Green Chile Cheeseburgers (and Other Wonderful Things in New Mexico)

I lived 45 years without knowing there was such a thing as a green chile cheeseburger. Then I went to New Mexico and my world changed.

Green chile cheeseburger from the Plaza restaurant in Santa Fe
A green chile cheeseburger from the Plaza Café in downtown Santa Fe.

A quick word on spelling. In most of America, this spicy pepper is a “chili” with one L. In British English, it’s a “chilli” with two Ls. Due to Spanish influence in the southwestern United States, the spelling in that part of the world is “chile” – one L, one I, one E. (Learn more on merriam-webster.com.) Confusing, I know.