Luby's opens with customer favorites at El Paso County Courthouse

Emotions ran deep during the final days at the former Luby's on 3601 N. Mesa St., as El Pasoans made one last trip to the cafeteria as it geared up for its closure on April 9.

"It was a sad situation for sure. Everyone was coming out, that's for sure, for their last trip," said Manager Teresa Brady, who was at the Westside location and is now at the courthouse. However, that same weekend, talks began on the possibility of opening a Luby's elsewhere, even if in a smaller building. The Luby's on the West Side had been there since 1964.

The mood was precisely the opposite Aug. 25 at the Enrique Moreno County Courthouse, as restaurant managers and El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego celebrated the opening of Luby's pop-up on the lower level of the Downtown courthouse.

Brady was excited to celebrate not only the re-opening of a second Luby's in El Paso but also the return of some of the employees. The pop-up is run by seven employees and features a smaller but rotating menu daily.

On opening day, courthouse employees got to choose from prime rib and fried fish, including salads and desserts. Customers still slide a plastic tray but use sturdy foam plates and plastic fork and spoon sets instead of stainless-steel silverware wrapped in a cloth napkin. The salads and desserts come in to-go plastic containers.

General manager Santos Ceniceros said he's been hearing from all the El Pasoans who feel Luby's is part of their family's dining traditions.

"(The response) has been overwhelming. I can't even go to Walmart and people are asking if we're going to open a Luby's," Ceniceros said. "I've been working for Luby's for 31 years so I basically know every customer everywhere I go."

Brady said there are a few favorites they will have to carry, including the fried fish, the Almondine fish, macaroni and cheese, and liver and onions.

"I think it's the home cooking and for the older people, the low-sodium meals, and we take care of them. We treat them like family," Ceniceros said.

The public will be able to dine in as well. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150, [email protected] and @EPTMaria on Twitter.