Old Barriga’s Mexican Restaurant Off Sunland Park Gets Torn Down

The building where the now-defunct Barriga's Mexican Restaurant once stood in West El Paso off Sunland Park Drive is getting torn down.

Just last week, I was heading to Target near Sunland Park Mall when I noticed that the former building where Barriga's Mexican Restaurant once stood was getting demolished.

Much to my surprise, it has been years since the Mexican restaurant has been in business, but somehow seeing the building torn down brought back a flood of memories as I spotted the old iconic Barriga’s marquee laying amongst the rubble.

Barriga's Mexican Restaurant expanded into El Paso from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, in the early 2000’s opening up first in West El Paso, followed by a second location on the Eastside.

In late 2017, early 2018, all of the Barrigas Mexican Restaurant locations in El Paso closed but remained opened in Ciudad Juárez, however unsure if the pandemic has affected them since.

I remember hanging out at the Barriga's in West El Paso in those early days, enjoying authentic Mexican eats and drinking margaritas al fresco on their outdoor patio with friends. Thinking back, the last time I visited Barriga's in West El Paso was around 2009, when our family celebrated my mom's retirement party at the upscale Mexican restaurant, and boy did we have a blast.

At this time, there’s no word on what will go up in its place; the only clue is the Vista Star real estate sign that reads "Available for Lease" along with “Coming 3rd Quarter 2021”.

Until then, we’ll keep an eye and ear out on what new local business sets up shop, and hopefully, it's another local and delish Mexican restaurant.