Grants restaurant wins NM green chile cheeseburger challenge (5...

At first I found it impossible to believe that a northern NM city won this contest, then I see it the contest took place up north. Northerners would know great green chile if it bit them on their tongue.

Who are the judges and I want to hear about the point system. In my opinion, the best burgers are all on the same stretch of road: The Outpost in Carrizozo, Buckhorn and Owl in San Antonio. The Owl Bar are good, just small. The Buckhorn are bigger. AND they beat the Famous Bobby Flay. I would love to be the judge! Let's get some southern NM people who pretty much inject green chile on a daily basis! Sounds like fun though!!!!!

The Owl was a great disappointment to us. Next time we'll try the Buckhorn, if the line isn't too long. There's a place up in Madrid that we plan to try soon. So far the best I've had was in my own backyard, using grass-fed beef from the Farmers' Market, Biad's roasted chiles, and the "homemade" burger buns from Habanero's!

I know they use jalpenos, not green chile, but the Burger Nook here in Cruces is the best burger I ever had, anywhere.

Oops, I should clarify, the Burger Nook makes their salsa from jalapenos, they don't put slices. Wow, what a kick to the taste buds!

In Las Cruces, Dick's Cafe on Valley Drive have a great burger.

However, while traveling on I-25, the Buckhorn in San Antonio beats the Owl Cafe.

Again, judging is subjective and everyone pallates are different.

Finally, I Gov. Richardson had his hand in this I want to know how much did it cost to "pay and play" by the participants?!

Carrillo's Cafe in Las Cruces has awesome green chile burgers!

The one at Sonic is fine by me. Can't say that I would go searching for the 'best of' in this category. I'm not going to have a burger unless it's what I have a hankering for one and to drive out to most of the suggested locations is just silly. Maybe I'll get lucky when a trip up 25 coincides with such a craving-but I doubt it.

YIKES! If Sonic's crappy "burger" satisfies you - you don't know what your missing! You NEED to go try a different place if you like Sonic, McDonalds, etc!

Hungry wrote:

The one at Sonic is fine by me. Can't say that I would go searching for the 'best of' in this category. I'm not going to have a burger unless it's what I have a hankering for one and to drive out to most of the suggested locations is just silly. Maybe I'll get lucky when a trip up 25 coincides with such a craving-but I doubt it.

Zelda wrote:

The Owl was a great disappointment to us. Next time we'll try the Buckhorn, if the line isn't too long. There's a place up in Madrid that we plan to try soon. So far the best I've had was in my own backyard, using grass-fed beef from the Farmers' Market, Biad's roasted chiles, and the "homemade" burger buns from Habanero's!

Yum! that sounds good! Starting to get a little hungry over here.

JNNM wrote:

YIKES! If Sonic's crappy "burger" satisfies you - you don't know what your missing! You NEED to go try a different place if you like Sonic, McDonalds, etc!
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I'm not much into fast food in general, but rank 5 Guys (not out west yet) as the best burger EVER. Most of the time if I have a choice when eating somewhere, a burger is not what I am ordering.

I do understand the obsession with finding the best GCCB, if you are a burger boy/gal in general, I'd rather waste may calories on something else; like a REAl steal and cheese sub!

Hungry wrote:

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I'm not much into fast food in general, but rank 5 Guys (not out west yet) as the best burger EVER.

Fort Collins has 5 Guys, and I think it's out West. The atmosphere leaves something to be desired. A few less fluorescent lights would be nice. It's okay. I'm sure Zelda's grass fed beef burgers prepared on the grill would be better. Plus no alcohol to wash it down with at 5 guys.

Obviously you have not try the burgers at SPARKYS in Hatch nm. They are the best ever!!!!!!!!!!

I'm from Grants and I've never heard of this place...must be fairly new. I must confess I never really make it up there to much (sorry mom and dad), but I'll have to check this place out.
And people up north do know what "real" green chili is, I just haven't seen it served in any restaurants. But the home cooked meals are just the same (in my experience anyway).

Well, I've lived in both Albuquerque and Las Cruces. I consider Las Cruces a better chili area (probably thanks to Hatch). When I lived in Albuquerque, there seemed to be less chili places (or I was looking in the wrong spots). I also prefer the restaurant quality of chili dishes in the Las Cruces area much much more! I'm amazed a Las Cruces burger joint wouldn't win this competition.

Green Chile served down south is so mild it is pathetic. Get some chile from Chimayo and then you will know how chile is supposed to taste.