Top 12 Mexican Restaurants that Locals Rave About in El Paso

Mexican ingredients and flavors seem to have penetrated all corners of the American food scene, infusing vibrant and unique tastes into the American’s daily diet. From small food establishments churning out impeccable tacos to Tex Mex and fine dining Mexican-fusion cooking, there is something for everyone in El Paso.

An increasingly global culture combined with the increasing number of Mexican food chains as well as high-end cafes has paved the way for Mexican cuisines in the U.S food scene. Which begs the question: Where do you go for the best Mexican dishes in El Paso?

Well, here are some pointers to help you narrow down to the best spots to grab some delicious Mexican fare in El Paso.

And if you happen to be in the neighborhood and want to try something a little different from the usual, you might want to look at the best of everything that El Paso has to offer. GiftYa understands that dining out in a huge city like El Paso can dent your finances. 

That’s why they’ve come up with virtual gift cards to help you find restaurants near you and enjoy a meal any time. Order your virtual GiftYa gift card and try out all the best Mexican restaurants in El Paso. 

Andale Mexican Restaurant & Cantina

One of the most popular Mexican restaurants in El Paso— and for good reason!

Try a little bit of everything on the menu at Andale Mexican Restaurant. Image courtesy of Instagram.

9201 Gateway Blvd W | El Paso | andalemexicanrestaurant.com

At Andale, you’ll find authentic Mexican food, excellent hospitality, a dedicated staff, and delicious flavors. This is the place to go for a family friendly, fantastic dining experience. There’s even live music!

There are menus for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, “lunch on the rush,” and banquets. No matter what time of day or what kind of dish you’re looking for, Andale Mexican Restaurant won’t disappoint.

“Since being here in El Paso since December 2021 this quickly became my favorite Mexican restaurant. They have good food, good drinks, good service, [and] good atmosphere. I love taking my coworkers and people in from out of town here.” - Yelp Review

Buy a GiftYa for Andale Mexican Restaurant & Cantina

Mi Pueblito Cafe

Countless options for how you dine!

The portion sizes at this restaurant will not disappoint. Image courtesy of Instagram.

3120 Trawood Dr | El Paso | mipueblitocafe.com

Mi Pueblito Café offers pick-up, takeout, catering, and outdoor seating to its guests, so you can truly pick and choose the dining experience you want based on convenience and comfort level. You can also even book this restaurant for a private event.

There’s a wide variety on the menu, as well, with traditional Mexican food, seafood, burgers, salads, and much more. They’re also known for their vegetarian options.

“Starting with the pueblito aesthetics, this place was so cute and inviting. The food was great; I had the Chile relleno burrito with [an] extra crispy tortilla. We also tried the steak and eggs plate, yum!” - Yelp Review

Buy a GiftYa for Mi Pueblito Café

Las Palmas Mexican Restaurant & Bar

Authentic Mexican cuisine in El Paso, Texas.

The food at Las Palmas tastes just as good as it looks. Image courtesy of Instagram.

1605 George Dieter Dr Ste 201-203 | El Paso | laspalmasep.com

Las Palmas Mexican Restaurant & Bar prides itself on only using the finest and freshest ingredients to prepare your dishes. You can book catering or a private event right in the restaurant if you’re celebrating a special occasion, but the atmosphere is also perfect for any night out.

On the menu at this Mexican restaurant in El Paso, guests can find:

• Starters
• Caldo & Salads
• Grilled entrees
• Seafood
• Specialties
• Local favorites
• Mexican plates
• Burgers & sandwiches
• Kids plates
• Sides
• Desserts

And much more! After all, that doesn’t even include the options for breakfast or beverages!

“Absolutely phenomenal. Was in a rush and hesitant to make a stop at a restaurant but it was recommended and they absolutely blew me away. Service before I walked in the door.” - Yelp Review

Buy a GiftYa for Las Palmas Mexican Restaurant & Bar

L & J Cafe

Family-owned restaurant serving regional Mexican dishes and beers!

Shareable plates are a great choice at L & J Cafe. Image courtesy of Instagram.

3622 E Missouri Ave | El Paso | ljcafe.com

If you’re looking for a fun and casual spot to grab some Mexican dishes, then you should try L & J Café. Here, they like to source all their ingredients locally to ensure that they make only the best quality cuisines in the region.

On the menu, you can find simple classics such as guacamole mixed with tomato and a signature blend of spices on a bed of lettuce, nachos topped with pickled jalapenos, refried beans, and a blend of melted cheese, and signature jumbo wings with a choice of sauce served with celery sticks, ranch, and carrot sticks.

To top it off, they’ve created an extensive Mexican specialties menu with delicious options such as Mexican combination plates with a red cheese enchilada, meat taco, chile Relleno, shredded beef flauta, and a small serving of chile Verde con Carne, beans, rice, guacamole, and a choice of tortilla. Make sure you try Fajitas with a choice of chicken, beef, or veggies, grilled with bell peppers and onion served with beans, guacamole, rice, tomato, and a choice of tortillas.

“Stopped through L & J a few days ago on a road trip my buds and I took. The chips and salsa are worth the trip alone. Drop by if you get the chance!” - Yelp Review

Kiki’s Mexican Restaurant

Cozy spot with an old-school vibe serving green crab enchiladas, brisket machaca, and other Tex-Mex fares!

Kiki’s is a great place to go for a full stomach— or for leftovers! Image courtesy of Instagram.

2719 N Piedras St | El Paso | kikisrestaurant.com

How about a cozy spot with a colorful vibe offering the best Mexican fare in town? Well, Kiki's Mexican Restaurant offers all that and more. This family-friendly restaurant serves the best brisket machaca, green crab enchiladas, and other Tex-Mex meals.

Celebrity chef and Food Network star, Aaron Sanchez describes the machaca plate here as the best in the country. And we see the reason why. This special dish features an awesome combination of beef, onion, cheese, tomato, chili, and eggs smothered in Chile con Queso and served with rice and beans. Burrito special is also a great choice especially when it comes with Chile Verde, beef and potatoes, covered with Kiki’s wonderful green sauce and melted cheese served with beans.

Large Mexican plates such as the two red enchiladas and one beef taco will leave you satisfied and you can add a choice of cheese, beef, or chicken. Don’t forget to try their savory desserts especially the creamy cheesecake covered with strawberry toppings or the traditional homemade flan with caramel topping!

“I've been to this restaurant several times [in] the last 20 years… The food is jam packed with flavor and they also have some delicious margaritas, which are made with wine not tequila!” - Yelp Review

Los Bandidos De Carlos & Mickey’s

Tex-Mex spot popular for serving oversized margaritas in a lively atmosphere with mariachi music!

You’ll definitely want to try multiple dishes at Los Bandidos. Image courtesy of Instagram.

1310 Magruder St | El Paso | carlosandmickeysmagruderst.com

Wondering where you can get savory margarita cocktails in El Paso, you should try the selection at Los Bandidos De Carlos & Mickey's. El Paso fans of the icy drink head to this Tex-Mex eatery for the hometown mainstay’s popular “Texas-sized” cocktails. Apart from margaritas, this casual restaurant is also known for its casual Mexican dishes such as chile con queso, quesadillas, and Chiles Rellenos.

Still on the menu, you will enjoy the taste of delicious appetizers such as nachos, mini flautas, or the popular shrimp Jalisco a la Carta. They also serve other specialties such as tacos that come with rice, beans, and guacamole beef or chicken, or and enchiladas with spicy tomatillo.

Vegetarians have something to enjoy when they come to Los Bandidos. Feast on items such as veggie chimichanga prepared Arizona style and stuffed with beans or vegetable Medley and red sauce, or the cucumber cocktail. All their seafood plates are served with baked potatoes, Spanish rice, salad, and French bread. Don’t forget to add one of their savory desserts for that refreshing taste!

“The Texas sized margaritas are really where it's at, it was quite a treat. The folks I came with all ordered different margaritas so we all tried each other and were all really great.” - Yelp Review

El Taquito

Casual Mexican eatery serving home-style staples such as tacos, flautas, and tortilla soup!

El Taquito is great for multiple meals a day! Image courtesy of Instagram.

1422 Airway Blvd | El Paso | facebook.com

At El Taquito, you can enjoy the taste of modern Mexico, thanks to the wide variety of Mexican dishes on the menu. This casual restaurant is known for its Mexican dishes and extensive drink menu.

Not sure what to order? Get started with tacos which is the main draw here. You can have the spicy option with a choice of meat, cilantro, onion, and salsa. Their burritos are awesome, especially when you order yours spicy with grilled beef, marinated pork, beef tongue, beef head, chicken, and Mexican sausage with potatoes. Ham with egg or chorizo con papas is a great option too for breakfast.

If you don’t want the meaty stuff, then the vegetarian burrito is a great option served with beans, rice, cilantro, onion, guacamole, crema, cheese and sauce. Everything is made by hand with a homey and cozy vibe. No wonder El Paso locals flock to this spot to enjoy a little bit of everything they serve on the menu. Make sure you grab a drink to enjoy along with your meal!

“We chose this restaurant based on the reviews and the decent health score rating.

We were so happy with our choice. Food was excellent. Great flavor, hot, and fast. Everything was delicious. Authentic Mexican food- and we know Mexican food!” - Yelp Review

Casita Linda Mexican Restaurant

Chilled spot dishing out Mexican staples, including rolled tacos, burritos, and combo plates.

Don’t forget to order one of their tasty desserts, a drink, and a side to enjoy along with your main meal! Image courtesy of Instagram.

5315 Hondo Pass Dr | El Paso | casitalindamex.com

Looks can be deceiving, so don’t let the unassuming exterior of Casita Linda Mexican Restaurant discourage you from stopping by. They serve authentic Mexican staples in all of El Paso.

You don’t want to miss out on the fresh ingredients piled onto the homemade tortillas. Diners rave about their tacos especially the beef tacos, chicken tacos, and guacamole tacos. If you want to go meaty, then you will have fun feasting on the American platters including rib-eye steak grilled to perfection, T-bone steak, shrimp platter fried to a golden brown color, and hamburger stream with grilled onions.

Want something a little heavy, try the house specialties such as sizzling hot fajitas that include chicken or beef served with homemade ranchero beans, plenty of pico de gallo, rice, and flour or corn tortillas. Combo plates such as two tacos and one enchilada served with Spanish rice and refried beans or three cheese enchiladas will keep you full throughout the day.

“The food was fantastic!  Service was excellent; very friendly staff.  I was pleasantly surprised with the quantity and quality of the food.  The ribs are delicious, I'd go back just for the ribs alone!!” - Yelp Review

Leo’s Mexican Food Restaurant

Small chain featuring an all-day menu of Mexican favorites and weekday specials as well as free sopapillas!

Grab a side and your favorite drink for an awesome dining experience. Image courtesy of Instagram.

7520 Remcon Circle | El Paso | leoselpaso.com

There is no denying that locals at El Paso love tacos. But how exactly they prefer this most staple treat varies from person to person. If you’re a little picky and want to try something new or want something prepared to certain standards, you don’t want to miss out on the varieties at Leo’s Mexican Food Restaurant.

On their extensive menu, you will find favorites such as fiesta nachos, steak tacos, cheeseburgers, shredded beef burritos, guacamole dip, and more. You can choose from three main Mexican combo plates including ground beef taco, cheese enchilada, pork tamale served with refried beans and Spanish rice, or the two cheese enchiladas and ground beef taco served with refried beans and Spanish rice.

Children of all ages will have a good time enjoying the chicken nuggets, ground beef pattie, or grilled cheese sandwich served with French fries or potato smiles. Order their delicious tortilla soup that is served with chicken and topped with cilantro, tostadas, cheese, and avocado.

“Best Tex-Mex I've ever had in my entire life. I've tried places in Austin, San Antonio, San Francisco, Denver, and the next best at a very close second was in Portland, OR. But none of them top Leo's.” - Yelp Review

ELEMI Restaurant

Delicious tacos and tortillas are just the beginning of what ELEMI has to offer.

The tacos at ELEMI may be the star of the show, but they have plenty of great dishes on the menu! Image courtesy of Instagram.

313 N Kansas St | El Paso | elemirestaurant.com

When you think about Mexican food, the first thing that comes to mind is tacos. Well, ELEMI restaurant prepares their tacos differently. Here, they focus on the heirloom varieties of native maiz (corn) sourced locally from farmers. They cook and grind corn daily to prepare only the best Mexican dishes in town.

For a delicious sample of ELEMI’s native corn, you will love the esquites, a version of Mexican street corn that includes tender Mexican maiz imported regularly and prepared with traditional herbs, sweet cream butter, chiles, and glazed with lime aioli.

Tacos at ELEMI restaurant is a ritual and you will have every imaginable type you can think of. Make sure you try taco Campesino that comes with local shiitake mushrooms, black beans, grilled eggplant, caramelized quesillo, grilled avocado, and salsa. Maiz focused tortillas and street food including soups rich with chiles, tomatoes, and tomatillos are among the Mexican food specialties that you should try when you come to ELEMI restaurant.

“My goodness! These were the best tacos I've ever had. I flew into El Paso for a business trip and visited Elemi before our flight back to Dallas… I would fly back to El Paso just for these!” - Yelp Review

Julio’s Mexican Food

Traditional cuisine in El Paso for generations.

Don’t forget to try the drinks at Julio’s too! These margaritas will pair perfectly with your meal. Image courtesy of Instagram.

8050 Gateway Blvd E | El Paso | juliosmexicanfood.com 

Julio’s first opened in Juarez, Mexico in 1944, but the first El Paso location would have to wait until 1981. Since that time, the restaurant has become a huge favorite within the community, with three El Paso locations currently in operation and serving original recipes made only from the highest quality ingredients.

On the menu, all made from scratch, are appetizers, soups and salads, specialties, seafood, flautas, tacos, tostadas, enchiladas, chimichangas, and even desserts! You can also order their food to-go, if you so choose.

“I come every time we're in El Paso! The Chabela margarita is excellent - the salsas are varying degrees of hot so something for everyone. The street tacos are excellent, my absolute favorite!” - Yelp Review

Carnitas Queretaro Mexican Restaurant

Fresh ingredients and top-notch hospitality at this El Paso restaurant.

Carnitas is one of the best Mexican restaurants in El Paso— don’t miss out on their dishes! Image courtesy of Instagram.

9077 Gateway Blvd W | El Paso | carnitasqueretaro.com 

For over 20 years, Carnitas has been serving Mexican cuisine in El Paso. They use homegrown, local produce to ensure that all of their family recipes are made fresh for your table, and they take a lot of pride in their hospitality. There are now 4 locations owned by the family that opened this one in El Paso.

Guests can order starters, soups, salads, specialties, grilled entrees, tortas, burritos, tacos, enchiladas, flautas, and signature cocktails for lunch or dinner— but don’t forget about the breakfast and party menus! You can also order online or for catering!

“Wow. This is by far the best restaurant I have ever gone to. Hands-down!! The food is incredible!  The service is unparalleled!  The pictures say it all. Come and visit. You won't be disappointed!!!” - Yelp Review

There is no shortage of good Mexican spots in El Paso. But finding that hidden gem in a city where everything seems great is the hard part. These are the best Mexican restaurants you should try the next time you visit El Paso. Let us know your experience in the comment section below!

If you’re not feeling any of these local favorite El Paso Mexican restaurants, you could also always purchase a GiftYa for Chipotle! It’s one of our favorites, and you’ll no doubt be able to find a location in El Paso, or anywhere else nationwide.