El Paso is home to many longtime family-owned restaurants that have brought pride, a spotlight and even some celebrity sightings within our border city.
Our list of the longest-operating restaurants includes the upscale and elegant Cafe Central, iconic hole-in-the-wall places like The Tap, and the popular and famed Chico’s Tacos.
Much of the pride and sustainability of many of the restaurants in this list is due to great Mexican food that began with cherished family recipes, like Leo’s, Gonzalo’s G&R Restaurant and Forti’s Mexican Elder.
Here is a closer look at the most longstanding restaurants in El Paso County.
CafeCentral fine as wine at 107 years old
Cafe Central, at 109 N Oregon St., Suite 210, is one of the oldest restaurants in El Paso, established in 1918. The restaurant is going strong at 107 years old, in Downtown El Paso, providing fine service and innovative and delectable cuisine for special evenings and celebrations.
L&J Cafe started 98 years ago during the Great Depression
The story of L&J Cafe, at 3622 E Missouri Ave., began in 1927 with the opening of Tony’s Place during the Great Depression.
According to the restaurant’s Facebook page, the story has it that bootlegging was popular at Tony’s, as was the owner’s wife’s cooking. Tony’s Place legally opened after prohibition in 1934 on the outskirts of town.
In June 1968, the second generation, Lilia F. Duran (daughter of Antonio and Juanita) and her husband, John G. Duran, took over Tony’s Place and renamed it L & J Cafe.
Julio’s Mexican Food was founded 81 years ago in Juárez
Julio’s Mexican Food, which was founded originally in 1944 in Juárez by Julio Ramirez, has been thriving on the East Side with two locations: 8050 Gateway Blvd. East, and 3630 Joe Battle Blvd., and a more recent one on the Westside, 7470 Cimarron Market. Need a break?
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Third-generation family member Francisco Orrantia said his grandparents opened an El Paso location on North Mesa Street in the 1970s. After a few years, they decided to buy a property off Interstate 10 and build the restaurant, which is now the longest-standing Julio’s.
Italian Kitchen is going strong at 77 years old
The Italian Kitchen, an iconic restaurant for Italian food in El Paso, celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2018. Seven years later, the restaurant is still popular to eat at least once a week.
The restaurant, at 2923 Pershing Drive, was started by the late Sam Maranto, a second-generation Italian American and World War II veteran, and is now run by second and third-generation members.
Leo’s Mexican Food Restaurant is marking 79 years
Leo’s Mexican Food Restaurant was founded in 1946 by Leo Collins and Willie Terrazas at the corner of Cotton and Yandell streets in El Paso. The restaurant had several locations at one time, but now only has one on the West Side. That Leo’s at 7520 Remcon Circle is thriving with a variety of Mexican dishes and great margaritas.
Avila’s Mexican Restaurant marking 73 years
Avila’s Mexican Food, at 6232 N. Mesa St., was started in 1952. The restaurant is known for delicious menudo and other traditional Mexican dishes.
Chico’s Tacos will turn 72 years old in July of 2025
El Pasoans have eaten at Chico’s Tacos for over 70 years. The restaurant was founded on July 4, 1953, by a local boxing promoter Joe Mora. Today, the restaurant has several locations with many celebrities stopping by to try the iconic rolled tacos.
The Tap has been vibing Downtown for about 70 years
One of El Paso’s iconic bars, The Tap, has been serving up cold drinks and great nachos for many years. The bar, at 408 E. San Antonio Ave., first opened in 1956 and continues to be a popular spot for people who work Downtown and longtime El Pasoans.
Rosa’s Cantina is at least 68 years old
There is some debate about when Rosa’s Cantina opened. A bar apparently opened post-prohibition in the early 1940s under a different name. In 1957, when ownership changed, it became “Rosa’s Cantina,” according to the restaurant’s Website.
The restaurant, at 3454 Doniphan Drive, is known for live music, great tacos, and being the inspiration for Marty Robbins’ song.
Gonzalo’s G&R Restaurant going strong, for about 65 years
Rather hidden at 401 East Nevada Ave., Gonzalo’s G&R Restaurant is frequented by many faithful locals looking for authentic Mexican dishes. Their menu is extensive with salads, tacos, enchiladas and other favorites.
New Clock Restaurant serving community for more than 60 years
The New Clock Restaurant is a local, family-owned and operated restaurant that has been Paso community for over 60 years. The restaurant, formerly Clock Restaurant, is at 8409 Dyer St., and is best known for tasty biscuits and gravy and other hearty meals.
Good Luck Cafe is still young at 57 years old
The Good Luck Tavern was opened in the 1960s on El Paso Street by Joe Ruben Puentes. A couple of years later, according to the restaurant’s website, the tavern was relocated to 3828 Alameda Ave. Then in 1968, Puentes opened the Good Luck Cafe in an old, renovated gas station across the street.
In 1972, Puentes’ wife, Elvira, quit her job at the old Newberry’s Downtown to help her husband at the restaurant.
Today, the restaurant, at 3813 Alameda Ave., is famous for its menudo any time of the day. The cafe was voted Best Menudo in the World by the foodie website www.tasteatlas.com in 2023.
Forti’s Mexican Elder to mark 49 years in December
Forti’s Mexican Elder has been a staple for authentic Mexican food in Central El Paso since it opened in December 1976. The restaurant was named after the yellow flowering tree by owners David and Consuelo Forti.
The restaurant, at 321 Chelsea St, has undergone three expansions, which allow for banquets and family celebrations.
Delicious Mexican Eatery marking 47 years
Another Mexican family restaurant, Delicious Mexican Eatery, has served other Mexican staples since 1978.
The restaurant, located at 3314 Fort Blvd., is known for its array of delicious dishes, including flautas and enchiladas.
House of Pizza marking 47 years on Piedras
House of Pizza has been a favorite place for pizza since 1978. The restaurant is known for delicious pizzas, sub sandwiches, fresh salads and lasagnas.
The restaurant is at 2016 N Piedras St. in Central El Paso.
Lucy’s Mexican Restaurant going on 47 years old
Lucy’s Restaurant was founded by Lucy Lepe in 1978. Since then, three generations of the family-owned business have continued to take pride in serving customers at four locations.
The Westside restaurant operates at three locations along El Paso’s North Mesa Street—the original location at 1305 N. Mesa St., at 4119 N. Mesa St. and at 6600 N. Mesa St. The fourth location is at 10025 Dyer St.
The restaurant is known for its tasty Machaca plate and the crunchy Tacos Antonia, named after Lucy’s sister Antonia.
Lunch Box celebrates 40 years of great service, food
The Lunch Box, a family-owned restaurant in the Lower Valley, marked its 40th anniversary in January of 2025. The restaurant started in a smaller place in the same neighborhood and then moved to its current location at 667 N. Carolina Drive.
Longtime restaurants outside of El Paso
Billy Crews opened in 1956 and is known for fine dining including long been known for quality steaks and great wine. It is at 1200 Country Club Rd, Santa Teresa, N.M.
Cattleman’s Steakhouse, at 3450 S. Fabens Carlsbad Road in Fabens, known for its steaks and attractive grounds including a petting zoo, was started in 1972. The restaurant officially opened in 1973.
Chope’s, whose family history goes back 100 years, is on the National Register of Historic Places. The restaurant, at 16145 S Highway 28, La Mesa, N.M. is a favorite among locals and a must-stop through New Mexico.
La Posta de Mesilla recently celebrated its 85th anniversary. The restaurant is a great spot for locals and visitors to enjoy Mexican dishes like fajitas, enchiladas and tacos.
The Little Diner, at 7209 7th St. in Canutillo is a popular destination restaurant for 49 years. The restaurant has been featured in Texas Country Reporter.
María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150; mcortes@elpasotimes.com; @eptmaria.bsky.social on Bluesky, and @eptmariacg on TikTok.