Green Chile Cheeseburger: Sparky’s Swept by Isleta Grill; Casino-Adjacent Diner Takes Top Honors in Blind Judging and People’s Choice

ALBUQUERQUE — The highly-anticipated New Mexico State Fair Green Chile Cheeseburger Challenge crowned Isleta Grill of Isleta Pueblo as both the People’s Choice Champion and the Blind Judging Champion. Isleta Grill also captured the Blind Judging crown in 2024.

Hungry fairgoers crowded Main Street, hoping to get a taste of the nine best green chile cheeseburgers in the state and the competitors did not disappoint with nine delicious, chile-topped burgers to satiate the crowd.

Thank you to the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, as well as the competition’s sponsor, the New Mexico Gas Company.

The list of additional competitors is as follows, in no particular order:

Sparky’s – Hatch
Downshift Brewing – Ruidoso
Grill at the Monte Carlo – Questa
Laguna Burger – Laguna Pueblo
Craft Republic – Albuquerque
Owl Café – Albuquerque
Fuego 505 – Albuquerque
The Grill at the Sheraton – Albuquerque

Where is the Isleta Grill?

Just shy of Albuquerque off of I-25 sits the Isleta Resort and Casino. When you take the exit to the casino, you will Isleta Grill on your right. Basically, those in our broader community are 213 miles away from this year’s winner of the Green Chile Cheeseburger Challenge.

New Mexico State Fair Announces Unique Foods Contest Winner

Albuquerque, NM – The New Mexico State Fair has announced the winners of this year’s highly anticipated Unique Foods competition. The Unique Foods Contest highlights the best of the best Fair Foods.

The Unique Foods Competition lived up to its name, drawing entries that showcased the creativity that defines Fair Food. B&B Concessions took home the crown with their Sweet and Spicy Spam Fries. Spam strips are battered and deep-fried to extra crispy before being glazed with sweet syrup and topped with a spicy aioli. This treat is served in an original Spam can. B&B Concessions can be found inside the State Fair’s food court.

The 2025 New Mexico State Fair is scheduled to run through Sept. 14. The State Fair promises to be an incredible event, highlighting the culture, agriculture, art and beauty of New Mexico, including top-quality music and entertainment.