Tex-Mex invasion?
El Paso is known for two things: About 300 days of sunshine and delicious Mexican food but lately we’ve seen a new food competitor invade the Sun City:
Tex-Mex.
On Tuesday Chuy’s fine Mexican food opened its doors for the first time in El Paso.
“Everyone has been so welcoming and so happy to be here it’s very very exiting for us,” said Chuy’s manager, Morgan Korous.
The restaurant can be a nice getaway to dine a patio, have a great time with the family and eat some Mexican food but wait, Tex- Mex?
“I had the taco salad. It was amazing,” Amanda Merena said.
Merena came to Chuy’s for a salad but did it fill the urge for Mexican food?
“I really like it. You know we’ve been to a lot of other Mexican places around here. They have been really good but this holds up,” Merena told ABC-7.
Hannah Gabbard also stopped with friends for a chimichanga.
“Definitely Mexican food is something that people love and a lot people come to El Paso for it but when you have Tex-Mex you have to know you are getting Tex-Mex,” Gabbard said.
Gabbard feels the Tex-Mex revolution will be a hit in the city when people want something other than the usual Mexican plate.
What do people feel is the difference between Tex-Mex and Mexican food?
“Our sauces,” Korous said
Merena told ABC-7, “I think it’s the spice.”
“Mexican food is probably spicier,” said Gabbard.
“Different chilies, different sauces,” said James Avila of Avila’s Mexican food.
Avila says he doesn’t see Tex-Mex becoming a trend in the city.
“El Paso Mexican food is El Paso Mexican food. You’ll never be able to beat it,” Avila said.
“My personal opinion is when you leave El Paso past Van Horn it’s Tex- Mex,” Leo Duran said.
Duran, the owner of L and J’s caf, says he knows authentic Mexican food is here to stay and but Tex-Mex restaurants can a boost to the economy.
“That’s the great benefit of the food and beverage industry. It provides a little something, a little uniqueness to every pallet that’s in and about the state,” Duran said.
Chuy’s officials tell ABC-7 the restaurant management is already looking at a spot on the Westside if business keeps up.
