Blake's Lotaburger
New Mexico’s own burger stand, where green chile is the default topping.
About Blake's Lotaburger
Blake Chanslor, a Navy veteran who moved from Texas to Albuquerque after the Second World War, opened his first Lota Burger stand on 9 July 1952. It cost him $5,300 and measured 230 square feet. He opened two more the next year, and the chain spread across New Mexico, still recognisable by the tall “Blake’s Man” sign out front.
Lotaburger is the burger of New Mexico, and the reason is green chile. The Albuquerque Journal credited it with helping popularise green chile as a burger topping across the state, National Geographic named its green chile cheeseburger the best in the world in 2006, and it is a stop on the state’s official Green Chile Cheeseburger Trail.
About 75 restaurants, nearly all in New Mexico, with a few in Arizona and El Paso, Texas. Every one is company-owned.
Burger menu
Signature burgers first. Only burgers and sandwiches, no sides.
Not affiliated with Blake's Lotaburger. Trademarks and logos belong to their owners. Descriptions are my own; nutrition figures come from the chain’s published information, checked September 2026.