L & J Cafe

5 recent ratings
$ • Cafe
Reported NOT to have a gluten-free menu
Safety Rating
4 ratings

As rated by the community

3622 E Missouri Ave
El Paso, TX 79903

Most Recent Reviews


Gluten Sensitive

Overall Rating

Review


I ordered the chicken fajitas with corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas. The refried beans are made with lard not butter. I did not have any adverse reactions! Will be eating here again! (Note: I’m not Celiac but gluten sensitive).

Safety


How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Quality & Quantity


How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other


Other Characteristics
  • Good for dairy-free
  • Good for dinner
  • Good for kids
  • Good for lunch
  • Good for takeout
  • Reservations recommended
Updated yesterday read full review

Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


Place was packed due to Veterans Day, so all the waiters were under a lot of time pressure. Food was average good, didn‘t feel super safe though. Waitress was somewhat knowledgeable. She only pointed out three types of tacos that she thought were actually gf. Ground beef seems to best thickened with flour, same for the salsa. No dedicated fryer, so chips were off limits as well.

Safety


How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Not very

Safety Feature Ratings
  • Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions

Quality & Quantity


Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Good

Other


Other Characteristics
  • Good for breakfast/brunch
  • Good for dinner
  • Good for lunch
  • Good for takeout
  • Reservations recommended
Updated 4 months ago read full review

Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


My family of half celiacs and half gluten intolerance absolutely adore this place. I would say most of their food is already or can be made made to be gf with corn tortillas instead. The staff is very kind, helpful, and knowledgeable. We have had some of their breakfast foods, burritos, tacos, enchiladas, their smothered queso dishes, chips, salsa, guacamole and everyone is feeling good. However, they only have one fryer for everything so something’s are not able to be made gf sue to that. Would definitely recommend!

Safety


How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Quality & Quantity


Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other


Other Characteristics
  • Good for breakfast/brunch
  • Good for dinner
  • Good for keto
  • Good for kids
  • Good for lunch
  • Good selection of healthy options
  • Good vegan options
  • Good vegetarian options
  • Good with other allergies
Updated 10 months ago read full review

This establishment is NOT a dedicated gluten-free facility and may not be safe for those with celiac disease. Please contact the establishment directly to inquire about safety precautions.

Gluten-Free Features

  • None Listed

Categories

  • Allergy Friendly
  • Breakfast
  • Brunch
  • Cafe
  • Dairy-Free Friendly
  • Dinner
  • Healthy
  • Keto Friendly
  • Kid Friendly
  • Lunch
  • Mexican
  • Takeout
  • Vegan Friendly

Photos


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Tips


Celiac

Be sure to speak to a manager before ordering. Do not rely on servers to know.

4 years ago

More Reviews


Hashimoto's

Overall Rating

Review


Not safe at all. Lots of cross contamination. Salsa and chips were told to be not gf. Server says tacos and enchiladas were gluten free but read here that corn tortillas may contain gluten. Staff was very unknowledgeable. Did not eat here.

Quality & Quantity


Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much/None

Updated 1 year ago read full review

Gluten Intolerant

Overall Rating

Safety


How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Not at all

Quality & Quantity


Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Average

Updated 2 years ago read full review

Overall Rating

Review


No gluten free menu or allergen list available. Went off recommendations from staff member. The corn tortillas are not safe. Literally flushed my money down the toilet.

Celiac friendly?

No

Updated 4 years ago read full review

Overall Rating

Review


No gluten-free menu. Ask to speak to the manager and they will take care of you. Most items are gf. I had green Chile chicken enchiladas, guacamole, chips, ice tea, and the salsa they serve with the chips, and I did GREAT. I am highly sensitive. I look forward to going back.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Updated 4 years ago read full review

Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


Limited menu but they grilled corn tortillas so I had chips for guacamole!

Updated 5 years ago read full review

Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


Headed to L&J based upon the reviews. New Celiac and had eaten here many times before I was gluten free. Haven’t been a huge fan of the food, but came basically off of the gluten free reviews. The hostess also gave me the vegetarian menu and I figured I was in for a long lunch. But, the server went and asked and was super helpful. Knew what I could and couldn’t eat. As an example, the green sauce was ok, but not the red as there is wheat in it. Don’t eat the chips, etc. He made me feel comfortable that he/they actually knew what they were talking about (sans the hostess).

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Updated 6 years ago read full review

Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


First of all, is this the only place anyone eats in this town? Even aside from gluten free eating, being so close to Mexico, if this is "authentic" Mexican food then I no longer like Mexican. Yikes! I've had better Mexican in Germany for god's sake. Anyway, we went here after reading the lengthy reviews on this site, thought it would be a good place. We came here and it took at least 15 minutes just to get water. I asked the waiter what options they had that were gluten free and he said he didn't know, and just sort of left it at that, stopped talking or trying to answer. Dumbfounded by his response, I started inquiring about how they cook in the kitchen, if they cook the corn tortillas on the same thing as flour tortillas, and so on, he gave me some recommendations based on the things I told him. It took me continuing to ask several questions before he finally said he would ask someone. So ok, strange I thought, just an inexperienced service worker I thought. He comes back out with a vegetarian menu saying the kitchen staff said I should order off that, it had many things on it that were clearly not gluten free, things even he had recommended not getting, and after I pointed out he initially tried to play like he knew what he was talking about and that I should just order off that anyway. I explained kindly that this was a vegetarian menu, and that gluten free is not the same as vegetarian, that I could eat meat just not gluten (this person has no issue with the English language by the way) and he went back again to ask the kitchen, after another not very helpful answer upon his return (still no water) he went back a final time to the kitchen, and I ended up getting a chicken fajita with a cooked and allegedly corn tortilla, which looked like flour to me, had my boyfriend try it to see if he could tell if it was corn. He thought it was flour but wasn't sure, and I didn't feel comfortable even trying it after that weird series of encounters, maybe I was just paranoid at that point but who could blame me? Finally, someone was trying to order a lunch for me from there and was asking them on the phone about their cooking practices and had been met with what must have been an equally unhelpful interaction. I overheard him asking about a salad with just plain grilled chicken on it, if that would be safe in regards to their cooking practices, and he got off the phone not having ordered anything because he said they had no idea at all and didn't feel comfortable ordering from there. So there you have it, I have no idea what happened between my experiences and the peoples' before me but I would not recommend this place for anyone, not just on the basis of not gluten free friendly, but generally unimpressive food.

Updated 7 years ago read full review

Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


In the area for work. Are here 3 times. My allergy is severe, the manager came out and went over each and every item on the menu that is or could be made gluten free and what to stay away from. Very knowledgeable. I didn't feel uncomfortable ordering like at most places. I'm Very skeptical eating out... But I went back because I did not get sick. Everyone was very friendly and atmosphere is awesome!! The sangria was pretty rocken' too! Very pleased. And recommend this place to anyone that is super sensitive like me!

Updated 7 years ago read full review

Overall Rating

Review


I have been coming to L&J Cafe for about four years. It's my go to joint when I'm in El Paso for work. Locals had recommended the place, and ever since, it's been my go to joint on travel in El Paso. (and when you come, don't be swayed by exterior appearances...the place is very safe and friendly.) I hadn't been since having to make the gf switch, and I was a little worried that I was going to find out that I was no longer going to be able to eat here. My worries were completely unfounded. I called in advance and the hostess definitely knew what gluten was, and she knew they could make gf dishes. She told me to check with the manager when I got there for how they could accommodate. Matt, the new manager (also a trained chef), actually came out, sat down, and talked about the changes he was making and what I could and couldn't have. Since they use the same oil for everything, the house chips were off, BUT he had a special gf batch made for me--which he said it's standard for the 2-3 of us that come each week. He also brought out an order of guacamole on the house--you know how you usually feel like a pariah at a restaurant that doesn't cater to gf's? L&Js treats you like a VIP. I was able to get my green enchiladas, and I was assured it would be cooked separately--the latter without my even asking. Matt had a whole list of things I could have...but I already knew I loved the green enchiladas (which also comes in a light version for dieters out there), so I apologize for not listening better to report out on options. They were plentiful, though. If you happen to have a non gf friend or co worker along, I still highly recommend the cinnamon sophapillas and the caldillo for them. They are currently renovating and expanding, so it's be surprised if gf wasn't part of the menu come Nov 2013. the manager indicated that additional changes wetter coming to the kitchen and mentioned the how he was working with the kitchen staff so that they understood gf cooking. I felt very safe eating there and they were so nice and helpful on gf options that I will still be coming back again and again. Sorry, this is a really long review. Warranted, though because no other gf people have reviewed it yet. Gf diners shouldn't be missing out on this place just because it doesn't come up online as a gf option.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Updated 10 years ago read full review

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