The original Sombras del Pasado in Socorro, Texas (located in El Paso's Lower Valley) occupies a historic building dating from 1852, and has attracted tourists along the "Mission Trail" who are in the area to see the historic homes and churches in Ysleta, Socorro, and San Elizario.

It would be difficult to find a building in west El Paso with the same historical significance, but I think the building chosen is a worthy site for this restaurant. For years the Doniphan location was the site of Griggs Restaurant, home of the only true New Mexico style restaurant in the city and operated by the Griggs family whose relatives owned La Posta in Mesilla, New Mexico and El Pinto in Albuquerque.

Although Sombras del Pasado does not use the Griggs family recipes, some of the items seem to be worthy of its predecessor. The Chicken Mole, for instance, is served with grilled chicken breast meat and a mild mole sauce with a subtle flavor. This really could be the best mole in El Paso--all I can say is that it is the best I have tried.

The Red Enchiladas, though, have been inconsistent. They come with a thick red sauce, and one time it was seved to me it seemed like a bad Tex-Mex version, but another time it was thoroughly enjoyable.