Gate-side in Terminal A, this is the main sit-down option
Standard Star sits airside in Terminal A at El Paso (ELP), covering the early bank of flights with weekday hours from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. It runs American-style diner food: think burgers, sandwiches, eggs, and coffee rather than bar snacks or tacos. If your flight leaves before 6:00 a.m., this is one of the few places actually open for a hot breakfast and a real seat.
Menu boards tend to land in the mid-teens for burgers and combo plates, so budget around $15–$20 per person if you want a full meal with a drink. It skews more “airport restaurant” than grab-and-go stand, so build in at least 25–30 minutes if you plan to sit and eat before a boarding time dash. If you just need coffee, it’s usually faster than waiting in a long chain line down the concourse.
Standard Star closes at 7:00 p.m. on weekdays and doesn’t list weekend hours, so don’t count on it for late-night or Saturday/Sunday dinner. If you land around the 6:30 p.m. arrivals, check the time before heading over or you’ll end up roaming Terminal A looking for something still serving hot food.
Tip: If your American or Southwest departure from Terminal A is around the 5:00–7:00 a.m. wave, head here first for breakfast, then walk back toward your gate; security lines at ELP usually move, but food options thin out fast near the ends of the concourse.