Bobby Griffin opened his latest restaurant, El Pisto Food and Drink, in the old La Norteña Building. This isn't just any cantina, with plates like the Grilled Bakka Chorizo Roasted Green Chile Burger with Jalapeño Fries and the Slow-Roasted Pork with Apple Chipotle Glaze. Top it off with a made-from-scratch trio of salsa, follow it up with an agua fresca, and all is good.
The building itself is quite a charm, located on the edge of the Union Plaza District between Santa Fe and Chihuahua streets. The restaurant is both historic and contemporary. The former because, as Griffin, chef-owner of the restaurant, explains, "it was a jail, a Chinese laundry and the original chamber of commerce … the bars on the windows are the original jail bars." The bar top is also an antique, estimated at over 80 years old, and Griffin had to special order a matching cabinet unit from the El Paso Import Company which custom built one from equally old antique doors. The detail in the decor does not stop there; local artist Fernie Fernandez hand airbrushed three of the murals that grace the walls. As for contemporary, Griffin hopes to benefit from the club scene a few blocks away by opening up for breakfast from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. Saturday and Sunday (a continuation of Friday night and Saturday night for the club goers).
El Pisto will be open for a limited time only Monday through Friday for Lunch, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and for the midnight/early bird crowd for breakfast, Saturday and Sunday 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. Later on El Pisto can be expected to be open for dinner as well.
El Pisto Food and Drink
212 West Overland Ave.
El Paso, Texas 79901
915.533.6322
www.elpisto-ep.com (currently under construction)
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Lee Russell
June 27, 2009
I am so excited to see Bobby cooking again.-I look forward to a wonderful dining experience with family and friends upon my arrival from Denver to ELP next week! It's been way to long not having my tastebuds tantiilized again with the amazing culanary expeience that Chef Bobby knows and love. I can't think of a better way to start my day by enjoying an authentic mexican comida , at EL Pistos! WELCOME BACK CHEF... Goodtimes have just begun. Bien Por fecha todos! CHEERS! and congrats!
Jill
June 29, 2009
Bobby's The King and El Pisto is going to rock El Paso!
Richard (Westside)
June 29, 2009
BLACK BEANS???? guess I won't be going. I hate when people want to say it is a Mexican rest. and serve black beans, That's just crazy. Black beans reminds me of Puerto Rican food.
LEWIS LEAVITT
June 29, 2009
THE FOOD IS GREAT. ITS DEFINITELY OUR NEW HANGOUT.
Michelle Thurston
June 29, 2009
El Paso is lucky to have Chef Bobby Griffin! I have no doubt in my mind he and El Pisto Food and Drink will be a success!
Jan Francis
June 29, 2009
El Pisto is definitely the place to spend a leisurely afternoon; with Chef Bobby, a great staff and AMAZING FOOD. This place is a winner!!
Jan Francis
June 29, 2009
El Pisto is definitely the place to spend a leisurely afternoon; with Chef Bobby, a great staff and AMAZING FOOD. This place is a winner!!
Raul A.
July 24, 2009
I am very excited that this place reopened, I just hope it stays open long enough for when I go back home. I used to enjoy working when it was La Nortena and also its a nice place to have a drink.
Bibi
August 24, 2009
Chef Bobby's new restaurant is simply amazing. Some of his "MUST TRIES" are the Queso Fundido, the Snapper Tacos, the Bakka Ribeye, and the Slow-Roasted Pork is simply in a category all it's own. If you're up for a culinary treat and challenge, try his Bakka/Chorizo burger. Red rice is unlike any in the city. Hands down.
In response to Richard from the Westside: Sorry, but you don't quite know what you're talking about. Head to Southern México and you'll see that black beans are very much a part of the cuisine. They're tastier than pinto beans too. Better yet, try it first before you criticize it.
Stephanie
January 6, 2010
I love to eat, and now I can enjoy it even more. Your nacos were
amazing. We'll be back.