Maynard Haddad, owner of former H&H Coffee Shop, dies at 88

Maria Cortes Gonzalez, El Paso Times
·2 min read

Maynard Haddad, longtime owner of the former H&H Coffee Shop, died Friday. He was 88.

Haddad, his restaurant and car wash at 701 Yandell Drive were icons in El Paso. He closed the car wash in January 2021 but kept the coffee shop, first opened by his dad Najib as a snack bar, open until July 22, 2021.

The coffee shop, known for its picadillo burritos and chile rellenos, was open for 63 years.

For many of those last years, Haddad was known to sit outside the rugged diner, in a white rocking chair, smoking a cigar while greeting his customers, many of them friends. He was a huge supporter of the University of Texas at El Paso, and had numerous memorabilia, including a UTEP flag, decorating the restaurant.

He was quite a character, direct and never at a loss for words, deciding to keep the restaurant open through much of the pandemic.

Julianne Haddad stands by her parents Maynard and Anita Haddad outside of her dad's restaurant, H&H Coffee Shop, 701 Yandell Drive, on May 6, 2021. Owner Maynard Haddad often could be seen sitting outside the shop.
Julianne Haddad stands by her parents Maynard and Anita Haddad outside of her dad's restaurant, H&H Coffee Shop, 701 Yandell Drive, on May 6, 2021. Owner Maynard Haddad often could be seen sitting outside the shop.

Celebrities, chefs, politicians — including the Bushes and Republican Texas U.S. Sen. John Cornyn — Shane McAuliffe, host of "The Texas Bucket List," and Top Chef's Padma Lakshmi had all visited the diner over the years.

In May 2021, daughter Julianne Haddad said she was happy to see her father active and visiting with people. She was helping to run the restaurant for the past 10 years. Her three siblings had all worked at the diner at one time or another.

"This has kind of been our life, all we ever knew. And I'm so proud of our family. My dad at 87 years old never gives up. He's worked so hard his whole life and he's instilled that in all of us," she told the El Paso Times. Her grandparents were originally from Syria.

More:Family, friends help Maynard Haddad keep H&H Coffee Shop open through tough times

For Maynard Haddad, every day was a good day to be at the diner.

"I just like to sit in my rocking rock. God's been good to me. I sit here and get to see the American flag and the school (St. Clement's across the street). It's great," he said.

No information on services was available.

María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150; mcortes@elpasotimes.com; @EPTMaria on Twitter.

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This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Maynard Haddad, owner of former H&H Coffee Shop in El Paso, dies at 88