It’s a celebration with green chile on top. An iconic New Mexico eatery is celebrating 80 years of business.
The “invention” of the Green Chile Cheeseburger?
The green chile cheeseburger has been served the same way for decades at the Owl Bar and Café in San Antonio, New Mexico. While the origins of its creation may be contested, Janice Baca Argabright claims her grandfather came up with the idea in the 1940s.
“One day the dishwasher didn’t show up to work,” Baca Argabright explained. Her grandfather used to serve the chile on the side of the burger in a separate serving dish.
“He was running out of dishes. So, he said, ‘I’m just going to throw the chile on the meat and put the cheese and build the burger,’” Baca Argabright said. “So that’s how we think we invented the chile cheeseburger.”
Since then, it has become a staple not just for locals, but for travelers passing through town — including secret “prospectors” around 1945. Those “prospectors” were later revealed to be part of the Manhattan Project — passed through town before the detonation of the first atomic bomb.
“The night before the detonation the guys told my great-grandfather to look toward the east,” Baca Argabright said. “All they saw was like a flash of white.”
Since then, The Owl has become a central hub for the town.
Honoring more than the restaurant
The 80th anniversary of the Owl Bar and Café was celebrated not just as a milestone for the restaurant — but as a tribute to the people who made it what it is.
Janice Baca Argabright, had a career as an educator and resisted taking over operations of The Owl from her parents as long as she could.
“So, I held her off like 8 years,” she said, laughing.
Her mother, Rowena Baca, was known for her kindness, work ethic, and influence on The Owl’s legacy.
“Her and my dad are really the ones that built the place up,” she said.
Baca Argabright said her mom really wanted to celebrate the 75th anniversary of The Owl, but the pandemic changed plans.
Five years later, the party is honoring Rowena and the restaurant.
“The years went by too fast,” Baca Argabright said. “So we’re doing it for her.”
Rowena died in February 2023. Her recipe for business remains unchanged.
“Even in business,” Baca Argabright said. “Kindness matters most.”
Despite all the change in the world, The Owl’s has remained the same. Even the hay bales at the 80th anniversary party were meant to be a callback to the parties Baca Argabright remembers from years past.
“We’re kind of like the hub of San Antonio,” said Baca Argabright. “Everybody comes for coffee in the morning and beer in the afternoon.”
The old tile floors still clink with cowboy spurs. The green chile still sizzles on the grill. And gratitude, and green chile, have kept the Owl Bar and Café going for 80 years — and counting.
“Without the community, I don’t think we’d be here,” Baca Argabright said.
