These 12 Green Chile Cheeseburger Joints In New Mexico Will Make Your Taste Buds Explode

Green chile cheeseburgers are serious business in New Mexico. A Green Chile Cheeseburger Trail spans the state, Food Network regularly films segments that focus on this adored food, and restaurants vie to win green chile cheeseburger titles. This list, not ranked in any particular order, includes some awesome spots to score a GCCB—but it is by no means complete.

1. Santa Fe Bite

Bobcat Bite became synonymous with green chile cheeseburgers, and locals and tourists alike were devastated when it closed due to a property dispute. Thankfully, Bonnie and John Eckre opened a new restaurant, Santa Fe Bite, which serves the same scrumptious burgers for which they became famous.

2. Sparky's

Since it's located in Hatch, which produces a bumper green chile crop each year, it's no wonder that Sparky's serves up a renowned GCCB.

3. Monte Carlo Steakhouse

Tucked behind an Albuquerque liquor store, the Monte Carlo steakhouse looks like a dive. This restaurant, which blends American and Greek food, also creates a succulent GCCB. In fact, Guy Fieri featured it on the show "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives."

4. Standard Diner

At Albuquerque's Standard Diner, the GCCB is called the Bulldog, but the change in name doesn't make it any less juicy.

5. Cowgirl BBQ

The GCCB at Cowgirl, in Santa Fe, appears on the menu as "The Mother of all Green Chile Cheeseburgers" and this award-winning behemoth of a burger doesn't disappoint.

6. Second Street Brewery

The Second Street Brewery in Santa Fe won the judge's choice award in the 2014 Green Chile Cheeseburger Smackdown.

7. Route 66 Diner

Come for the Pez dispenser collection, stay for the green chile cheeseburgers. And the shakes. There's an entire menu devoted to milkshakes at this Albuquerque institution and, given that dairy cools the heat of chile, it's the perfect union.

8. Buckhorn Tavern

San Antonio is a teeny town, but it has a big reputation for GCCBs. In one corner of the ring is the Buckhorn Tavern with its burger that perfectly balances spice levels and, in the other corner...

9. Owl Bar & Cafe

...We have Owl Bar, which dishes up an equally iconic, messy GCCB. Which joint do you think is better?

10. Mine Shaft Tavern

The Mine Shaft Tavern is hidden in the town of Madrid, on the Turquoise Trail. This restaurant was the people's choice in the 2014 Green Chile Smackdown.

11. El Parasol

The six branches of El Parasol are located in Los Alamos, Santa Fe, Pojoaque, and Española. The local chain has been in business since the 1950s because they dish up fresh food, at affordable prices. The chile sauce on the GCCB is on the sloppy side, but you’ll be happy to lick it off your fingers.

12. Blake’s Lotaburger

Blake’s Lotaburger was established in Albuquerque in the 1950s and its budget-friendly GCCB, topped with authentic Hatch chile, has earned awards from the likes of National Geographic. This primarily New Mexican chain has expanded throughout the state so that, no matter where you are, it’s not that far to the nearest Lotaburger.

What’s your favorite place to chow down on a GCCB? We’re happy to make a second list, so share your recommendations in the comments.