Tony and Nora Flores opened the doors at 3622 East Missouri Avenue in 1927, initially operating as a Prohibition speakeasy called Tony’s Place across the street from historic Concordia Cemetery.
The business took on its current name, L & J Cafe, in 1968 when their daughter Lilian and her husband John Duran assumed leadership.
Still run by fourth-generation family members today, the central El Paso restaurant remains a long-standing destination for border-style Mexican cooking.
Quick Bite – L & J Cafe, El Paso, TX 🌮
Kitchen staff begin grinding dried red chiles early in the morning to prepare the house enchilada sauce.
Cooks fry corn tortillas to order, roll them around seasoned beef or cheese, and top each plate with diced onions and melted cheese alongside house-made refried beans.
Local readers frequently select the kitchen as “Best Mexican Restaurant” in El Paso Times polls, maintaining its position as an established El Paso County dining landmark.
The Local Atmosphere – L & J Cafe, El Paso, TX 🇲🇽
The interior features wood-paneled walls, framed family photographs, and vintage memorabilia detailing nearly a century of operation.
During lunch service, the dining room hosts nearby office workers, military personnel from Fort Bliss, and residents coming from neighborhoods like Five Points, Sunset Heights, Manhattan Heights, and the Mission Valley.
Tables fill steadily throughout the day with a regular turnover of dine-in and takeout orders.
Signature Bites – L & J Cafe, El Paso, TX 😋
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Red Chile Beef Enchiladas: Corn tortillas filled with seasoned beef, smothered in red chile sauce, and topped with melted cheese and raw onions.
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Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas: Shredded chicken rolled in corn tortillas and covered in tangy roasted green chile sauce.
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Crispy Shredded Beef Tacos: Hard corn taco shells stuffed with shredded beef, lettuce, tomato, and grated cheddar.
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Scratch Caldo de Res: Traditional beef soup cooked with corn on the cob, cabbage, squash, and served with warm corn tortillas.
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Chile Relleno Platter: Roasted Anaheim peppers stuffed with cheese, egg-battered, fried, and drizzled with salsa espanola.
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House Margaritas: Classic blended or rocks margaritas made with tequila, triple sec, and fresh lime juice in salted glasses.
Takeaway Bite – L & J Cafe, El Paso, TX 😎
L & J Cafe at 3622 E Missouri Ave combines nearly 100 years of family ownership with traditional West Texas border recipes.
The Duran family’s continued use of scratch red chile sauces and house butchery keeps the menu tied directly to its 1920s roots.
That long-term stability is why this mom and pops and hole in the wall spot remains an active centerpiece of El Paso’s restaurant culture.
📍: 3622 E Missouri Ave, El Paso, TX 79903
🕒: Mon-Sat: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Sun: Closed