I traveled a lot when working, and the further from NM you got in the US the milder the hot sauce got.
In Ohio and Michigan hot salsa was like Heinz ketchup. On the other hand, every burger joint in NM served green chile cheeseburgers, even McDs and Wendy's and there were some local places in ALB that served the hot food the locals craved that would light your ass right up.
Albuquerque NM born and raised and you speak the truth.

