L and J Cafe is a mexican restaurant in Five Points, El Paso.
L and J Cafe in El Paso, open since 1927, is the city's oldest Mexican restaurant, serving red enchiladas and house-made salsa from its East Missouri.
Editorially verified June 26, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Must order: Red enchiladas with chile de arbol salsa, or the green chile relleno
Tip: Arrive before noon on weekends; the lunch crowd fills every table by 12:30.
Address: 3622 E Missouri Ave, El Paso, TX 79903
Kiki's on North Piedras Street is El Paso's canonical machaca address: braised brisket scrambled with eggs and Hatch green chile since the 1970s.
Order: Brisket machaca with eggs and green chile
Tip: Closed Tuesdays; the green chile comes from the Hatch Valley and changes seasonally.
Casa Pantera on Pershing Drive serves wood-fired contemporary Mexican in Five Points with premium beef and Oaxacan technique in an open grill kitchen.
Order: Mesquite-grilled octopus or the tomahawk steak with agave-morita chile glaze
Tip: Reserve online; the outdoor kitchen seating fills first on weekend evenings.
Kiki's on North Piedras Street is El Paso's canonical machaca address: braised brisket scrambled with eggs and Hatch green chile since the 1970s.
Order: Brisket machaca with eggs and green chile
Tip: Closed Tuesdays; the green chile comes from the Hatch Valley and changes seasonally.
Ambar Restaurante at the Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park in El Paso grills over open wood flames, holding over 1,100 agave spirits behind a two-story amber bar.
Order: Wood-grilled whole asado with handmade tortillas, or the fresh ceviche
Tip: Thursday 19:00-21:00 live jazz; Saturday and Sunday brunch with live music 11:00-14:00. Book via Resy.
Anson 11 on North Oregon Street in downtown El Paso runs two dining rooms: a ground-floor bistro for casual meals, and an upstairs room for prime steaks.
Order: Prime ribeye upstairs, or the bistro cheeseburger at lunch
Tip: Book the upstairs via the website for dinner; the downstairs bistro takes walk-ins for lunch.
Casa Pantera on Pershing Drive serves wood-fired contemporary Mexican in Five Points with premium beef and Oaxacan technique in an open grill kitchen.
Order: Mesquite-grilled octopus or the tomahawk steak with agave-morita chile glaze
Tip: Reserve online; the outdoor kitchen seating fills first on weekend evenings.
Cafe Central at 109 N Oregon St in downtown El Paso has operated since 1918 and holds a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, blending contemporary American.
Order: Miso Chilean sea bass or the grilled Angus tenderloin
Tip: Bar stays open until 02:00 on weekdays; dress code is business casual for dinner.
ELEMI on Eastlake Boulevard in east El Paso is the James Beard semifinalist taqueria of chef Emiliano Marentes, built around daily-ground heirloom corn.
Order: Handmade corn tortilla tacos made from daily-ground heirloom masa
Tip: Walk-ins welcome; parties over 10 call ahead. Worth the 20-minute drive from downtown.
