That’s right, I said three thousand pounds of green chiles roasting on the Square.
Allison | September 30, 2011 | 1:56 pmJason Wiles and Bob Rhein, the guys who brought the Square Pub to downtown Decatur exactly one year ago, have done something just plain out cool. And maybe a wee bit crazy, but oh, so worth it.
Last week, they drove a Budget rental truck all the way from here to New Mexico, where they loaded up not one, not two, but three thousand pounds of premium green chiles in Hatch, New Mexico, plus a giant green chile roaster, plus a few ristras of dried red chiles (for good measure, I guess) and drove all of it the 1500 miles back to Decatur. They got home yesterday.
And did they rest? Why, no, they did not. These boys have set their roaster up on the Square, and right now, as I write, they are hand-roasting said three thousand pounds of green chiles. Tomorrow, Oct. 1, begins Decatur’s first annual green chile roast! Hooray!
“A lot of people hear ‘chili’ and they think of the stuff you get at Wendy’s,” says Jason, who lived in New Mexico for a few years. “But ultimately, one thing that has made us different is our use of green chile peppers in our menu. It’s a large part of our concept. So when we were thinking about how to celebrate our one- year anniversary, this seemed a natural fit. Hand-roasting this much chile is something you won’t find anywhere else in Georgia, or the southeast U.S. for that matter.”
What Bob (left), Jason, and three thousand pounds of green chiles at the Square Pub look like
So why go all the way to New Mexico for something you can get right here in Georgia? “Hatch, New Mexico, is the ‘Napa Valley’ of chile peppers,” Jason explains. “Hatch green chile has the best flavor and the most variety. There’s a whole culture to how it’s selected, prepared and consumed, and you’ll be able to see the entire process happen here daily.”
You can read more about the festivities at the Square Pub website, but what I really encourage you to do is visit the pub’s facebook page, where Jason and Bob have posted some excellent videos of their quest — nay, their pilgrimage — westward. A hero’s journey, really.
Green chile deviled eggs!? Heck yeah!
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WOW! The menu is loads of fun.
I’m swooning. And salivating. I’m from TorC, NM, just north of Hatch. You have no idea how very happy this makes me!
Love!!
I grew up in Albuquerque, NM (family all still lives there) and I, either, beg my parents to ship it to me or try to bring as much back as I can back when I visit.
While I applaud their Smokey and the Bandit-like effort, this has me a little puzzled… Hasn’t TDS been doing this annually for, oh three years or so? Did I not have a delicious Hatch chile relleno last week there, roasted in the back on the premises?
I am pretty sure I also saw a sign flogging Hatch Green Chiles at the Fox Bros. taco joint.
I eagerly await these guys next ventures: The Square Pub Beer Festival, The Square Pub Wine Festival…
Don’t get me wrong, not hating, I love green chiles, just in the words of Yogi Berra: deja vu all over again.
Nope, you’re hating.
OK, busted. Obviously, I underestimated Decaturites love for not only beer and bicycles, but Hatch Green Chiles. Count me in…
Nothing like the food in New Mexico…..it cannot even be explained.
+1
Am I right that we will be able to buy a bag of plain ol’ roasted chiles?
I don’t need any more breaded & deepfried chilies from TDS but I would like some for cooking with at home.
working out logistics on that right now but ultimately yes, we will have roasted packaged chiles for sale.
YES! That is what I was hoping to hear. Count me in for 40 lbs.
If by packaged, you mean dumped into a plastic grocery bag! All is good – I bought several pounds of your fine chiles and they look (and smelled) mahvelous. Still hard to get all the skin off, though.
God bless ’em
Ha! That’s great. The Square Pub does a great job and I wish these guys continued success. Other Pubs seem to get the majority of attention but these guys do a great job. Cool space, great beer, good service, and quality food.
+1
So I’m a little confused – the chiles start roasting Friday afternoon (now!), but when is that menu available with all the fun stuff? Friday – or is that not until Saturday?
The menu posted is for Saturday, but almost everything under the traditional section is available here everyday.
Bob better move that stuff cuz that’s my seat!
I’ve liked watching their adventure and look forward to trying some of the food!! awesome idea!
The medium rare burger with cheese and roast chile was delish today for lunch. Now I understand what the chile-fuss was all about.