Blake’s Lotaburger is a New Mexico fast-food tradition. Read on to learn about its history and what to order when you go.
Fast food rivalries are nothing new, but in the Land of Enchantment, one heavyweight reigns supreme in the “best burger” debates.
A New Mexico tradition, Blake’s Lotaburger is the state’s signature fast food outlet, and while there are a few locations in Arizona and Texas, its history—and even its menu—are proudly New Mexican. In fact, in 2017, Blake’s Lotaburger became the state’s very first New Mexico True Certified Business.
In fact, millions of people around the world who have never stepped foot in New Mexico have seen Lotaburger before—although they might not have realized it. On the mega-hit TV drama “Breaking Bad,” which is set in Albuquerque, characters often grab something to eat from Lotaburger, as evidenced by the chain’s distinctive red, white, and blue packaging when characters are enjoying a meal in between schemes. While it may have gone unnoticed by many viewers, New Mexicans noticed and appreciated the local touch.
But how did it all begin? Who is Blake, and why are all the Lotaburgers apparently his? What’s with the big cowboy outside the restaurant? And perhaps most importantly, should you ask for extra green chiles on the signature burger? Let’s take a look and find out:
A man and his burgers
Before there was Blake’s Lotaburger, there was simply Blake. More specifically, there was Glen Blake Chanslor, who went by his middle name. Chanslor was actually born in Borger, Texas in 1920 (no, not Burger, Texas, but still something of a coincidence), and left his home state to serve in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
Upon returning from the war, Chanslor moved to Albuquerque, and it was there that he opened his very first burger stand in 1952. That stand was simply called “Lota Burger” (the addition of Blake’s name came later) and the menu was even simpler: A burger costed 35 cents and the only side option was a bag of chips.
The stand was such a hit that Chanslor was able to open more outlets in different parts of the city, and eventually, across New Mexico. One reason Lotaburger was able to keep its prices affordable and expand quickly was the stripped-down menu, which was part of Chanslor’s vision. It was only as the chain grew that he saw the possibility for a broader menu, although the signature topping of green chile was one of Chanslor’s earliest innovations and has been a menu fixture since the fifties.
Chanslor remained a hands-on company owner for five decades until he sold the company in 2003. He died several years later in 2009 at the age of 88.
About that green chile …
While there’s no official rule saying you have to get a green chile burger when you go to Blake’s Lotaburger, it’s one of their most famous and beloved menu items, for good reason. In fact, many Lotaburger lovers will sing the praises of the chain’s spicy food in general, whether you’re eating there for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Wait, breakfast? Well, yes. Blake’s Lotaburger has a breakfast menu, and it’s filled with New Mexico tradition. If you start your day at Blake’s Lotaburger, you can fill up with a breakfast sandwich (featuring green chile, of course), or a bowl of oatmeal (without green chile; even in New Mexico, there are limits), but the main attraction is breakfast burritos.
However, not all Lotaburger signatures are spicy. In fact, not all of them are even served hot. In addition to burgers, burritos, and other savory favorites, Lotaburger is known for its shakes.
While you can get a Lotaburger shake in traditional flavors like vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry, the chain is known for its rotating seasonal shakes. Some are seasonal fruit flavors (think cherry, peach, or blueberry in warmer months), but there have also been wilder hits like the pineapple Chamoy with Tajin shake. And come Christmas, Lotaburger brings out one of its most beloved seasonal staples, with a New Mexico classic cookie taking center stage with the Biscochito Shake.
Follow the trail
Blake’s Lotaburger isn’t just a popular place to grab a bite; it’s also a landmark on one of New Mexico’s signature culinary journeys. Specifically, the “green chile cheeseburger trail.” This isn’t a literal trail paved with green chile cheeseburgers (how cool would that be for a New Mexican fairytale?); instead, it’s the term given to the route you might take if you wanted to try as many examples of New Mexico’s signature burger as possible.
While Blake’s Lotaburger has plenty of locations along the trail, that’s just the beginning of the chain’s association with it. In fact, there’s reason to believe that it was Blake’s Lotaburger where the very first green chile cheeseburgers were served, and a delicacy was born.
Moreover, in recent years, the green chile cheeseburger at Blake’s Lotaburger has been recognized with numerous awards, taking the 2016 prize for best green chile cheeseburger in all of New Mexico according to USA Today, and being honored by National Geographic as the best green chile cheeseburger not only in the Land of Enchantment, but in the whole world.
Crossing state lines
Surely, then, the only place to enjoy Blake’s Lotaburger, which, as mentioned, is a New Mexico True Certified Business, is, well, New Mexico? Actually, no! While that was the case for decades, the 21st century has seen the chain expanding across the Southwest.
Today, New Mexicans away from home can get their “Blake’s fix” if they happen to be traveling through certain parts of Arizona or Texas. While there are currently only four locations for Blake’s Lotaburger outside the State of New Mexico, plans for even more are underway, and perhaps soon, people will be able to enjoy a little taste of real New Mexico flavor all across the country.
The iconic mascot
Of course, there’s one thing that the Blake’s Lotaburgers outside of the Land of Enchantment just can’t match. When you visit a Blake’s Lotaburger in Arizona or Texas, you won’t be greeted by the iconic gentleman New Mexicans know well—the Blake’s man. While New Mexicans have likely seen him holding the sign for Blake’s Lotaburger more than once, he’s absent from the chain’s out-of-state branches.
This tall, bow-legged fellow, traditionally dressed in a red-and-white striped jacket and sporting a blue top hat, bears a certain resemblance to Uncle Sam thanks to his patriotic attire, and you’d be forgiven for wondering if he was meant to be Blake himself. But he’s neither Sam nor Blake; he’s just The Blake’s Man, the larger-than-life figure that’s been standing outside Lotaburgers for decades.
While there’s no specific mythology around who the Blake’s Man is or how he came to be, he’s still the restaurant’s mascot and a bonafide New Mexico icon. He can even be found “in the flesh” making appearances at various community-based philanthropic events that Blake’s Lotaburger sponsors.
