New Mexico has plenty of picturesque small towns but one town stands out for being unique. There’s nowhere on the planet quite like Hatch, which is located 40 miles north of Las Cruces. This New Mexican town is, after all, the Chile Capital of the World.

Flickr/Jim Legans, Jr
The town’s 1648 residents eat, sleep, and breathe chile. So do many New Mexicans, but Hatch is special because it’s the place where our state’s vaunted green chile is grown.
Flickr/Paul Narvaez
We consider the quality of our chile so superior that we actually passed legislation banning anyone from claiming their chile comes from the Land of Enchantment if that isn't the case.
Since chile is an integral part of New Mexican cuisine, it should come as no surprise that this small town supports an unusual number of excellent restaurants. Foodies in the know come to Hatch with big appetites.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Onions, pecans, alfalfa, lettuce, cabbage, and sweet potatoes are grown in this agricultural region as well.
The Valley Café is a family-run restaurant that dishes up delectable chile rellenos and green chile cheeseburgers.
Flickr/Kent Kanouse
Address: 335 W Hall Street.
Is the behemoth served at Valley Café a match for the GCCB at Sparky’s Burgers, BBQ, and Espresso?
Yelp/Eric M.
Well, that’s a topic for intense debate. You’ll need to visit each restaurant repeatedly, just to be sure. Here is Sparky’s version:
Yelp/Max F.
Address: 115 Franklin Street.
Sparky’s is also known for its BBQ – try the pulled pork or the brisket. Wash down your meal with a glass of green chile lemonade.
Flickr/Martin Lewison
You can’t miss the display of kitsch that adorns the roof at Sparky’s.

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Hatch is a town that’s busting with roadside Americana. A giant Uncle Sam cradles a green chile.
Flickr/WhiteWaves of Bay De Noc
Further down the street you’re greeted by a robot, Robin Hood, and Yogi Bear.
Flickr/killbox
No, you’re not seeing things. That is a dinosaur marauding across the roof of a business selling both fireworks and chile.
Flickr/Kent Kanouse
Why is this advertised on a hot dog? Maybe the store’s theme is things that are hot.
The visitors who descend on Hatch each September certainly get a kick out of these fun quirks.
Flickr/Lisa Haneberg
The Hatch Valley Chile Festival is held each Labor Day weekend and it’s a HUGE deal.
Flickr/Krissa Corbett Cavouras
Flickr/Adolfo Araiza
More than 30,000 people gather to enjoy ristra crafting demonstrations, live musical performances, a watermelon-eating contest and, of course, a chile eating competition. For more info.
Flickr/Lisa Haneberg

Hatch is definitely a one of a kind town that belongs on every food lover’s bucket list.

Have you visited Hatch?

New Mexico has a bunch of small towns with incredible restaurants. Here are a few more. The Land of Enchantment also hosts a number of food festivals that you won’t want to miss.

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