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The L & J Cafe is a uniquely flavorful link between El Paso’s past and present. Originally known as “Tony’s Place”, the restaurant opened on the outskirts of El Paso in 1927, providing home cooking, home brew and slot machines through Prohibition. Later renamed the “L & J Cafe,” a fourth generation now continues the family tradition. Delicious food and drink, excellent service and a historic central location make the L & J Cafe an enduring favorite among locals and lucky travelers alike.
A local landmark dating back to 1927, this family-run eatery serves regional Mexican dishes & beers.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 3622 E Missouri Ave, El Paso, TX 79903
Phone: (915) 566-8418
Website: http://ljcafe.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: spotapps.co
Order: Order online
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Related Web Results
L & J Cafe – Central, El Paso, TX
Delicious food and drink, excellent service and a historic central location make the L & J Cafe an enduring favorite among locals and lucky travelers alike.
L&J Cafe
RESTAURANT HOURS. L & J Cafe 3622 E. Missouri Ave., El Paso, TX 79903 915-566-8418. Monday — Friday. 10:00 am — 8:00 pm. Saturday. 9:00 am – 8:00 pm. Sunday. 9: …
L & J Cafe | El Paso TX – Facebook
Today’s special is combination flautas (beef & chicken) with rice, beans, sour cream, guacamole, sopa de coditos, and choice of tea or soda for $12.99 plus tax.
Reviews
Zac Estep
Best Mexican food I’ve ever had!
The queso is an absolute must! I told the waiter to bring me anything and he brought me chicken enchiladas with queso and a fried egg.
The chips are good and the green salsa was my favorite.
The service here is fantastic. The food is to die for. Don’t hesitate. This place is a must!
Highly recommended!
… moreThe queso is an absolute must! I told the waiter to bring me anything and he brought me chicken enchiladas with queso and a fried egg.
The chips are good and the green salsa was my favorite.
The service here is fantastic. The food is to die for. Don’t hesitate. This place is a must!
Highly recommended!
Fabio Bollinger
What an adventure! We went in expecting good Mexican food based on a recommendation from a local. Not only was the food excellent, the entire experience from end to end was a BLAST. You walk in and immediately feel the atmosphere from the bar area, playing loud music, full of laughter, with servers hustling around. Then, you’re greeted with smiling confident hosts that make you feel welcome.
When we were seated, our server was a CHAMP – a young man who seemed to love his job, knew how to riff and joke around, but more than anything he was passionate about the menu. We were asking tons of questions and he only got more and more excited to tell us the answers. We ended up ordering 2 entrees each because he made everything seem so good.
The food came out shockingly fast, and was of the highest quality. Massive portions, fresh tasting ingredients, not at all greasy or heavy, and the red salsa was HOT. Our server joked that our table would have been perfect in a magazine photo shoot because of the variety of dishes. For the price – despite ordering 2 entrees each, the bill was still less than I would expect for a single meal at any other restaurant of this quality (but, I’m from out of town, so not sure what usual prices are in El Paso)
As the restaurant approached closing, I noticed how much fun the staff were having with each other. If they bumped into each other, they’d pretend to be mad, then start howling laughter. Any time staff were in the background of my photos, they’d strike a pose. They encouraged us to explore the many different rooms, and were certainly proud of their history.
What a gem of a place. I’d come back to El Paso just to eat at L & J again
… moreWhen we were seated, our server was a CHAMP – a young man who seemed to love his job, knew how to riff and joke around, but more than anything he was passionate about the menu. We were asking tons of questions and he only got more and more excited to tell us the answers. We ended up ordering 2 entrees each because he made everything seem so good.
The food came out shockingly fast, and was of the highest quality. Massive portions, fresh tasting ingredients, not at all greasy or heavy, and the red salsa was HOT. Our server joked that our table would have been perfect in a magazine photo shoot because of the variety of dishes. For the price – despite ordering 2 entrees each, the bill was still less than I would expect for a single meal at any other restaurant of this quality (but, I’m from out of town, so not sure what usual prices are in El Paso)
As the restaurant approached closing, I noticed how much fun the staff were having with each other. If they bumped into each other, they’d pretend to be mad, then start howling laughter. Any time staff were in the background of my photos, they’d strike a pose. They encouraged us to explore the many different rooms, and were certainly proud of their history.
What a gem of a place. I’d come back to El Paso just to eat at L & J again
Clay J
Easy 5 stars. Must go when visiting El Paso. We all loved our meal and it was worth the wait (was there at 5pm on a Saturday and had to wait over 20 mins). Get the guac to start and for sure a margarita. I wasn’t sure what to get so I took the waitress’ recommendation and she was right – the green chile chicken was great.
… moreBrian Goettl
On our 2nd week long trip to El Paso, we went to L&J Cafe for an early lunch. I would have to rate it as my favorite restaurant experience of the two trips. As a Kentuckian, L&J Cafe seems to be an authentic El Paso mexican food experience. You get fresh made corn tortilla chips with three different salsas when you sit down. The 3 heat levels for the salsas satisfy different palates. We also ordered chilli con queso as an appetizer which was nothing but cheesy goodness. The lunch special the day we visited consisted of a chicken, a shredded beef and a ground beef taco. The shells were perfectly crisped and the fillings were delicious. The tacos came with rice and beans and a chicken/rice/veggie cup of soup was part of the special.. Campbell’s can only wish their soups were this good. We finished with the moist, light Tres Leches cake that did not disappoint, along with some sopaipilla. Oh, and as an ice tea aficionado, I can rate theirs an A. Finally, our waiter Fabian did a fabulous job. If you are in the area, give L&J Cafe a try. I think you will enjoy the food and the experience.
… moreGavin
What a vibe. The atmosphere is so dope here – you can either hang out at the bar or have a nice family meal. It’s hard to cultivate a duel atmosphere like that.
The food for the most part was fantastic. Wasn’t a huge fan of some of the meal, but I’m admittedly not privy to authentic Mexican. The Mexican plate is my recommendation.
The staff and server Andre were friendly and fun.
… moreThe food for the most part was fantastic. Wasn’t a huge fan of some of the meal, but I’m admittedly not privy to authentic Mexican. The Mexican plate is my recommendation.
The staff and server Andre were friendly and fun.
T Clark
Visited with my brother a few days before Christmas.
This place was suggested by the Through My Lens guys on YouTube and the green chile enchiladas were highly recommended so we both decided to try those.
Location is near the highway and it’s the only Mexican restaurant across from a cemetery so you can’t mistake it. They don’t close for lunch so that’s great. There was a really helpful guy in the street helping to direct parking.
They were busy but we were immediately seated. Clean bathrooms, yummy smells, and the place and staff were all decked out in Christmas-y accessories.
Lots of big family dinners– felt kind of like going to someone’s home? Not ours but still very friendly and welcoming to outsiders. Our server was on top of everything and made sure that I understood which of the items had chicken broth, etc. (FYI- the green chili enchiladas are made with chicken broth and so are some of the salsas and of course the refried beans).
They have a very extensive vegetarian section on the menu which was awesome. Our food came pretty quickly and the portions were huge.
Everything was delicious– I wished I hadn’t eaten so much junk food in the road trip because there was no way to finish eating the whole thing. I swapped the refried beans for plain, had iced tea, my brother had a soda and ordered the appetizer with queso, tomatillo & red salsas, and our two entrees which included a side of rice and our total was less than $50. In 2025, I consider that to be a great value.
Excellent service, warm & welcoming atmosphere, and great food. I would love to revisit on a return trip to El Paso 🙂
*if you make this a date night, it’s only a short drive over from the Scenic Overlook of the city, which was also pretty.
… moreThis place was suggested by the Through My Lens guys on YouTube and the green chile enchiladas were highly recommended so we both decided to try those.
Location is near the highway and it’s the only Mexican restaurant across from a cemetery so you can’t mistake it. They don’t close for lunch so that’s great. There was a really helpful guy in the street helping to direct parking.
They were busy but we were immediately seated. Clean bathrooms, yummy smells, and the place and staff were all decked out in Christmas-y accessories.
Lots of big family dinners– felt kind of like going to someone’s home? Not ours but still very friendly and welcoming to outsiders. Our server was on top of everything and made sure that I understood which of the items had chicken broth, etc. (FYI- the green chili enchiladas are made with chicken broth and so are some of the salsas and of course the refried beans).
They have a very extensive vegetarian section on the menu which was awesome. Our food came pretty quickly and the portions were huge.
Everything was delicious– I wished I hadn’t eaten so much junk food in the road trip because there was no way to finish eating the whole thing. I swapped the refried beans for plain, had iced tea, my brother had a soda and ordered the appetizer with queso, tomatillo & red salsas, and our two entrees which included a side of rice and our total was less than $50. In 2025, I consider that to be a great value.
Excellent service, warm & welcoming atmosphere, and great food. I would love to revisit on a return trip to El Paso 🙂
*if you make this a date night, it’s only a short drive over from the Scenic Overlook of the city, which was also pretty.
R.J. Barron
New to El Paso and have been hearing nothing but good things about L&J. The rumors are true! Fantastic experience! Food was awesome and our waiter, Cesar, was great. Gave us the history of the restaurant and recommendations for lunch. We will definitely be going back!
… morePaul Franklin
Excellent El Paso staple. We always bring out of town visitors here for the excellent food, good service and historic atmosphere. You cannot go wrong with any other combination plates. Go early as this place gets extremely packed with long waits.
… moreLilly Bueche
A true El Paso gem!
We had dinner at L&J’s Restaurant, and it was absolutely amazing from start to finish. The chile rellenos were perfectly cooked — soft and flavorful inside, with just the right amount of heat. The chicken mole was incredible — the chicken was so tender it practically fell apart, and the mole sauce was rich, deep, and perfectly balanced with a touch of sweetness.
The atmosphere is just as special as the food. The historic vibe of the place, paired with its unique location right next to the old Concordia Cemetery, gives it a charm you can’t find anywhere else. You really feel like you’re experiencing a piece of El Paso history while enjoying some of the best Mexican food in town.
If you’re visiting El Paso or even if you’ve lived here all your life, L&J’s is a must! Great service, amazing food, and a one-of-a-kind setting — it doesn’t get better than this.
… moreWe had dinner at L&J’s Restaurant, and it was absolutely amazing from start to finish. The chile rellenos were perfectly cooked — soft and flavorful inside, with just the right amount of heat. The chicken mole was incredible — the chicken was so tender it practically fell apart, and the mole sauce was rich, deep, and perfectly balanced with a touch of sweetness.
The atmosphere is just as special as the food. The historic vibe of the place, paired with its unique location right next to the old Concordia Cemetery, gives it a charm you can’t find anywhere else. You really feel like you’re experiencing a piece of El Paso history while enjoying some of the best Mexican food in town.
If you’re visiting El Paso or even if you’ve lived here all your life, L&J’s is a must! Great service, amazing food, and a one-of-a-kind setting — it doesn’t get better than this.
M D
Wow! Wow! We had an incredible time. We are so happy we came here!
We were driving through El Paso on a road trip and stayed an Airbnb down the street. So we were able to walk up this restaurant – which was great bc the parking lot and adjacent street parking was packed! This restaurant came highly recommended by both the airbnb host and my friend who is from EP.
We came on a Thursday evening around 630pm – there was a wait out the door and we ended up waiting for about 15-20 min.
Based on reviews we ordered the following:
1. Queso dip as an appetizer
2. Mexican combo plate – but we substituted the red chili enchilada with their famous, legendary green chili chicken enchilada (which the waiter confirmed was what they are famous for)
3. Chicken tortilla soup
4. Tres leches dessert
Everything was amazing!! INCLUDING THEIR included and unlimited chips and 3 salsas! Their red salsa was very good. Their green salsa was even better!! And my favorite was their mocaheta salsa – which I ended up getting three refills of!! The chips were fresh and made in house! So good!!
The ambiance was exciting and joyful! The waiter Alex was wonderful. He created an amazing experience! He was friendly, helpful, attentive. He did his best to pay attention to us and serve us in an efficient way even though we could tell the restaurant was super busy – he worked very hard to never rush us!
We are so happy with our food choices! On the Mexican combo plate – I loved everything: beef stew, steak flauta, green chili chicken enchilada and chili relleno! The chicken tortilla soup came out with the toppings on the side so we could put as little or as much avocado, cheese, or lime as we wanted – i loved that feature. We first tried the chicken and broth by itself and it was amazing – so when we added the toppings it was next l level!
The tres leches dessert had peach in it, the whipped cream frosting and the soft spongy cake was SO GOOD!
We kept raving about our experience for the remainder of the night. We will definitely come back to El Paso – even if it’s just for this restaurant!
PS. The waiter packed me extra chips and salsa to take home bc I loved it so much. I ate them for breakfast the next day!
… moreWe were driving through El Paso on a road trip and stayed an Airbnb down the street. So we were able to walk up this restaurant – which was great bc the parking lot and adjacent street parking was packed! This restaurant came highly recommended by both the airbnb host and my friend who is from EP.
We came on a Thursday evening around 630pm – there was a wait out the door and we ended up waiting for about 15-20 min.
Based on reviews we ordered the following:
1. Queso dip as an appetizer
2. Mexican combo plate – but we substituted the red chili enchilada with their famous, legendary green chili chicken enchilada (which the waiter confirmed was what they are famous for)
3. Chicken tortilla soup
4. Tres leches dessert
Everything was amazing!! INCLUDING THEIR included and unlimited chips and 3 salsas! Their red salsa was very good. Their green salsa was even better!! And my favorite was their mocaheta salsa – which I ended up getting three refills of!! The chips were fresh and made in house! So good!!
The ambiance was exciting and joyful! The waiter Alex was wonderful. He created an amazing experience! He was friendly, helpful, attentive. He did his best to pay attention to us and serve us in an efficient way even though we could tell the restaurant was super busy – he worked very hard to never rush us!
We are so happy with our food choices! On the Mexican combo plate – I loved everything: beef stew, steak flauta, green chili chicken enchilada and chili relleno! The chicken tortilla soup came out with the toppings on the side so we could put as little or as much avocado, cheese, or lime as we wanted – i loved that feature. We first tried the chicken and broth by itself and it was amazing – so when we added the toppings it was next l level!
The tres leches dessert had peach in it, the whipped cream frosting and the soft spongy cake was SO GOOD!
We kept raving about our experience for the remainder of the night. We will definitely come back to El Paso – even if it’s just for this restaurant!
PS. The waiter packed me extra chips and salsa to take home bc I loved it so much. I ate them for breakfast the next day!