Day Trips

El Paso Mexican food can be an all-day love affair: H&H Car Wash and Coffee Shop for breakfast, Rafa's Burritos for lunch, and L&J Cafe for supper.

Yes, a popular place in El Paso for breakfast will wash your car while you eat. You can also get a shoe shine, but you shouldn't miss the huevos rancheros. The menu includes chili rellenos, Mexican omelets, and burritos. H&H is open from 7:30am to 3pm at 701 E. Yandell, it's only a couple of blocks north of I-10 near downtown.

Four miles south of the hiking trails at the Franklin Mountains State Park off Transmountain Road, lunch awaits you at Rafa's Burritos No. 4 at 420 Talbot Ave. This local chain of taquerias serves burritos as big as logs. The mole and red sauces will clear your sinuses.

After shopping at the El Paso Saddleblanket Company, head over to L&J Cafe at 3622 E. Mis­souri Ave. Across the street from the cafe is John Wesley Hardin's grave in historic Concordia Ceme­tery.

In 1927, this neighborhood diner was called Tony's Place. Antonio's daughter Lilia renamed it using her and her husband John's initials. A neighborhood bar occupies the front room, and the cafe is in the back. You can eat in either place. The enchiladas are flavorful, but not overly spicy.

1,065th in a series. Collect them all. Day Trips, Vol. 2, a book of "Day Trips," is available for $8.95, plus $3.05 for shipping, handling, and tax. Mail to: Day Trips, PO Box 33284, South Austin, TX 78704.