Eat Up, El Paso

The one constant thing about our city is change. On any given day a road you’ve driven down most of your life can be unexpectedly closed & a week later it’s part of a city-spanning freeway. There may be gorgeous blue skies in the morning, but in a few short hours there’s a good chance for dust storms or a cold front. Being adaptable is a necessity, especially in the restaurant business. 

Mix Salon and Spa overlooks the Westside of El Paso tucked away at Camelot Heights and Mesa. You may miss it if you’re not looking, but if you’ve at least seen it your curiosity has probably been piqued. On the top level of Mix there is a restaurant, it used to be The View but unfortunately they closed their doors and in it’s place has risen Rooftop Skygarden & Grill. 

The best thing Rooftop has going for it, in my opinion, is their partially-enclosed patio. You get the chance to be outside, but to also shielded from the elements if perhaps it’s not a great day outside. The floors of the patio are adorned with kitschy astro-turf, but somehow it doesn’t come off as garish as it sounds and seemingly compliments their wooden benches and tables well. 

The facebook page for Rooftop has their menu, though it’s changed some and the duck fries are no longer an option, much to my dismay. Hopefully they update that soon because my entire drive there my mouth was salivating at the thought of fries + duck and I wouldn’t want anyone else's dreams to be crushed. 

The options they do have on their menu however, all sound delicious. It’s broken down into the main characters of Appetizers, burgers, soups, sandwiches and sides. Prices are fairly standard, but more on the steeper side of hamburgers and sandwich fare. Stick with me, though, it’s worth it. 

In lieu of my long lost duck fries, I ordered the pork fries ($8) as a starter. This consisted of sweet potato fries, pulled pork, slaw, and a slightly spicy bbq sauce. The menu states that it’s topped with chicharones, but they were missing from my plate. I was shocked when they arrived because it was just so much food. These would definitely be a great choice for a starter if you’re dining with others, if it’s just you, be prepared to take some home.

The sweet potato fries were crispy and the pork was very flavorful. Adding slaw to the equation guarantees that you’ll have the perfect bite when you get it all on your fork. 

For an entree I ordered the Chile relleno burger ($12), which is just as it sounds, a fried green chile, muenster cheese, and a burger patty. The patty of the burger was flavorful, and although I ordered it “medium” I was given a well-done burger instead, but they kept it flavorful which is hard to do when it’s cooked at that temperature. Again, the menu states that it’s topped with chorizo, though my burger lacked it. Perhaps it’s blended into the patty, which would explain why it was cooked to well. However, I didn’t get the chance to ask so I’m left to believe the cooks just didn’t put it on.

My one caveat with this burger is that the patty to bun/other elements was largely disproportional. The patty was very small and it was noticeable, but with all the cheese and the chile you’ll still feel full. The burger comes with a choice of side and I chose onion rigs, they were good but not something I’d write home about. 

Ever go to The Garden before they served food and then you heard that they served food and were skeptical but then you tried it and was actually surprised? No, just me? Okay then.

I highly suggest trying food at The Garden, if you haven’t yet. But I’d say stick to going during the day. I went on a Saturday afternoon and while there was a large graduation party there, it was only them and our table and it took an incredibly long time for the food to come. 

But when it did, I was delighted.  The mac & cheese wasn’t my favorite, and I kind of wish I had ordered a different side. It wasn’t bad, but again....not great.

I've been eating a lot lately.

Croque Madame from Pot au Feu

Block brunch burger with brie cheese, wild mushrooms and whiskey braised onions from Block Table and Tap

Shrimp n' grits from Tom's Folk Cafe.

So it's not that I don't like Independent Burger. The first time I went was shortly after they opened, so I gave them a bit of leeway. The second time I was just not impressed. This time, it seems they've gotten their burger-to-bun ratio down to a better science and the food was good, but i just morally object to paying $12+ for a burger and then also having to pay quite a bit extra for just fries, jesus take the wheel if I wanted to try anything other than regular fries.

I can't always be eating potentially delicious food, can I? No, probably not because I'm not made of money and apparently food isn't free.

Also, it takes time that I would love to completely dedicate to eating, photographing & writing about all things gastro in this city, but sometimes I like to relax and live vicariously through others. So here's a little run down of the things I watch. 

1. SORTED Food- Mac & Cheese Balls.- (Youtube)  This video just makes me feel good inside. It's got bacon, short ribs & cheese. Along with a little history lesson on the American staple. If you've ever wanted to make a a quick snack or party appetizer, take a look at this video and it'll get you going. 

2. My Drunk Kitchen- Banana Bread (YouTube) Sometimes you just want to laugh & don't really care about the results. For those times, there's Hanna Hart. 

3. Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown (Netflix) Having regular television is totally 2013, right? I'm going to assume if you're reading this you have a Netflix account, or your ex never changed their password, or you still live at home with your parents. If the shoe fits, strut around. Parts Unknown takes you to exotic regions of the world with our ever charming host, Anthony Bourdain, who shows us how others live & eat while also educating us on their history. Currently, Netflix has 3 seasons of the show available for streaming. 

4. Munchies: Bar Isabel (YouTube) One of my favorite YouTube channels is a subchannel of Vice. If you've ever wondered what happens after hours in restaurants, or what chefs do when they go out at night, then this is the space for you. Spoiler Alert: There's a lot of getting drunk, always.  

Hopefully, this gives you a fair amount of procrastination time between doing homework, or work work, or whatever it is you do through the day. 

How many of us on the 31st of December write down a list of things that we want to change or stop doing or be better at in the upcoming year, only to feel that sting of disappointment around March because the only thing you've kept up with is the decision to have only one tallboy on school nights. 

This year I've decided to make things a little easier on myself, because I'm not a fan of feeling guilty, & make resolutions I can actually maintain (hopefully). They are as follows by order of importance:

Eat more avocado

keep up with this blog

eat more pizza

Seven days in & I'm doing pretty good on resolution #1, The second is more of a long-term goal. And I plan on crushing number 3. 

Tosca Stone Oven Pizzeria has helped me greatly to achieve my 2015 goals. Not only do they serve personal-sized pizza, but they also have pasta, salads, pitas and more at a very reasonable price.

This was my first time going to Tosca though I've driven past it many times when going up or down Mesa St. From the outside the space seems larger. It is by no means cramped, but I was expecting something more expansive. There are booths for larger parties as well as tables for those eating alone or wanting a more intimate setting. 

Their menu is quite expansive, and since you order before sitting down it may be a little overwhelming for a first-timer. 

As a starter I went with the spinach artichoke dip which came with pita wedges. 

The pita was exceptional. Pillowy, warm, and flavorful & the perfect object to use in order to shove cheesy spinach artichoke dip into my mouth without looking like a Neanderthal and using my fingers. Because I would have, if need be. This was quite possibly the best spinach artichoke dip I've ever had. 

Their pizzas are divided into two categories: Red marinara based or White roasted garlic based & have some very unique toppings. I ordered the Green Devil, which was one of the white based pizzas with poblanos, long green chiles, pine nuts, zucchini, and serrano sauce.

I was a little unsure how pine nuts would fit into the equation because I'd never had them on a pizza before but they added a nice textural contrast between the creaminess of the cheese and soft zucchinis, as well as a deeper flavor. With all the peppers on this pizza I didn't find it too spicy at all, but it did have a bit of a kick to it. The crust, in my opinion is the most important, and cooking in a stone oven (or brick oven) tends to give a much better result and this was no exception. This pizza packs a bold flavor in all areas.

All in all I feel I'm starting this year off right. I hope you all are as well and if you're in the mood for a little circular goodness I highly suggest trying out Tosca. 

The first thing you need to know about Little Shack is that it’s BYOB.

Secondly, the name is not just for fun.

Little Shack sits in the middle of a strip mall parking lot taking up barely any space. From the outside you may mistake it for a bait & tackle shop, and walking inside doesn’t do much to dissuade that perception.

Apart from close seated tables Little Shack’s ceiling is lined with fishing net and random nautical inspired decorations.

I opted to sit outside to enjoy the nice weather and get a good view of the Franklin Mountains.

The outdoor seating area is an enclosed patio with a wood-planked fence mimicking those you’d see walking along the beach.

My server was friendly and knowledgeable, and brought out complimentary chips and salsa as I browsed over the menu.

The chips were generic tortilla chips, but the salsa was appetizing and spicy.

The menu of Little Shack is sparse.

It contains a few appetizers- such as queso fundido. Along with sides and their signature tacos.

Though there isn’t a large variety to choose from, there are a few vegetarian entrees as well as non-seafood ones.

There are options for platters (3 tacos), or single servings.

I opted to go with one of each: steak, shrimp, fish, and a Little Shack taco.

All tacos come in corn tortillas with cabbage, cilantro, diced jalapeño, red onion and diced tomato. Accompanied with cilantro or chipotle creme sauce. You also have an option of adding avocado for $0.25.

When my meal arrived I noticed that the presentation was not the prettiest, but you can’t judge a book by it’s cover.

My steak tacos were tender and flavorful, with a plentiful amount of steak. The steak was well marinated and had a hint of spice.

All veggies that accompanied my tacos were crisp and tasted very fresh.

Next, I had the fish taco which was a single lightly breaded fish fillet. The flavor of the fish came through and melded well with the veggies.

However, that’s where the praise ends. There were only a few breaded shrimp in my taco, and the flavor was lacking.

Where normally you’d expect a strong seafood taste, all that came through was cabbage and tomato.

Lastly was the Little Shack taco.

This is more of a mini shrimp quesadilla than a taco. It contains chopped shrimp, diced jalapeño, melted cheese, and onion.

While this is definitely an original idea, I felt it was the most disappointing of the four.

There wasn’t a distinctive flavor and the abundance of cheese caused it to be notably greasy.

I’d be hesitant to order it again.

As a redeeming quality, Little Shack creates amazing Clamatos.

If you do decide to bring your own beer (for a $.50 per bottle charge), make sure you have them whip up a Clamato to go with it.

The atmosphere of little shack is worth seeing, there’s nothing like it in El Paso, add to that the fact that you can have exactly the kind of beer you choose while dining.

Nestled in a strip mall lies Steve’Os, one of El Paso’s local hangouts offering good food and craft beer to enjoy.

  Walking into Steve’Os I was promptly greeted by an enthusiastic hostess who prompted me to seat myself.

  As I settled into the large banquet-style table at the far end of the restaurant I was met with a glass of water and food & drink menus. 

  I arrived shortly after they opened for the day and already quite a few tables were filled.

  Although music was playing inside, it did not seem to overpower conversations clients were having with one another.

  While browsing over their beverage menu, which included craft beer on draft and bottle, as well as house-made cocktails, I had a few moments to take in the restaurant’s decor and was more than pleased.

  Their sleek, minimalistic, wooden tabletops, typographic wall mural and lanterns hanging from the ceiling, made it very clear that a lot of thought went into cultivating a hip yet sophisticated atmosphere.

  I noticed most items were pricey, but they came with the option of house fries or a salad, and additional sides such as brussels sprouts or mac and cheese were available for an extra charge.

I ordered the Holy Guacamole burger with seasoned fries for my side ($13) and their specialty Casa Azul cocktail ($7). 

  The Casa Azul came out first and I was presented with a generous glass of blended wine with fresh mint and slices of grapefruit.

  It was refreshing and not too strong, a perfect choice for a warm day. 

  A perfect burger-to-bun ratio, my thick burger patty was topped with pepper jack cheese and a heaping dollop of guacamole and pico de gallo, along with the classic staples of lettuce, tomato and onion. 

  My patty itself was a slightly overcooked.

  Asking for medium I was instead met with medium-well; it wasn’t dry, however, it did lack flavor.

  Without the guacamole and other toppings the ground beef could not stand on its own. 

  The burger bun was lightly toasted and didn’t fall apart when met with the ingredients housed inside.

  While the burger was without a doubt the main event, Steve’Os seasoned fries are not to be forgotten about.

  They are thin, crisp, and have a hint of lime to them which is a nice touch of originality. 

  If you’re in the area and want to try something new, Steve’Os is located at 1491 N Lee Trevino Dr.

  I give Steve’Os 3.5 out of 5 stars for the originality of their drinks, friendly service and quality of their food.

Maybe you haven't gotten a chance to visit TI:ME at The Montecillo, I'm sure you've at least heard a few things about it. Run by the same owners of local staples such as Crave Kitchen & Bar as well as Independent Burger, Cantina Malolam strays away from the burgers and, in my opinion, bumps up the taste factor. 

Using re-conditioned shipping containers Malolam is an eye-catcher right off the street. With it's sophisticated urban atmosphere nestled in the middle of an apartment complex, you're sure to find a diverse crowd when you visit. Even though I went midday on a weekday, there were a decent amount of patrons enjoying a bite to eat.

The menu of Cantina Malolam echoes that of the streets of Mexico, with background music to match. Chicharron, corn in a cup, nopal tacos, tortas, ceviche, bacon wrapped hot dogs, and much more. If that's not enough to pull you in, they also host a full bar and $2 Tecates all day, every day.

This is my second time coming to Cafe Malolam. I enjoyed my first experience but knew that I had to come back with a game plan to try as many various items as I could, that meant bringing a friend along (twice the options). I would say that I was pretty victorious in that feat. After being seated at the bar we were quickly given menus and had our drink orders taken by our very attentive bartender/server. 

There are a vast array of starters on their menu, Having already tried the pork belly gorditas ($3), and loving them, my mouth was watering to have them again. Unfortunantly, it seems, they've tweaked their menu a bit and instead of 3 gorditas for $3 (which seemed too good to be true the first time) they now only serve 1. Granted, it's large, but I decided to go for something else instead. 

I ended up getting the pork shanks ($6) and was not disappointed in the least. 

Out came a large on-the-bone pork shank, six house-made corn tortillas, salsa, pickled onions and cilantro in order to build your own taco. The shank itself was tender enough to pull apart with your fingers, or if you're not a savage like me a fork will do as well. The skin was crispy with the right amount of fat and flavored deliciously. I wasn't a huge fan of the foil wrapping due to pieces of it breaking off if you were so inclined to use your fork, so keep an eye out for possible silver flakes. 

It was the perfect amount for two people and if you were by yourself it would easily be enough for a meal and you might even be able to squeeze down a few sides as well.

Next was the taco round. 

What I enjoyed most was that all their tacos were single servings. You could order one of each taco and not break the bank. We opted for two of each of chicken, fish, and coconut shrimp.

The coconut shrimp, with two breaded jumbo shrimp, pineapple-horseradish glaze,and green onions was the clear winner. The mix of sweet and spicy, crunchy and tender were perfect. The grilled chicken was cooked well, and the fish tacos were very flavorful with a nice batter that still let the fish shine through, but I would have to demand everyone try the coconut shrimp. 

Lastly we split a rojado street dog. I thought I'd be most excited for the bacon wrapped dog, but what kept me taking bite after bite was their homemade bun. It's somewhere between cornbread and heaven. Crispy on the outside and light on the inside. The hotdog itself was a little messy to eat, but to me that's what a hotdog should be. The pickled serranos were a new flavor to me but entirely delicious.

Good things come in two's:

jalapeno + margarita

artichoke + hummus

bistro + cafe

If you've driven on the West Side of town lately, you've surely noticed all of the construction going on around the Montecillo where construction crews are making way for a "Smart Growth" development. This, in itself, is a very good thing for El Paso giving us some eco-friendly options to shop and eat. My problem with this, however, is that you can't just ride off of being green. There are tons of things that are organic or sustainable that just don't taste good or live up to what they claim to offer.

I hesitate to have an opinion on Independent Burger & Bar because they opened about a week ago and I'm sure, just as any business in it's fledgeling phase, they are still working out the kinks. Walking into Independent you first notice the wooden hostess/cashier desk which is separated from the main dining room and bar area by a partition. The interior is a very trendy rustic/modern look with banquetts and two-seater tables.

I was a bit confused as to if I was supposed to seat myself or not, but I was asked to place my order before I sat down, and then was told that my server would be by to bring my food as well as take my method of payment. The tables were all numbered and I was left to walk myself to my assigned seat. So with my plastic water cup I headed over to the drink station. One cool thing I noticed at the beverage bar (lemonade, soda, and water) was that they had many pump bottles filled with different mixtures where you could enhance your drink, and above that were recipes letting you know how many pumps of what combination would give you something delightful. (jalapeno lemonade? count me in.) Getting back to my seat, I waited for my server. I ordered the Gaucho burger, medium rare, with a side of house fries. When my burger came it was delivered to me by someone other than who my actual server was. Even upon eating I had not yet met the person I was supposed to tip at the end of my meal. She did come by, eventually, and was cheery and polite, but why not when I sat myself?

The gaucho burger is a grass-fed beef patty topped with a chorizo ball, pickled onions and grated cheese and a side of indy sauce. My burger was cooked well. It wasn't incredibly thick so overcooking is often an issue, however my patty was still juicy when it arrived. I don't think the chorizo was supposed to be such an un-pliable ball on top of the patty, perhaps I'm wrong, but when I imagine chorizo topping a burger I expect it to span the same width, and when trying to spread it I was met with a lot of resistance. The house fries left a lot to be desired, neither crisp nor especially hot, and the "Indy Sauce" is highly reminiscent to anther burger spots "Toro Sauce."

Lastly, what happened to plates? I'm not sure when plates flew out the window when dining and in came much-too-small planks and metal trays to eat off of, but I'd really like a plate when I go out to eat, unless I'm having some crawfish or fish & chips wrapped up in newspaper. The meal itself was overpriced, their front of house staff needs some guidance, and I'm not entirely sure why Crave Kitchen & Bar decided to open up another Burger & Bar operation, but I do sincerely hope they work out their kinks and being to prosper because at the bottom of it all, local businesses are important.

I started culinary school this semester and it's everything I dreamed of and more. Between having to come up with multiple recipes and a concept for my own restaurant, leaning how to properly julienne a carrot, learning how to convert everything to grams, and working the line five days a week I've been an exhausted girl.

Today was such a lovely day. I have family in town and what better thing to do in this perfect weather than to go to the Foodville Food Truck Park downtown? I remember being in Austin a few years ago and all of their food trucks were like heaven. We’re not close to that stature, yet. The space at Mills is fairly small, but the 4 trucks that they do house have yet to let me down.

For starters I had the zucchini fries from The Reef which were crispy and an ample portion, but If you ask me, a food truck experience isn’t complete without at least one taco. That being the case, I had four. Takorexico has options from tostadas, flautas, burritos, and of course tacos. Tacos are $2 for one or $7 for four. It took quite a bit for the tacos to come out after placing my order, but being outside I was able to people watch and enjoy the weather. My favorite of the four I ordered (Kalbi asada, kore alpastor, gochoo chicken, and veggie mexilafel) was definitely the Mexilafel. Their falafel is house made and has a unique shape, unlike the pre-formed ones you usually see; they were crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside. All tacos include some sort of kimchi and usually has a spice element. Second runner up was the Kore Alpastor, the pineapple pico was a nice treat. The tacos themselves are small, but after finishing them my appetite was satiated.

Camera phone pictures are still a thing, right? It's been a while so I figured I'd clear up some memory on the good old non-iPhone-so-it-doesn't-really-count mobile device and who would have thought that I've got nothing but a bunch of pictures of food, so I'll share.