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.
About Us
About Us
More Than
JUST A RESTAURANT
RESTAURANT
BAR
CATERING
SALSA
A long story
A LOT OF MENTIONS
- El Paso Inc – Best of the Best 2019 – 1st place Best Mexican Restaurant, Best Chile Relleno, and Best Hottest Salsa. 2nd place Best Place to Take Out Of Towners and Best Menudo
- El Paso Inc – Best of the Best 2018 – 1st place Best Mexican Restaurant, Best Chile Relleno, and Best Hottest Salsa. 2nd place Best Place to Take Out Of Towners, Best Burritos, Best Tacos, and Best Menudo
- USA Today – Best Tex Mex Restaurant in Texas 2018
- What’s Up Magazine – Best of the Best 2017 – 1st Place for Best Service in Town, Best Chile Relleno, Best Menudo, Best Salsa, Best Mexican Restaurant, and Best Restaurant All Around
- What’s Up Magazine – Best of the Best 2016 – 1st Place for Best Hottest Salsa, Best Mexican Restaurant, and Best Restaurant All Around
- What’s Up Magazine – Best of the Best 2015 – 1st Place for Best Hottest Salsa
- What’s Up Magazine – Best of the Best 2014 – 1st Place for Best Hottest Salsa and Best Mexican Restaurant
- What’s Up Magazine – Best of the Best 2013 – 1st Place for Best Mexican Restaurant
- What’s Up Magazine – Best of the Best 2012 – 1st Place for Best Mexican Restaurant
- What’s Up Magazine – Best of the Best 2011 – 1st Place for Best Mexican Restaurant
- What’s Up Magazine – Best of the Best 2008 – 1st Place for Best Mexican Restaurant and Best Hole In The Wall Restaurant
- What’s Up Magazine – Best of the Best 2007 – 1st Place for Best Hole In The Wall and Dive Bar
- Southwest Airlines (Spirit) September 2000 & December 2006
- Southwest Dining Guide (Sabrosa) Spring 2004 Las Cruces, NM.
- Southern Living Favorites (Special Issue 2004) Food Finds – The South’s Best Flavors
- Southern Living – Feb. 2001
- Navi America – 2001 Japanese Travel Guide
- Southern Living – Aug. 2000
- El Paso Times – Best of the Border – Best Mexican Restaurant City-Wide 2015
- El Paso Times – Best of the Border – Best Mexican Restaurant in Central El Paso 2014
- Cooking Light – March 2000
- Texas Highways – Feb. 2000
- Texas Monthly – Nov. 1999, The 75 Best Mexican Restaurants
- Texas Monthly Restaurant Guide – April 1997
- Texas Monthly – April 1997
- Travel & Leisure – Nov. 1996
- Good Morning America/El Paso’s Segment – Feb. 1996
- El Sol Newspaper Restaurant Review – 1996
- El Paso Times (El Tiempo) Restaurant Review – 1996
- Saveur Magazine Jan. – Feb. 1996 Issue
- The Texas Monthly Guidebook – El Paso, by Eric O’Keefe – 1995
- City of El Paso Proclamation – Oct. 1995, Recognizing L & J Café as Guardias De La Cocina, Guardians of Our Kitchen & Our Beloved Border Cuisine
- Best of the Border – 1st Place in Best Happy Hour – Dec. 1994
- Best of the Border – 1st Place in Mexican Food – Dec. 1994
- Best of the Border – Finalist in Mexican Food – Dec. 1993
- Best Bar 1989 – The El Paso Times
Our Family
OUR TEAM
Leo Duran
OWNER
Frances Duran
OWNER
Vanessa Duran
CO-OWNER
Daniel Martinez
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Irma Baca
HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER
Francisco Rodriguez
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
Sergio Bustamante
RESTAURANT MANAGER
Richard Valenzuela
RESTAURANT MANAGER
VaJoel Zapata
ASSISTANT RESTAURANT MANAGER
Denisse De La Cruz
RESTAURANT SUPERVISOR
Irma Fernando Flores
KITCHEN MANAGER
Silvia Metz & Homero Ochoa
ASSISTANT KITCHEN MANAGER
Check out our
HALL OF FAME
- Martha Stewart
- Dascha Polanco
- Brook Baldwin
- Kaskade
- Steve Aoki
- Ethan Hawke
- Arnold Schwarzenegger
- Vikki Carr
- George Lopez
- Sam Elliot
- Katharine Ross
- DeShon Elliot (Ravens)
- Trevor Davis (Packers)
- Alvin Jones (Ravens)
- Aaron Jones (Packers)
- Jeffery Wilson Jr (49ers)
- Roy Robertson (Bears)
- Shaquill & Shaquem Griffin (Seattle Seahawks)
- John Quinonez
- Beto O’Rourke
- Veronica Escobar
- Elijah Wood
- Miranda Lambert
- Toby Keith
- Idina Menzel
- Faith Hill
- Vincent D’Onofrio
- Tony Hawk
- [Earth, Wind & Fire]
- Timothy Bradley.
