Green Chili

Where can you get a good bowl of Green Chili? I didn't make it to Colorado or Utah this year, so I am really craving some right now.

Thanks in advance.

What that??? I like green and I like chili, but that didn't work when I'm assumed I knew anything about lamb fries.

[Robin Garr]

What that??? I like green and I like chili, but that didn't work when I'm assumed I knew anything about lamb fries.

Chile Verde, Mexican fare (also very popular in New Mexico. It's made from ... green chilies!

The short-lived Palapa Mexican had a very good bowl, but they're gone (and although it was a nice place, I can't say I'm not sorry to see Red Pepper there. )

And waaaaaaaay back in the day, the original Chico's introduced it to Louisville.

I'd check around ... I assume that most of the more authentic Mexican places (even the bilingual ones like Los Aztecas, El Tarasco and El Nopal/Nopalito have it on the menu, but it might pay to call first.

Thanks, Robin.
I went thru Hatch New Mexico during a vacation trip one year. It is famous for the red and green chilies. I think they paper their walls with the stuff.

Robin, back in another former life I was involved with George Keller at Tumbleweed, opened the Dupont store, and they served a Chili Verdi, late 70's early 80's. Not sure how long ago Chico's started, I thought they came after Tumbleweed, mid 80's. Not even sure if it was authentic.

[Robin Garr]

Robin, back in another former life I was involved with George Keller at Tumbleweed, opened the Dupont store, and they served a Chili Verdi, late 70's early 80's. Not sure how long ago Chico's started, I thought they came after Tumbleweed, mid 80's. Not even sure if it was authentic.

Wes, nope ... Chico's came in the early '70s, and we ate there a lot. The ORIGINAL manifestation was run by a guy from New Mexico who presented a surprisingly authentic bill of fare, including chile verde, carne asada and other things unheard-of in Louisville at the time. With all respect, it was considerably more authentic than the Tumbleweed of the era - as much as we all loved the 'weed.

I got out of the Air Force, worked at a small paper in California for a couple of years, and got back to Louisville in 1971. Chico's - in its original location in the corner of Taylorsville and Richland - was there then, or opened within a year or two.

Unless, of course, my memory is going nertz. And in any case, as time went by, Chico's did what it had to do and shifted its recipes and style to suit what people in the Hikes Point neighborhood in the '70s and '80s wanted in Mexican food. 'nuff said.

Robin, right again o wise one. I remember now, Chico's-Hikes Point was around in the 70's. My authentic comment was in reference to Tweeds chili verdi, sorry for the confusion.

[Robin Garr]

Robin, right again o wise one. I remember now, Chico's-Hikes Point was around in the 70's. My authentic comment was in reference to Tweeds chili verdi, sorry for the confusion.

No problem, sir! It seems both of us have a Louisville restaurant memory that goes back a very long way!

Robin, back in another former life I was involved with George Keller at Tumbleweed, opened the Dupont store, and they served a Chili Verdi, late 70's early 80's. Not sure how long ago Chico's started, I thought they came after Tumbleweed, mid 80's. Not even sure if it was authentic.

My first bowl of Chili Verde was at the original 'Weed across from New Albany High School in late '76. If memory serves the weed had it on the menu until late 80's early '90s. I'm not sure of the authenticity but it sure was good.

Perry, a friend of mine told me I should mention to you that Whole Foods sells Hatch green chiles (I think I had more details about them on a sticky note that I left at work). She has a background in New Mexico and vouches for the product.

Jackie, thanks for the info. Hatch chilies are the best. We will be in Louisville this weekend, so I will check at Whole Foods.

Thanks, Again.

[Robin Garr]

Jackie, thanks for the info. Hatch chilies are the best. We will be in Louisville this weekend, so I will check at Whole Foods.

I think you're going to find, Perry, that Whole Foods has CANNED Hatch green chiles. That might suit you, but I don't believe you can buy the Hatch variety here as a whole fresh pepper. (Whole Foods, and other quality local grocers, do generally have a variety of other varieties of fresh hot peppers, though. You might also be able to find some at the Beargrass or Bardstown Road farmers' markets if you're here on a Saturday morning.)

The NYT food section yesterday also mentioned Hatch green chilies. I'd never heard of them until now and am intrigued.

To paraphrase the article: Hatch, New Mexico, is to chilies as Vidalia is to onions. And they're hard to find, even in the specialty groceries of NYC (where they sell for $5.99 a pound). They're best roasted and good for stuffing.

Have any of you tried them? What are they like?

I was lucky enough to be in NM one year during the season and my friend took me to Hatch. OMG- the entire town smelled of roasting peppers- huge rotating baskets of them roasting over massive gas flames. You buy a bushel or six and they roast them for you right there. On CBS Sunday Morning this last week they had a piece on Hatch.

I hear rumors that we might have a green chili special on the menu tomorrow at Seviche Goose Creek.

I hear rumors that we might have a green chili special on the menu tomorrow at Seviche Goose Creek.

(***weeping***) want some of those green chiles - maybe you could put in a good word for me to the chef.