Struggling to find a place to take a date on this Valentine’s Day? UTEP students shared where their go-to spots are. From restaurants to horse-back riding, there are plenty of different options that accomplish having a fun time with a significant other. 

Getting food from a nearby fast-food chain is an inexpensive way to get into the Valentine’s Day mood. Many fast-food chains are celebrating Feb. 14, with ‘loving’ deals and heart-themed food items. For example, Krispy Kreme is offering four on theme flavors, complimented by “dough-notes” that give sweet messages. Another fast-food chain celebrating the holiday is Chick-fil-A, that is selling heart-shaped trays filled with cookies, nuggets or Chick-n-Mini’s. 

Biomedical science major, Estephanie Reza, enjoys grabbing Chick-Fil-A with her boyfriend and spending time together in front of a park. 

“I really like Chick-fil-A, but we usually eat it in his car (in front of a park),” Reza said. “We just watch a show, we are in our own personal bubble.”  

However, if couples are looking to try something new, El Paso provides a variety of options. In El Paso, there are different restaurants that serve African, Filipino and Jamaican food. For information systems and business analytics major, Emily Sanchez and her boyfriend, eating at these places is a common tradition for them. 

“Definitely I feel like we are into non-American food,” Sanchez said. “We really like this place called India Hut. We also are into ramen and pho, just (cuisine) foods.” 

Regardless of what is on the plate, restaurant dates provide a comfortable environment to have a conversation with a partner, which is Sanchez’s favorite aspect of having sit-down meals.  

“It’s a nice date because we can sit down and talk face to face about our days,” Sanchez said. “Just (having) a conversation together when we are not on our computers studying for classes and doing our homework.”  

Venturing a little outside of El Paso, couples can find unique activities to do.  Computer science major Tyler Silverman, used to go with his girlfriend to Anthony, Texas for horseback rides.  

“There is a couple of therapeutic riding places out in Anthony,” Silverman said. “It’s honestly really nice, they have a big pasture and it’s all green. It was really nice for us to go on trial rides, just the two of us that way we can get to talk.” 

No matter how near or far these places are, what makes a date special is the sentimentality behind it. 

“One of the coolest places we went (to) on our two-year anniversary, is the Melting Pot that is over in The Fountains (at Farah),” Silverman said. “For me it was special because it was our two-year anniversary, and it was something that we had both been talking about for like months.” 

Date hotspots are all around the city. Doing something traditional to many El Paso couples, like going to The Fountains at Farah to shop, or finding a ‘hole in the wall’ thrift store, makes for a memorable experience. As Valentine’s Day is around the corner, El Paso is sure to have love in the air in many of these places.  

Sofia Sierra is a staff reporter and may be reached at [email protected]