Bobcat Bite is a restaurant that is located in Santa Fe, New Mexico, off of the Old Las Vegas Highway. The location itself has hosted two businesses, both of which have gone by the name "Bobcat Bite". The original Bobcat Bite specialized in the preparation of steak, chops, and hamburgers.

Bobcat Bite
Bobcat Bite Burger
Map
Restaurant information
Established1953; 71 years ago (1953)
Food typeSouthwestern
Street address418 Old Las Vegas Highway
CitySanta Fe
CountySanta Fe County
StateNew Mexico
Postal/ZIP Code87505
CountryUnited States
Seating capacity55
ReservationsFirst-come, first-served
Websitebobcatbite.com

Origins

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The historic building that housed Bobcat Bite was originally a trading post. It later became a gun shop, until Rene Clayton and her daughter, Mitzi Clayton/Panzer, converted it into a restaurant. The Bobcat Bite has been variously featured in newspapers, television, and other such media, and has been referred to by said media[who?] as "...the place to go for a green chili cheeseburger."

The name of the establishment is in reference to alleged accounts that tell of bobcats descending from the surrounding hills. The purpose is to visit "bobcat-friendly" diners, which would, reportedly, serve the animals fresh scraps of food.[1]

Reception

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During its time under the Eckre family's management, Bobcat Bite has been named in several articles, including those contained within the Albuquerque Journal, the Chicago Tribune, and The New York Times.[2][3][4] Bobcat Bite also appeared in the 2004 documentary Hamburger America.[5] The restaurant in 2007 was mentioned in the Food Network's program Top American Restaurants: Bon Appétit Picks the Best, hosted by Alton Brown.[6] Bobcat Bite was featured in the 2012 episode "New Mexico"[7] on Bizarre Foods America.[8] Host Andrew Zimmern ranks it in his top 3 hamburgers.

Awards

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Bobcat Bite's burgers, specifically the green chili cheeseburger, have won awards including:

  • GQ magazine listed Bobcat Bite at #12 on its list of "The 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before you Die".[9]
  • The Santa Fe Reporter awarded Bobcat Bite with "Best Burger" in 2002, 2003, and 2004.[10][11][12]

Status

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As of June 9, 2013, the original Bobcat Bite is closed. Former owners Bonnie & John Eckre opened a new restaurant known as Santa Fe Bite[13] in August 2013. It closed in October 2018, but re-opened in a new location in Santa Fe in late 2019, in combination with an additional location in Albuquerque.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Bobcat Bite. (2004, August 13). A Little History. Retrieved August 7, 2007, from https://bobcatbite.com/History.html Archived 2010-01-31 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ Roberts, K. (2005, July 24). And, at No. 12, The Bobcat Bite At City Different. Albuquerque Journal, pp. B1, B4.
  3. ^ Kogan, R. (2004, April 11). A Cultural Icon, With Cheese. Chicago Tribune Magazine, pp. 16, 24-26.
  4. ^ Heffernan, V. (2005, July 4). A Journey in Burger Nation Finds Variations of a Theme. The New York Times, p. E13.
  5. ^ Internet Movie Database. (Unknown Last Update). Hamburger America 2004. Retrieved August 7, 2007, from https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0488835/
  6. ^ Food Network. (Unknown Last Update). Top American Restaurants: Bon Appetit Picks the Best, Episode BASP03. Retrieved December 9, 2009 from http://www.foodnetwork.com/food-network-specials/top-american-restaurants-bon-appetit-picks-the-best/index.html
  7. ^ https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/bizarre-foods-america/episodes/new-mexico Bizarre Foods America > Episodes > Season 1 Episode 10
  8. ^ https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/bizarre-foods-america Food Network > Show >Bizarre Foods America
  9. ^ https://www.gq.com/story/hamburger-death-eat GQ, July 2005.
  10. ^ BR. (2003). Best Burger, You Crazy Meatpuppets Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine. Santa Fe Reporter.
  11. ^ KW. (2002). Best Burger Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine. Santa Fe Reporter.
  12. ^ [Unknown Author]. (2004). Best Burger, Even Without the Bun Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine. Santa Fe Reporter.
  13. ^ "Santa Fe green chile cheeseburgers downtown". Santafebite.com. 1969-12-31. Retrieved 2017-11-07.
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35°34′57″N 105°53′50″W / 35.58250°N 105.89722°W / 35.58250; -105.89722