Blake's Lotaburger (often shortened to either Blake's or Lotaburger) is a fast casual chain based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Blake's has 75 locations, mostly located in New Mexico; however, there are several locations in Tucson, Arizona and El Paso, Texas
All Lotaburger restaurants are company-owned. Blake's Lotaburger also owns the majority of the property that its stores are built on and the company's construction division oversees the development of all new stores. Blake's owns and operates its own sheet metal shop, refrigeration shop, cabinet shop, vehicle shop, maintenance fleet, and commissary.
The traditional signage out front is the "Blake's Man", a 10-to-15-foot-tall (3.0 to 4.6Â m) man with blue poles for legs, a blue hat and bowtie, and a jacket with white and red stripes. It holds a sign bearing the Blake's name.
History
Trying the Blake's Lotaburger Green Chile Cheeseburger - At the Tucson spot near the University of Arizona! SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE VIDS: http://bit.ly/Spicochist PLEASE LIKE, FOLLOW, AND SUBSCRIBE!
Blake's Lotaburger was founded by World War II Navy Veteran Blake Chanslor, who moved from Texas to Albuquerque, New Mexico after World War II. Chanslor opened his first "Lota Burger" stand on July 9, 1952. His initial investment in the business was $5,300, and his stand was 230 square feet (21Â m2), on the corner of San Mateo and Southern, in southeast Albuquerque. In 1953, he opened two more stores.
Chanslor expanded Lotaburger to 23 cities in New Mexico, with 35 stores in Albuquerque. Chanslor remained the owner until 2003, when he sold his interest to the father-son team of Ronald C. and Brian Rule. The restaurants are known as Blakeâs Lotaburger. As of 2018, the company owns and operates 75 stores.
In the 1990s, the company featured television commercial personality Ernest P. Worrell, played by Jim Varney, in many of its television ads.
According to the Albuquerque Journal in 1994, Lotaburger helped popularize the use of green chiles as a condiment on hamburgers. In 2006, the company was recognized by National Geographic for the âBest Green Chile Cheeseburger in the World". In 2009, the New Mexico Tourism Department listed the restaurants as one of the state's destinations on the Green Chile Cheeseburger Trail.
In June 2013, the company announced it would open its first Texas location would open that fall on El Paso's west side. A second El Paso location opened in June 2014 on the city's east side. As of 2018, there are currently 3 locations in El Paso.
The company announced plans in early 2015 to expand to Tucson, Arizona. Two locations opened in April and June of 2017, followed by a third location in January of 2018.
In 2017, Blakeâs Lotaburger became the first New Mexico True Certified Business in the state of New Mexico.
Fare
Blakeâs signature menu items are the LOTA and ITSA Burgers, which are commonly ordered with cheese and Hatch green chile added. The ITSA Burger is smaller in size to the namesake LOTA Burger, but is otherwise identical. In 2006 it was named the best burger in the world by National Geographic.
Blakeâs also serves a variety of other foods, including: Nathanâs Famous hot dogs, chili con carne, chicken sandwich and award winning breakfast burritos.
There are also rotating seasonal menu items, such as the Fish Basket and Fish Sandwich. Both are offered in the late winter-early spring during the Lenten season (Ash Wednesday through Easter Sunday). Blakeâs is also known for its unique, limited-time, featured shakes. Flavors have included Pumpkin Pie, Biscochito, Birthday Cake, Cherry White Chocolate, Green Chile Lime and more
Community Relations
Blake's Lotaburger is a long-time supporter of the Special Olympics in New Mexico. The 2018 season marks a 22-year history with the organization.
They also participate in KOAT Channel 7âs âKOATS for Kidsâ program which has donated over 300,000 coats to children and families in need. During the late-fall, customers are encouraged to donate their new and used coats in stores throughout the state of New Mexico.
Awards
- In 2009, Blake's Lotaburger was awarded "Best Burger" and "Best French Fries" in the Weekly Alibi.
- National Geographic in 2006, considered Blake's as having the âBest Green Chile Cheeseburger in the World". In June 2012, it also ranked Blake's Lotaburger fourth on its 10 Best Hamburgers list.
- In 2009, Blakeâs Lotaburger was awarded âBest Burgerâ and âBest French Friesâ in the Weekly Alibiâs âBest of Burqueâ Awards. Blakeâs was again voted âBest Burger,â âBest French Friesâ and âBest Green Chile Cheeseburgerâ in 2017.
- In 2016, Blakeâs was voted âBest Green Chile Cheeseburger in New Mexicoâ in the USA Todayâs 10 Best Readersâ Choice contest.
- In 2016, Blakeâs was voted âBest Green Chile Cheeseburger,â âBest French Friesâ and â Best Breakfast Burritoâ in the Albuquerque Journalâs Annual Readersâ Choice Awards.
- In 2016, Blakeâs was voted âBest Green Chile Cheeseburgerâ and âBest French Friesâ in Albuquerque Magazineâs annual Best of City contest.
- In 2016, Blakeâs Lotaburger was voted âBest Burgerâ and âBest Green Chile Cheeseburgerâ in the University of New Mexico Daily Lobo Lo Mejor Survey.
- In 2017, Blakeâs Lotaburger was voted âBest Burgerâ and âBest Green Chile Cheeseburgerâ in the Albuquerque Journalâs Annual Readersâ Choice Awards.
- In 2017, Blakeâs was voted âBest Green Chile Cheeseburgerâ and âBest Breakfast Burritoâ in Albuquerque Magazineâs annual Best of City contest.
- In 2017, Blakeâs Lotaburger was voted âBest Breakfast Burritoâ in The Gallup Journeyâs Best of Gallup Contest.
- In 2017, Blakeâs Lotaburger was voted âBest Burgerâ and âBest Green Chile Cheeseburgerâ in the University of New Mexico Daily Lobo Lo Mejor Survey.
- In 2017, Blakeâs was voted âBest Green Chile Cheeseburger,â âBest Burgerâ and âBest French Friesâ in The Weekly Alibiâs Best of Burque Restaurants.
- In 2017, Blakeâs was voted one of Santa Feâs âBest Breakfast Burritosâ and âBest Burgersâ in the SF Reporterâs âBest of Santa Feâ
- In 2017, Blakeâs was voted âBest Breakfast Burritoâ in the Valencia County News Bulletinâs Best of Valencia County 2017.
Controversy
In 2008, Blake's President Brian Rule donated $10,000 to support California Proposition 8, which temporarily banned gay marriage in California. In response, some marriage equality supporters have boycotted the restaurant.
See also
- List of hamburger restaurants
References
External links
- Official website