ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The New Mexico State Fair has announced the competitors for two of its most anticipated annual food competitions: the Unique Foods Contest and the Green Chile Cheeseburger Challenge.
The competition takes place at noon on opening day, Sept. 10, at the Chevron Pavilion and features some of the fair’s most creative culinary offerings.
This year’s entries include:
Blue Taki Pickle Pizza
Coca-Cola Sweet and Spicy Chicken Wings
Ice Cream Nachos
Mac and Cheese Churro Bowl
Birria Hot Cheeto Bombs
Churro Corn Dog
Hot Honey Cheeto Sweet Corn
Fresh Masa Al Pastor Deep Fried Quesadilla
Fair officials say every food entered in the competition will be available for purchase during the run of the fair.
The Original Green Chile Cheeseburger Challenge is scheduled for Sept. 14 at noon on Main Street.
The eight restaurants competing this year are:
Fuego 505 – Albuquerque
Effingbar – Albuquerque
Sparky’s – Hatch
Stackers Burger Company – Albuquerque
Badlands Burgers & Brews – Aztec
Fat Sats – Belen
La Villa Burgers and Boba – Santa Rosa
Smash and Shake – Albuquerque
Restaurants will compete for both the judges’ award and the People’s Choice Award.
Fair organizers say only 100 People’s Choice ballots will be available. Attendees hoping to become judges must win a special ballot through a scratcher giveaway administered before the competition.
The 2026 New Mexico State Fair runs from September 10 through September 20 and will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Route 66.
Dining and Cooking