Larry N. said:
Amen. I lived in NM for 11 years, and when I left I found it difficult to enjoy the Mexican food elsewhere. I've finally found a handful of decent Mexican food in the Denver area, but it's still well short of New Mexican food. One factor (of several) is the green chile we've been discussing, which has an incredible (to me) flavor that is missing almost everywhere else. That flavor comes right through the hot in a fashion that's not true of most other chiles.
Another factor, though not nearly as important as the main dish, is that in New Mexico most places serve sopapillas and honey with the meal (I'm making my mouth water), with refills available if needed, while almost everywhere else if sopapillas are on the menu they are a "dessert" or are filled with the main course.
All in all, New Mexican food is a bit different experience than Mexican food and I, for one, got spoiled there. Thankfully, 505 brand has made some decent New Mexican style green chile sauce available in other areas and even online, so we can still have our homemade enchiladas, breakfast burritos, etc. at home, even if the restaurant experience falls short.