Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Ernie's Restaurant

    3.5 (22 reviews)
    InexpensiveMexican
    Closed 6:00 am - 3:00 pm

    Ernie's Restaurant Photos

    Business Info

    ERNIE'S RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Ernie's Restaurant

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Interior: Martí clan + amigos
    John E.

    Actually, I've been enjoying Saturday morning meals here for several years, back when I was gainfully 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!"

    people in the kitchen
    Jenny L.

    A friend of mine took me to this spot as it held special memories of when she worked at her dad's plumbing shop. She said all the workers would come and eat here and the food was really good. It was all that and more. The location is very hidden in an industrial area and most of the parking lot was filled with work trucks so it's a very local joint. When we walked it it was busy since it was lunch time and my friend was greeted warmly. It's a place where the staff is long lasting and will remember regulars. I loved the homey feeling and friendliness. It's simple and to the point decor with the long bar with stools and tables arranged for small or large groups. I remarked that it feels like a Mexican diner, like a 50's style diner but with Mexican food. The hours are super early from 6am-4pm and it caters to the workers. I got a tampiqueña steak lunch as it's what most Mexican restaurants do well. We were served chips and salsa and the salsa was perfect, full of flavor and not too spicy. My meal came with fresh tortillas, caldo, rice and beans. Honestly it was really delicious. I could taste the lard so it was definitely housemade and diner style greasy food. The steak was tender and the meal was just well done. For the sheer amount of food for the both of us, she got a Pollo a la Mexicana plate, it came out to be like $15/person which is a steal in these inflationary times. I look forward to discovering more hidden gems like this all over El Paso. I love that this community values places like these over corporate franchises. Come out and #supportlocal!

    Caldo de res as part of the comida corrida.
    Heriberto G.

    Ernie's has been around for a very long time. Most of the blue-collar clientele comes from the surrounding warehouse district. The food is delicious and reasonably priced. The food is fresh and the salsa bar is well-stocked with your favorite condiments. The tortillas are large hand made and service is prompt. I think this cafe is a hidden gem within the warehouse district. It is family operated and owned. I think the best times to go there would be around lunch time during the week. I saw many folks happily eating their lunch and also order their famous burritos as take out. The daily special includes a drink and a small caldo de res. To be honest, I could have made a meal with the caldo de res alone! You won't regret eating here.

    See all

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ron S.
    0
    10
    0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jenny L.
    424
    932
    12032

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    I love the picadillo! The place is not fancy but the food is delicious! I recommend this restaurant.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Daniel W.
    18
    320
    1649

    15 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Ernie's Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Ernie's Restaurant

    Review Highlights - Ernie's Restaurant

    I think the best times to go there would be around lunch time during the week.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Mexican 14,775 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    El Taquito - Flautas- excellent!

    El Taquito

    4.8(514 reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$

    Amazingly good flautas for an incredibly reasonable price. (They have other dishes too, but that's…read morewhat they are known for!) Beans and rice on the side are optional / modest extra charge - they are usually very good and worth adding if you're hungry enough. My favorite sauce is the Chipotle. It's got heat as it's also creamy...I would call it medium (I like spicy food.) If you're getting them to go, you might want the sauce and toppings on the side. They usually ask about that, but occasionally they might forget. Service is usually friendly and efficient even when they are busy. Your food is made to order, so it's fast but not instantaneous. Allow 5-10 minutes for pickup most of the time. The dining room is medium-sized. I would say it's a place to eat and go, not stay and linger.

    Stopped at El Taquito for breakfast during our move from WA to TX, and it was such a great choice…read more The staff was incredibly friendly, and the whole place had that warm, local-favorite vibe. We ordered the flautas with chipotle sauce and the chilaquiles with half red and half green sauce. The chilaquiles were absolutely amazing. We added a runny egg since we couldn't do chicken, and it gave the dish extra flavor and a good boost of protein. The flautas (which I'd honestly describe more as taquitos dorados) were crunchy and tasty. We liked the chipotle sauce that came with them, but we actually loved dipping them into the chilaquile sauce even more. Overall, it was a great spot to grab breakfast before hitting the road again for many more hours. Highly recommend!

    Photos
    El Taquito - Wall art

    Wall art

    El Taquito - Santa Fe tacos

    Santa Fe tacos

    El Taquito - Barbacoa Tacos and Cantaloupe Fresca, you can't go wrong!

    See all

    Barbacoa Tacos and Cantaloupe Fresca, you can't go wrong!

    Tacos Chinampa

    Tacos Chinampa

    3.9(374 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$

    I think solid is a perfect word for this place. Not the best Mexican food I've ever had, but not…read morethe worst. I bumped it up to four stars for the super friendly service and the excellent aguas frescas. We got there late, about an hour before closing and they were literally trying to get rid of the aguas for free. I guess they have to dump it if they don't use it all. It was close to our hotel so we gave it a try. Portion sizes are good. The taco platter comes with six tacos! I had the flautas Chinampa which came with four beef flautas, beans, rice, and salad. I forgot, the taco platter even came with a baked potato. Prices were excellent. We had gone to McDonald's in the morning and spent more. They also cave us frijoles charros for free. Not sure if this was standard or if they were also trying to get rid of it. I would return for the service and the convenience, but if you're looking for life changing Mexican cuisine, it's not here. What you get is a good amount of decent food at a good price served by great people.

    Heard this place was good. I get there and am seated immediately. The waitress brought drinks…read morequickly and took my order. The combo plate sounded good. I ordered that and got a ton of food. The serving was huge. Everything looked fresh. When I finished, man, was i full. Everything on that plate was excellent. Good flavor. The place was clean and the people were nice. I only had one day but when i come back in town , I would eat here again.

    Photos
    Tacos Chinampa
    Tacos Chinampa - Beef flautas en salsa

    Beef flautas en salsa

    Tacos Chinampa - Neat and clean and decorated nicely.

    See all

    Neat and clean and decorated nicely.

    Ernie's Restaurant - mexican - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...