L&J Cafe
Taco Plates — $7.45–8.49
El Paso's most historic Mexican restaurant, open since 1927 and now run by the fourth generation — long known as the old place by the graveyard. Skip the $15.99 combo and order a chicken-taco plate ($8.49, three tacos with rice and beans) or entomatadas ($7.45), and two people eat under $20 with endless chips and salsa.
Little Shack
Fish Tacos — $3.86 ($2 Happy Hour)
A no-frills El Paso seafood taqueria (five locations, often tucked into a parking lot) for Baja-style fish, shrimp, adobada, and alambre tacos at $3.86 each — just $2 at happy hour. Two people each eat two tacos for around $16, with chips and salsa to start.
El Taquito
Flautas & Burritos — under $10
An airport-area El Paso favorite on Airway Boulevard where everything is under $10 — homemade flautas, al pastor tacos, and a Burrito Pura Carne at $7.49. Two people each get a full flauta or burrito plate for well under $20. Weekday breakfast and lunch.
Gom Ramen
Korean Ramen $10 · Mandu $5
A family-run Korean noodle spot on Hunter Drive in East El Paso — a rare and prized non-Mexican find in a heavily Tex-Mex city. A bowl of gom ramen in long-simmered broth is $10, mandu dumplings $5, and gom suyuk $5.50. Two people get a ramen plus shared mandu for under $20.
Noodles & Dumplings
Dumplings ~$8.98 · Noodles
A Chinese spot on North Mesa for hand-made dumplings — pan-fried or boiled — plus braised-beef noodle soup and steamed baos. Dumplings run about $8.98 an order and most dishes $8–13. Two people each get a plate of dumplings for around $18.
Café Mayapán
Tacos $3.50 · Burritos $2.99
A mission-driven downtown café run by La Mujer Obrera since 2001, serving Indigenous-rooted Mexican cooking while training local women. Tacos are $3.50 and burritos $2.99, with fillings like mushroom in chipotle, cactus, and squash with cheese. Two people each eat a full plate for well under $20.
Taconeta
Tacos — $3–5
A modern El Paso taqueria on Montana Avenue milling heirloom Mexican corn for its own nixtamalized tortillas. Tacos run $3–5 — achiote chicken $3, brisket confit $3.50, tempura cod $3.50 — ordered at a walk-up window. Two people each eat three or four tacos for under $20.
Charcoaler Drive-In
Green Chile Burger — $3.60
A classic El Paso drive-in slinging charbroiled burgers since 1953. A green chile burger is $3.60, a cheeseburger $3.75, and a third-pound burger $4.69, with old-school fries and shakes. Two people each get a burger combo for well under $20.
Gorditas Y Burritos E.P.
Gorditas $3.50 · Burritos $3.65
A downtown El Paso spot on South Oregon for griddled gorditas stuffed with guisados — $3.50 each — plus burritos at $3.65 and quesadillas con guisado $4.50. Two people each build a plate of gorditas for well under $20. Weekday and Saturday breakfast and lunch.
Gorditas Doña Carmen
Gorditas — from $1.50
A Lower Valley spot on Socorro Road for homemade gorditas in the $1.50–3.50 range — locals report two gorditas, a burrito, and a soda for around $7. Two people eat a full Juárez-style breakfast for well under $20.
Rafa's Burritos
Burritos — $7.50–8.75
A Five Points institution on Montana Avenue for old-school El Paso burritos — a chico burrito is about $7.50 and a machaca burrito $8.75. Two burritos run around $16, each their own. Weekday and Saturday mornings into the afternoon.
Casa De Torta
Tortas $4.49 · Taco Plate $8.13
A Northeast El Paso spot on Gateway built around tortas — a breakfast torta is $4.49 and signature tortas like the Yoana (shredded beef, green chile, cheese) are a steal. A four-taco plate with rice and beans is $8.13. Two people each get a torta or plate for under $20. Closed Mondays.
Tacos Don Cuco
4 Al Pastor Tacos — $6
An El Paso taquería chain (several open locations) carving al pastor off the trompo — four al pastor tacos are $6 and a taco plate around $8. Two people each get a taco plate for around $16. Open late.
Tacotote
Taco Plate — $7.79
A homegrown El Paso–Juárez taquería chain where a pastor or carne asada taco plate — eight tortillas, grilled meat, and a loaded salsa bar — is $7.79. Two people each get a plate and hit the salsa bar for around $16.
The Pizza Joint
Giant Slices — ~$5.35
One of El Paso's original by-the-slice pizzerias, in Kern Place near UTEP. A cheese slice is about $5.35 and bigger than the plate, so two people each grab one (or split a few) for well under $20. A 4–7pm happy hour knocks 25% off slices.
La Pupusona
Pupusas — $3.90–4.55
An East El Paso Salvadoran spot (Montana and Pellicano) griddling pupusas to order — bean-and-cheese $3.90, revueltas and chicharrón-con-queso $4.55 — served with curtido. Two people each eat two or three pupusas for under $20.
💡 El Paso Pro Tip: El Paso is a border city where "authentic Mexican food" isn't just a marketing term — it's the baseline. L&J Cafe is in Central El Paso near the old cemetery (hence the nickname) and serves until late. Little Shack's parking lot location is a true El Paso experience — check their Instagram for which lot is open. Gom Ramen is on Hunter Drive in East El Paso, worth a drive for anything different from tacos. Café Mayapán downtown is worth choosing over a chain specifically for the mission behind it. Green chile shows up everywhere here — embrace it.
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Buffalo Wild Wings
Bottomless Apps — $9.99
Endless rounds of two appetizers at a time from a five-item lineup: fried pickles, mozzarella sticks, onion rings, chips & salsa, or hatch queso. $9.99 covers up to four people; +$2.99 each additional diner. Upgrade to cheddar cheese curds or chips & guacamole for +$3. Dine-in only, no leftovers. Higher pricing in AK, CA, HI, NY, OR, WA.
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