On September 9, hungry fairgoers gathered to watch the Green Chile Cheeseburger Challenge. Restaurants from across the state brought their best green chile cheeseburger-making skills forward to compete for first place and earn the title of green chile cheeseburger aficionado of New Mexico.
Questa’s own The Grill at El Monte Carlo was chosen to participate, with Mark Gallegos and his wife Christina Mares Gallegos leading the pack. His employees, Miguel Ramirez and Patricia Garcia, traveled to Albuquerque, ready to dazzle judges with their skills and talents with their regionally famous green chile cheeseburger. The Grill at El Monte Carlo was the only Taos County restaurant to represent the north in the competition.
“This is the Super Bowl of Green Chile Cheeseburger contests in this State,” State Fair General Manager Dan Mourning said.
Other competitors included:
- 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
- Slate Street Billiards – Sandoval County
The winner of the Blind Judging Competition was the Isleta Grill of Isleta Pueblo and the winner of the people’s choice award was the Craft Republic of Albuquerque. While The Grill at El Monte Carlo didn’t place in the competition, the business shared to Facebook: “The dust has finally had time to settle and WOW… We are so absolutely grateful for all the well wishes and luck y’all sent our way! The social media posts, the calls, the texts, all our friends and family that showed up to help and support us, the crew that stayed behind at home to keep the ship running and everyone at home cheering us on. Thank you from the crew and The Grill at El Monte Carlo! We had tons of great feedback on our burger and fully plan to go back next year, and bring that title home! Until then, stop by and grab your fresh New Mexico Green Chile Cheeseburger—we’re always grillin’!”
