The food scene in Las Cruces centres on New Mexican cuisine — distinct from Tex-Mex in ways that locals will explain at length. Green chile is the defining ingredient: it goes on everything, and the local Hatch Valley variety (grown about an hour north of the city) is considered by many to be the finest in the world. Ask for it on your eggs, your burger, your enchiladas, or just have it straight. The best meals in town are at family-run New Mexican restaurants rather than chains.