Hatch Pepper Roasting at Sadie’s – Albuquerque, New Mexico Family Tradition

Dining Room View

In late summer I have been told by New Mexico locals from Taos, Albuquerque and Santa Fe that in summer the delicious aroma of roasting peppers can be savored from one end of the state to other, and these beautiful green peppers are the main ingredient of a bevy of hugely popular dishes served in restaurants and family homes.

Jim at Hatch Pepper Roaster

Roasted Pepper

During a recent visit to Albuquerque I was given the traditional method used by the original family members of Sadie’s Restaurant, where they keep a hatch pepper roaster by the front door to enable arriving guests to smell the tempting aroma of the peppers that soon will be savored in one of Sadie’s fantastic menu items. Sadie’s opened their first of four locations in the 50s, and have won countless awards for their authentic and delicious New Mexico cuisine.

Pepper Veins

Owner Bill with Jim Garcia in front of photo of founder Sadie

According to Jim Garcia, marketing director for the family owned restaurant, the extreme heat of the hatch pepper roaster brings the pepper to the perfect temperature, where the veins of the pepper expand and produce the hot flavors and fill the air with their delicious scent, considered an irresistible perfume to pepper lovers.

Sadie Combination Plate

Cheese dip and chile tastes

The entire process takes less than fifteen minutes from start to finish, including selection of the ideal green peppers for roasting. Varieties of peppers range in size, color and intensity, and are used in different recipes for an expected end result. Watching the faces of people as they begin to smell the roasting peppers and smile with enjoyment is one of the really entertaining aspects of roasting. “People often think it is the seeds in the pepper that create the heat, but it actually comes from the veins that swell during the roasting process.” “The onsite pepper roasting demonstrations by Sadie’s are a very enjoyable aspect of our marketing campaigns for the restaurant,” said Garcia. Although, he did mention that he once attended to First Lady Hillary Clinton, and it was a very memorable dinner experience that he would never forget.

Rib dish

Products Sadie Sells Online

Inside the restaurant guests can be seen enjoying a variety of dishes created from the family collection. This food is so loved by locals, and includes their wonderful “Hatch” green roasted peppers, that can be enjoyed with a delicious blue or traditional margarita cocktail, cold cerveza or any tequila combination your heart may desire. Their dinner menu specialties include award winning guacamole, signature Chile Relleno, dishes featuring their home-made red or green chile sauces (which can be purchased online), enchilada, tamale, taco, and quesadilla combinations and more. Tables in the huge restaurant are set up primarily in a family stile and seat from eight to eighteen per table; from grandparents to grandbabies it’s all good at Sadie’s. They also have booths and small tables for more intimate diners. This is a festive atmosphere, where people enjoy friends, family and authentic dishes served with love. Ole’!