Chope’s Owner Dies at 98

Lupe Benavides, owner of the legendary Chope's restaurant located in La Mesa, passed away Monday at the age of 98.

Family members told the Las Cruces Sun - News that:

Benavides had lived in relative health up until the past year, when Parkinson's disease began taking a toll. She suffered a heart attack last week and had congestive heart failure.

Chope's has been a local landmark, and one of the BEST places to eat or grab a beer in the area, since 1915 when Longina Benavides began selling enchiladas out of her dining room. She named the restaurant after her son José who was nicknamed "Chope" because he always wore "chopos". (overalls)

The popular bar and grill has been praised by countless food and travel sites and, last March, was added to the New Mexico Register Of Cultural Properties.