Last visit: May 2016 (Keller - closed)
First visit: Jan 2003 (Keller)
As mentioned in prior posts, one can usually get a quick read on a Mexican restaurant based on the quality of their chips and salsa. Here the chips are excellent, very crisp, with a strong taste of corn (and lots of chili powder - see comment section as well!) while the salsa has more of a kick than expected. It's a tomato based sauce with garlic and chiles, reminding me most of the Herrera's chain in Dallas, though not quite that fiery. El Paseo seem to excel in the basics, and we here at the Regular Joe's Guide always admire that. Tacos, enchiladas, tamales, and fajitas are all excellent, though not exceptional. They claim a wide variety of spicy dishes, but none so far have proven to be that hot, though still good. Over the years, we've dug through the menu, and lately the RJG has become quite fond of the Pollo Ranchera. It's a large chicken breast, smothered in a smooth ranchero sauce, and comes on a sizzling fajita like plate, with excellent rice and beans. Mrs RJG speaks highly of their Flautas de Pollo as well.
We love their margaritas. Mrs. for on the rocks, and me for the frozen. It's a sweeter blend, with an appealing bit of carbonation. And generally contains a nice tequila kick. But not always... They also have a full set of Mexican lagers, and the usual non alcoholic drinks.
With multiple large rooms, a Spanish courtyard, a full bar area, and windows overlooking a city pond with views to Keller City Hall and the Art House, it would seem that El Paseo will be an anchor of the community of Keller for some time. Hard to miss the rather opulent structure while driving on Keller Parkway. It's on the south side of the road, just east of Keller Smithfield and slightly past (or before) the Tom Thumb shopping center.
Like many such nice Mexican restaurants, El Paseo possesses a heritage that is far more modest. In fact, the Keller location seems to be the pinnacle of achievement for the local chain, that also has locations in west Fort Worth, Azle, and Mineral Wells. I haven't been to any of the other locales, but have driven by the Fort Worth one on Jacksboro Highway, and the outside appearance seems night and day. I believe they started in Azle in 1986, but details are scant. They have not expanded since the Keller restaurant opened.
When the RJG first started discovering Mexican restaurants in the 1980's, one of the logical axioms was that the more fancy the place seemed to be, the more bland the food proved to be. I felt this to be 100% true until deep into the 1990s, and suddenly one would find themselves in restaurants you would feel comfortable taking anyone to, and also would come out completely satiated. Such were my thoughts when I entered and exited El Paseo for the first time in 2003. And ever since...
As mentioned in prior posts, one can usually get a quick read on a Mexican restaurant based on the quality of their chips and salsa. Here the chips are excellent, very crisp, with a strong taste of corn (and lots of chili powder - see comment section as well!) while the salsa has more of a kick than expected. It's a tomato based sauce with garlic and chiles, reminding me most of the Herrera's chain in Dallas, though not quite that fiery. El Paseo seem to excel in the basics, and we here at the Regular Joe's Guide always admire that. Tacos, enchiladas, tamales, and fajitas are all excellent, though not exceptional. They claim a wide variety of spicy dishes, but none so far have proven to be that hot, though still good. Over the years, we've dug through the menu, and lately the RJG has become quite fond of the Pollo Ranchera. It's a large chicken breast, smothered in a smooth ranchero sauce, and comes on a sizzling fajita like plate, with excellent rice and beans. Mrs RJG speaks highly of their Flautas de Pollo as well.
We love their margaritas. Mrs. for on the rocks, and me for the frozen. It's a sweeter blend, with an appealing bit of carbonation. And generally contains a nice tequila kick. But not always... They also have a full set of Mexican lagers, and the usual non alcoholic drinks.
With multiple large rooms, a Spanish courtyard, a full bar area, and windows overlooking a city pond with views to Keller City Hall and the Art House, it would seem that El Paseo will be an anchor of the community of Keller for some time. Hard to miss the rather opulent structure while driving on Keller Parkway. It's on the south side of the road, just east of Keller Smithfield and slightly past (or before) the Tom Thumb shopping center.
Like many such nice Mexican restaurants, El Paseo possesses a heritage that is far more modest. In fact, the Keller location seems to be the pinnacle of achievement for the local chain, that also has locations in west Fort Worth, Azle, and Mineral Wells. I haven't been to any of the other locales, but have driven by the Fort Worth one on Jacksboro Highway, and the outside appearance seems night and day. I believe they started in Azle in 1986, but details are scant. They have not expanded since the Keller restaurant opened.
7/5/08 (new entry); 5/15/16
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5 comments:
Excellent review, as always. Long ago, when I lived in Graham, TX, I would drive to Mineral Wells and stop at El Paseo because we didn't have a good Tex-Mex place there.
Fast forward almost 20 years and I live in NE Tarrant Co and get back to Graham every weekend.
The wife and I still sometimes stop at the Mineral Wells one on our way to Graham each weekend when we have the time.
We have tried the Keller one as well and it's greatness. I dig through the chips looking for the most chili-powered one I can find. The salsa is excellent, as you stated.
Thanks again. Love the blog. I am a burger junkie, so I started one myself some time ago on Texas Burger Stops.
Thanks for the positive feedback Cowboy Fan! That's so funny you mention about digging through the chips for the one with the most powder - I do the same thing! I completely forgot to mention about the chili powder on the chips. Definitely a plus.
Oooo - Texas Burger Stops. NICE blog. I'm adding your link right now.
I love your reviews, Mr. RJG! So thanks for doing them. We are Keller/No. Ft. Worth residents and have hit many of the local places and El Paseo is a regular stop for us, making us "regulars", I suppose and big part of that is their staff. They are so nice and kind and always eager to please their patrons. One name on your list of Keller area Mexican food restaurants you missed is Kassandra's. If you and the Mrs. have not tried it, do. I consider it the hidden gem of Keller! Enjoy the New Year and many fantastic new dining opportunities.
Thanks so much for your nice comment ShannonWO!
We used to go to El Paseo more than we do now, but we still really like it.
And, yes, we love Kassandra's too! We recently updated our post for them - and you can read about it here: http://regularjoesguide.blogspot.com/2009/01/kassandras-mexican-kitchen-mexican.html
Happy New Year!
- RJG
We were there Christmas Eve. I had the Tacos Al Carbon (chicken) and they were extremely good.
The Mineral Wells location is in a little shopping center/strip mall. Way different than Keller. If you are out that way, give it a shot.
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