As a US Army veteran that was stationed at Fort Bliss, this review is based solely on the food, service, and atmosphere. Personal political opinions should never be used to defame a hardworking, family-owned local business. I am a loyal customer, so yes — I’ll admit I’m biased — but that loyalty comes from consistently exceptional experiences. The burger is hands down the best I’ve ever had. The fries are perfectly cooked and far superior to the soggy, limp potatoes you’ll find at many other local spots. The pork ribs? Absolutely unmatched — the best I’ve had in my life. In fact, I don’t even bother making ribs at home because Desert Oak BBQ does them better than I ever have. The loaded potatoes are amazing and generously portioned — easily enough for two people. The chicken wings have the perfect crispy-to-tender ratio, better than any chain restaurant in the area. Desert Oak Barbecue has even been recognized by Texas Monthly in its prestigious Top 50 BBQ ranking. El Paso is truly blessed to have barbecue of this elevated quality in our city. Every time I bring my family, I’m confident we’ll receive great service in a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere. That consistency is why we keep coming back. Support local businesses for what they actually offer — and this one delivers.

Kitty Torres

Had a wonderful experience at Desert Oaks. From the moment we arrived, Ryan was very polite, kept our drinks refilled, checked on us often, and made sure our orders were correct. Between him and Savannah, they made us feel right at home. That kind of service really stands out. The food was delicious, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and the staff worked well together to make our visit enjoyable. Great customer service like this is not easy to find, and it definitely did not go unnoticed. Highly recommend Desert Oaks to anyone looking for great food and excellent service. Looking forward to coming

Ramon Briones

Delicious BBQ, great service and good price, what else do you want. Love coming here! Keep up the great and delicious work.

Jasmine Alisha

Amazing customer service from server Annette, nice atmosphere, and very spacious. Food was good, wanted to try multiple meats ordered Texas Trinity (loved the ribs). Wings as an appetizer (amazing smoked flavor). Banana pudding had good flavor and fluffy but lacked cookies. Overall great BBQ, large portions, & will be returning to try other menu items.

+3

Ann

This is an interesting place. I had a great server! The BBQ was very good. This food I took a picture of is Smoked Cheese Cake. It looks like a biscuit & gravy . . . but it's NOT. You gotta try this if you like cheese cake!

Spence

👍🏽 Featured on Diners Drive Ins & Dives, this local gem is worth your time. Affordable ($13-25 per person), fast, and melt in your mouth pork ribs, turkey, & well seasoned pulled pork. Brisket is good (order it juicy). Sauce is just okay (I prefer it thicker and sweeter). Beans are plain but good. Chili cheese rice is delish! And the smoked Bloody Mary with a GIANT rib atop is so worth it 😋 Friendly service. TVs playing football. Draft beer 🍻 Bench seating and long tables great for large groups and birthday parties!

+3

Jeremy Schofield

Tried Desert Oak Barbecue for the first time and was impressed. The brisket had great flavor, the double burger hit the spot, and the fries were solid. The staff was friendly, and the whole visit felt easy. I will be returning. Good spot for barbecue in El Paso.

Glen

My wife and I visited Desert Oak barbecue last night for dinner and it was well worth it! After looking up reviews and getting recommendations for barbecue in El Paso, I’m glad we got the chance to check them out. The service was great, awesome prices on the barbecue and establishment was very clean and welcoming. We had the pomegranate lemonade and strawberry lemonade, a Texas platter that came with sausage, ribs, moist brisket, and the mac & cheese was really good! The cornbread too! My wife had a three meat platter that also came with sausage, smoked wings, and ribs, along with beans as her side and mac & cheese. The spices and taste of the sausage was phenomenal and we really liked the moist brisket and ribs as well. I will definitely be back to try more of their barbecue items before leaving El Paso after that first trip left a great impression.

Travis Almuti

This was our first visit to Desert Oak Barbecue and it completely exceeded expectations. I don’t usually eat BBQ, but while in El Paso I wanted to try the most authentic spot—and this was it. We were greeted by Savannah whose positive energy and genuine hospitality made us feel welcome right away. Our server Samantha checked on us often and provided excellent service. We ordered the 10-piece chicken wings and the Desert Oak Plate with brisket and turkey; everything was tender, flavorful, and perfectly smoked. The brisket melted in our mouths, and the turkey was juicy and delicious. The restaurant has a relaxed, rustic feel with an amazing smoky aroma. Great food, great people, and a wonderful experience all around.

Elijah Bidwell

Really delicious food and service. Super kind staff with an inviting interior! They allow dogs and have awesome beer selection. The smash burgers were GREAT!

A A

I'm from California, my friend from Virginia Beach. We met up in El Paso on the way to New Mexico, Desert Oak said to be top 5 BBQ in El Paso. Pork ribs, amazing! Sublime! Potato salad with pickle juice & olives, so yum! Nachos with brisket was delicious! BBQ sauce more on the vinegary side, loved it and better if you mix both regular and spicy. So good that we had to buy some to take back to our families. Chili cheese rice, not so much. Chicken wings, not so much. Staff were so attentive & friendly.

Jeremy Jones

Me and my family have ate here a few times throughout the last couple of years and we truly enjoyed everytime here. Great food,people and environment. The brisket is always great too!

+2

Brad Borgard

Near Townsuites in El Paso, you could walk there. Great BBQ, got the two meat plate with brisket and sausage, two sides and cornbread. You must try the Chile cheese rice side. They also give you a whole link of sausage all for $19. My wife got the stuffed bake potato with brisket for $14. Really good, would go back

Christian Rodriguez

This place defines Texas BBQ. Had the three meat plate with the sausage, sliced brisket, and pulled pork. All three meats were seasoned very well and the flavor was unbelievable. The two sides that I picked were the Mac and cheese and house chips, both complimented the meats. 10/10 rating for everything

Jason Bennett

Strolled in late afternoon, half-expecting to pick through the BBQ scraps—and instead got slapped in the face with smoky, meaty greatness. Bless this pit. Let’s start with the star of the show: those ribs. Ridiculous. Unreal. The kind of ribs that make you close your eyes and question your life choices up to this point. Smoky, tender, seasoned just right—honestly, they deserve their own fan club. The brisket? Totally fine. Nothing to write your grandma about, but still solid and satisfying. Sausage had good flavor but needed a hydration intervention—bit on the dry side, like it fell asleep under the smoker and forgot to moisturize. But hold up—the sides came to slay. That chile rice? I don’t even like rice like that, and I was ready to propose. Bursting with flavor, just the right kick, and somehow managed to be both comforting and bold. The creamed corn was creamy, dreamy, and everything it needed to be. And the desserts? Whoever’s running the sweet shop back there deserves a raise and a trophy. I left full, slightly emotional, and plotting my next visit. 4.5/5. Would be a 5 if the sausage had hydrated, but honestly, Desert Oak is BBQ royalty in the borderlands. Get there hungry and thank me later.

+13

daniel estrada

Saw this place from the road coming into town. Just came in after some shopping and it did not disappoint. First of all, the staff is amazing and they go outta their way to make sure your needs are met. Our food came out in no time. The sausage had a good snap and the right amount of spice. The brisket was melt in your mouth and the bark was my favorite so far. The ribs had a great smoke when they hit your taste buds and the meat pulls off the bone with no resistance. The sides are good, my favorite was the Green Chili Rice. However, my wife loved their Slaw. Needless to say, we all left full and happy, with no plans on eating dinner. Lastly one of my favorite parts was seeing the pits being worked by an employee, too often BBQ spots hide this and it should be appreciated for the art that it is.

+6

Great layout at their establishment. Love the Texas decor and sports on the screens. Our waiter Ryan was extremely helpful and knowledgeable not just about the food and drinks, but the local area a…

Great layout at their establishment. Love the Texas decor and sports on the screens. Our waiter Ryan was extremely helpful and knowledgeable not just about the food and drinks, but the local area a…

The bbq is terrific and the service is excellent. We took our visiting family for dinner one evening and they throughly enjoyed both the food and the atmosphere. Depending on when you arrive, parki…

The BBQ is terrific and the service is excellent. We took our visiting family for dinner one evening and they throughly enjoyed both the food and the atmosphere. Depending on when you arrive, parki…

The BBQ is terrific and the service is excellent. We took our visiting family for dinner one evening and they throughly enjoyed both the food and the atmosphere. Depending on when you arrive, parki…

Some of the best BBQ I've ever eaten. Brisket was perfectly tender and smoky and the ribs were fall off the bone melt in your mouth.\nGreen chile rice was way better than expected and will definite…

Everything you would expect from a great BBQ joint in Texas!!! \n\nFood, drinks and ambiance is amazing. Service is equally great. \nIf you're ever in El Paso it's a must!!!

Food is amazing Great service clean seating and restrooms very clean Great beer and drinks

Out visiting my son in El Paso so we ordered in some BBQ.\nThe order was hot when it arrived.\nI have to say the pulled pork was really, really good.\nThe cheese rice and corn were out of this wo…

Semy Lee Fox

We got the brisket, pork ribs, and a burger. The food was all pretty decent, nothing to complain or rave about. The food was on the saltier and drier side. Honestly, my favorite part of the meal were their fries. I appreciate it when a restaurant does sides well and to me, their fries were fantastic. The service was overall quick and friendly. It's got a nice open area outside (but it's not fully fenced in so kids might be able to run out into the street on one of the sides).

GeoMax Travel Agency

Ordered main dishes on the menu. Turkey was flavorful, sausage a little too spicy for our taste, brisket was well cooked and perfect flavor, ribs where excellent, falling off the bone and moist. The sides, corn was the best of all, nice blend of creamy and spice from poblano pepper, cheesy rice had decent flavor but a little dry, Cole slaw lacked flavor and pineapple was sour, Mac and cheese was dry with uncooked pasta, potato salad was mashed style, high on dill and egg, texture was a no for us, beans ok. Disappointed with the barbecue sauce, regular one was extremely high on vinegar ratio, too watery, the spicy one was about same. Cornbread was good. Fries where ok. Deserts average. Overall was ok, will go back for the ribs and brisket and the corn, in our group opinion where the best of the bunch. Do recommend!

We've had good bbq for the most part. Enjoy the ambiance. Laid back. Service is pretty good and your met quickly for your orders.

We've had good Bbq for the most part. Enjoy the ambiance. Laid back. Service is pretty good and your met quickly for your orders.

We've had good Bbq for the most part. Enjoy the ambiance. Laid back. service is pretty good and your met quickly for your orders.

Service was really good!\nUnfortunately, Dino rib was 50% grizzle and over salted, and the brisket was dry. First time day, so I was really excited but left very disappointed.

Enjoyed this place very much! We came here for a work event. I ordered the chili pork belly bites which were nice and crispy! The brisket nachos were also delicious! They were roasted and crunchy…

Luis Manzanares

Server was Damian just want to say he has top notch service, recommendations where on deck and he was very professional Food was a. different story Ordered the cheesy bites and they were not bad 7/10 Wings where awesome crispy and perfect amount of sauce just a little to vinegary for my liking 9/10 Got the Texas trinity The brisket was super dry and bland and ribs were just sub par chewy and bland 3/10 Sausage was decent nice lingering spice with a good snap 7.5/10 Sides just didn’t hit at all Mac and cheese texture was just off and lackluster 3/10 Beans where boring and bland 3/10 Potato salad was just okay a little rubbery on the potatoes 5/10 Cheesy rice was actually good 8/10 Overall the serves and place has a awesome western the food just seems to have lost its passion

Nancy K

Me and my family went to try this place and was disappointed was expecting to be really good and when we tried it the ribs and brisket where way to salty. The rice was undercooked. It had a good taste but the rice was hard. The service was good. Just the food was disappointing. The prices are reasonable.

+5

We walked in and they sat us down right away. We came here because according to seed oil scout app there are no known seed oils in the dishes here. The music was pretty low so that you could have a…

Hope you like paying extra for sauce only to get dry flavorless "BBQ"... one tablespoon of sauce for a plate of brisket?!?!? NEVER EATING HERE AGAIN

Hope you like paying extra for sauce only to get dry flavorless "bbq"... one tablespoon of sauce for a plate of brisket?!?!? NEVER EATING HERE AGAIN

Hope you like paying extra for sauce only to get dry flavorless "bbq"... one tablespoon of sauce for a plate of brisket?!?!? NEVER EATING HERE AGAIN

Soooo disappointed with Desert Oaks. A couple weeks ago, we were craving sliced brisket sandwiches and since this place is close to my house, and has good reviews, we went to order 2 pounds of briske…

BEWARE - Worst $40s ever spent on food. They forgot the barbecue (paid for it). Portions are extremely small or they missed the second pulled pork. Not sure since this is my first time ordering h…

I was passing by the area and saw this bow had good reviews but upon tasting the brisket and ribs they seemed to be reheated (only someone that knows can tell) cold and dry, it had no taste, the sa…

Matthew & Terry Mendez

Let me start by saying that our server/bartender Lauren was absolutely outstanding with her service and attitude. On the other hand...when we arrived we were told there was a "private party" from 1-4 with limited seating. First off, if you are going to allow people to reserve the restaurant for a private party you shouldn't be open to the general public during that time. The only "available" seating was at the bar, which we had no problem with. The issue was that half the restaurant was full with a baby shower playing games and announcing everything with a PA system that made it difficult to hear what Lauren recommended and forcing her to ask not only us but other patrons at the bar multiple times what they were ordering so that she made sure we all received the proper order. Again, not her fault at all. She was trying her best to attend to those of us that had come in for a NICE, RELAXING LUNCH. Which from the looks on the other patrons and ourselves was definitely not what we experienced at all. The private party had so many people that they consumed all of the sides that we were hoping to have, but couldn't because they "ran out". How the hell does a BBQ place run out of sides? And how does management and the owners allow something like this to happen. Seems like another case of putting money over quality and experience. And the worst part was that while we sat there at the bar we saw NONE of the private party guests leave a tip for either bartender even though they were trying their hardest to attend to these ungrateful people. And i say that because they were getting charged right next to me and i could see the handheld POS machine. Shame on them. Needless to say if we ever do come back it will only be to sit with Lauren and only Lauren. I've had better BBQ at Rib Hut!