The places in El Paso the guidebooks miss.
The places in El Paso the guidebooks miss. locals-only counters, after-hours rooms and the spots tourists walk past.
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
Why locals goOperated by a labour organisation, not promoted through restaurant channels; no signage visible from the street
TipLook for the La Mujer Obrera entrance on Texas Avenue; the cafe is inside the building. Saturday 08:00 for tamales and atole.
ELEMI on Eastlake Boulevard is El Paso's most significant restaurant in terms of national recognition, yet most visitors skip it because it sits 20.
OrderChef's daily selection of heirloom corn masa dishes
Why locals goLocated 20 minutes east of downtown in a commercial strip; most visitors never make the drive from the city centre
TipWorth every minute of the drive. Take a rideshare from downtown; parking is easy but the return trip is easier via app.
EP Tasting Room hides inside the Lucchese Bootmaker store on West Mills Avenue: walk through the boot shop and ask for the back room for a speakeasy tasting.
OrderGuided tequila or mezcal flight with food pairing
Why locals goAccessed only through the Lucchese Bootmaker store with no external signage; invisible from the street to first-time visitors
TipWalk through the boot store and ask at the back for the tasting room entrance. First-time visitors always miss it on the first pass.
Old Sheepdog Brewery on North Oregon Street pours sour ales, wheat beers, German-influenced styles that are technically the best at their style in El Paso.
OrderGose or the tart wheat beer seasonal
Why locals goOvershadowed by DeadBeach in press coverage; the sour and wheat beer programme is superior
TipDog-friendly taproom; the least crowded on weekday afternoons when the quality-to-crowd ratio is at its best.
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