By Shanna Smith-Snyder
What’s Texas without authentic Mexican food? If you’re in the Abilene area, consider trying El Fenix Café in historic Burro Alley. I consider it one of Abilene’s best-kept secrets. Located at 3241 S. 1st St. and Willis St., El Fenix is family owned and has been serving delicious food in Abilene since 1937. It’s not the chain you find elsewhere.
This restaurant is one of my personal favorites because you can get delectable options at any time of the day. If you venture in for brunch, I recommend getting the huevos rancheros or migas (chilaquiles, crispy tortilla chips, scrambled eggs, topped with cheese and served with carne guisada and beans on the side).
For lunch or dinner, I recommend the Robert’s Special (a bean burrito, smothered with carne guisada, jack and cheddar cheeses, and served with rice and guacamole) or a traditional chicken taco salad. Whichever you choose for lunch or dinner, don’t forget to top it all off with a refreshing, frozen wine margarita. For those of you with a big appetite, El Fenix will be right up your alley.
The perfect way to work off your meal is by browsing a few of the funky little shops surrounding the courtyard of Burro Alley. Some of which include: Robyn’s Nest, La Dee Da, Burro Alley Hair Designs and Doug Hodel Photography.
Overall, El Fenix Café presents a casual and affordable dining atmosphere, friendly (and bilingual) wait staff, optional outdoor dining and plenty of parking in the back.