Feb 13 2009
Manny’s Buckhorn Tavern – San Antonio, New Mexico
The world famous Manny's Buckhorn Tavern in San Antonio, New Mexico
Dusk is falling on the western town at the very edge of the parched plains. Fewer than a dozen buildings line the dusty main street. Howling winds impel tumbleweeds forward with no regard for obstacles in their path.
Even though neither of the protagonists has uttered the old western cliché “this town ain’t big enough for the two of us,” the scene is always ripe for a confrontation between the two long-time rivals. You can cut the tension with a knife and fork and it would be utterly delicious.
This confrontation isn’t between the black-hearted, black hat wearing villain of western lore and his rival, the clean-cut, white chapeaued cowboy.
The interior at Manny's Buckhorn Tavern
It’s a rivalry between the Owl Cafe and Manny’s Buckhorn Tavern, two heralded hamburger havens separated by less than a block yet inextricably bound by national publications which champion them as among the best of their genre (in westerns, this would be the fastest guns in the west).
The Owl Cafe is among the most celebrated restaurants in New Mexico, touted for its incomparable green chile cheeseburger. In 2003, Jane and Michael Stern, rated the Owl’s green chile cheeseburger on Epicurious.Com as one of the top ten burgers in America. GQ magazine may have done one better, in 2005 naming Manny’s Buckhorn Tavern the seventh best burger in America. Alan Richman who authored the article trumpeted the Buckhorn Burger as “the ultimate in a burger with a burn,” adding that the “Buckhorn makes the best green-chili cheeseburgers in a tiny town devoted to little else.” Not to be outdone, in 2009, Marlboro.com’s “Nightlife Flavor Roundup” named Manny’s green chile cheeseburger number three “baddest burger in the land.”
Confrontation has become commonplace in San Antonio–and not just between the most prolific purveyors of burgers in town. On May 14th, 2009 ”bad boy” Bobby Flay, one of the world’s preeminent grill masters and a celebrated Food Network glitterati made his way, camera crew in tow, to challenge Manny’s proprietor Bobby Olguin, not to an old west style draw, but to a green chile cheeseburger “throwdown.” The concept of his show “Throwdown With Bobby Flay” is based on Flay challenging chefs from throughout the fruited plain to prepare the specialty for which they are known and to have judges decide which is tastier. The episode aired for the first time on July 22nd, 2009.
The GQ magazine in which the Buckhorn Burger was rated among America's best
The Owl Cafe and Manny’s Buckhorn Tavern have proven over the years that there is more than enough room in San Antonio, New Mexico for two outstanding practitioners (three if you count Bobby Flay) of the fine culinary art of crafting among the very best green chile cheeseburgers in the universe.
The chile (though spelled “chili” Texas style) at Manny’s is unmistakably New Mexican with a piquant bite that makes your lips tingle. Ironically, it’s not exclusively green chile grown within easy walking distance in San Antonio’s famous Sichler Farms, but a special blend of chile from Bueno Chile combined with chile from Sichler Farms and Rosales Chile. The reason given (and it makes sense) is that Bueno Chile is already roasted, peeled, chopped and sealed for freshness.
The Buckhorn Burger, brought to your table cut in half, is a stout, fresh and lean ground chunk of beef dressed with the requisite green chile, cheese, lettuce, pickles, chopped onions, tomatoes and mustard. It is a huge burger, easily big enough to share though you won’t want to. The beef used is 70 percent lean and 30 percent fat to give it a flavor as big as the stars that decorate night sky above the burger blessed town of San Antonio. The meat is pressed under a dinner plate, a family tradition that accounts for each burger’s uniformity.
The 7th best burger in America according to GQ magazine
Ingredients are unfailingly fresh as each burger is plucked off the grill at the optimum time with cheese melted to the point that it drapes itself over the beef without any residual oiliness. The Buckhorn Tavern uses only American cheese on their green chile cheeseburger and it drapes the cheese over chopped red onions. The beef is seasoned with granulated garlic, a little touch that imparts a surprising amount of flavor without the sometimes overwhelming pungency of garlic. The flavor combinations will make your mouth sing.
Every ingredient complements the green chile which most burger aficionados say is every bit the equal of the one served at the world-famous Owl Cafe, if not better. As the restaurant’s affable proprietor Bob Olguin put it so succinctly on the Throwdown With Bobby Flay episode, “the green chile cheeseburger should taste like going to heaven or being married to somebody that you love and want to be with the rest of your life. It’s just indescribable.”
In between utterances of appreciation, the Food Network judges actually did describe the burgers very well. Rating the green chile cheeseburgers on three criteria–green chile flavor, authenticity and overall taste–the judges praised the combination of heat and flavor on Olguin’s entry. One judge found the green chile so hot he had to wipe his brow. In the final judge’s tabulation, Olguin’s burger reigned supreme, but the real winner was the Land of Enchantment which Flay praised effusively.
In recognition of Olguin’s victory, Governor Bill Richardson declared Friday July 24, 2009 “Buckhorn Tavern Day.” “Congratulations to the Buckhorn Tavern and its owner Bobby Olguin for the impressive victory over one of the world’s most recognized chefs,” Governor Richardson said. “Through his win,Mr. Olguin did an excellent job of showcasing one of New Mexico’s culinary treasures, the green chile cheeseburger.”
The Rio Grande Special
Manuel “Manny” Olguin relocated the Buckhorn Tavern to its present location in 1943 when, after leaving the service, he took over the family business from his father Miguel who started the family tradition in 1918. Although Manny passed away in 1998, the business retains his name and has been managed by Manny’s son Bob since a few years before his father passed away. Bob, who is burly and brawny enough not to catch any flack for wearing an apron in a manly western town, is a larger than life personality, an effusive and bombastic character who gave his Food Network namesake more than he could hand handle in terms of banter.
The restaurant is replete with eye-catching brickerbrack and haberdashery (okay, they’re just motorcycle tee-shirts), but most male eyes affix on a GQ cover featuring Jessica Simpson pre-Tony Romo in a barely there bikini. Simpson was on the cover of the magazine in which the Tavern was named the 7th best burger in America, so it’s only fitting that her image graces the restaurant’s walls and tables. Several racks (keep it clean, this is a family Web site) also adorn the walls.
Fresh-cut French fries and onion rings are popular accompaniment to the Buckhorn’s burgers. A better way to have the French fries are on a menu item called the Rio Grande Special (pictured above). When delivered to your table you might wonder why you got a salad instead of what you ordered, but push away some of the lettuce and tomato and you’ll find a small mountain of French fries covered in green chile (or red if you prefer) and cheese. It’s a nice starter.
Onion rings and French fries at the Buckhorn Tavern
An excellent alternative is the salsa and chips. The salsa features finely chopped chile, tomato and onion and has a nice bite to it. The chips are thin and lightly salted.
It’s a matter of opinion as to which of San Antonio’s highly touted green chile cheeseburgers is best. Savvy diners will eat one at either the Buckhorn Tavern or the Owl Cafe then cross the street and have the other. To me, these burgers are so evenly matched that it’s not even worth discussing. Both are outstanding! Both are a credit to the great village of San Antonio. Both are on the New Mexico Green Chile Cheeseburger Trail!
In its June, 2010 edition, New Mexico Magazine celebrated New Mexico’s Best Eats, eight of the best dishes served in restaurants throughout the Land of Enchantment. Two versions of each dish–a downhome version and uptown version were selected. The magazine accorded the honor as state’s very best downhome green chile cheeseburger to the Buckhorn Tavern. Whether or not that honor will quell any disputes as to the best in San Antonio remains to be seen.
Manny’s Buckhorn Tavern is open Monday through Friday from 11AM to 7:50PM and on Saturday from 11AM to 3:30PM. Despite these posted hours, I encourage all prospective diners to please call ahead to ensure the restaurant is open.
Manny’s Buckhorn Tavern
68 US Highway 380
San Antonio, NM
(575) 835-4423
Web Site
LATEST VISIT: 13 February 2009
# OF VISITS: 3
RATING: 23
COST: $ – $$
BEST BET: Buckhorn Burger, Salsa and Chips, French Fries, Onion Rings, Rio Grande Special
Hi, could you give me your hours of operation?……..Thanks
Hi! Are you guys open on Sundays? We are headed from Albuquerque to Las Cruces tomorrow and want to stop in for a burger–My husband has never had one of your most scrumptious burgers and I wanted to take him there!!!
The craving is overwhelming. see you this weekend.
do you sell your green chile to the public like someone who is to far away. i am in california
How nice it was to see a Food Network show that actually featured New Mexicans. It seems that most of their shows feature Brooklyn, or San Jose natives decked out in concho belts, and blue velvet dresses, slickly, sold to them at the square in Santa Fe. All the while they claim to be locals, while mis-pronouncing chile relleno. Is that really what is clogging up Santa Fe these days?
Hey Bobby! Good Job Cuz! Great show! My co-workers were really excited about your show. Hopefully I can drop by soon to visit!
Bob, congratulations on your well-deserved victory opposite Bobby Flay. You are a “MUST”
Bob, congratulations on your well-deserved victory against Bobby Flay. Your BUCKHORN BURGER is a “Must” on my monthly trips to and from Las Cruces from Santa Fe (sometimes both going and coming!). I enjoyed chatting with you recently and regards please to your siblings. Continued great health and great cooking. Gracias, y nos vemos pronto !!
I am new to NM and all it has to offer. After seeing the victory over Bobby Flay this is our next stop
Can’t wait to try that burger!
As a New Mexico expatriot I almost jumped thru the TV screen when I saw the recent Throwdown episode – wonderful!!!
One question – does Buckhorn have a website? Even a photo of the GCCB would be better than what is offered in my current town!
Hey Bobby-
Congrats!!
We are headed to Santa Fe from Las Cruces this weekend (8/7-8/9) and you are on our agenda!!!
Fire up the grill, we are a comin’!!
Alice & Ken
any possibility of a recipe from you? Thanks.
I really want to do a throwdown for an upcoming event I am catering……so I’d like to do the Flay burger and the Buckhorn burger – will you share the recipe?
Having lived in New Mexico for almost my entire life, I am proud to say that I have sampled the fine burgers of both establishments on several occasions. And bravo, Food Network, for bringing them where they belong – into the limelight as the best burgers around.
Congratulations, Bobby!
- a sometime San Antonio resident
There is nothing better than a chili cheese burger from the Buckhorn. I don’t get to San Antonio often, but when a do the Buckhorn is a MUST!!!
Talk about disappointment. After a long weekend spent traveling with my son to Carlsbad Caverns, Roswell and White Sands/Alamogordo the main thing we were looking forward to was stopping and trying a Buckhorn burger on our way back to Albuquerque. Much to our disappointment it was closed. We got to San Antonio at 3:15 and the sign on the door said closed from 3:00-4:30 pm! God love locally owned restaurants they are one of the only places worth actually going out for a meal, but this is one of the things you contend with. I played it safe and called the day before to make sure they would be open the next day and was told yes they would. Thank goodness we had an option across the street to satisfy our craving for a GCCB. Well I guess we will have to plan a trip that way another time soon. Can’t wait to compare to Bobcat Bite.
Please post the Buckhorn’s hours.
I’ve know about the Owl for years. And only recently heard about the Buckhorn.
Unfortunately, the Buckhorn has never been open when I’ve been passing through the area.
Sooner or later, I will get to try the Buckhorn Burger.
Called the Buckhorn Tavern on Wednesday and inquired if they were open for lunch on Saturdays or Sundays. “Sure, we’re open everyday” was the response. I drove from Albuquerque to San Antonio this past weekend, just to have one of their burgers. When I arrived there was a sign on the door saying they were closed and would be all weekend. In honor of Columbus? Too famous to have to work on holiday weekends anymore? Whatever.
Save your effort for something worthy of that effort. Head down the road to the Pie-O-Neer Cafe in Pietown and have something really special! You WILL NOT be disappointed!!
I lived in Las Cruces while attending college there and fondly remember the wonderful green chile burgers I lived on. This brings back memories that force me to find this restaurant and relive this wonderful burger once again. My kudos to both chiefs.
Could you give me your hours of operation? We are looking to trip down this evening……..Thanks
I think consistency in work hours would be nice. Buckhorn was closed on my way to Ruidoso after I told the family we would stop in for a burger. It was closed in the middle of the day. On our way back, same thing. I took the family to the Owl Cafe instead. I live in Albuquerque and do not want to drive over an hour for a maybe they will be open. I was very disappointed in having watched “throwdown” I was kind of excited to eat there. Not telling them how to run their business, but I wouldn’t do that to my customers.
We live in Alto,NM and have never driven by the restaurant when it was open. We are having guests this weekend from Dallas. We will be at the Crane Festival Saturday morning and hope to at the Buckhorn when you open at 11am on Saturday. We are all foodies and are looking forward to the best burger.
I am dying to have one of your cheeseburgers but my husband is a vegetarian/healthfood freak. What do you have on your menu that he could eat? Please help! I really want to check you out!
The Socorro Chamber of Commerce confirms that the Buckhorn Tavern does have vegetarian options. Those will be listed on their Web site for the Buckhorn Tavern: http://www.socorro-nm.com/buckhorn.htm. Look for it soon.
How about posting your hours? Is anybody reading this blog? Yoohoo? I’ll be driving through San Antonio next month and would love to eat the green chile burger. Please post your hours.
Please read the last paragraph in this review for the Buckhorn Tavern’s hours of operation.
Gil
I was just there today. The waiting was incredible, even though there was not a lot of people in the restaurant, from the time I order to the time they serve me an hour went by, I almost lost my appetite. The green chile burger was ok, but not really worth the wait. If you are in a hurry, I’ll recommend go across the street to the Owl Bar.
Hello, we are on the road and would like to try your chili burger. We’re coming from Texas on the 30th or 31st of December. What are your hours? Are you open on New Year’s Eve? Please let us know soon! Can’t find your hours or holiday schedule anywhere on your website.
Can’t wait to try your luscious chili burger . . . .
Maria
Hello Maria
The Buckhorn Tavern’s Web site (http://www.socorro-nm.com/buckhorn.htm) does not currently list the restaurant’s hours of operation which are Monday through Friday from 11AM to 8PM. As with the Owl Cafe, I recommend you call ahead to make sure the restaurant will be open when you travel through. You can contact them at (575) 835-4423.
Gil
I LOVE THE BUCKHORN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! its the best food anyone can ever have….home made, hand cooked,the delicious green chili!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!we miss you bobby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! have fun keep up the good work and see u this summer..im bringing guests!
Please send me your recipe for your Chili. I wan to make the burgers tomorrow. Thanks!
Crystal
Congrats Bobby & Debbie!!!! My family has been visiting the Buckhorn since Bobby’s father ran it! It is welcoming, fun, and has an personality all it’s own : )………Not to mention that the food is outstanding! I love BUCKHORN GREEN CHILE BURGERS!!! I highly recommend it!!!! We have taken many out of town guest’s to sample the best green chile burger in NM and we/they have never been dissapointed! Congrats again on your success!
We had the opportunity to go to the Buckhorn when we were in New Mexico visiting my parents. I was never one for mushy green food, but I swear to all that is holy this green chile cheeseburger is THE food that made me start eating it again. Now I eat guacamole and everything!
I like the fact that he passes the green chiles on the flattop so they get a little drier than they would otherwise be. DEEEEEELICIOUS!!