Barrapunto

Chile con queso (Spanish [wikipedia.org] for "chile with cheese [wikipedia.org]"), usually known simply as queso, is an appetizer that is served in Tex-Mex restaurants.

Chile con queso (also spelled chili con queso) is a part of Tex Mex [wikipedia.org] and Southwestern cuisine [wikipedia.org], originating in Texas. Chile con queso is predominantly found on the menus in Tex-Mex restaurants across Texas. However, authentic Texas style chile con queso has been found as far east as Washington, DC [wikipedia.org] and as far west as Phoenix [wikipedia.org], Arizona and as far north as Alaska [wikipedia.org].

Variations

Ingredients
Chile con queso, is a sauce used for dipping that consists of a blend of cheeses, cream, and chili peppers melted into a smooth, creamy sauce. Many restaurants serve Chili con queso with added ingredients such as pico de gallo, black beans, guacamole, and ground beef.

Serving
Chili con queso can be eaten with tortillas, tortilla chips, or special queso chips which are thicker than regular tortilla chips. It can also be used as a condiment on Fajitas, Tacos, Enchiladas, Migas, Quesadilla's or any other Tex-Mex dish.

Chile con queso is a warm dish, heated to a desired temperature.

Tex-Mex restaurants usually offer tortilla chips and salsa as an appetizers, free of charge. Chile con queso is usually offered for an additional charge although most restaurants typically offer this free during lunch service It can be made with various cheeses. Usually it is white or yellow in color.

While chile con queso is called "queso" by Texans (an inaccurate colloquialism), it should not be confused with "cheese dip," which is specifically cheese.

New Mexican style
New Mexican chile con queso often includes either green or red chiles.