Reader: I doubt Stella Cordova gave anyone her original green chile recipe

It's prime green chile season, which means things are smokin' at Chubby's-like outlets all over town. But which Chubby's has founder Stella Cordova's original recipe? Back in 1967, Stella noticed a "Cook Wanted" sign at the Chubby Burger Drive Inn at 1231 West 38th Avenue. At the age of 59,...

By Patricia Calhoun

September 17, 2012

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It's prime green chile season, which means things are smokin' at Chubby's-like outlets all over town. But which Chubby's has founder Stella Cordova's original recipe?

Back in 1967, Stella noticed a "Cook Wanted" sign at the Chubby Burger Drive Inn at 1231 West 38th Avenue. At the age of 59, she got the job and started the next day -- earning 85 cents an hour. Within two years, she'd bought the place -- keeping the name, but changing the menu to include her incredible green chile.

Stella continued working at the original Chubby's until she turned a hundred. She passed away soon after, in June 2009, but her legacy lives on in a host of restaurants that she inspired.

Today her grandson, Danny Cordova, runs the spot on West 38th. Another grandson, Leonard Cordova, founded the Bubba Chino's chain; he owns some of the spots, franchises others. Yet another grandson, Juan Cordova, has a restaurant named the Original Chubby's in Thornton, and is opening a second Original Chubby's at 1385 Santa Fe Drive. And there are still other joints around town that trace their origins to Stella Cordova.

But while their bloodlines might be beyond dispute, some people doubt the authenticity of their green chile. Says NWDen:

I still maintain that none of these descendants have Stella's original recipe. I believe that she took it to her grave.

Chubby Burger Drive-In -- the original Original Chubby's. The other "Original" Chubby's. Bubba Chino's. El Chubby's. Are any of these the real deal? Post your thoughts below.

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Patricia Calhoun is editor-in-chief of Westword, the alt-weekly she co-founded in September 1977. She’s been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. She’s also received dozens of local, state and national awards for writing, including first place for feature writing and first place for column writing with the Society of Professional Journalists. Patricia is a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS 12's public affairs roundtable, which has won two Emmys.

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