Visitors coming to the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl on Dec. 31 will be looking for places to eat in El Paso.
The 2025 Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl features a battle of the Devils, as nearby Arizona State will make the short trip to El Paso to take on ACC champion Duke in a rematch of the 2014 Sun Bowl thriller.
The game between Arizona State and Duke should be an exciting one. And El Paso can certainly match that good energy with an array of great restaurants, from Mexican and steakhouses to Downtown icons and specialty eateries.
El Paso is known for its Mexican food. Many of the restaurants are family-owned for generations and are iconic, even featured on television shows and in social media reviews. El Paso also has some great steakhouses with juicy, melt-in-your-mouth steaks and scrumptious sides, making for a big meal, so make sure you have the appetite.
It’s always hard to narrow the long list of fine restaurants to a few must-hit spots. But here’s the short list of what to try while you’re in town for a little football.
Top Mexican restaurants to tryL&J Cafe
L&J Cafe, at 3622 E Missouri Ave., is iconic for its history, location (next to a cemetery), and most importantly food and vibe. The family-owned restaurant started during the Great Depression and has been going strong ever since. It’s a popular place among visiting celebrities.
Popular dishes include the green chicken enchiladas (tried by Martha Stewart), fresh and crispy nachos, and the Mexican Combination plate. While you decide, be sure and sample those complimentary chips and good salsa.
Rosa’s Cantina
Rosa’s Cantina, at 3454 Doniphan Drive, is another iconic restaurant in El Paso County, known for live music, great tacos, and being the inspiration for Marty Robbins’ song. The old-style signs and architecture are part of its charm.
On some days, there’s a live band to get you in a dancing mood. And you can always order a cold beer to pair with your tacos.
Visitors will like that they can eat and shop for souvenirs at the same spot. The restaurant has a variety of T-shirts and other merchandise for sale.
Merchandise at Rosa’s Cantina in El Paso, Texas on July 3, 2025.
Lucy’s Mexican Restaurant
If you’re looking for something casual, where you can come as you are, try Lucy’s Restaurant, 1305 N. Mesa St., where you can find some of the area’s best Mexican fare. The restaurant has been family-owned for three generations and takes pride in treating customers well.
The restaurant is known for its tasty Machaca plate and the crunchy Tacos Antonia, named after Lucy’s sister Antonia. It’s tied to a bar where you can play pool or relax with a beer or two.
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 popular Mexican restaurant, Lucy’s, will be featured on “The Texas Bucket List.”
El Paso’s top steakhouses to tryCattleman’s
It’s about a 45-minute drive from El Paso’s Westside, but it will be worth the desert drive. Cattleman’s Steakhouse, at 3450 S. Fabens Carlsbad Road in Fabens, is known for its steaks and attractive grounds, including a petting zoo. The restaurant officially opened in 1973 and is on a site that has been used in movies such as
It has been reviewed and was most recently featured on The Texas Bucket List, which went behind the scenes to show viewers why it’s one of the best steakhouses. The hearty steaks are served with spicy ranch beans, a scrumptious pineapple cole slaw and bread and butter.
Anson 11
For fine dining, make reservations for Anson 11, a restaurant located in Downtown El Paso at 303 N. Oregon St. The restaurant has two dining areas, the Bistro, the main one with patio seating and Upstairs on an upper floor.
Anson 11 offers a petite filet mignon with a choice of steak fries, loaded mashed potatoes or garden salad for $39. You can also add sautéed onions and mushrooms or shrimp stuffed with green chile for an additional charge.
Top Downtown El Paso restaurants to tryCafe Central
Cafe Central, at 109 N. Oregon St., is located in Downtown El Paso and is considered one of the distinguished places, not only in El Paso but across the country. The restaurant was one of 16 recognized in 2024 with the DiRōNA Gold Award of Excellence. The acronym stands for Distinguished Restaurants of North America.
The Lobster Angolotti, $42, is a wonderful, creamy broth with buttery lobster claw and handmade mascarpone stuffed pasta, English peas, foraged mushrooms, and asparagus tips.
The restaurant is renowned for its exquisite cuisine, impeccable service and outstanding wine selection. With a commitment to excellence spanning over a century, Cafe Central managers said the award proves the restaurant maintains its excellence in outstanding menu offerings, meticulously curated wine and cocktail selections, and unparalleled service.
Ambar
The Ambar Lobby Bar is one of the main features inside the renovated Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park.
Ambar Restaurant is inside the Plaza Hotel, which will impress visitors with its 1930s Art Deco design.
The restaurant is suited for those with an adventurous palate. Entrees range from mole poblano duck and a tomahawk ribeye to dishes with a local flavor, such as carnitas.
The restaurant is also known for its delicious brunches on Sundays.
If you’re into seafood: El Paso restaurants to try: A Toda Mar serves delicious Mexican-style seafood on East Side
María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150, mcortes@elpasotimes.com and @EPTMaria on Twitter, and eptmariacg on TikTok.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso restaurants to try during 2025 Sun Bowl visit: See the list