Exciting news for foodies in the Cimarron area! The highly anticipated West Texas Chop House has officially opened its doors. I couldn't resist checking it out with a friend on their second day, especially after hearing rave reviews about their mouthwatering lunch specials. The new location took us by surprise with its upscale and Vegas-inspired ambiance, a departure from their country-themed branches on Airway and George Dieter. The spacious and open design deserves a round of applause .
Upon arrival, we were promptly greeted and seated by our friendly server, Nicole, who had the warmest smile. She made us feel right at home. Now, my friend is quite particular about his wines, bombarding Nicole with questions. In the end, I managed to convince him to try the adult horchata while I opted for the Carajillo. What impressed me was their support for local businesses, as they had Aurellia's beer on tap. Cheers to that !
Our culinary adventure began with two appetizers. My friend chose the spinach and cheese dip, which turned out to be surprisingly delicious and came in a generous portion--I ended up taking some home. Meanwhile, I ordered the Crab stuffed chili gueros. Our server assured me it wasn't spicy, and although the breading and savory stuffing with real crab were spot on, the abundance of seeds inside made it a tad challenging to fully enjoy.
For our main course, we went for the 6-ounce sirloin ($13.99) and the build-your-own burger ($6.99). I decided to give my burger a West Texas twist by adding asadero cheese ($0.50) and a delectable over-easy egg ($1.99). My friend requested a medium-well steak, while I preferred mine medium rare. However, his steak leaned towards well done, and my burger was more well done than I desired. Luckily, the dry-aged meat remained tender and juicy, but I expressed my preference to the attentive manager, Juan, who immediately apologized and ordered another burger for me.
Our server, Nicole, also apologized sincerely for the oversight of my burger not having any sauce and promptly returned with a container of the bacon jam aioli that was meant to accompany my burger. I assured her that it was alright, considering it was only their second day of operation and still in a soft opening phase. Addressing the issues mattered more to me than minor hiccups. I received my second burger, which still erred on the side of medium-well, but it was undeniably juicy. I believe they'll refine the cooking technique with time.
Despite feeling quite full from the sides and the complimentary bread, I thoroughly enjoyed my burger. As for our sides, my friend opted for fries and the intriguing corn brûlée, which pleasantly surprised us with its citrusy flavor, hinting at Asian influences--possibly yuzu. His steak was slightly on the salty side, but he relished it that way, especially when paired with their smoky and tangy barbecue sauce, boasting honey balsamic undertones that added depth and sheer deliciousness. The mashed potatoes were a tad gummy, and the fries slightly overdone, yet they still satisfied our taste buds.
Notably, the kids' menu offered great value at $5.99, providing chicken fingers, fries, and a drink. To our delight, our patient little one received a delightful surprise--an ice cream dessert--as a gift from the kind staff. To top it off, we received a small discount as a gesture of understanding for the inconveniences we encountered. Such thoughtfulness truly impressed us, and I made sure to tip our exceptional waitress accordingly.
Having another upscale yet affordable lunch option in this area brings me immense joy. I spotted several families during our visit, assuring me that it's also a kid-friendly establishment. Once they overcome the initial challenges of a soft opening, I anticipate that West Texas Chop House will thrive and gain recognition among locals. So, do yourself a favor and pay them a visit to support local businesses.
West Texas Chophouse Cimarron
7723 Paseo del Norte, El Paso, TX 79912 read more