The Best Restaurants in Northeast El Paso Right Now

El Paso is known for its Tex-Mex cuisine as it’s a border town to Juarez, Mexico. But there is lots to eat in El Paso besides Tex-Mex, and you are missing out if you don’t give some of these other restaurants a try! Here are the best restaurants in Northeast El Paso right now.

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1. Chase the Taste

The best burgers in El Paso

10771 Gateway Blvd S | El Paso | chasethetasteep.com 

This American restaurant is known for its gourmet burgers and sandwiches - it was even voted Best of the City 2019 Burger! They have so, so many burgers to choose from, form their best seller #1 Classic Burger to their Specialty Plant-Based Burger. If you’re in it for the fries, their Carne Asada Fries are absolutely delicious, topped with green chile queso, grilled steak bits, lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole, cream and spicy salsa.

You can purchase a GiftYa for Chase the Taste here!

“Absolutely phenomenal hamburger. I ordered the #1 which is the regular that comes with fries (drink is ordered separately). Completely unexpected quality of taste. Cannot believe I waited so long to try this place out.” - Yelp Review

2. L & J Cafe

El Paso’s oldest family-run restaurant and bar 

3622 E Missouri Ave | El Paso | ljcafe.com 

Originally known as “Tony’s Place,” this Mexican restaurant opened on the outskirts of El Paso in 1927. They later named the restaurant as L & J Cafe, but they still continue the family tradition of serving delicious Mexican food to the people of El Paso. From tacos and burritos to enchiladas and other Mexican specialties, you can find just about any dish you’d like at L & J. They also have the best desserts - Flan, Tres Leches, and Sopapillas - you’d miss out if you don’t order at least one!

You can purchase a GiftYa for L & J Cafe here!

“Best Mexican food/food I have ever had! I'm a boring eater (just a meat and cheese kind of guy). I hardly ever order dessert but I did at L&J and it was delicious. The price was great as well.” - Yelp Review

3. Ardovino’s Pizza

Italian restaurant and delicatessen

11100 Sean Haggerty | El Paso | ardovinospizza.com 

Ardovino’s is known for their signature pizzas, salads, and sandwiches. House favorites include Joanna's Pizza, the Royal, the Four Seasons, and The Woody, while guests craving a good old deli sandwich will enjoy the Turkey Pesto Sandwich. Their Mini Calzones are a fun appetizer to share. Don’t forget to pick up a few cannolis for dessert!

You can purchase a GiftYa for Ardovino’s Pizza here!

“Delicious and probably my go-to restaurant in the Northeast! My favorite pizza is the meat combination and my favorite salad is the Cran-Apple Bleu!!! They have an excellent wine selection and they have "pizza empanadas" on their happy hour menu!” - Yelp Review

4. Carnitas Tio Juan

Signature carnitas with homemade tortillas

10059 Dyer St | El Paso | carnitastiojuan.com 

In keeping with their name, carnitas are the specialty here at Carnitas Tio Juan. They make the meat crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and serve it with homemade flour or corn tortillas. They also have chicken and beef tacos, burritos, and enchiladas, as well as seafood plates. We love their breakfast special - Huevos Rancheros or Huevos con Chorizo served with potatoes, refried beans, and corn tortillas for only $4.99 - which runs Monday-Thursday 9am - 11am. But their lunch special is also great for those stopping in on their lunch break at work. Monday-Thursday 11am - 3pm, you can choose from a condensed menu including two tacos, two enchiladas, or three flautas - each served with rice, refried beans, a cup of caldo de res, and rice pudding - for a meal under $8. 

You can purchase a GiftYa for Carnitas Tio Juan here!

“I love this place. I have been here 5-6 times. I only ever order pozole or a torta but it's what I like. The pozole on a cold day is just the best. The staff is always helpful and the prices are fair. Highly recommend.” - Yelp Review

5. Catfish Basket

Known for their fried catfish filets and nuggets

4950 Hondo Pass Dr | El Paso | facebook.com 

Locals come to this unassuming fried food joint for their fried catfish filets, and many claim they have the best catfish in El Paso. Judging from Yelp reviews, they are right. Another thing locals love is the affordable price! You can get two catfish filets, fries, and Texas toast for under $10! 

We’ve also heard good things about the shrimp, so you might have to try a few pieces of fried shrimp while you are there as well. This is a great spot if you want fried food, affordable prices, and large servings.

“The best catfish nuggets in El Paso. This is the go to place for a non greasy catfish. The 1lb of nuggets is great. Shrimp are always good. Service is always great.” - Yelp Review

6. Hamachi Sushi Japanese Restaurant

Fresh sushi at an affordable price

9861 Dyer St | El Paso | hamachisushiep.com 

Sushi is better when it’s fresh, and even better when available at an affordable price. That’s why Hamachi Sushi Japanese Restaurant is such a popular spot in Northeast El Paso. Some of the most popular rolls include the Lobster Roll, baked langostino, mayo sauce, california roll, and eel sauce, the Firecracker Roll, spicy crabmeat, avocado, scallops, cucumber, spicy tuna, and crunchy flakes, and the O.M.G. Roll, tuna, salmon, avocado, asparagus, cream cheese, tortilla panko deep fried. All of these rolls are served with miso soup and salad. 

Aside from sushi, they offer bento boxes, Chicken, Salmon, and Beef Teriyaki, Udon, and more. Their Katsu Fried Rice, with your choice of chicken or pork, is a new addition to their menu we absolutely love! Did we mention their motto is “Eat without Guilt” because since they make their sushi and rolls with the freshest ingredients, you can actually eat without guilt!

“This is my to-go spot for sushi!! I'm from Hawaii and we know great sushi and this is the closest I'll come to awesome sushi in the desert! My roomie and I always get the same rolls- Lion King and Jessica!!” - Yelp Review 

7. Pho Tre Bién Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine

The first Vietnamese cuisine inspired restaurant brought to the El Paso Community since 2000

6946 Gateway East Blvd | El Paso | ptbexpress.com 

Pho Tre Bién is not only the first Vietnamese cuisine inspired restaurant brought to El Paso Community since 2000, it’s also the go-to spot for Pho in El Paso. Their Meatball Pho, slowly simmered Vietnamese beef broth served with rice noodles, meatballs, and a garnish plate is a favorite among guests, while the Veggie Pho with Tofu, slowly simmered Vietnamese veggie broth served with rice noodles, tofu, and a garnish plate is another great choice if you don’t want to eat meat. 

Along with Pho, they also offer 6 different types of spring rolls, rice plates, vermicelli, and house plates such as the Vietnamese Sandwich, a Vietnamese-style baguette sandwich stuffed with your choice of protein, special (sausage), beef, chicken, pork, or tofu with cucumbers, pickled veggies, jalapeno, cilantro, and their house aioli, and the BEEF FONDUE with BROTH, tendered beef pieces seasoned with Vietnamese spices served with beef broth for extra flavor. 

Be sure to get a Boba Tea to enjoy with your meal! They have watermelon, mango, honey dew, coffee, taro, pineapple, coconut, jasmine, and blueberry flavored boba, as well as a lychee or jackfruit smoothie, soy bean drink, or black jelly drink.

“I've never been disappointed with anything I've gotten from there. Everything is fresh, flavorful, ready to go quickly, and they're always nice there. Pho is hard to fine here in El Paso - even harder to find good pho, but this place is the bees knees, so so good!” - Yelp Review 

8. Sam's China Bistro 

Authentic Chinese cuisine

9225 Dyer St | El Paso | samschinabistro.com 

If you want to find authentic Chinese cuisine in El Paso, look no further than Sam’s China Bistro. This restaurant is known for their outstanding Chinese cuisine, including their modern interpretation of classic dishes and insistence on only using high quality fresh ingredients. Some popular plates are the BBQ Pork Fried Rice, Dan Dan Noodles (our favorite!), and Sesame Chicken. You can’t go wrong with Fried Dumplings or Crab Rangoons as an appetizer. Come here if you want familiar Chinese favorites and large portions of them!

“Dinner date & everything was delish. Best egg drop soup I've had in a long time. This was our first time trying the dumplings and we liked them both steamed and fried, they were very fresh. Also recommend the beef chow mein.” - Yelp Review

9. Little Bavarian Restaurant 

Authentic German restaurant

4601 Hondo Pass Dr | El Paso | www.facebook.com/LittleBavarian 

You don’t have to travel to Germany for authentic German food and beer. In fact, you can find some great bratwurst and schnitzel right here in Northeast El Paso! Go to Little Bavarian Restaurant for all of your German food and beer cravings. From Curryworst to Kartoffelsalat to Spatzle, they have all of your favorites and more! 

Be sure to wash it all down with a large German beer! The atmosphere is great for after work drinks with your coworkers or for a chill night with friends! Oh, and did we mention the potato pancakes with applesauce are everything you’ve ever dreamed of?

“What a find! Authentic German food a few minutes from work so I can scoot out and get a great meal. We ordered the brats, schnitzel and amazing soup...well everything was amazing. This is a great, convenient spot-I will be back soon!” - Yelp Review 

10. Rosco’s Burger Inn

Long-standing burger joint

3829 Tompkins Rd | El Paso | facebook.com/Roscosburger 

This long-standing burger joint has been serving burgers and fries to the people of the El Paso community since 1955. All burgers are made with fresh, never frozen ¼ pound 100% beef patties and served on 5 inch buns “fully dressed” with mustard, lettuce, tomato, pickles, fresh diced onions, and grilled onions. The Hamburger and the Cheeseburger are tasty and simple, while the specialty burgers like the Everything Burger, complete with a double meat cheeseburger, two weenies, chili beans, a grilled cheese sandwich, and an onion ring is either going to be your new favorite or your worst nightmare. Every burger basket comes with fries, as they should!

You can purchase a GiftYa for Rosco’s Burger Inn here!

“WOW.... Now I can honestly say, unlike the actual WHATABURGER, when I bit into this, I said WHAT A BURGER. This burger is the closest I've been in the search for my El Paso Unicorn of Burgers. The salsa puts it over the top.” - Yelp Review 

As you can see, there is so much more good food in Northeast El Paso than just Tex-Mex, though we couldn’t help but include L & J Cafe because that is what El Paso is known for after all! But hopefully now you are aware you have more options when visiting Northeast El Paso, and you won’t miss out on any of these other amazing restaurants simply because they weren’t on your radar. Let us know in the comments which of these Northeast El Paso restaurants you try first!