10 Mexican Restaurants In Arizona Serving Green Chile The Right Way
Green chile is a cornerstone of authentic Southwest Mexican cuisine, with Arizona restaurants putting their own special spin on this fiery favorite.
Whether stuffed in burritos, smothered on enchiladas, or simmered into stew, these spots know how to balance heat and flavor.
Here are 10 places that truly understand the art of green chile preparation.
1. Green Chile Love (Phoenix)
Family-owned since 1997, this Phoenix gem roasts their Hatch chiles on-site daily. The aroma hits you before you even open the door!
Their signature Green Chile Pork Stew simmers for eight hours, creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience that locals line up for. The owners make yearly pilgrimages to New Mexico to select their chiles personally.
2. Hatch-It: Green Chile Burgers & Tacos (Phoenix)
What started as a food truck now draws crowds to its brick-and-mortar location. The secret? Fresh-roasted Hatch chiles shipped overnight from New Mexico during harvest season.
Their Green Chile Cheeseburger combines ground chuck with diced chiles mixed right into the patty.
For chile purists, the Green Chile Plate offers three preparation styles side-by-side – roasted whole, chopped stew, and creamy sauce.
3. Los Dos Molinos (Multiple AZ Locations)
Not for the faint of heart! This Arizona institution refuses to tone down their heat levels for tourists. The green chile recipes come straight from the owner’s grandmother in New Mexico.
Their Adovada Ribs marinated in green chile sauce fall off the bone. Come prepared with plenty of water – they don’t mess around with their spice!
4. Tee Pee Mexican Food (Phoenix)
A Phoenix landmark since 1958, where old-school charm meets chile perfection. Former President Bush and Alice Cooper count among their loyal fans.
Green chile is incorporated throughout their menu, but the Green Chile Burro steals the show.
Tender pork shoulder braised in green chile sauce until fork-tender, then wrapped in a flour tortilla and smothered with more sauce. Pure comfort food with a kick!
5. Rito’s Mexican Food (Phoenix)
Hidden in a residential neighborhood, this converted house serves green chile magic from a walk-up window. Cash only and worth every penny!
The Green Chile Beef Chimichanga achieves the impossible – a perfectly crispy exterior that somehow stays crispy even under their famous green chile sauce.
Locals recommend the “enchilada style” option, adding melted cheese on top. Three generations of the same family still work the kitchen.
6. The Original Blue Adobe Grille (Mesa)
Southwestern meets Sonoran at this Mesa hotspot where New Mexican green chile traditions get an Arizona twist. The adobe building itself creates the perfect atmosphere.
Their Green Chile Stew warms souls during rare Arizona cold snaps. Chunks of beef, potatoes, and roasted corn swim in a broth that’s simultaneously smoky, spicy, and slightly sweet.
7. Cien Agaves (Scottsdale)
Upscale without being pretentious, this Scottsdale favorite balances traditional techniques with modern presentation. The bar stocks over 100 tequilas to complement their chile-forward menu.
Green Chile Pork Tacos arrive on housemade blue corn tortillas with two sauces – a mild tomatillo and a fiery roasted chile.
The Green Chile Queso Fundido bubbles in a cast iron skillet, stretching into perfect cheese pulls with each scoop.
8. Blake’s Lotaburger (Tucson)
A New Mexico chain that brought its green chile expertise to Arizona! Blake’s proves fast food can still honor authentic chile traditions.
The Double Green Chile Lotaburger delivers exactly what chile-heads crave – a perfect meat-to-chile ratio with enough heat to make you notice without overwhelming.
Order it with chile on both top and bottom for maximum flavor. Their breakfast menu features Green Chile Hash Browns that’ll ruin regular hash browns for you forever.
9. Sol Azteca Mexican Kitchen (Phoenix)
Chef-owned and obsessively authentic, Sol Azteca roasts three different chile varieties each morning. The small dining room fills quickly, so arrive early!
Green Chile Enchiladas feature hand-rolled tortillas stuffed with queso fresco and onions, then bathed in a complex sauce that takes two days to prepare.
The Chile Tasting Flight offers small portions of their three signature preparations – relleno, stew, and enchilada – perfect for first-timers wanting to experience the range of green chile possibilities.
10. Arriba Mexican Grill (Glendale & Phoenix)
Bustling and family-friendly, Arriba’s chile-roasting station at the restaurant entrance sets the tone immediately. Kids love watching the chiles tumble in the roaster!
The Green Chile Sampler Platter offers the perfect introduction – mini versions of their greatest hits. Don’t miss the Green Chile Tamales made fresh daily by the owner’s mother.
For the ultimate experience, try the Green Chile Fry Bread Taco, an Arizona-specific fusion that combines Native American fry bread with New Mexican chile traditions.
