L & J Cafe

L & J Café – A Must-Visit in El Paso If you're ever in El Paso and craving true, authentic Mexican food, L & J Café is an absolute must. You know you're in for something special when the place is packed with locals – and that’s exactly what I walked into. The menu has a wide variety of choices, including solid vegetarian options, which is a nice bonus. I went with the beef enchiladas, and let me tell you, the red sauce was phenomenal. Rich, flavorful, and full of that homemade taste you can’t fake. My son had the steak burrito smothered in queso – this thing was massive, and he devoured every bite like it was his last meal. That burrito alone is worth the trip. The service? Top notch. Friendly, fast, and genuinely welcoming. Now, a heads-up: they don’t have a full liquor license, so no hard alcohol, but they do serve beer and wine. And the strawberry wine margaritas? Surprisingly delicious – refreshing with just the right amount of sweetness. Bottom line: If you're in El Paso and you don’t hit up L & J Café, you're missing out. This spot is the real deal.

This is truly one of THE BEST Mexican restaurants!! The wait was less than 20 minutes on a Sunday! Our server Tony was GREAT!! He answered all of our questions and gave us time to decide without rushing us. You could tell the team enjoyed working together and one of the managers checked on us also!!!! Super friendly and down to earth!! My apologies for not remembering her name! The food was flavorful, hot and didn’t take long to get our order to the table!!! That shows a well organized chef and staff!!! Thank you and I’ll be back!!

Y'all 😭 this place was so good, I could cry. Not a thing could've been better. The salsas were spicy and each unique. My husband's eyes were rolling in pleasure with every bite. He did a ranchera steak burrito with their queso over it. I got their Mexican sampler and didn't regret it! Taco salad also looked lovely.

A must-visit if you enjoy real Mexican food. If there is a little wait, just hang out for a bit because it's worth it! The green chili enchiladas were amazing. Get them at a minimum.

The wife and our two children met a group of friends here who recommended it to us. We were very pleased with the quality of food,the service, and the atmosphere of the establishment. I would definitely recommend that you stop by here at least once as it is truly a wonderful place to eat. We will go here again. Love the portions of food.

We just arrived in El Paso for vacation and made the mistake of making this the first stop on trip. Now we are spoiled! I don’t think any place is going to compare. The food was to die for. You just can’t this type of food in Florida. I highly recommend the green chile chicken enchiladas. The portions are huge too, so we took a lot of it to go. Great food and wonderful, friendly service.

L & J Cafe is an absolute gem! The food was incredibly delicious, bursting with authentic flavors that left me wanting more with every bite. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, making me feel right at home. What truly stood out was the extraordinary service. My server was attentive without being intrusive, and I never once had to ask for a refill – they were always one step ahead. It was a truly delightful dining experience, and I can't wait to go back!

Great service fast and friendly. Chips and salsas were fresh and tasty. Green chile enchiladas were also good. The only real miss was the picadillo burrito - way too salty. I saw an earlier review that had warned of similar but thought nah I’ll give it a go. They were right though, in my opinion. If you could get beyond the salt it was fine otherwise but definitely took the enjoyment down a bit.

Food is unbelievably good!!!! Service is outstanding as well. Make sure you get the Chile con queso to start.

My cousin and I were searching for quality local eats at an affordable price point and he came across L & J Cafe. At any Mexican restaurant my go-to is a wet burrito, but the specialty was so clearly the chile verde here that it was not hard to stray from the usual plan. I needed to get to the airport after the meal so we planned on placing a takeout order. We were about to submit an order on their website but received an error message upon checkout. We then gave them a call, found out the online ordering was down, but managed to place our order easily enough over the phone. We were quoted a wait time of half an hour but I'm certain that we arrived closer to the 20 minute mark. Checked in at the front desk, paid, and were handed our order neatly bagged up immediately. We decided to drive a bit closer to the airport just to be safe before opening the bag and chowing down. I've been a fan of potato taquitos since having them for the first time during happy hour at a Mexican restaurant in San Diego, so I was very excited to see them on the menu here. I'm not a vegetarian whatsoever but I'd quickly order these again. The shells were perfectly crispy, not greasy at all, and the potato filling was soft and warm. I love the balance that comes with consuming them covered in lettuce and tomato, plus the cheese, sour cream, and guacamole just took it to the next level. Normally you wouldn't think of taquitos as healthy, but after eating two of these I certainly didn't feel heavy. My cousin got the chile verde con carne plate. The rice, beans, and chile verde soup came neatly packed in separate containers. I had a taste of the chile verde and thought it was delicious, he'd eaten the whole container in the short time that we had so I have no qualms recommending this menu item. I had to leave two taquitos behind to catch my flight, but they definitely didn't go to waste since my cousin reported enjoying them later. I'm glad we decided to order from this spot instead of eating at Cracker Barrel!

Had to get some Mexican food before heading to the airport. Stopped by L&J for their steak burrito, ordered to-go at the front counter and waited about 15 min. The restaurant was bigger than I thought on the inside. I ate my burrito in the car at a nearby park and it was so delicious. Seemingly so simple..steak, some bell pepper and onions, and cheese sauce on the side for dipping but it was mouth watering good! That burrito was a highlight of my trip.

My mom dropped by for an event this week. We started off with am EP classic. She stuck with her chicken mole, but Liz and I had their green chile chicken enchilada. I wish there rice was a bit fresher, it seemed overdone. The refried beans were good, and the chicken enchiladas were very good. The amount of chile and cheese atop the enchiladas were healthy. I also ordered a small menudo cup for a starter. It was full of hominy and chitlins...it's just today that they put a lot into their menudo. The broth was warm, and could have been piping hot. Alyssa was a very nice server. If we needed something we got it. She and her team got our food out to us quickly. The manager came out to check that everything was okay...it wasn't needed, but was very much appreciated. Staple in EP, it's consistent, and the food is pretty good too. They have so papillas, so it'll be good to come back for those next time.

Food wow wow! Everything we ordered just amazing. You need to come taste for yourself. Service was perfect, wait was not that long. Staff were inviting and kind.

What a fantastic restaurant, but be warned. It's street parking and you might have a bit of a walk. We came in at 4 and the place was packed, and loud. Our wait time was 20 minutes but well worth it cuz the food was amazing. There was lots of it and it tasted like it came out of our kitchen (if we could cook Mexican food very well). We loved it. We shared the Mexican combination plate and hubby got some mini flautas. So so good. And the sopapillas were the best ending ever to a great meal. Our server Jazmine was professional and gave some recommendations that were spot on. We will most definitely be back, maybe even again on this trip!

Ray was our server and he was amazing. He took care of us and made great food recommendations. The green chili enchiladas were amazing. Get the egg on top sunny side up! The atmosphere is casual. The margaritas are wine based here they do not use tequila.

Oh yeah, this place is amazing! Love the ambience! And so close to the airport. I had to come and get their Chile con Queso, which was addicting. Can't go wrong with any item son their menu. I went with the fajitas and Chile Con Queso Steak and it was absolute delicious. Everything I had was spot on. The service here are friendly and welcoming. Would definitely come back!

I was here once before, maybe 10-12 years ago, and I remembered it being very good. That may sound like a long time, but this place has been here for 90+ years, so it's really not that long at all. Well, my recollection served me well, the food, service, and ambience were all great. We had a variety of items, all were good. I actually ordered the Mexican Combination plate. The standout item for me was the chile verde. The taco and the enchilada were also very tasty, but that pork was the bomb! I love the memorabilia, old photos, and general decor that just adds to the charm of this old place. Prices are on point and portions are good sized. I plan to return, I would highly recommend a visit if you've never been there!

Massive portions. The we got the chicken Colorado verde enchiladas and the Mexican combination. Both were great! Super cheesy. Busy with lots of indoor seating even on a Monday at lunch. Friendly service.

The food is excellent. I've tried a few different dishes and the food is consistently delicious. Everything seems fresh and of good quality. The red and green chili sauces are great and the meats are tender and juicy. The rice and beans are cooked perfectly and the chips and salsas are fresh and delicious. Everything is served hot and full of flavor. The restaurant looked clean, the employees were friendly and provided excellent customer service - the General Manager Sergio, personally checked on our table. The restaurant is usually crowded, regardless of the day or time. The staff is professional, fast, efficient and seat you in a reasonable amount of time. The location is close to the freeway and parking is easy.

Brought a big group that was in town for a reunion. The Mexican Combination plate is literally El Paso on a plate. Generous portions, good luck finishing! The limeade is sooo good, and of course you have to get the green chile queso. Hard to stop eating the chips and salsa. They got our party of 15 in after only about a 30 min wait, during lunch rush too!

Wow what a gem! Came to this place while passing though El Paso and it was so delicious. Starting from the super authentic chips and dip the meal only went up. I got the fajita salad and it was so delicious. The tortilla bowl was too oily in my opinion but the veggies were well made and seasoned. It was super filling too.

To be honest, I have been nervous about leaving a review for this place, even almost two months after my April 2024 visit. It is the number one place for Mexican food in El Paso - and that alone says everything. The service, the food, the atmosphere - pure El Chuco (if you know, you know). The chips and salsa before the meal even begins? Perfection. Legendary Green Chile Con Queso - appropriately named. It is glorious. If you get enchiladas here - get them Christmas-style. Half red salsa and half green chile sauce - incredible. The flautas were also on point. All of it. Even sopapillas, which I normally don't order - stupendous. We have rarely had service or food this good in such a casual, unique setting. Thank you, L&J Cafe, for your many years of service to El Paso.

Underwhelming. This place is basic at best when it comes to Mexican food. What stands out? First time I have had to cut my Huevos Rancheros with a knife. Service wise, first time Shrimp and Baked Potato was the breakfast special. Odd ambiance at that. I will give them props for reasonable pricing, then again egg tortilla and beans are as simple as it gets.

Omg awesome food here! Ruined every other Mexican restaurant for us! Everything was great- had a steak burrito smothered with queso and the signature chicken and chile enchiladas. Pure deliciousness, will come back to El Paso just to eat here!

This place has been around since the 1920s. It used to be called Tony's place. They opened up illegally during prohibition era and after in the 1930s opened it as an actual restaurant. It has been in the family now for 4 generations. Seems like this is a staple in El Paso. I am giving it a 4 because they don't have many drinks in terms of alcohol and no dessert either. The food is okay but not mind blowing. Their service however is amazing, hands down 10/10. Our server was great.

oh my! it may be a blessing that I did not eat here my first night in El Paso because everything else would've been a disappointment! L & J was sooooo delicious. I was torn between the Fajita salad or the Steak Ranchera. My server recommended the Steak Ranchera (before I said my options) so I went with it + wow. Great portion size as well, I took it home and had it for breakfast. it was even better the next day. this will be my first stop whenever I'm back in EP!

Honestly we were just passing through El Paso on our way between Carlsbad and White Sands, and we really just stopped at whatever restaurant had the highest rating. L & J Cafe really lived up to the hype. The food was great, the wait wasn't super long despite how packed the restaurant was, and the restaurant was pretty lively. Parking was impossible, we lucked out because we had a disabled placard.

I very rarely rate a restaurant 1 star but this was by far one of my most disappointing restaurant experiences. Being a high rated Mexican restaurant in El Paso, I had high expectations of quality Mexican food. There was a wait when my wife and I arrived but we were told it would only be 25 minutes. We were skeptical about the time but we decided to go with it. We were right to be skeptical as our wait turned into over an hour. This was a little frustrating, but it happens from time to time with busy restaurants and we weren't in a rush. Unfortunately, the food was some of the worst Mexican food we have ever had. I tried the restaurant's signature Green Chile and Chicken Enchiladas. The whole dish was bland. Watery chicken, mushy chiles, and soggy tortillas. There were literally no flavors! Just embarrassing for the restaurant's signature dish. My wife's Flautas were no better as the chicken was bone dry. Save yourself the time and money and skip this restaurant; there must be better Mexican food options in El Paso.

One of the best Mexican restaurants I have tried. I tried the red beer here and absolutely loved it. The meal started with chips served with pico de gallo, which were delicious. I ordered the Impossible meat tacos, which were served with beans and Spanish Rice - a fantastic choice for anyone looking for a great vegetarian option. Definitely a place to go if you are in the El Paso area. You don't need a reservation, but it's good to call ahead if you're planning to go on a weekend. Tanya my server was amazing Highly recommend!

A classic old school look and value. Great place for great food. The Mexican Sampler is outstanding value with great taste. Big shout out for service. Our waitress was superb. Food came out quick and hot.

After a small wait we were seated and promptly welcomed with a small bowl of freshly fried , hot and crisp tortilla chips accompanied by 2 different salsas one red and one green ; my favorite was the red . These salsas are puréed, which I didn't mind . I got a lemonade and they make it in house it was delicious and not to sugary . I chose the Caldillo which in my mind is more of a traditional chili verde then it was a caldillo but regardless of the name it was absolutly delicious . Flavorful soft meat married well with juicy strips of green chile and potatoes and a rich broth . They serve it with Spanish rice , refried beans and a warm tortilla . The menu is fast and even has quite a few Vegan options ! Looking forward to visiting again !

So, my latina friend who was born and raised in El Paso suggested i have a meal at L&J Cafe. This is definitely a place where locals go, and quite tasty. The staff was friendly, the food delivered quickly. a the atmosphere is where friends meet friends to eat. I was probably one of the few gringos here. i'll go eat time in in town.

Absolutely excellent food at good prices! I had green chile chicken cheese enchiladas, which were superb! Some of the best enchiladas I've ever had! The cafe was very busy when we were there -- about 1 pm on a Friday -- but the service was efficient and the staff were friendly. Love this place -- I'll be back!

Awesome menudo Coffee is delicious Machaca plate was very tasty‼ Salsas are spicy and tasty The classic cafe ambiance was nice too. Service was excellent‼ Thanks to Jackie for the great service and recommendations. A must visit if you're in El Paso

We always look forward to eating here when we visit El Paso. Always amazing food and friendly staff. Usually a wait to get in but worth it.

Was looking for where to eat during our overnight stay in El Paso. Found a Reddit thread with suggestions, and L&J was not only mentioned several times, but also a short drive from our hotel, so it was kismet. (Don't argue-it was!) We're Angelenos, so not strangers to Mexican food. But we find much of it really ...Americanized? Blanded up? Lacking any sense of authenticity? Not the case here... sure, you've got all the classics you know, but you can taste an attention to detail, which I would like to think is because they are staying true to the recipes used when the place started several generations ago. It's not over-salted and the rice doesn't lean on oil/fats for flavor. And there are two house made salsas that are amazing! (I believe we were told everything is house made.) We asked Leo (our waiter) for his recommendation, and he suggested the green chicken enchiladas (half and half) and the combination plate. Did not disappoint! Leo was attentive, offering refills even before we were empty, and checked on us several times- even though his section was hoppin'. I could see he was just as attentive to his other tables, including a large group that changed their minds about seating and a kid's chair . Leo and the team took it in stride, and it was amazing to watch the teamwork amid the steady stream of food being brought to tables. A lady (who looked manager-like) checked on us as well - which was a nice touch.

Great food and service. Affordable. We did not wait long for our food. The Lone Star was cheap and cold.

This place is an icon. We were passing through on our way home from seeing the eclipse and stopped in. I had the Chile Relleno plate and my husband had a beans and rice burrito and added green chilies. The food came out really fast and was delicious. It has a nice ambiance and the servers were on top of everything. The prices are reasonable as well. I definitely recommend eating here.

Let's start with the positives: Friendly service Reasonably priced Clean I was disappointed with the taste of the food. I got a taco platter w/steak, chicken, ground beef. The only one of the three that was 3 stars or better was the steak. I do think I may have just gotten the wrong dish and will give this place another try next time I'm in El Paso and I will update my review accordingly.

Even though it was very busy, we were seated and served quickly. It's packed and noisy, but not too loud. Chips and salsa were waiting at the table. Those chips were some of the best I have ever had. Weird thing to write about, but dang! I could have just eaten those. I had the Mexican Plater which was a decent sampling of all they offer. The Caldo stole the show with the Chile Reno coming as a close second. The enchilada was not bad, but nothing special. I could have done without the soggy taco. Overall not a bad place to try some Texmex.

Best chicken tortilla soup (arguably) in the world. I ordered a cup and should have ordered 5 bowls. First time in El Paso, first time at L&J and will absolutely come back (maybe just for L&J). Phenomenal salsas, great service and delicious food. If you ever make it to El Paso put this in your list!

Wow this a very authentic and very old Mexican restaurant. The menu story says it started in 1927! The service is very good and it just a nice feeling Mexican restaurant! I had the Green Chile Enchiladas with Chicken. Very good but next time I think I will just get a cheese enchilada

I don't know much about El Paso - it's always been a drive through city for me but there is one thing I do know...L&J is the frigging Mex bomb! I'm always a little gun shy over super popular restaurants like L&J - they tend to never match my expectations. Honestly, L&J exceeded my expectations. Oh, those chips! I could have just eaten the chips and been happy. (The green and red salsa is a tad hot so be careful dear Gringo.) My three taco dinner was near perfect. The potato and beef was perfectly matched to the beans and rice. I was very pleasantly surprised. My spouse had green chili chicken enchiladas and she loved them. Our waiter was excellent and the service was fast enough. A must do when in El Paso!

I don't think I had a bad meal at all while traveling around the west Texas area. L&J Cafe was the first stop after landing into the El Paso International Airport as my partner and I were spending a long weekend in the area. L&J Cafe was a great way to welcome us to El Paso. We heard about L&J Cafe from vloggers that we follow who swore by this place and they were right. The second oldest restaurant in Texas did not disappoint. We were pleasantly happy with the food and service. Since we came here on a Friday, the special was half off all bottles of wine, which we had to get. What a steal! My partner and I shared a bottle of a Spanish red wine with our complimentary chips and salsa before our entrees came. My partner ordered the chile verde con carne plate while I had the queso con sirloin plate. Both of our plates were delicious. Every time I'm in Texas I have to have queso and my plate with a sirloin topped with queso was delectable! The sirloin was very tender and I loved the queso smothered on top, adding that oomph. The cheese was the real thing. We also liked that our plates came with housemade corn tortillas, completing our meals. Our server was so friendly and checked in with us throughout the entire time. The restaurant itself is in a cool setting as it's in an old adobe style house by a graveyard. Yes, you read right. But that just makes it all the more quirky. You can also see the wall of photos of all the famous peeps who've dined here. L&J Cafe is an El Paso staple, so you'd be silly not to eat here if you're in town. Great beginning to a fun weekend getaway!

Where do I start? With the food? The ambiance? The service? I will start with the ambiance. I had a weekend date and we sat at the bar. It was still private but lively and enjoyable. I ordered the chicken mole platter and my date ordered enchiladas. Both were phenomenal! The bartender was very skilled in making great tasting cocktails and the service was on point. If you have not been here yet, you need to check it out.

Great Mexican food. Service was excellent staff are very nice. Establishment is very clean welcoming atmosphere

We came at 5:30 on a Friday night and were told it'd be a 45 min wait but were seated within 20 min! We ordered the Mexican combination plate and the tampiquena sirloin and everything was amazing. The guacamole and rice and beans were delicious. I understand how this place got all of the great reviews and awards they have all over their walls!

Our first stop during our Spring Break family trip was L&Js. The place was packed and I can tell why. The food was delicious. I still think about my tortilla soup. The flavor was incredible, the spicy kick was just right. Yummm!! 10/10 recommend.

This place is legit! A Mexican restaurant tucked away off the main roads with loads of cars parked outside. The interior is decorated authentically, with the bonus of framed pictures of famous people who have visited this restaurant. Each table is served with chips and 2 types of salsa. Everyone at our table agreed that the green salsa was more flavorful (and less spicy) than the red salsa. I'm a little embarrassed to admit we enjoyed this so much we got 3 servings of chips! We ordered a number of dishes and shared them family style. Of the many things we tried, the kids favored the flautas, I favored the enchiladas, and my husband favored the burrito. But they were all delicious! All of us agreed this place is 5 out of 5 stars!

Everything I miss about El Paso Food is summed up in this restaurant's menu. It's such an iconic El Paso staple and one of my favorite places to eat when I'm here visiting family . The enchiladas are amazing but I love the tacos deshebrada and potato flautas , yeah you heard me rite potato flautas . My grandma made me those all the time growing up in east El Paso and man these are as close as it gets . I highly recommend emerging yourself in El Paso culture when your here and L&J's is a must try on your next visit. If your a local then you already know ... Parking is sometimes challenging and it's always packed so prepare yourself and come earlier than you intent to eat .

Everything from the customer service/ seating to the serving of the food was great . So great at lunch we decided to go back for dinner , when we could really enjoy the experience without a time restriction.

Are you afraid to eat by a cemetery? Well if you aren't, come on down and try this place!! Authentic Mexican food and very friendly staff. Walked in around 6ish on a weekday and was able to be seated right away. There were a good amount of people but they still had room, thankfully. Now this place isn't a place for someone that is looking for a bunch of vegetarian options, this is not your place. They do have a bunch of cheese options and their cheese enchiladas with mole on them are delicious! The Chile con queso was amazing as well, but boy oh boy was your girl eating a ton of cheese lol. For my meat eaters, you have a huge array of options which is customary of Mexican cuisine. Oh and the chips are amazing!! They offer red and green sauce. The red sauce has a kick to it but I love it. I was a bit sad to hear they only do wine and beer. I think they would do great making certain alcoholic drinks to go with your meal. Now their homemade lemonade is delicious!! Caution it is sweet, but delicious. I would recommend they look at updating the decor a little but either way, it's about the food and service! All in all, amazing place to get some Mexican cuisine!

Decent food for good prices. The portions were huge and way bigger than we expected. The guacamole wasn't very flavorful though. It just tasted like mash avocado. I got the steak tacos and didn't expect the plate to be so big. The steak was well seasoned and very tender. My friend got the Mexican combination plate and it was a great way to try a little bit of everything. Our server was super nice too.

What a cute "hole in the wall" with not only excellent food but an excellent atmosphere. I had the Caldo de Res at 8pm and it was super fresh and tasty!

I bring all my friends from out of town here. Great place to eat. Beautiful bartenders. They are truly fast, friendly and helpful in deciding what to order. Beautiful view.

The food and service were phenomenal, I will definitely go back and try more items on the menu. Great atmosphere for friends and family to gather for a wonderful meal. When I'm traveling, I love finding places like this, so authentic and such an inviting atmosphere. Take the time to check this place out when you are out west in El Paso, you will be glad you did!

One hundred percent best of the best. Good is great decor is nice and service is perfect. We stop through El Paso just to eat here. Any thing with green chile con queso is insane and we always enjoy the enchiladas and the combo plate. Never had a bad bite here. It does get busy at times so be prepared to wait. Just grab a very reasonably priced marg at the bar and chill. With these prices L&J might be the best food deal in Texas.