Beautifully curated El Paso gifts! I stop here for keepsakes and stickers, but lately I keep…read moremissing them when I come in!

We stopped by Tsundoku Depot after an Easter event at RGV Park, and it ended up being such a fun,…read moreunexpected find. When we first arrived, the shop was locked even though the hours said open. As we were about to leave, the owner came back from lunch and let us in. She mentioned there had been a sign, but it flew away in the wind, which made sense given how windy it was that day. Inside, there's a super chill black cat, which my kids immediately loved (just something to keep in mind if you have allergies). The shop itself is small, but it's packed with a really solid selection of anime, comics, and Pokémon cards. What stood out was the condition of the cards... some were in protective holders and looked really well cared for. My kids found a bunch of Pokémon cards at a great price and were so excited to pick them out themselves. One of them didn't have enough money for a comic, and the owner still let her take one since it was leftover from Free Comic Book Day, which was a really kind gesture. This is the kind of small, tucked-away shop you might miss if you're not looking for it, but it's definitely worth checking out. Friendly atmosphere, unique selection, and a great stop if you have kids or just enjoy comics and collectibles.

What fun!! After we eat the best Mexican food in the country. We can go shopping! Did you know it…read morewas just voted best Mexican Restaurant in all of Texas by USA TODAY! All salsa served in restaurant is ready to go and buy in bulk here at the gift shop. L & J t-shirts with super fun sayings and logos are available to buy. Like The word LOVE with the "o" replace by a chile pepper. Yes I love Chile!!! My favorite and will be buying soon "7 days without L&J's makes one weak". Hahaha get it. Shot glasses, tortilla warmers, caps all with the L&J logo are for the buying. Who doesn't want to brag that they ate at the best Mexican restaurant in Texas. Also a few gifts that you would find in a Mexican Mercado like sugar skulls, cool decorative tiles. Exit restaurant on Missouri street pass the yellow house and you are there. Nicely air-conditioned and beautifully done for this cute, quaint restaurant.

Its actually closed down they didnt make it thru the pandemic we drove over trying to get…read more souvenirs but unfortunately they are no longer in bussiness

Was walking down the street while visiting El Paso and passed this cute comics and collectibles…read moreshop and decided to pop in. They have toys, collectibles, branded apparel, comics and costumes. Lots of different items, this is a cool place to wander around. They had limited new comic books but a few boxes of floppies I'd have loved to peruse with more time. The owner I spoke with was very friendly and I was able to buy an indie title that I'm excited to dig into. Cute shop I'd definitely recommend!

Yumminess. The menu is eclectic, sometimes a bit too much, but so tasty it's worth trying. Staff is…read moresuper knowledgeable about the menu and work hard to ensure you have a top-notch experience. I went for my birthday brunch last year and had such a good meal I was walking on air all day.

The children's store was in the middle of putting away inventory when I went to visit, overall what…read morewas put away was organized and clean. Owner is very kind and knowledgable of her products. Some products are a little overpriced, but you may find brands and items you wouldn't find at a local Babies R Us. It would also be nice to see regular updates on the Duck Duck Goose Facebook.

A Pet Lover's Paradise at Spetakular…read more El Paso is a city brimming with pet lovers, and it's no surprise that the vibrant pet-friendly culture influenced my decision to become a pet owner. Before moving here, I had never had a dog, but the city's passion for pets inspired me to take the leap. Now, as a proud pet parent, I have all the essentials--leashes, bowls, beds--and even indulge in spoiling my furry friend with stylish leashes, harnesses, and protective booties for those hot El Paso sidewalks. One of my favorite discoveries is Spetakular, a hidden gem I first found at the mall a couple of years ago when I bought a pair of booties for my dog. The quality was exceptional, and the service left a lasting impression. So, when I heard they were opening a standalone store, I couldn't wait to check it out. On November 23rd, I attended their grand opening at 11675 Montwood Dr. A4 (Montwood and Saul Kleinfeld). Spetakular is more than a pet store--it's a pet-friendly coffee shop and snack bar! While I enjoyed a delicious coffee, I saw other customers' dogs indulging in free puppuccinos™ and treats, which was such a delightful sight. The store offers: Customization Services: Personalize items for your pets or special occasions. Hosted Dog Parties: Celebrate your pet's milestones in style. Photo Opportunities: Seasonal photo areas perfect for creating memories. VIPP Program: Join their free program for exclusive discounts and events. The grand opening was bustling with happy customers and their pets. My son had a blast playing with some of the adorable dogs while I explored the store. I ended up buying a retractable leash, which was not only high-quality but reasonably priced. The shop also has an impressive selection of costumes, Christmas-themed accessories, and unique gifts for pets and pet lovers alike. If you're in El Paso and looking for a place that celebrates the bond between pets and their owners, Spetakular is a must-visit. It's a one-stop shop for pet essentials, gifts, and a little indulgence for you and your furry friends. Highly recommended!-TODOELPASO

Not much to say about it this place, as I've only been there once and it was to pick up an item I'd…read morealready paid for. EP Finest is located downtown right across from San Jacinto (not Anson 11 side). It is a very small brick and mortar place that houses pieces / collections from over 30 different El Paso artists. One of which we met at our annual trip to the El Paso Comic-Con. She had a lot of art on display, and it was very well done. However, it's Comic-Con, so a lot (not us) were in Cosplay, including the artist. Sue was dressed as Nadja, from What We Do In The Shadows, which happens to be one of our Top 5 shows of all time. And not only was she dressed as Nadja, but she had a very well done portrait of Nadjas husband, Lazlo Cravensworth. That happens to be my favorite of the entire show. A must have for my office / nonsense room in my house. She offered a great deal, where you could purchase 3 "prints" (so printed versions of her original works), for $45. So, I bought Lazlo, Dwight/Angela/Moes, and a Sailor Moon one. We came to EP Finest to pick up the prints id purchased. Nice little store. Nice local art. Worth checking out for sure.

Sometimes you just need something simple and delicious. I wrote about them a couple of times AND…read moregot them to come out for Tippin Elementary's Fall Festival where they promptly sold out. Let me tell you about these combos...and Mr. Combi. 7/17/21 After eating at higher end restaurants I realized I'm a simple-pleasures kinda girl. I like to talk to people as they're cooking and just the experience of getting to know people waiting in line for food. Food truck gatherings are my favorite places to get food from and El Paso has some of the best I've found anywhere in the world. The vendors take the best of the food truck scene here and add their own El Paso/Borderland friendliness reminiscent of outdoor markets I've gone to in China, Mexico, Vietnam, Taiwan, Peru, Thailand etc. The culture here is of generosity, they're proud of their food and they want to stuff your face with it. I found such a market here on the Westside tonight off Paseo Del Norte in the Brake Master lot. There was a flautas truck, Mr. Combi, who converted a VW Bus and drove it from Mexico City. His flautas (beef or potatoes) is super fresh, light, and crispy. The sauces are really good and clearly homemade. I got the beef and potatoes combo ($8) which comes with a soda. He also has one in a cup which he called a riff on Chico's tacos, the Chuco ($4), it had an amazing tomato based sauce that was out of this world. Definitely recommend this place and it was busy with people in line from Hawaii waiting to get their fix of El Paso food. Next to him was an elotes truck. I think they're called Elotes El Rey? And the sons were continuing the traditional corn on the cob and in a cup (esquites) that they learned from their dad. I didn't get to try but will do next time since a customer showed me his and it looked so good. Then there's the bacon hot dog stand, they have the hot dogs where you basically take a dog and add the whole enchilada, or kitchen sink. The owners are from Sonora and are as sweet as can be. It's crazy how much they actually fit inside the thing. You can customize it to how you like it. Definitely different from a Dodger dog, but delicious. It's $8 with a soda and chips for all that food. I can tell these trucks are a neighborhood favorite as families come over after shopping at Walmart and there's a ton of fast food around, but they represent their homemade local food well, so people find them and flock to them. They're also open super late and only gathers on Saturdays from 5pm-midnight. So for the ones looking for awesome food late at night on the Westside, this is the spot you. Come out and #supportlocal and oh I forgot they all do catering as well so you can hire them I guess for events. 7810 Paseo del Norte 7/24/21 Had to come back for their "Chuco style" flautas. They're addicting as heck! Here til 11pm tonight only.