Nopalito is a family-run restaurant (actually two restaurants; the other is at 2605 Missouri Ave.) where you can count on excellent New Mexican food. Not Tex-Mex nor Arizona-Mex nor California-Mex nor Sonoran Mex, but the unique cuisine of New Mexico. That means that chile peppers star and the issue of red or green is one you will confront at every meal.
We like ours on a stacked enchilada with the works, meaning beans and cheese and a fried egg on top and rice and salad on the side. Another best bet are chiles rellenos, fried to a crisp and oozing warm cheese.
The broad, airy dining room with its adobe mission style decor is a pleasant place to relax and enjoy native foods. The staff is kind and helpful, seats are comfortable, and it is a pleasure to inhale the aroma of other people’s chilecentric meals – gorditas, con carne, tacos, tamales, rolled as well as stacked enchiladas – wafting past on their way from the kitchen to tables.
Sunday | 10am - 8:30pm |
Monday | 10am - 8:30pm |
Tuesday | 10am - 8:30pm |
Wednesday | 10am - 8:30pm |
Thursday | 10am - 8:30pm |
Friday | 10am - 8:30pm |
Saturday | 10am - 8:30pm |
Other Nearby Restaurants
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Chope’s
La Mesa, New MexicoIn the heart of New Mexico chile growing country, Chope’s is the locals’ favorite place to go for chilies rellenos, enchiladas, tamales, and tacos.
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Hillsboro General Store
Hillsboro, New MexicoOff the beaten path in southern New Mexico, Hillsboro General Store is a destination small town café known for green chile cheeseburgers and bumbleberry pie.
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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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Little Diner
El Paso, 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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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!