The best burgers in New Mexico where you'd least expect them

Juicy New Mexico burger and fries — New Mexico has its own style of burger, oozing with New Mexico chiles.

Get off the beaten path to find the best burgers in New Mexico

My husband and I drove more than 1,000 miles across the amazingly beautiful state of New Mexico, discovering all kinds of enchantments, from natural wonders to one-of-a-kind shopping.

But one of our most enjoyable quests was to find the very best burgers in New Mexico. New Mexico has its own special style of burger, usually loaded with green chiles. And these burgers are delicious.

After our 1,000-mile quest and many, many calories later, here are the best two burger spots we found, both off-the-beaten path but worth the drive if you want the very best burgers this state has to offer.

First stop: The Mine Shaft Tavern in Madrid, NM

Where to find the Mine Shaft Tavern

Along the Turquoise Trail between Albuquerque and Santa Fe is a charming, beatnik little town called Madrid (pronounced MAD-rid). Everything about this town is quaint (except the parking! More on that later), but the best reason to pull over at this little spot-in-the-road is that you’ll find one of the best burgers in New Mexico, a true New Mexico-style burger.

About the Mine Shaft Tavern

Madrid was a coal-mining town, founded in 1836 when coal-mining started in earnest. The original tavern was started in 1895 but burned down on Christmas Day 1944.

The current tavern was built in 1947 and is the oldest continuously run tavern in Santa Fe County, NM. Its 40-foot-long bar is the longest in New Mexico and was built as a “stand-up bar,” because, as the story is told, after a long day of mining, the miners didn’t want to sit down anymore.

It looks much as it did in 1947 and claims to be one of the most haunted places in New Mexico. On our visit, the only thing we were haunted by was those unbelievably magnificent burgers.

Bar at Mine Shaft Tavern in Madrid, NM — The bar at the Mine Shaft Tavern is much as it was 60 years ago.

About that burger

My husband and I both had the Classic Shaft Burger, with green chiles, caramelized onions and aged cheddar. We opted for the Black Angus Chuck, but you can also select from New Mexico wagyu, New Mexico buffalo meat or a veggie burger.

The bun was fresh and pillowy and flavorful and coated with that magnificent grease from the grill. The meat juicy, the cheddar creamy and green chiles and caramelized onions absolutely divine. The whole messy concoction was the best burger we had in New Mexico, maybe the best ever. Yep, best burgers in New Mexico!

Juicy burger — The juiciest green chiles burger in New Mexico.

The charming – and touristy – town of Madrid (MAD-rid)

Madrid, New Mexico, is a bit of a tourist town – although for good reason. Quaint painted cottages hug the mountains and line the twisty highway. Art studios and turquoise shops abound, and even on a weekday, a balladeer played guitar by the road.

Parking can be a bear. Cars are parked willy nilly all along the road. My suggestion is to park at the edge of town and walk. It’s no more than 1/4-mile, and you get to experience even more of the charm.

Person playing guitar in Madrid, NM — Even on a weekday, street musicians sang to passersby along the highway through Madrid, NM.

Stop No. 2: The Owl Bar & Cafe in San Antonio, NM

The original Owl Cafe in San Antonio, NM — The original Owl Bar & Cafe has one of the best burgers in New Mexico – and a fascinating place in history.

The famous burger at the famous Owl Cafe

There are a lot of fancy burgers in this great country of ours, but New Mexico burgers are special. They’re traditionally served with green chiles for a mild but powerful flavor boost.

At the Owl Bar & Cafe in San Antonio, NM, the burger meat is ground fresh every day, and that secret recipe green chile sauce is made fresh every morning. It is so fresh and so perfect, juicy but not greasy, spicy but not fiery hot. Just a perfect balance of flavors and textures – one of the best of all time. Like I said, we ate burgers all over the state, and this was definitely one of the best burgers in New Mexico.

And if you don’t believe me, this burger has been named to the list of 500 Things to Eat Before It’s Too Late! Don’t let this fabulous burger pass you by!

Notes and dollar bills pinned to wall — Notes and dollar bills are pinned to the walls at the Owl Bar & Cafe in San Antonio, NM.

The famous burger at the Owl Bar and Cafe

Burger at Owl Cafe in NM — The burger at the Owl Cafe in San Antonio, NM, is a classic green Chile cheeseburger, with a recipe that hasn’t changed in almost 80 years.

More than just a burger joint

The Owl Bar & Cafe has a fascinating past and an important place in our history. After serving in the Navy in WWII, Frank Chavez came home to San Antonio, NM, where he and his wife Dee opened a bar.

Soon, that bar became the hangout of some self-identified “prospectors.” Those secretive prospectors turned out to be atomic scientists who were working on perfecting the atomic bomb. The first atom bomb test took place at the Trinity Site, only 40 miles away from San Antonio. You can stop by the historic marker on your way to San Antonio.

Bar at the Owl Cafe — The beautiful bar at the Owl Cafe in San Antonio, NM, is the perfect place for a cold beer and a famous green chile cheeseburger.

More small-town travel

My husband and I love small-town travel, finding those places you’d never see along the interstate. Here are some other off-the-beaten-path foodie towns we’ve found:

The best burgers in New Mexico where you’d least expect them

Get off the beaten path to find the best burgers in New Mexico