Restaurants in El Paso

W. Park Kerr, founder of the El Paso Chile Company and self-described "ultimate El Paso food insider," labels El Paso's local culinary tradition as "border regional cuisine." It isn't quite Tex-Mex, nor is it authentic Mexican; it has notes of New Mexican and loads of first-rate chile. There are many great hole-in-the-wall eateries in El Paso. Among the recommended restaurants are Kiki's, 2719 N. Piedras St. (tel. 915/565-6713); Jalisco Café, 1029 E. 7th Ave. (tel. 915/532-7174); Mexican Cottage, 904 Texas Ave. (tel. 915/546-9816); and Lucky Cafe, 3831 Alameda Ave. (tel. 915/532-2834). Note: Smoking is not allowed in El Paso's restaurants.

Moderate/Inexpensive -- The local microbrewery, Jaxon's, has four locations: 1135 Airway Blvd. (tel. 915/778-9696), 4799 N. Mesa St. (tel. 915/544-1188), 7410 Remcon Circle (tel. 915/845-6557), and 12111 Montwood Dr. (tel. 915/857-6677). For coffee or a plump sandwich, hit the Seattle-themed Pike Street Market, 207 Mills St. (tel. 915/545-1010), a downtown hangout popular with suits and slackers alike.