For several months every four years, Americans are subjected to a seemingly interminable number of television commercials, radio ads and social media postings advocating for candidates running for political office. Opposing idealogies would have you believe the “other guy or gal” was of dubious character with “extreme” points of view. One-minute snippets pandering primarily to “undecided” voters may have unintentionally created even more cynics and malcontents among eligible voters. Some of us wished the sadistic “mean season” was as simple and decisive as selecting the winner of the annual New Mexico State Fair Green Chile Cheeseburger Challenge.
While the New Mexico State Fair hosts a number of food related competitions, none garner as much attention as the green chile cheeseburger challenge. Unlike political elections, the public is not subjected to a months-long bombardment of torturous and borderline slanderous messages. Instead, an online call goes out to prospective candidates (established brick-and-mortar restaurants only) with an entry deadline and a non-refundable entry fee of $25. In 2024, ten contestants from throughout the Land of Enchantment competed for top honors.
On the day of the competition, the process (as explained on the New Mexico State Fair website) is pretty straight-forward. “The order to “Fire Up Your Grill” will be given at approximately 11:30 am. Introductions and announcements will begin approximately 11:50 am. The contest will kick off at approximately 12:00pm, with the first burger presented for judging around 12:20 pm. (Exact times will be determined on the day of the event) Once all competitors have finished presenting their respective burgers for judging and the on-site coordinator has declared the competition complete, the “People’s Choice Competition” will begin. (Ballots are limited on a first come first serve basis).”
Almost invariably, there’s a difference of opinion among judges and the people. In 2024, judges awarded best green chile cheeseburger honors to Isleta Grill while the people’s choice was Albuquerque’s Craft Republic. While not everyone may have agreed with the results, there were no post-voting demonstrations and celebrity lamentations or threats to leave New Mexico afterwards. Instead, diners looked forward to visiting both winning establishments and sampling the burgers for ourselves. If only political elections were so cut-and-dry. (Yeah, I know political elections have more significant consequences than voting for the state’s best burger, but damn, election pandering sure gets tedious.
If you don’t frequent the Journal Center area, you may not be familiar with Craft Republic. Until 2017, it was known as Fox and Hound, a franchise with locations across the fruited plain. Its only location in the Land of Enchantment was the first to undergo a rebranding and renovation. Craft Republic’s website explains further: “Craft Republic Sports Bar is a haven for sports enthusiasts, craft beer aficionados, and those seeking a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere. We are passionate about providing an exceptional sports viewing experience while serving up a carefully curated selection of craft beers and mouthwatering food. Whether you’re here to cheer on your favorite team, explore new brews, or simply enjoy a great time with friends, Craft Republic is the perfect destination.”
Craft Republic is a perfect venue for watching sports with your friends. Several large flatscreen televisions are positioned strategically throughout the restaurant. Each is tuned to a sporting event. For those of us who visit restaurants to dine and not to listen to excuses for my beloved Dallas Cowboys having a bad season, the menu offers terrific variety. A dozen appetizers will get you started. Boneless and classic wings have their own space on the menu as do salads and soups. Burgers and handhelds (served with your choice of seasoned fries or tater tots) include the award-winning green chile cheeseburger. The menu also lists “Mains,” “Shareable Sweets,” “Pizzas” and “Sides.”
Though the appetizers list includes such interesting offerings as chicken tinga or brisket flautas and Thai crispy ribs, my Kim was in a pretzel sticks mood. Served with pale ale queso and spiked marinara, an order comes with four pretzel sticks. My Kim raved “they’re better than the Olive Garden’s.” It’s been decades since our last foray to the Garden, but based solely on my memory, I’d have to agree. These pretzel sticks are doughy and soft, wonderful vehicles for accompanying dips. Unlike some pretzel sticks, they’re not in dire need of desalinization.
The people’s choice burger is called the 505 Hatch Chile Burger and it’s topped with Cheddar, white Cheddar and Mozzarella cheeses, Hatch green chile, Craft secret sauce, lettuce, tomato, red onion and pickles. The people have spoken. Who am I to argue with their choice? Being one of the people, I can weigh in, however. While a delicious burger, I’m an old school New Mexican who expects some piquancy from my green chile. A strip of green chile covering most of the meat should have more bite than a bell pepper. Because it didn’t, it would probably not have been my choice. Still, it’s an intriguing burger with a “secret sauce” that lends sweet notes to contrast with savory ingredients. The accompanying fries are nicely salted and tasty.
One of the benefits of adultery is being able to eat whatever you want whenever you want it without your mom calling you out. My Kim was in a dessert mood so her “entree” was deep-fried cookie dough. Two scoops of ice cream accompanied a half-dozen deep-fried cookie dough orbs each as big as a golf ball. The orbs were slathered in caramel and chocolate sauce. This dessert was a bit too rich for me, but my Kim certainly enjoyed it.
Who knows what type of elected officials we’d have if the mean season lasted only as long as the green chile cheeseburger challenge, but it would certainly make some voters happier.
Craft Republic Bar & Grill
4301 The Lane at 25, N.E.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
(505) 417-4975
Website | Facebook Page
LATEST VISIT: 18 November 2024
# OF VISITS: 1
RATING: N/R
COST: $$
BEST BET: Pretzel Sticks, 505 Hatch Chile Burger, Deep-Fried Cookie Dough
REVIEW #1433
Cheelay
Its actually cheellay, Ruben.
Get it right, dude, sheesh
I could have sworn that you once said that you take your Kim to the Olive Garden once a year, kicking and screaming the whole way but still………
Here it says its been decades
Yes, that’s my Faustian pact with my bride. Fortunately I offer her alternatives to the Olive Garden. Invariably she agrees those alternatives are better. Sometimes it takes used car salesman skills to convince her some restaurant is better than the Garden.
I did, however, overhear Kim and another friend talking about recent restaurant visits, oh, about a year ago. The friend asked, do you get out to Olive Garden? Kim replied, dejectedly, “Not nearly enough.” I think perhaps a visit to the St. James Tearoom might be overdue for this haggis loving blogger’s long suffering wife?
If you are an old school New Mexican you would know how to spell chile”’ correctly. Don’t insult us real old school New Mexicans