Valle Grande - El Paso, TX Area Guide

Valle Grande dates back to prehistoric times, with spear points dating back over 10 centuries discovered in the area. Several Native American tribes that frequented the region, often seasonally for hunting and for obsidian, used spears as well as arrow points. Obsidian was traded by tribes across much of the Southwest. Eventually, Spanish and Mexican settlers as well as Navajo tribes came to the area seasonally for grazing, with periodic clashes taking place. Later as the United States acquired New Mexico as part of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, the Texas/Mexico area became the backdrop for the Indian wars with the U.S. Army. These days Valle Grande stands rich with history as well as culture, hosting many annual events that celebrate the national heritage as well as history. The celebration of Dia de los Muertos includes ghost tours, fortunes, exhibits and alters.

Valle Grande has numerous restaurant and nightlife opportunities for locals looking to get out of the house while staying close to home.

Family-owned and operated, T-Coasters creates unique dishes that are both healthy and tasty. T-Coasters participates in the "Eat Well El Paso Initiative," where items on the menu marked with a special logo are confirmed as healthy choices by Eat Well nutrition professionals. Start off with a lift from the Energy Booster Smoothie, made with banana, apple, carrot, celery, ginger, strawberry and orange juice. When hunger strikes, try the chicken chipotle sandwich, a grilled chicken breast served with turkey bacon and the house chipotle spread. Vegetarian salad The Salmon Apple has grilled salmon, apple, raisins, and cherry tomatoes served over fresh lettuce tossed in the house-made sweet yogurt dressing. Don't miss the cilantro soup, made with fresh cilantro cooked and pureed with cream as well as simmered summer squash.

Small yet stylish with dim lighting and a red chandelier in the middle of the room, Coco Miel invites diners to enjoy great food and a wide variety of beer as well as wine. Great for vegetarians and meat lovers alike, the salmon spring pizza, served with pesto, feta, spinach, basil, capers, red onions, tomatoes and smoked salmon topped with goat cheese, really hits the spot. House favorite pizza The Sunset is made with light red sauce, pesto, pepperoni, assorted roasted garlic, artichoke, sun-dried tomatoes, asparagus and roasted bell peppers. If you can't decide, order the Coco Sink, a seasonal pizza with the chef's choice of toppings. Salads such as the Cafresa, served with spring mix, basil, strawberries, homemade fresh mozzarella, celery and walnutes topped with fig-Infused balsamic vinaigrette add to the menu. The Rustica Oven Burger consists of an Italian patty, mixed greens, bacon, over-hard egg, provolone, sautéed tomatoes, red onions and fresh basil on a bun.

Geskes Grill features fresh ingredients, hand-cut steaks, dressings made from scratch, homemade desserts and much more. Start your meal with the Steak Cocktail, a grilled tenderloin with sautéed onions, green chiles, tomatoes, mushrooms and avocado. A vegetarian's delight, the seafood enchiladas come with crab- and shrimp-stuffed corn tortillas with a roasted poblano cream sauce, topped with sour cream as well as pico de gallo. Sides such as freshly cut shoe-string margarita French fries sprinkled with a citrus salt go great with sandwiches or salads, such as the chipolte chicken salad with chopped chicken, chipotle mayo, pecans, red apples, red onions and celery served on ciabatta bread.

Mulligan's Spirits & Food at George Dieter & Vista del Sol has become a favorite stop for touring bands to get away and relax. Some of the famous bands who have partied at Mulligan’s Shot Bar include War, Pantera, Black Sabbath, and many more. There is a also a patio that allows customers to enjoy the beautiful weather of El Paso with a full bar.

The neighborhood of Valle Grande can be easily navigated by foot, bike or bus to the various connecting points, allowing movement around the city core and adjacent neighborhoods within minutes. Some errands can be reached on foot, but most will require a car, and the majority of residents use personal vehicles to get around the area. The Sun Metro Eastside Transfer Center on Sunmount Drive is the nearest bus stop. The City of El Paso has dozens of streets with bicycle lanes, making biking a reliable way to travel. When it comes to getting a cab, don't expect to hail one on the street, but you can always schedule a pickup with a cab company, and Uber serves the area as well. There are also two paid for parking garages available in the area for public parking.

Pebble Hills Dog Park has three acres with two areas for small or large dogs. The park also has some obstacle course features installed for the dogs. Eastwood Dog Park, also known as Album Park, provides off-leash fun at with gravel ground cover and agility equipment.

Kidspalooza, a family-friendly event and one of the largest arts collaborations in the region, features a variety of events, making it a signature event for the spring. Spectators line Montana Road each Thanksgiving morning to watch the largest community event in the Southwest. The parade includes floats, giant helium balloons, equestrian units, clowns, marching bands, drum and bugle corps units from Mexico, and a wide variety of specialty units from Mexican and Indian dancers to military ceremonial units.

The average cost of a one-bedroom apartment in Valle Grande runs about $410, 16 percent less than the national average.

For a one-way ticket, expect to pay $1.50, or you can purchase a monthly pass for $40. Most transfers are free as well. The price of gas in Valle Grande, usually sits about 4 percent lower than the national average pump prices.

For nights out on the town, a domestic beer costs approximately $2.50, while imports go for around $4.

Centrally located, Bassett Place has been a mainstay of fashion, food and fun with a mix of stores, restaurants and various entertainment options.

Whether you are an accomplished athlete or a beginning runner, head to Up and Running, which features a full range of products as well as services to help you achieve your running goals. If you have a cool or really interesting shirt you want to donate, Up and Running might even hang them on the ceiling-of-fame.

At Vanities Jewelry & Gifts, you will find beautiful sterling silver jewelry, turquoise and one-of-a-kind handmade, designer pieces. Customers will also discover a great selection of gifts that make this special little store a one-stop shopping experience. From Brighton purses to whimsical baby gifts, a wide range of popular bath and body products, and fragrant candles, finding something here should be easy.

Cowtown Boots Factory sells cowboy boots made from the finest genuine leather. Each hide is inspected carefully to make sure it meets rigid standards for quality and handmade from start to finish in its own factories.

For grocery shopping, Albertsons, Walmart and Howdy's Food Mart are the go-to choices for local residents. Los Altos Ranch Market is a farmers market featuring fresh meat and produce. Don’t forget the traditional cheese condiments, such as quince, guava paste and plump dried fruit.