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Popular YouTuber Peter Santenello documented a recent stop in El Paso, showcasing the Sun City’s iconic architecture and authentic Mexican food.
Santenello has more than four million subscribers on his YouTube channel, which produces travel videos from across the globe. The El Paso episode, titled “This Border City Isn’t What You Think (El Paso) is,” has been viewed more than 730,000 times since it was uploaded Dec. 13.
The visit begins with Santenello listening to Mexican pop rock band Maná while driving to the Paso Del Norte bridge. He then begins to travel on foot, reads a historical plaque at Sacred Heart Church and addresses El Paso’s reputation as one of the safest cities in America.
“When you look up El Paso in safety online the first thing that comes up its one of the safest big cities,” he said. “I can say it feels quite nice…. doesn’t feel edgy at all.”
While venturing through downtown, Santenello captures the majestic architecture in the heart of the city, including an “Art Deco beauty” (O. T. Bassett Tower). He also gives viewers an inside look into the Scottish Rite and takes a stroll through Sunset Heights, where he speaks to a local who is renovating a historic home.
Santenello then heads to UTEP and is visibly stunned by the campus’ Bhutanese architecture and Sun Bowl Stadium.
“Such a fascinating sliver of America here with all these cultures coming together influencing one another,” Santenello said. “You feel a lot of warmth here, in these heavily Mexican-influenced cities like El Paso or Albuquerque. There’s a nice, festive warmth to these cities.”
Santenello concludes his journey with an authentic Mexican meal at Tacos El Tapatio off Fort Boulevard, where he enjoys a plate of chicken enchiladas.
Watch the full episode below:
Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on X, natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma on Facebook.