A list of the best “hole in the wall” restaurants in Texas just came out and El Paso got zero love on it. WTH?

“Hole In The Wall” is not a derogatory term, it just means a small, “hidden gem” kind of place where locals gather with friends and family to have fun and eat great food in a non – “corporate” setting. (Corporate, I do use as a derogatory term.)

Granted, there are a gazillion, super tasty, hole in the wall restaurants in Texas. Naming the best really is a fool’s errand but, still, El Paso should have made that list. At least once.

Hole In The Wall Restaurants Named Best In Texas

Foodie website mashed.com came up with the list and didn’t even get close to El Paso with their selections. (The Starlite Theatre in Terlingua was closest to El Chuco.) Some of the cities that are home to their choices are places ‘ve never even heard of. Strawn? Driftwood? Giddings?

Anyway, El Paso should have had at least one place on the mashed list. We have a ton of “holes” and we also, (I’m pretty sure), have more fun stuff to do after you eat than they have in “Strawn“.

El Paso’s Best Hole In The Walls Joints

We have a lot so, with great difficulty, I narrowed my list down to 3. The Mashed writer based his list on his personal opinion, his friends opinions and online reviews. I just asked 3 people … me, myself and I.

Rib Hut – Specifically, the original location on Mesa. The other 2 are amazing but number 1 is small, quirky and a true hole in the wall. No “corporate-itus” here. Just delicious food made from scratch by a staff that seems like family and that treat you like family too.

The Tap – Talk about a hole in the wall. You cam walk right past this downtown legend and not notice it. Watch for it though, you don’t want to miss this one. IYKYK.

Shelby Shack – The hole in the wallest of them all. (“Wallest” is too a word.) You have to know EXACTLY where to look for the Shelby Shack. (Hint) It was decades before I even heard of it, let alone found it. (I bet google even has trouble.)

READ MORE: Cornudas Is El Paso Foodie’s Best New Day Trip

Where Is Shelby Shack?

The place borders on being an urban legend. They don’t advertise, (they don’t need to, the food’s that good.) and, unless you go with a friend, you probably won’t find it on the first try. Unless you’re getting your car fixed.

Shelby Shack is located INSIDE the garage that’s INSIDE the Casa Ford dealership on Montana. You’re welcome.

Check Out El Paso’s Hidden “Shelby Shack” Diner

A Peek Inside The Legendary, “Secret” Shelby Shack Diner

Gallery Credit: Dubba G

Check Out El Paso’s New Rib Hut Location

Gallery Credit: Dubba G

The Oasis Outside of El Paso: Cornudas, Texas

This Guy Bought a Whole Texas Town & Turned It Into a Wild West Party Oasis.

Gallery Credit: Courtesy: Jon Jasniak via YouTube