Las Cruces, New Mexico Is Home To A Green Chile Food Trail You Won’t Find Anywhere Else

There's no question here that in New Mexico, green chile is king. The humble though fiery pepper dominates the state's regional cuisine and even manages to find its way into unusual places. If you're looking for a place to taste dishes that highlight green chile and learn more about the pepper, then you won't want to miss out on the aptly named Las Cruces Walk of Flame green chile trail.

This trail is home to 13 restaurants that feature green chile in exceptionally unique ways: desserts, massive servings, drinks, and more. Here's a look at just a few of the dishes you'll find on the trail.

World's Largest Green Chile Cheeseburger at Double Eagle Restaurant

If there's anyway you're going to eat green chile in New Mexico, a classic green chile cheeseburger is the way to go. For a meal that's a little more extreme, you'll want to try the gargantuan burger offered at Double Eagle Restaurant. Featuring a 24-ounce burger patty plus enough green chile and cheese to match, you'll want to arrive with an empty belly.

Address: 2355 Calle de Guadalupe, Mesilla, NM

Phone: 575-523-6700

Chile 'Rita at La Posta de Mesilla Retaurant

Few drinks perfectly compliment any Mexican cuisine like an icy margarita. Kick that up a few notches with a chile margarita, like the one offered at the historic La Posta de Mesilla restaurant. The combination of chile and blackberry sauce creates a unique flavor profile for an alluring drink.

Address: 2410 Calle de San Albino, Mesilla, NM 88046

Phone: 575-524-3524

Green Chile Lasagna or Chicken Alfredo at Lorenzo's Italian Restaurant

Green chile is typically associated with Mexican-style food but it also goes surprisingly well with the spices in Italian cuisine. Try the meat lasagna, chicken alfredo, or the sausage soup with flaming hints of green chile.

Address: 1753 E University Ave, Las Cruces, NM 88001

Phone: 575-521-3505

Green Chile Sundae at Caliche's Frozen Custard

Not all ice creams and custards will cool you down! The green chile sundae offered at Caliche's Frozen Custard is one peppery dessert that will leave you sweating. The dessert features a standard vanilla custard topped with a luscious green chile marmalade. You don't want to miss this!

Address: 131 N Roadrunner Pkwy, Las Cruces, NM 88011

Phone: 575-521-1161

Visit the Chile Pepper Institute at New Mexico State University

Want to learn more about chile? You can stop by the Chile Pepper Institute at New Mexico State University. The research center and gift shop are found in Gerald Thomas Hall on the university campus and the institute also has a garden open seasonally.

Address: 945 College Dr, Las Cruces, NM 88003

Phone: 575-646-3028

When chile season rolls around (typically August through September), don't forget to buy some extra fresh chile! If you want it roasted, the trail has some suggestions for places to get a massive batch roasted just right.

You can participate in the Las Cruces Walk of Flame green chile trail any time of year. You can find a listing with all the featured locations on the Las Cruces tourism site. Roasting events take place in late summer and early fall (typically August through September). The teaching garden at NMSU's Chile Pepper Institute is open June through October.

Walk of Flame website: lascrucesvb.org

Chile Pepper Institute: cpi.nmsu.edu

If you have a hankering for some green chile now, don't fret! Check out a few of our favorite spots to grab a green chile cheeseburger anywhere in the state. Read more in These 12 Green Chile Cheeseburger Joints In New Mexico Will Make Your Taste Buds Explode.