Dining Guide
Desert Oak Barbecue

Located in a strip center on El Paso’s bustling east side, Desert Oak’s small but cozy counter-service spot is a welcome addition to the neighborhood. Call ahead for pick-up or eat in and enjoy the smoky scent of oak wood flames kissing the brisket, house-made sausage links, and ribs. Pulled pork and a surprisingly good smoked turkey are also available, but take note: beef ribs are served only on Saturdays (pork ribs are regular players). For sides, try the rice with green chiles and cheese—it’s comfort food for the gods—and the coleslaw is a tangy contrast to all that lovely meat.
City: El Paso
Cuisine: Barbecue
Method: Oak in an indirect heat pit
Pitmaster: Richard Funk
Drinks: Beer & wine
Price: $$
Address: 1320 N. Zaragoza Rd., El Paso, TX, 79936
Hours: W–Sat 11-8 (or sold out)
Phone: 915-309-4322
Website: www.desertoakbarbecue.com
Year Opened: 2015
Last updated: February 1, 2018
Reviews
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El Paso’s Desert Oak Barbecue Has Come a Long Way
Three large red letters caught my eye at a busy intersection in El Paso, and I knew I’d found the new home for Desert Oak Barbecue. “BBQ” is the only thing written above the door, but it stands out amid …
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Desert Oak Barbecue
Back in April, I gave El Paso some tough love. I had tried and failed to find good barbecue there, and I wrote about my futile search in an article called “BBQ in Far West Texas? I’ll Paso.” With a headline like …