Los Compas

1120 Commerce Dr.
Las Cruces, NM
(575) 521-6228

Los Compas on Commerce Dr. off of N. Telshor Blvd.

On my first visit to Los Compas I found out it was a local hangout and not a well known place for tourists. This was the other Los Compas on Nevarez Street in an older building in an older neighborhood. The newer restaurant on Commerce may put itself on the map because it is serving the same great food in a very accessible commercial area that has a modern look that will likely make tourists more comfortable. In fact the older restaurant served the food “fast food” style, with orders given and food picked up at the counter. This location near the US 70 and I-25 intersection has table service and off street parking making it that much more comfortable to come here to have a meal with your friends (compadres, or “compas”).

Red enchiladas

I think a reason for its popularity with locals is that the Enchiladas are spicy enough that you can order sopaipillas and make good use of them to tone down the spiciness.I had the red enchiladas at the other location but I had forgotten how good they are until I came here. The sauce was perfect, the cheese was excellent, and these are excellent examples of the iconic New Mexico style enchilada. The flavor of the food is as impressive as its scoville scale, with both of these features together not being as noticeable at all of the city’s restaurants. One quirk here is that they won’t give you Christmas in August (that is, both red and green sauce). I’ll have to come another time to try the green sauce as I will have to do with the sopaipillas because my “compas” wanted chips and salsa instead and I was already at my satiation point. Readers, I know it is a habit to eat chips and salsa with Mexican food, but with enchiladas this good and this spicy I really think it is a good opportunity to try sopaipillas in the state that perfected them. Maybe someday I will convince my friends, so don’t feel bad if you feel that having excellent enchiladas is enough.

Chips and salsa

A case can also be made to get the most out of this restaurant’s excellent Salsa by ordering it with chips. The salsa is even more spicy than the enchiladas and is in the range that true New Mexico chileheads seek out. Chips cost extra and if you order them you get two baskets of decadence with just the right crispness and flavor–not really a bad choice either. See–there are no bad choices here–just good ones like my friends’ or better ones like mine.

Lastly I should point out that the enchiladas at several other restaurants are as good as the ones here. I liked these because of their extra spiciness. Chope’s usually has them as spicy as the ones here but all restaurants are subject to the yearly chile crops and how the chiles turn out in terms of flavor and heat.

I must also point out that I was so impressed with the Beans, Rice, and Salad that comes on the plates that I have no hesitation in giving the restaurant an overall high rating.

RATING: 25

Mexican Food Details

Chile Index:
Cooking Oil:	Vegetable

 

Special Ratings

	Red Enchiladas
	Beans
	Rice
	Salsa