Chope’s is in the Mesilla Valley, which is where some of New Mexico’s finest chilies are grown; and chile is the star of the menu. Not chili with an “I” at the end, which is the Texas meal of meat and peppers, but chile with an “e”, which is the way New Mexicans refer to their beloved crop. At Chope’s, one good way to taste them is as chilies rellenos: lightly breaded and fried pods served three to an order, or singly alongside any of the combination plates. Also terrific, and milder than the rellenos, are Chope’s red enchiladas. Green enchiladas are available, too; they tend to be hotter. We recommend a stack, with a fried egg on top.
Meaty tamales are available by threes or as part of combination plate that also includes an enchilada, a soft taco, rice, and beans. The menu is a typical one for this part of the country, featuring bowls of chili with or without beans or con queso (with cheese), as well as airweight sopaipillas. Nothing we have sampled is less than exemplary.
A word of warning: Although Chope’s is in the middle of nowhere, it gets crowded at lunch with chowhounds from Las Cruces, local chili planters chatting on their cell phones, and hot food pilgrims from throughout the state. By 11:45 in the morning, customers are lined up outside the house waiting for the dining room to open. The turnover is fast, but it is likely you will have to put your name on the waiting list if you arrive after noon.
Sunday | CLOSED |
Monday | CLOSED |
Tuesday | 5:30pm - 8:30pm |
Wednesday | 5:30pm - 8:30pm |
Thursday | 5:30pm - 8:30pm |
Friday | 5:30pm - 8:30pm |
Saturday | 11:30am - 8:30pm |
Other Nearby Restaurants
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Little Diner
Canutillo, TexasLittle Diner of Canutillo, Texas, just outside El Paso, offers the best true Tex-Mex food: superb chili con carne, flautas, gorditas, and made-here tortillas.
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Nopalito
Las Cruces, New MexicoExcellent New Mexico food at family-run Nopalito of Las Cruces: crisp-edged chilies rellenos, stacked enchiladas with beans and cheese and a fried egg on top.
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Sparky’s
Hatch, New MexicoIn Hatch, New Mexico (chile capital of the world), Sparky’s serves fine green chile cheeseburgers as well as chile-powered steaks, milk shakes, and lemonade.
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H&H Cafe & Car Wash
El Paso, TexasEl Paso’s H&H Cafe is also a car wash, providing travelers the opportunity to savor excellent Tex-Mex food then get on the road in a sparkling clean car.
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Nellie’s
Las Cruces, New MexicoA sign on the wall in Nellie’s of Las Cruces says: “A day without chile is like a day without sunshine.” No problem on this fine chile-centric New Mexico menu!
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La Posta de Mesilla
Las Cruces, New MexicoA landmark restaurant serving true New Mexico fare, La Posta is a magical dinner destination in the Mesilla Valley.