Audio By Carbonatix
After moving to Arizona from Colorado in 1989, Dave Castaneda found himself searching for authentic green chile dishes made with Hatch peppers. His search came up short. So, he started making his own for friends, family and football tailgates.
Today, Castaneda is the owner and chef behind Green Chile Love, a food truck business he launched in 2018.
“My plan with the food truck was to get it out there, get the food out, get people to love it, get them to see it and then, eventually, if things lined up, get a brick-and-mortar,” Castaneda says.
In February 2024, Castaneda was making moves to secure a more permanent home for his green chile concept in Chandler. He was outbid on a space at Kyrene and Ray roads, so the search continued.
“ I just figured, alright, that's not the place,” he says.
Months later, the right spot came into the picture. Castaneda connected with the former tenant before the unit was publicly listed. He made a deal to take over the 1,050-square-foot space and has been working to launch the brick-and-mortar version of Green Chile Love since August of last year.
For Castaneda, opening a location near South Mountain was an obvious choice. As a longtime resident of the area, Castaneda has put down roots and built a strong community across Ahwatukee.
“ I met my wife 30 years ago right around the corner, my first house was on 44th and Woodland,” he says. “This is my neighborhood.”
Lauren Topor
Burritos, burgers and plenty of chiles
Guests can expect to see Colorado-style and New Mexican-influenced dishes on the new Green Chile Love menu. Castaneda says he’s expanding his offerings but will continue to offer the existing food truck menu at the restaurant.
Fan favorites like the Mexican hamburgers, smothered burritos and green chile smash burgers will be joined by new additions like tostadas, hard shell tacos, green chile cheese fries, taco salads, taquitos, cheese crisps and a sandwich served on a savory Rolled Out Bakery green chile cheese and garlic roll.
Castaneda is also introducing red chile to the menu in dishes like his egg-topped stacked enchiladas. Breakfast items, including green chile pork bowls and cheesy green chile burritos stuffed with potatoes and eggs, will be offered all day. Castaneda will be rolling out a small bites menu with downsized and discounted portions in addition to family pack options for pickup.
Lauren Topor
In the future, Castaneda would like to offer cocktails and beer or a BYOB experience to the restaurant. For now, hungry guests can wash down the green chile heat with bottled and canned drinks or step next door to Wren Südhalle, a European-style taphouse by Wren House Brewing Co., for a cold, boozy beverage.
What’s next for the truck? Castaneda will continue to operate the food truck for local and special events, including Ahwatukee First Fridays, the Ahwatukee Car Show and the Arizona Chile Festival.
Green Chile Love is set to open its doors on Thursday. Green Chile Love will be open Tuesday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Castaneda plans to host a grand opening event to mark the restaurant’s debut on March 4. Bring your appetite, spice lovers.
Green Chile Love
4025 E. Chandler Blvd., #5