D e s e r t E x p o s u r e
December 2009
Table Talk
Coming Attractions
Get your chopsticks ready: Golden Star Chinese Fast Food expects to open at 1420 El Paseo in Las Cruces later this month. 523-2828.
Burrito Victoria will soon be folding tortillas in the former Jack in the Box location at El Paseo and Idaho in Las Cruces.
As previously promised in these pages, Zeffiro Pizzeria will indeed open a second Las Cruces location. Word is that gourmet pizza lovers will be able to get their fill around the first of the year at the new spot next door to First Community Bank on University Avenue. Unlike the original location at 136 S. Water St. in downtown Las Cruces, take-out will be available. 525-6757.
Look for a salsa store and possibly a restaurant at the old Harvey Gin location on North Compass Road in Las Cruces. Emmy Harvey, who owns the one-time cotton gin, is partnering with Don Terrazas and Rogelio Villegas (who owns Hatch-based Don Rogelio's Salsas) to develop the site.
New on the Menu
The new Tacos Santa Fe at 605 E. Lohman Ave. in Las Cruces aims to do only one thing and do it well: variations on tacos al pastor. Developed in Mexico City, tacos al pastor ("of the shepherd") were adapted from the Shawarma spit-grilled meat brought by Lebanese immigrants to Mexico. Similar to Greek gyros, which are lamb-based (hence the "shepherd" name), tacos al pastor in Mexico are usually made from pork. The new eatery will offer pork, beef and chorizo choices, as well as a vegetarian option. Daily, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. 541-4905.
Night owls in Silver City, rejoice! The Grinder Mill at 403 W. College Ave. is now open until 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. 538-3366.
Just what Las Cruces needs — another Mexican restaurant. In the ongoing ethnic shuffle at 1120 Commerce Drive, across from Sam's Club, Savino's Italian Restaurant (which in turn replaced an Indian eatery) has been replaced by a third Los Compas Mexican restaurant. Menu and hours are similar to the other Los Compas locations (6335 Bataan Memorial West and 603 S. Nevarez St.), Mon.-Weds. 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Thurs.-Sat. until 9 p.m., and Sun. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. 521-6228.
The Kitchen Is Closed
Just to be clear about last month's report: It's the Dick's Caf in Mesilla that's closed, not the one at 2305 S. Valley Dr. in Las Cruces, which is still serving contented customers. 524-1360.
The Ocotillo Coffee shop inside COAS Books has closed.
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