Las Cruces’ Ol’ Gringo Takes Top Prize in State Fair Battle of the Salsas

The New Mexico Department of Agriculture announced Ol’ Gringo as the first-place winner, followed by Bayard-based Dee’s Spicy Habit LLC in second and Fiesta On the Go LLC in third.

Source: New Mexico Department of Agriculture (via Facebook)
Photos: Courtesy

ALBUQUERQUE — Las Cruces-based Ol’ Gringo Chile Co. took first place in the 2026 Battle of the Salsas at the New Mexico State Fair, continuing a history of success for the local chile company in the statewide competition.

The New Mexico Department of Agriculture announced Ol’ Gringo as the first-place winner, followed by Bayard-based Dee’s Spicy Habit LLC in second and Fiesta On the Go LLC in third.

Ol’ Gringo identified its New Mexico Gold Salsa as this year’s winner and said the competition was decided by votes from New Mexicans attending the State Fair.

“The public has spoken and our winning tradition continues,” the company announced following the results.

That winning tradition stretches back more than a decade.

Ol’ Gringo has previously placed among the top finishers in the State Fair salsa competition, including a first-place finish in 2015. The Las Cruces company has developed a line of red and green chile sauces, salsas and marinades distributed throughout southern New Mexico and sold online.

This year’s runner-up, Dee’s Spicy Habit, is based in Bayard and produces New Mexico-made salsa using ingredients including fire-roasted tomatoes, tomatillos, jalapeños, serrano peppers and dried chile.

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Third-place finisher Fiesta On the Go began in 2020 as a food truck before shifting during the COVID-19 pandemic toward packaged foods sold at farmers markets, through local vendors and online. Its current product line includes several salsas as well as New Mexico chile, posole, mole, birria and other easy-to-prepare mixes.

The Battle of the Salsas is held during the New Mexico State Fair with support from the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, New Mexico Chile Association and Taste the Tradition program.

For Ol’ Gringo, the 2026 result brings another State Fair salsa title home to Las Cruces — this time with New Mexico Gold.