Quite Possibly the Best Green Chile Cheese Burgers
I grew up in about 2 hours from the Owl Bar. I have since moved to New York, and honestly dream about their green chile cheeseburgers. They are not big, don't expect Fuddruckerian proportions, a small person can order two burgers. Everything is a la carte, so if you want fries order them. If you have the opportunity it is about 15 miles south of Socorro NM and right off the exit on I-25. 4 stars, two thumbs up, if you love hamburgers, it is a great place to go.    [30 Jan 2002 17:16:45]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: Green Chile Cheeseburger

     ­V. Smith   

Over Rated
Overall, I would say that this establishment is over-rated; however, it does possess some unique qualities. The staff is very friendly and the establishment very clean! The interior is very homey, the menu extremely limited (steaks are available), and the price is high for what you get. The burgers are delicious, but small. It was hard to find or taste the green chile in the burger I ordered. I was advised to order at least a double meat burger because the patties are small, I did, and it was an adequate amount of food. I did not like the fact that the server brings the french-fries to the table before the hamburgers are served. Everyone had finished their fries before the burgers were brought to our table. This restaurant was packed full of patrons; however, the service was very fast and somewhat efficient. One unique item you will find here is people sign dollar bills for which the cafe posts on their walls throughout. At some point, the owners take the money and donate it to charity. There are also several pictures of "Stars" posted on the walls throughout the establishment. I don't see what the hype is over this "famous" place, but it was fun and not too bad. For a family of five it costs us $29.00 not including the tip for burgers, fries, drinks, and two beers.    [29 Dec 2002 11:29:42]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: Hamburger

     ­J. Le Noir   

Owl - OverRated
Over rated to the maximum for what it is!    [04 Sep 2003 23:20:13]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: Green Chile Cheese Burger

     ­Anonymous   

Resting on its laurels
The Owl used to be good. That's why it's famous. The guy who made it famous is no longer there. Sad to say, I had both the worst burger and the worst banquet food of my life at the Owl within the past year. Written 11/03.    [17 Nov 2003 19:55:29]

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Recommended Dishes: burger across the street

     ­Anonymous   

Very enjoyable place to eat
We stop at the Owl Bar everytime we go to Socorro, New Mexico. The atmosphere is unique and the food is always very tasty. Service is fast and friendly.    [30 Dec 2003 20:21:18]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: Green Chili Burger

     ­william eaton jackson    

Living on old reputation
I swear it has declined over time. Not that it's bad, but for a buck more Mannie's Buckhorn (a stone's throw to the southwest) gets you a memorable green chile cheeseburger, much larger and higher quality ingredients.    [26 Jun 2005 23:57:56]

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Recommended Dishes: green chile cheeseburger

     ­NM_Bill   

AIN'T WHAT IT USED TO BE!!!!!!!!!!
Have eaten at the Owl Bar & Grill, while traveling through the area, over the last twenty-odd years. My first taste of the famous green chile cheeseburger was when I lived in Socorro, NM, in the late 70's. Back then, you needed to hold the burgers with both hands. You could also actually taste the green chile. The ambiance has remained unchanged, the restrooms are exactly the same size...you have to go back into the hallway to change your mind. The service has also continued to be fast and friendly. Serving the fries and drink first, is to keep you entertained during the long wait for your burger. Every time we've stopped by, it's been packed with patrons. It's a Bosque del Apaches Refuge bird watcher haven. Locals from Socorro only visit for bragging rights and to "remember the good ole days", maybe thats why we still stop by. The Owl is Bar is closed on Sunday. Worth stopping in just to say you've been there, and buy a tee-shirt as proof. There is also an Owl Bar & Grill in Albuquerque.    [14 Jul 2005 12:59:15]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: Double Green Chile Cheeseburger w/extra Green Chile!

     ­J. Danner, City of The Crosses, NM   

A piece of history...not just food!
In this part of the country you don't
get too parsnickity about the cookin'.
Rumor has it that the scientists from
White Sands used to come here during
the a-bomb days. I don't know for sure. Quaint, down home, and definitely not "franchise". This is a local place with local cultural ambiance and a laid back feel. Set your expectations accordingly and you won't be disappointed.    [19 Sep 2005 23:58:27]

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Recommended Dishes: green chile burger

     ­Charlie T., Silicon Laboratories   

Highly Overrated !
Heard about the Famous Owe Bar for a long time, Had to try it out; well, the famous green chile burger was very small, hardly had green chile in it, and very greasy. The fries must have been in the same grease for days, price was very high. Left there still hungry, so stopped by Lota Burger and got a big burger with green chile and fries; it was very good and the price was cheaper than the Owl Bar & Cafe. Sorry, but this place is highly overrated !    [25 Oct 2007 01:15:53]

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Recommended Dishes: Creen Chile Burger, just to prove my point !

     ­Anonymous   

Overrated is an Understatement!
On our way to Albuquerque this past Saturday, my husband and I decided to stop at the Owl Bar Cafe and Steakhouse to grab some of their “World Famous Green Chile Cheeseburgers.” The place had been highly recommended by friends who normally have pretty good taste and are totally unpretentious.

At first we thought we were at the wrong place because for such a highly reputable restaurant at 1:00 p.m. the only folks there were what it looked like a local couple sitting in a very dark bar/restaurant, mostly drinking. There were, seriously, five waitresses just standing around and not very friendly. After one of them finally came up and informed us to sit anywhere, we did. Before she came up to us, we discussed leaving, but buckled under the pressure.

We were not offered menus, but there was one nailed to the wall next to our booth, which my husband never noticed. When our waitress came, my husband I ordered each a green chile cheeseburger, a glass of water, and for crazy me, a Diet Coke! After some consideration, we added an order of onion rings for sharing. She brought the water and my Diet Coke in a can, so no free refills to be had.

About 5 minutes later, she brought the burgers. I thought for sure she had made a very serious mistake with our order. Each burger was served on a plastic dish the size used to serve a small roll in a school cafeteria lunch line. This presentation however did not really make the burgers look any bigger. Then the onion rings came out; there might have been 6 onion rings in the paper boat, could have been less, it was dark. I have to say, the burger tasted good, not great; the cheese on the burger was super cold, not melted at all; it’s a pet peeve of mine. What they lacked in size, they made up in price. My husband and I kept fighting for the last onion ring, very sad. Anyhow, it took a while to get our check. When it came, the bill for the two of us was about $15.00. My husband was surprised since he had not seen the prices on the wall because of the bad lighting.

Needless to say we will not be going back. We just could not understand how this place got its reputation, but from reading some of the online reviews, it appears that at one time it was truly good. We felt like we were taken advantage of. Always go with your first impression. If a place is empty during lunchtime and the wait staff looks and acts like they rather be undergoing a root canal, walk away, really, really fast.

Happily, not all was lost this past weekend. Sunday evening, on the way back to El Paso, we stopped at the McD's in Truth and Consequences for their Hatch double chile cheeseburgers. They are only $1.00 and pretty good; they'd be better with lettuce and tomatoes though, but their chile is far superior to the Owl's    [20 May 2008 02:21:14]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: I be lying if I recommended the Green Chile Cheeseburgers

     ­Lulu, El Paso, Texas