Lucy’s—boasting restaurant, coffee shop, and cafe iterations—has been around since the 1970’s, continuing founder Lucy Lepe’s tradition of homestyle Mexican food with every recipe intact. This location, in the heart of another El Paso staple, the Kings X Bar, is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (with breakfast offered all day long). Go-to dishes include the machaca, always rich and delicious, made with tender shredded brisket, tomatoes, onions, and scrambled eggs amd generously covered in Lucy’s secret-formula chile con queso. And then there are the chiles rellenos, tortas (Mexican sandwiches on rolls, spread with that delectable machaca or carnitas), and comforting soups and stews. (The Tlapeño soup, with fresh vegetables and chicken, is especially rewarding.) Desserts are made daily, but regular customers have been known to order the one-of-a-kind cinnamon French toast from the breakfast menu. It’s as good a way to end the day as to start it.