Iconic H&H Car Wash Will Close Thursday After 63 Years in El Paso

It's the end of an era. H&H Car Wash, an El Paso institution since it first opened in October of 1958 will serve its final customer tomorrow afternoon. The restaurant is closing after 63 years.

"It's time," 87-year old Maynard Haddad told me this afternoon. "It's the love we have for this community. There is nothing like it anywhere."

It has always been a family affair for Maynard. He grew up in the businesses along with brother working for his dad, who founded H&H. They later expanded to northeast El Paso but closed it in 1986 and Maynard returned to the original location. He has been there ever since, along with his daughter Julianne who has helped run the restaurant for him.

The Haddad family has been UTEP supporters forever, and there are a ton of pictures inside the coffee shop that pay tribute to Don Haskins, Billy Gillispie, Doc Sadler, Sean Kugler, and dozens of other popular Miners. When Joe Golding was recently hired as UTEP men's basketball head coach, he soon made it a point to stop by H&H for breakfast and introduce himself to Maynard and his staff.

Haddad closed the car wash in January, but kept the coffee shop open as El Paso started to recover from the pandemic. It was not an easy decision for him to close the iconic restaurant, but the property was purchased about a year ago by St. Clements. With TXDOT soon to take over the current St. Clements gym, there is talk that the school's gym will be rebuilt where H&H currently stands.

When I think of Maynard Haddad, I think of Don Haskins. Both men are local legends for different reasons. Their personalities are strikingly similar, which explains why they were friends. Anyone who has had a chance to talk to the 87-year old will soon realize that he is a throwback to a different time. Sadly, they just do not make people like him anymore.

Tomorrow will be a day for thousands of people to stop by 701 Yandell Drive and say goodbye to Maynard, Julianne, and the entire staff that has made H&H Car Wash and Coffee Shop one of El Paso's landmarks. Your best bet is to arrive early since they are sure to get many customers wanting to enjoy one last meal with Maynard.