Views from the Rooftop
The one constant thing about our city is change. On any given day a road you’ve driven down most of your life can be unexpectedly closed & a week later it’s part of a city-spanning freeway. There may be gorgeous blue skies in the morning, but in a few short hours there’s a good chance for dust storms or a cold front. Being adaptable is a necessity, especially in the restaurant business.
Mix Salon and Spa overlooks the Westside of El Paso tucked away at Camelot Heights and Mesa. You may miss it if you’re not looking, but if you’ve at least seen it your curiosity has probably been piqued. On the top level of Mix there is a restaurant, it used to be The View but unfortunately they closed their doors and in it’s place has risen Rooftop Skygarden & Grill.
The best thing Rooftop has going for it, in my opinion, is their partially-enclosed patio. You get the chance to be outside, but to also shielded from the elements if perhaps it’s not a great day outside. The floors of the patio are adorned with kitschy astro-turf, but somehow it doesn’t come off as garish as it sounds and seemingly compliments their wooden benches and tables well.
The facebook page for Rooftop has their menu, though it’s changed some and the duck fries are no longer an option, much to my dismay. Hopefully they update that soon because my entire drive there my mouth was salivating at the thought of fries + duck and I wouldn’t want anyone else's dreams to be crushed.
The options they do have on their menu however, all sound delicious. It’s broken down into the main characters of Appetizers, burgers, soups, sandwiches and sides. Prices are fairly standard, but more on the steeper side of hamburgers and sandwich fare. Stick with me, though, it’s worth it.
In lieu of my long lost duck fries, I ordered the pork fries ($8) as a starter. This consisted of sweet potato fries, pulled pork, slaw, and a slightly spicy bbq sauce. The menu states that it’s topped with chicharones, but they were missing from my plate. I was shocked when they arrived because it was just so much food. These would definitely be a great choice for a starter if you’re dining with others, if it’s just you, be prepared to take some home.
The sweet potato fries were crispy and the pork was very flavorful. Adding slaw to the equation guarantees that you’ll have the perfect bite when you get it all on your fork.
For an entree I ordered the Chile relleno burger ($12), which is just as it sounds, a fried green chile, muenster cheese, and a burger patty. The patty of the burger was flavorful, and although I ordered it “medium” I was given a well-done burger instead, but they kept it flavorful which is hard to do when it’s cooked at that temperature. Again, the menu states that it’s topped with chorizo, though my burger lacked it. Perhaps it’s blended into the patty, which would explain why it was cooked to well. However, I didn’t get the chance to ask so I’m left to believe the cooks just didn’t put it on.
My one caveat with this burger is that the patty to bun/other elements was largely disproportional. The patty was very small and it was noticeable, but with all the cheese and the chile you’ll still feel full. The burger comes with a choice of side and I chose onion rigs, they were good but not something I’d write home about.
Despite the hiccups as far as sticking to the menu, my experience at Rooftop was a pleasant one. The service was friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere was nice. Apparently it turns into a night club after dark with a DJ booth in the corner and from what I’ve seen online, it gets pretty packed. If you’re ever driving down Mesa and don’t know where to eat stop by Rooftop Skygarden & Grill to give them a try.