El Paso

[azwildcat96]

It looks like I'll be in El Paso three nights-a-week for the next five weeks (at least, maybe more). I'm just finishing up my first trip, and going home tomorrow.

I'm not too thrilled with this assignment, mostly due to being so close to Juarez, Mexico, but in this economy, at least it is steady work...and only a temporary (I keep reminding myself) assignment.

Anyone in the rabble from around here? Any suggestions for a good place to eat? Any parts of town to avoid?

Unfortunatly, I'll be working long hours (10-12 hour days), living out of a hotel room, and don't plan on bringing my kilt, but if there is a good pub, I might have to find time to check it out at least once.

[Wompet]

Best restaurant: Cattlemen's
Second best: Cattle Baron
Best brewery on site (I don't drink, so I'm taking several friends' word for this): Jaxon's

Avoid the Barrio around the Paso Del Norte Bridge after dark.
Scenic Drive may or may not be safe.


You may want to get in touch with Ruanaidh, since he still lives there.

[azwildcat96]

Wompet, good call on Jaxon's! I'll have to try the other two steakhouses next.

[seanachie]

My wife is a native of El Paso and I have visited that last 2 Christmases.
I second the info on Cattlemen's it is very good. Cheap but very good eats and an El Paso legend is Chicos Tacos (a handful of locations). You might want one of their T shirts as a souvenier. We ate at Forti's last trip and this is another good spot. Smitty's barbecue is another recommendation and Johnny's Pit Barbecue. Another good Mexican restaurant is Leo's. For a day trip go to New Mexico and old Mesilla and La Posta restaurant or the haunted Double Eagle.

I would not worry about Juarez too much unless you cross the border, we climbed up the international bridge staying on the US side just to look over. I would likely not do so today but I was there at New Year and did not feel fearful of because of Juarez.

I think it is cool as can be that you are going to be kilted in El Paso.

[Jack Daw]

I can vouch for The Cattlemen's Steakhouse in Fabens. It's about a 25-minute drive out of El Paso, but worth it. Arrive around dusk and watch the sun go down from the veranda.

[azwildcat96]

Cheap but very good eats and an El Paso legend is Chicos Tacos (a handful of locations). You might want one of their T shirts as a souvenier.

I think we'll have to agree to disagree on this one...I tried it tonight, and wasn't too impressed. It was inexpensive though.

I appreciate all of the other tips, and I'm planning on trying some of the other restaurant suggestions in the coming weeks. Thanks.

[seanachie]

I think we'll have to agree to disagree on this one...I tried it tonight, and wasn't too impressed. It was inexpensive though.

I appreciate all of the other tips, and I'm plan on trying some of the other restaurants in the coming weeks. Thanks.

Well do not take my word for it.....Chicos Tacos is revered by many, hopefully you just had a freak plate of tacos. I used to do tech support long before I made my first visit, and the easiest way to calm an upset El Pasoan was ask about Chicos Tacos.

[azwildcat96]

Seanachie, no worries...I've heard good things about el Taco Tote (another local chain). I'll have to give them a try too.

[Ruanaidh]

I don’t know how this thread managed to slip past me. I concur with all the above except maybe Chico's Tacos (an acquired taste). My suggestions: for good barbeque check out the State Line, for a good steak try Great American Land & Cattle Company. For good Mexican food in a place with excellent atmosphere try either Los Bandidos de Carlos y Mickeys or Forti’s Mexican Elder. For plain old-fashioned good Mexican home-cooking try the L & J Café, the H & H Car Wash (trust me) or my all time favorite Kiki’s, a small neighborhood bar with a kitchen where the ladies perform magic. Try the machaca – it’s to die for. Enjoy your stay in El Paso. The weather is fine, the people are friendly and the food is excellent. Even though Ciudad Juárez is probably the most dangerous city in the Western Hemisphere right now, El Paso is the third safest city in the U.S. Stay on this side of the border and you’ll have no problems.

[azwildcat96]

Ruanaidh, that's quite a collection of eateries! It's made me hungry. Good thing it's nearing dinner time. I'll be going home fat every weekend, that's for sure! Good thing I have 4 more notches on my kilt buckles.
Anyway, it looks like I'll be here more than the original 5 weeks, so I'm planning to try all of the suggestions! Thanks.