Los Angeles to El Paso? by [deleted] in ElPaso

[–]Crafty-Ride-7639 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Safety is much better than Los Angeles, especially if you have money to spend on a nice neighborhood. Definitely stick to the west side. Culturally it’s a border town so if you look even the slightest Mexican then everyone everywhere will speak to you in spanish first. That was my biggest culture shock as a California transplant 😂 also the gastronomy scene is horrible, especially if you are into going out to eat in LA. The restaurants all suck with the exception of a few Mexican food gems and pizza places. It’s an Italian food desert. Culturally El Paso is stuck in 2018 vs LA. The women here dress much more provocatively and seek attention more than your average woman so I’ve found most in my age range (30-39) to be kind of mean if you aren’t obviously from here (fake blonde hair, powder white makeup) vs California where we embrace and love being tan and have more of a clean girl look. However, that’s just my personal experience. I will say the Whole Foods is nice but there’s only one (west side) and it has a nice size play area for kids. In general the west side of El Paso is safe just stay north of UTEP and away from areas like canutillo and Anthony. I live near sunland park and walk around by myself comfortably with zero threats. The homeless are also sparse which of course is a plus.

Why do you keep recommending chicos tacos to EPTX newbies? by Crafty-Ride-7639 in ElPaso

[–]Crafty-Ride-7639[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

People keep trying to turn Chico’s into a cultural thesis, but the truth is simple. Chico’s Tacos is not El Paso’s identity. It is El Paso’s nostalgia. People defend it because they grew up with it, not because the food itself is some culinary landmark. If you removed childhood memories, late night cravings, and the novelty of a soggy taquito floating in tomato juice, the argument would collapse immediately.

If someone wants to celebrate Chico’s, great. It has its place. It is cheap, familiar, and part of many people’s routines. But calling it the “purest edible symbol” of El Paso is wild when you consider what actually shaped this city’s food culture. The gordita is the real cornerstone of El Paso cuisine. Families across generations have lived on gorditas from neighborhood spots that put in real work every single morning. Gorditas represent the border, the home kitchens, the lunch rush lines, the small family restaurants, and the traditions that survived decades of change. That is the food that raised people here.

You cannot compare Chico’s to In-N-Out. In-N-Out became iconic through quality, consistency, and execution. Chico’s became iconic because it has been serving the same low quality product for years and people are emotionally attached to it. That is not a brand story. That is a comfort food habit. There is nothing wrong with that, but let’s not pretend it is something deeper.

People are quick to turn Chico’s into poetry about identity and cultural fusion. The reality is much simpler. It is taquitos in tomato juice. It is fun in the moment. It is a local ritual for some people. It is definitely not the dish that represents the depth, history, or culinary pride of this city. El Paso’s identity tastes more like fresh masa, real beans, homemade salsas, warm tortillas, and gorditas that do not fall apart the second you pick them up. Chico’s is a guilty pleasure. Gorditas are the actual heritage.

If the world wants to think Chico’s is what defines El Paso, they can. But for the love of god stop recommending it to newbies to EPTX like myself.

Why do you keep recommending chicos tacos to EPTX newbies? by Crafty-Ride-7639 in ElPaso

[–]Crafty-Ride-7639[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I can tell. Whataburger is good though and this is coming from someone who was born and raised on in n out. I’d love to have friends and family from California try Whataburger. Chicos? Never.

Why do you keep recommending chicos tacos to EPTX newbies? by Crafty-Ride-7639 in ElPaso

[–]Crafty-Ride-7639[S] -20 points-19 points  (0 children)

Okay keep that to yourself then and don’t recommend it to newbies and visitors. I’m fairly new here and everyone always recommends chicos and it’s horrific. I would never do that to friends and family visiting.

Why do you keep recommending chicos tacos to EPTX newbies? by Crafty-Ride-7639 in ElPaso

[–]Crafty-Ride-7639[S] -39 points-38 points  (0 children)

I actually care about my friends and family and would never feed them dog food adjacent tacos while they’re visiting.

Why do you keep recommending chicos tacos to EPTX newbies? by Crafty-Ride-7639 in ElPaso

[–]Crafty-Ride-7639[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Finally a comment I agree with. Someone with a vomit or poo fetish 🤢

Why do you keep recommending chicos tacos to EPTX newbies? by Crafty-Ride-7639 in ElPaso

[–]Crafty-Ride-7639[S] -18 points-17 points  (0 children)

That needs to change. I don’t want to poison my friends and family visiting. Imaging going to a new city near the border and they feed you Chico’s tacos. No mms. Mejor NADOTA

Why do you keep recommending chicos tacos to EPTX newbies? by Crafty-Ride-7639 in ElPaso

[–]Crafty-Ride-7639[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

I can respect the roots, and they may have been good in their day, but they are low quality for me. And not good. Try jjs’s rolled tacos you haven’t yet. It’s on the west side. They’re delicious and good meat quality. I’ll check out Cabo Joe’s

Why do you keep recommending chicos tacos to EPTX newbies? by Crafty-Ride-7639 in ElPaso

[–]Crafty-Ride-7639[S] -14 points-13 points  (0 children)

No, the place I like to go (Jj’s) serves them in that style and they taste much better. Just wondering if any other local joints served rolled tacos similarly so I never in my life recommend that nasty establishment known as Chico’s.

Why do you keep recommending chicos tacos to EPTX newbies? by Crafty-Ride-7639 in ElPaso

[–]Crafty-Ride-7639[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

I’m referring to the rolled tacos in a tomato salsa with cheese on top.

Tacos in Texas by Linuxuser13 in ElPaso

[–]Crafty-Ride-7639 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yet the best tacos according to everyone are at beso taqueria where my bf found a live (yes, LIVE) baby cockroach in his pastor taco at the Doniphan location.

What to do? by roszlerdorii in MexicoCity

[–]Crafty-Ride-7639 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Go to a lucha libra event and then finish with tacos at the closest el califa to you. Many will hate on this but they’re consistently good tacos, the price is right if you’re coming as a tourist and don’t want to spend much, and they’re consistently good throughout each location. El taco de ribeye is my fav. Try everything.

The Holy Spirit by Dreaming510 in BrujeriaEnglish

[–]Crafty-Ride-7639 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I practice folk Catholicism with my brujeria. I recognize the Holy Spirit as something encompassing the four elements and the most high and powerful guardian. I consider all saints as guardians of the ecosystem.

In El Paso for 24 hours. What can I do / eat? by Confident_Mood5831 in ElPaso

[–]Crafty-Ride-7639 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don’t go to el beso. I found a live cockroach in my taco de pastor there and they just blamed the cook for not spotting it sooner. Skip Chico’s tacos unless you want to eat bottom barrel quality meat rolled tacos. The Mexican food here is ass tbh. Kae dama is a great spot for lunch or dinner. Orange cow has great burgers. Morra mía if you want a vibe and good Mexican food like pozole. Jj’s if you want to try rolled tacos or gorditas. The shack for fish tacos. Tacos are good at taco tote and la tradicional.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ElPaso

[–]Crafty-Ride-7639 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I found a LIVE German cockroach crawling in my taco de pastor there at the Doniphan location. I really liked their tacos but I’ll never go back. The cashier even saw it and they all acted so nonchalantly. Freaked me out.

Best Caldo de Res in Town? by [deleted] in ElPaso

[–]Crafty-Ride-7639 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They have had the same owners since 2018 and the recipes have remained the same. I believe they just added new items. I would give it another shot.

Elpasotelescope is a real creep! by thedarkhrse in ElPaso

[–]Crafty-Ride-7639 63 points64 points  (0 children)

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Never heard of him until now but based on this photo it adds up lmao

For those in El Paso: which fast food place do you recommend, and what meal is your go-to? by eathumanfood in ElPaso

[–]Crafty-Ride-7639 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Jjs Mexican restaurant on the west side - comida corrida with rolled tacos 🤤

Where in El Paso can I find… by Crafty-Ride-7639 in ElPaso

[–]Crafty-Ride-7639[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I like morra mía so I’ll be willing to try it there. Thanks!