The growing east side where ELEMI relocated to Eastlake Boulevard, alongside family taquerias, Mountain Star Brewing, and the Cielo Vista corridor.
ELEMI on Eastlake Boulevard in east El Paso is the James Beard semifinalist taqueria of chef Emiliano Marentes, built around daily-ground heirloom corn.
Order: Handmade corn tortilla tacos made from daily-ground heirloom masa
Tip: Walk-ins welcome; parties over 10 call ahead. Worth the 20-minute drive from downtown.
Los Bandidos de Carlos and Mickey's on Magruder Street serves classic El Paso Mexican with chimichangas, enchiladas, and prickly pear margaritas in a room.
Order: Prickly pear margarita with green chile enchiladas or chimichangas
Tip: The prickly pear margarita is the local signature drink at this address.
Gom Ramen on Hunter Drive is El Paso's most-noted ramen shop, serving rich broths and carefully balanced bowls that stand out in a city where Mexican.
Order: Tonkotsu ramen with marinated soft-boiled egg
Tip: Closed Mondays; the tonkotsu is the richest bowl; choose your spice level at the counter.
ELEMI is the James Beard Award semifinalist restaurant of chef Emiliano Marentes in east El Paso, centred on daily-ground heirloom corn masa and craft.
Order: Chef's selection of masa-based dishes with heirloom corn tortillas, or the braised short rib taco
Tip: Walk-ins welcome but dinner can fill on weekends; arrive at 17:00 for best selection.
Gom Ramen on Hunter Drive is El Paso's leading ramen specialist, offering rich tonkotsu, shoyu, and vegetarian broths in a city where the noodle shop.
Order: Tonkotsu ramen with soft-boiled egg and chashu pork
Tip: Closed Mondays; the miso ramen with corn is the best vegetarian option.
Los Bandidos de Carlos and Mickey's on Magruder Street serves classic El Paso Mexican: generous chimichanga plates, prickly pear margaritas, borderland decor.
Order: Chimichangas or prickly pear margarita with green chile enchiladas
Tip: The prickly pear margarita is the house signature; ask for it on the rocks, not blended.
BLDG 6 Coffee on James Watt Drive in east El Paso serves light-roast Ethiopian natural-process and Colombian washed coffees in a minimal specialty space.
Order: Ethiopian natural process pour-over or the vanilla cold foam latte
Tip: The cold brew nitro tap is available Friday through Sunday; the best afternoon drink on the east side.
Mountain Star Brewing on Pellicano Drive on the east side of El Paso is a neighborhood taproom producing West Texas ales and lagers with patio seating.
Order: Franklin Mountain IPA or the Texas Honey Wheat
Tip: The patio is popular on clear evenings; crowded Saturdays from 13:00.
Texas Culinary Institute on Viscount Boulevard is El Paso's accredited culinary school offering consumer cooking workshops on weekends covering border.
Tip: Consumer workshops are open to non-students and cover border-specific techniques not available elsewhere in the city. Book 2 weeks ahead for Saturday sessions.