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El Charro Cafe
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11 am - 9 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Stephen Z. said: "I read a few reviews from people that didn't review this restaurant well and were expecting to be impressed after ordering lemon chicken and seafood?? These reviewers then went on to compare Mama Louisa's to The Olive Garden... Let…" read more »
181 reviews for El Charro Cafe
Review Highlights
"Try the Carne Seca - you won't be disappointed."
(in 54 reviews)
"Try the Prickly Pear margarita, too."
(in 6 reviews)
"Hubby got the Carne Asada burrito elegante style (enchilada."
(in 3 reviews)
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181 reviews in English
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Review from Leah R.
Phoenix, AZ
1/23/2012
This was my first time eating at El Charro. I went after the Monday night "Meet me
At Maynard's" walk.
When I arrived there was a 20 minute wait. I was hungry, so I was impressed when they escorted me to a bar with complimentary chips and salsa while I waited. I thought that the chips and salsa were delicious. The salsa was vibrant, flavorful, and tangy and the chips were crisp and perfectly salted.
After a short wait I was seated and was impressed with how large the menu was. After looking over the entire menu I settled on the "G" burrito which enticed me with its tamale filling.
When they brought the food I was impressed with how much was on the plate and dug right in. I didn't care for the enchilada sauce on the top of the burrito, but I loved the flavor of the tamale inside the burrito.
Best of all, I received $5 off of my meal for having participated in the Maynard's walk earlier that evening. -
Review from Holly R.
1/25/2012
Some friends took me to El Charro for dinner because it supposedly has the reputation of being one of the best Mexican places in Tucson. I can't say my friends did me wrong but it wasn't one of their best choices.
There were some things that I really liked.
Cool atmosphere. I always love a restaurant in an old house.
Endless chips. We never ran out and the salsa was good.
Fresh guacamole. Very tasty.
Then we get to the pretty good stuff. Which is really my whole dinner.
I got two tacos - one fish, one carnitas with rice and charros (whole beans)
The portions were huge so if you're a big eater you'll be pleased.
The fish taco was good. Not super flavorful but decent enough.
The carnitas taco was also good but again not super flavorful.
The rice was okay, nothing special.
The beans were okay, nothing special.
Overall I liked it, it wasn't bad but there was nothing that really stood out as something I'd go back for. It was just good not great. And a few hours later I felt like I had a brick in my gut. Boooo. -
Review from Rush K.
New York, NY
1/14/2012
Usually the bast restaurant in town, am I right? The carne asada is great but my dad says El Minuto has got a slight edge.
Anyway, I've had many a great meal here but on Christmas Eve... Oi! I ordered the Christmas Eve prix fix special. The salad was just some chopped iceberg, the stuffed mushrooms were RAW (WTF?), and the chicken thing was totally lame and chewy and cold. Stick to the regular menu. I'm giving them 2 stars only because the rest of the menu is 5! -
Review from Karen B.
Corvallis, OR
2/8/2012
If you use a service dog you will be refused service and told to leave. Violation of both AZ and Fed law. We were a party of four so they lost some bucks. I also have friends who spend time in Tucsan and have been to this particular restaurant. They will not be returning. All the good food in the world does not make up for violating the Americans with Disabilities Act.
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Review from Bob J.
Tucson, AZ
2/8/2012
We hosted a mixer here for one our groups a couple of months ago and were really delighted with the service. The food was yummy and the staff was very friendly.
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Review from Bryan K.
San Mateo, CA
1/30/2012
Finally Mexican food in Tucson that I like. The three different enchiladas plate was quite tasty. The margaritas lacked serious pow, but that's secondary to the food. The service is excellent, the wait staff is very attentive and helpful.
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Review from Marshall W.
Petaluma, CA
1/21/2012
Ummm good, and in an authentic setting. Been coming here for 15 years, and it never disappoints. The chile rellanos are to die for. A must for downtown Tucson
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Review from Rachel L.
San Jose, CA
12/16/2011
With all the enchiladas I've consumed in my adult life, I'm surprised I don't bleed cheese and sweat red sauce. Now, I eat Mexican food with some frequency, so I do try to branch out on occasion, but then I end up ordering enchiladas, anyway. I'm just obsessed; that's really all there is to it.
Enter El Charro...
I would, without any hesitation at all, sell someone I know and love for a couple of their pork and/or fresh corn tamales. This might sound like a horrible thing to say, but seriously, just try one and I know you'll feel the same way. I know my mom does... Which has caused some paranoia between us, but really, if it came down to that, I think the person being sold would understand that it's all in the name of tamale goodness!
The only grievance I have is that they give you salsa to pour on a plate, which makes you look comically awkward while trying to scoop anything onto your chip. Otherwise, I'd definitely recommend this delicious hole-in-the-wall. -
Review from Emily G.
Tucson, AZ
1/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
Love, love, love. Everything is amazing! Also I have had thier catering and it blew my mind! Highly recommended. Only 4 out of 5 because of Cafe Poca Cosa.
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Review from Jesus G.
Riverside, CA
1/15/2012
The tamales were great. The enchiladas were the worst. It was a mixed bag. This is your typical mild-mex restaurant. The food here is destined for palates that cannot handle spicy food.
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Review from Jeanne de M.
Santa Fe, NM
11/10/2011
Five stars from little old me in Santa Fe, for for El Charro on North Court Avenue in Tucson!
The salsa is flavorful, piquant and fresh-tasting. I simply adored my "Tamales Supremas", which were better than any I have had at a restaurant anywhere. I favor beef tamales, and that's what they served me, Tucson style. The refritos were just as I prefer them, softly mashed and flavorful (where I live, whole cooked pintos are falsely advertised on menus as "refried beans").
I loved the fact that when I asked for more salsa, the waiter left me a syrup-dispenser full of it, which facilitated dousing my tamales with the magnificent stuff. If you have ever tried to do so with a little bowl of salsa, which is extremely awkward and messy, this thoughtful touch will be appreciated.
My dining companions enjoyed their flautas and fajitas very much, and had a very high opinion of the salsa and chips. The pastel de tres leches was perfectly prepared--light, milky and just sweet enough.
We all enjoyed the rustic, old-style charm of the place, and our excellent waiter Donald gave us a tour of the lower level, with its interesting masonry, which was wrought by the founder, a stone-mason from France. That uniquely atmospheric area is used for private parties.
After the wonderful experience we had at El Charro's oldest location in Tucson, I read in a magazine that it is the oldest family-owned restaurant in the U.S.
Here's another superlative: El Charro is the most charming and hospitable
Mexican-style restaurant that I've ever been to, and I would drive back to Tucson from up here just to taste their delicious food once more. -
Review from Jeff M.
El Charro Cafe offers the best Sonoran Mexican food I have had in Tucson. I finally found good Mexican fare in Tucson! The carne seca is my favorite. If you go behind the restaurant and look on the roof you can see the meat for the carne seca in a steal cage drying in the sun. I can't wait to go back. Pumpkin filled tamale was debatably gross.
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Review from Ted R.
Volcano, CA
10/8/2011
We went here after reading reviews on Yelp
Really nice place with great atmosphere.
Beer and mixed drinks really goo.
I ordered the carne asda tacos with rice and beans
The whole meal was not hot luke warm at best.
Not much flavor that I am used to with the Mexican I enjoy.
My wife had a tostado mostly lettuce and enchilada not very spicy.
All in all I would pick a different place next time. -
Review from Nancy G.
Chester, NH
1/6/2012
I'm not sure which El Charro we visited, as I know there are a few locations, but it was in Tucson. This is the third time we have been here when we are here to see relatives and today really confirmed for us that this is the best Mexican food we have eaten. The waiter was very familiar with the menu, they made up a special plate for me of all my favorites and it was pure joy eating. Oh, my favorites are the enchiladas, chili rellanos and tamales.
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Review from Michelle N.
Tuckerton, NJ
9/29/2011
The food is amazing. One of the best Mexican places I have ever been to. I ordered a chicken burrito that had cheese, rice, and beans. So good I couldn't stop eating even though I was full.
We ordered the guacamole as an appetizer. We felt ripped off. You don't get a lot of guacamole and when my burrito arrived it had some guacamole as a garnish along with sour cream. -
Review from Joshua B.
10/5/2011 3 Check-ins Here
El Charro is a delicious conundrum. Despite what may or may not go wrong, they will always go out of their way to make sure you leave feeling full and happy!
I've had a few experiences (usually late night) where the drinks might not be as good as they should, or the service staff seems a bit rushed or even confused; however, I've never run into a situation that they wouldn't immediately rectify if brought to their attention. These problems seem to be specific to this establishment, because I've never had these issues at the north Oracle location.
With that said they make a pretty decent margarita and their food is superb! Their appetizer nachos are full of flavor, and enough for two people to easily get a full meal. But please don't stop at the appetizers, because they have so much more to offer. Every one of their lunch specials is definitely worth checking out, and their happy hour offers several amazing deals of deliciousness. They have so much good food to offer, and this location is just a quick jaunt from downtown and the Ave.
In short their service can sometimes be a little wonky, but they always have great food and awesome happy hour! -
Review from Natalie D.
Scottsdale, AZ
9/8/2011
El Charro dates back to the 1890's and is touted as the oldest continuously family owned Mexican restaurant in the USA. The original El Charro is located in the historic El Presidio district in the heart of downtown Tucson. And like I've said before, nothing beats an original!
Old, creaky wood floors and vintage decor add to the ambiance and the dining experience. Amazing salsa (3 of us went thru a boat load of it) and equally authentic, delicious food.
El Charro, please open a location in Phoenix! Pleeeeeease? -
Review from Briana D.
Anaheim, CA
9/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
Cool little place, vibe and location is pretty cute - I'd give that probably 5 stars. The food was good, but again, Im a hard one to win 5 stars for. The staff... well... this is the only time I visited this place. But the waiter we had as not so great in my opinion. He forgot about us for a little while and when we asked for more water he forgot to bring it to us at all.
Because of that I have to give it just an "ok" rating.
I think it would deserve more, but I just cant do it when the staff isn't really interested in your experience. -
Review from Barbara C.
La Conner, WA
1/8/2012
BEWARE! I had severe pain in my stomach after eating dinner here. That was followed by 3 days of chills and fever at night coming to an explosive ending tonight. That was on top of being seated in the corner so close to the kitchen and the server station that the servers had to reach over me and apologize. Also, my food - ala carte shrimp relleno (I did not order shrimp) and ala carte shredded beef soft taco - was extremely spicy, especially the relleno. My bet is that the shrimp had turned and they over spiced it to cover the bad flavor. Never again!
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Review from Ignacio R.
Long Beach, CA
9/24/2011
A nice little quaint restaurant in the heart of Historical Tucson. It matches the quaint little city of Tucson. Restaurant has many Mexican dishes that are probably not authentic, but they are delicious. I've been to Phoenix four times and this restaurant is a must...If you want real Mexican food, Nogales, Sonora is not too far away, but I don't recommend the food there.
The last time I went to that pseudo city of Phoenix, I drove all the way to Tucson just to go to El Charro Cafe...that's how much I love the place. Good atmosphere, good food, and very quaint... -
Review from Leslie W.
San Francisco, CA
9/19/2011
This place is much better than what I was expecting given the reviews.
I got the tamale temptation trio which was three "handmade" tamales (pork carnitas, chicken tomatillo, fresh corn for $11). Does handmade mean homemade..? Not sure, but overall the tamales were pretty tasty and more filling than I had expected. My coworker got the "USA Today Chimichanga" which is the carne seca meat in a burrito covered in two different sauces and lots of sauces and sides around it. This plate looks amazing when it comes out. I think two people could share and still not finish it. ($20)
It's true, the carne seca meet is a different taste but it's great. It has just the right mix of spices where I can't tell exactly what's in it but I keep wanting to eat more to find out what it is.
Service was good for me. Server was there when we needed, we got chips and salsa really fast, and he was very polite and helpful. Overall, the food was good but not amazing and the prices were way too high. I did enjoy sitting on the outdoor patio on an amazing 80 degree evening.
If I thought I'd be coming back, I'd get their rewards card. Every $100 you spend, you get $10 off. -
Review from Hilary T.
9/2/2011
This location is by far the best, and I spent many happy hours here during my two years in Tucson. We brought most of our visitors here because the food is good, as are the prices during happy hour (hint: get the margarita!) I love the patio seating (when it was open), the service staff was usually terrific. Great ambiance and decor as well - definitely a Tucson staple! I would recommend reservations for a weekend night since they can get pretty busy.
For happy hour appetizers, I recommend the mini chimichangas (they're so good, and each one is different, so it's a surprise when you bite into it), as well as the queso fundido dip.
Reasons why this didn't get a 5: The service staff was, at times, inattentive and somewhat aloof (though I have to say that seems to be more of Tucson thing than an El Charro thing). Also, as far as Mexican food goes, this place is pretty mainstream. Definitely not where I would go for some authentic Mexican in Tucson, but like I said, the food is good. I don't get the whole "carne seca" thing though. I like me some meat, but I was not a fan of their supposedly "famous" plate. Plus that cage they hang it in to dry it out over the roof of the building reminds of the feeding cage the cow was put in to feed the dinosaurs in "Jurassic Park"...but maybe you'll like it better :) -
Review from Kyle N.
Las Vegas, NV
12/23/2011
Best Mexican food I've ever had. We have been eating there for years and it is always consistently excellent. Love the carne seca and the fresh corn tamales are awesome. They have got me hooked on the prickly pear margaritas too. Love the courtyard seating at the downtown location. You can feel the history in the building and their receipes.
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Review from George C.
7/25/2011 9 Check-ins Here
I am in here almost every Friday for Happy Hour, and at least once a week for lunch. I just freaking love this place! They have a fantastic staff and the service is just excellent, especially in Bar Toma!
Brandon, Erin, Angel and Yohan are truly fabulous people and really make every visit to El Charro Downtown worthwhile. There is a level of service in the bar that is truly unique to Bar Toma. There is never a time when I am without drink, even during the busiest Happy Hours!
The Happy Hour is just awesome. The drinks and appetizers are unbelievably reasonable (cheap). El Charro really knows how to make a Deal-Finder like myself, happy on every visit, not only because of price, but the food is really good!
There are the staples like: Tacos(Damn delicious), Enchiladas(the best), Chimichangas (Elegante Style!) and then there are the unique finds like: Bacon Wrapped Shrimp(So good, but SO BAD!), Carne Seca (very tasty), and Topopo Salad (My favorite lunch plate).
There really is something for everyone here.Listed in: Feelin' Good Spots!
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Review from Geoff G.
9/16/2011
Ok...got a bunch of suggestions to check this place out during the trip to Tucson, especially the 'one downtown'. Big menu, thankfully they had a lunch menu though.
Boy, I wish that menu would have included the literal translation for "Carne seca burrito" as what it really was...a "tube of meat dust and wind". Gaack. This is truly an acquired taste...not terrible, but at the time I wasn't wanting a burrito full of beef jerky.
Yes, the salsa is really good. Wish they didn't serve it in the tiny maple syrup dispensers though. -
Review from SJ F.
Tucson, AZ
12/18/2011
My Chinese upbringing and the lack of lactose tolerating genes did not bring me to appreciate cheese with a burning passion. Nonetheless, I like El Charro because it does not cloak my dishes with a greasy processed mystery. I am a big fan of their salsa and chicken tortilla soup. The combo my fiance ordered cover the Mexican food essentials: tamale, beans, rice, and carne seca--and they taste awesome. The in-laws got fajitas and loved them. All in all, it is basic and fantastic.
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Review from Logie Z.
Tempe, AZ
7/8/2011
I've had better, but the ambiance is pretty cool!
There was a little wait where you could hang out at the coffee and gift shop next door. We didn't have to wait too long.
The hostess led us to the basement. It's a historic home turned legendary family owned restaurant. We marveled at the natural stone wall that you would find south of the border. It was a little snug with a big group at least we get the room to ourselves...almost.
Everything looked so good on the menu. Chicken Mole on a bed of rice with iceberg salad on the side, it is. I love that I could taste the cocoa in the sauce sprinkled with sesame seeds.
Hubby got the Carne Asada burrito elegante style (enchilada). "I want a quesadilla!", my cutie pie ordered. No horchata? WTF? We were looking forward to that drink.
I tried the specialty Carne Seca years ago, it's...well...dry. Like a jerky. No likey.
This is a good go to place in Tucson if you want a more authentic Mexican cuisine. -
Review from Peg P.
El Charro was probably the first Mexican restaurant I visited when I moved to Tucson. I liked it but hadn't tried any others in town for comparison. Now, I have. I find the food not as good as several other favorites of mine. I wish it weren't so but after today's experience I know why I don't go there very often. The ambience is flat out wonderful and I would be proud to bring guests here. The place was hopping busy with very satisfied-looking customers.
For me, I had their veggie dish of a corn tamale and a cheese enchilada. I don't care for their pancake style enchilada. Never have. The tamale arrived warm in parts and COLD in other places. I complained to the server, who was a very nice young man, and he apologized and brought me another tamale that was nice and warm and tasty all the way through.
On the up side, the bill was reasonable AND we got a certificate that will take off $10 on our next bill. So, we will return to use that. But South Tucson calls me when I have a hankering for good Mexican food.Listed in: Tucson Restaurants
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Review from BRUCE S.
Las Vegas, NV
6/13/2011
YUM! First off, I can't recommend the lo-cal magarita--it tasted like flavored water.
Now, I can recommend one of their signature dishes, the Carne Seca plate.
It was claimed to be an explosion of flavors (or something like that). I made the mistake of first trying to eat it without a tortilla. The meat was tasty but a little dry, the guacamole, pico de gallo, and beans were good or better. But, sometimes the sum of an item is more than just a total of the contents. When I mixed them all together in a tortilla, the result was TREMEMDOUS AND DELICIOUS!!! The BEST! It was really busy so it took the food a little while to get, but it was worth the wait. Get the El Charro beans! -
Review from Greg S.
Salt Lake City, UT
11/2/2011
Went here for a quick lunch.
Ordered the Barbacoa enchilada and it was delicious! The rice and beans it came with we're excellent as well. To top it all off I was in and out in 30 min with a $6.50 bill! -
Review from Matthew F.
Seattle, WA
6/24/2011
El Charro served me some of the best Mexican food I had ever eaten!
In July 2010, my friend Alex and I were on a little road trip around SE Arizona and SW New Mexico, and when we got to Tucson, we were two hungry little desert travelers. First, we got our cheap motel off the highway and headed toward downtown, and we landed at El Charro per the advice of a local that we stopped on the street.
They were extremely accommodating to my vegetarian friend, but I had the most fun as a carnivore. The BEST molé chicken I've ever tasted! Our waitress was super friendly and really made us feel welcome to be there. We also discovered that it's the oldest family-owned Mexican restaurant in the US!
Now I can't wait to visit Tucson again so that I can swing by El Charro for some great Mexican food. -
Review from Larry B.
Glen Ellyn, IL
4/3/2011
So the manager says, "Next time, don't order that."
One of our party ordered the Sonoran Enchiladas. It was not an enchilada. It was two corn burger patties with red sauce. The corn patties tasted like yard clippings. I took a bite a spit it out. Then I asked the waitress to take it off the bill because it was not as described on the menu and tasted awful. She said she would get the manager.
A fat guy called "Alex" came over and I told him how bad the Sonoran Enchiladas tasted. Believe it or not he said,
"DON'T ORDER THAT NEXT TIME."
When the bill came, the charge for the bad food was there. I left ZERO DOLLARS for a tip. On the charge slip I wrote, "the food tastes terrible." She was my connection to the kitchen and totaly stiffed me.
My wife put two bucks on the table. I picked up the money and tore it into pieces.
It's been 13 years since I've been to El Charro. The first time the meat was inedible. Now I remember. I am NEVER going back this place. -
Review from Melisa R.
Tucson, AZ
11/20/2011
First of all, I'm from Texas, then New Mexico. I don't care for the Mexican cuisine which is found in Tucson. That being said, I love El Charro. The ambiance, the wonderful creaky-board building...it works. I still cannot acclimate myself to a Relleno being wrapped in a cooked egg rather than deep fried in egg batter, but it's pretty good. The rest of my family grew up in AZ, so they have no food complaints. The service we have had makes it all worthwhile. Tucson seems to suffer when it comes to customer service, but not here. The Margaritas are good, the charm of the place is wonderful and unless you have my background, the food great. We keep coming back, year after year, and will as long as we live in Tucson.
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Review from Francesca L.
Chicago, IL
5/17/2011
This is the best place our friends have taken us to in Tucson. Love the location and decor inside the restaurant. So fun and charming.
My first comment about the food has to be about their amazing salsa. My husband loved it and I think we asked for at least 4 refills. He kept suggesting I ask them about the recipe and I know I should have.
The portion sizes here are crazy and the food is all pretty unique and tasty. I had a combination plate which had just the right mix of things. My husband tried their famous carne seca and loved it. He portion was huge!
Luckily, our friends live close and I cannot wait for them to take us back there when we visit again! -
Review from Sandra S.
Paradise Valley, AZ
9/11/2011
Wonderful spot! Super friendly staff - great food. And LOVED the mango marg! We had just stopped by after going to the Kartchner Cavern - can't wait to go back!
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Review from Monica E.
6/21/2011
Why the buzz? This place is average, at best. OK -- the service is pretty good here. I'll give them that. Even when super busy, the staff -- at the door and at the table -- are right on it!
But there are so many, many other amazing Mexican restaurants in town with better drinks, more fulfilling dishes and higher functioning air conditioning units. I'll pass. -
Review from Kelly K.
4/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
For the life of me, I can't understand why everything thinks this is the best mexican place in town just because of its history. The service is hit/miss with each trip as is the food. Over the last 10 years, I'd guess that I've been here about 10-15 times and have never been blown away during a lunch or dinner.
The one thing that I have found that El Charro excels at is catering for hosted events there (i.e. renting out the patio). At events like this, I have always had great service and great food. Go figure. -
Review from Faun B.
Phoenix, AZ
10/3/2011
nom nom nom!!!
I was meeting my dad down in Tucson this weekend for dinner. My dad said he was in the mood for Tex Mex, so I started yelping potential places. While this place isn't exactly "Tex-Mex", I could not resist the opportunity to eat at a restaurant that has been in business since 1922. You know if a place has survived that long, the food has got to be ridiculous!
I had the number 5 combo, and my dad had the #6. The carne seneca? on my plate was very unique. A little dry for my taste, but duh! it's dried in the sun. The flavors were very tasty. The chile relleno's were a party in my mouth. I would happily drive back to Tucson on a regular basis to eat here, and that's saying a lot considering I'm a Sun Devil!
Another plus is that the Court Ave location is in historic Tucson, in the original house, full of gorgeous Mexican antiques, various curious, and old world family charm. Everyone who was working there Saturday night was extremely warm and welcoming, and it really felt like being at a family dinner. -
Review from Colby L.
Tucson, AZ
3/21/2011
This place is very authentic and is nestled into the heart of dtown Tucson. They have great lunch specials during the week, and their happy hour is great for getting a margarita.
The food is really good, but is a little more on the gourmet side of mexican. But it still packs that authentic mexican taste.
My personal favorite is the pollo el charro enchiladas with sour cream sauce. That is what I go back to time and time again.
I only give this place 4 stars as they have become a local Tucson chain, and prefer to eat at places that only have 1 location. I have eaten at teh Ventana and the Oracle locations, and it just isn't the same. Go to the original if you want the real experience. Even though the food is the same, it atmosphere is far from being the same. -
Review from Ginger R.
Bend, OR
11/5/2011
Food was not very good. Service was good and the room was a classic family restaurant with a lot of vibe and history. But the food was super disappointing. One of those "my grandma's recipes" places ... well ... I wouldn't go out and pay money to eat my grandma's food ... and this place was about as good. Zero modern technique in anything and lots of corners cut. Rice had frozen corn cubes and peas in it. Really? If you think this place is good you're lucky you don't know what real cooking can be like.
