My wife is a native of El Paso and I have visited that last 2 Christmases.
I second the info on Cattlemen's it is very good. Cheap but very good eats and an El Paso legend is Chicos Tacos (a handful of locations). You might want one of their T shirts as a souvenier. We ate at Forti's last trip and this is another good spot. Smitty's barbecue is another recommendation and Johnny's Pit Barbecue. Another good Mexican restaurant is Leo's. For a day trip go to New Mexico and old Mesilla and La Posta restaurant or the haunted Double Eagle.

I would not worry about Juarez too much unless you cross the border, we climbed up the international bridge staying on the US side just to look over. I would likely not do so today but I was there at New Year and did not feel fearful of because of Juarez.

I think it is cool as can be that you are going to be kilted in El Paso.