It’s been a rough week for El Paso foodies. Many locals are dealing with the government shutdown impact on their jobs, rising costs, and families struggling to put food on the table this holiday season. Well, it’s not just families who are feeling that pain. So are local businesses.
The holidays are usually a busy time for local restaurants. Families come into town, people gather over meals, and business finally picks up, but this year things feel different. With tighter budgets and fewer people dining out, even our favorite neighborhood spots are feeling the pressure.
The holiday cheer might be coming, but for many small business owners, this season is shaping up to be one of the toughest yet. And now, the hits just keep coming because within the span of a single week, two beloved El Paso restaurants announced they’re closing their doors for good.
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Matteo’s Mexican Food Set To Close Their 4 Locations
First came the Sunday shocker: Matteo’s Mexican Food, known for its flavorful plates and family-friendly vibes, announced it’s shutting down all four of its locations which include its El Paso, Las Cruces, and Alamogordo spots. In a heartfelt Facebook post, the owners cited rising costs, declining sales, and their commitment to using only quality ingredients as reasons behind the tough decision. “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the difficult decision to cease operations,” they wrote, adding that they hope to make a comeback one day.
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Juarez Favorite, Chihuahua Charlies, Closing Their Only El Paso Location
Just when locals were trying to digest that news, Chihuahua Charlie’s dropped their own goodbye post on Tuesday. The El Paso location, which had only opened in May across from the Don Haskins Center, shared that the economy had “caught up” with them. The closure hits especially hard for long-time fans who remember Chihuahua Charlie’s iconic Juarez days back in the ‘80s. It was the place where celebrations and good times were basically guaranteed.
Between the nostalgia, the rising costs, and the end of two foodie favorites, one thing’s clear: the Borderland restaurant scene just lost a little flavor this week.
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