This Underdog Burger Chain Is A New Mexico Staple (It Was Even Featured On Breaking Bad) - Tasting Table

"Blake's Lotaburger is everything you love about fast food, but with a touch of Southwestern flair. The company is devoted to sourcing the freshest ingredients possible, turning to native New Mexicans for products whenever possible. It's a quality that's kept customers coming back for over 70 years, and one that may soon reach customers in new states, as Blake's has tentative plans to expand."

"In 1952, World War II Navy veteran Blake Chanslor opened the first Blake's Lotaburger with a simple menu of the Lotaburger, a smaller version named the 'Itsaburger,' bags of potato chips, and a vending machine for sodas. Before long, Chanslor noticed that his customers often smuggled in their own green chile peppers for their burgers, so he decided to oblige them by adding them as an official ingredient."

"Blake's is so well-known in New Mexico that it was regularly featured on the hit show 'Breaking Bad,' which takes place in Albuquerque, aka Blake's Lotaburger's hometown. This underdog food chain has such a cult following that fans easily spotted the red pinstriped paper bags in several episodes of the show."

Blake's Lotaburger is a regional fast-food chain founded in 1952 by Navy veteran Blake Chanslor in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The chain operates over 70 locations across New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas, known for incorporating Southwestern flair and sourcing fresh, locally-sourced ingredients from native New Mexicans. The signature LOTA Burger New Mexico Style features green chile peppers, which became an official menu item after Chanslor observed customers bringing their own peppers. The chain gained widespread recognition through appearances on the television series Breaking Bad, developing a devoted cult following. Blake's maintains its commitment to quality ingredients and regional authenticity while planning tentative expansion into new states.

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