McGee: Best green chile cheeseburger hunt ends up back home

The time had come to return home from our mini-vacation in northern New Mexico. We were energized and restored. We had feasted on local cuisine, even going out of our way to Mora to enjoy "the best steak tacos in the world," according to the Lady of the House.

"Let's see what's going on back in Roy," she said.

If you recall, on our way north we stopped in Roy in Harding County looking for, "the world's greatest green chile cheeseburger," according toThe Lady of the House.

The town's lone restaurant was closed that day, it was closed this day too.

We moseyed over to a little store across the street.

We met a guy named Bob. We asked about the times of the restaurant.

"I guess we just open and close our doors around here whenever the need hits," he said. "I think there's a sickness in the family."

"Oh," we said sympathetically.

The Lady of the House told him about the best green chile cheeseburger she ever had, right there in Roy, New Mexico, in a café,

"Under that hotel," she said, pointing down the street.

"What hotel?" asked Bob.

She stepped outside and looked, "The building down the street with the sign with the big letters spelling 'HOTEL'. The restaurant was in the basement."

"Oh," said Bob. "You're talking about Martha's, it was over in the basement of the old hotel up the street."

The Lady of the House rolled her eyes at me.

"Didn't I just say that?" she mouthed silently.

"Yep, she made the best Mexican food anywhere as far as I'm concerned," said Bob. "She closed up a while back."

So it was time to leave Roy; we'd have a green chile cheeseburger when we got home.

After all, I've sampled them far and wide and the best green chile cheeseburger is right here on the High Plains.

Grant McGee is a long-time broadcaster and former truck driver who rides bicycles and likes to talk about his many adventures on the road of life.

Contact him at: [email protected]