If you know me, you know food is one of my top three passions in life. Perhaps top two. I’ve lived in El Paso, Texas, for 19 years now, and I’ve always had an established rotation of certain dishes from my personal best El Paso restaurants that I ALWAYS. If you want to figure out where to eat in El Paso, what the best El Paso restaurants are, or simply what my food fixations are at the moment, I bring you my current tasty rotation of the best food in El Paso with links, photos and addresses!
EL BESO TAQUERÍA — tacos, tacos, tacos pls
El Beso Taquería recently opened their second location in Far East El Paso, and my life has officially changed forever. This is currently my favorite taquería in all of El Paso. I like their old-style taquería aesthetic that’s reminiscent of a Mexico City taquería with the red-and-white branding all over. Let me tell about the tacos though! Their costra de asada is to dieeee for. The perfectly fried cheese with tasty and tender carne asada all on a traditional corn tortilla is a combination to write home about. I also loveee their al pastor tacos, and their quesadilla with al pastor meat is delicious too. The quesabirria tacos and consomé are very tasty. They have an assortment of salsas to give your tacos a little heat. I wish their salsas were a little more spicy, but I usually like very spicy things and I’d like to think my tolerance is pretty high.
Their aguas frescas are also refreshing and they taste like they’re made with real ingredients and not from concentrate. My only complain is the wait to get your food. It seems like they have a lot of delivery-app and to-go orders and those just kept coming out. Whereas our dine-in order took about 15–20 minutes. It was a Sunday though so I guess a wait is expected anywhere. The wait didn’t takeaway from how much I love the food here and I can’t wait to go get some tacos again! Are the tacos from El Beso Taquería the best tacos in El Paso? It’s definitely one of the best El Paso restaurants!
ADDRESS: 2301 N. Zaragoza Road #109&110, El Paso, Texas 79938
VIET — Vegetarian Pho with Fried Tofu & Fried Wontons
This is my No. 1 food fixation of the moment. Viet has hands-down THE best pho in El Paso, Texas. I LOVE THIS PLACE so much and I will never stop recommending it (Yes, it’s even better than that one spot, you know which one). Viet’s pho is so good that I was able to turn my traditional Mexican parents into pho lovers like me! My go-to order is the rice noodle soup with fried tofu and beef broth (#48) and an order of the fried wontons (#7). The pho is light, tasty and always well served. Ask for their chili oil and have yourself a heavenly time. Plus, the crisped-to-perfection fried wontons come with a tangy sauce that really ties it all together amazingly well.
They have a lot of vegetarian options and the service is always quick and wonderful. You gotta head to Viet to try the best pho in El Paso. If Viet has a million fans, I’m one of them. If Viet has one fan, I’m that one. You get what I’m saying!
ADDRESS: 1700 N. Zaragoza Road, #108, El Paso, Texas 79936
GLIA’S COFFEE — Strawberry Matcha
I’ve yet to Glia’s Coffee location in Downtown El Paso, and I had been dying to try their strawberry matcha for a long time. I recently checked out the Upper Valley Artist and Farmers Market in El Paso and I was super stoked when I saw that their truck was there. I literally ran to this damn coffee truck and promptly ordered the strawberry matcha. It was soooo good! The strawberry foam was surprisingly tasty — it had so much more flavor than I expected. And the matcha had just the perfect amount of sweetness to it. They add a little sugar cookie on top and I love that little detail. I’m definitely checking out their brick and mortar very, very soon!
ADDRESS: 404 Arizona Ave., Suite 1, El Paso, Texas 79902
PILÓN — Prosciutto & Brie Sandwich and Caesar Salad
Although these are in no particular order, Pilón deserves one of the top spots because I literally live for their prosciutto and brie sandwich and their caesar salad. I know what you’re thinking, “Ceasar salads are for basic bitches.” Sure, they are. However, I can guarantee you’ve never had one as good as Pilón. I would put money on it. They make the caesar dressing from scratch WITH the secret ingredient that gives it that very specific delicious flavor — psst, it’s anchovies! There’s a little bit of spice that really takes the flavor all the way home. Plus, the wine options are extensive af! The people who work there are incredibly knowledgeable about wine and can always provide a great recommendation if you’re undecided. 10/10 do recommend.
ADDRESS: 2430 N. Mesa St., El Paso, Texas 79902
JVB’s BOHEMIAN CAFE — Chilaquiles, 420 Fries & Golden Milk
BRO. If you haven’t had Joe Vinny & Bronson’s Bohemian Cafe‘s 420 fries, stop what you’re doing right now, head there and order some. STAT! The 420 fries live up to their name by conquering your mouth with mozzarella, feta, tomato, onion, cilantro, basil pesto and their yummy house salsa. I get them sans onion and cilantro because I’m a baby. But trust, trust, trust, you’ll be hooked on these from the first bite. Just imagine me going *chef’s kiss* over and over as I write this. They are a little bit spicy and the fries are always the perfect amount of crunchy. I just can’t say enough about these! So. Damn. Yummy.
JVB’s also has some of the best chilaquiles in El Paso and THE BEST golden milk in the city. This place is a staple for me because so many things on their menu are belong on all the best El Paso restaurants lists!
ADDRESS: 824 N. Piedras St., El Paso, Texas 79903
PIEDMONT CAFE — Bang Bang Broccoli
Y’all, I — they’re unbelievably good. So, so good. I don’t think there’s anything like it in El Paso. Listen, I know Piedmont‘s prices are a little bit more on the higher end here. But you’re getting quality that’s absolutely worth it! The bang bang broccoli is so sexily crunchy and the spicy heat is simply effortlessly perfect. The first time I went there, our group was so obsessed that we asked for a second order of broccoli after we devoured the first one. Their nachos, kimchi fried rice and grilled cheese sandwich are also standouts. I love Piedmont as one of the best El Paso restaurants because their menu items are so unique and very yummy.
ADDRESS: 4172 N. Mesa St. Suite A, El Paso, Texas 79902
DESERT OAK — El Paso Potato
Have you ever tasted something that felt like home? Well, Desert Oak‘s scrumptious, enormous and completely divine El Paso Potato feels just like that. It’s no mystery that this hometown BBQ spot has some of the best ribs and brisket in El Paso — it’s going to be a home run 10 times out of 10. But the true star in my eyes is the El Paso Potato. Picture this: a humongous baked potato layered with all the yummy-ness of shredded cheese, beans, sour cream, chives, salt and pepper, and warm brisket (or your protein of choice). What more can I say? It’s heaven and you’ll definitely need a nap after. The lines tend to be long, but the flavors are most definitely worth the wait! Desert Oak is a hometown treasure in my heart and stomach, and they definitely serve some of the best food in El Paso.
ADDRESS: 11411 Gateway Blvd. W., El Paso, Texas 79936
2TEN COFFEE ROASTERS — Breakfast Nachos
Listen, when Block Table and Tap got rid of the breakfast nachos on their menu, I was completely devastated. That is until I discovered that 2Ten also has breakfast nachos on their menu! And I’ve since forever moved on because 2Ten’s breakfast nachos bring the brightest, yummiest, most-indulgent light to my foodie life. 2Ten’s a perfect brunch spot in El Paso, and you tell me what could possibly be a better combination than crunchy tostadas, queso, avocado, toreados, queso cotija, black beans, bacon AND a fried egg on top?! I’ll wait. 2Ten has three locations in El Paso, but I usually go to the one in Central. ALSO, consider this my very official petition for them to open a location in the Far East. Pretty please!
ADDRESS: 3007 Montana Ave., El Paso, Texas 79903
TACONETA — Tacos & Elote
Taconeta is just one of those spots — they’ve got major hype and they actually stand up to that hype! From all of the best tacos in El Paso, Taconeta is earning its spot high up on the list. This is my very official foodie recommendation and must-eats order: El Teofilo taco (shrimp a la diabla with melted cheese), Suadero taco (brisket confit, salsa Goku, guacamole, onions and cilantro), Baja fish taco (tempura-fried cod, cabbage slaw and chile mayo), and of course an elote en vaso with extra chili powder. Pair their tasty tacos with a refreshing jamaica margarita and you’ll be thinking of me!
ADDRESS: 311 Montana Ave., A-1, El Paso, Texas 79902
ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE — Buffalo Cauliflower
Here’s one that anyone who knows is not going to be surprised about because I simply never shut up about it. It’s Alamo Drafthouse‘s buffalo cauliflower. One of my true loves in this one lifetime. They’re so good I could cry. I’m obviously obsessed. Alamo, please never ever take these off the menu. I could eat these everyday — they’re simple and yet incomparable. They’re crunchy and yummy and they go so well with their delicious vegan ranch. I also always order a side of buffalo sauce because duh, you can never have enough buffalo sauce. If I go watch a movie at Alamo, you can bet your last dollar that I’ll be ordering these!
VALENTINE’S BAKERY — Quesadilla con Asado de Rojo
This is a breakfast staple in my house. When they do it right, they do it so right! Valentine’s quesadilla is not your regular quesadilla. They toast the cheese on a homemade tortilla de harina until it forms a light crust, and then, you can add their delicious asados to perfectly complement it. I always go for the asado de rojo — shredded pork and potatoes in a spicy red sauce. You gotta make sure they toast the cheese though. Otherwise, it just doesn’t hit the same. And this is another one of the best food in El Paso that just tastes like home!
ADDRESS: 11930 Picasso Drive, El Paso, Texas 79936
TEAPIOCA LOUNGE — Lemonade SlushEe with Blueberry, Boba & Mango Agar
Yes, this isn’t a restaurant. But Teapioca Lounge is my favorite boba spot in El Paso! Their menu is super extensive and there’s bound to be something for everyone. My go-to is a lemonade slushie with blueberry, boba and mango agar. It never disappoints! Whenever somebody asks me to recommend a chill place, I always send them to Teapioca.
ADDRESS: 2601 N. Zaragoza Road, Suite 101A, El Paso, Texas 79938
KOZE — El Paso Sunday Roll
Is this place a staple in EPTX or what? Koze teeters back and forth between the first and second spots of my top sushi places in El Paso. Their sushi is always fresh and they don’t really skimp on the size of the rolls. It’s definitely worth the price! Plus, the teppanyaki is always fun and delicious too. I always order an El Paso Sunday roll and the Vegas roll — absolute YUM! This spot is perfect for dates, birthdays and other special occasions. It’s one of the best El Paso restaurants in my opinion. Additionally, Koze has two locations on opposite sides of the city.
ADDRESS: 6127 N. Mesa St., Suite B, El Paso, Texas 79912
EL CHARLATÁN — Bourdain Ramen, Tacos & the Loya Salad
UPDATE: As of 2024, El Charlatán unfortunately closed its downs for good. And I’m in mourning about it; but I’m keeping it as an honorable metion because it was some of the best food in El Paso.
Technically, this reservation-only, hidden gem is in Socorro, Texas, but the drive there is absolutely worth it. El Charlatán is Chef Enrique Lozano’s brain child, and it brings a wonderfully delicious Mexican-Japanese fusion to the El Paso foodie scene. Every dish I tried so far was outstanding in my opinion. From the hearty, flavorful tonkotsu broth that knocks the Bourdain ramen out of the park to the Loya Salad with its fresh, zesty lime-honey vinaigrette, you can taste the dedication and passion that went into developing every single item on the menu.
The tacos harmoniously unite typical Mexican and Japanese flavors to create a tasty and intriguing culinary experience like no one else is doing in El Paso area restaurants. The order of tacos comes with four of them — giving you the opportunity to try one of each! My favorite was the Chicken Chilmole taco (butter-milk togarashi fried chicken topped with microgreens, slaw, and red and green salsa in a warm tortilla). They also brought us a freshly made tortilla with a miso butter spread that was just simply delightful.
You made it to the end of the meal today! But my food fixations change often — make sure you stick around on my Instagram and this blog to hear all about my current foodie obsessions and travel adventures! Let me know what you think is the best El Paso restaurant, and I’ll go check it out. Until next time, fellow unicorns!
-V
