Happy National Horchata Day, amigos! In honor of the finest rice milk cinnamon elixir known to mankind, I’ve done the unthinkable: dragged myself across El Paso in search of the creamiest, most soul soothing horchata. After scouring Yelp, dodging chili stains, and downing far more milk water than my pancreas signed up for, here are the 5 Best Places to Get Horchata in El Paso in a ranking worthy of a throne. According to Yelp, anyway.

1. Thirsty AF 915

Yes, that’s their real name, and yes, they deliver the vibes and the horchata. Yelp ranks them as the top horchata spot in El Paso. (yelp.com) Crisp, cold, cinnamon kissed, and fully capable of making you temporarily forget about finals. If you’re going to pledge allegiance to one horchata, pledge here.

2. El Taquero Comer

A strong contender. What they lack in Instagramable décor they make up for in liquid gold. Yelp lists them high in the horchata rankings. (yelp.com) I suspect there’s some sort of secret family recipe that involves toe curling sweetness and subtle rice textures.

3. El Taquito

Simple name, serious horchata cred. Also featured in the Yelp top horchata list. (yelp.com) A reliable go to when you just want a “give me horchata and leave me alone” kind of moment.

4. Taconeta

Okay, full transparency: I found some mixed reviews about their horchata. One food blog said it “tasted as if it came from a mix” rather than fresh. (stevesfoodblog.com) But you know what? I still include it here, because A) their food is roasted good, B) even “meh” horchata from Taconeta is better than no horchata, and C) we all need a redemption arc. Try it and judge for yourself.

5. Viejo Coffee

Now, this is horchata with a twist. They serve a horchata latte, iced only, and yes, it’s sweeter than your overzealous aunt’s jokes, but with that coffee kick? Chef’s kiss. (yelp.com) If you like your horchata flirting with caffeine, this is your soulmate.

Honorable Mentions & Shoutouts

Tepalca (West Side / Canutillo): locals on Facebook swear by their version. (facebook.com)

Vista Markets & El Super: a Reddit user said, “good horchata from any restaurant in El Paso … El Super and Vista have really good one.” (reddit.com)

Final Verdict

If I were forced at gunpoint to choose just one, Thirsty AF 915 gets my eternal loyalty (for now). But the real beauty of El Paso is that you can hop from taco joint to café and sample five different horchatas in a single afternoon. (Don’t try it on an empty stomach.)

So on National Horchata Day: raise your glass (or styrofoam cup) and say a prayer for cinnamon, rice, and the wise souls who decided we ought to drink dessert. May your horchata be cold, sweet, and always leave you wanting more.

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