The Walk of Flame trail in Las Cruces highlights chile-centric offerings from local restaurants.
August 14, 2023
New Mexico made headlines this year for becoming the first state to designate an official state aroma: the smell of roasting green chiles.
In thanking the bill’s sponsors, State Senator Jeff Steinborn of Las Cruces said, “Our chile aroma is magical and mythical and special and spiritual and any other adjective you can possibly think of,” according to the Santa Fe New Mexican.
New Mexico designated an official state aroma: the smell of roasting green chiles. Photo courtesy Visit Las Cruces
“It’s definitely a staple here,” says Lorena Lozano, director of marketing for Visit Las Cruces. The city’s Walk of Flame food trail highlights chile-centric offerings from local shops and restaurants.
Green chile roasting season typically happens around August or September, Lozano says. “And if you’re in Las Cruces or New Mexico in general, you’re going to smell the aroma. And I think for a lot of people here, it’s something that brings back a lot of nostalgia.”
Lozano remembers scooping custard in high school at Caliche’s Frozen Custard for the store’s signature green chile sundae. That creative concoction is just one of our top 10 favorites from the Walk of Flame:
Caliche's Frozen Custard serves a signature green chile sundae.
Where to get it: Caliche’s Frozen Custard
Try the sundae that made Caliche’s famous: a hot/cold combination of vanilla custard topped with green chile marmalade, a cherry, and your choice of nuts. The heat from the chiles is tempered by the sweet, cooling ice cream. Feeling unsure? Ask for a sample first.
Green Chile Pistachio Brittle is a buttery treat with a sneaky heat.
Where to get it: Las Cruces Candy Company
This nut-packed brittle comes with a sneaky heat.
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The green chile chicken wonton soup is a favorite at Boba Café & Cabaret.
Where to get it: Boba Café & Cabaret
Share an appetizer of fried green chile wontons, stuffed with chicken and green chile, with a side of dill sauce.
Soup season calls for a warming bowl of green chile chicken wonton soup, which is prepared with shredded chicken and vegetables like carrots and spinach, in addition to boiled green chile wontons. It’s a local favorite—one Yelp reviewer said it’s “the stuff dreams are made of.”
Hatch Chile Green Wine is a semisweet white wine infused with fire-roasted mild Hatch green chiles.
Where to get it: Local grocery and liquor stores
If you can think of it, you can probably put chile in it. That’s how one enterprising New Mexico winery (Lescombes Family Vineyards) created Hatch Green Chile Wine, a semisweet white wine infused with fire-roasted mild Hatch green chiles that provide a bit of a kick.
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Pecan Grill & Brewery serves green chile lagers along with green chile bar bites.
Where to get it: Pecan Grill & Brewery
As you might have guessed, with green chile wine already in production, a beer counterpart was sure to follow. At Pecan Gril & Brewery, you can order a green chile lager. The food menu is also filled with green chile bar bites: beer cheese fondue with Hatch chiles, green chile pork stew, green chile ranch dressing, and stuffed green chiles. There’s even occasionally a green chile hummus.
Purchase green chile mesquite jerky for your next road trip.
Where to get it: Jerky and More Inc.
Jerky makes a great road trip snack. If you’d like a little smoky heat on your next drive, pick up this green or red chile mesquite jerky. The store also sells a teriyaki version.
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Teriyaki Chicken House serves green chile chicken egg rolls.
Where to get it: Teriyaki Chicken House
At Teriyaki Chicken House, a fast-casual Japanese restaurant, try unique chile dishes like green chile chicken egg rolls and tempura green chiles.
Lorenzo's serves Italian dishes infused with green chiles, like green chile lasagna.
Where to get it: Lorenzo’s
Try Italian dishes amped up with green chile at Lorenzo’s: for example, green chile lasagna, green chile fettuccini alfredo, green chile ravioli, and sausage and green chile soup. Combined with traditional meats, cheeses, and seasonings, the chile brings just the right touch of spice to these classic meals.
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Try a green chile bagel with a schmear of green chile cream cheese at Milagro Coffee y Espresso.
Where to get it: Milagro Coffee y Espresso
What makes a green chile bagel even better? A schmear of green chile cream cheese, of course. If a day without green chile is like a day without sunshine in New Mexico, why not take care of that requirement first thing in the morning?
Try a milkshake topped with green chiles at Sparky's for a sweet and spicy treat.
Where to get it: Sparky’s Burgers, BBQ, and Espresso
Head to Sparky’s for a green chile-topped cheeseburger or chicken sandwich. Then wash it down with your choice of spicy milkshake: chocolate and green chile or strawberry and red chile. The restaurant also offers a couple of red chile lemonades for extra pucker power.
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While not on the official Walk of Flame, Miguel's serves red chile brisket, a local favorite.
Where to get it: Miguel’s
Miguel’s is not officially on the Walk of Flame, but people love this locally owned Mexican restaurant in Las Cruces—and particularly the red chile brisket, “cooked slow and served fast.” Fill your plate with red or green chile enchiladas, chile rellenos, or a green chile burger, and enjoy the burn.
Cynthia J. Drake is an Austin-based travel writer who loves wandering off the beaten plate.
