A burger stacked high with meat, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and all the condiments your heart desires is an all-American tradition. In New Mexico, you'll find all the classics, but you'll also find burgers with some authentic New Mexican flair.
Here are the best spots in New Mexico where chefs have taken burger flipping to new heights, creating their new traditions with this iconic food:
Hometown Hamburger, New Mexico
The burgers at Hometown Hamburger are made to order—fresh premium beef patties, never frozen. This tiny mom-and-pop joint has been flipping burgers since 1999 and is regularly in the "Best of the Best" lists. Portions are big. Burgers come in one-half and pound size with a large selection of add-ons including standards like bacon and cheese and southwest flavors that include jalapeño and jalapeño bacon and the definitive flavor, green chili.
- Location: 2133 East Main St., Farmington, NM 87401
- Website: http://hometown-hamburgers.com/
- Phone: 505-326-5580
- Store Hours: Mondays-Saturdays from 10 am-10 pm
Sundays from 11 am-6 pm.
Sparky's, New Mexico
Sparky's is both a burger joint and a roadside attraction. There is a giant burger boy and girl figure on the roof and other significant people and animal figurines. Next, let's talk about burgers. The Hatch green chile cheeseburger was named one of the "10 Best in New Mexico" by the USA Today Readers' Choice awards. Every burger begins with green chiles and is topped with cheese to bacon, to smoked pulled pork. Locally sourced ingredients are used exclusively in the chile. Don't miss the green chile shake.
- Location: 115 Franklin Street., Hatch, NM
- Website: https://sparkysburgers.com/
- Phone: 575.267.4222
- Store Hours: Thursdays-Sundays from 10:30 am- 4 pm
Closed on Mondays-Wednesdays
Santa Fe Bite, New Mexico
It's a given that a burger joint in New Mexico needs to have a green chile burger on its menu. Santa Fe Bite does, and it's an award-winning one. Burgers are made from fresh-ground whole boneless chuck and sirloin, hand-formed, and are served on a homemade brioche bun—gluten-free available upon request. Of course, Hatch green chiles, roasted, peeled, and diced, are used in the sauce. Simple, fresh homemade potato chips are the standard side. Make a green chile meal by adding green chile cheese home fries and a green chile shake. If the weather permits, enjoy a meal outside.
- Location: 1616 Saint Michaels Drive - Santa Fe NM 87505
- Website: http://santafebite.com/
- Phone: 505.428.0328
- Store Hours: Tuesdays-Thursdays & Sunday 11 am- 7pm
Fridays-Saturday 11 am-8 pm.
Buckhorn Tavern, New Mexico
What you come here for is the Buckhorn green chile cheeseburger. Since 1944, this little spot off Interstate 25 has been cooking up top-quality food that's been featured in magazines and on television. The Buckhorn burger came out on top at Bobby Flay's legendary "Throwdown." Nothing is pre-made, and everything is cooked fresh. Pickles, onions, lettuce, tomatoes, and mustard are included in all burgers. If green chile isn't your thing, try the tortilla burger or the Buckhorn taco burgers.
- Location: 68 US Highway 380, San Antonio, NM 87832
- Website: https://www.buckhornburgers.com/
- Phone: 575-835-4423
- Store Hours: Mondays - Fridays from 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
Saturdays from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Closed on Sundays
Laguna Burger 66 Pit Stop, New Mexico
Laguna Burger 66 Pit Stop serves burgers made to order with fresh all-beef half-pounds from early morning until late. Located right off Interstate 40 near Laguna Pueblo, it's on the green chile cheeseburger trail, a traditional route showcasing the state's culinary excellence. Cooking methods are kept secret, but this burger is the perfect blend of meat, cheese, chili and lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, and mustard, all on a fresh sesame seed bun.
- Location: 2400 12th Street NW., Albuquerque, NM 87104
- Website: http://thelagunaburger.com/
- Phone: 505-352-8282
- Store Hours: Sundays – Thursdays from 11 am – 8 pm
Fridays – Saturdays from 11 am – 9 pm
If you have dined in any of these restaurants, please share with us your experiences. Comment them down!