Well, I live less than 100 north of there and we go frequently to shop. Personally, I cannot stand EP! We've stayed at the Hilton Airport or Radisson Airport when we have an early morning flight. We prefer mexican food. I'd ask the front desk at whatever hotel you stay at to recommend a good place that the locals eat at (since I don't know where you are staying, can't recommend a place). You certainly don't want to stay on one side of the city and drive to the other just to eat. After living here for 25 years, I still find it easy to get lost in El Paso. (We never get lost in Albuquerque!). You need to be very, very careful about crossing the border (I would highly discourage it). The police ARE the criminals there and its just nasty filthy. Good luck.