Business Details
About
Restaurant Delivery ServiceBarbecue RestaurantRestaurant
On June 23, 1958, Tony Vargas Sr., along with his wife Lydia and children opened Tony’s the Pit Bar-B-Q for business. The family ran the restaurant from the original location at 1829 Magoffin until 1969, when it moved to it’s the current location at 1700 Myrtle Ave. Tony Jr. ran the business from 1970 until 1995 when he retired and he is currently employed with El Paso Community College as tenured faculty. Grandson Bobby operated the restaurant until late 1999.
The management of Tony’s the Pit Bar-B-Q is under the leadership of Christina Vargas, granddaughter of founder, Tony Vargas Sr.
Christina Vargas has been managing the business since 1999. She has learned every aspect of the business from marinating the meat to slicing it for the customer’s personalized sandwiches like her grandfather, father and brother have done. Under her management there has been a steady growth in sales despite the economy and exodus of downtown businesses.
Christina’s dedication to quality and preservation of a family tradition welcomes you to come and visit her and taste Tony’s Bar-B-Q as it has been prepared and cooked for over 50 years.
Location
Hours
Reviews
4.6
654 reviews
5 stars
520
4 stars
75
3 stars
30
2 stars9
1 star
20
What are people saying?
AI-generated from recent customer reviews
Food Quality
Customers frequently praised the brisket and BBQ flavors, with many considering it the best in El Paso. However, some noted inconsistencies in food temperature and seasoning.
Customer Service
The staff received high marks for friendliness and helpfulness, although there were occasional reports of poor service and order mix-ups.
Atmosphere
The restaurant has a casual, welcoming vibe, but some customers mentioned issues with cleanliness and comfort, particularly regarding seating and temperature.
Pricing
Many reviews highlighted reasonable prices for the quality of food, though a few customers felt it was slightly pricey.
Side Dishes
While some sides like potato salad were well-received, others, such as macaroni salad and fries, received mixed reviews.
- SMSusan MartinNov 17, 20255.0My car broke down so we ordered to go food and told them we were sitting on the curb because we had our 85lbs dog. They let us walk thru the restaurant and sit outside at a table. The staff were so nice and hospitality was top notch.
- TFTerry FalconNov 15, 20251.0No greeting upon walking in establishment. Staff was unfriendly and unwelcoming. Ribs were cold. Everything else tasted bland. Poor experience. Do not plan on returning
- AFAnthony FalconNov 6, 20255.0Hell yes! Soooo good! They kept bringing juicy briskets out of the smoker and slicing them in front of me!This is my new favorite place. I’m bringing all my visiting family here. The atmosphere is old school and authentic. The staff super friendly. My to-go order was quickly done and I didn’t have to wait.
- RSRogelio SaenzNov 4, 20255.0Delicious!!! Hits the spot!!! Beef sandwich! Friendly rock a billy atmosphere with the classic tunes 😎
- SBScott BourneSep 27, 20255.0BBQ is a very personal thing for a lot of people - Often, it's hard to get a consensus on what's good. As a dedicated, horizontally challenged food reviewer - I KNOW BBQ and this is the best I've had west of Kansas City. First off it's a family business that's been around since the 1950s. Secondly, the menu is basic and offers real BBQ. At lunch, when I went, a sandwich seemed to make sense. Then a lovely, kind, and patient woman named Marina was helpful in explaining the menu and how things worked. She was patient and very engaged in what she was doing. She wanted me to have a good experience. When an employee is that sold out for her boss, you know you are in for a treat. My secret way to test BBQ is to get ham or turkey. I picked the ham at Tony's and it was fresh, cut off the bone (not lunch meat) and the portion was generous. It was served on a moist, hot, soft and tasty bun with pickles and mustard. BBQ sauce is optional and available for patrons to use as they see fit. I am actually not a big BBQ sauce fan but I have studied it and tasted it all over the country. I added some BBQ sauce to the ham sandwich and was immediately taken with it's rich, smokey flavor - it's not super sweet like store-bought sauce and according to Marina it's a house speciality. I also tried the macaroni and potato salads because these are my favorite sides at a BBQ joint. Sadly, the mac salad was not to my liking but the potato salad - wow - I have very high standards when it comes to potato salad and this was the best I've had in years. In subsequent visits (yes there will be subsequent visits) I will order two potato salads. I got a soft drink and while I don't remember the price it was very reasonable. It's not a fancy place to eat but I like the BBQ joint vibe. There was plenty of street parking and about 10 spots in their parking lot. It's a great downtown location and I'd say I was super happy with the experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tony's the Pit Bar-B-Q
What is the history of Tony's the Pit Bar-B-Q?
Tony's the Pit Bar-B-Q was opened on June 23, 1958 by Tony Vargas Sr. and family, and has been run by multiple generations, currently managed by granddaughter Christina Vargas since 1999.
What are the operating hours of Tony's the Pit Bar-B-Q?
The restaurant is open Monday to Friday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Saturdays from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and is closed on Sundays.
Where is Tony's the Pit Bar-B-Q located?
Tony's the Pit Bar-B-Q is located at 1700 Myrtle Avenue, El Paso, TX 79901, USA.
What payment methods are accepted at Tony's the Pit Bar-B-Q?
They accept cash, MasterCard, and Visa for payment.
Does Tony's the Pit Bar-B-Q offer catering services?
Yes, Tony's the Pit Bar-B-Q provides catering arrangements along with lunch specials and friendly, courteous staff.
What languages are spoken at Tony's the Pit Bar-B-Q?
The staff speak both English and Spanish to assist customers.
How can I contact Tony's the Pit Bar-B-Q?
You can call them at +1 915-546-9140 or email info@tonysthepitbbq.com.
What nearby places can I visit when dining at Tony's the Pit Bar-B-Q?
Nearby attractions include the Roaring Rage Room for fun activities, and El Chompas for additional Mexican dining options.
Are there any convenient services close to Tony's the Pit Bar-B-Q?
Yes, nearby you can find The Auto Clinic and Knuckleheads Garage for automotive needs, and Garcia Food Equipment for grocery and supplies.
Can I combine a visit to Tony's the Pit Bar-B-Q with nearby local services?
Absolutely, you can enjoy a meal at Tony's and then visit nearby real estate agents like Mary Delman, or seek counseling services such as Daisy Perez, MS, within the vicinity.