FOOD & DRINK
After nearly five years of saying “I really need to try El Paisano one of these days,” I finally did—and it did not disappoint.
Over the past couple years, dozens of locals have asked me what I think about El Paisano, and I always felt remiss to say I’d never been there.
It became clear early on that this was a must-try spot for a true local foodie.
The wait ended last night when my wife and I made plans to drop in and see what this legacy spot was truly all about.
The Atmosphere is Great
From the moment I walked through the door, I could feel why this family-run gem has been a beloved San Angelo staple since opening in late September of 2009. The aromas, the chatter of satisfied diners, and the genuine smiles from staff instantly set the tone for a meal to remember.
El Paisano has clearly made its mark on the San Angelo community. Thanks to its popularity, the restaurant now boasts two additional locations—one on Sherwood Way that opened in June 2024, and another that debuted in June on Bell Street.
The expansion is a clear sign this spot’s blend of unique, flavorful, Mexican-American comfort food and hometown hospitality is exactly what locals crave.
Mouth Watering Steak
For my order, I got what many regulars call their “can’t-miss” dish—the original steak tips.
Cooked to a flawless medium, the beef was tender, juicy, and seasoned with a perfect balance of spice and flavor, and a side choice of salad added a refreshing touch to the plate.
My wife chose the Wednesday special, Guiso, which came with flavorful Mexican rice, creamy refried beans, and homemade flour tortillas that were warm, soft, and clearly made with care.
Every bite felt hearty and honest—real food made by people who love what they do.
Next time I go, I plan on getting the same dish, but ordering it as suggested by Laura — El Paisano style, meaning grilled onions, jalapenos and tomatoes are added.
The People Behind the Operation
The service at El Paisano was just as memorable.
Laura Villeda, the operations manager, greeted us warmly and made sure everything about our first experience was spot-on.
She shared a bit about the restaurant’s story, telling us her husband, Clemente, has been the lead cook since day one.
Though I didn’t get to meet him, his skill was evident in the many tasty looking plates that left the kitchen and went past us on their way to other hungry diners.
One little spoiler: I was told by Laura herself that there is another fourth location in the works, which they plan to open in the former location of Napoli’s Italian Steakhouse in Stadium Plaza ,which was the longtime home of Zentner’s Daughter Steakhouse. An exact opening date is not yet determined.
Throughout the Week
El Paisano’s portions are generous, prices are fair, and the atmosphere feels like home.
The Chadbourne location also serves a breakfast menu from 9 a.m. to noon on weekends—ideal for those leisurely brunch mornings. The other locations serve a weekday breakfast as well.
For fans of traditional Mexican comfort food, menudo is available on Saturday and Sundays, and don’t forget to check out the daily discounted specials listed outside, and on the whiteboard inside as well, or on their EP #1 Facebook page — there’s always something worth trying.
A few more tasty tid-bits from Laura herself you should know:
The EP enterprise is a family affair and consists of Roberto Villeda as the owner of all 3 locations, his wife Mary Soto, is GM for the Sherwood location. Clemente Villeda’s brother is the right hand man for all 3 locations. Furthermore, Cynthia Hernandez is a waitress at Sherwood, Kimberly Hernandez is a waitress at the Bell St. location, and last but not least is Brianna Villeda, the head waitress at the Chadbourne location.
A few direct statements from Laura herself that stood out to me…
We take pride in knowing our customers on a personal level. We get to learn their names, their families and their orders. We feel like the customers like this and that’s what keeps them coming back. It runs smoothly because we have great team work.
I think what also makes us different is that our wait staff share tips so you’re not having to wait on one person to get what you need because they work as a team and we work more effectively to serve customers this way.
Something that people may not know is that most of our food is made from scratch. The cooks cut the meat and grind it. They hand make the burger patties. For the salads they cut the lettuce, purple cabbage, tomatoes and carrots daily. They shred the fresh cheese. Waitresses make the ranch, white sauce, salsa and squeeze lemons for fresh lemonade. They peel and cut potatoes for French fries. It’s so much that we all do and take pride in.
Final Verdict:
If you’ve been putting off a visit (or a return) to El Paisano No. 1, like I did—don’t wait another day.
Between the perfectly cooked steak tips, friendly service, and genuine family-run charm, this local favorite lives up to every bit of its reputation.
After 16 years in business and still expanding, they are obviously doing something right! Whether you stop by for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you’ll walk out full, happy, and already planning your next visit.
About the Author
Joshua Hockett has lived in San Angelo since Oct 2020 and has been a freelance writer since 2012, contributing to publications about food, wine, beer and regional cuisines.
Hockett serves as host of the Concho Valley Eats & Drinks Facebook group, and he is a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW), and a certified Texas Wine Ambassador.
HIs focus is on Concho Valley food, wine, and craft beer — and the people behind the operations. He lives in San Angelo with his wife, Stacy, and son, Owen, and their two dogs.
