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Buckhorn Tavern

68 US-380, San Antonio, NM - (575) 835-4423
Posted By Cliff Strutz on 10/3/2009 5:30:00 PM
The 700 or so citizens of San Antonio, New Mexico just might be the luckiest people in the entire Southwest. They have not one, but two, excellent sources for green chile cheeseburgers in town. The Owl Bar is already famous for their green chile cheeseburgers and they are undeniably delicious. But the Buckhorn Tavern, across the street and a quarter mile closer to I-25, doesn't need to take a backseat to its more celebrated neighbor.

The Buckhorn Burger (what they call their green chile cheeseburger) is above average in size and delivered from the kitchen cut in half for easier handling. To us, the chile used here is milder in heat from the version at Owl Bar, but has a stronger, sharper chile flavor. The meat is lean, but still has the necessary big, beefy taste. A small amount of American cheese and onions mix well with the chile on top of the burger, while layers of tomatoes, lettuce, pickles, and mustard separate the meat from the bottom bun. Messy, yes, and it all combines into a memorable burger.

The rest of the menu is filled with the usual bar food or Mexican choices and they even offer homemade pie. Unfortunately, the burger filled us up and those will have to wait until our next visit.

Bob Olguin runs the Buckhorn Tavern, built in 1943 by his father Manny. Bob is a big, friendly bear of a man, who happily spent a half hour discussing green chile cheeseburgers with a couple of strangers. Eating here was an all-around great Roadfood experience!

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4 - Overall: One of the Best - Worth a Trip
Overall: One of the Best - Worth a Trip
Buckhorn Burger
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If you haven't eaten chile in New Mexico, you might not understand just how good a green chile cheeseburger can be. Unlike the limp, bland chilies that come out of a can, the chilies on this burger fairly glow with sunshiny vegetable flavor. In concert with beef, cheese and condiments, it's a taste of Roadfood heaven.
"If you haven't eaten chile in New Mexico, you might not understand just how good a green chile cheeseburger can be. Unlike the limp, bland chilies that come out of a can, the chilies on this burger fairly glow with sunshiny vegetable flavor. In concert with beef, cheese and condiments, it's a taste of Roadfood heaven."
Michael Stern





The inside is dark and cool, with a great old-time bar atmosphere.  That is owner Bob Olguin sitting at the bar.
"The inside is dark and cool, with a great old-time bar atmosphere. That is owner Bob Olguin sitting at the bar."
Cliff Strutz


Due to recent attention by national magazines and television, the Buckhorn Tavern is no longer a local secret.  We were told that people regularly drive from as far as Las Cruces and  Albuquerque to eat here.
"Due to recent attention by national magazines and television, the Buckhorn Tavern is no longer a local secret. We were told that people regularly drive from as far as Las Cruces and Albuquerque to eat here."
Cliff Strutz


This green chile cheeseburger is one of the two reasons why the town of San Antonio is a Roadfood destination.
"This green chile cheeseburger is one of the two reasons why the town of San Antonio is a Roadfood destination."
Cliff Strutz


Here is a view of pretty much all of the commercial district of San Antonio. In the foreground at the right is the Buckhorn. On the other side of the street, towards the back, is the Owl Bar, also a green chile cheeseburger destination.
"Here is a view of pretty much all of the commercial district of San Antonio. In the foreground at the right is the Buckhorn. On the other side of the street, towards the back, is the Owl Bar, also a green chile cheeseburger destination."
Michael Stern


Frito pie, which may or may not have been invented in New Mexico, is a fiesta of different textures and, like the green chile cheeseburger, delivers its deliciousness in kaleidoscopic array.
"Frito pie, which may or may not have been invented in New Mexico, is a fiesta of different textures and, like the green chile cheeseburger, delivers its deliciousness in kaleidoscopic array."
Michael Stern


Chile cheese fries, Christmas style. That means they are topped with both green and red chile. I wish the fries had been cooked crisp.
"Chile cheese fries, Christmas style. That means they are topped with both green and red chile. I wish the fries had been cooked crisp."
Michael Stern


Dining with dollars. The Buckhorn Tavern is one of several worthy Roadfood places around the country that use dollar bills as wallpaper.
"Dining with dollars. The Buckhorn Tavern is one of several worthy Roadfood places around the country that use dollar bills as wallpaper."
Michael Stern


Bobby Olguin is no absentee celebrity chef. He is on hand in person as well as on this sign touting his fame.
"Bobby Olguin is no absentee celebrity chef. He is on hand in person as well as on this sign touting his fame."
Michael Stern



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