Even though chile is technically a fruit, it is the official state vegetable of New Mexico. And if there was such a thing as an official state question in New Mexico, it’d be “red or green?” (As in red or green chiles.) If you’re in the mood for a cheeseburger, go with green and get one of the best green chile cheeseburgers in Albuquerque. Here are 10 of them.
Laguna Burger at Laguna Burger
This famous burger got its start in Laguna, just outside Albuquerque along Route 66. The namesake Laguna Burger comes with all the regular fixings like lettuce and tomato, but it’s topped with spicy Hatch green chiles. Fortunately for the hungry people of Albuquerque, Laguna Burger has opened a branch in the city.
Lota Burger with Green Chile and Cheese at Blake’s Lotaburger
This New Mexico chain has reached the cult status that the likes of In-N-Out and White Castle enjoy, with nearly 30 locations in Albuquerque alone. Many locals argue that Blake’s Lotaburger whips up the best green chile cheeseburgers in town – find out for yourself by ordering Blake’s signature Lota Burger with Green Chile and Cheese. It comes with a juicy Angus beef patty, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and mustard.
Green Chile Cheeseburger at Holy Burger
Located in the East Downtown district, this charming sun-filled spot serves locally sourced, grass-fed beef burgers now, but it once housed Bob’s Fish & Chips, a Route 66 landmark. Today, most locals would argue that Holy Burger deserves the same acclaim. Its Green Chile Cheeseburger is tangy, satisfying, and sure to inspire a return trip.
Green Chile Burger at Fork & Fig
The owner of this cozy uptown restaurant proudly doesn’t own a freezer or a fryer. There are gourmet sandwiches and wraps on the menu, but the mouthwatering burgers are the standouts. The Green Chile Burg features a brioche bun and comes loaded with bacon, cheddar, kale, red onions, red chile aioli, and a fried egg.
The Royale at Toltec Brewing
Most people come to this laid-back Westside brewery to sip on ice-cold beers on the patio, but they stay for The Royale burger. This James Beard Award-winning cheeseburger features a half-pound patty made from a blend of New Mexican beef brisket and cremini mushrooms served in a brioche bun. It’s also stuffed with heirloom tomatoes, bacon, aged cheddar, a fried egg, chipotle mayo, and — of course — Hatch green chiles.
Green Chile Cheeseburger at Sixty-Six Acres
Located across the street from the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, this modern bar and grill is a popular spot for happy hour. But its Sixty-Six Green Chile Cheeseburger is worth ordering, if only because it accomplishes the seemingly impossible feat of incorporating the pepper into every single part of it, from the green chile-garlic jack cheese to the toasted green chile-cheddar bun.
Los Ranchos Four-Chile Burger at Steel Bender Brewyard
This industrial-chic taproom in North Valley is a popular spot for watching hot-air balloons take off against the mountainous backdrop. The beef burgers here are all B.Y.O., but we recommend asking for one styled after the Los Ranchos Four-Chile Burger, a special combination that helped Steel Bender bag the People’s Choice Award at the 2019 Edible New Mexico Green Chile Cheeseburger smackdown.
Green Chile Acre Cheeseburger at The Acre
From the lavender lemonade served in mason jars to the darling wildflower centerpieces, this “comfort vegetarian” eatery will make you feel like you’re in a rustic farmhouse, not Northeast Heights. Its meat-free Green Chile Acre Cheeseburger features a patty made of beets, black beans, and quinoa.
Fiesta Burger at Frontier Restaurant
Located just across the street from the University of New Mexico, this yellow-roofed restaurant filled with Western landscape paintings has long been popular with students and residents alike. Make like a local and order the Fiesta Burger, a simple but superb burger that comes with onions, lettuce, and your choice of red or green chile. (Obviously, we pick the green.)
#00 Green Chile Cheeseburger at Monroe’s Restaurant
Now with two outposts in Albuquerque, this family-friendly restaurant got its start serving Mexican cuisine as a small Old Town drive-in in 1962. There are more than seven types of burgers on the menu that come with green or red chile, but the #00 Green Chile Cheeseburger is by far the favorite.
