Sometimes you can just tell a restaurant’s going to be great.
At El Paso Tacos & Tequila—located at the former Mellow Mushroom in downtown Augusta—the walls shout with colorful images of Augusta landmarks, like Sacred Heart Cultural Center and the Augusta National, alongside dancing skeletons playing guitars (a nod to Mexico’s Dia de los Muertos), trailing flower vines, and the Virgin Mary in a halo of orange. It’s a little bit Augusta, a whole lot Mexico, and just plain fun and welcoming.
I felt comfortable immediately as the friendly staff waved us over to where our friends Danielle and Chris were seated in a wide booth. Warm black bean dip was already on the table. I immediately dipped in a crisp tortilla chip for a taste, it was cozy—not spicy, but full of flavor.
El Paso is a small chain, with locations in Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, Texas and Louisiana. According to its website, the restaurant started serving its Tex-Mex cuisine and full tequila bar in Valdosta in 2020 and has grown rapidly to 17 locations and counting.
It’s easy to see why. Most Mexican restaurants have enormous menus and El Paso might outdo most of them. It’s got appetizers, ranging from stuffed jalapeños to homemade ground beef empanadas. There are soups and salads like a taco salad or tortilla soup and at least eight possible versions of nachos.
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There’s a section devoted just to grilled meats and another to seafood, from a whole fried fish to tostados with ceviche. Then of course there’s a huge array of enchiladas, tacos, burritos and chimichangas. The combination plates make it easy to try one to four different items, plus rice and beans. Its Tex Mex specialties include flautas (filled, rolled and fried flour tortillas), tamales, a Mexican burger and carnitas (pork). Rounding out the menu are vegetarian dishes, desserts (like fried ice cream, naturally) and extras or sides.
Chris, who is vegan, asked if they could customize a burrito, and they could. My husband saw green sauce with the chicken enchiladas and knew immediately what he wanted to order. “But do you want them with ground beef?” asked our server—and yes, Sean did, for one of them. And because I like to taste a variety, I ordered the fajita trio with steak, chicken and shrimp.
But first, we added queso to start, and the side at $5.25 was more than generous (compared to the bowl, which was $8.99). It was thin and melty, but with a bite of spice (and ended up also being terrific drizzled on my grilled meats).
Sean reported that his enchiladas were good but could have used a little more green sauce (which I feel sure the staff would have promptly brought, had we asked). My plate arrived, smoking impressively. “Be careful, it’s hot,” added our server. Indeed. I helped myself to a warm tortilla, added some steak and onions and bell peppers, plus dollops of guacamole salad and sour cream, and dug in—and then did the same with the chicken and shrimp.
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I fought the steak a bit with my teeth, but it had a good charred and seasoned flavor. The shrimp were tender and especially good with the guacamole, which was terrifically tangy—perhaps due to extra lime? But I liked the chicken best, with its smoky spicy flavor. With bites of the seasoned rice and plump smoky pinto beans, it was a feast—and I was able to take home enough for lunch the next day.
We didn’t try the impressive tequila bar, although we saw a happy crowd there. There’s so much to see and taste and experience at El Paso, and as we left, it was with the happy feeling that there were so much more to try on our next visit. El Paso is a vibe—and it stayed with us long after we left.
Reserve your spot at El Paso Tacos & Tequila
El Paso Tacos and Tequila
1167 Broad St.
Entrée cost: $11.99 to $38.99
