1. One Tamale, Two Tamale, Three Tamale, Four!
Pepe’s Tamales9530 Viscount, Suite 1F(915) 591-7949
Yelp: 5 stars
As anybody in El Paso will tell you, their
abuela makes the best tamale ever, but Pepe’s might actually take the tamale on that one.
They have the perfect balance of texture and spice level. With four delicious flavors to choose from (red chili pork, green chili chicken, red chili cheese, and a dessert option), their motto might as well be “keep it simple, stupid.”
2. Menudo Makes The Hangover Go Away
Good Luck Café3813 Alameda Ave.(915) 532-9039
Yelp: 4 stars
Whether you’re gearing up for a night on the town or waking up to the aftermath, menudo has you covered. Good Luck Café knows how to dish up this savory soup, packing their bowls full with spicy broth, tripe, red chili, lime, onions, and cilantro.
3. And If Menudo Doesn’t Work, There’s Always Hair Of The Michelada
Clasico Kitchen Bar9615 Montana Ave.(915) 599-9133
Yelp: 4 stars
Micheladas, or red beers, are served up several different ways in El Paso. At Clasico, the beer/lime/Clamato combo features a huge chunk of steak jerky. Thinking of going vegetarian? Order yours with mango chunks in a Tajin-rimmed glass.
4. The Fancy Pants Burgers At The Hoppy Monk Will Make You A Believer
The Hoppy Monk4141 N. Mesa St.(915) 307-3263
Yelp: 4.5 stars
If you’re looking for a good ol’ fashioned greasy burger, this might not be the place. But foodies rejoice—The Hoppy Monk’s burgers are hand-made from 100 percent organic, hormone-free prime beef. The menu includes a pear and blue cheese burger, one with onion jam, aged cheddar and aioli, and a black bean and pumpkin patty.
5. These Amazing Churros Are Cinnamon, Spice, And Everything Nice
Tabla115 S. Durango St.(915) 533-8935
Yelp: 4.5 stars
Churros are a staple dessert in Latin American cuisine. At Tabla, the chef stuffs this crispy delight with baked apples and then tops it with a dollop of cream and honey. Can anything be more heavenly?
6. Move Over Ice Cream!
Bahama Buck’s1718 N. Zaragoza Rd.(915) 856-9494
Yelp: 5 stars
For a snowball that packs a sweet and spicy flavor punch, give yourself over to the mango chamoy snowball.
7. Rolled Tacos So Good They Got Their Own Show
Chico’s Tacos4230 Alameda Ave.(915) 533-0975
Yelp: 3.5 stars
Chico’s Tacos were featured on The Food Network’s “The Best Thing I Ever Ate,” and the rolled tacos are definitely one of the best things I ever ate. They come drenched in a piquant tomato sauce and melted cheese with green chile salsa—order one or five and you won’t be disappointed.
8. This Cucumber Concoction Will Blow You Away
Coco Miel1515 N. Lee Trevino Dr.(915) 595-7170
Yelp: 4 stars
There are several variations on this tasty and refreshing shot but Coco Miel has perfected the cucumber concoction. The main ingredients consist of muddled cucumber shaken with vodka, chili, and lime or lemon, and Coco Miel’s packs a pepino punch!
9. Not All Pies Are Equal—And None Are Ardovino’s Equal
Ardovino’s Pizza and Italian Restaurant206 Cincinnati Ave.(915) 532-9483
Yelp: 4 stars
Baked on a crispy thin crust and topped with cheesy goodness, the pie at Ardovino’s is worth its weight in gold.
If you’re feeling adventurous, test out one of their combo pizzas like salmon and fennel; meatballs; and Canadian bacon and asparagus.
10. Pan Dulce Is The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread
Bowie Bakery901 Park St.(915) 544-6025
Yelp: 4.5 stars
This sweet bread comes in many different forms, including
besos,
conchas,
cuernos, and
piedras, and all of them have earned a steady cult following at Bowie. You must try the
marranitos—eating little gingerbread piggies never tasted so good.
11. This Place Steaks Its Claim On Your Tastebuds
Cattleman’s Steakhouse3450 S. Fabens Carlsbad Rd.(915) 544-3200
Yelp: 4.5 stars
Cattleman’s Steakhouse is, hands down, the best place for a juicy, tender steak.
The cuts here are seasoned to perfection and bursting with flavor. But don’t take my word for it—Cattleman’s has been recognized for its steak prowess by a number of local and national media, including the Discovery Channel, “Men’s Health,” “El Paso Times,” and “People.” It’s a bit of a drive to get there (45 minutes outside of El Paso) but well-worth the wait.
12. Try The Tantalizing Thai In Lower Dyer
Thai Chef Café4800 Dyer St.(915) 566-8050
Yelp: 4.5 stars
Foodies in the know are hip to the food revolution going down in the Lower Dyer area, as proven by the droves who go there to sample the taste bud-blowing creations dished up by Thai Chef Café.
The staples are all delish—the spring rolls are made perfect by the fresh peanut sauce, the tom kai gai is aromatic with its Thai herbs and creamy coconut base, and the drunken noodles are indeed intoxicating.
13. Best Bet for Brekkie
Crave Kitchen and Bar300 Cincinnati Ave.(915) 351-3677
Yelp: 4 stars
If breakfast is the most important meal of the day, then the steak and egg burrito at Crave is my sustenance and the cucumber mint water is my tonic. The breakfast sammies are otherworldly—the fried chicken biscuit sandwich features jalapeño-honey, cheddar cheese and house-made pickles. Need I say more?
14. Veggie Lovers, This Place Is Ripe For the Picking
Ripe910 E. Redd Rd.(915) 584-7473
Yelp: 4.5 stars
Ripe’s garden vegetable panini is mouth watering. The bread is toasted ciabatta, the fixins’ are grilled eggplant, fresh mozzarella, marinated onions, roasted red peppers, and a hearty slab of portabella made to perfection with basil pesto and hummus.
This eatery is known for its stellar vegetarian options, but it also delivers on its promise of fresh cuisine—with or without meat—and its ability to envision food in a new light.
15. In The Know For Pho
Pho Tre Bien6946 Gateway E(915) 598-0166
Yelp: 4 stars
It’s no secret why Pho Tre Bien is known by locals as the place to go for pho. With all the standard fixings, their soup is consistently ambrosial—just the way it should be. They don’t skimp on the meat (the #13 with brisket and rare steak is a must-try) and the spice level is spot on. Just don’t forget the hoisin and Sriracha!
Feature Image Source: The Hoppy Monk via Facebook
