Chuco Burger is a great example of how a little hole in the wall mixed with great customer service can prove to be the best dining experience, but the burgers themselves leave a lot to be desired.
On the outside, its cinderblock exterior might give you some doubts, especially if you are unsure why this restaurant is settled in a secluded area of mostly sand. However, once you walk in, the atmosphere changes.
On one side, there is a bar, and on the other sits the restaurant. Although it’s not as well maintained as Chico’s Tacos or as neatly set up as McDonald’s—the customer service is excellent and even the owner himself came around to make sure everyone was taken care of.
Before going to Chuco’s, I had read some of the reviews on Urbanspoon.com, and I felt a split emotion about the place. Some of the reviews suggested that it wasn’t that great of a deal for the “best burger” in town, while others believed it was a burger heaven and offered a great El Paso tradition.
“It was okay to try once, the burger was great, but the hot dog left a lot to be desired,” elchuco1955 posted on the Urbanspoon reviews. Another posted, “the burgers were good, I just don’t like how I spend around $35 for two burgers. I’d rather go to a nice restaurant with that money.”
Other reviews I continued to read were more positive. So I decided it was time I tasted their famous burger and see whether I agreed with the Chuco lovers or the anti-Chuco fans.
My family and I seated ourselves the restaurant area, and ordered what was offered on the menu. Besides their famous burger, Chuco offers Chuquitos, which are ground beef and potato mini tacos; Chuco shakes in your choice of pineapple, strawberry, chocolate, vanilla, piña colada and cookies and cream; and a Chuco Chili dog, a chili dog topped with diced cabbage and hot sauce—all served with a choice of beverages.
I found the burger to be quite delicious, but it just seemed to be another burger to me. The owner himself, Chuco, said his burgers were the best in town. He said he’s been challenged, so he asks those who challenge him to taste his burgers and anything on the menu. He also said his beef is mesquite-charbroiled.
It’s not a bad thing to try something new once in a while and Chuco Burgers proves that the façade of a building can be deceiving.
Overall, my family and I had mixed feelings. There wasn’t that much variety for my mother to pick from, and my father and sister said the burger and chili dog had some zest, but they all agreed it was like any other burger and chili dog.
Ashley Muñoz may be reached at [email protected]
Danielle Carrillo • Aug 2, 2014 at 4:11 PM
So!! My grandma, my boyfriend & I decided it was time to try chuco burger after hearing so many great things about it! As soon as we walked in we were greeted by Chuco himself which was nice had he known to not boast so much.. he swore his burger & fries were the best in town. The burger was mediocre at best.. the patty was to small for the bun & the flavor wasn’t anything to rave home about! The fries were good but not the best in town! The one thing I was really disappointed with was the shake. My grandma got a pineapple shake & it tasted nothing like pineapple. She told chuco & instead of him taking the criticism he told her ” well for 3 bucks its a good deal” lol.. NEVER GOING BACK!! Rather have a Whataburger!!!!