24 editor picks in El Paso.
24 mexican places in El Paso we have eaten in, sorted by editor score. All cuisines in El Paso | Mexican across every city.
Mexican food is El Paso's native language. L and J Cafe has served red enchiladas since 1927 as the city's oldest Mexican restaurant, Kiki's on North Piedras is the machaca brunch benchmark, and Chico's Tacos feeds most people under seven dollars with its famous rolled tacos in tomato broth, cash only. The supporting cast runs deep, from El Jacalito's budget migas downtown to La Colonial, one of the city's oldest tortilla factories, hand-pressing on Paisano Drive.
L and J Cafe in El Paso, open since 1927, is the city's oldest Mexican restaurant, serving red enchiladas and house-made salsa from its East Missouri.
OrderRed enchiladas with chile de arbol salsa, or the green chile relleno
TipArrive before noon on weekends; the lunch crowd fills every table by 12:30.
Kiki's on North Piedras Street is El Paso's canonical machaca address: braised brisket scrambled with eggs and Hatch green chile since the 1970s.
OrderBrisket machaca with eggs and green chile
TipClosed Tuesdays; the green chile comes from the Hatch Valley and changes seasonally.
Chico's Tacos is El Paso's most singular institution: rolled corn tacos submerged in seasoned tomato broth and topped with shredded cheese, served.
OrderRolled tacos in tomato broth with shredded cheese
TipCash only at all locations. Order a combination of tacos plus a tostada for the full experience.
Cafe Mayapan on Texas Avenue, run by La Mujer Obrera since 2001, serves pre-Hispanic dishes including nopales tacos, tamales, and pozole made in-house.
OrderRoasted cactus tacos or the pozole
TipLunch only; closes at 15:00. Saturday opens at 08:00 for breakfast tamales and atole.
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.
OrderPrickly pear margarita with green chile enchiladas or chimichangas
TipThe prickly pear margarita is the local signature drink at this address.
El Jacalito on Myrtle Avenue is a breakfast-and-lunch-only address celebrated for migas plates and authentic Mexican home cooking served under a painted.
OrderMigas plate or huevos rancheros
TipCloses at 15:00; order migas for the quintessential El Paso morning plate.
Su-Casa Restaurant on Yandell Drive is a neighbourhood Mexican staple, serving gordita plates, enchiladas, and tacos at everyday prices in a low-key local.
OrderGordita plate with beans and rice, or green chile enchiladas
TipConsistent neighbourhood kitchen; generous portions and cash is preferred.
Kiki's Mexican Restaurant on North Piedras Street is the definitive machaca destination in El Paso, serving braised brisket scrambled with eggs and Hatch.
OrderBrisket machaca with scrambled eggs and green chile
TipClosed 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.
OrderRolled tacos in tomato broth with shredded cheese
TipCash 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.
OrderNopales tacos or the roasted corn pozole
TipLunch only, closes at 15:00. The Saturday breakfast with tamales and atole starts at 08:00.
El Jacalito on Myrtle Avenue is a breakfast-and-lunch spot celebrated for its migas and classic Mexican egg dishes, served under a colourful painted mural.
OrderMigas plate or huevos a la mexicana with salsa
TipCloses at 15:00; get here before noon on weekends as the line builds quickly.
Los Bandidos de Carlos and Mickey's on Magruder Street serves classic El Paso Mexican: generous chimichanga plates, prickly pear margaritas, borderland decor.
OrderChimichangas or prickly pear margarita with green chile enchiladas
TipThe prickly pear margarita is the house signature; ask for it on the rocks, not blended.
La Colonial Tortilla Factory on Paisano Drive is one of El Paso's oldest tortilla producers, pressing handmade flour and corn tortillas daily alongside.
OrderFresh-pressed flour tortilla burrito with brisket
TipArrive early; the burrito line builds by 08:00 and the brisket sells out by 11:00.
La Mejor Tortilleria on North Piedras Street is a Five Points panaderia producing traditional pan dulce including conchas, polvorones, and elotes, plus.
OrderConchas or polvorones with cafe de olla
TipSunday pan dulce sells out by 10:00; arrive before 09:00 for the full selection.
El Jacalito on Myrtle Avenue serves El Paso's quintessential morning street food: migas with scrambled eggs, crispy tortilla strips, salsa, all for under $9.
OrderMigas plate or breakfast burrito with migas
TipThe migas breakfast burrito is the portable version; perfect for eating while walking downtown.
Cafe Mayapan on Texas Avenue serves pre-Hispanic Mexican street food traditions including nopales (cactus) tacos, tamales, and atole from a community.
OrderNopales taco or the tamale plate at Saturday breakfast
TipSaturday 08:00-15:00 is the tamale and atole breakfast; the most distinctive morning experience in El Paso.
Cafe Mayapan at La Mujer Obrera community centre on Texas Avenue is El Paso's best-kept culinary secret, serving pre-Hispanic dishes including nopales.
OrderNopales taco or tamales with atole on Saturday mornings
TipLook for the La Mujer Obrera entrance on Texas Avenue; the cafe is inside the building. Saturday 08:00 for tamales and atole.
Chico's Tacos on Alameda Avenue feeds most people under $7 with rolled tacos in tomato broth served cash-only, the most signature budget meal in El Paso.
OrderPlate of rolled tacos in tomato broth with cheese
TipCash only; the standard plate of six tacos plus broth is enough for one person.
Cafe Mayapan on Texas Avenue serves a daily lunch plate with tamales, beans, and rice at community pricing under $10, making it the best-value traditional.
OrderTamale plate with beans or the daily soup
TipThe lunch plate changes daily; arrive before 13:00 to ensure full options are available.
El Jacalito on Myrtle Avenue runs a full breakfast and lunch under $10 per person, with migas, huevos rancheros, and breakfast tacos made to order.
OrderMigas plate or breakfast tacos with salsa
TipThe combo plate with migas, beans, and rice runs about $8; the most economical sit-down breakfast downtown.
Kiki's Mexican Restaurant on North Piedras Street is the local benchmark for machaca brunch: braised brisket shredded and scrambled with eggs, Hatch green.
OrderBrisket machaca with eggs and green chile, or huevos rancheros
TipNo reservations; arrive at 10:30 when they open to avoid the 30-minute weekend wait.
El Jacalito on Myrtle Avenue is the best budget brunch in downtown El Paso, serving migas, chorizo, and classic Mexican egg plates from 07:00 daily.
OrderMigas plate or chorizo con huevos with fresh tortilla
TipOpen at 07:00 which is earlier than most downtown spots; the migas here are El Paso morning eating at its most authentic.
The Upper Valley Artist and Farmers Market meets Sundays at Mesa Plaza in northwest El Paso, with Mesilla Valley chile growers on the Rio Grande corridor.
TipSeptember and October peak for fresh Hatch-area chiles. Bring cash; most vendors do not take cards.
The Downtown El Paso Art and Farmers Market runs Saturday mornings with local produce, handmade food products, honey, salsa, tamale vendors, artisan goods.
TipThe tamale vendors sell out by 11:00; arrive before 10:00 for the best food selection.
Day trip · 5 hours
Enjoy delicious wines in stunning vineyards without the worry of having to drive. Pick your own adventure on this pay-as-you-go tour to three boutique wineries of your choice.
Day trip · 5 hours
Enjoy a day of wine and beer tasting at 3 wineries and breweries in the Mesilla Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA). Choose from a variety of wineries and brewerie...
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Come and enjoy the culture, food, music, and shopping in Mexico. Meet your guide at the border of El Paso and Juarez so you can start exploring Mexico and its culture ...
