3 El Paso restaurants to celebrate with flavor

Valdez Southwest Travel owner highlights El Paso’s outdoor adventures

It’s time to enjoy one of the best comfort foods ever.

National Pasta Day is Friday, Oct. 17, and since the dish is so versatile, there are many ways to celebrate, such as indulging in thin, long strands of spaghetti or devouring a plate of tubular-shaped penne.

The Italian staple is incredibly popular — the average American consumes approximately 20 pounds of pasta every year, according to sharethepasta.org. This makes it the 6th highest food per capita in the country.

While El Paso has its share of restaurants serving up Italian cuisine, we’ve turned to Yelp for help on narrowing down the highest-rated restaurants where you can savor a warm plate of pasta.

Here are the top three in El Paso.

Trattoria Bella Sera

More than 400 reviews praise the East El Paso restaurant for its large portions and charming ambiance.

Menu items include salads, soups and more than a dozen pasta dishes, ranging from a simple plate of spaghetti and meatballs to “Farfalle Bella Sera,” bow-tie pasta served with grilled chicken and shrimp and a garlic cream sauce.

“Delicious pasta,” one review said. “Great service. I love the ambiance as well. I had the bolognese and it was so fresh tasting. Maybe my new favorite pasta dish.”

Address: 3512 N. Yarbrough Drive

Phone: 915-598-7948

The Italian Kitchen

The Italian Kitchen has been locally owned and operated since 1948, and more than 100 reviews earned the restaurant a near 4-star rating.

Pasta entrees include a soup, salad, garlic toasts, and spumoni (Italian ice cream.)

“The food was delicious and plentiful, very large food portions,” one Yelp review said. “Thank you for taking care of our large party and providing stellar service.”

Address: 2923 Pershing Drive

Phone: 915-565-4041

Cafe Italia

Yelp reviews rave about Cafe Italia’s generous portions, excellent service and reasonable prices.

“The fresh pasta was cooked beautifully, not overdone and not too al dente,” one review said. “The service was excellent. Even the owner came out to check on us. I highly recommend this place and I can’t wait to go back.”

The Italian restaurant has two locations in El Paso, including one in Cimarron.

Address: 6705 N. Mesa St.; 7456 Cimarron Market Ave.

Phone: Mesa: 915-832-0587; Cimarron: 915-234-2309

Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on Twitter, natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma Thompson on Facebook.