When driving along a desolate highway in Embudo, New Mexico, you might be tempted to pass by this unassuming BBQ and burger shack, but that would be a grave mistake. This humble little drive-in might not look like much, but it's home to an incredible green chile cheeseburger, as well as top-ranked BBQ. This quaint eatery is not to be missed, as it comes from humble beginnings and has held strong ever since.
Welcome to Sugar's BBQ!
This humble drive-in on NM-68 in the small unincorporated town of Embudo is easy to pass by, but you'd be missing out if you did. This small restaurant has picnic tables outside to dine at and enjoy the view of the mountains.
Sugar's landed a spot on Gourmet Magazine's top 10 list of best drive-in's in America, and it's not hard to see why.
In 2010, the burger half of this establishment also made it onto the Green Chile Cheeseburger Trail. From mouthwatering burgers, to delicious pulled pork, all at an unassuming walk-up window, Sugar's is a wholesome eatery with some seriously good eats.
This little BBQ and burger joint started from humble beginnings, and has been going strong ever since.
Sugar's BBQ has been in business for over 22 years. Owners Nancy and Neil Nobles are two modest people, and despite Sugar's gaining national recognition throughout the years, have remained humble. This unassuming spot was named after their beloved bulldog Sugar, who passed in 2004 and rests just west of the restaurant in her favorite spot.
There's so much delicious food to choose from at Sugar's. Thankfully, you can get a combo plate.
On Saturday's and Sunday's, you can taste three of Sugar's most popular BBQ dishes: brisket, ribs, and sausage. These delicious meats are doused in their homemade BBQ sauce (unless you ask them not to) and are served with Texas toast, coleslaw, and two sides.
Another favorite meal at Sugar's is the brisket burrito. This burrito is filled with their famous, tender brisket, green chiles, and cheddar cheese. This New Mexican favorite is a must-try. If you're not in the mood for BBQ at all, Sugar's also has a fish sandwich, a veggie burger, and Dino chicken nuggets.
Let's not forget their magnificent green chile cheeseburger: the Sugar Burger.
We all love BBQ, but the real star of Sugar's is their Sugar Burger. This made to order patty is topped with mushrooms, onions, bacon, pickles, tomato, mayo, cheese, and of course, green chile! This monster of a burger is satisfying, and it's not hard to see why it's a staple on the Green Chile Cheeseburger Trail. If you're feeling adventurous, you can make it a double which they call the Sugar Daddy.
After you've filled up on an amazing burger and a BBQ plate, finish your meal with some soft serve.
A meal isn't complete without dessert. After you've devoured a burger, you can delight in various desserts from cheesecake to pies and multiple soft-serve ice cream sundaes.
There's simply nothing better than a New Mexican green chile cheeseburger, and Sugar's BBQ is amongst the best of them.
Sugar's BBQ is located at 1799 NM-68, Embudo, NM. Sugar's is on the east side of the highway at Mile Marker 18, and can be easy to miss, so make sure to slow down as you near Embudo.
Sugar's BBQ is open Thursday through Sunday from 11a.m. to 6p.m.
Have you stopped at this humble little drive-in? Did you try the green chile cheeseburger? Let us hear about your experience at Sugar's in the comments!
For more humble, unassuming restaurants that you won't to pass up, check out these microscopic spots that are full of flavor. Don't blink, though, or you might miss them.
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