Restaurant Guide Main Index
- Date indicates the most recent update of the restaurants listed
- Bold indicates my recommendations; others come from what I consider to be good sources
La Mesa
Chope’s–16165 S. Hwy 28 (New Mexican) Lunch Thu-Sun; Dinner Thu-Sat. Best all-around New Mexican style rest. in southern NM that I have found. Standout item here is chile relleno (they are grown locally). I think the green enchiladas are among the best in NM, but they are especially good in harvest season (Sep-Oct). Red enchiladas are also good, but I like to get both of them (Christmas style). The bar is open and the restaurant is open with a limited capacity. Menu is somewhat limited now but they have enchiladas, chile rellenos, and all the “essentials.” Map (Dining room is open 3-14-23
Las Cruces
Aqua Reef–141 Roadrunner Pkwy. (Japanese) Closed Mon & Tue. I believe this has some of the food from the old Tatsu (my favorites from Tatsu were some of the traditional cooked dishes). What I had here was very delicious and well executed. Map (Dining room is open 9-27-22)
Bite of Belgium–741 N. Alameda St. (Belgian) Open daily 7 am to 2 pm. Waffles, omelettes, Bavarian cream. Map (Dining room is open 7-10-22)
Caliche’s Frozen Custard–590 S. Valley Dr. (Ice Cream) Open Daily. I became a fan of the custard during the short time they had a branch in El Paso. They are also known for their hot dogs but I am not as much of a fan of them as I am of Andele’s Dog House. Map (Takeout and drive-through only 4-9-22)
Cha Chi’s–2460 S. Locust St. (Mexican) Closed Sun. Runner-up in the Reader’s Choice poll for best green chile, and reviews on Yelp say both the red and green chile are good. Also in Dona Ana, NM at the I-25 interchange. Map (Dining room is open 3-27-24)
DH Lescombes Winery & Bistro–1720 Avenida de Mesilla (Southwest) Open Daily. A winery that serves food. Reviewers say the food is excellent. Burgers, sandwiches, meat loaf, and New Mexico pasta are popular. Bread pudding is recommended. They also take special orders (items not on the menu but that they can prepare). Has a large covered patio, and atmosphere both inside and out seem to be a large reason for its popularity. Note: formerly was St. Clair Winery & Bistro. Map (Dining room is open 1-29-22)
Dick’s Cafe–2305 S. Valley Dr. (American) Open daily except Sun evening. Old school diner that seems to have better than average food (especially because they have local New Mexican food in addition to American. Some recommendations seem to be (in this order): green chile cheeseburger, chicken fried steak, green enchiladas, red enchiladas with egg on top, hamburger steak with chile con queso. Some mention getting the chicken fried steak for breakfast. Map (Dining room is open 7-25-22)
Farley’s–3499 Foothills Rd. (American) Dinner Wed-Sun; Lunch Sat & Sun. Burgers, sandwiches, chicken fried steak, and pizza, but some of the most popular items are more Southwestern such as a green chile cheeseburger. The most popular item at the restaurant seems to be the green chile wontons. (Also in Ruidoso and Roswell). Map (Dining room is open 1-29-22)
Genghis Grill–840 S. Telshor Blvd. (Chinese) Open Daily. With the lack of Asian restaurants here compared to other cities the same size, I feel that even chains should be considered for good dining experiences. In this case it has good reviews, and I like the concept of a Mongolian grill (I have had good luck with it in other restaurants). Map (Dining room is open 3-27-24)
Habaneros–600 E. Amador Ave. (Mexican) Open until 8 pm (9 pm Fri & Sat)–closed Sun & Mon. Highly rated. Chicken mole is very popular. Called “Fresh Mex” food (with a number of vegetarian dishes). My interpretation from the reviews is that it is not traditional Mexican food, but it has elements of both New Mexican and south of the border style and is so good that nobody is concerned about the style. People also stress that it is affordable. Map (Dining room is open 3-27-24)
India Hut–1605 S. Solano Dr. (Indian) Dinner Mon-Sat; Lunch Thu-Sat. Good reviews, saying they have authentic food. Some say they do not have chutney and pickles (but I do not know if this is always true or only occasionally). Normally they have a buffet but it is not available in 2021. This is the sister restaurant of India Hut in El Paso (the EP restaurant serves north Indian food which is good but is the typical food you find at most Indian restaurants). Map (Dining room is open 7-10-22)
La Nueva Casita–195 N. Mesquite St. (New Mexican) Closed for dinner Sun & Mon; closed Tue. Reviewers say the food tastes like Grandma’s home cooking. I think these are probably the best red enchiladas in Las Cruces or close to it (the same thing I say about Nopalito). Map (Dining room is open 7-17-23)
Las Trancas–1008 S. Solano Dr. (New Mexican) Open daily (serves breakfast). This is a favorite of mine despite quite a few negative reviews that I see. They cook with canola oil (I really liked it but others may not). Also the chile is not as spicy as many other places (I do not mind this because the flavor is good). Red and green enchiladas are both good. Sopaipillas were noted by the Sterns as being one of the best in the US. Map (Dining room is open 3-14-23)
Los Mariachis–754 N. Motel Blvd. (New Mexican) Breakfast & lunch Tue-Sun, Dinner Thu-Sat (closed Mon). Stuffed sopapilla was very good. I thought the green chile was particularly good. Map (Dining room is open 3-14-23)
Mi Pueblito–1355 E. Idaho Ave. (New Mexican) Breakfast & lunch only (closed Sun). Reviewers say it serves old style Mexican food that tastes like home cooking. Map (Dining room is open 9-27-22)
Nellie’s–1226 W. Hadley Ave. (New Mexican) Open Tue-Fri 8 am to 3 pm. My favorite New Mexican style rest. in LC. I have always especially liked the sopapilla compuesta. Also a great place for red enchiladas (I think Chope’s is best for green enchiladas and chiles rellenos). Note: Nellie’s is closed for vacation every year at Christmas and the first two weeks in January, and also in the summer (I believe around the beginning of August). Map (Dining room is open 3-14-23)
Nopalito–310 S. Mesquite St. (New Mexican) Open 10 am to 8 pm (closed Wed). In business since 1964. Red enchiladas are either my favorite in Las Cruces or very close to it. The warmed green chile salsa is also especially notable here. Has an outdoor patio that is surrounded by grass (definitely looks good for dogs). Note: also at 2605 Missouri Ave. that is open for lunch only. Map (Dining room is open 3-14-23)
Pho A Dong–504 E. Amador Ave. (Vietnamese) Closed Sun evening & Mon. Varied menu, including clay pot dishes. Pho is the restaurant’s specialty. Map (Dining room is open 9-27-22)
Pho Zero Degree–1305 E. University Ave. (Vietnamese) Open 11 am to 9 pm (closed Sun). Family owned restaurant–pho and noodle dishes are popular. Also has Korean ribs, pad thai, and ramen. I thought the lemongrass chicken vermicelli dish was excellent. Reviewers say the pho is better at Pho A Dong but all the other dishes here are excellent and recommended. Map (Dining room is open 7-17-23)
Salud de Mesilla–1800 Avenida de Mesilla (New American) Closed Sun evening; closed Mon & Tue (breakfast on Sat & Sun). Yelp describes it as a tapas restaurants. New Mexico Magazine describes it as a haven for paleo, gluten-free and gourmand. Either way they say it is excellent. I don’t think there is any recommended dish (everything is good). Map (Dining room is open 9-27-22)
Si Señor–1551 E. Amador Ave. (New Mexican) Open Daily. Popular with locals, with part of the reason being that they do not have the limited hours that many local places do and the menu is pretty extensive. From the reviews I gather that the red chile may not be the best in the city but it is good, and the green may be better. Stuffed sopapillas are recommended (with beef). Everyone seems to like the chips and salsa. (Also in Chandler, AZ). Map (Dining room is open 1-29-22)
Tacos & Shell’ahs–1120 Commerce Dr. (Seafood) Closed Sun evening. Reviewers say it is the best place in town for fish tacos. Chori-piña taco is recommended (shrimp, chorizo, pineapple, and bacon). Burger (shell’ah) is also popular (green chile cheeseburger with bacon & pineapple). Map (Dining room is open 9-27-22)
Teriyaki Chicken House–805 El Paseo Rd. (Japanese) Open 11 am to 8 pm (closed Sat & Sun). Fast food style Asian food that is said to have a good flavor. Map (Dining room is open 3-27-24)
The Shed–810 S. Valley Dr. (American) 7:30 am to 2:00 pm Wed-Sun. Popular for breakfast, and serves Mexican favorites such as huevos rancheros. Voted best breakfast place in the Readers’ Choice poll. Map (Dining room is open 9-27-22)
Tiffany’s Pizza–755 S. Telshor Dr. (Greek) Lunch only (closed Sun & Mon). Good Greek food, and many say the pizza is even better. Gyros and side dishes (hummus, spanakopita, etc.) are popular. Map (Dining room is open 9-27-22)
Wok’n World–519 E. Boutz Rd. (Chinese) Open 11 am to 8:30 pm (closed Sun). Beyond the standard offerings is an authentic Chinese menu with mainly Sichuan style dishes (but apparently it is the real deal). Map (Dining room is open 9-27-22)
Mesilla
Andele–1950 Calle del Norte (Mexican) Open daily except Mon evening (serves breakfast). Tacos al carbon are the best item, and this is one of the best restaurants in the borderland for them. Note: Andele’s Dog House across the street has mostly outdoor seating on a dog friendly patio, and has a second dog reference in that it serves Chihuahua style hot dogs in additional to the regular menu that is also served at Andele. When I ate here I thought the green enchiladas and the hot dogs were very good choices. Map (Dining room is open 4-9-22)
Double Eagle–2355 Calle de Guadalupe (Southwest) Open Daily. I can only report from my experiences about 20 years ago, but it still gets good reviews. Sunday brunches offered great food at a good price. Map (Dining room is open 3-27-24)
Note: New Mexico Magazine reports that Double Eagle’s casual restaurant Peppers (located in the courtyard) has very good food that is not in the fine dining category (or its price range). (3-11-17)
La Posta–2410 Calle de San Albino (New Mexican) Open Daily. Reviews saying this is the best New Mexican food ever IMO are greatly exaggerated. However, it does have moments of brilliance (this too varies from many reviews I read). Sopapillas, slaw, chile con queso, and tostada compuesta are generally very good. Chips and salsa are good (but mild). Green enchilada and chile relleno are usually good (but are inconsistent). Tour the historic building even if you don’t eat here. It is also worth taking home a jar of their salsa. Map (Dining room is open 9-27-22)
Thai Delight–2184 Avenida de Mesilla (Thai) Open daily except Mon evening. Has a somewhat limited menu. Will serve it Thai spicy if you want. Pad thai, green curry, red curry, Panang curry, and drunken noodles are recommended. I liked the ginger stir fry dish. Runner-up in the Best of the Mesilla Valley poll (behind Aqua Reef). Map (Dining room is open 4-9-22)
Organ
Renoo’s Thai–16151 US 70 (Thai) Closed Sun (and closed from 2-4 pm). This is the “other” Thai restaurant that started out in Organ (e. of Las Cruces), then moved to Las Cruces, and as of 2021 is back in Organ. Reviews indicate that people drive from Las Cruces to eat there. Curry and pad thai are popular–seems like everything is good based on the reviews. Map (Dining room is open 7-10-22)
- For additional explanation of this list see Index
- Please feel free to leave your own comments or suggestions.
Note About Las Cruces:
New Mexican food is Las Cruces’ claim to fame, with the famous Hatch chiles and the less famous (but possibly better) Mesilla Valley chiles being grown here. I think the best place for green chiles is Chope’s in La Mesa (chile relleno or green enchiladas). Red chiles (the dried version) in my opinion are a better choice from late October to about August. For these I like Nellie’s (only open breakfast & lunch), and Nopalito the best, but other places in town are excellent as well. La Posta in Mesilla is the best New Mexican restaurant for a combination of food and atmosphere, but just based on food I usually do not think of La Posta.
***Chile Heat: Some people want the flavor of New Mexican food but not the chile heat, and for these La Posta is a good choice. Many restaurants in town are a little spicier than La Posta but still within most people’s comfort range. Chope’s is probably best for those who know they like spicy New Mexican food (or who can take Thai or Indian spice). The one that I think is off the charts spicy is Roberto’s (I have not encountered any others as spicy as this one except in Hatch, NM such as the Pepper Pot).
Green Chile Cheeseburgers:
Green Chile Cheeseburger Trail
The Green Chile Cheeseburger Trail (Sponsored by the New Mexico Tourism Department) lists two places in Las Cruces:
- Dick’s Cafe–2305 S. Valley Dr.
- Burger Nook–1204 E. Madrid Ave.
Gil’s Thrilling (and Filling) Blog
Gil Garduño says for the best green chile cheeseburger in the state head to Sparky’s in Hatch (about 35 miles north of Las Cruces on Interstate 25)
Pecans:
South of Las Cruces are some very large pecan farms, including the famous Stahmann Farms along NM 28. The Stahmann Farms store is at 22500 NM-28 and sells pecans to the public. Map (Open Mon-Fri 7 am to 4 pm. 7-25-22)
Jane & Michael Stern, “500 Things to Eat Before It’s Too Late”
This work by the Sterns, published in 2009, focuses on individual dishes and “the Very Best Places to Eat Them.” Although the list is dated by more than a decade, it is worth taking a look at the choices which include the following in Las Cruces (partial list and edited for places that have closed–Bold for No. 1 recommendation in the U.S.)::
- Chile Relleno–Chope’s La Mesa (No. 1 in the US)
- Huevos Rancheros–Nellie’s Las Cruces (No. 4 in the US)
- Sopaipilla–Las Trancas Las Cruces (No. 4 in the US)
My Note: The Sterns listed Chope’s as No. 2 for chile rellenos with No. 1 being H&H Car Wash in El Paso. H&H is now closed, bumping Chope’s to the No. 1 position. In my opinion, though, Chope’s has been No. 1 all along.
Closed (Formerly on the Restaurant Guide)
- El Patron–1103 S. Solano Dr., Las Cruces (closed 2022) Popular place that served traditional Mexican food as opposed to New Mexican
Sources:
City Data “Favorite Las Cruces Restaurants”
Gil’s Thrilling (And Filling) Blog
Google Maps
Las Cruces Magazine, Spring-Summer 2018 (Las Cruces Past & Present: Shopping and Dining)
Las Cruces Sun-News, “Readers’ 2017 Best of the Mesilla Valley Choice”
New Mexico Magazine “2016 Readers’ Poll Winners” (Mar. 2016)
New Mexico Magazine “Readers’ Choice Dining Awards 2017” (Mar. 2017)
Jane & Michael Stern, “500 Things to Eat Before It’s Too Late,” 2009, Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcort.
Urbanspoon.com (former web site which I used for preliminary research)
Couple notes:
Bite of Belgium is now open for dinner service.
Cafe A Go Go is closed since earlier this year, can’t remember exact date.
One of my go-to places is Si Senor. It’s not “the best” but it’s certainly good. For tourists, it’s an easy location to find as it is right off Lohman. The prices are good and the food is always consistent and not too spicy. They also have a great selection of margaritas!
Farley’s is another good one. Fun decor, relaxed atmosphere, great food always. Everything I’ve tried there has been great. Try the green chile wontons!!
Thank you very much for the updates and the suggestions. I think I had heard that Bite of Belgium was open for dinner but I forgot to note it on the web site.
In February I was in the area where I thought Cafe A Go Go was located but I did not see it. I think now that it must have been closed by then, but since I was not specifically looking to eat there I assumed at the time that I was just looking in the wrong place.
It is always hard to know what to include on the list of Mexican restaurants, and there are many that I would still like to try including Si Senor. I know what you mean about finding the right amount of spiciness. I think most restaurants in Las Cruces hit this mark pretty well but some such as Roberto’s have been so spicy they are not on my preferred list any more. Others, such as La Posta, are not spicy enough for my taste. For those who look at my reviews, I include a chile scale (one to five chiles) indicating spiciness. I generally like four the best and can sometimes enjoy a higher or lower level, but at least it will inform readers about what I encounter at the various restaurants.