She obtained her Bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Austin in communications and business. Having pursued other employment ventures first, Chef Chavez enrolled in culinary school in Florence, Italy, where she learned all about Italian cuisine and wine and obtained her culinary Master's degree at the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners (ICIF) where she was named "A friend of Italian Cuisine."
She continued her culinary training in different kitchens, including some in Mexico but eventually returned to her roots in El Paso, Texas and began Thyme Matters in 2004 as a catering business and personal chef. Eventually, her small business grew into the 140-seat restaurant we know today.
She continued her culinary training in different kitchens, including some in Mexico but eventually returned to her roots in El Paso, Texas and began Thyme Matters in 2004 as a catering business and personal chef. Eventually, her small business grew into the 140-seat restaurant we know today.
Reviews (26)
Jeff Atkinson
Jan 30, 2022
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Restaurant very clean and upscale. Ambiance very nice. Seated immediately. If we were supposed to get bread we didn't. After waiter took our food order we never saw him again. I even went looking for him and told him to bring us refills. Even after that he never showed up. Food took a while. When Food finally came out it was absolutely delicious. Unlike most el paso restaurants the food was also presented beautifully. Would have given 5 stars if not for poor service
Thomas Betts
Jan 17, 2022
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Milissa C.
Jan 16, 2022
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I will go back, I would suggest this to friends. I loved it here, the food was very good. The drinks were even better. The decor was a little lack luster so if you want a super romantic atmosphere, maybe look else where, but if you want great food, amazing drinks and just the best most friendly service, this is your place!
Paloma M.
Jan 12, 2022
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Dined at Thyme Matters last night. Great wine selection. Attentive server. Nice ambiance. Food was a little on the salty side. Salmon was cooked to perfection. Loved the whole wedge salad and 4 oz salmon pair. Tuna ceviche was excellent as well. My only advice is to take it down a notch when it comes to salt. Overpowering and destroyed the quality taste of some of the food.
Linda Gates
Nov 13, 2021
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Just because you put white tablecloths on the tables doesn't make the food gourmet. Thick slices white bread toasted till it was very dark and hard and dry. Chicken salad was ok. Homemade potato chips were interesting. Water was all I drank. Couldn't eat the bread so I opened it up and just ate filling and chips. $12.99 seemed way too much for a mediocre meal. I wont go back.
Dave Petersen
Nov 04, 2021
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We visited this fine restaurant with the Meet-up El Paso Wine and Dine Group. We all thoroughly enjoyed our delicious meals and the ambience that was so cozy and homelike. The wait staff was well trained and their attention to details was impeccable. I will definitely be returning here with my family.
Laura Aguirre
Oct 21, 2021
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Cassandra Archut
Oct 04, 2021
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Brenda M.
Aug 20, 2021
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The place is kinda hidden from the street but is a cute place. Let's get to the important stuff.. the food. So I went for a lunch meeting so we ordered 3 appetizers, though I did t get a photo of them because people had already started eating but we got the Poblano chile con queso, delish and not spicy at all for those who can't eat spicy food. As well as guac n chips- had a hint of lime and I love that and finally Ceviche. I wasn't a fan because it was more tomato than anything else. The tostadas are pretty good.
My wife ordered the grilled salmon and it was good. Came with veggies
My wife ordered the grilled salmon and it was good. Came with veggies
Ian Abban T.
Aug 08, 2021
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Non-spanish family, recently moved to El Paso celebrating the Birthday of my wife with a party of 6....
We ordered the ceviche, table guacamole, baked brie, chili con queso, salmon x3, tenderloin, panini x 2. Their dishes seemed tastefully prepared and well thought out, but the flavor profile ultimately did not stand out in any particular direction. The food gets a 3.5 stars from me. The host Justin was very accommodating, friendly, and a people person -- 4.5 stars from me. Our waiter.... Robert was distantly polite and very economical with his communication. In fact, he was so economical
We ordered the ceviche, table guacamole, baked brie, chili con queso, salmon x3, tenderloin, panini x 2. Their dishes seemed tastefully prepared and well thought out, but the flavor profile ultimately did not stand out in any particular direction. The food gets a 3.5 stars from me. The host Justin was very accommodating, friendly, and a people person -- 4.5 stars from me. Our waiter.... Robert was distantly polite and very economical with his communication. In fact, he was so economical
Risya L.
Sep 12, 2020
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Sometimes Thyme does matter. My MIL brought us here for lunch and they were really excited about sharing this place with us. Unfortunately it was the opposite of everything they were ranting and raving about. Even they said it was different. We ordered a tuna melt with avo on the side, grilled chicken for the toddler and I had a salad with grilled chicken as well.
The service was great, so don't get me wrong that's why they get two stars. But the wait for the food with no one but two other families that had already been served before we were seated took over 30-40 minutes.
We ordered
The service was great, so don't get me wrong that's why they get two stars. But the wait for the food with no one but two other families that had already been served before we were seated took over 30-40 minutes.
We ordered
Frank A.
Sep 09, 2020
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Madison C.
Aug 02, 2020
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I have been here a few times and I had never been very impressed given the prices but my last experience was wonderful.
We started with the jalapeño margarita and cucumbertini. Both were very very good.
Our entrees were the ahi tuna and the Chilean sea bass. The ahi tuna was amazing. It had a great flavor over rice and was a very good size for the price. I love sea bass but I don't really like hominy or tomatillo soup so I ordered the sea bass with roasted potatoes, vegetables, and lemons to squeeze on the fish. It was so good. I absolutely loved my meal.
Social distancing is enforced
We started with the jalapeño margarita and cucumbertini. Both were very very good.
Our entrees were the ahi tuna and the Chilean sea bass. The ahi tuna was amazing. It had a great flavor over rice and was a very good size for the price. I love sea bass but I don't really like hominy or tomatillo soup so I ordered the sea bass with roasted potatoes, vegetables, and lemons to squeeze on the fish. It was so good. I absolutely loved my meal.
Social distancing is enforced
Adrian E.
Nov 25, 2019
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Alex D.
Aug 03, 2019
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It's a small cute restaurant with an upstairs, downstairs, and outside seating. We got seated right away without a wait. We were just feeling peckish so we ordered a guacamole (7) and the angus beef burger (12). The guacamole was actually made in front of us with our input which was a really cool experience. The guacamole was fresh and delicious. The chips were crunchy and substantive. The burger came with fries and was ok. The fries were thin and tasteless. The service was slow and inconsistent. Jabe was our server and he spent as little time with us as possible. My drink stayed empty for
Michel T.
Jun 02, 2019
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Saturday night out on the town with good friends!
Even though we were dining at 6:30 on a Saturday evening, there were plenty of seats available. We enjoyed appetizers of ceviche and guacamole (not made table side as menu indicated) that were delicious. Two salmon plates were made to perfection! Moist, flaky, and perfectly seasoned. My Chilean sea bass was perfect, even though an unusually small portion. Food was delicious and drinks were perfect, but the table service was very slow and server was anxious for us to leave. Had it not been for the slow and rude service, the evening would have
Even though we were dining at 6:30 on a Saturday evening, there were plenty of seats available. We enjoyed appetizers of ceviche and guacamole (not made table side as menu indicated) that were delicious. Two salmon plates were made to perfection! Moist, flaky, and perfectly seasoned. My Chilean sea bass was perfect, even though an unusually small portion. Food was delicious and drinks were perfect, but the table service was very slow and server was anxious for us to leave. Had it not been for the slow and rude service, the evening would have
Fred P.
May 09, 2019
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Came to do a nice dinner to celebrate an occasion. I had the veal and my wife had the salmon. The veal was a special and also had linguini. The salmon was a regular menu item. Our appetizer was a bruschetta type of item and was delicious. Both plates were quite good and we shared with each other. The drinks were awesome and the service was great. Our server was very friendly. Overall, a great time. Such a nice place. Never disappoints. A nice El Paso gem.
Martha T.
Dec 28, 2018
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Alexis Lewman
Dec 08, 2018
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I came with a very large party to Thyme Matters this past Fri night & I (as well as everyone else) enjoyed myself immensely!! Our server, whose name I believe is Daniel, did an amazing job catering to all of us. We were ordering drinks like our life depended on it & he was really on top of it. Their jalapeno margarita (pictured), cu-tini, & piña tini from their drink menu all tasted wonderfully. What I liked especially though is when I ordered a lemon drop & they used vanilla vodka - it tasted amazing!! How did I not think of that before!
I personally ordered their airline chicken curry (pictured
I personally ordered their airline chicken curry (pictured
Remy O.
Jun 03, 2018
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Got here early and ordered a drink at the bar with mixologist Christopher while I waited on my guest to arrive. FRESH grapefruit the BEST!!! While the bar area is small the breadth of liquors is not. The bar stools are a little short for the height of the bar and the door to the patio gets busy right where the bar begins.
When my guest arrived we were immediately seated and greeted by our hostess. They have beautiful patio seating but I elected to sit inside as the earthen called for high temperatures and wind in the evening.
I asked if Christopher could be our host and our dinner was AMAZING
When my guest arrived we were immediately seated and greeted by our hostess. They have beautiful patio seating but I elected to sit inside as the earthen called for high temperatures and wind in the evening.
I asked if Christopher could be our host and our dinner was AMAZING
Shy R.
Feb 11, 2018
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Thyme Matters is our home kitchen away from our home kitchen. Once you go a few times on a regular basis, the staff there gets to know your likes from the food to your usual drinks you order. By the time I walk to my table and sit down, my drink arrives (sometimes before I even sit down since they see me walking up to the restaurant). But even if you're not a regular, you'll be treated well.
Their lunch menu has a bit more variety. House made chips--the best. Hamburgers, sandwiches, salads, and soups are all Delish. Makes it hard to choose.
Dinner menu has different entrees. More steak
Their lunch menu has a bit more variety. House made chips--the best. Hamburgers, sandwiches, salads, and soups are all Delish. Makes it hard to choose.
Dinner menu has different entrees. More steak
Marie G.
Sep 11, 2017
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This is definitely one of those local favorites. The atmosphere is always relaxing with a good vibe and the service is always wonderful. The menu varies but always has something for everyone...soup, sandwiches, and cocktails- oh the cocktails!!!!
I do recommend making a reservation so that you will not be disappointed when you get here.
I do recommend making a reservation so that you will not be disappointed when you get here.
Christine B.
May 12, 2017
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I must have driven by this place countless times before, but I never paid any attention to the stores and shops in the plaza. Thankfully, a girls' lunch brought me in to try this place out.
We sat out on the patio, and there was one other pair of diners with us. It is shaded and has fans for extra hot days, but it was perfect for our group of five. The patio was quiet and clean, and traffic from nearby Mesa didn't interrupt our lunch.
Service was less than great, which is the reason for only 3 stars (would have given 4). I don't know if our server had tables inside that kept
We sat out on the patio, and there was one other pair of diners with us. It is shaded and has fans for extra hot days, but it was perfect for our group of five. The patio was quiet and clean, and traffic from nearby Mesa didn't interrupt our lunch.
Service was less than great, which is the reason for only 3 stars (would have given 4). I don't know if our server had tables inside that kept
Terese C.
Feb 09, 2017
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We were greeted by the hostess who opened the door for us. This was a nice touch. There were people dining at the bar as well as tables. A special birthday event was going on upstairs. I had a wedge salad which was quite large and extremely delicious. The lettuce was very fresh, had yellow, and orange grape tomatoes, bacon, carrot strips and dressing. Very yummy! We ordered the Chef Bistro Tacos which came with three different sauces. All three sauces were flavorful. They have a diverse selection of dishes. We will dine her again.
David T.
Jul 25, 2016
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Had a great Saturday morning experience here the other day. Very classy décor (white table cloth), prompt service, excellent drinks and superb food all at a very reasonable cost. For drinks I got a mojito and my friend got a bloody mary. She originally tried ordering a Moscow mule but they were out of ginger. The manager came over later and apologized for not having it (we hadn't complained or anything so this was a very nice and unexpected gesture) and provided us a complimentary Mexican dessert later (it was awesome). The bloody mary was ok, but I thought it needed more alcohol and
Marisa O.
Nov 05, 2015
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The most impressive feature about this place is the bartender, Daniel. That's saying a lot, because everything about this place is impressive. I've had several items on the menu, and the steak frites is my resolved favorite. But seriously, whatever you order is going to be amazing.
My fiancé and I try to frequent on Wednesdays, because the margaritas are half off. All the margaritas are good, but the jalapeño and green prickly pear are my favorite. If tequila isn't your thing, Daniel--the bartender--can mix up any cocktail legit style.
The poblano soup is also a must have; the
My fiancé and I try to frequent on Wednesdays, because the margaritas are half off. All the margaritas are good, but the jalapeño and green prickly pear are my favorite. If tequila isn't your thing, Daniel--the bartender--can mix up any cocktail legit style.
The poblano soup is also a must have; the
