City: El Paso, TX

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (915) 772-0066

Address: 321 Chelsea St.

Description: The ambiance at this sprawling hacienda style restaurant is only topped by the reliable food, which is of a unique El Paso style Mexican cuisine. The exterior of the building, which is designed in Territorial style architecture with brown stucco walls, brick edging, and tiled overhangs, is inviting. Black wrought-iron lamps hang above circle-topped windows, and everywhere you look are thoughtful, delicate garnishes of Mexican tile. Inside, three levels of seating areas maze through the home-like rooms and a large patio welcomes guests to dine in shaded comfort. Popular with locals and tourists alike, there are many dishes on the menu here that will appeal to just about every diet and tastebud. The salsa is particularly tasty, and other favorites include the Tampiqueña Steak, which is a grilled sirloin covered in fresh green chile salsa and accompanied by a red chile smothered enchilada. The dishes here tend to be the mix of New Mexican and traditional Mexican cuisine that characterizes El Paso’s local food.You have to want to find Forti’s, as it is situated on an out of the way street in a semi-industrialized area. The parking lot harkens to the size of the restaurant, a fact that makes Forti’s a great place to go if you are starving and simply don’t want to wait to be seated.