El Paso Restaurante Mexicano

A 2003 offshoot of a same-named restaurant farther uptown, this lively spot is modestly decorated with light green walls, high-gloss wood tables and Aztec-inspired artwork. The made-to-order, tangy guacamole presented in its own mortar is excellent. Even more flavorful are the sopes—corn-flour patties layered with spicy chorizo, beans and stringy Oaxacan cheese. Tacos, burritos, chimi-changas and fajitas are popular entrées, but it’s the more unusual regional specialties that caught our attention. A nicely charred rib-eye steak is topped with strips of poblano chilies, and shrimp a la diabla balances chipotle pepper heat with a creamy sauce.