Santa Fe, New Mexico
One of the best burgers I've had in a long time was found in Santa Fe, New Mexico at Bobcat Bite. I found an article on-line "20 burgers you must try before you die" and Bobcat was rated number 12. Traci and I were in town for a conference and the Balloon Fiesta so we rented a car and headed to the Bobcat. We arrived on a cloudy cold day and as you can see the parking lot was full. As you step on the porch there is a dry erase board hanging next to the front door, that's the sign up sheet to get a table. You write your name on it, how many is in your party and have a seat on the front porch. The place is tiny, maybe 5 tables and then 6 or 7 seats along the bar. Our wait was about 1 hour but worth every minute freezing cold minute! Once inside the menu has several things on it besides burgers, but I was heading to the Green Chili Cheeseburger and nothing was getting in my way. Except the sides that were offered!
SIDE ORDERS
Green Chile............................................ .90
Home Fries............................................1.90
Potato Salad..........................................2.10
Pasta Salad (Summer Only)........................2.50
Cole Slaw..............................................1.90
Tossed Salad.........................................3.10
Salad Bowl (Includes Ham and Cheese).......7.50
Chile Bowl (Winter Only)..........................5.50
Bacon....................................................1.25
Grilled Onions....................................... 1.25
Chili Toreado (Grilled Jalapeño).................1.10
I hit the green chile, grilled onions, home fries and was flip flopping back and forth on the Grilled Jalapenos but figured I'd better not. About 20 minutes later, this was delivered to the table!!
I ate every scrap! I ordered mine medium and it was just a tad too pink for me, but still great flavor, juicy, and not too spicy from the green chile! We haven't hit any of the other 19 places on the list but hopefully someday we can see where Bobcat Bite is on our list of 20!!
Two things we asked the owner that I'm sure everyone that goes there asks:
1) Where did the name come from?
She said it was because bobcats would come out of the mountains every night and the cooks would throw them scraps. She said they still come down but not as often.
2) Why close at 7:50?
She said it was because during the World War II the country had a "lights out" at 8:00 p.m. and 7:50 gave them 10 minutes to close and turn out the lights.
If you are anywhere near Santa Fe we highly recommend it!!
Bobcat Bite
420 Old Las Vegas Highway
Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 983-5319
