On August 29, the New Mexico State Fair announced the top ten competitors who are set to participate in the highly anticipated Green Chile Cheeseburger Challenge at the New Mexico State Fair.
The Grill at the Monte Carlo in Questa is set to compete on Monday, Sept. 9 at noon at The Agriculture Building Courtyard – New Mexico State Fair.
Other competitors include:
- Downshift Brewing Co. – Lincoln County
- Del’s Family Restaurant – Quay County
- Effingbar & Grill – Bernalillo County
- Savoy Bar and Grill – Bernalillo County
- Craft Republic – Bernalillo County
- Big Mike’s Burgers and More – Valencia County
- Sparky’s Burgers, BBQ & Espresso – Dona Ana County
- Isleta Grill – Isleta Pueblo
- Grill at the Monte Carlo – Taos County
- Slate Street Billiards – Sandoval County
“This is the Super Bowl of Green Chile Cheeseburger contests in this State,” State Fair General Manager Dan Mourning said. “It continues to get bigger and bigger each year so we decided to move it out to Main Street to accommodate the huge crowds that flock to this event. People’s choice ballots are extremely limited so make sure you’re here early!”
The Grill at the Monte Carlo is a staple of the Questa food scene. Reviews online rave about the food with Mary E. from Ranchos de Taos saying, “I had an excellent cheeseburger with bacon and green chili here. The place is not fancy, but the quality was very good. It’s a bit like dining in the church basement. It was only $5, and .75 for extras. Served with a big pile of delicious fresh French fries, too.”
Phyllis N. also from Taos left a review that said, “Excellent customer service. Delicious Green Chlli Cheeseburger with crisp/hot fries Very affordable. Can’t wait to try there Pizzas.”
In addition to the food, the Grill at the Monte Carlo provides a great atmosphere for friends to catch up over a beer, dance to local bands on a Saturday night, and host birthday, wedding and graduation parties. It’s a mainstay and to many, feels just like home.
The 10 restaurants will compete for two awards, the blind judging award and people’s choice award. Hungry fairgoers hoping to get a taste of the best burgers in the state will have a chance to land one out of 100 highly sought-after people’s choice ballots.
To receive a ballot, New Mexico State Police will distribute wristbands randomly throughout the crowd which can then be taken to the burgundy tents outside the Ag Building where the New Mexico Department of Agriculture will provide a ballot. Participants must have a wristband to receive a ballot.
Visit statefair.exponm.com to purchase your tickets to the New Mexico State Fair. The Grill at the Monte Carlo is open Monday–Friday from 6 a.m.–10 p.m. and Saturday–Sunday from 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
