This Tiny New Mexico Tavern Beat Bobby Flay, Then Got Its Own State Holiday

San Antonio, New Mexico, has fewer than 100 residents and one of the most famous burgers in the American Southwest.

Buckhorn Tavern has operated since the 1940s, serving a green chile cheeseburger that GQ Magazine ranked seventh best in America in 2005. In May 2009, owner Bobby Olguin beat Bobby Flay on the Food Network's Throwdown. Governor Bill Richardson subsequently declared July 24 New Mexico Buckhorn Tavern Day.

The distinction matters in a state where the green chile cheeseburger is a genuine culinary identity. It made the best independent burger joints in every state.

The Sichler family took over in 2019 after Olguin closed the restaurant due to illness. Their mission was clear: preserve the history rather than let it disappear. The original recipe and spirit remain.

What to Order

The Buckhorn Green Chile Cheeseburger is cooked fresh to order in a small kitchen that takes its time. 'If you're in a hurry, you might not want to stop,' the restaurant's website notes without apology.

The chile heat varies by season and source. Roasted New Mexico green chile, melted cheese, and a char from a kitchen that's been doing this since the 1940s. Come hungry, come patient.

The menu is intentionally limited. Nothing is pre-made. The simplicity is the entire point. For more on the food scene nearby, see New Mexico's most delicious burger.

A Throwdown, a Proclamation, and a Second Act

The Buckhorn traces its roots to 1918. It earned press from GQ, Saveur, Sunset, and Everyday with Rachael Ray over the decades before the 2009 Throwdown cemented it as something beyond regional recognition.

Olguin closed the restaurant in 2018 after a battle with cancer. The Sichler family took over in 2019 with a mission to preserve the history. The original recipe remains unchanged.

Bobby Olguin's 2009 victory over Bobby Flair on the Food Network was watched by people who'd never heard of San Antonio, New Mexico, and never would have otherwise. The clip still circulates on YouTube and continues to drive first-time visitors to Buckhorn Tavern.

The Governor's proclamation of New Mexico Buckhorn Tavern Day (July 24) remains in effect. The date commemorates the Throwdown victory and serves as an annual reminder of what a small restaurant in a small town can accomplish.

Bobby Olguin's 2009 victory over Bobby Flay on the Food Network was watched by people who had never heard of San Antonio, New Mexico. The clip still circulates on YouTube and continues to drive first-time visitors to Buckhorn Tavern.

The Governor's proclamation of New Mexico Buckhorn Tavern Day on July 24 remains in effect. The date commemorates the Throwdown victory and serves as an annual reminder of what a small restaurant in a small town can accomplish. For more of the state's dining history, see the best green chile cheeseburgers in New Mexico.

Plan Your Visit

Buckhorn Tavern is in San Antonio, New Mexico, on US-380. Hours run Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Closed Sunday.

Call (575) 835-4423 for holiday closures before making the drive. While you're planning the trip, check out New Mexico's most iconic restaurants.