ELEMI is a taqueria restaurant in East El Paso, El Paso.
ELEMI on Eastlake Boulevard in east El Paso is the James Beard semifinalist taqueria of chef Emiliano Marentes, built around daily-ground heirloom corn.
Editorially verified June 26, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Must 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.
Address: 13500 Eastlake Blvd, Horizon City, TX 79928, El Paso
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.
Lamezze on North Stanton Street in downtown El Paso serves Mediterranean mezze, charcoal-grilled kebabs, and falafel in a bright space blending Levantine.
Order: Hummus with warm pita, charcoal-grilled kebabs, or the falafel plate
Tip: Good vegetarian options; opens early so it also works for breakfast mezze before museum visits.
Chico's Tacos is El Paso's most singular institution: rolled corn tacos submerged in seasoned tomato broth and topped with shredded cheese, served.
Order: Rolled tacos in tomato broth with shredded cheese
Tip: Cash 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.
Order: Roasted cactus tacos or the pozole
Tip: Lunch only; closes at 15:00. Saturday opens at 08:00 for breakfast tamales and atole.
Mariscos Los Mariachis on Alameda Avenue serves Mexican seafood with tableside salsa, fish tacos, shrimp cocktails, and fried octopus in a casual room.
Order: Shrimp tacos with tableside salsa or the fried octopus
Tip: Closed Mondays; the fried octopus and shrimp cocktail are the boldest orders.
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.
