This Iconic Small Town Burger Joint Was Recently Named The Best In New Mexico
By Monica Spencer|Published March 01, 2021
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Monica Spencer
Author
Monica is a Diné (Navajo) freelance writer and photographer based in the Southwest. Born in Gallup and raised in Phoenix, she is Tódich'ii'nii (Bitter Water People) and Tsi'naajinii (Black Streak Wood People). Monica is a staff writer for Only In Your State, photo editor for The Mesa Legend, and previously a staff writer for The Navajo Post. You can reach her at monica.d.spencer@gmail.com.
It’s no secret that the ultimate method of heightening your New Mexico dining experience is to add our favorite ingredient: green chile. We go crazy for this hot pepper: we use it as the main ingredient in stews, plop it on top of pizza, and even create strange dessert concoctions with it. But nothing quite beats the pure joy of biting into a juicy, steamy green chile cheeseburger.
Whether you opt to stop at a sit-down restaurant or a fast food joint, the green chile cheeseburger is undoubtedly a New Mexico menu mainstay.
It can be as simple as just adding a dollop to a grilled patty at home or feasting on a fancy version featuring fresh everything. And, while everyone has their favorite spot to grab a burger, most people agree that Sparky's is home to some of the best green chile cheeseburgers in the state. In fact, even Yahoo News named the small town burger joint as one of the best in the U.S.
Sparky's has been serving the hungry masses since 2008 and it's difficult to miss the burger joint when driving through town.
The brick building is surrounded by massive pop culture figures—Big Boy, Ronald McDonald, and Uncle Sam—as well as other finds, like dinosaurs, a metal sculpture, and giant chiles.
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When driving up, you'll also notice there's a bit of a crowd at the restaurant.
Sparky's keeps their burgers frill-free: just a grilled, seasoned, hand-pressed patty topped with locally-sourced Hatch green chiles and a slice of cheese. That's it! One bite and it's easy to understand why there's no need for additional toppings or condiments. The chiles are pungent and smoky, and the burger is perfectly juicy.
While none quite match the level of fame as the World Famous, Sparky's does have a host of other green chile cheeseburger options.
You can opt for the Double, which is a World Famous with an extra patty, or the Oinker, which adds fresh pulled pork to the top of your burger. You can also get a vegetarian burger or even a chicken sandwich with a hearty helping of green chiles on top.
The restaurant is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. For details about their menu, special orders, and more, visit their website or Facebook page.
