In New Mexico, Hatch chiles are a way of life. Grown in the Hatch Valley, this beloved pepper has made its way into every conceivable regional dish. In Albuquerque, when your server asks "Red or green?" this refers to the kind of chile you'd like served over enchiladas, chile rellenos or other New Mexican fare. When in doubt, you can always answer "xmas" and you get bothǃ Picked at peak ripeness or just before, the chiles’ flavors complement each other and make for vibrant and versatile dishes. “We ate it in hamburgers, stews, burritos, and everything,” explains Miki. “Roasted Hatch chiles have wonderfully spicy, smoky flavor that you just can’t get elsewhere.”
"The breakfast torta at Bang Bang Kitchen features a blend of Oaxaca and Cougar Gold cheese, which feels symbolic of the happy union of New Mexican cuisine and local ingredients that defines this Othello homage to Hatch chiles. If you haven’t heard of Bang Bang Kitchen, or its Belltown progenitor, Bang Bang Cafe, your vegan friend probably has; the vegan mac and cheese, featured on the brunch menu, is one of the best in the city." - Sophie Grossman, Eater Staff
"Just steps away from the Othello Light Rail station sits this relaxed New Mexican restaurant where you can get a breakfast burrito as big as your head. Hatch chiles give a welcome kick to the rich red-and-green sauce that dresses said burritos, filled to the bursting point with tender potatoes, eggs, beans, and smoky Uli’s chicken sausage. You can order one up in the bright dining room decorated with retro mid-century chandeliers, or pair one with a mimosa tasting flight while chilling outside, and pat yourself on the back for not waiting three hours for eggs on Capitol Hill." - kayla sager riley, gabe guarente, aimee rizzo
"Just steps away from the Othello Light Rail station sits this relaxed New Mexican restaurant that’s perfect for an impromptu get-together with friends. Hatch chiles find their way into pretty much everything, including the potent Bloody Marys, available as a red and green chili “Xmas” pairing. If spice isn’t your thing, go ahead and order a flight of mimosas for the table or a refreshing green tea-infused margarita as you lounge in a roomy booth or on the patio, get one of the restaurant’s ridiculously plump breakfast burritos, and let the day breeze on by." - kayla sager riley, aimee rizzo, gabe guarente
"Weekend brunch without all the hassle? This cozy spot tucked into a corner of Othello delivers excellent New Mexico-inspired cuisine, from breakfast burritos to huevos rancheros with red and green hatch chile. And if there isn’t street parking, a good backup plan is pull into the indoor garage right next door, which has spaces reserved for the area’s retail (free for the first hour)." - Gabe Guarente
"Just steps away from the Othello Light Rail station sits this relaxed New Mexican restaurant that's a solid option for a boozy brunch or breakfast burrito as big as your head. You'll hear groups of friends chattering away in the bright dining room decorated with retro mid-century chandeliers, and there's an outside seating area where you can easily get a table. Hatch chiles find their way into pretty much everything, including the rich sauce on those aforementioned burritos plumped up with potatoes, eggs, beans, and chicken sausage. If you don't like chiles or brunch food, you may be out of luck, since other dishes like the dry cornbread pancakes are disappointing and the dinner menu is slim. But you can always just order refreshing mimosa flights with friends on a Sunday, lounge in a booth, and pat yourself on the back for not waiting three hours for eggs in busier parts of town." - Gabe Guarente