BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANTS – EL PASO, TEXAS

LA TERRAZA
11250 Montwood
El paso, Texas 79936
(915) 593-6400
web: www.leosmexican.com

Located in El Paso’s Eastside, La Terraza is a family restaurant founded in 9146 by Willie Terrazas, Sr. and his brother-in-law Leo Collins in 1946. Today the franchise includes four “Leo’s” restaurants in the El Paso area and La Terraza. The restaurant has a small bar, televisions that hang from the ceiling and waitresses that are helpful and cordial.  The specialty here is the oven baked enchiladas with a choice of red or green chile sauce. Food is moderately priced. LATINOPIA RECOMMENDS the green sauce meat baked enchilada. The baking gives the enchilada a slightly crusty consistency. Hamburger is used for the meat in the enchilada, but it is very tasty. For dessert, the sopapillas!

LEO’S MEXICAN FOOD
7520 Remcon Circle
EL Paso, Texas
(915) 833-1189

One of the four Leo’s in the El Paso area,   this moderately priced family restaurant includes a diverse menu with regular features such as the caldo de res (beef stew) not often found in Mexican restaurants, as well as more traditonal fare such as chicken mole, carnitas, fajitas and enchiladas. LATINOPIA RECOMMENDS the tri-color enchiladas made of red and green chile and sour cream, simulating the colors of the Mexican flag.

LOS BANDIDOS DE CARLOS & MICKEY’S
1310 Magruder Street
El Paso, Texas 79923
(915) 778-3223

This popular hang out has extensive restaurant space as well as a full bar that is inevitably packed on Fridays and Saturdays. The atmosphere is festive, with mariachis on week-ends.  And the food is good. Known for its chile relleno appetizers, the menu includes

specialities like the queso fundido, as well as traditional Mexican fare: tacos, enchiladas, caldo de res. The margaritas are touted as the “best in the Southwest,” a claim worthy of being tested. LATINOPIA RECOMMENDS: the queso fundido which includes  not just cheese but tasty green chile as well.