El Paso restaurants see early BTS concert weekend surge, brace for bigger crowds

EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — As fans from across the country arrive in El Paso for the Korean pop group BTS concert weekend at the Sun Bowl, restaurants and other local businesses are already seeing an early surge — and bracing for even bigger crowds.

Visitors have been filling hotels and packing local hotspots ahead of the major concert weekend, as businesses prepare for what El Paso city officials estimate could bring a $75 million economic impact.

Some out-of-town visitors said they’ve been using online resources to find places to eat and avoid the busiest areas.

“The only reason we found this place is because someone created a website to visit a bunch of food places and entertainment,” one visitor said.

With crowds expected in El Paso, one visitor said their group is relying on a friend who lives in the city to help them avoid the busiest spots.

“I think since she knows where to go, she’s taking us to places that aren’t super crowded. So we don’t get caught up in the crowd too,” the person said, referring to their friend who lives in El Paso.

Restaurants near UTEP, including Crave Kitchen and Bar and Rib Hut along Cincinnati, said the rush has already started and could surpass other major event weekends.

“It started yesterday actually,” said Nicholas, a Rib Hut server. “We started getting a lot of BTS revenue.”

Crave Kitchen and Bar server Mary-Elizabeth Sanchez said staff have been preparing for the weekend’s crowds.

“We always do our best to prepare, but sometimes it does get a little bit crazy, but we are so excited about it,” Sanchez said. “We’ve been waiting for this, for sure.”

Rib Hut manager Adriana said she’s glad visitors are stopping by the longtime El Paso restaurant.

“I’m very happy that they’re coming to experience rib hut that’s been in our city for 35 years,” she said.

With the expected surge, wait times are also climbing.

Restaurant staff said past concert weekends have led to waits of more than an hour, and they’re urging customers to plan ahead before heading out.

“I’ve seen our longest wait times, I think for a concert it was about an hour and a half,” Sanchez said.

Nicholas said Rib Hut has seen similar waits during busy weekends.

“We were looking at anywhere from like 45 minutes to maybe like an hour and a half,” he said.

Behind the scenes, restaurants are already ramping up operations.

Adriana said Rib Hut is cooking extra food and starting earlier than usual to keep up with demand throughout the weekend.

“We’ve been getting ready since 8 o’clock this morning and we’re going to continue preparing tonight all the way to maybe two in the morning,” she said.

Even with the long hours, Sanchez said big concert weekends can pay off for workers.

“There was one time during a really big concert, I think I walked out with $400,” she said. “But I had sweat dripping from everywhere, so it was definitely hard.”

With several events happening across the city this weekend, businesses are encouraging people to plan ahead and expect longer wait times when dining out.

Tags: