Chuy’s Green Chile Festival is underway and runs now through September 6! This spicy tradition makes the green chile a star for a few short weeks. Now in its 27th year, this annual food festival celebrates the green chile harvest in Hatch, New Mexico with a special menu offered for a limited period. This year’s menu features six new dishes including Green Chile Pork Tamales, Bacon Wrapped Pork Rellenos and Veggie Fajitas (which were amazing).
Chuy’s love for the green chile dates back to 1989 when their founders traveled to the “Chile Capital of the World” in search of the perfect pepper to complement their authentic Tex-Mex. The arid climate and rich soil of the Hatch Valley in New Mexico are uniquely suited to grow this legendary pepper.
Chuy’s was kind enough to invite us in this week for some spicy goodness. This was our first trip to Chuy’s and we really didn’t know what to expect beyond the Yelp reviews. We are spicy and Mexican food obsessed at Spork, so we always jump at the opportunity to try authentic dishes.
We were uber impressed with the service and care from the waitstaff. The funky and bizarre interiors bring the restaurant to life and help to shape the overall experience perfectly. The personality of the restaurant is exemplified through the cheerful servers and managers, and we so enjoyed our first dining experience at Chuy’s.
Here’s what we tasted during the Green Chile Festival, don’t miss out on these hot dishes!
Veggie Fajitas: Take every notion you have about vegetables and throw them away because this platter was scrumptious. Filled with zucchini, yellow squash, red bell, Anaheim and Serrano peppers, onions and crimini mushrooms – after one bite you’ll totally forget about meat. The dish is also served with handmade flour tortillas and a myriad of toppings. We opted to add a marinated portobello mushroom and grilled baby shrimp for some extra goodness. Don’t let the veggies scare you away, this dish was the perfect way to experience the Green Chile Festival.
VIP Combo: Prepare yourself for a Bacon Wrapped Pork Relleno topped with Salsa Brava all drizzled with spicy crema and one Fat Daddy Enchilada with Green Chile Rosado Sauce and fresh roasted green chiles. It’s a spicy trip down Chile Lane. Plus this dish further proves that bacon goes with absolutely everything.
Bang Bang Burrito: A flour tortilla stuffed with sliced fajita beef, grilled peppers and onions and jack cheese, topped with spicy Salsa Frita and caramelized veggies. If you’re adverse to spiciness, Chuy’s can always take the spice down a bit if you prefer. As you can see, this plate was one giant mix of cheesy, spicy goodness.
