The Mission Trail in El Paso County in West Texas offers a satisfying array of places to dine.
That includes restaurants in historic Socorro, where a new restaurant has joined the menu.
The small city on the eastern outskirts of El Paso offers a surprising amount of dining and entertainment options. Café Piro is perhaps the most unique, with its largely vegan/vegetarian artisan offerings in an artistic setting that invites people of all persuasions to enjoy the food and scenery, while CoCol has tasty drinks and unique breakfast and brunch offerings. Further up the road, Wine Down and Bodega Loya also offer unique shopping and dining options.
Add Tacos Guadalajara to the places in the area worth exploring.
The restaurant at 10180 Socorro Road opened Feb. 8 at the location of the gone but still missed by many El Charlatan.
The good news is diners can enjoy a welcoming venue in an adobe building with rustic-looking furniture that fits the setting perfectly. Even better news is that the restaurant has delicious, filling food at a fair price. It’s like eating quality diner food in a gorgeous setting without the accompanying high prices.
Recently I went with El Paso artist Diego “Robot” Martinez to pick up some of his paintings from CoCol. I planned on getting some coffee and a light breakfast at CoCol, which never disappoints, but Diego noticed Tacos Guadalajara, which is next door to CoCol, seemed to be open. I wasn’t too sure, but we went around the corner of the building, opened the door and went in.
We were quickly welcomed, with our greeter explaining in Spanish that although a breakfast menu wasn’t done yet, they could make us whatever we wanted.
I asked for two eggs over medium, extra crispy bacon, while Diego ordered the huevos rancheros.
My plate also came with hash browns and beans, with a tasty cheese melted across the top.
Diego’s plate also came with an enchilada.
We dug in, and neither of us was disappointed.
The eggs and bacon were excellent, while the hash browns were crispy, yet moist. The beans also were outstanding.
I asked Diego what he thought of his meal.
“It’s bomb,” he said, as in “great.”
He said he wasn’t normally a fan of enchiladas, but the one that came with the plate was delicious.
The coffee also was top notch and the friendly service made everything perfect. Both palate-pleasing meals added up to less than $24.
Something I found particularly pleasing was the salsa that came with the chips. It was tasty, without setting off fire alarms on my tongue. Few things are as disappointing as salsa that starts off delicious, then post-swallow kicks up the heat so high you can’t taste the rest of your meal. This salsa complemented the chips well. You can eat plenty of it without breaking into a sweat. But if you like salsa that’s painful, you might ask if they have a more intense option.
One thing about businesses in Socorro is that they all seem to have intriguing décor that matches the area’s historic setting, and Tacos Guadalajara is no exception.
Wooden furniture and handmade decorative tin stars hanging from wooden beams overhead help maintain the pioneer mood.
I hope to head back for lunch and dinner.
The food is great, but the friendly, helpful crew at the restaurant makes the experience even better.
Across the busy street is Three Missions Brewery, with fine craft beer, and if you’re in the mood for art or a tattoo, stop by Tinta Sangre Tattoo and Art Gallery, also across the street, at 10167 Socorro Road. The gallery is housed in the former home of a Comanchero. How’s that for cool regional history?
Tacos Guadalajara is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
There is a simpler version of the restaurant up the road in San Elizario, Texas, at 12319 Socorro Road. San Elizario, also on the Mission Trail, has its own charms for visitors, too.
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