Albuquerque’s Fuego 505 out-smashed seven rivals to claim the Blind Judging crown at the New Mexico State Fair’s Original Green Chile Cheeseburger Challenge, while Aztec’s Badlands Burgers & Brews won over fairgoers’ taste buds — and their votes — for the People’s Choice title.
Photo by Roberto E. Rosales for the Paper
La Villa Burgers and Boba of Santa Rosa landed second in blind judging, with Belen’s Fat Sats grabbing third, according to results released by the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, which organized the contest alongside sponsor New Mexico Gas Company.
Hungry crowds packed Main Street to sample all eight chile-topped contenders: Fuego 505, Effingbar, Sparky’s, Stackers Burger Company, Badlands Burgers & Brews, Fat Sats, La Villa Burgers and Boba, and Smash and Shake.
Winners of the Original Green Chile Cheeseburger Challenge
- Blind Judging Champion: Fuego 505 (Albuquerque)
- People’s Choice Champion: Badlands Burgers & Brews (Aztec)
- 2nd Place: La Villa Burgers and Boba (Santa Rosa)
- 3rd Place: Fat Sats (Belen)