I love this place and although it didn’t take first prize in our 2011 WLB Great Green Chile Cheeseburgers of the American Southwest Tour, it holds a special spot in my heart for being my very first. A recent work trip took me to Santa Fe where a local authority was willing to release his list of favorite burgers in the area with the caveat that I stick to the green chile cheeseburger when ordering. I stayed true, and polished off four burgers in two days.

Tesuque Village Market is about a 10 minute drive north of downtown Santa Fe. It’s an easy, rustic, laid back sort of place with a breezy front porch and leisurely service. “Slow Food” is scrawled across the large chalkboard at the entrance and this applies as much to their philosophy in the kitchen as to their attitude on the floor. At least they’re up front about it. Tesuque is a good spot to pick up provisions if you’re staying in the surrounding hills- or do as I did and just camp out at a table there for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The huevos rancheros and blue corn muffin were a great way to start off the day. But I’m supposed to be sending you here for the burger- a freshly ground, generous half pounder smothered with cheese and topped with chopped green chiles. My burger came out on the medium-well side and suffered ever so slightly for this. But the cheese and messy pile of chopped green chiles made up for any moisture lost. Tesuque manages a delicious balance with the green chile adding a good kick of heat and a little bit of sweetness without detracting from the beefy flavor of the burger. I was to discover at my next stop that not all burgers can take the heat…