NM triumphs over Bobby Flay

Bobby Olguin, owner of the Buckhorn Tavern in tiny San Antonio, about 85 miles south of Albuquerque beat NY-based Bobby Flay on his Food Network show, "Throwdown with Bobby Flay," Wednesday in a battle for the best green-chile cheeseburger. Take that, NY!

Well, this should be no surprise. NM should always triumph when it comes to green chile anything.

Give that man a cigar!

Would like to see Bobby Olguin produce a chocolate egg cream.

Why?

[Jenise]

I've only seen two episodes of that show, and in both cases (Philly cheesesteak was one, can't recall the other--never saw the episode Robin was on) Bobby won in a way that made me wonder if he'd ever lose unless he just wanted to for the sake of appearing more humble than most of us think he is. His creations are just generally more eye-catching and phantasmagorical than the originals, so likelier to impress. Not to take anything away from New Mexico--I'm glad the hometown won. What went into the burgers besides green chiles?

I'm at the office, so I don't have all the details, but Bobby deseeded the green chile and added some--I think--red wine vinegar and maybe some other stuff. The green chile is laid on top, not incorporated into the meat.

GQ rated the Buckhorn's green chile cheeseburger as #7 in the country. I gotta try it. In fact, I'd like one right now. The only time I tried was on a Sunday once and they were closed.

[Jenise]

The green chile is laid on top, not incorporated into the meat.

Understood. By "in the burger" I meant within the buns, not mixed into the patty itself. New Mexico changed me for life this way--I have never wanted to eat any burger that didn't have green chiles in it ever again. I will, of course, but I always miss the chiles.

[Robin Garr]

I judged the Louisville Hot Browns Throwdown just before Derby 2008, and they must have re-shown that thing a gazillion times since then.

Frankly, until I judged, I simply assumed that the fix was in and the judges were tipped to vote for the hometown guy, but newp! It was a clean win for Louisville's Castro brothers, with no advance knowledge. They even made us stay in a back room throughout the cooking so we couldn't see anything.

I've talked about this a lot with local foodie friends about this since, and my best theory about Bobby losing a lot more than he wins is not that he's a lousy cook but that the dish is invariably a regional favorite. Bobby gives it a unique spin; the local chefs make it the traditional way, and that's what the local judges expect.

Bobby was not at all a jerk during this taping, by the way (in contrast with Eden Blum's great "audition" story on the old FLDG). In fact, I was surprised by how small he is, and by how quiet and shy he seems .. until the red camera light goes on, and he snaps alive.

I've only seen two episodes of that show, and in both cases (Philly cheesesteak was one, can't recall the other--never saw the episode Robin was on) Bobby won in a way that made me wonder if he'd ever lose unless he just wanted to for the sake of appearing more humble than most of us think he is

I've only seen two episodes of that show, and in both cases (Philly cheesesteak was one, can't recall the other--never saw the episode Robin was on) Bobby won in a way that made me wonder if he'd ever lose .....

I have seen maybe a half dozen episodes and never saw Bobby win! Really, even if he is a consummate chef, the deck is stacked against him. The opponent has home field advantage. Often, the item being prepared has been made for decades with fine-tuning over time; Bobby has some advance notice but it never seems like much. I am impressed that he even comes close on some of these.

Our governor has declared that the NM State Fair will now have a commercial green-chile contest. And he's driving down to San Antonio tonight to chow down on the winning burger. I wish I could go with him.

Saw two episodes of Throwdown on Sunday night.....San Diego for fish tacos and San Antonio for puffy tacos. Bobby lost both.

Saw two episodes of Throwdown on Sunday night.....San Diego for fish tacos and San Antonio for puffy tacos. Bobby lost both.

He also lost out to Buffalo's Anchor Bar in the chicken wing contest.