Where to Eat in El Paso After Your Ride: Cattleman's, Chico's Tacos and L&J Cafe
Three legendary tables — a ranch steakhouse, rolled tacos in famous tomato sauce, and the old place by the graveyard.
Ask anyone searching for things to do in El Paso what they remember, and food comes up fast. After a morning in the desert, these are the three stops locals send visitors to first: Cattleman's Steakhouse on a working ranch, Chico's Tacos for rolled tacos unlike anywhere else, and L&J Cafe for border cooking from the same family for generations.
Cattleman's Steakhouse: Dinner on a Working Ranch
The biggest celebration meal near El Paso is not downtown. It is about 30 miles southeast in Fabens, at Cattleman's Steakhouse at Indian Cliffs Ranch. Opened in May 1973 on a sprawling desert ranch, arriving is part of the experience — wide-open country, distant mountains, and a sunset that turns the whole sky orange while you eat.
The signature order is The Cowboy, a 2-pound porterhouse T-bone built for sharing, alongside other steaks, barbecue, chicken, and seafood. Leave time to wander: the ranch has animal exhibits, a lake, a playground and maze for kids, and movie memorabilia from films shot on the property. Go hungry, expect a wait on busy nights, and check current hours before the drive.
Chico's Tacos: El Paso's Most Famous Rolled Tacos
Every city has one dish visitors need a local to explain. In El Paso, that is Chico's Tacos. Founded on July 4, 1953 by boxing promoter Joe Mora at 4230 Alameda Avenue, Chico's grew from a walk-up stand to five locations and local legend — featured on Food Network and honored by the Texas House for its 50th anniversary in 2003.
Order like a local: a single is three rolled tacos, a double is six. They arrive in a paper boat, bathed in signature tomato sauce and covered in shredded cheese, with bright green salsa on the side. Add crinkle-cut fries and dip them in the sauce — everyone does. Bring cash and an open mind: this is not a standard taco, and that is exactly the point.
L&J Cafe: The Old Place by the Graveyard
For old El Paso, head to L&J Cafe at 3622 East Missouri Avenue, across from historic Concordia Cemetery — "the old place by the graveyard." It began in 1927 as Tony's Place, founded by Antonio Flores. In 1968 his daughter Lilia and her husband John Duran took over, renamed it for their initials, and the family still runs it today.
The menu is border cooking the way El Paso families have eaten it for generations: red and green enchiladas, combo platters, queso with green chiles, and huevos rancheros. If Chico's is El Paso's fast-food icon and Cattleman's is its big night out, L&J is its family kitchen.
How to Choose Your After-Ride Table
- Big appetite, big sunset: Cattleman's in Fabens — make an evening of it and check hours first.
- Fast, cheap-feeling, unforgettable: Chico's Tacos — order a double, get the fries, bring cash.
- Classic border sit-down: L&J Cafe — enchiladas, queso, and nearly a century of history by Concordia Cemetery.
- Doing all three? Chico's for a late lunch, L&J the next day, and save Cattleman's for your celebration dinner.
Local tip: All three places get busy and hours can change — check each restaurant's current hours before you go, and arrive a little early on weekends.
Local Tip: Ride Red Sands First, Then Eat Like a Local
Here is how locals build the perfect day: take the wheel of our brand-new Can-Am Maverick X3 with Rent a UTV El Paso at Red Sands — 14,000 acres of beautiful sand dunes, winding serpentine trails, and rugged rocky landscapes, with an expert pace-rider out front like a rally co-pilot clearing the way so you focus 100% on the drive — then refuel above.
The experience runs about 1.5 hours total, including training, orientation, and equipment fitting and the 1-hour trail ride — helmets (with eye protection) and fuel included. See the booking calendar for current pricing. Red Sands is not an official OHV park — a mix of private and public lands, mostly private — so respect no-trespassing signs and stay on established routes. Riding with us, our crew knows exactly where to go.
El Paso Food FAQ
- What food is El Paso most famous for?
- Chico's Tacos — rolled tacos in signature tomato sauce topped with shredded cheese, served since 1953. Border-style enchiladas are close behind.
- How far is Cattleman's Steakhouse from El Paso?
- About 30 miles southeast in Fabens, at Indian Cliffs Ranch. Check current hours before you go.
- What should I order at L&J Cafe?
- Queso, then red or green enchiladas or a combo platter — classic border cooking from the family that began as Tony's Place in 1927.
- What is a single at Chico's Tacos?
- Three rolled tacos in tomato sauce with cheese. A double is six. Add fries and green salsa, and bring cash.
One of the Tastiest Things to Do in El Paso
El Paso's tables tell its story — a ranch steakhouse from 1973, rolled tacos from 1953, and a family cafe from 1927. Ride the dunes, then eat your way through all three on your next Red Sands UTV tour trip.