The Green Chili Cheeseburger!

by Don Hazelwood 12/19/2025 Another Burger Night is in the books, and this month’s edition came with a little road trip nostalgia baked right in.

This burger was a tribute to the legendary Green Chile Cheeseburger from The Owl Bar and Café in San Antonio, New Mexico. If you have never heard of it, well … you have now! If you have ever driven through central New Mexico, odds are someone has told you that you absolutely must stop there. And from someone who has stopped there, yes, it is an absolute must! 

The Owl Bar and Café dates back to the late 1940s, originally opening as a watering hole near the Trinity Site, where the first atomic bomb was tested. Scientists, soldiers, ranchers, and travelers all passed through its doors. Over time, it became famous for one thing above all else: a no nonsense burger topped with New Mexico green chile. No frills. No gimmicks. Just heat, smoke, beef, and cheese working together exactly the way they should. The place still feels frozen in time in the best possible way. Dim lights, dollar bills on the walls, and a bar that has heard a lot of stories. I even placed a dollar on that wall! 

Beth and I stopped at The Owl during our 2021 cross country trip, and that Green Chile Cheeseburger was an instant standout. You know the kind. The kind you keep thinking about long after the plate is cleared. It was spicy but balanced, messy but perfect, and absolutely unforgettable. That burger earned a spot on my short list of all time greats.

So naturally, it had to make its way into Burger Night.

This month, instead of trying to source something pre made, I decided to go all in and make my own green chile at home. Jalapeños, tomatillos, onions, and garlic all went into the mix. Roasted, simmered, blended, and tasted repeatedly until it hit that sweet spot between bright, smoky, and just hot enough to make you pay attention. The kitchen smelled incredible, which is always a good sign.

For the burgers themselves, I smashed four quarter pound patties, seasoned simply and cooked hot and fast. Each one got a slice of American cheese. In full honesty, I think Monterey Jack would have been the better choice here, closer to the spirit of the original, but sometimes Burger Night is also about learning lessons for next time. A generous spoonful of green chile went right on top, letting the heat and flavor sink into the meat and cheese.

All of that goodness was tucked between buttered and grilled brioche buns. Soft, slightly sweet, and sturdy enough to hold everything together without stealing the show.

The result? Delicious. Messy. Spicy. Comforting. The kind of burger that demands a napkin in one hand and a cold drink in the other. It might not have been a perfect replica of The Owl’s classic, but it absolutely captured the spirit. Simple ingredients, big flavor, and a story behind it.

That is what Burger Night is really about for us. Food as a memory trigger. Food as a way to revisit places we love and experiences that stuck with us. One bite at a time.

Until next month.