New era for Thyme Matters restaurant in West El Paso

EL PASO, Texas ( KTSM ) – Thyme Matters, a staple restaurant on El Paso’s West Side for almost two decades, has entered a new era with upgraded interior and menu.

New owner Ericsson Nunez took over Thyme Matters in the summer 2023 and has since brought a whole new look to a familiar place that has been around for 19 years.

“It was very important for us to keep that essence, because the restaurant has been around for 20 years, and it’s sort of like a neighborhood staple and definitely a West Side staple that everybody remembers,” Nunez said.

As far as the menu goes, you will still be able to find the traditional seasonal dish — chiles en nogada made by the recipe of their longtime chef Mario Barron — as well as a crowd-pleasing tres leches cake.

“One of my favorites from the traditional menu that we have is linguine a vongole. It’s a dish inspired by the south of Italy. It’s a pasta with baby clams,” Nunez said.

He listed his favorite new item on the menu as well – the sea bass enriched with Mesilla Valley honey.

Along with some upgrades to the menu and some still in the works, Nunez has also expanded the restaurant’s wine list.

With over 400 wines to offer, it has earned Thyme Matters the Best of Award of Excellence by Wine Spectator Magazine this year.

“It was sort of my dream to elevate the wine culture in El Paso,” Nunez said.

The restaurant is located at 5857 N Mesa St. and is available for reservations.

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