5 Best Restaurants in West Texas and the Panhandle, Texas

Reviews Updated by

Andrew Collins

Due to a mix of geographic isolation and Hispanic heritage, the food is a redolent, sumptuous mix of north Mexican cooking and Southern home cooking, giving area dishes a very rich, heavy and spicy character. Sometimes the menus are in Spanish.

Tex-Mex, Mexican, and Southern cooking are what this region does best. In general, steer away from East Asian; stick with items like country-fried steaks, barbecue, and Mexican dishes like burritos, asado (a tangy dish, often pork, cooked in oil and ground-up chiles), chiles rellenos (raw green chiles that are stuffed with meat, cheeses, and spices and then baked; can be hot or mild), and barbacoa (slow-cooked beef seasoned with tangy marinade). (Note that some barbacoa is actually from the head of the cow [called barbacoa de cabeza].)

Aster Marfa

$ Fodor's Choice

The hearty fare, potent coffee, and fresh-squeezed juices served in this small patio café across from the Presidio County Courthouse will help you fuel up for a day of hiking or art-touring. Good bets include the Bernese rösti potato pancakes with ham, Gruyère, and eggs, while the vegan Swiss Müsli with coconut yogurt is a bit on the lighter side. There are also house-made bagels and an array of decadent baked pastries and sweets.

Cedar Coffee Supply

$ Fodor's Choice

Coffee connoisseurs and java junkies flock from nearby towns to this minimalist third wave café that turns out some of the finest single-origin sips in West Texas, from straightforward macchiatos to lattes with organic honey-lavender syrup. Cedar Coffee also serves up a limited selection of exceptionally tasty breakfast and lunch items, including savory and sweet crepes and Belgian waffles with berries.

Café Central

$$$$

The old saw "evolve or perish" has served this restaurant well. In 1918 Café Central opened in Juárez and served alcohol (and tasty food) to the Prohibition-weary masses from the United States. Once Prohibition ended, the café moved north across the border, changed hands, and became part of the local scene. Today, bold decoration, an airy courtyard, and innovative Southwestern–Asian food combine to make this urbane eatery a popular destination for the city's hip crowds. The menu changes seasonally, according to the availability of ingredients. Although you can enjoy a gourmet experience for about fifteen dollars by ordering a soup and a salad, it's worth the splurge to explore other menu options. Lunch is a bit less expensive than dinner, yet equally tantalizing.

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Cattleman's Steakhouse

$$$$

Twenty miles east of El Paso, this is pretty much in the middle of nowhere, but it's worth the trip, as much for the quirky theme rooms as for the terrific steaks. Consistently voted a local favorite, the succulent steaks are so tender they almost melt in your mouth. The mesquite-smoked barbecue and seafood on the menu are as tempting as the steaks—note that strict vegetarians won't find a happy meal here. A children's zoo, playground, lake walk, hayrides (on Sunday), and a movie set are among the numerous nonculinary diversions. It opens at 12:30 PM on weekends.

The State Line

$$$

Named for its position on the border of El Paso and New Mexico, The State Line is a popular place with those who relish its tangy barbecue. The barbecued ribs and smoked chicken are fabulous here. Bring an appetite, because the trimmings include generous helpings of potato salad, coleslaw, and beans. Drinks are served in an outdoor courtyard, where you can wait for your table.

West Texas and the Panhandle

West Texas and the Panhandle

Reviews Updated by

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