El Paso, Texas is a city known for its unique blend of Mexican and American cultures. This blending of cultures is especially apparent in El Paso’s food scene, which features tasty Tex-Mex dishes, authentic Mexican fare, and its own regional specialties.
Tex-Mex Cuisine
El Paso is perhaps best known as a hotspot for Tex-Mex food. Tex-Mex cuisine combines American and Mexican ingredients and cooking styles to create dishes like nachos, fajitas, chili con carne, and chimichangas. El Paso’s proximity to Mexico and its heavily Hispanic population helped Tex-Mex thrive here.
Some of El Paso’s most iconic Tex-Mex dishes include:
- Cheese enchiladas – Corn tortillas rolled around melted cheese and enchilada sauce
- Tacos al carbon – Grilled steak tacos
- Chiles rellenos – Roasted and stuffed chili peppers
- Fajita tacos – Grilled steak or chicken fajitas in soft tacos
Popular local Tex-Mex chains in El Paso include Chico’s Tacos, L&J Cafe, Lucy’s Restaurant, and The Tap. These joints serve up hot, hearty plates of Tex-Mex classics.
Authentic Mexican Food
Thanks to its border location, El Paso also offers plenty of authentic Mexican food. The city has heavy Mexican influence, with over 80% of residents being of Hispanic heritage. You can find legit Mexican dishes throughout El Paso.
Some authentic Mexican foods to try in El Paso include:
- Tacos al pastor – Spit-grilled pork tacos
- Pozole – A hominy and pork stew
- Menudo – A spicy tripe soup
- Tamales – Steamed corn dough with meat fillings
- Quesadillas – Grilled corn tortillas with cheese
Popular spots to sample authentic Mexican cuisine in El Paso include Taqueria La Pila, El Mexicano, Mi Pueblito, and Talavera Mexican Restaurant. At these eateries, you’ll find traditional flavors and preparations true to Mexico.
Regional Specialties
Beyond Tex-Mex and Mexican fare, El Paso has several quintessential dishes that reflect the region’s unique culture and geography:
- Carne adovada – Pork marinated and braised in a spicy red chili sauce. It’s often served as a burrito or taco filling.
- Carne seca – Dried beef that is rehydrated and used to make burritos, tacos, and other dishes.
- Relleno blanco – Roasted Anaheim chiles stuffed with chicken or cheese in a creamy white sauce.
- Gorditas – Thick corn masa cakes that are split open and stuffed with meat fillings.
Some favorite spots to sample these regional specialties include L&J Cafe, Lucy’s Restaurant, and Kiki’s Restaurant. El Paso’s unique Southwestern geography and culture come through in these hearty, flavorful dishes.
Fast Food Variations
El Paso has also put its own spin on American fast food classics. For example:
- McDonald’s serves green chili cheeseburgers.
- Whataburger has salsa con queso as a dipping sauce.
- Subway sandwiches come topped with sliced avocado.
- Taco Bell serves breakfast tacos with scrambled eggs.
You’ll find hints of El Paso’s Mexican flavors and foods even at standard fast food chains. The regional twists keep global franchises feeling local.
Fresh Produce & Ingredients
The cuisine of El Paso benefits from the region’s strong agricultural traditions. Lots of fresh, local produce makes its way into El Paso cooking, including:
- Chilis – Hatch green chilis are particularly popular.
- Onions
- Tomatoes
- Corn
- Avocados
- Pecans
- Squash
These fresh, seasonal ingredients add great flavor to El Paso’s Tex-Mex dishes, authentic Mexican fare, and signature regional specialties.
Popular Desserts
El Paso has some seriously delicious desserts to satisfy your sweet tooth:
- Sopapillas – Light pastries fried and drizzled with honey.
- Bunuelos – Fried dough balls coated in cinnamon and sugar.
- Flan – Creamy caramel custard.
- Tres leches cake – Sponge cake soaked in three kinds of milk.
- Empanadas – Handpies filled with fruit or cream cheese.
Popular spots to indulge your sweet tooth include Bowie Bakery, Leah’s Pralines, and La Norteña Tortilleria and Bakery. They all dish out delicious takes on classic El Paso desserts.
Local Drinks
Wash down all that delicious El Paso food with these thirst-quenching local beverages:
- Aguas frescas – Sweetened fruit juices like horchata (rice milk) and jamaica (hibiscus).
- Mexican hot chocolate – Rich, spiced chocolate drink.
- Micheladas – Beer mixed with tomato juice, lime, and chili sauce.
- Margaritas – Lime juice, tequila, and orange liqueur over ice.
- Beer – El Paso’s microbreweries produce quality craft beers.
Sip local drinks like aguas frescas from street food carts or relax with a michelada or margarita alongside your meal at a sit-down restaurant.
The Best Places to Eat El Paso’s Signature Foods
To fully experience El Paso’s delicious blend of Mexican and Tex-Mex flavors, be sure to visit these top local eateries:
| Restaurant | Known For |
|---|---|
| L&J Cafe | Tex-Mex classics like enchiladas, rellenos, gorditas |
| Lucy’s Restaurant | Homemade flour tortillas, chili gravy dishes |
| Tacos al Carbon | Authentic grilled steak tacos al carbon |
| Taqueria La Pila | Real-deal Mexican tacos, tortas, and caldos |
| Kiki’s Restaurant | Carne adovada, chiles rellenos, pozole |
| The Tap | Gourmet twists on Tex-Mex with 180+ tequilas |
| Bowie Bakery | Fresh Mexican pastries like sopapillas |
| Leah’s Pralines | Handmade pralines with local pecans |
Food Festivals in El Paso
You can taste a wide array of El Paso’s signature foods at these annual festivals:
- Taste of the Border Food Show – Massive festival with food vendors, live music, shopping, and more.
- Hatch Chile Festival – Celebrates El Paso’s beloved Hatch chilis with roasting, recipes, entertainment, and competitions.
- Sun City Craft Beer Festival – Showcases El Paso’s flourishing craft beer scene with unlimited sampling.
El Paso’s Can’t-Miss Specialty Restaurants
In addition to traditional Tex-Mex and Mexican spots, El Paso has some one-of-a-kind eateries you won’t find elsewhere:
- Cattleman’s Steakhouse – Legendary spot where generations of cattlemen have dined on juicy, aged steaks and classic sides since 1962.
- Hueco Tanks – Hip, urban cantina fusing border flavors with modern flair in a cool converted warehouse setting.
- Artisan Hotel – Elegant fine dining at the Artisan Hotel with a seasonal American menu and striking 16th floor views.
- Crave Kitchen – Creative comfort food selections with globally inspired twists and lavish brunch options.
These specialty spots offer a high-end take on El Paso’s dynamic culinary identity.
Food Tourism & Tours in El Paso
To fully immerse yourself in El Paso’s food scene, consider a food tour. Options include:
- El Paso Food Tours – Walking tours of downtown, Kern Place, and Central neighborhoods sampling different local cuisines.
- Savor El Paso Food Tours – Van tours that visit mom-and-pop eateries and historic sites between tasty bites.
- Fierro Bus Tours – Hop-on, hop-off tour bus with stops at top El Paso restaurants.
Food tours offer a fun, filling way to discover El Paso’s culinary diversity and landmarks.
Cooking Classes
You can also learn to recreate El Paso specialties at home through cooking classes like:
- Sazón Cooking School – Hands-on and demonstration classes teaching classic Tex-Mex and Mexican dishes.
- Green Chile Kitchen – Small group classes focused on El Paso’s beloved Hatch green chilis.
- El Paso Community College – Continuing education classes on topics like tamales, Mexican sauces, Tex-Mex, and more.
Master all your favorite El Paso flavors through these interactive culinary experiences.
Conclusion
From Tex-Mex classics to authentic Mexican specialties to singular regional dishes, El Paso offers an incredible variety of delicious and distinctive foods. Iconic local eateries, festivals, food tours, and cooking classes make it easy to dive into the city’s remarkable culinary scene. El Paso’s border culture shines through its inventive fusion cuisine, where Mexican and American traditions beautifully intersect for a one-of-a-kind foodie adventure.