Actually, I've been enjoying Saturday morning meals here for several years, back when I was…read moregainfully employed as a teacher in the World-class Ysleta Independent School District. My (now former colleague)/good friend Jerry Martí regularly invited me to join him, his brother Daniel and his WWII veteran father, Mr. Martí, for the weekly meeting. Of course I always accepted--if I was in town/available.
Despite Mr. Martí obeying the same/inevitable clock all of us are subject to, our ritual continued, minus one.
Then, the COVID pandemic shut the World door down, not only with international borders closing 16MAR2020, but most businesses not deemed essential also closed, some of which never re-opening. Some businesses were able to make lemonade out of the pandemic lemons and altered their set up. Ernie's on Industrial employed that strategy, changing the internal physical layout/service atmosphere to a much more hospitable/attractive environment.
Once the World, including local businesses, began the difficult task of overcoming the financially distraught time period, the Martí clan + amigos resumed the Saturday morning ritual. After being reTIRED, and "in town", I, too, re-started participating in this honored ritual, and was often the first person of our group present.
It took me a little bit to figure out the best way for us (3-8 hombres, depending) to truly enjoy the delicious Mexican meals and soak up the superb family-friendly ambiance of this eatery, it became obvious that, like before, a long table (only three are available) was necessary. I inevitably would cycle there early, and super servers Evelyn & Lydia quickly begin setting up a table for us when they see the excellent daytime VISIBILITY pennants on my "FrankenBike" fluttering in the window pane.
Good thing, too, because often this superior eatery would be full/standing room only! Our Saturday mornings are GREAT because this is where the service is best, along with the eats/safety/mutual care throughout the (inside & in the parking lot)/overall quality. "Ernie's on Industrial" is a premier gastronomic institution on the near-Eastside in El PasoTX-USA and definitely has my coveted "iWheel of Approval!"