Los Bandidos de Carlos and Mickey's on Magruder Street serves classic El Paso Mexican: generous chimichanga plates, prickly pear margaritas, borderland decor.
Editorially verified June 26, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Must 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.
Address: 1310 Magruder St, El Paso, TX 79925
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.
Kiki's Mexican Restaurant on North Piedras Street is the definitive machaca destination in El Paso, serving braised brisket scrambled with eggs and Hatch.
Order: Brisket machaca with scrambled eggs and green chile
Tip: Closed Tuesdays. The green chile content changes by season; August through November is prime.
Chico's Tacos is El Paso's most singular street institution: rolled corn tacos submerged in tomato broth and blanketed with shredded cheese, cash-only.
Order: Rolled tacos in tomato broth with shredded cheese
Tip: Cash only. The late-night crowd peaks after midnight on weekends.
Cafe Mayapan on Texas Avenue, run by La Mujer Obrera, serves pre-Hispanic Mexican including cactus dishes, tamales, and pozole in a community room.
Order: Nopales tacos or the roasted corn pozole
Tip: Lunch only, closes at 15:00. The Saturday breakfast with tamales and atole starts at 08:00.
The Italian Kitchen on Pershing Drive has served El Paso since 1948 with fettuccine alfredo, pepperoni pizza, and eggplant parmesan in large portions.
Order: Fettuccine alfredo or eggplant parmesan
Tip: Split a pasta as a starter; portions are generous enough for two to share.
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.
Mariscos Los Mariachis on Alameda serves Mexican-style seafood with tableside salsa, shrimp cocktails, fish tacos, and fried octopus in a bright room.
Order: Shrimp tacos with tableside salsa verde, or the campechana cocktail
Tip: Ask for the tableside salsa preparation; the green version with tomatillo is the best match for fish tacos.
