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
Certified by Tony's the Pit Bar-B-Q • May 17, 2026
Certified by Tony's the Pit Bar-B-Q • May 17, 2026
Monday10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
SundayClosed
Reviews
4.6
684 reviews
5 stars
544
4 stars
77
3 stars
33
2 stars9
1 star
21
SG
Shane Griffith
May 13, 2026
5.0
Step back to 1958. A uniquely El Paso treasure. Get the 1.5 times moist brisket sandwich with everything. Man, that's good.
LA
Lorena Alcala
Apr 28, 2026
5.0
First time going there, and it was amazing!
JH
Jack Howard
Apr 25, 2026
5.0
They arent kidding, portions are awesome, food awesome too.
CA
Chris A
Apr 24, 2026
1.0
Was hearing a lot of hype regarding this place. Was excited to try it. Unfortunately I was disappointed. I ordered #3 - 2 meats and 2 sides. I choose brisket, pork and one rib. Pork had way to much fat, I barely ate it. Brisket had no real flavor, was bland. Didn't finish it. The one rib wasn't to taste. Didn't finish it either. Overall I was disappointed and would not go back. Personally. This is my experience and opinion of this establishment. Thank you.
SC
Stephen Coover
Apr 14, 2026
5.0
I absolutely love the brisket here!! The staff is so friendly as well, the whole experience is worth the trip!
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.
Brand Certified Facts from Tony's the Pit Bar-B-Q
This information is certified by Tony's the Pit Bar-B-Q and published from the brand's official system of record. Data is distributed through an enterprise-grade knowledge management platform. Learn more about our data sources
Certified May 17, 2026Yext Knowledge Graph
Address
Categories
Geo coordinates
Legal business name
Hours of operation
Phone number
Official website
Syndication Network
Approved business data is pushed to 100+ publishers, including: