Simply stunning original takes on Mexican food Can't recommend this place enough. I eat here almost every time I come to El Paso Portions are large, prices are very reasonable. Best tasting crickets I've ever had. If they had a $10 bowl of just them, I'd order it. read more

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Let me start by saying that the ELEMI restaurant in Eastlake is definitely a step above your average Tex-Mex taqueria in El Paso and, in my opinion, a much stronger culinary experience than the Elemi taqueria in Cimarron. The restaurant offers a cozy contemporary feel with a minimalist modern touch. The white oak and high ceiling also contributes to a warm and relaxing atmosphere. Right from the start, I loved the presentation of the Pepino--refreshing, creative, and unlike anything I've seen elsewhere. The Aguachile Callo de Hacha was outstanding, easily one of the highlights of the evening. If you're visiting for the first time, I highly recommend ordering the following tacos - Campesino ($7) and the Pato al Pastor ($8); both are packed with original flavors and showcase the chef's creativity. Their Jamaica drink is also excellent and pairs beautifully with the food. Chef Emiliano Marentes has deservedly earned national recognition and James Beard acclaim, which naturally creates high expectations before you even walk through the door. So that is always creating an issue as many of us expect perfection. The restaurant was moderately busy, with some people waiting to be seated. The biggest disappointment, however, was the pace. We waited approximately 25 minutes for our food despite the restaurant not appearing especially full. Then came the most unexpected wait of the evening--the restroom. Standing in line for more than 15 minutes just to use the bathroom is something I've never experienced at a restaurant. That took away from what had started as a very enjoyable evening. Service was efficient without any fluff. Overall this is a solid 4.0/5.0. read more

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Making a reservation at this place is a bit annoying but after so many phone calls we ended up giving up and just coming in as walk ins. Restaurant is beautiful yet small. So expect large wait times if you don't have a reservation. One the plus side you can opt to sit at the bar. Our drinks were delicious and food was good; overpriced but good. Only con with the food is there are no sides to the meal and the fish tacos were overly salted. Service was great, our server was attentive and offered great recommendations. read more

Elemi - Mexican Near Me - Horizon City, Texas

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I hadn't been back to Elemi since they moved from their downtown location under Hotel Indigo to Horizon City, but while visiting my Tia Emma on the East Side, it was the perfect place to share a great meal with my mom, sister, and prima. We loved the aguas frescas, tamalada de mole, and tacos--carnitas, pato al pastor, and chicharrón de pescado (two tacos per order). Everything was flavorful and thoughtfully prepared. Please note, the tacos come two for $14. Our best bite was the tamalada de mole (pictured). Service was excellent--attentive, patient, and knowledgeable with great recommendations. The space is a larger, upscale, minimalist modern Mexican setting compared to the original downtown spot. We were too full for dessert, but based on past visits, I highly recommend the esquites and brussels sprouts. We'll definitely be back to try more botanas and explore the menu further on our next visit to El Paso--we were just too full for dessert this time. read more

Elemi - Tamalada de mole - Mexican Near Me - Horizon City, Texas

They are sooooo good. Other than the location. I prefer them to be closer to the city.

Walking in, the decor and ambiance is cool and modern with a Mexican flair. They have an entire wall dedicated to their bar and the tequila drinks didn't disappoint! I had the guacamole, fish taco, duck taco and refried beans and everything was phenomenal. Service was a tad bit slow, but they were busy and the water glasses were a little small for a place with spicy food. Would absolutely return if I visit again. read more

Elemi - Mexican Near Me - Horizon City, Texas

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The food was unique and extremely tasty! Service was great too. Had the rabbit taco and the NY strip taco -- both excellent! read more

Elemi - CONESITO PIBIL TACO and GAONERA de LOMO TACO - Mexican Near Me - Horizon City, Texas

4.75/5 Elimi filled up quickly between 5-5.20 First I had the corn it's spicy! The addition of grasshopper suggested by the bartender was amazing! I had Oaxaca old fashioned which was delish. I could see them squeezing fresh limes right in front of me. I could see the blue corn masa right in front of me and tacos being made. Wow! Next I had two tacos. One was conejito pibil with Achiote-citrus marinated rabbit (bit spicy!) and campacheno- saudero and chorizo. Both delish. Ended with Tamal de chocolate- oooofff must've! They make their own chocolate! It's truly worth a try! I wish the staff here was friendlier. Except for my bartender everyone else seemed meh. The place is classy and fun! read more

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I'm a bit on the fence about Elemi. It's not a bad restaurant, but I had been looking forward to it for months and when I finally went on Mother's Day, it just didn't live up to the hype. We arrived about 20 minutes before opening, since they don't take reservations. It was Mother's Day and there was already a line. We were the second party to walk in. The staff already seemed overwhelmed, and there was no warm welcome, no "Happy Mother's Day," no little flower, nothing festive to mark the occasion. The music was very loud, which felt out of place for what should've been a more relaxed, special morning. The food was good, but not the amazing experience I had heard so much about. The steak was actually pretty tasty, and the tacos were okay. It was neat to see rabbit on the menu, but that was really the only standout in terms of uniqueness. The cocktails were good, though the selection was limited understandable for a small space, but still worth noting. One frustrating part: I ordered guacamole as an appetizer for a party of six, and it came with just three tortillas. When we asked for a few more, we were charged for four extra without being told in advance. Lastly, the tip situation was disappointing. A gratuity had already been added to the bill, but before we noticed, the waitress accepted an additional $80 in cash without saying anything. She walked away with a $160 tip from our table alone that day. So... Happy Mother's Day, I guess? read more

Every time I come back to El Paso I definitely make a stop or two at Elemi. While I do enjoy their cocktails, I do ask to make them half sweet because I'm partial to cocktails that are not sweet. Some of my favorite items are going to be their house made Chicharrones, brussels sprouts and their flautas. read more

We've esyen there twice and both times the experience was excellent. The food is very authentic yet exotic. The Brussels sprouts are incredible. read more

I thought this place was SO GOOD! It has such unique flavors and the service was phenomenal! They had a seared tuna taco on special and WOW. The other tacos were good but that one was 100/10. Cute little place, very busy but service was quick. Good food and good drinks. Highly recommend the guacamole, torta la guera, enmolada, and mix and matching tacos! read more

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We had a reunion here. The food was really really good. I was surprised somebody ordered a cucumber because like why would you order a cucumber? OMG. It was fantastic. Unlike anything I would have ever expected. Spicy and lemony. We also had tacos that were really really amazing. The brussels sprouts were a lot sweeter than I would have liked. I had visited this establishment when they were downtown and we never went back because of the salt level. This time that we went with our group, everything was good. I went back with another friend later and I couldn't eat the food. It was so salty. The second time the waiter was excellent and so friendly. He made us feel really welcome and wanting to go back just have him serve. The first time we were there we were asked to leave because they have a two hour table limit and my friends was annoyed, but I can understand. read more

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I lived in LA when I first heard about Elemi at its old location. I never made it there but, now that I live in Tucson, I gladly made the drive to the new location. You know when you go to a restaurant and it's Mexican but it doesn't taste like Mexico? Such is not the case with Elemi. It tastes like Mexico. Everything here was so good from the drinks to the entrees to the desserts. Yes, it's plural because I ate here twice over two days. The main challenge here is that everything served is so pretty and well arranged that I just wanted to stare at the plates for a while. I'm trying to convince myself that a four-hour drive from Tucson is a reasonable drive to return. Hmm, well,, that was quick: I'll be back soon. read more

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I made Elemi my last meal before a big birthday. Chef came to my table and kindly told me his son shares a birthday with me. I drove all the way from Austin for this dinner as Elemi is the best in this region. The crispy blue tortilla was perfectly fried and had an excellent density so the flauta didn't break when I bit into it nor did it get soggy in the sauce. To me this is a unique flavor that only El Pasoans can create. Normally I would have ordered tacos but there's always a next time. This is one of those places that when you taste the food you have to pause and give thanks and acknowledgment to the many hands that had to do everything right for it to be this unique and absolutely delicious. I LOVED THE FOOD. read more

Elemi - Ribboned organic pepinos with zesty lime and sal de hormigas chicatanas - Mexican Near Me - Horizon City, Texas

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If you're in El Paso and haven't tried Elemi yet, you're missing out on one of Texas Monthly's best taco spots--ranked #2! I took my husband and our foodie friend from California there, and the night was unforgettable. They even tried sotol for the first time--a strong 52% proof! Elemi has mastered the art of elevated Mexican cuisine. Chef Emiliano Marentes honors his roots by blending culinary expertise with traditional recipes. He uses the finest ingredients and fine dining techniques to make every dish exceptional. From tacos to tortas to molletes, the flavors are vibrant and the portions generous. We ordered more than we could finish, but luckily they provided to-go containers so we could enjoy everything later! The hospitality at Elemi is just as impressive. Chef Emiliano's wife, Kristal, does an amazing job making guests feel welcome and ensuring everything runs smoothly. The restaurant has a simple, inviting design with a spacious kitchen, yet it still feels cozy and not crowded. Our server, Jorge, really elevated the experience. Attentive and knowledgeable, he made sure we savored each dish at the perfect moment and kept our drinks topped off effortlessly. He took care of every detail, making us feel like honored guests. Beyond the accolades, Elemi's charm lies in its ability to serve high-quality, familiar flavors with authenticity and finesse. The atmosphere is perfect for locals--whether you're stopping by for a drink or planning a date night. The menu is full of comforting, recognizable Mexican dishes that feel nostalgic yet refined. I even ran into a couple of friends there, and it was wonderful to see them enjoy the food without needing any explanation. Elemi captures that balance beautifully--comfort food elevated to new heights through care and technique. For anyone who knows the Eastlake area, Elemi is an absolute gem among chain restaurants. It stands toe-to-toe with fine dining while keeping the warmth and ease of a neighborhood favorite. Not pretentious--just genuinely good food and good vibes. Elemi is worth every bit of your time and stomach space! ELEMI Restaurant 13500 Eastlake Blvd, El Paso, TX 79928 read more

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Cute place, but not convenient to downtown. Excellent margaritas! The food was GREAT, but pricey.

Tacos were bomb, the tortillas were a bit hard and chewy for my taste but still delicious. Salsas were a great complement. The extra seating at TinMan is super smart as seating inside Elemi is extremely limited. Will visit again soon!! read more

My my my, the arroz con leche Mexica desert is worth the drive to Horizon alone, we go just to pick this up, don't get me wrong all of ELEMI'S food is superb, but this pudding, ay chihuahua! read more

Elemi - Arroz con leche Mexica dessert - Mexican Near Me - Horizon City, Texas

Not enough food choices. Too pricy and not much in a serving. The blue corn tortillas were the only really good flavorful food and it wasn't enough! read more

Ambience is nice, food was a bit pricey for what it's worth. I hate to say it but I prefer taconetas because the flavor is better even though the portion sizes are smaller there. But it's like $4 vs $7-8 per taco, so taconeta provides a bit more value for the money if you're not looking for quantity. Still solid choice though if you're on the east side. read more

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We had a party of six, so we were able to taste multiple appetizers, entrees and desserts. Everything we ate and drank was beautiful and delicious, a combination which you don't always find. The service was very friendly and prompt. We had a wonderful experience. read more

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We had been following Elemi for a few years and finally made the trip to give it a try. We had the queso and papas and brussel sprouts appetizers and 4 different tacos for dinner. Everything was fantastic. Two tacos per person doesn't seem like a lot but they are over stuffed and very filling. Unfortunately we were too full for dessert but will come back and try again. This is a real El Paso treasure read more

Elemi - a couple of delicious tacos - Mexican Near Me - Horizon City, Texas

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First time there and we loved it! Amazing service, super delicious authentic food and the experience was great! The drinks were fantastic and had great specials and happy hour all day Thursday. The place is very nice and clean definitely recommend! 10/10 read more

Elemi - Piña Chulada - Mexican Near Me - Horizon City, Texas

Don't waste your money, the food is salty and subpar. To top it off we were asked to leave after giving our server a $45 tip......... left us speechless. read more

Creo que fueron los tacos mas caros. Pero muy buenos y bien servidos. El servicio exelente El ambiente bastante rico. Me la pase muy bien creo que si bien esta caro sales satisfecho y sin dolor de codo por la experiencia. read more

My campechano taco was good until it fell apart They literally forgot one of our food orders and had to make it again, which means we had to wait longer for our food The chairs are lowkey uncomfortable, they should get seats with cushioning The place was barely decorated The strawberry-jamaica was good I guess The serving sizes for some of the appetizers seem to be bigger though, so that's a plus read more

Elemi - fallen apart campechano taco - Mexican Near Me - Horizon City, Texas

Don't eat here. They'll add on a 20% tip even if their service is unacceptable and your party is less than 6. And the manager, Michael, has no customer service skills and told us that add the tip for parties of 5 and it's nonnegotiable. This is unacceptable. My plate was topped with an enormous amount of cream and it was gross. I recommend eating at wing shack next door instead. read more

Highly recommend this amazing trendy and delicious local restaurant! The food is so amazing and flavorful, service is outstanding, just can't say enough good stuff about this amazing restaurant. Please try them out if you are in the area. read more

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Food was delicious (especially the esquites) would literally go back for those alone. Overall experience and taste was a 10/10. Would highly recommend. read more

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I am so sad they moved from downtown. It is now 35 minutes away from me, but we'll worth the trip. The food is outstanding. The suadero taco with the cheese changed my life. I don't like the fish taco, it's a bit too fishy for me. I love everything else with a passion. Their cocktails are craft and fun. They use fresh ingredients. Service is good. Ambiance is amazing. Such a vibe. Highly recommend! read more

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Great service and delicious tacos. Trendy spot with customers that matched the decor.

This restaurant surpassed all of my expectations! The service was impeccable, the ambience was awesome, and the food was out of this world. I consider myself to have high standards for Mexican food and I am looking forward to going back to El Paso just so I can eat here. 10/10 recommend repeating what we had: huarache, suadero taco, mushroom taco, and chocolate tamal. Chicken and duck tacos were also good - and they were my partner's favorite. read more

If you haven't tried it you have to! By far my favorite restaurant I started going when they first opened their location in downtown. The food is unreal along with their service, it's amazing how much love they put into everything they do. I would even buy the corn tortillas to take home. Everything is delicious from their Brussels sprouts, Tacos (one of my favorites is Campesino) to their cocktails! The owners are so humble and friendly miss having lunch here. Not to mention their staff members who are great with their customer service. Shout out to the Elemi team! read more

Elemi - Tacos - Mexican Near Me - Horizon City, Texas

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The food was tasteful and full of culture, and the waiter provided great recommendations for the daily specials. Each dish that arrived had a unique touch, and they all looked incredibly delicious. The environment had a relaxed vibe. read more

Elemi - Mexican Near Me - Horizon City, Texas

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There was so much lemon juice in the food that it was all we could taste. Corn appetizer was below an average corn in a cup you can get from any street vendor. The tacos had a disgusting amount of dressing that was pretty much mayo! I don't know what people like about this place other than it is a trend more than an actual restaurant with great food. We paid in full but didn't take more than a bite of our food plates. Don't fall for this trend. Don't go unless you don't know what great food should taste like. read more

Spicy Margaritas were amazing! The food and service are consistently incredible here at ELEMI!