It looks like I'm going to be traveling to El Paso frequently for the next couple of months. What restaurants do y'all recommend? Things to do while I'm there? Shopping? (especially bargain shopping??)

I'll be working a lot, but if I get some extra time, I'd like to see the city.

West Texas Ags, give me your best hot spots.

For steak - Cattlemans go to exit 49 head north
For mexican food - Forti's on Chelsea St. or Gil's on Saul Kleinfeld
For a burger - Great American Land & Cattle Co.
Shopping - Academy Sports - Hey,What'd ya' expect,I'm a guy.
For a scenic view - Go over Trans Mountain road at night. Scenic drive close to downtown is just as pretty.
DO NOT GO TO JUAREZ!!!! Gang/Drug wars going on. - Close to 1,600 unsolved murders and counting.

you should also check out the area around cincinnati street, which is close to UTEP. there are a few pretty good restaurants/bars/clubs all in the same area - hope you have fun!

This website has some good info on EP dining.

http://www.eskimo.com/~sockeye/ep/EPRank.html

another good link to check out...

http://www.elpasotimes.com/bob08

Second Forti's.

Another place I've eaten at and really liked was Jaxon's.

Chico's Tacos!

I second Chico's

Chico's if you like dogmeat in your tacos. Now don't get all pissy on me; I'm an El Paso native and I'm hooked on Chico's! It's just one of those acquired tastes that most "outsiders" don't understand. You've been warned.

Great American is good for burgers and steaks. Cattleman's is good if you really want to drive out of your way for an overpriced steak. The ORIGINAL Leo's is great for mexican food. I also like Jaxon's because they are a microbrewery.

tooombs- thanks for the link. i had no idea that little diner had a web site. they even have an "air gordita" plan. guess i will have to get elastic pants.

surprisingly, there is a very good pizza place there... ardivino's (sp?), it is a sit down restaurant that serves specialty pizza's, there house salad is awesome; that with any of their pizza and one of their (fairly large selection of) beers, is a very good evening.

i think there are at least a couple of these restaurant's, I have only been to (what I think is) the original one.

I'll try and get the exact address, but it is on the west side of town.

Rosco's Hamburger Inn
Taco Tote
Carlos & Mickeys
Tamales from the Coronado Meat Market

Every restaurant in El Paso will give you runs(Chicos) except a place called Ripe. Its over near Franklin High School. Great food that doesn't leave you running for the restroom(Chicos).

Thanks for the recommendations so far. I made my first trip last week and we ended up at Kiki's for dinner. It was pretty good for what it was.
We also ate at Carlos and Mickey's in the airport. Not so good, but maybe because we were in an airport!

I have another trip next week, so I'll check out another location or two.

My main problem is finding something in downtown during the day. I couldn't find ANY restaurants.....suggestions?

Keep the recommendations coming!

[This message has been edited by aggiechick (edited 12/9/2008 3:48p).]

Here are a few close to downtown

http://www.eskimo.com/~sockeye/ep/lanortenaep.html

http://www.eskimo.com/~sockeye/ep/cafecentralep.html

http://www.eskimo.com/~sockeye/ep/grep.html

here are a few more

http://www.eskimo.com/~sockeye/ep/eljacalitoep.html

never been to this one...
http://www.eskimo.com/~sockeye/ep/cafemayapanep.html

La Malinche is a pretty good Mexican restaurant downtown. Big Bun is a solid place for a good greasy burger. La Catrina (on Mills) is a new place - has good food and a decent happy hour scene. There's a place called Medallions on the corner of Texas and Campbell that has very good food too...

^- the truth on ep

Jaxon's (on Mesa 3 or 4 miles north of downtown just past Executive Center - casual but top-notch menu, service and atmosphere).

G&R Cafe on Nevada just off Mesa (4 or 5 blocks north of downtown) - family-owned "hole in the wall" type Mexican food; excellent!

Lucy's - on Mesa just south of Executive Center. For breakfast - the machaca is awesome! shredded beef & green chiles covered in queso!!! Another hole in the wall joint in same building as the Kings X bar - great place to watch a football game!

Chico's Tacos - If you've never had 'em, don't start now. Your intestinal tract can't handle 'em if you weren't raised on 'em. (A paper tray with 3 rolled flautas, drenched in a tomato-soupish sauce with government-surplus "cheese" on top. Yes, they're famous, but dang...

H&H Car Wash/Coffee Shop - On Yandell about 8-10 blocks from downtown; An El Paso institution that's a bit more palable. A little gas station/car wash with incredible Mexican food; only about 4 tables, but you can also sit at the counter and watch them fry up your chile rellenos. Amazingly good food, and you can get your car washed at the same time!