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 . read more

L & J Cafe - Amazing queso ! - Mexican Near Me - El Paso, Texas

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! read more

L & J Cafe - Outside signage - Mexican Near Me - El Paso, Texas

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Our server, Edgar, was GREAT! He helped us make the perfect choices. My wife and I shared the Mexican sampler and allowed us to swap out the enchiladas. We also had a bowl of the chicken tortilla soup. DELICIOUS! We couldn't finish all the food. He also bagged up some of their delicious homemade chips and salsa for the road. If we ever make it back to El Paso, we will definitely dine there again. read more

L & J Cafe - Mexican Near Me - El Paso, Texas

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I dont get the hype for this place...its mediocre at best. We both had the green enchiladas and agreed that they are ..meh. Chicken was dry and tasteless just like every other place around town. There was a wait of about 15- 20 minutes to be seated. The atmosphere is a bit cramped but friendly. I may give them another chance and try a different dish but as of now, Im not impressed. read more

Hole-in-the-wall place. Lively inside - lots of people, many TVs broadcasting sports. American rock and roll plays from the speakers. Food is good. I'd recommend starting with the chile con queso. Had the chicken burrito and had them add guacamole and sour cream. Tasty! Service is very friendly/attentive. Only one drawback to this place: L&J only has a beer-and-wine liquor license. So you can't get a real Margarita. Still, I'll be back next time I'm in town. read more

Food was ok, had cheese enchiladas so may of been just my choice off the menu. Salsa was good, a selection of three to choose from. Nice decor and friendly staff. read more

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! read more

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Always a five. This last time though it was a 3. Waitress got our order wrong. They sold us the delicious cinnamon rolls, when we got home we saw they were burnt. read more

In town with my family for a few days. We googled where to eat and this place was high on the recommended list, so we decided to try it out. The atmosphere is great! This place was packed tonight, and I love how it kinda looks like a hole in the wall place from the outside but inside it's lively. We started with the queso con chile dip and it was delicious. The chips were fresh too - definitely the best chips I've had from a Mexican restaurant. My husband ordered a burrito with carne asada and he said it's the best carne asada he's ever had, and we've had quite a lot back home in California. I had the chicken and beef flautas meal and it was delicious. I think I actually liked the beans and rice on my plate the best though. Overall it was great and service was fast, attentive, and friendly. Only downside is I wish my margarita had tequila but it still tasted good. Really glad we got to try this place! read more

Chile Colorado plate, I added an egg just because of breakfast. Great flavor ! Good quick service , read more

L & J Cafe - Chile Colorado Plate - Mexican Near Me - El Paso, Texas

Amazing Mexican food, prices are as if it still in the 1990's. Staff was very nice. Will be going back soon

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! read more

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! read more

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. read more

L & J Cafe - hostess station - Mexican Near Me - El Paso, Texas

Steak tacos were amazing. Rice,beans and all the extras were fantastic as well. Fresh chips and a variety of salsas. read more

L & J Cafe - Steak Tacos. - Mexican Near Me - El Paso, Texas

Stopped in for breakfast here two weeks ago while visiting Texas. It's legendary and came highly recommended by our hotel concierge as the place all the locals love for generations. I ordered the chilaquiles plate and it looked like it was enough for two people and I was wasn't disappointed! So much flavor and cooked fresh, I had to box it up and finish it later. The service was so friendly and hospitable, but then again it's Texas! Drop in when you're passing through El Paso! read more

Decent Mexican food, just not quite worth the hype. Parking is all street parking which could be tricky since this place is packed. The waiting area seemed a little chaotic - everyone crammed in and trying to stand somewhere not blocking anything. There was some random guy selling homemade banana bread within the crowd... Complementary Chips and Salsa: Chips were crispy and I really liked the green salsa. The red salsa has a good kick to it. Chicken Enchiladas with Red/Green Sauce: As other reviews mention, these are just cheese enchilada with shredded chicken on the top. The Green sauce wasn't really a sauce, just chunks of peppers. The red sauce was a tomato base and was pretty good. The beans were delicious but the rice was mediocre (pretty dry). Chile Rellano: Very disappointed with this. The whole dish was bland. Have definitely had better elsewhere. Homemade Lemonade: Refreshing and tasty! We were seated in the back area - felt cozy but the decor was a little dated. Our server was friendly and helpful. read more

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Great ambiance. Service was incredible. The food was delicious and a lot of it. Green enchiladas were out of this world!! read more

We had such a wonderful experience at this Mexican restaurant! The food was delicious, fresh, and full of authentic flavor--but what truly made our visit special was our server, EDGAR. He was friendly, attentive, and made us feel so welcome from the moment we sat down. Edgar went above and beyond to make sure everything was perfect, and his positive attitude really stood out. We had a party of 8 and he was awesome. Even had the waiters sing Happy Birthday to my sis in law. We'll definitely be back--and we'll be asking for Edgar again. . THANK YOU EDGAR read more

EXCEPTIONAL service. Greeted and seated immediately, even at peak breakfast/brunch time on a Saturday morning. Very friendly staff and waiters. Someone even came and offered us some cute/silly bibs to wear while eating our food. He also offered to take our photos. Quick turnaround time on food. Excellent homemade chips. Good salsa. Would most definitely return! read more

L & J Cafe - Free chips and salsa - Mexican Near Me - El Paso, Texas

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Authentic Mexican food L&J Cafe use fresh ingredients, and rich flavors. From slow-cooked meats to salsas bursting with spice and acidity. The mole enchiladas it's a must-try for anyone who loves complex and authentic flavors! read more

L & J Cafe - Fajitas chicken & steak with egg added. - Mexican Near Me - El Paso, Texas

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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. read more

L & J Cafe - Green Chile and Chicken Enchiladas - Mexican Near Me - El Paso, Texas

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. read more

L & J Cafe - Beans and rice burrito and Chile relleno plate. - Mexican Near Me - El Paso, Texas

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. read more

L & J Cafe - Huevos Rancheros - Mexican Near Me - El Paso, Texas

This place is by far the very best Mexican I have ever had and it isn't close! Food is fresh! Service is great! Location is easy/convenient! The prices are great. The food is great. This place is a must! read more

The service was phenomenal, the ambiance is great the food could use a bit more sazón in my opinion but after experiencing other El Paso restaurants I feel like it's a local thing and nothing salt salsa and pepper will not fix! I think the experience was amazing we truly enjoyed it! read more

Was passing through on a road trip, stopped by for some dinner on a Sunday night and it was very crowded and lively. Wait was short but expect at least half an hour from walking through the door to being served your food. Food was excellent-- really flavorful and fresh, and the portion sizes were huge! Ordered the chile con queso on advice of the server and it took four of us to finish. I'd stop by El Paso just to eat here again read more

L & J Cafe - Steak tacos - Mexican Near Me - El Paso, Texas

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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! read more

L & J Cafe - Mexican Near Me - El Paso, Texas

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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. read more

L & J Cafe - Lemonade, salsas - Mexican Near Me - El Paso, Texas

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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! read more

L & J Cafe - 2 Green chili & potato + 2 chicken flautas plate - Mexican Near Me - El Paso, Texas

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Great food, amazing service, nice ambiance. My husband and I are regulars, as we have tried many Mexican restaurants in the city, but this is our favorite. Highly recommend! read more

Well I must say the pictures of the food do not get me here. Looks like your standard Tex mex food you find all over Texas, wrong. This place was really good. The three salsas they bring out are all delicious and spicy. The enchiladas, beans and rice were full of flavor even though they looked like the same enchiladas served around the state. Food came quick, bartenders were friendly and on their game even at closing. 10/10 would come back. read more

Absolutely phenomenal! Hot and flavorful hot sauce, great prices and fast, friendly service. We're headed home from a 5500 mile road trip and luckily pulled up options prior to passing the exit. Truly a place in to stop if you get the chance. The location started as Tony's Place in 1927 and the 3rd generation is still running it, if that tells you anything. read more

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. read more

L & J Cafe - Mexican Near Me - El Paso, Texas

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! read more

A local favorite in El Paso for authentic Mexican cuisine! I ordered the Mole Chicken Enchiladas, which were quite good with lots of flavorful, tasty, and spicy mole sauce on top. There was some cheese inside the enchiladas as well, plus rice and bean paste on the side. The portion size was large and this was a great value for only $11. The service was friendly, very attentive, and fast. We had to wait for about 15 min for a table and then they texted me when the table was ready. This is arguably the most popular restaurant in El Paso, although you wouldn't suspect it from the outside; it looks rather unimpressive from the exterior on a not very busy block, and it is right next to a graveyard. But the inside is actually lively and packed with people. The restaurant has an old wooden style with a bar area and many other tables inside. They've been operating since 1927, so it's pretty historic. There is some parking out in front. Overall, if you are from the area, you probably already know about L&J, but if you are just visiting like I was, then I would recommend you make a visit to this local favorite for drinks and authentic Mexican food. read more

L & J Cafe - Mole Chicken Enchiladas (bottom) and Mexican Combination (top) - Mexican Near Me - El Paso, Texas

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 read more

Had dinner at 6:00... food was delicious as always.. our waiter name was excellent service.... He was great... Good to see Daniela working there... know her from other restaurant.. great addition We'll be back soon read more

If you want the best queso in town, treat yourself! It's a family tradition here, and they've got it down! We add that to any of the menu offerings, and it is a perfect flavor enhancing addition! I had the beef enchiladas and holy moly, the beef tastes like they just took a perfectly charred steak, chopped it up and plopped it on the enchiladas. Delicious. My dad got a steak burrito. Simple dish and he loved it. Mom went for a chicken burrito and they did her preference of grilled chicken - fajita style - and of course both of them queso smothered their burritos. We might have just saved the white cheddar industry with our cheesiness! Chips are made there, crunchy and perfect. Red salsa is hotter than my reflux can handle, but the green is GO! The history of this restaurant is charming, and it's nice to get great service in a local gem! Jenna was our server and she was fantastic! read more

Oh My God!!!!! My husband has been wanting to bring me here for the Chile Con Queso and OMG it's phenomenal!!!!! I had the Picadillo with Eggs and he had the Huevos Rancheros! Both were absolutely delicious. The beans are great! Our waitress Jazmin was so sweet. The restaurant was welcoming. Made me feel like I was home in San Diego at a restaurant in Old Town. Super clean. I will definitely will come back whenever I'm in El Paso read more

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