Get your fill of Hatch Green Chiles available all over Denver!
It’s that time of year again. Take a drive down Parker Road – or any road in the Denver metro area, for that matter – and you’ll see the tents set up on the side of the road.
No, they’re not selling fireworks. You’re a few weeks late for that.
They’re selling Hatch peppers!
Whether you’re looking for freshly picked or fire-roasted peppers, and want to buy them by the pound or by the bushel. There is really no better time than now to whip out the cookbook and start making your own spicy delicacies. There is especially no dish more stereotypically “Colorado” than pork green chile.
But that got us thinking… What about all the culinarily-challenged who are craving some of that Hatch spice? Where can you go in the Parker area to get some of the best green chile/chili?
Well, we took the bullet and sampled many of the offerings in the area and came up with our Top 3 green chile offerings in Parker!
#1 - FuNuGyz [caption id="attachment_1055" align="aligncenter" width="455"]
FuNuGyz Smothered Burrito[/caption]
Definitely not what you’d expect for a go-to green chile spot in the Parker area, but FuNuGyz certainly doesn’t disappoint.
First of all, they make their chile available in three different temperatures: mild, medium, and hot. Definitely go with the mild, especially if you have small children with you.
Secondly, you can get the green chile as a stand-alone dish, either as a cup or a bowl, and can also buy to-go by the pint. This can be a meal of its own, but what really sets FuNuGyz apart is the fact that they incorporate their green chile into many of their dishes and appetizers.
Still recovering from a night of partying? The Hangover Helper Skillet does exactly what the name suggests. Two eggs piled on a bed of hashbrowns with onions, cheese, and tomatoes, smothered with their green chile.
[caption id="attachment_1052" align="aligncenter" width="450"]
FuNuGyz Nacho Platter[/caption]
Their burritos, chimichangas, and rellenos come smothered with their green chile as well, which can add a real kick if you go with the hot chile. Their Chili Cheese Fries, while an appetizer, could easily be a meal on its own and their piled-high nacho platter also comes smothered in green chile.
2 - Parker Garage
Here’s another surprise establishment that we didn’t necessarily expect to make the Top 3. Parker Garage certainly doesn’t present itself as a green chile place, but the way they incorporate their Pueblo Green Chili into their different dishes earned them a spot on our list.
Taking a play out of FuNuGyz’s playbook, the Parker Garage incorporates their Pueblo Green Chili into their breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus.
Their Classic Breakfast Burrito will fill you up. Scrambled eggs, potatoes, sausage, cheddar cheese, and a healthy serving of green chili make this dish not only filling, but tremendously satisfying.
For lunch, the Southern Colorado Poutine really hits the spot. A bowl of French fries, topped with white cheddar cheese curds, and smothered in green chile. There is definitely enough to share. But once you take a bite, you won’t want to. Honestly, you may want to order more than one for the table…
For dinner, the New York Strip does an excellent job of incorporating the green chile flavor profile subtly and tastefully. The steak is served with a green chile compound butter, which adds a lot to the dish without being in your face.
- Ele’s Sooo Good Green Chile
Ok, this is kind of cheating because Ele’s Sooo Good Chile isn’t technically a restaurant. But it is sooo good that we had to include it.
A staple at local area farmers markets – including the Parker Farmers Market. It is hard to believe they’ve only been around for a year. Sold by the pint in mild and hot varieties, Ele’s Sooo Good Green Chile is probably the best locally-made green chile in the marketplace.
Ele’s Sooo Good Green Chile is now a staple in our household and it seems like every meal ends up getting smothered in it. Here’s a pro-tip: the early bird gets the chile. They usually sell out of their jars before the end of the day. So get down to the Parker Farmers Market early in the morning and stock up!
Honorable Mentions: The Breakfast Places
Stonegate Café: Try the Huevos Rancheros smothered in green chile or the Mexican Hamburger. Rory’s Diner: The Breakfast Burrito, smothered in green chile, is to die for. Great Beginnings Café: Their bowl of green chile is called “Kevin’s Heaven” and they’re not lying. Dive into the “Juan and Only” for an excellent Mexican-style breakfast option. So, what did we miss? Leave a comment below and tell us your favorite green chili spot in the Parker area and we’ll head on down to see how it stacks up!