okgourmet.com Home of Steve's Restaurant Reviews
A Condensed Guide to El Paso/Las Cruces
Updated Oct. 17, 2012
This is a partial guide to El Paso's best restaurants, since I certainly am not able to sample every
dish at every restaurant to find the "best." Many of my best meals have come from
tips given to me by friends and co-workers who have eaten at enough restaurants to give me good
leads. I also feel that it is appropriate to include suggestions from readers, and feel free to
send e-mails with your picks (I will use as many as I can).
Steve's recommendations are listed in the general order of preference, and reader's
suggestions are listed in the general order of popularity.
Note: See the El Paso Index
for links to the El Paso restaurants, and the
New Mexico Index
for restaurants in Doña Ana County, New Mexico. (The El Paso reviews are currently under
construction and readers can see a complete list of reviews at the old web site:
El Paso Index on Eskimo.com).
New Mexican cuisine was served at the popular Griggs Restaurant in El Paso until it closed
in the early 2000's, but the food lives on through one of the former cooks who now operates
Peppe's Restaurant in Canutillo (not to be confused with Pepe's Chicken in El Paso). The Griggs
family also founded and operated La Posta in Mesilla and El Pinto in Albuquerque, all of which
typify southern New Mexico cuisine (although I think the two restaurants in New Mexico have been
largely modified for tourists' tastes, while Peppe's stays more true to the original recipes).
Oriental Cafe is the restaurant at which I eat most often, with very authentic Cantonese menu
and special dishes (this is a small family run restaurant that I know could not compete against some
of the larger and more famous restaurants on the west coast, but I think the home style food served
at Oriental Cafe may be better than at a lot of these more well known places). Chut-ney is a south
Indian restaurant that is comparable to similar restaurants I have tried in Seattle, but
as with Oriental Cafe I like the small scale and home cooking style food that is served at the El Paso
restaurant.
EL PASO STYLE MEXICAN FOOD
El Paso style Mexican food varies slightly from Chihuahua, or Ciudad Juarez style
food, and has now become somewhat "old style," since many of the newer restaurants serve more
authentic style food as it is prepared in Mexico. El Paso style food has its own gratification,
though, and is the usual type of "Mexican food" thought of by visitors and long time residents.
Steve's Recommendations
Readers' Suggestions
Overall Picks (usually a good place to get a combination plate)
L&J (the spiciest of this group of restaurants); Su Casa (only open for lunch);
Casa Jurado (on Doniphan);
Forti's (very good flavor and food style but not as consistent in quality as the others);
Amigos (the cook from the old La Hacienda is still cooking at Amigos, mainly at lunch)
L&J; Su Casa
Caldillo
Lucy's; L&J
Carne Adovada
Amigos
Chicken Mole
Casa Jurado (Also see list of Chihuahua style restaurants)
Chicken Tampiqueña
Ay Caramba!; Amigos
Chile con Queso
G&R Restaurant; Casa Jurado
Chile Relleno
L&J, Amigos
Entomatadas
La Malinche
Flautas
Casa Jurado; El Meson de Oñate Socorro
(Also see list of Chihuahua style restaurants)
Gorditas
Little Diner Canutillo; JJ's
Green Enchiladas
L&J; Moe's; Martha's
Horchata
La Malinche; JJ's (Also see list of Chihuahua style restaurants)
La Pachanga 222 Texas
Huevos Rancheros
Mike & Ana's; H&H Coffee Shop (Also see Mi Tierra under Interior
style Mexican restaurants)
Machaca
Kiki's
Milanesa
Lucy's
Red Enchiladas
Su Casa; Dominguez Restaurant; Forti's; L&J
Riñones
Moe's
Salsa
Su Casa; L&J (Also see list of Chihuahua style restaurants)
Steak Tampiqueña
Forti's
Tacos
Su Casa
Tacos (Shredded Beef)
Sofia's San Elizario; Ay Caramba!
Tamales
Lupita's Canutillo (take-out only)
Tortilla Soup
Amigos (the best in town, but not available all the time);
Greenery Restaurant and Market, Azulejos
Tortillas (Flour)
Kiki's
CHIHUAHUA STYLE MEXICAN FOOD
Traditional Chihuahua style cuisine is the basis of much of what I call El Paso style. In some cases
it is hard to tell the difference, but I base it mainly on the enchiladas.
Cooks in El Paso use red and green chiles that are very similar to New Mexico style food,
while Mexican style enchiladas are milder and may be made with tomatillo or other kinds of
ingredients. Chihuahua Style restaurants tend to specialize in one type of food (such as tacos,
seafood, chicken, etc.), and usually do not emphasize combination plates such as are typical
with El Paso style restaurants. In any case, this list is meant to suggest restaurants that provide
more of an experience that would be typical of those found south of the border.
Steve's Recommendations
Readers' Suggestions
Upscale Restaurants (with a mixture of Mexican and American
or continental food)
Cafe Central (more eclectic menu); Aroma (more of a Mexican menu with many
dishes from the Interior)
Family Style with a Varied Menu (includes combination plates)
Carnitas Querétaro; Julio's Cafe Corona; Barrigas
Julio's Cafe Corona; Carnitas Querétaro
(all except the UTEP location)
Inexpensive Restaurants (including lunch only places)
El Jacalito; Los Jarrones; La Choza
El Jacalito
Aguas Frescas
Flautas Tepalca Canutillo (the best, and the largest variety);
El Jacalito (horchata)
Bakeries
Bowie Bakery (default since La Ideal closed)
Caldo de Res
Jalisco Cafe; El Jacalito; Anita's
Carne Asada
El Taco Tote
Chicken
Pepe's; El Taco Tote
Chicken Mole
Carnitas Querétaro; Barrigas; Los Jarrones
Chile con Queso
La Choza
Chile Rojo
El Ciro's
Chile Verde
El Jacalito
Flautas
Julio's Cafe Corona; Barrigas
Lent Specials (Comida de Cuaresma)
El Jacalito; Carnitas Querétaro
Paella
Buena Vista Cafe (4172 N. Mesa-- Fri. only)
Salsa
Julio's Cafe Corona; La Choza
Seafood
Villa del Mar; Taco Fish;
La Isla Mariscos
Puerto Vallarta (1611 Montana)
Tacos al Carbon
Santa Cecilia; Andele Mesilla, NM; El Taconazo
Tacos al Pastor
Santa Cecilia
Tacos de Barbacoa
Los Jarrones
Tacos de Bisteca
El Taco Tote
Tortillas (Corn)
Jalisco Cafe
INTERIOR STYLE MEXICAN FOOD
There is quite a bit of overlap between Chihuahua style cuisine and food from other states
in Mexico (which can be generally classified as "Interior" Mexican food). Interior style Mexican
food has become widely available in El Paso relatively recently, but on menus it is usually
identified simply as "Mexican food." Below are some suggestions that I think represent some
of the best dishes from around Mexico that are available in El Paso.
Steve's Recommendations
Readers' Suggestions
Flautas
Flautas Tepalca Canutillo (Michoacán style flautas, ice cream, and fruit drinks)
Breakfast
Mi Tierra (Durango style)
NEW MEXICAN STYLE FOOD
While in my estimation the El Paso region has developed a style of Mexican food that is truly
indigenous, the same can almost be said of the variation of New Mexican cuisine found in Las
Cruces and Southern New Mexico. Still classified as New Mexican cuisine, there are some
differences in dishes and ingredients from the food that developed in Northern New Mexico.
Southern New Mexican cuisine, though, shares a fondness for spicy chiles with its northern cousin
that is largely absent from El Paso cooking.
Steve's Recommendations
Readers' Suggestions
Doña Ana Co., NM
Chope's La Mesa (especially the chile relleno and green enchilada);
Nellie's Las Cruces (especially the stuffed sopapilla and red enchilada);
Los Mariachis Las Cruces (especially the stuffed sopapilla and red enchilada)
Memorial Medical Center Las Cruces (green enchiladas served Fri. only)
El Paso Co., TX
Peppe's Canutillo (The menu from Griggs Restaurant is served here)
AMERICAN
For American food I usually either go to Luby's Cafeteria or Cracker Barrel, neither of which I
really recommend as one of my top picks. Listed below, though, are some suggestions for
specific items that are noteworthy.
Steve's Recommendations
Readers' Suggestions
Chicken
Billy Crews Santa Teresa, NM (by far the best chicken I have had in the El Paso area);
Elmer's (good for fried chicken, but I regularly get better fried chicken when I am in
Oklahoma)
Track One (Wings)
Hamburgers
Toro Burger Bar (gourmet burgers, and I think they are the best in the El Paso area);
Charcoaler (charcoal broiled hamburgers with barbecue sauce-- drive through service
only); Rosco's (I'm putting this in third place because I have read comments on Urbanspoon
that it is not as good as it once was)
Frisco Burger Inn
Sandwiches
House of Pizza (Pastrami)
Seafood
Catfish Basket 4950 Hondo Pass (Catfish);
TugBoat 5501 Dyer (Fish and Chips)
BARBECUE
The barbecue in El Paso is really nothing special compared to Austin or Oklahoma City (two
other cities in which I have lived), but it is still quite good compared to many parts of
the country.
Steve's Recommendations
Readers' Suggestions
Ribs
State Line has excellent beef and pork ribs
Brisket
Mo'Z on Fred Wilson is good; I remember Tony's on Myrtle as being good
from the past (but I have not been there recently); Rudy's has central Texas style
brisket that I think is very good
Rudy's
FINE DINING
There is quite a bit of overlap between restaurants that could be classified as "fine dining" and
those that could be identified as "upscale Mexican." Those that I consider to be more Mexican
influenced have been listed above, but are included in this section as well.
Steve's Recommendations
Readers' Suggestions
Mexican Style
Cafe Central (this is both Mexican and American, and is probably my favorite of the two);
Aroma (serves upscale interior style Mexican food)
American Style
Billy Crews Santa Teresa, NM (this is more of a traditional steakhouse with a
wine bar); Ripe (would be classified as "upscale" mainly on the dinner menu)
Magic Pan; Geske's
PIZZA
There are at least two pizza restaurants that I think are not only good for El Paso, but that
would be considered good in any city. Cafe Italia serves Italian style wood fired pizza,
and after comparisons in Oklahoma City and some other cities this is still the best pizza I
have found. Hello Pizza serves New York style pizza, and some readers have told me that
the pizza is as good as in New York.
Steve's Recommendations
Readers' Suggestions
Italian Style
Cafe Italia (wood fired Italian style pizza-- one of the best I have tasted anywhere)
New York Style
Hello Pizza
Hello Pizza
SOUTHWEST
Steve's Recommendations
Readers' Suggestions
Overall Picks
Greenery Restaurant and
Market is more of an American than Southwest restaurant, but I have always liked the
tortilla soup and I imagine it has other good Southwest dishes as well
Green Chile Cheeseburger
Great American Land & Cattle has a GCC to which I give a moderate recommendation;
I hear that Toro Burger Bar also has a good GCC
STEAKS
I have limited experience with steaks at upscale restaurants. However, the traditional
steakhouses are generally more well known, and I think are quite good.
Steve's Recommendations
Readers' Suggestions
Upscale Restaurants
Cafe Central (puntas de filete is good)
Steakhouses
Great American Land & Cattle (Alabama or Mesa Hills) is my favorite, and I have been
going there for over 30 years;
Cattleman's in Fabens used to be my favorite but I think the steaks are now not as good
as at Great American (however, its location on a working ranch 30 miles or so east of El Paso is
spectacular);
Billy Crews in Santa Teresa is excellent, but I have not tried the steaks there (only the
chicken)
INTERNATIONAL AND ETHNIC
This is probably the most noteworthy category of food in El Paso other than Mexican, and it has
gotten much better in the past few years. My favorite category is Chinese, and there is at least one
restaurant that I think is world class (Moon Day), at least in the sense that it would be recognized as
a good restaurant in any city in the United States. Red Lantern is another restaurant that I think would
be considered a good Chinese restaurant in just about any city. Some other restaurants that I think
would receive recognition in any city in the United States include Matsuharu (Japanese)
and Mi Piaci (for upscale Italian food),
Steve's Recommendations
Readers' Suggestions
Chinese
Moon Day serves Beijing style food that I think would be considered good in any city
on the west or east coast, and it has a more casual branch near Sunland Park Mall called
Li's Cafe;
Red Lantern serves Hong Kong style food, and is very good for banquets, Chinese New
Year, items from the Chinese menu, etc.;
Oriental Cafe is very good for ordering from the menu, and has moved the food away from
the American style served by the former owners to a more traditional Cantonese style;
Moon Star has a large selection of authentic Cantonese dishes (some of which are not
on the menu but can be specially ordered);
Shan Dong has a very good northern Chinese style noodle soup as well as the best
egg roll I have ever eaten
German
I currently have no favorite German restaurants, but
Marina's German Bakery is excellent for bread and pastries
Peter's Bakery (bread)
Greek
Casa Pizza has excellent pizza, but the Greek food is even better-- this is a casual
place where customers order at the counter
Tiffany's Las Cruces
Hawaiian
Aloha Hawaiian BBQ provides a good version of Hawaiian "plate lunches" that is
a popular type of informal dining on the islands
Ono Grindz Las Cruces
Indian
Chut-ney's is an authentic South Indian style restaurant that is about as good as
I have experienced anywhere
Italian
Mi Piaci is noteworthy for upscale Italian food, and would compare favorably to
Italian restaurants anywhere in the U.S.
Trattoria Bella Sera would compare favorably to anywhere in the Southwest.
Several new places have opened, so I am not sure I know all the best Italian restaurants.
El Paso City Grill 504 S. Mesa St. (breakfast & lunch only)
Japanese
Matsuharu would be considered excellent on the west coast, and I suspect even in
Japan-- the main problem is that the selection of fish is limited in El Paso and I think not as
flavorful as on the west coast (otherwise this restaurant matches up to just about any that I have
tried)
Matsuharu
Korean
Han Il's serves very good, home style food (and I think is the best). El Paso is a good
city for Korean food overall, and has several Korean grocery stores.
Bull Galbee; Seoul
Middle Eastern
Jerusalem (probably the best overall);
Al-Zaituna (gyros, kaftah kabob, and tabuleh);
Salma Farah's (gyros, falafel, and tabouli);
Su Casa (tabouli and spinach pies, also serves Mexican food).
Overall El Paso is one of the best cities I have found for Middle Eastern food, surpassed only
by Oklahoma City (El Paso is better than Seattle, but I think I just haven't found the right places
in Seattle yet).
Puerto Rican
Maracas Canutillo
Sushi
Matsuharu (I think it is the best in El Paso, but not like west
coast sushi in terms of variety); Hamachi is my second choice; Sakura would have tied
for second but it is now closed
Hamachi; Makoto; Sunny's Sushi
Thai
Tara Thai (look for special curry dishes such as the salmon chuchee);
Singapore is really way down the scale from Tara Thai in second place, but it is an easier
restaurant for me because they have good lunch specials, it is less expensive, and I know
what to order that I think has a fairly good Thai flavor. There is a new Thai restaurant on Dyer
that has good comments on Urbanspoon.
Vietnamese
Both Saigon Taste and Pho Tre Bien are close to the top for Vietnamese
restaurants I have tried in the Southwest, but I like Saigon Taste better because of its clay
pot tofu, lemongrass chicken vermicelli, and Saigon pancakes.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Steve's Recommendations
Readers' Suggestions
Desserts
Cafe Central, Mi Piaci, Marina's German Bakery
P. F. Chang's (Lucky 8);
Le Rendez-Vous 2701 W. Picacho, Las Cruces (pastries)
Vegetarian
Ripe is probably the best place for upscale vegetarian dining (an alternative
would be The Greenery); Chut-ney is excellent for vegetarian south Indian food;
Moon Day, Oriental Cafe, Pho Tre Bien, Saigon Taste,
and Singapore are some of the best choices for Asian food if you want to ensure
that a strictly vegetarian (and flavorful) meal can be prepared (the chefs at all these
restaurants give as much attention to preparing vegetarian dishes as meat dishes);
Jerusalem Grill and Salma Farah's serve flavorful Middle Eastern food,
but Su Casa serves spinach pie and tabouli along with great cheese enchiladas;
Como's has a very reasonably priced spaghetti with marinara sauce as a special
on Tue. and Thurs. evenings; Ardovino's is my favorite vegetarian pizza;
Kiki's is well known in El Paso for offering vegetarian Mexican food (including the beans
and tortillas) with a traditional Mexican flavor.
Lent Specials
Many Mexican restaurants offer fish, seafood, or meatless specials on Fridays during Lent in order
to observe the religious traditions of the Catholic Church. The best Lent specials, such as are found
at El Jacalito and Carnitas Querétaro,
also have special foods such as a vegetarian lentil soup and capirotada for dessert.
Live Music
The Dome Bar in the Camino Real is known for good quality live music
Mariachis
This can be highly variable, but as far as I know Dominguez
Restaurant has them every Saturday night; I have also heard mariachis at Barrigas,
Forti's, and Los Bandidos de Carlos and Mickey's (but I do not know the
schedule)