Jump to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.

Surly Horns

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.

Featured Replies

We're going to a concert in El Paso on October 1.  It's at the Abraham Chavez Theater, in an area with nearby museums, a ballpark, etc.  There's also a nearby Greyhound bus station, which seems suboptimal.

Anyway, we'd like to stay within walking distance of the theater but not if that area is some dystopian hellscape.  If it IS a dystopian hellscape, where should we look for hotels within reasonable Uber/Lyft distance?

Theater is blue marker, nearest (apparently) decent hotel is red marker, part of the Marriott chain:

image.png.fbee7493c23f0a6d1945105d56abfb92.png

Edited by jimmyjazz

Hotel Paso Del Norte is historic, nice and near your event. Marriott property if that matters to you. 

Parking is only $13 for events at the theater so if you're worried you can do that. You park at the Convention Center.

Edited by mdmost

  • Author
7 minutes ago, Hollywood said:

Hotel Paso Del Norte is historic, nice and near your event. Marriott property if that matters to you. 

That's the one I was aiming for.  Is it a safe walk at night?  My wife & I.  I am a very large, threatening man.  Maybe.

Just now, jimmyjazz said:

That's the one I was aiming for.  Is it a safe walk at night?  My wife & I.  I am a very large, threatening man.  Maybe.

I stayed there a few months ago for work and my flight landed late. Was still busy in the area, well lit, etc. There will be enough people around to feel "safe," but I wouldn't necessarily be walking around down there after midnight. 

  • Author
2 minutes ago, Hollywood said:

I stayed there a few months ago for work and my flight landed late. Was still busy in the area, well lit, etc. There will be enough people around to feel "safe," but I wouldn't necessarily be walking around down there after midnight. 

My guess is that midnight would be the return leg.  I'm not calling a rideshare for a block, though.  The driver would probably shank us.

13 minutes ago, Hollywood said:

Hotel Paso Del Norte is historic, nice and near your event. Marriott property if that matters to you. 

This is the correct answer. We stay there for work and it's a wonderful hotel.  Lots of stuff to walk to from there and a really nice bar upstairs with a rooftop patio.

El Paso is statistically the safest city in the US.  Just don't do anything to get your face cut off and sewn on a soccer ball and you'll be fine. Maybe.

2 hours ago, jimmyjazz said:

My guess is that midnight would be the return leg.  I'm not calling a rideshare for a block, though.  The driver would probably shank us.

El Paso is perfectly safe. Wife and I were there for a wedding not too long ago and stayed downtown. We walked around after dark and never felt unsafe.

When I go for work, I usually stay at the hotel Indigo. But bottom line, you’re safe walking a few blocks in downtown El Paso. Seriously, it’s quite safe.

And also, I can’t recommend this place strongly enough:

74a9d9c5f35cc3a893fc086faa48c929.jpg

Seriously, outstanding stuff, if you like tacos and beer. Which I do.

And L&J is an institution, worth a visit.

Google Maps says Aaajiji is permanently closed?

Google Maps says Aaajiji is permanently closed?

Well, that would suck. I was last there a year ago. But Yelp has reviews from just. A couple of months ago. I dunno.

Stay at either the Paso del Norte or Plaza Hotel, which is across the street from the Plaza and recently redone by Paul Foster.  Either are great and both have great rooftop bars.  Eat at either Anson 11 or Cafe Central - which are steps from either hotel - or walk three blocks to Park Tavern, which is really good.  L&J is worth a stop for lunch if you have time. 

I know EP's reputation, but fuck if it doesn't piss me off when people think they're going to be murdered just stepping foot in the city.  It's a great place to live or visit and very safe.   I honestly feel safer in EP than I do in Houston.  Maybe it's the El Pasoan in me. 

Enjoy the concert and the food.   

I'm also attending that same concert but staying a little further out in downtown because it was completely free due to hotel points so probably just parking at the venue. What are some good places to get some breakfast tacos? I figure we're going to hit up Franklin Mountains State Park before we head back. 

30 minutes ago, mdmost said:

I'm also attending that same concert but staying a little further out in downtown because it was completely free due to hotel points so probably just parking at the venue. What are some good places to get some breakfast tacos? I figure we're going to hit up Franklin Mountains State Park before we head back. 

Drive up to Lucy's on Mesa near UTEP.  Classic old school EP dive.  You can drive by the Sun Bowl on your way up or back.  L&J would be great too and would be on the way to the State Park if you're doing that (or even if you don't).  

  • Author

Thanks for all the tips, I booked a night at Paso del Norte.  I love those classic large hotels, my wife, not so much, so I get to stay in a teepee in Terlingua another night.  If you hear of a couple getting eaten by mountain lions in Big Bend, that was us.  Go Arch.

10 hours ago, Sam Lin said:

Google Maps says Aaajiji is permanently closed?

Yeah, went to their IG page, and they are "relocating," last day at the old location was a couple of weeks ago.  Bummer, they were really good.

El Jacalito is pretty good, IIRC.  And not far from L&J is Su Casa -- great combo plate El Paso mexican food, and truly like stepping into a time machine to about 1975.

 

o.jpg

 

o.jpg

 

4 hours ago, field said:

Stay at either the Paso del Norte or Plaza Hotel, which is across the street from the Plaza and recently redone by Paul Foster.  Either are great and both have great rooftop bars.  Eat at either Anson 11 or Cafe Central - which are steps from either hotel - or walk three blocks to Park Tavern, which is really good.  L&J is worth a stop for lunch if you have time. 

I know EP's reputation, but fuck if it doesn't piss me off when people think they're going to be murdered just stepping foot in the city.  It's a great place to live or visit and very safe.   I honestly feel safer in EP than I do in Houston.  Maybe it's the El Pasoan in me. 

Enjoy the concert and the food.   

In terms of violent crime EP is multitudes safer than Houston is. 

6 hours ago, field said:

Stay at either the Paso del Norte or Plaza Hotel, which is across the street from the Plaza and recently redone by Paul Foster.  Either are great and both have great rooftop bars.  Eat at either Anson 11 or Cafe Central - which are steps from either hotel - or walk three blocks to Park Tavern, which is really good.  L&J is worth a stop for lunch if you have time. 

I know EP's reputation, but fuck if it doesn't piss me off when people think they're going to be murdered just stepping foot in the city.  It's a great place to live or visit and very safe.   I honestly feel safer in EP than I do in Houston.  Maybe it's the El Pasoan in me. 

Enjoy the concert and the food.   

This. Also, taconeta and elemi are world class

 

garrison is great, as is the tiki bar there. The rooftop bar at the plaza hotel is the best rooftop bar in the state

  • Author

What's the local chain with the drenched flautas?  I gotta try that.

31 minutes ago, jimmyjazz said:

What's the local chain with the drenched flautas?  I gotta try that.

Chico's Tacos.  I mean, you've gotta have em at least once.  Are they the greatest thing you'll ever eat?  Naah, but they're plenty tasty, and again, an institution.

photo0jpg.jpg

The whole menu is kind of an American treasure and a time capsule:

Chicos-Tacos-menu.jpg

Bring cash.

Edited by Brisketexan

  • Author

Yeah, that's it.  I've seen them on several Food Network shows.  I'm going, I don't care what my wife says, we can go get her a veracruz salmon salad somewhere else, I want some of those tacos.

47 minutes ago, jimmyjazz said:

What's the local chain with the drenched flautas?  I gotta try that.

Chico's is not worth it.  

4 minutes ago, field said:

Chico's is not worth it.  

Actually, it is.  It's worth going to and trying it.  No, you won't leave saying "holy shit, those were the best bite I've ever eaten -- I can't imagine visiting EP again and NOT having them every meal," but you'll enjoy the experience.  Not every experience has to be life-changing.  It's a bite of local culture and history, check it out.

Kinda like how you oughta have fish and chips at least once your first visit to the UK (now, we happen to love fish and chips, but plenty of people end up at "okay, I tried it, it was fine").

congrats on leaving your lilly white  neighborhood for the first time 😂😂😂

  • Author
1 hour ago, tx 3 putt said:

congrats on leaving your lilly white  neighborhood for the first time 😂😂😂

I'm ordering some brass knuckles.

23 minutes ago, jimmyjazz said:

I'm ordering some brass knuckles.

I mean...I'd order tacos de tripas dorados someplace, but you know, you do you.

  • Author

What are some recs for good downtown restaurants?  Any style.

2 minutes ago, jimmyjazz said:

What are some recs for good downtown restaurants?  Any style.

Cafe Central

Anson 11

Park Tavern

Ambar

3 hours ago, GreenspointTexas said:

Kinda like trying Skyline chili. Gotta have it once

No Way Reaction GIF

You need to go to Charcoaler Drive In - 5837 North Mesa -- West Side (Go T-Birds!)

 

That ... or go to the Kentucky Club over the bridge... bring a blade

Visitors to El Paso might fall into the "Chicos is okay" opinion. Being from El Paso, you either love it or hate it, I'm in the hate group. 

I actually preferred Kiki's Restaurant over L&J my last couple of visits to town. 

Too bad Elemi moved out of downtown. James Beard semifinalist and definitely worth the drive across town. 

King's X (connected to Lucy's) on N. Mesa for day drinking. Classic dive bar that's been there at least as long as when I was in school, 79-83.

4 hours ago, jimmyjazz said:

I'm ordering some brass knuckles.

 

jimmy's el paso trip ....

 

  • Author

Yeah, well I'm not getting on some shitty airplane.

I do love that it's Los Lobos in that scene.

4 hours ago, RiverwalkMiner said:

Visitors to El Paso might fall into the "Chicos is okay" opinion. Being from El Paso, you either love it or hate it, I'm in the hate group. 

I actually preferred Kiki's Restaurant over L&J my last couple of visits to town. 

Too bad Elemi moved out of downtown. James Beard semifinalist and definitely worth the drive across town. 

Kiki's machaca is the best in the city.  Can't go wrong there.  Just not across from a graveyard like L&J.  

17 minutes ago, field said:

Kiki's machaca is the best in the city.  Can't go wrong there.  Just not across from a graveyard like L&J.  

Dear God I love machaca.  Haven't ever been to Kiki's, although I've heard great things.

Last couple of times I've been, locals have taken me to Carnitas Queretaro.  It's a bit "nice and shiny and new" for my tastes, but the food is really pretty damned good.  And, if you're traveling with a lady friend/wife, she might appreciate that atmosphere more.

o.jpg

53f71ed5-5c07-47c1-bbf4-d3805d76d6a0-ret

Man, I love carne adovada.

And I will forever miss the greatness that was H&H car wash.

o.jpg

o.jpg

 

3 hours ago, Brisketexan said:

Dear God I love machaca.  Haven't ever been to Kiki's, although I've heard great things.

Last couple of times I've been, locals have taken me to Carnitas Queretaro.  It's a bit "nice and shiny and new" for my tastes, but the food is really pretty damned good.  And, if you're traveling with a lady friend/wife, she might appreciate that atmosphere more.

o.jpg

53f71ed5-5c07-47c1-bbf4-d3805d76d6a0-ret

Man, I love carne adovada.

And I will forever miss the greatness that was H&H car wash.

o.jpg

o.jpg

 

Probably not remotely similar in flavor, but Carlos Santana used to have a place on Colorado St. in Austin called Maria Maria, which though average overall, served Machaca con Huevos, which was out of this world.

Edited by dcbc

Probably not remotely similar in flavor, but Carlos Santana used to have a place on Colorado St. in Austin called Maria Maria, which though average overall, served Machaca con Huevos, which was out of this world.

Angie’s does a decent version. But the best in town are the ones I make at home.
21 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:


Angie’s does a decent version. But the best in town are the ones I make at home.

Next time you're cooking breakfast, don't be surprised . . .

 

conan-obrien.gif

Edited by dcbc

  • 3 weeks later...
  • Author

Thanks for the advice on El Paso.  We really enjoyed it, and will definitely go back, probably staying a couple of days on a trip to Santa Fe in the spring.  We stayed at Paso del Norte, which was absolutely perfect for the things we wanted to see.  Had dinner at Park Tavern and it was terrific, and almost empty.  (We had to eat early, so that was probably part of it.)  My wife had lamb chops that she thought were some of the best she's ever had, and I had the French Dip which was fantastic.  As advised, walking around that area near the convention center was perfectly safe even late at night.  I didn't even have to use my brass knuckles.

  • Author
14 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

But then how did you keep your wife in line?

I make 6X what she makes.

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.