El Meson De Onate - El Cajon

A True Rose Blooming in the Desert.. I occasionally write reviews of Restaurants that I really love or I write reviews of restaurants that I really hate. El Meson de Onate is a jewel in the desert; unknown but highly appreciated by their loyal patrons. The downside is that it is located in Mission Road in Socorro outside of El Paso. I assure you that if this restaurant was located in El Paso that there would be a long waiting list.<br/ <br/ I look for four things when visiting a restaurant. The first is the atmosphere. The second is the food. The third is the service. The fourth which is the most important is the value. <br/ <br/ The place has been decorated as a rich mans house . The walls are all white stucco with extremely tasteful decorations. All of the wood has a thick coating of varnish. Because of the wait staff have fun finding a speck of dust.<br/ <br/ I have lived here in El Paso for eight months now and they have the best Mexican food that I have found. It has been said that the 'Devil is in the Details ' and these people shine! When I ordered I never expected a first course of Fideo at their prices. The refried beans were some of the best that I have ever had. My wife, who is from Mexico City claims that the rice is the best she has ever had outside Mexico. She ordered the Tacos de Barbacoa and says that they went to the trouble of only serving well trimmed barbacoa without the fat that she expected. I ordered the Mexican plate. The enchilada was uninspired and I can 't brag on that, but the chile relleno was magnificent! They stuffed their chile relleno with not only cheese but with a tomato salsa. Then they covered it with Hatch chiles and then smothered it with cheese. It 's delicious! They are also extremely worried about presentation. Dark colors are brightened by the white of cheese, greens by hatch chiles and reds with tomatoes. It 's a feast for the eyes.<br/ <br/ The wait staff ranks just below waiters in Mexico who are the best in the world. They were fast and efficient. Whenever my drink was almost finished it was immediately refilled without the annoyance of a waitress hovering nearby. Make sure that you tip them well.<br/ <br/ Yes it is going to cost you around ten bucks per person including drinks, But where else are you going to receive this sort of dining experience for less than fifty dollars per person?<br/ <br/ When you die and stand before Saint Peter will you willingly admit that you have never eaten at El Meson de Onate????<br/ <br/ <br/ Lazarus

Loved this little place. Great food and cute little set up. Something different and I tell all of my friends about this place!

Pleasant Dinner. My girlfriend and I recently visited this cozy place for dinner. The food was about as close to home made mexican as I have had. I was taken back to my childhood with the mellow flavors of the slow cooking.

One of the best TexMex restaurants I have ever eaten at. Had taco, chile relano, and red enchalata. Great!

Great little restaurant, reasonable prices. The menudo was clean, light and tasty. I would order it again. Came back for a second time, I ordered the Caldo de Res, so good, I ate the whole thing.