- ArnyZona
- First Reviewer
- 5 out of 5
- Avg. Member Rating
- 4
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El Charro Cafe
- October 29, 2007
- Rated 5 of 5 by
travellingfun from Tucson, Arizona
Dreaming of beef is a rarity for me. However, El Charro's carne seca, sundried shredded beef, is one such preparation that can cause me to dream sweet dreams meat. I suggest either the Topopo salad with carne seca or one of the chimichangas (after all El Charro claims to have originated the chimi). Or if you have just completed the Tucson marathon or Tour de Tucson, order the carne seca platter. I have seen many hungry men in agony trying to finish it.
As for the ambiance, I read some of the other reviews that the Court Ave location has the most authentic experience. However, I would recommend you check out the Broadway Boulevard location on the east side. Saturday nights bring salsa dancing and margaritas, and the bar is always happening.
Since I'm no longer a resident of Tucson, I am happy that El Charro also ships their tamales and salsas (which are fantastic, of course). However, I'm now officially requesting they start shipping carne seca. Until then I guess I'll have to continue to dream.
From journal Visit Arizona - More than Just Sun and Desert
El Charro Cafe
- February 15, 2006
- Rated 5 of 5 by
rem22310 from Tucson, Arizona
If you're in Tucson, you have to try the Mexican food. El Charro is the best Sonoran-style dining experience in town, in my humble opinion.
El Charro has three locations, but the one downtown on North Court Avenue has the best ambience. This is the original location, and they have a small bar, outdoor seating, and an intimate basement area that all provide different dining environments in addition to the main room.
This restaurant is always packed. On a busy weekend evening you might want to plan on waiting for a table.
However, service is fast and friendly. The complimentary chips come with a medium-to-spicy salsa. My favorite dish is the carne seca. You can smell the meat cooking from 2 blocks away. The menu carries all the usual dishes you find in a Mexican restaurant. You can check it out at http://www.elcharrocafe.com/menu.asp.
From journal Tucson Highlights
El Charro Cafe
- November 29, 2005
- Rated 4 of 5 by
ParrotTalk from Boston, Massachusetts
The inside of the Court Street location has a definite historic flavor to it. In addition to the downtown original location, there are three others throughout the city. I thought the food was great. The menu is quite extensive. The enchilada section was an example. Not only do you get to choose the filling from about nine choices, but you also get to decide what type of sauce and cheese it gets topped with. Next door to the downtown location is a gift shop where you may purchase salsa, tamales, and other mementos of your visit to take home with you. I'm still enjoying the salsa I bought when I was there!
From journal Tucson: A Nature Lover's Dream
Editor Pick
El Charro Cafe
- June 4, 2005
- Rated 5 of 5 by
ArnyZona from Venlo, Netherlands
This restaurant was highly recommended by some locals we met. And boy, we can't thank them enough for giving us this tip, and since we enjoyed it so much, we ate their at both our days in Tucson. We even consider going back to Tucson, just for this restaurant.
The first night we visited this friendly place, we had no reservation, and the place was booked full. But the main waiter saw the disapointment in our eyes and told us to wait in the cosy bar, after ordering us two complimentary drinks. Just after 15 minutes, he presented us a table near the fountain in the middle of the patio.
The rest of the staff was just as friendly. The food was a dream! If you like spicy food and like seafood, then this is the place for you!
A little quote from their own leaflet, with not one letter untrue:
"Established in 1922, El Charro Café of Tucson, Arizona, is the nation's oldest Mexican restaurant in continuous operation by the same family, featuring traditional Sonoran-style and innovative Tucson-style Mexican food. El Charro is truly as Gourmet magazine wrote: A Taste Explosion".
Next to the restaurant is a little store where you can get signature line of retail products, including salsas, tamales, calendars, and gift cards.
From journal Tucson in 1 Day