As an Army Nurse that works nights 6 months out of the year, I Had to find a place that I can chillax, somewhere to read, study, chat, Anything...Anywhere, but home. Living alone, being alone at night when the city is fast asleep, life stands still and one can only watch so much TV or take so much of 900 Sq. Ft. of living space. I'm from San Francisco where the night is, I'd say, business-as-usual as it is in the day. I like my quiet times, listening to some Temptations, jazz, classical, R&B, Michael Buble, etc. reading a good book or a study book, with a cup of fresh black, no sugar, no cream joe. Yuss. I realize now that even Starbucks at 2AM was a luxury.
I give this place 5 stars because its in El Paso. If this was San Francisco or San Diego, I'd rate it a 4. Nowhere else in El Paso will you find a 4 out of 7days, 24 hour joint where wifi is fast, the coffee is great, serves foods from all meals of the day, And Beer! Now that I'm back on the day shift, I probably won't be here, but once I get back to the night shift come say hey at 3AM.
The only food I had was the chicken salad, but the salad was green and fresh. They used the cherry tomatoes which makes a salad that much better. The chicken was well cooked where its fully cooked, yet still retains the juicy moisture. I've read and heard a lot of good things about their other foods as well. Looking forward to trying other foods.
STAR CITY(not sun city) is a charming little diner with superb ambiance and personality. Service is absolutely terrific. Location is close to the UTEP campus, making it a rather "IN" place to  hang out, and the all-night weekend business hours are perfect for club hoppers and insomniacs alike. The food is delicious, though, while it didn't bother me one bit, you'll be hard pressed to find something close to  healthy on the menu. The menu selection is short and to the point, but the no nonsense attitude it gives off plays right into the whole picture of the restaurant. Definitely a great place to stop by if you need to sober up for that drive home or if you need a place to make a Friday night rendezvous with some friends. All in all it's a great place with fantastic atmosphere and an irresistible charm, but if you're looking for a spot to stop by and study for a bit, you'd be better off heading to the Village Inn or Kinley's.
Review Source:I don't know if I'd bring my grandparents here...but I don't care, I love it!
Star City (not Sun City, someone's slippin) is to me what reading this review is to you, completely mesmerizing, intriguing and wonderfully amazing with its perfect amount of charm and sass. And if you don't feel that way about this review, it may have something to do with the fact that you're not me...but trust me, if you were me you'd feel this way too so that makes my whole point legit. Think about it.
SC is this eye-catching diner on Mesa pretty close to the UTEP dorms, surrounded by some of my fave restaurants so on the off chance this place is packed, you'll still have a few other options. Â But oh man do I love this place! I have a bit of a thing for trendy, hipsterish places especially in EP and so you already know SC is everything my heart desires. The abstract art, the multiple oink oinks, the dim lighting, the open booth seating, the thought out menu, the bacon maaaaaaan. SC is not for the vegan/vegetarian, it's for the meat eating, pork loving man in you! I would say at least half of the menu includes bacon or ham. My one philosophy on life is that you can never have to much cheese or bacon and I think SC may feel the same way.
If you've read any of my reviews, you might start to realize I have a secret love of simple plating. SC definitely falls under this category. One thing I love is the idea of serving some apps in martini glasses like the Guac. I just like to look at beautiful things, don't judge me. My one and only complaint (and this really isn't a complaint) was with my candied bacon and peaches. While it was a delicious appetizer and a light starter, the peaches were cut entirely too large. They don't have to cut them smaller, just triple (or double cause I know triple is just my preference due to my infatuation with bacon) the bacon and I'll be a happy camper.
Even though service can sometimes be slow, I'm not complaining...it adds to the sass I long for in a good diner. Very go with the flow. The weekend hours are great because no ever actually wants McDonalds at midnight. Thank you SC for starting a trend!
STAR City Kitchen & Bar (not Sun City Kitchen and Bar) is a very neat place. The decor and atmosphere is very different from most places in El Paso. There is a kind of el chuco meets modern and chic type of vibe which is amplified when they dim the lights around 8pm or so.
This place has a clean men's restroom (which is immensely important to me) and comfortable seating. The food is a bit pricey but forgivable because the portions are large and the taste is unique. A lot of SCKB's menu items contain candied bacon which is awesome because candied bacon is a treat all by itself. The menu is small but that lets me know that they've mastered whats on the there. I hate going to places with a ton of menu items because A.) I want to be able to make a quick decision and B.) If you order something that isn't ordered often, then chances of the cooks/chefs messing up your order increases.
I ordered the peach skewers which is a shish kabob of peach chunks and candied bacon and it was quite good. The bacon seemed a little too chewy to me but it was overall a great appetizer. Not too sweet and not too filling.
I also ordered the Brisket Sandwich which came with pickles, dijon, and crispy onions on toasted bread and a side order of their garlic fries. The garlic fries had oregano in them which threw me off at first, but the more I ate it the more it grew on me. The sandwich itself was delicious. The brisket was a little dry but they give you a french onion dipping sauce to help it go down -- and its delicious. It was one of the best brisket sandwiches I've had in El Paso.
Our server was awesome as well. =D
All in all Star City Kitchen & Bar is a great place. There are a few things that they can do better, but as far as locally owned restaurants in El Paso go, this is one of the better ones.
Nice change of pace for El Paso! The food is usually always good (once we had a soggy blt) and wait staff is very friendly -although service is kind of slow even when the place is empty.. But we still love it! The queso fundido is the best!! And we love the garlic fries! Hope they generate enough business to stay! I'm sick of Mexican food!
Review Source:Star City is consistently yummy. Â I've been there over a handful of times in the past 6 months and I wish I could give it 5 stars, but 4 is still a pretty good rating.
The menu is pork-heavy, but it's a great thing. Â Places that can focus on one key ingredient and make it exceptional are rare. Â The MUST try pork item is the bacon. Â It's thick sliced, it's candied and it's phenomenal. Â If you go and only eat one thing, make it the bacon. Â Get bacon as an appetizer. Â Just get the bacon.
The queso fundido is probably THE BEST in the city of El Paso. Â Yeah, I said it. Â The reviewer who said it was greasy melted munster cheese must have expected the yellow "queso" which is as bogus as queso gets. Â This is white cheese, melted, with chorizo and they top it with fresh pico de gallo. Â The pico is really what sets the queso off, providing a burst of freshness with every bite. Â It's served with tortillas that are heated on a griddle, which gives it just a little extra rustic authentic touch.
I've tried their Salpicon, their Pork Belly BLT, the fired beets (OMG), their DIY burgers, and their shrimp tacos. Â All of these items have been amazing. You can buy 32oz beers, boxes of wine and cocktails bigger than your head. Â That's always a bonus.
I've been there for lunch on weekends and there is never a crowd or a wait to be seated.....however the wait for the staff and the food can be l-o-n-g. Hence the 4 stars. I'm a patient person, but there have been instances when I was about to stand up and leave. The servers have a laid back attitude and it's very bro-centric which can be a problem when it comes to efficient quick service.
Full Declaration: I am a friend of the owner, but I am honest in this review.
There is no place like this in Houston, where I currently live. It should be appreciated.
I tried pretty much everything that was on the menu one night and it was very good, and I went back the next night.
A much welcome and needed addition to the Kern/UTEP/Cincinnati area.
Go eat there.
Oh how I wish I could give this a better rating!
But lets cut the crap and get right to it.
The food is good. I highly recommend the "Make-It-Yourself," burgers! They fill that perfect craving one has while drinking (since this establishment is in the heart of many bars and clubs). Appetizers are intriguing, delicious and a great improvement from the regular "wings," or "fried things" you normally see on menus. (Although stay away from their queso fundido...its nothing but grease and muenster cheese).
This place is never packed, so one would think that service is simple and fast. No so. It seems to me that the wait staff here has no management system to work off of. All three times I have been, I have always had the same waiter. This waiter has also proclaimed that he is also the bartender(??) but I digress. Because their is no managerial skills present, service in turn becomes slow and lackluster. On one occasion, my party of two had to wait twenty minutes to place our order and then waited another 30 to receive our meals (keeping in mind that the capacity of this place is probably around 70 and at time, there were only 5-6 other parties).
Also, they seem to OVERCHARGE. Not to say their menu items are overpriced (9 dollars for a burger and side) but on my last visit, I asked for a side of mayo for my burger and then found on my bill a charge of 75 cents for mayo! Its not that the 75 cents broke my wallet but come on! Charging for condiments?!
So in the end, this is a good place to eat. I do enjoy the decor, music and friendly service. Plus it is nice to go somewhere to eat past 11pm that isn't Denny's, Taco Cabana or Jack In the Box. But I am certainly not impressed with the management (if there even is one!?) I will be back if I find myself on that side of town past 11. Otherwise, I will catch the early bird special somewhere else.
I've been here now 3 times. That's enough for awhile. This should be known as the Pork City Cafe. It is not a traditional diner. Like you wouldn't come here for a cup of coffee and piece of pie, and it's not open 24/7 like a diner. Hungry vegetarians wouldn't be happy here. It seems as if every dish either has pork belly or bacon, or it's fried. The ambiance is contemporary and friendly. Booths line the walls with one long communal counter running the length of the restaurant.
The first time I went I had the pork belly tacos. Three small soft corn tortillas filled with creamy roast pork. Delicious. The second time I tried the model fish tacos. The fish, tilapia, was lightly deep fried and stuffed into 3 small corn tortillas. Yummy! On my third visit, recently, the place was hopping. Many folks were ordering gigantic fishbowl size margaritas. I wasn't that hungry as it was late evening. I didn't see much I was interested in, so I ended up ordering a larger meal, intending to eat a little and take the rest home. I had the pork belly enchiladas. It was tasty, but not really enchiladas. I don't think it was baked. I think it could be improved upon.
I would definitely give this one a try, especially with a group. It's fun. And, if you're not a drinker, they make a mean lemonade--to order, from scratch!
I've been to Star City quite a few times since it has been open now, and it has really earned an update on this review.
The quality of the food has been extremely consistent and I have had a chance to explore more of the menu. Â The range is great, and I look forward to continuing to try new things each time I return. Â Most of the items are varying types of comfort food and it is prepared just right to hit those cravings. Â The main thing I always want when I go is the garlic fries, but last time I went I finally tried the green chili mac & cheese and it was exactly what I had hoped it would be. Â I definitely recommend the fried egg sandwich or the pork belly tacos, and the fish tacos are a great choice when you're looking for something lighter. Â The location of this place really is fantastic because the hours are perfect for a late night meal after an evening at the bars on Robinson or Cincinnati.
Like any popular restaurant, when it's extremely packed, it may be a while to get your food, but the service has always been great and the servers are always prompt, friendly and attentive. Â I always tend to go late at night, so I can't comment on the bar experience.
This is ONLY a rating on Star City as a bar, not a diner. Went here for the first time with some friends for drinks, and I really liked the atmosphere. Very relaxed and comfortable, but with an upscale finish. Full bar, with specialties, and they"ll also make you anything you want (good bartenders). They also have a large food menu...a friend of ours got some pork tacos and guacamole, and he seemed content (of course not blown away). This seems like an ideal late-night place to get your final drink of the night and some above-average bar food. What more do you want? :)
Review Source:I really want to like this place but any diner that charges for coffee refills automatically gets a downgrade from me. I went here to redeem a "seize the deal" and for some reason the total price in the end seemed a little ridiculous (even after redeeming the deal).
The food was just OK. I think this is the kind of place people go to when they're exiting the drunk stupor and entering the "I need to eat because I'm ravenous" phase.
Lesson learned, don't eat here when you're sober.
Went to Star City while in town last week late on a Sunday night.
To be fair all that the people I was with and myself had were drinks so I'm basing this review on a limited aspect but a good one: having a nice space to go to late at night in a sleepy and sometimes sketchy town.
They do close Sunday night and then are closed Monday (hence the 24/6 hours) but I really like the idea of a 24 hour diner with the quality of atmosphere like this especially in El Paso.
If you're looking for a place to go late at night or early in the morning give it a shot and see what you think. Â I'll definitely be trying the food early one morning next time I'm back in town.
Climbers visiting Hueco Tanks- definitely worth the drive if you get a craving early in the morning for food and drinks.
We were heading to Toro (which I love and visit often) this past Saturday but noticed Star City was open and decided to try it instead. Â I was somewhat hesitant at first because I didn't see anything on the menu my dining companion would eat (she deals with many restrictions). Â However, my mind quickly changed.
We started with the modelo battered shrimp, huge portion size and delicious. Â Pipping hot with two dipping sauces, one spicy one not. Â I ate the pork belly tacos with garlic fries, good portion size and delicious. Â The pork wasn't fatty and the garlic fries were cooked with fresh garlic and reminiscent of the popular Sacramento style garlic fries, I was very pleased. Â My companion had the Hen with the sauce on the side and substituted the accompanying side for the chipotle rice. Â Again, great portion size and delicious. Â I will definitely be going back.
Well, what a place, went there this morning; well late morning, but still in the mood for breakfast. Â Their menu serves everything on it 24/6 so whatever you are in the mood for......Had the skewered peaches and bacon skewers with a balsamic vinegar reduction for an appetizer (had to try it) and it was yumm! A very different combo yet surprisingly delicious, especially the peaches!!
 Decorated with modern red and white star lights and eclectic bikes high on a ledge, good music; not too loud, it has very pleasant ambiance.  Equipped with booths, tables and a long bar counter for everyone's taste in seating....we noticed the lava rock walls and later learned they were from the old wine bar that the previous owners had brought in from El Salvador. (read:pricey!) Track lighting and a very cool sunlight with a cool colored glass hanging down it for a very cool mood. Very nicely done bar area.....It has marble floors as well and in general a very classy decor. The outside area is neat also, open for the smokers and whomever, yet ( we learned) the furniture is still a couple days out.  This place just opened and it feels and looks like it will be a happening spot, to loosen up after work or just relax with a different menu to excite the taste buds and visit with friends.
 I had the pancake platter with 2 eggs over easy and bacon cooked crisp and their house potatoes which was mashed potatoes with goat cheese and raspberry and it was made perfect. The bacon was sweetened with real (!) maple syrup and brown sugar and somehow and cooked just right.  The potatoes were very very pleasant, mild for goat cheese so this was perfect as well. They left the skin on the potatoes where much vitamins still remain so this was a good touch.  My father ordered a simple scrambled eggs and hash browns, which was good also, but their hash browns are more like house potatoes if you are from California, not the shredded kind we were use to, however still very good. My pancake was good as well, light and fluffy.
 We had to try a dessert so had the margarita cupcake, yummmm!!
Overall, I was very impressed; was even able to meet and speak to the executive chef, who's recipes grace the menu and was greeted with a gracious and humble host. I sense a real passion for the restaurant and wish great success; just what El Paso needs. It is different just right, and what a needed place this town will rejoice in having.....
Just opened up and I've already been twice. Â As an appetizer, had the modelo shrimp which was really good. Â Light better great with the torreado ranch dipping sauce. Â Chicken Fried Steak & Eggs was my entree. Â The gravy was some of the best I've had. Â Place has a very relaxed atmosphere with some interesting decor. Â It's 24 hrs Tuesday-Sunday so I'm sure it'll be a hit with the late night crowds on weekends. Â I'll probably end up giving it a 5 star rating but I need to try out some more things first.
Review Source:
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