Sparky’s Burgers & BBQ: Hatch, NM

March 2, 2010 · By GunsandTacos 

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Hatch, New Mexico is considered the Chile Capital of the World. Every year about 30,000 or so chileheads attend the Hatch Chile Festival to celebrate red and green chiles, every New Mexican’s favorite veggies. 

It’s like Pee Wee’s Playhouse, minus Pee Wee. 

I’ve heard of green chile cheeseburgers, but had no idea how prominent they were in the state of New Mexico. You can find them at Sonic, Lotaburger,  even McDonald’s has a version. 

One of the most famed green chile cheeseburgers can be found at Sparky’s Burgers and BBQ in Hatch, New Mexico. This whimsical burger joint stands out like a wonderland in this rustic, windswept town where drivers have to swerve so giant tumbleweeds don’t crush their cars. 

In front of the joint, you’ll find Sparky himself, an amazing handcrafted robot sculpture that consists of welded rusty gears, sprockets and doo-dads. 

On Hatch’s main thoroughfare, you’ll see  giant pig on a trailer down the road that advertises Sparky’s location. This has been the subject of recent legal battles due to issues related to the Beautification Act, initiated by Ladybird Johnson in 1965.  State officials have attempted to force Sparky’s to remove the massive structure, and the town has initiated a “Save the Pig” campaign” in hopes that the state will accept an exemption to this statute. 

James Beck, weary-eyed from last night’s escapades at Chope’s,  met with Teako Nunn, the owner of Sparky’s to see what these burgers were all about. Teako was glad to show us around, feed us some burgers, and tell us how it’s done in Hatch. 

Spicy RV // Sparky’s — Hatch, NM // 02-28-10 from Media975 on Vimeo.

HATCH – Hatch’s now-famous giant fiberglass pig is again in the crosshairs.

But this time, state officials are taking aim.

The pig’s owner, Teako Nunn, said he thought debate over the statue had come to a close, after Hatch’s governing body last week granted an exemption allowing the figurine to serve as an off-premises billboard for his downtown cafe, Sparky’s Burgers, BBQ & Espresso.

On Tuesday, however, Nunn and his wife, Josie, received two letters from the state Department of Transportation indicating the pig and an extra-large hot dog-shaped sign – also owned by the Nunns – are in violation of state law.

Apparently the signs fall under the state’s jurisdiction because they’re located off N.M. Hwy. 26, which runs through Hatch.

Specifically, one letter noted that advertising can’t be attached or placed on “mobile vehicles or trailers.” The pig, which sports a “Sparky’s” banner, sits on a trailer.

The other letter indicates that the hot dog sign – stationed at another of the Nunns’ businesses, Franciscan RV – doesn’t have a permit.

Nunn said he’s skeptical about whether his signs actually are in violation of state law, and his attorney is looking into the matter. A discrepancy in the letter about the pig, he said, is that it lists the statue’s former location as the site of the advertising. The pig has since been relocated.

The Nunns have drawn attention in recent weeks because of their growing collection of oversized Americana statues.

Teako Nunn, who remains upbeat, said he feels he’s being singled out unfairly. Meanwhile, wanting to make a statement, he plans to add another figurine to his collection.

“I got on the Internet yesterday and thought: ‘What would be appropriate for the experience we’re having?” he said. “If I’m going to be in the frying pan, I might as well make it fun, so I bought a seven-and-a-half-foot-tall Statue of Liberty.”

Continued Nunn: “That’s kind of appropriate for private enterprise and land of the free.”

The letter regarding the pig indicates the statue and trailer should be removed within 30 days, or else the transportation department will remove it. The hot dog sign also is “subject to removal,” according to the second letter.

Transportation officials couldn’t be reached for comment late Tuesday afternoon.

Hatch Mayor Judd Nordyke said he was aware of the letter from state officials. He said the situation is “getting a little bit ridiculous.”

“Someone obviously complained enough times that the squeaky wheel is getting the grease,” he said. The Nunns “already have been through a lot of grief, and this is uncalled for. I really don’t understand it.”

By Diana M. Alba Sun-News reporter

A 15-foot tall pig statue used as an advertisement for a local cafe in Hatch is in the middle of a swine showdown in the southern New Mexico village.

After some debate over the statue’s legality, the giant hog cleared one hurdle, but has gone to a higher level.

While Hatch is world famous for its red and green chile, the new star is a fiberglass pig parked near State Highway 26.

The pig is one of a variety of “Americana items” surrounding Sparky’s Burgers, BBQ, and Espresso in Hatch.

Owner Teako Nunn said Friday, “Everybody’s for it. The tourists love it, we love it and it just makes an Hatch an interesting town to come visit.”

Even after village officials OK’d the pig as a billboard last week, Nunn faces another fight.

The pig caused its share of controversy, but a giant hot dog on the other side of town is being targeted by the New Mexico Department of Transportation.

Nunn and his wife Josie received letters from the DOT this week, saying the hot dog is illegal because it has no permit.

The pig is also breaking the law, because it sits on a trailer.

Both fall under state jurisdiction because they’re visible from a state highway.

The Nunns have been ordered to remove them within 30 days, or else.

Department of Transportation Spokesman Mark Slimp said, “It could go as far as us removing the sign at their expense.”

DOT officials say the issue could have been brought to their attention by a citizen or local government, but could not provide specifics.

The Nunns, meanwhile, just want a break for something they say has support from most of the community.

The Nunns say they’re willing to apply for any necessary permits and do whatever it takes to keep the pig and the hot dog where they are.

Congratulations, Sparky’s has been named one of  New Mexico’s great offbeat attractions by Jurnii.com; America’s new travel focused rental car company. Check out the article…

Only in America could a restaurant serve  up the odd combination of burgers, BBQ and espresso and pull it off with such flawless perfection. Drop in for a meal at Sparky’s and be blown away by how beautifully a fresh ground java cuts through the barbecuedgoodness of a pulled pork sandwhich.

Besides the unlikely coupling of cuisines, you’ll also find enough kitschy decor to fill a museum. A giant Uncle Sam, a 10 foot tall A&W momma, and an army of scrap metal robots are just some of the many off-beat marvels eagerly awaiting your visit. - Sam

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