The Most Mouthwatering Burger in New Mexico Is Waiting for You at Buckhorn Tavern

As a foodie, nothing is better than biting into a thick, juicy hamburger with just the right amount of flavor and something unique—something that makes the burger stand out and makes my taste buds dance a little. That’s exactly the type of burger you’ll find at the Buckhorn Tavern in the small town of San Antonio, New Mexico. This unique place to eat not only has a long history, but it’s also home to the best green chile cheeseburger in New Mexico.

San Antonio is a small town nestled almost perfectly in the middle of New Mexico. It’s known for many things: as the gateway to the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, the location of the historic San Antonio mission church, and the host of the annual Festival of the Cranes. But this small town with a population of fewer than 100 people is home to something else—something absolutely delicious. It’s where you’ll find the Buckhorn Tavern, one of the best burger joints in the U.S.  

If you are a burger lover like me, I recommend you place Buckhorn Tavern at the top of your dining bucket list. This restaurant isn't any place new. In fact, it dates back to 1918, when Miguel Olguin first opened its doors. Throughout the years, it has seen new owners and a name change, has been featured in countless magazines, and has served thousands of guests. It has even received nationwide attention when it was featured on “Throwdown With Bobby Flay.”

People travel all over the country to visit this small-town restaurant. However, when you arrive, you won’t see anything grand and spectacular. The Buckhorn Tavern is located inside a small building that, if you didn’t know about its history and fame, you probably wouldn’t give it a second thought. However, what’s waiting for you inside is something you likely won’t forget.

This restaurant is best known for the Buckhorn Burger, a green chile cheeseburger that people can’t seem to forget. It has received a spot on numerous top burger lists, and after a single bite, you’ll understand why. The patty itself is not only large, but is then topped with green chile, cheese, mustard, tomato, lettuce, chopped onion, and pickle. It’s not too spicy, and it’s packed with flavor.

For me, the Buckhorn Burger is plenty big, but if you are extra hungry or want to save a few bites for later, you may consider the Mule. This is a double green chile cheeseburger (one pound of beef), with mustard, tomato, lettuce, chopped onion, and pickles.

Of course, this is just the beginning of the burgers you can choose from on the menu as there’s everything from a traditional burger to a sourdough melt, featuring beef, melted cheddar and Havarti cheese, and grilled onions on sourdough bread. You can even choose from a few unique options like the Buckhorn Taco Burgers or the Tortilla Burger, both of which are served on tortillas.

And burgers aren’t the only type of food that Buckhorn Tavern does really, really well. Here, you can also find a variety of Mexican dishes from nachos and burritos to my favorite, a Frito pie. Or, if you’d prefer, choose something totally different like a grilled chicken sandwich, a classic BLT sandwich, or a red chile cheese dog. Plus, no matter what you choose, there are also several add-on options to help you create the perfect dish, like green or red chile, salsa, a fried egg, or even an extra patty.

It doesn’t really matter if you try the famous Buckhorn Burger (I recommend you do!) or another menu item, you’ll quickly see why the Buckhorn Tavern has gained nationwide attention despite being in such a teeny tiny town. It’s a true gem and a worthy road trip stop.

Have you ever tried the green chile cheeseburger at this small-town restaurant in New Mexico? Give it a try and visit the Buckhorn Tavern website for the most current hours and menu items. I also recommend following the Buckhorn Tavern Facebook page for news and updates.

Feeling inspired? Try planning your own road trip to San Antonio, New Mexico, using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.