In Tex-Mex cuisine, chile con queso is primarily served as a dip.
The name means “chile with cheese” in Spanish. The dish is a warm, creamy preparation of melted cheese and chile peppers, commonly served with tortilla chips as an appetizer or snack. Tex-Mex versions may include tomatoes, onions, spices, or ground meat.
Restaurants often use processed cheese because it melts smoothly and remains fluid when heated. Other recipes use cheeses such as cheddar, Monterey Jack, or American cheese, so the exact formula varies widely.
Chile con queso is not the same as queso fresco, a fresh Mexican cheese, and it should not be confused with queso fundido. Queso fundido is typically a baked or skillet-melted cheese dish, while chile con queso is usually designed for dipping.