Resler Canyon - El Paso, TX

The El Paso area was inhabited for centuries by numerous Native American tribes before the Spaniards arrived in the mid-1500s. The city was incorporated in 1873, but development in this west El Paso locale would not take place until almost 100 years later.

Resler Canyon lacks an arts scene and museums, and no annual festivals are held in the neighborhood. Residents venture down North Mesa Street to the UTEP Dinner Theatre or head downtown for a show at the historic Plaza Theater. The El Paso Museum of Art houses a permanent collection of over 6,000 works, and the El Paso Museum of History is a favorite of local history buffs.

Annual El Paso music festivals include the Music Under the Stars concert series and the Sun City Music Festival. A popular outdoor arts celebration is the Chalk the Block festival, where artists use the city’s sidewalks as their canvas.

Residents of Resler Canyon enjoy the close proximity of several eateries on the northern fringe of the neighborhood along North Mesa Street. Most all rate as budget-friendly and include a few national fast-food chains as well as some locally owned favorites, and food styles offered include American, Mexican, Chinese, and Greek. Locals can ply North Mesa Street in either direction or go downtown via I-10 for more culinary choices and finer dining options.

An El Paso favorite for many years continues to be Café Italia, a small locally owned Italian restaurant with two city locations. Resler Canyon residents consider themselves fortunate to have the west El Paso location within walking distance on North Mesa Street. The limited menu consists of six pizza varieties and a few pasta choices, one calzone option and a few salads. Locals love the brick-oven-cooked pizzas, the fresh-made mozzarella cheese and dough, and the friendly service in a cozy atmosphere which includes an outdoor patio with a view of the Franklin Mountains. The restaurant’s BYOB policy has proven to be popular with the local wine and beer connoisseurs.

For a Mediterranean dining experience, locals need only walk across North Mesa Street to Zino’s Greek and Mediterranean Cuisine. Popular appetizers include the small Tour of Greece platter and crispy feta saganaki. Lunch patrons enjoy the homemade red lentil soup or the traditional falafel sandwich, and for dinner, the chicken shish kebabs or moussaka are local hits.

Residents don’t need to cross the border to sample authentic Mexican food. One of four local sites of Carnitas Queretaro sits less than a mile east of Resler Canyon on North Mesa Street. This neighborhood eatery serves up much of the usual Mexican fare, but for something different, diners order the monte skillet, a lamb barbacoa, or they opt for the house special queretaro plate which features slow-cooked pork carnitas.

No clubs or bars exist in the Resler Canyon neighborhood, but locals can head toward Sunland Park Drive to sample the local nightlife on North Mesa that includes dive bars and a sports lounge. Favorite watering holes include Lloyd’s Pub, Graham’s Corner, and Tortuga Sports Lounge. For live jazz, comfy seating and an extensive drink menu, residents take in the laid-back atmosphere of the Black Orchid Lounge. Specialty cocktails such as the Bees Knees and Bloody Jack have become local favorites.

Residents can walk to North Mesa Street to load up on groceries or grab a quick bite, but driving remains the most popular choice for commuting or other pursuits outside of the immediate area. Locals use El Paso’s Sun Metro bus system which runs the Westside Express every day of the week, connecting the nearby Westside Transfer Center with downtown. The Westside Center sits one mile from the neighborhood, and for the inbound route, an express stop lies just outside the neighborhood. For local travels, route #15 conveniently runs along North Mesa Street Monday through Friday, with service every 45 minutes. Downtown visitors enjoy the free Downtown Shopping Circulator which runs seven days a week.

For traditional taxi service, residents call ahead to schedule pickup or can request a ride with Uber. Locals enjoy free public parking in the neighborhood and surrounding area but generally need to pay when visiting downtown on weekdays. The city offers free parking on Saturday in the shopping district and in all of downtown on Sundays. Parking rates at downtown lots remain a bargain, with most lots ranging from $4 to $8 per day. The residential streets are considered safe for pedestrians and cyclists, and a few nearby local streets with bike lanes provide for a secure riding experience as well. Two I-10 interchanges lie just to the south and west of the Resler Canyon neighborhood to provide easy access to downtown and points beyond.

The Resler Canyon Nature Preserve lies adjacent to the neighborhood. No trails or developed facilities exist within the preserve, but residents enjoy viewing the wildlife and native plant species and exploring the canyon on foot. Residents enjoy free city parks and can walk to Paul Harvey Park at the corner of Belton Road and De Leon Drive for a picnic, a game of tennis or playground activities. The nearby Westside Community Park sits about two miles north and features an off-leash dog park, and the adjacent Don Haskins Recreation Center offers regular exercise programs.

The cost of living in Resler Canyon is on par with the city of El Paso average. Residents pay an average of $635 for a one-bedroom apartment and around $3 for a beer at nearby bars. A one-way bus ride costs $1.50. Residents enjoy area gas prices that trend about 21 percent lower than the national average.

Strip malls and standalone businesses line the commercial zone along North Mesa Street just outside the neighborhood. For a shopping mall excursion, residents head to the Sunland Park Mall just south of the neighborhood at I-10 and Sunland Park Drive. Neighborhood dwellers have a few nearby options for local boutiques, with a greater selection in the downtown shopping district.

Located less than two miles from Resler Canyon, Tres Mariposas features women's designer apparel, furs, jewelry, shoes, accessories, and skin care products, and offers exclusive trunk shows featuring selected designers for its loyal clientele.

Locals with a sweet tooth enjoy the close proximity of Chocolat’. El Paso’s only chocolate factory sits just two miles from the neighborhood on North Mesa Street. The strip mall location belies what waits inside — a European ambiance with aromas that keep customers coming back for more. Along with its huge selection of individual chocolates, the store offers holiday-themed baskets and trays, personalized confections, party favorites and corporate gifts.

Nearby grocery stores include an Albertsons just across North Mesa Street and a Walmart Supercenter about one mile away. Warehouse grocery shoppers head to the Sam’s Club at I-10 and North Mesa. Residents seeking a farmers market go downtown to the El Paso Downtown Artist and Farmers Market, held every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. year round.