Lent – a 40-day season to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter – traditionally calls for participants to abstain from eating meat on Fridays.

Wondering which local restaurants have Lent-friendly meal options? Here’s five local restaurants around El Paso that have special menu items to accommodate for the season, varying from seafood like fish quesadilla, to plant-based foods like green chipotle enchiladas.

Restaurants are listed in alphabetical order. 

Carnitas Querétaro  

On Fridays, Carnitas Querétaro provides menu items for customers who are opting out meat like lentils and fish soup.  

Also included are fish fillets or shrimp in either Veracruz or Diabla-style, both of which are soaked in a red sauce. Veracruz-style takes a milder route with the fish being drenched in tomato sauce and topped with olives, while the Diabla-style is “one of the spiciest foods on the menu,” with a chile de árbol kick to it.  But for a completely vegetarian option, Carnitas Querétaro serves green chipotle enchiladas, accompanied with rice and beans.  

Multiple Locations. 

Crazy Crab  

Located within The Fountains at Farah, Crazy Crab offers options for large parties looking to grab a lent-friendly bite. Special to lent season, Crazy Crab is offering a “meal-for-two” and “feast-for-four.”  

The meal-for-two allows guests to pick from a wide array of appetizers entrees and desserts. Appetizers include options like corn bites or edamame, and entrees like the Black Seas Bass Pasta or El Chuco – a special dedicated to El Paso that is half-pound shrimp, half-pound snow crab, two red potatoes, and corn.

For just $20 more, the feast-for-four offer features more entree options like a 1-pound shrimp boil or deshelled crawfish fried rice.  

Lent specials are available all season Sunday to Saturday. 

8889 Gateway Blvd.

Little Shack  

Walking distance from the University of Texas at El Paso, Little Shack is a Baja-style Mexican seafood restaurant chain, with a location up North Mesa Street. Meal options include fish quesadillas, veggie or fish tacos and “shrimp cocktails stacked high.” Menu items aren’t exclusive to Fridays. 

Multiple Locations.

Mac’s Downtown  

Located in downtown El Paso, Mac’s Downtown serves Cajun-inspired seafood, offering a large lineup of different platters. Mac’s provides deep-fried, lent-friendly entrees like shrimp, cod, oysters, jumbo shrimp and catfish. Plus, the restaurant offers meat-less Po’ Boys in three different forms: shrimp, cod and oyster.

315 E. Mills Ave. 

Martitas Lunch Box  

An El Paso classic for over 40 years, Martitas Lunch Box rings in the Lent season with a special menu only available on Fridays.  

The restaurant offers a traditional hearty lentil soup, garnished with cilantro paired with crackers or chips. Additionally, options include catfish fillet sauteed with garlic with rice, baked potato and salad.  

3623 Buckner St.

Iziah Moreno is the photo editor and may be reached at [email protected]