Tip: Order Christmas-style (both red and green chile) to get the full New Mexico dual-sauce experience that directly influenced El Paso's own chile culture.
Ardovino's Desert Crossing in Sunland Park NM fuses Italian cooking with New Mexico green chile: green chile pasta, wood-fired pizza, at a desert garden.
Tip: The outdoor garden seating is the main attraction; go for the green chile pizza and the farm-grown produce salad.
American BBQ$$Fri 17:00-21:00; Sat 12:00-21:00; Sun 11:00-20:00
Cattleman's Steakhouse at Indian Cliffs Ranch in Fabens is 30 miles east of El Paso: a working ranch turned dining destination serving mesquite-grilled.
Tip: Friday and Saturday dinner fills early; book at least a week in advance for weekend evenings. Closed Monday through Thursday.
Hatch, New Mexico is 60 miles north of El Paso and is the global capital of the Hatch chile. The Hatch Chile Express on Franklin Street sells.
Tip: The Hatch Chile Festival runs Labor Day weekend each September; buying fresh-roasted chile here for the drive back is the true El Paso food pilgrimage.