Casita Linda is one of the many neighborhood Mexican restaurants in El Paso that tourists rarely find, but has the type of food I think out of town visitors envision when they come to the borderland for its nationally known cuisine. There is a good reason Casita Linda is not well known-- it is located on a relatively little traveled street in the part of the city that is as far away from Interstate 10 as it is possible to get. However, readers from Alamogordo or who regularly travel on U.S. 54 have told me they make regular stops at Casita Linda, partly because although the Mexican food in Alamogordo is good, it is not quite the same as can be found in El Paso.

As a former resident of northeast El Paso I know I have been to Casita Linda, but I do not know how many times. For the purposes of this web site I am "starting over" on my count of the number of times I have visited. The point is, though, that the length of time Casita Linda has been in business for me to remember it as long ago as I do makes it one of El Paso's established institutions in Mexican food. In fact, it is almost the stereotype of the unique El Paso style Mexican food found along the border. A variety of items are good, but probably the best thing that can be ordered is a combination plate with contrasting flavors, colors, textures, and levels of spiciness.

Combination plate with refried beans, chile relleno, green enchilada, red enchilada, and rice

The restaurant is so small that if tourists "discovered" it there would probably not be enough room for them all to sit. I do think, though, that if I could compose a list of about ten restaurants where people could go to get classic El Paso style Mexican food Casita Linda would be included. For those going to or coming from Alamogordo, it is also one of the most convenient. Like many El Paso restaurants it closes early (about 8 p.m. on weekdays), but otherwise it always seems to be there, helping it fit into the category of "comfort food."