Dave’s Burgers

Best burgers on the pueblo.

October 15, 2011

Dave and Vangie's Place

Dave’s Burgers is housed in a small, unassuming structure on NM Rte 4 near the developed part of the Jemez Pueblo. Dave Tafoya and his wife, Vangie, put out some plenty good grub. You should stop here for a bite on your way down the road to Jemez Springs. The drive from Rte 550 through the Jemez Valley in spectacular, especially in October whey the river cottonwoods along the Jemez River wear their golden colors that contrast with the red rock formations and outcroppings. This is one of the most beautiful valleys in Northern New Mexico any time of the year. Hike the trails. Hunt. Take in the history. Dream.

Pueblo Burger

Burgers, enchiladas, Frito pies, and lots more. I asked Vangie what was her favorite burger, and she suggested the tortilla burger and the Pueblo burger. The latter is a burger with whatever trimmings you want stuffed between two 5-in rounds of fry bread. I had mine with just green chile. Good choice.

The burger patty is nothing out of the ordinary — preformed frozen parry. But the green chile is spectacular. Vangie grows the chiles herself, roasts them perfectly, and chops then medium coarse. Great smoky taste, and about 8 of 10 on my unofficial piquancy scale.

Mm, mm, good

But the real star here is the fry bread. Sure, you have had things on fry bread before and have often been disappointed in the greasy , or soggy, or overly crisp texture that you get at state and county fairs. What makes Vangie’s so special is that the fry bread is perfect. Wonderful sweet taste, not oily or greasy, and neither soggy nor too crisp. My friend Helen Thin Elk would love this fry bread. Perfect. The overall combination is as close to perfect as I could hope for.

I’ll probably eat more of them each time I visit the Pueblo or Jemez Springs. Or maybe I’ll make a special trip for another of these gems.

I need to ask Vangie if she will make me a Jemez Enchilada. My friend Kathleen Wall assures me that they, too, are perfect.