Desert Oak Barbecue

Barbecue restaurant · El Paso

Desert Oak Barbecue

Barbecue restaurant · El Paso

1

11411 Gateway Blvd W, El Paso, TX 79936

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Desert Oak Barbecue by null
Desert Oak Barbecue by null
Desert Oak Barbecue by null
Desert Oak Barbecue by null
Desert Oak Barbecue by null
Desert Oak Barbecue by null
Desert Oak Barbecue by null
Desert Oak Barbecue by null
Desert Oak Barbecue by null
Desert Oak Barbecue by null
Desert Oak Barbecue by null
Desert Oak Barbecue by null
Desert Oak Barbecue by null
Desert Oak Barbecue by null
Desert Oak Barbecue by null
Desert Oak Barbecue by null
Desert Oak Barbecue by null
Desert Oak Barbecue by null
Desert Oak Barbecue by null
Desert Oak Barbecue by null
Desert Oak Barbecue by null
Desert Oak Barbecue by null
Desert Oak Barbecue by null
Desert Oak Barbecue by null
Desert Oak Barbecue by null
Desert Oak Barbecue by null
Desert Oak Barbecue by null
Desert Oak Barbecue by null
Desert Oak Barbecue by null
Desert Oak Barbecue by null
Desert Oak Barbecue by null
Desert Oak Barbecue by null
Desert Oak Barbecue by null
Desert Oak Barbecue by null
Desert Oak Barbecue by null
Desert Oak Barbecue by null
Desert Oak Barbecue by null
Desert Oak Barbecue by null
Desert Oak Barbecue by null
Desert Oak Barbecue by null
Desert Oak Barbecue by null
Desert Oak Barbecue by null

Highlights

Oak-smoked BBQ, comfort food sides, and banana pudding  

Google Rating
4.2
(1809)
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11411 Gateway Blvd W, El Paso, TX 79936 Get directions

desertoakbarbecue.com
@desertoakbarbecue

$10–20 · Menu

Information

Static Map

11411 Gateway Blvd W, El Paso, TX 79936 Get directions

+1 915 309 4322
desertoakbarbecue.com
@desertoakbarbecue

$10–20 · Menu

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outdoor seating

Last updated

Aug 27, 2025

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Central Texas technique meets border flavors at this locally owned smokehouse known for brisket, ribs, and green chile cheese rice. Featured by national food media, its current Cowtown digs add a full bar and room to linger.

https://order.toasttab.com/online/desertoakbarbecue
Best Restaurants in El Paso (2025)
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Roberta H.

Yelp
Out visiting my son in El Paso so we ordered in some BBQ. The order was hot when it arrived. I have to say the pulled pork was really, really good. The cheese rice and corn were out of this world. I was not happy with my slices of brisket but my son had nice long thick slices and they were much better. I guess I just got some end pieces. I would definitely recommend it if you're in El Paso!
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Christian R.

Yelp
My wife and I came in on a Monday evening, around 6 PM. It wasn't busy and we were able to get seated right away. Desert Oak has a very spacious dining area, great for small and larger parties. Our server greeted us quickly and she was very attentive throughout our meal. I had a strawberry lemonade to drink--wayyyyy too sweet to my liking. Would recommend a glass of water on the side to give you some balance just in case. To eat, I ordered the Carnivore--1/3lb chopped brisket and pulled pork piled high with all the fixings. The meat was tender and moist, and with the pickles and bbq sauce, it all was so delicious. Portion-wise this option is great if you're coming in very hungry. On the side I had macaroni and cheese--also very good! We ordered an additional cornbread to accompany our meal. It was good, but would have been great had it come out warm, but every restaurant is different I guess. Overall a good experience!! Would definitely order again and come back.
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Brisa P.

Yelp
A BBQ spot in El Paso is hard to come by, but Desert Oak is a true gem that you don't want to miss out on. I ordered the sliced brisket sandwich with creamed corn and it was so good! It was evening time when we came by for dinner and the brisket still tasted fresh and moist. Service was excellent and the food came out quick. I also appreciated the friendliness from the kitchen staff as we were leaving the restaurant, it was very kind of them to acknowledge us and thank us for stopping by. The cream corn was good, however, I could do without the peppers. We also asked for some cornbread and that was good too, wish it would've been warm though. My only critique is that the barbecue sauce wasn't my favorite. Both the original and spicy one had a strong vinegar taste at the beginning and I couldn't get over it. Thankfully the brisket was so delicious and moist enough that it didn't really need the sauce. But you have to have a good sauce!! It's not a dealbreaker and the experience overall was great, so I'll definitely be back!
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Christy Q.

Yelp
The highlight of this meal were the cornbread, green chile rice, and the BBQ sauce! The spicy BBQ sauce had a nice peppery kick to it. Instead of white bread, we were able to get the green chili corn bread which was perfectly made - wasn't too dense and the edges were crispy. Green chili cheese rice was cheesy and provided a nice balance to the meats. While I appreciated the peppery flavor of the ribs, it was pretty dry. The brisket and sausage were solid though! The brisket had a balance of fat and lean parts! Service here was subpar! Our server was attentive and came to check on us a couple times throughout as well as had such a friendly welcoming attitude! If anyone is in El Paso and is looking for a solid BBQ place, I would recommend Desert Oak!!
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Ino R.

Yelp
Good Texas BBQ. It is a great place for large or small groups to enjoy the various roasted meats. My wife enjoyed the pork belly appetizer... I barely got to taste one, but what I did get was enough for me to want to try the next time. I also tried some of the brisket nachos. This was portioned out for more than just one... even for an entree. It was good, and it was loaded with a lot of toppings, and even more brisket than anything else. I ordered a two meat entree, which was plenty. The ribs were good, but they were not exactly fall off the bone. The flavor was pretty good though. The brisket was great. Huge chunky slices and the texture and flavor was really tasty. I tried the cole slaw... it was okay. It was different in that it was had pineapple and mayonnaise. The beans were great... I should have asked for more picked dressing. The pickles, jalapenos, and onions were a great add to the bread and proteins. They have a kids menu. My daughter enjoyed her mac and cheese and burger. My son finished his roasted bbq wings and fries. The place is large, they have bench seating indoors and outdoors, and they also have some smaller tables and chairs towards the entrance. They have a full bar, and table service. Our server did very well managing our group of about twenty folks for the hail and farewell. If you're on the east end of town... it's worth a try.
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Claudia F.

Yelp
My friend recommended this place. She said it was her favorite barbecue in El Paso. We went early around noon, and there were not many people on Martin Luther King Day. The service was quick. The waitresses were very attentive and kind. The food was excellent. My ribs were very tender and moist, I didn't care much for the barbecue sauce on the ribs, because maybe the ribs were just excellent on their own. my friend liked her bowl and The sandwich was also very good. We split a banana pudding, which was different than any banana pudding I have ever had, but it was very delicious . We were able to talk, sat next to a door/window which led some nice sunlight in on a cold winter day.
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Joseph P.

Yelp
On my final day in El Paso, TX, en route to the airport to return the rental car, I was eager to savor some Texas BBQ. I discovered a nearby spot and, being the first customer after opening, was promptly seated. Scanning the menu, I opted for brisket, turkey, pulled pork, green chile & cheese rice, and potato salad. Ready to dive into flavor town, I was delighted as the food arrived quickly, steaming hot, and the service was excellent. Brisket - B+ Turkey - B Green Chile & Cheese Rice - C Potato Salad - B
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Darien C.

Yelp
First time trying Desert Oak BBQ with my husband yesterday for lunch and it was a solid 4 stars! Being in TX I definitely wanted to look for more Texas BBQ establishments but it seems there aren't too many here in El Paso, Desert Oak is one of the top rated places so of course we had to see for ourselves if it lived up to the hype of their reviews. We happened to come on a Friday afternoon for lunch so it was the perfect time to beat any crowds. I can definitely see this place being packed on weekends! Lucky for us there wasn't a wait when we arrived. I will say the vibe kind of threw me off upon entering cause the place was dead quiet. Even though there were a decent amount of customers I was caught off guard by the lack of atmosphere but I wasn't going to judge based off of that one thing. Maybe they could turn up the music a bit? That might help so you don't feel like you're walking into a library. We were seated right away and the hostess was the one to take our drink order, I believe our waiter may have been on break or busy elsewhere at the time. Jesse was the one to come by and introduce himself as our waiter for the afternoon. Very good service and he gave some good recommendations since it was our first visit. No complaints at all with the service. Jesse was great! We ordered the pork belly bites for our appetizer. Upon Jesse's recommendation, we chose the sweet sauce to go with the bites. And boy was it a GREAT choice! We absolutely loved everything about the sauce and how crisp the pork bites were. I would give that a solid 5/5. Jesse did let us know it was a smaller portion appetizer but that was perfect for my husband and I. For drinks my husband ordered their Shiner Bock beer and I tried the strawberry lemonade. My husband liked his beverage. I really was neutral on my choice. I'm not too fond of lemonade that tastes artificial (minute made with a pump of syrup). It was a little hard for me to tell if the lemonade was freshly squeezed or not. But it didn't taste awful so I was more or less ok with it. I would say it was a 3/5. For our main entrees my husband got the BFS which is their brisket, sausage and pulled pork on their sandwich buns. He said he really loved the sausage and the brisket and pulled pork were juicy. We both loved the fresh French fries that came with his meal too. Heavily seasoned with salt and pepper, which we both liked a lot. I ordered the build a bowl with macaroni and cheese with pulled pork on top, along with sour cream and their jalapeño crema drizzled over the dish. I also got a side of their creamed corn. I think next time I will definitely go for their pulled pork sandwich. I understand ordering Mac and cheese at a bbq place isn't really ideal but it sounded delicious at the time. Just my preference but it would be nice to have had a little more pulled pork on top. Not piled high or anything just a bit more than the bit that was given. The mac and cheese was ok, very cheesy and filling. Probably a 4/5 for me. And I would say the creamed corn was decent. The sauce kind of threw me off at first I thought I was given biscuits and gravy. I would also rate this dish a 3/5 just compared to other creamed corn I've had elsewhere. I do also recommend their spicy BBQ sauce but honestly both options provided were good. I just personally prefer a more spicy BBQ sauce. For desert my husband and I decided to share the banana pudding. We're both huge fans of banana pudding and even make our own at home so I was curious how it would compare. Overall it was pretty good! The banana pudding mixed perfectly with the softened vanilla wafers and fresh banana slices. I think it was a delicious end to our meal. Overall I'd give Desert Oak BBQ a solid 4/5 stars. Everything was pretty good in my opinion. Like I said, I would definitely go for their pulled pork sandwich or another more meat heavy option next time we visit. I think I just ordered something they're not really known for so that may be why I wasn't wowed like I expected. Definitely recommend trying!
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David P.

Yelp
First impression on the service was not awesome. Arrived right at opening on a quiet Sunday morning. I stood there in front of the hostess for more than 5 minutes before she acknowledged my presence. My order was simple, but I requested point brisket instead of flat. She told me "you get the cut that you get". They won't accompany this request. This really rubbed me wrong. What bbq joint won't let you specifically have point if you request it? The food: the brisket was delicious. Absolutely excellent fat rendering and flavor. They did bring me only point meat which was appreciated. The sausage was very good but not really stand-out. The pork ribs had an excellent flavored and textured bark, but unfortunately were way undercooked. I'm not a "fall off the bone" guy at all, but these were still densely stuck to the bone (see my pic). I do think ribs should retain enough structure to see a bite mark, but the bone should not still be adherent to the meat like this. Too bad bc the flavor was delicious. I highly recommend the side dishes. The green chili cheese rice was delicious and the macaroni was also awesome. The cornbread was very good. Zero complaints about side dishes. Overall, I would give this place for stars for the reasons above. It was certainly three star service, and pork ribs (maybe I just got an undercooked sample). 5 stars for the brisket and sides. 4 stars for the sausage.
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Tom M.

Yelp
Great food and fast service the Texas Trinity was awesome. Spacious restaurant with good beer on tap.
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Elizabeth R.

Yelp
Enjoyed this place very much! We came here for a work event. I ordered the chili pork belly bites which were nice and crispy! The brisket nachos were also delicious! They were roasted and crunchy! The servers were attentive and managed our large crowd well. The ambiance is a backyard bbq place- great for large groups. They must hold events outside because there is stage a grassy area.
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Rick M.

Yelp
Great local bbq, I ordered the build your own sandwich, I chose chopped brisket, buns are perfectly toasted, soft caramely toasted bun, tender flavorful moist brisket, comes with pickles, I chose their awesome take on French fries, my wife ordered their salad, it comes with smoked turkey, she also ordered a side of their awesome green chili rice. You gotta check this place out.

Linda S.

Yelp
OMG. This place was great. Damian was a very friendly and efficient waiter, the food was delicious and the beer was cold. The ribs are " to die for" - lean and amazing! Try and save room for desert. The key lime pudding was decadently delicious too!
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Joe C.

Yelp
Amazing bbq. Ambiance is very warehouse vibe but the brisket made up for it. If I was back in the El Paso area I would definitely go back for the food. There really is no other reason to be honest.
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Jinny C.

Yelp
So sad I could only visit once during a trip! Stopped by the place because I read that it was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives and it satisfied all the cravings for Texan bbq. I got the build your own bowl with shredded brisket, cheesy rice, and creamed corn, and with toreado, jalapeño crema, and pico de gallo as toppings. Just copy this order. I could eat the cheesy rice on it's own (it's that good) and the creamed corn was sweet and tasty. The toppings I chose really brought a lot of flavor as well. And last but not least, the brisket was tender and flavorful. The restaurant is spacious with parking out front, and service is friendly. Bathrooms available inside.
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Lee L.

Yelp
First time having Texas BBQ in Texas! So I barely crossed the border, but it just hits different. Desert Oak Barbecue is now full dine-in with stellar service and an expanded menu. The bar serves both coffee and booze. Got the signature Desert Oak and chose brisket & sausage for meats and creamed corn & coleslaw for sides. Bread options are white or corn, but that's no corntest. I thought the server forgot the knife, but turns out the brisket was so tender I didn't even need one! The sausage was densely packed and packed some provocative heat. Creamed corn was indulgently creamy, and the cornbread was so decadently moist I do not want to know how much lard was involved. Coleslaw hid delightful chunks of pineapple. First time having Texas BBQ in Texas, and I'm craving more. Barely crossed the border, and already, I'm all in.
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Frances M.

Yelp
This was my first trip to Desert Oaks. We went after a movie and it was so convenient. There was 12 of us in our party and they seated us right away. Everybody ordered different things. But I was very impressed with my bowl. It had green chili rice mixed with cream corn With brisket on top! It was wonderful! Everyone raved about their dish. Everyone seemed really like the brisket someone had sausage and a couple people had burgers and they said they were very good. The ambience is very casual with picnic tables inside and a very open area. The food is delivered on a metal tray with a wax paper. Bottom the meat comes in paper bowls. I would prefer real plates and accessories, but this really brings out the ambience of the barbecue atmosphere. I will definitely come here again and it's a great place for groups. Thank you, Desert Oaks.
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Lisa Marie D.

Yelp
What is it? Oh is the best place ever has the best burgers and the best barbecue, the best lemonade and the best mashed potatoes
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Thomas B.

Yelp
I came by right after opening and grabbed a to go plate to take to the Airport on the way back to Ga. Staff was very helpful and nice. This is a huge restaurant. Super cool place with a nice bar. I got the holy trinity (Ribs, brisket and sausage), with slaw and green chili cheese rice. The ribs were excellent, as was the sausage. The brisket was very tender and juicy. But to be honest, it tasted like pot roast. no smoked flavor. It would have been good with sauce if it had been in the bag...... It was my fault I asked and did not look that it was included. The rice was amazing as was the slaw. Overall it was really good! i would love to try it again and eat there.
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Shanelle S.

Yelp
Delicious BBQ joint that was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. My friend and I came here to grab a late lunch prior to flying out of El Paso, and this was 100% the right decision. We opted for a build your own bowl, which has a choice of two sides, meat, and toppings. I got mine with the green chile rice and beans, brisket, toreado, and pico de gallo. The rice was something else - perfectly flavored and tender without being mushy, I could eat it every day. The brisket was tender and the soy sauce soaked toreado added a nice extra saltiness. Our waitress Jackie was friendly and they accept credit cards. Free parking lot. They do serve alcohol and coffee. It's good for big groups as well as children. Overall, it was a super yummy place to eat.
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Liang T.

Yelp
This place was very underwhelming. We came here and expected spectacular Texas BBQ based on other reviews but left quite disappointed. My girlfriend and I ordered the Texas Trinity which had sausage, brisket and ribs with 2 sides. For our sides we picked Cole slaw and Mac and cheese. Sadly the high of the dinner was probably the Mac and cheese and that isn't by a high mark either. The brisket had a good smokiness but was pretty dry. Our ribs were lacking in flavor and also really dry. They did fall off the bone so they were cooked well I just wanted some more BBQ smokiness. The sausage we got was alright too. The casing on the outside of the sausage left a lot to be desired it was somewhat thick and chewy so it gave the sausage an unecessary texture. Our Cole slaw wasn't great it had very little slaw flavor and tasted a lot like cabbage with mayo. There were random chunks of pineapple which was refreshing but it seemed out of place. We liked the Mac and cheese. It was gooey and flavorful compared to some of their other dishes. Compared to the likes of Terry Blacks and Franklins this place has a lot to live up to. Service was fast and really nice and we love the bench style seating. The whole place had a pretty country roadhouse ambiance which we enjoyed.
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Jacques I.

Yelp
There's a reason Guy Fieri came to eat at Desert Oak Barbecue while in El Paso - 'cause it's freakin' delicious! My partner found out about this place as we were making our way back to El Paso from southern New Mexico and needed some dinner before flying back home. Thus, we found ourselves at Desert Oak Barbecue. The location is a little odd. It's located in a kind of industrial, business strip, which is right off a busy highway. But we most definitely were in the right place when we walked inside where it was spacious with plenty of picnic style tables, a bar in the middle and TVs playing sports. It's my kind of place. To start, I had a jalapeno margarita, which was needed after a day of hiking. They have a full bar here, with lots of local taps, so wet that whistle! My partner ordered the double brisket plate, half a rack of pork ribs (the beef ribs were sold out when we visited), with the mac and cheese and green chile rice. I had to try the El Paso stuffed potato with a hot link, which is what Guy Fieri ordered here and is what this place is known for. Holy moly, the food was delicious! The El Paso stuffed potato with a hot link was smothered with brisket, beans, cheese, green chiles, cheese and sour cream. I don't really care for baked potatoes, but this one has me thinking twice. If all baked potatoes were stuffed like this, I would happily devour this again and again. The brisket was tender and flavorful, the hot link had a nice hint of spice and the green chiles added some nice zest. For one person, the El Paso stuffed potato is massive. My partner enjoyed his brisket and ribs, and I had a bite of his green chile rice side, which was outstanding. The cheesiness with the green chiles added some oomph to the rice. I highly recommend getting it as one of your sides! For dessert, my partner ordered the key lime pie pudding, which was a small size, but is a good amount after you've stuffed yourself with meaty goodness. Our server was the sweetest. She was happy to make recommendations and constantly checked in with us, especially since she knew we were headed to the airport afterwards, so wanted to be mindful of time. Why can't we have BBQ places like Desert Oak in the Seattle area? UGH. Don't mess with Texas and its BBQ. Eat here when you're in El Paso!
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Bryson W.

Yelp
The brisket burnt ends were probably the best burnt ends I've ever had. The lean brisket was also very good, moist and super flavorful. The ribs were pretty good, sausage not my favorite. I had the cream corn and coleslaw were okay. I wasn't a fan of how they seat you and have a waitress take your order.
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Joe B.

Yelp
Service was good. Ambiance was good. I got there late afternoon on a Saturday. The rib was huge! It was good. Not much to say about it. I've made beef ribs just as good so nothing to write home about. I tried the brisket also, that was really good. My sides were sweet corn and cheese green pepper rice. Those were both ok. I would like to revisit and try the pork ribs with other sides.
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Gloria M.

Yelp
Food is delicious and brisket is out of this world. They used to be a food truck and now they opened up their restaurant. I'll be going back soon.
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Juanne D.

Yelp
Big open restaurant, great selection of beers and meats. This place is on the pricier side, but the quality is definitely worth it. The service is good and the food comes out quick. I'd love to have a large dinner here with friends or buy a bunch of BBQ for a party at home. Can't really top Desert Oak when it comes to taste and quality. Wish it was closer to my side of town!!
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Marisa M.

Yelp
I came here with a friend on a Monday and I was kinda disappointed because some of the girls working there saw us standing in front and did not even seem to remotely acknowledge we were there ...even though their sign said to wait to be seated. The bar tender finally came to the rescue and helped sit us at a table. Our server / bar tender Jesse was very friendly and helpful. I had only been to the old location so this was my first time here and their food menu was different. They don't have any texas twinkies anymore... they need to bring them back!!!! Ok so I got the brisket loaded potato and it was soooo delicious. Now the other thing I was super disappointed was their toreado jalapeños ... they come in some form of liquid... super weird. Being a BBQ place they should have full jalapeno toreados so I definitely don't recommend getting those as an add on. I do 100% recommend Theo green chili cheese rice. I was a bit skeptical and asked our server about it and he said it was delicious so I went with his suggestion and tried it out. It's definitely worth every bite!!! Ok well I like the old smaller location because it had better service and more menu options. Mt friend got the pulled pork sandwich she said it was delicious but maybe the pictures will help your decision. Enjoy my pics :)
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Brittney H.

Yelp
The staff was very welcoming and friendly. We are here on vacation and our waitress gave excellent suggestions on additional places to eat. The food was good. I was hoping that the temp of the food would be a bit hotter and the brisket a bit more flavorful. The spicy bbq sauce was delicious. The sausages were spicy, so if you do not like spicy do not order. The ribs fell off the bone with meat.
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Ryan W.

Yelp
By far, the absolute best barbecue in El Paso! If you don't know what to order I strongly recommend the desert oak platter with the brisket and pulled pork. The green chili rice is a local favorite, you won't be disappointed. If you'd like a cold beer, the in-house bar has enough selections to scratch your itch. There is an outdoor seating area with a life-size battleship game, that's not just for kids! Great food, excellent service, awesome conversations. Don't miss out!
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Laura R.

Yelp
Absolutely fabulous beef brisket! The BBQ sauce has a whiskey flavor which pairs well with the meat. The Mac n cheese is creamy and sooooo good. Potato salad is good, has a dill pickle taste and light on the mustard which I like. Our server, Brianna, went above and beyond making sure our meal was perfect. She is very polite and kind and an asset to this establishment! Thanks for the dinner before heading home, will definitely be back if we pass by again!
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Alex W.

Yelp
I really want to like this place, I do. The atmosphere is really nice. Very rustic, very family friendly, and probably the best BBQ in El Paso but that really isn't saying much. The food here is just, eh. The brisket is moist, but the 3 times I have eaten here, it's under salted and lacks any flavor. There's potential, but it seems like their recipe has gotten sloppy. The pulled pork is way to vinegary for my taste. I feel like it overpowers the meat and make for a weird tasting experience. The Mac and Cheese is a crime. Slightly undercooked noodles in a runny, watery cheese sauce with no bacon, no green Chile, and somehow the only thing that had salt but guess what, over salted. They need to really work on their seasoning. The beans were just okay. Nothing special. The inside is nice but also a little confusing because it seems like it's the type of place that you throw your own trash away but there isn't a single trash can in the building in the common area. A weird gripe, I know, but it's just strange. A guy actually asked me what he was supposed to do with his trash and I heard someone else ask a worker. I think this needs to be addressed. The outside area is fine, but without an awning I doubt I would ever go out there. The El Paso sun is hot and you close at 8pm... the games outside I feel like are wasted. The service is par. Nothing to say. Overall, the place just needs a reality check. It's good for El Paso, but it has the potential to be so much greater. Fix your seasonings, bring the flavor back, and maybe consider putting more turf outside and an awning to have a better outside experience.
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J. A.

Yelp
Overall, a pretty solid bbq spot. They do have the rare off-day but when it's good, the moist brisket makes do a little yum yum dance in your chair! Smoked turkey is always good! I like the flavor and consistency of their BBQ sauces too.
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Andrew R.

Yelp
I've eaten a lot of BBQ all over the country, but Desert Oak has made it to the top of my list. First of all, the beef rib is a revelation in BBQ goodness to me. I'm a Brisket and Rib guy (more about Brisket later), but beef ribs like this version are far and few between because of the cost associated with making and selling them. Whatever they charge at Desert Oak, it's worth it and more. You absolutely must try this meaty, tender, moist, and amazing BBQ option. Now, there are two versions: the Dino Beef Rib, which I had ($39 and worth every penny), and the beef rib plate ($20). I asked our server about each, and she said go big, that the smaller ribs are not as good, and that makes complete sense since they are from a slightly different cut of the rib. Don't skimp here; get the Dino. It is enough for two people, considering you get two side dishes. Plus some very good cornbread. I had to try the Brisket, however, and got a 1/2 pound to sample. It is also off-the-charts amazing! I forget to request a cut from the Point, which I usually prefer as the Flat can be dry. Not this version! The brisket from the flat was super tender and moist. Neither product needed any BBQ sauce, which is supplied on the side, but I sometimes like a little dab with Brisket. The rib needs nothing but what it is: a life-changing BBQ beef rib. As for the sides, we tried the rice with green chile as anything with chile gets our attention. It was nice and unusual; I recommend it. But the cream corn also comes with green chile and this side is amazing! It is almost like a corn chowder. Don't miss this site; it is truly delicious. They have lovely iced teas in various flavors, not overly sweet. Service was just outstanding. Our server was Yareth, and she was attentive and lovely and answered all our questions. And get this: the restaurant is dog-friendly! I don't mean they allow dogs on the back patio (they do), but inside the restaurant, they are on a leash and well-behaved. So our three Whippts got to stay with us while we ate an amazing BBQ. Man, what more can you ask for? We drove down from Mesilla where we are staying and 45 minutes one way, we'd go 3X as far for a meal this good. We will of couse come back everytime we stay there.
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Mark G.

Yelp
Visiting #33 of the Texas Monthly Top 50 today and living in Dallas, getting to El Paso is no easy stretch! We arrived on Sunday morning 5/7/23 thirty minutes before they opened and we were the only ones there. Here's a review of what we ordered: Brisket: can a brisket be too tender? It was falling apart to the point that I couldn't even pick it up. That said it still tasted pretty good and had good smoke flavor. Ribs: again really good flavor but mine were falling off the bone a little too much for me. Sausage: you can definitely tell it's homemade and the flavor was exceptional but... what's up with that casing. It's super thick and chewy, feels like eating a meat stick. Pulled pork: done really nicely and tasted great with their vinegar sauce mixed in. The Smashed Double Cheese Brisket Burger: this was one of the best burgers I ever had in Texas. Truly damn near perfect. Amazing sauce, melty cheese, and crusty burger patties. Amazing! Potato Salad: pretty standard despite the sliced black olives inside Green Chile Cheese and Rice: Imagine mac and cheese and but instead of mac, it's rice. I really enjoyed this. When in El Paso, Desert Oak is a must!
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Louis L.

Yelp
Today's review is bitter sweet. Imagine how Percival (King Arthur's Quest Knight) felt when he found the Holy Grail. Happy because the quest was over. Sad because the quest was over. Today marked the end of a 20 year quest to find the best BBQ in the USA ever. From San Francisco, CA to Bangor, ME; from N. Dakota to Brownsville, TX and every where in-between; we've eaten BBQ across the USA. Today we found it, and in our own backyard. So Stop searching! Select directions on this app and head straight here. EVERYTHING WAS AMAZING! We had the Texas Trinity. The brisket, sausage, and ribs were outstanding. Words can't describe the taste. Orgasmic! Both Sauces spicy and original were delicious. The sides we had were beans, green chile rice, macaroni & cheese, and coleslaw. All were great. Only the Mac & cheese was just okay. Too cheesy for us. And although this was the only side that was lacking, it didn't take away from the rest. Cornbread was also prefect. Desserts were Banana pudding - delicious! And Key Lime pudding - awesome! Tea was good too. Oh, be sure to try the Pork Belly burnt ends. It comes in sweet sauce, Asian, and spicy. We did sweet and man was it gooooooooood! Overall we both gave it a 5 stars. This was very surprising, considering that my wife rarely gives out more than three. (Please see previous posts and reviews to see how stingy My Wife is handing out stars.) Done! The search is complete. Our server Daniel kicked ass and assistant manager Ashley came over to see if all was okay. When we told her about our quest she threw in the desserts. We felt guilty accepting but not guilty enough to say no. Lol
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Angela Q.

Yelp
it's very good, haven't been to another bbq place. i enjoyed all the food. staff was friendly.
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Yun-Wen L.

Yelp
Beware of 3% credit card charge and that the price on the menu may be $1 less than actual price! Food/Taste/Flavor: 5/5 - food was good overall but not as amazing as some of the reviews made it sound but yummy nonetheless. We ordered the Texas Trinity of brisket, sausage, spare ribs, and two sides of green chili rice and Texas chili. We also added a quarter pound of pulled pork. The spare ribs was falling off the bone soft but lacked a bit of texture because of how tender it is. We didn't get much smokiness flavor, just saltiness. The brisket was similar in that it was falling apart based on how tender it is. The sausage has a great kick! The pulled pork was a bit dry and desperately needed the BBQ sauce to help it along. The rice was interesting but had good flavor. We were surprised by the chili since we didn't know how different Texas chili. Ambience: n/a - ordered food to go. Large space with plenty of seating areas. The space feels like a brewery with minimal and neat decorations. Very clean overall Service: 5/5 - very friendly and gave us time to look over the menu Value for price: 1/5 - lack of transparency in pricing feels predatory and the workers are aware the board wasn't updated with correct pricing but shrugged and stated there was nothing they could do about it. We could have gotten cash but didn't know about the credit card fee until after we paid and looked at the receipt
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Ally M.

Yelp
Great place to connect with friends and have great bbq. Able to accommodate large groups easily. Friendly servers and the food was great. Both indoor and outdoor seating options.
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Amos S.

Yelp
So, technically, I've been to Desert Oak previously - but this was back in the Food Truck days. This was my first time trying the brick and mortar establishment and it's actually pretty disgusting - as I'm in sick to my stomach that I never came here earlier! Wow - Texas BBQ is BACK in Texas. From the facility to the pricing, from the staff to the food, the food the food. This place is the real deal. Texas is known for BBQ, that's a fact. But El Paso is Texas, proudly, but it's also very much Mexico, proudly. So yes there is BBQ but not quite what you'll find in the East or central Texas. Until now - Desert Oak brings world class BBQ to our western / southern most little hamlet of El Paso Del Norte! Chuco Town is now the Sun City, Chico's, and dare I say - Desert Oak. Previously, unless I wanted Rudy's (which tbh they aren't that bad), I'd have to make the LONG trek (about 1.5hr one way), to Mad Jacks BBQ in Cloudcroft NM. While Mad Jacks is good, and at least equal to Desert Oak (though I kind of feel Desert Oak is a tad bit better), it's not exactly easy to make a 3-4-5hr round trip track into the mountains just for some BBQ. Additionally, they sell out quick, so now this trip just became an earlier morning than I'd wanted just for some BBQ. NOPE - now, Mad Jacks will be a nice add-on when visiting Cloudcroft or Ruidoso NM, not the main attraction though. Desert Oaks is equal to, if not better, and it's open late, open often, and it's RIGHT HERE IN CHUCO TOWN! ORALE! Again, DISGUSTING - that I haven't been here sooner. Voted / Awarded a Top 50 BBQ destination in Texas (and the Republic of Texas is HUGE), and, even visited by celebrities like Guy Fierei (spelling)... this place is only missing one thing - YOUR BUSINESS! Go get it.
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Frank S.

Yelp
While visiting El Paso from the west coast, the last thing on my mind was bbq. It's El Paso, gotta get some Tex Mex, tacos, maybe a decent steak. But no, West Texas now has killer bbq! On a recommendation from a family member I found myself at Desert Oak on a windy Saturday afternoon. And thank goodness I did! Got the Texas trinity, which comes with brisket, ribs and sausage. So delicious! All of the meat was moist, seasoned very well and cooked to a near perfect temperature. And don't even get me started on the green chile cheese rice... AMAZING! Next time I'm in El Paso I'm definitely coming back.
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Emma S.

Yelp
Ummmmmmmmm The Green Chile Rice is phenomenal! Other than that the food isn't great. I take that back. The potato was cooked very well. The brisket on top wasn't great. Sort of like crispy brisket shards! Would I go back???? Only for the Green Chile Rice. And then I'd head to Rudy's.

Bandr G.

Yelp
Well, first of all, I will have to say this was the biggest waste of money and time. We were driving from TX back to our home state and I wanted to have "Texas bbq" and also be in a place where I could bring my fur babies, so we asked to sit on the patio. As you can see, it was a dumpster. The tables were extremely dirty, the artificial grass was nasty, and there was trash all over the floor. That is problem number one. The next thing is when we ordered our food, our nachos were so soggy and wet we couldn't eat them ( we ordered a half order for an appetizer) We had to ask for paper towels, plates, and forks and the waitress acted bothered. When our food got there, my food was cold, and the taste was well I will say I couldn't eat it. The ribs were tiny, the brisket was questionable, the coleslaw was gross and looked old, and they had no sausage in-house. We showed up on a Monday early afternoon- really? The other dish we ordered was a baked potato with brisket, which too was cold and not very flavorful at all. So disappointing. We had read the reviews before coming but we wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt, we should have have not done that. Do not do the same as we did, trust the negative reviews. We have photos to show!! This place should not even be in business.
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Jacqueline T.

Yelp
My husband and I split the Texas Trinity with Mac & Cheese and Green Chili Rice. I really enjoyed both the brisket and the ribs. The sausage wasn't bad, but it wasn't my personal favorite. The mac and cheese wasn't my preferred style, but it was still good. I loved the Green Chili Rice too. The service was fast ordering at the counter and then waiting for our food to be ready. They have a big indoor seating area.
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Allen F.

Yelp
We stopped by Desert Oak BBQ on our way from San Antonio to Los Angeles, aware that they close at 8 PM and arrived there at 7:50 PM. Despite the possibility of not being seated due to the impending closure, we decided to check. Again, it is advertised that they close at 8pm. I was expecting that if we arrived before their closing time, they would seat us. The host was very polite and informed us that they sometimes close the kitchen early and may not be able to seat us. She then went to get the manager, David H., who initially informed us that we could only order takeout. After a brief discussion with my family, we expressed our desire to order "to go", but he immediately informed us that the kitchen was closed and we could no longer order. This caught us off guard, especially since we were just told that we can only order takeout, and it was not 8pm yet. The manager then followed up by suggesting McDonald's down the street with a grin on his face. This prompted us to ask for his name, and his demeanor changed. We questioned how he could suggest McDonald's to a customer, emphasizing that if we wanted fast food, we would have stopped there initially. Additionally, we pointed out that there are many other restaurants open late that he could have recommended. He began to apologize, stating he didn't mean it that way and was merely suggesting a place to eat since we were hungry. I found previous review's claim that this establishment is run by teens to be accurate. The manager appeared very young, perhaps indicating a lack of customer service experience. If he is indeed the manager, I strongly suggest the owner to assign him duties that do not involve customer interactions, provide additional training, and allow him to work his way back up. With time and experience, he may develop the skills necessary to excel as a manager. My review is based on my interaction with staff. I was unfortunately not given the opportunity to try their food. Regardless, I would not spend my money at businesses that treat their customers like this, regardless of how many stars they have on any given platform.
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Arthur F.

Yelp
Wow! This is THE place go to for barbecue. I have been to Salt Lick in Austin, Texas, and this is incomparable to Salt. You might think I sound weird, but I prefer my brisket fat and it just tasted incredible. The side is also a great part if you go, some of the best macaroni and cheese you ever taste in your life and some great cream corn, and for dessert banana pudding that is the best thing you will ever have. Service is phenomenal. They were also very assistive when the waitress asked if I could have a lean or fat brisket in a very professional and nice way, and she was very assistive with that. Very very western ambience. There are those really pleasant tables they give me vibes of my earlier childhood. I also like how the bar gives me a boozy type of feeling. If you are around the east side of El Paso, try out Desert Oak and let me know how it is.
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Kristy A.

Yelp
Food was delicious! Service was good! Restaurant was clean. Loved the vibe they had going on inside. Would eat here again.
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Nancie J.

Yelp
This has become our favorite spot in El Paso for wings! Their brisket rub in some extra crispy wings is so good! The flavor seasoning is just right, not over powering. The service, thus far, has been good. I have tried the other plates there and as much as I always plan to try something else from the menu, then wings suck me back in!
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Joel R.

Yelp
Most places over cook Brisket, but it was very tender and juicy here. The bark was excellent. The sides were delicious also, I especially liked the green chili cheese rice!
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Fidencio R.

Yelp
Tried this place yesterday because I was visiting El Paso and saw that Guy Fierri had visited this place. I tried the 1/2 rack of pork ribs. The dry rub was good but the pork meat itself was dry and not very tender. BJ's and Texas Roadhouse pork ribs were better. The service was good but a little disappointed in this place but that's my fault for having high expectations after watching the Guy Fierri video. Don't get me wrong, this is by no means a terrible place to go to but nothing really blew me away either.