made fresh by two other wonderfully lovely ladies. After about fifteen minutes, I was given my order: a Great Burger with a side of french fries and a large Coke, which cost me about ten bucks.
The Great Burger itself consists of large, toasty buns, a juicy, flavorful patty, a slice of cheese, diced onions, shredded lettuce, sliced pickles and a drizzle of mustard and mayonnaise. The patty itself was juicy, but not overly greasy with the outer rim of the patty being just a little crispy. All the ingredients of the burger complimented each other very well and it was stacked in a way where I didn’t have to cut it in half or worry about having all the toppings fall out. The heat of the chiles wasn’t too strong, however it added a great flavor and didn’t overwhelm the burger with it’s spiciness. I was able to appreciate the taste of everything as a whole.
The french fries were stupendous. They’re soft, medium-cut slices of heaven that didn’t rely on salt for its flavor and they actually lost their quality of taste when paired with ketchup. I ended up eating most of them plain and had to force myself to stop stuffing my face with them as my stomach was bound to explode if I continued.
Overall, Burger Nook was an incredible place to start my search for the greatest green chile cheeseburger in New Mexico. While the wait for my GCCB took a little longer than expected, it just goes to show the amount of love and care the cooks had while preparing my food. My meal was a lightly spicy, crispy and juicy, sour, fresh and overall delectable and enjoyable experience for my taste buds and ever expanding tummy. Whenever you have the opportunity, do yourself a favor and “do the nook!”
I wonder where my search will take me next…
March 6, 2017 @ 7:41 pm
Try The Grill on San Mateo, Albuquerque.
Green chili burgers are amazing!
March 22, 2017 @ 1:27 am
I just had their Green Chile “Papa” burger today and it was amazing! So glad to see someone else recommend them just hours later.
March 6, 2017 @ 8:10 pm
How ‘bot Days Hamburger?
March 6, 2017 @ 8:47 pm
Go to Buck Horn Tavern in San Antonia, NM.
May 28, 2017 @ 3:47 pm
it does not get any better than the buckhorn.
March 6, 2017 @ 8:55 pm
Try the burger at The New Mexico Beef Jerky Co. On 4th street in Albuquerque. Love their Green Chile cheese burger.
March 6, 2017 @ 8:58 pm
Sparkey in Hatch
March 6, 2017 @ 9:10 pm
Bobcat Bite
March 22, 2017 @ 1:28 am
I thought they weren’t around anymore?
May 26, 2017 @ 9:18 pm
It’s downtown and called Santa Fe Bite. Still very good.
March 6, 2017 @ 10:47 pm
El Farolito, in El Rito.
May 28, 2017 @ 5:05 am
We’re open 11:30-2:30/5:00-7:30 Tues-Fri
12:00-7:30 Sat & Sun
Closed Monday
575-581-9509
March 6, 2017 @ 11:09 pm
Sounds fantastic. I will try it out when we are in LC in late April. My favorite GCCB with fresh cut fries is Dick’s Cafe on Valley Drive. I have been eating at Dick’s since they were in Mesilla Park and I was in high school. I am in my 60’s now
March 6, 2017 @ 11:15 pm
Big Mikes Grill in Belen!
March 7, 2017 @ 12:41 am
In the East Mountains be sure to visit Burger Boy in Cedar Crest & The Mine Shaft Tavern in Madrid.
March 7, 2017 @ 1:05 am
Rock en Burgers in Alamogordo NM. On White Sands Blvd.
Best Green Chile Cheese Burger around
March 7, 2017 @ 11:57 am
The best green chili cheese burger is at the Buckhorn Bar in San Antonio, NM…
March 7, 2017 @ 1:20 pm
Hi there, my name is Lance Huff. If your journeys take you up the western side of the state on Hwy 180,, stop at Tammys cafe in Clliff, northwest of Silver City in Grant county and The Alma Grill in Alma, North of Glenwood in Catron County .
March 7, 2017 @ 5:04 pm
I would recommend El Jacalito on Missouri Avenue in Las Cruces NM! Overall great food and AMAZING burgers.
March 7, 2017 @ 5:25 pm
JJ’s in Portales has the best green-chile cheeseburgers short of the Owl bar in San Antonio, NM. It is take-out because it is so small, but Pete Paiz never uses frozen anything, and he throws the bun on the griddle to season it. The result is fabulous. There is an entire menu, but I have never ordered anything else. It comes with a bag of fries. If you are serious about finding the best GCCBs that is where you belong.
March 7, 2017 @ 5:57 pm
Bibo Bar and Grill Bibo New Mexico also Burger Boy in Cedar Crest and Big Mikes in Belen are a few good ones to start with that aren`t mentioned often.
March 8, 2017 @ 12:29 am
Belen ,NM Big Mike’s Grill, best burger you will ever taste!!
March 8, 2017 @ 2:06 am
Big Mikes Grill
2350 state Highway 47
Belen New Mexico
IS THE BEST
March 8, 2017 @ 2:13 am
In cruces also try Days Hamburgers, Andeles, and Rascons.
March 8, 2017 @ 2:15 am
BIG MIKE’S GRILL in Belen NM hands down!!!
Nominated, and Voted 3rd Best Green Chile Cheeseburger in the State Of NM by USA TODAY 2016, and also voted Best Green Chile Burger In Valencia County also 2016!!!! Come try them out, I promise you WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!
March 8, 2017 @ 2:18 am
Oh and Sparky’s in Hatch! Try the green chili lemonade too.
March 8, 2017 @ 3:39 am
Hands down, Big Mike’s on the banks of the Rio Grande in Valencia County. Best green chile cheeseburger in New Mexico.
March 8, 2017 @ 1:23 pm
Big Mike’s has the best green chili cheese burger! Off the chain! Gotta try it!
March 8, 2017 @ 2:54 pm
While you are making this trip, I was surprised with an incredible burger at Greigos Market on Highway 50 , Pecos New Mexico. This place is a small service station and market. The aroma and the site of so many police and county vehicles during the lunch hour tells you this is something special. Your order is taken at the counter, and in about 10 minutes your burger is delivered from the kitchen in an properly greasy brown bag.
A bonus is the really friendly staff and locals all willing to testify about Greigo’s claim of having the best burger west of Pecos.
On my photography expeditions, I try to find my way into Pecos around noon.
March 8, 2017 @ 8:22 pm
Try 19543 hwy 314 gregs bbq out at the Cattlemens auction best grrrn chile cheeseburger
May 26, 2017 @ 5:46 pm
Laguna burger at Rio puerco and I-40
May 26, 2017 @ 6:38 pm
ToddZilla best burgers around
May 26, 2017 @ 8:09 pm
Sparky’s in Hatch for sure!
May 26, 2017 @ 8:17 pm
Before you head up north from las cruces stop at Hillboro and have the best green chile cheeseburger they are great, they also have homemade apple pie. Its in the store there.
May 26, 2017 @ 8:17 pm
Don’t count out Blake’s Lotaburger!
May 26, 2017 @ 10:34 pm
Buckhorn, San Antonio, NM
May 26, 2017 @ 10:44 pm
BBQ on broadway truth or consequences nm
May 27, 2017 @ 12:33 am
Laguna burger!
May 27, 2017 @ 12:45 am
Todzilla has the best green chile burger in NM
May 27, 2017 @ 1:03 am
Hurricane’s Green Chile Bacon Cheeseburger – Albuquerque, Irving/Eagle Ranch. ALWAYS freshly made, always fantastic!
May 27, 2017 @ 1:05 am
Baby J’s Grill is pretty great. We make a point to stop there every time we drive across the state.
May 27, 2017 @ 1:19 am
Baby Js Grille in Clovis NM has THE best burgers!!
800 E. 1st. St
Clovis NM
May 27, 2017 @ 1:29 am
Anaheim Jack’s in Ruidoso!! You don’t want to miss this one!
May 27, 2017 @ 1:30 am
Baby J’s Grille.
Clovis, NM
May 27, 2017 @ 1:37 am
Baby J’s Clovis NM.
May 27, 2017 @ 2:52 am
Cowboy chuckwagon In Portales New Mexico has the best green chile cheeseburger in nm.
May 27, 2017 @ 3:12 am
Toddzillas in Roswell, NM
May 27, 2017 @ 3:33 am
Baby J’s in Clovis makes an outstanding GCCB with fresh meat and condiments on their fresh home baked bun. The fresh homemade fries and dipped onion rings on the side are pretty darn good too. To top it off, the value of a great price is awesome.
May 27, 2017 @ 3:49 am
Come to my restaurant. Glorybrys Taco House, Chama, NM
May 27, 2017 @ 4:21 am
Franciscan RV in Hatch, NM!!!
May 27, 2017 @ 4:24 am
Baby J’s in Clovis! Best green Chile cheeseburger and hand-cut fries in NM!
May 27, 2017 @ 12:12 pm
How about Days in Las Cruces,Sparkys in Hatch, and Buckhorn in San Antonio?
May 27, 2017 @ 7:36 pm
Clovis, New Mexico concessions trailer 620 E 21st Beeverboys. Please come try us out. Happy eating.
May 28, 2017 @ 1:54 am
Baby J’s Grille in Clovis
May 28, 2017 @ 1:56 am
Baby J’s Grille in Clovis ….. AWESOME burgers, especially their GCCB!
May 28, 2017 @ 9:07 am
You need to come to Clovis. Baby J’s makes the best GCCB. Everything is fresh they even bake their own buns. They also offer gluten free buns. Very tasty Burger.
May 28, 2017 @ 3:50 pm
Buck Horn, San Antonio Nm. Your mouth will thank you!!
May 28, 2017 @ 7:03 pm
Baby J’s Clovis, New Mexico
May 28, 2017 @ 9:36 pm
BABY J’S GRILL. in Clovis, New Mexico….Not t only is their signature green chile cheeseburger awesome but they have many other delicious items as well. They also offer daily specials catered to the working man’s budget, which in this day and age is super important.
May 28, 2017 @ 10:03 pm
Baby J’s Clovis
May 29, 2017 @ 3:51 am
Great green chili cheese burger among other things! It should be on the map!
May 29, 2017 @ 7:33 pm
Baby J’s in Clovis, NM. Amazing green chili burgers.
May 29, 2017 @ 8:57 pm
Baby J’s Clovis NM
May 30, 2017 @ 5:31 pm
Chef Toddzilla’s gourmet burgers Roswell NM
May 30, 2017 @ 5:40 pm
Baby J’s Grille in Clovis NM. They have the best green chili cheeseburgers! Even the bun tastes wonderful.