El Charro Café TucsonHistoric Mexican Restaurant in Tucson Serves Up Sonoran Specialties
There are an abundance of Tucson Mexican restaurants. Many of them are family-owned and operated, and most have garnered their own loyal following of locals. So, claiming that one of them is the best Mexican restaurant in Tucson is sure to create a lively, if not heated, debate. We're hesitant to label which one is the best. We can, however, say that Tucson’s well-known El Charro Café downtown is one of our favorites for its old Sonoran atmosphere, friendly staff and hearty regional fare.
El Charro restaurant Tucson has the distinction of being the oldest, continuously family-owned and operated Mexican restaurant in the United States. It's also one of the most popular Mexican restaurants in Tucson. Back in 1922, Monica Flin opened the original restaurant in such a tiny space on South 4th Avenue that there were just three tables and a menu of only tortillas, tamales and chili. But the food was delicious. And, as the popularity of Monica’s cooking grew, her restaurant expanded, eventually moving into its current location in 1968 into the Flin family home in Tucson’s historic El Presidio district. Over its 82 year history, El Charro has grown to include several enterprises, all run by Carlotta Flores, Monica Flin’s niece, and her husband, Ray Flores Sr. and their children and extended family. In addition to the downtown restaurant on Court Avenue, there’s also:
We usually end up eating at the original café even though we know we might have a bit of a wait for a table. The restaurant's downtown location makes it a popular lunch spot for area businesses and out-of-towners attending conventions at the nearby Tucson Convention Center. At night, the restaurant is a favorite gathering spot for local families and couples who enjoy the casual atmosphere and hearty food. Cuisine at El Charro Restaurant Tucson AZMexican cuisine spans a broad spectrum of styles and tastes.
El Charro's menu focuses on the traditional foods of the Sonoran region and Tucson-style Mexican food. El Charro is a Mexican term for "cowboy" and the Sonoran region is the land of the cowboy on either side of the border. Grilled and dried meats, especially beef, are commonplace as is the use of corn, chiles, beans and squash. Another distinctive Sonoran ingredient is nopal – the paddle-like pads of the native prickly pear cactus. This is a hearty fare that sustained cowboys through the long, arduous days of roping and riding. While Monica Flin may have started out with just a three-item menu, today’s menu offers a large selection of Mexican food favorites and regional specialties including:
Regional specialties include the enchiladas Sonorenses – a flat patty of ground corn masa topped with red chile sauce. Many platters also come with another regional dish - a side of nopalitos. This is the pad of the prickly pear, that ubiquitous desert cactus. Cleaned of its spines and cut into strips, nopalitos tastes much like green beans. El Charro serves them in a thick but light tomato sauce. They’re delicious and a true regional specialty. Another one of their famous specialties is carne seca, a classic Sonoran dish. The process of making carne seca begins with marinating beef in lime juice and garlic. The meat is then sun-dried in a mesh cage suspended on poles on the rooftop of the downtown restaurant where the hot desert sun dries it. Once the beef has been dried, it’s shredded and reconstituted in a mixture of tomatoes and chiles. This multi-step process creates a delicious, complex flavor that practically has a fanatical following. You can get their carne seca in tacos, burros and enchiladas. USA Today has called El Charro the "Home of the Chimichanga", voting their carne seca chimichanga as one of the "50 Best Plates in America." It's a humungous offering of an oversized flour tortilla bundled around a huge mound of carne seca. This burro is then deep-fried till its crisp and golden, making it a "chimichanga," or "chimi" for short. The chimi is then topped with generous amounts of sour cream, guacamole and salsa. As if that weren’t enough food, Spanish-style rice and refried beans sprinkled with cheese accompany the dish. You may be able to eat it all in one sitting but you won’t be able to get up afterwards! Vegetarians, take note: El Charro restaurant Tucson has a variety of vegetarian and vegan options. There's also a special gluten sensitive menu available upon request. Atmosphere at El Charro Restaurant TucsonEl Charro is tucked away in Tucson's historic El Presidio district – an area of old adobe buildings and territorial-era homes.
Located on Court Street, the Flin family home once was part of an exclusive residential neighborhood known as "Snob Hollow." Today, El Presidio is known for its renovated buildings and historic "old Tucson character." The restaurant has occupied the Flin home since 1968. Julius Flin, Monica Flin’s father, built the high-ceilinged house in the late 1890s. It's now on the National Register of Historic Places. Flin constructed the house of black volcanic rock that he quarried himself from his claim at the foot of nearby "A" Mountain, west of downtown. Climbing the front steps, there is a wide, enclosed porch where many we've often sat on warm summer evenings. Inside, the restaurant has a distinct old Tucson aura with its dark, hardwood floors and wood beam ceilings. Decorations are reminders of Tucson’s Mexican and cowboy past.
Serapes and sombreros hang on the walls interspersed with pictures of saints and the Virgin of Guadalupe. Chile ristras hang from the ceilings. There are also examples of El Charro's famous calendars, which always feature a lithesome Mexican maiden and a dashing cowboy in a garden setting. The vibrant images have a distinct 1930s – 1940s retro look. You can pick up one of these colorful calendars at La Tiendita, their wonderful gift shop next door to the café. The downtown restaurant’s rooms are full of character without seeming kitschy or overdone. On weekends, live Mariachi music fills the air, adding to the festive atmosphere. Our Meal at El Charro Restaurant Tucson AZWe've eaten at El Charro downtown many times and have always had good food and friendly and efficient service.
As with many Mexican restaurants in the Southwest, the meal starts with complimentary chips and salsa. The house salsa is thinner than most and served from a small glass pitcher. It's not too hot and has a good chile bite. One of our favorite dishes is the chiles rellenos ($9.25). They take large, fresh green chiles – either Anaheims or poblanos – stuffed with queso casero, a Mexican white cheese, and grill them. Topped with either a red chile Colorado sauce or a green tomatillo verde, the chiles make a delicious, succulent dish. You can also get the chiles stuffed with grilled chicken or shrimp (both $9.75), or with the famous carne seca ($10.75). The rolled chicken tacos ($6.75) come rolled in a thin corn tortilla like a thick cigar. Topped with a scattering of Mexican white cheese, peas and sliced radishes, we needed a fork for this style of delicious taco. Many of their platters come with Arroz Sonora – their version of the red Spanish style rice dotted with peas and carrots and their Frijoles Charros – whole pinto beans in a thick, luscious broth. As you might expect with a family-run business, family members are often on staff, greeting customers and overseeing the service. The family-friendly atmosphere, historic setting and good food make this a great Tucson restaurant. Fast Facts: El Charro CaféHigh Points: Good Sonoran and Tucson-style Mexican food, great atmosphere at downtown restaurant, friendly service.Low Points: Downtown location is popular, so you might have to wait for a table. Location: The original café is in downtown Tucson in the El Presidio district. Address and Phone: Call for current hours. Reservations: Accepted but must be made 24 hours in advance. Dress: Casual. Vegetarian Options: Yes. Good for Families/Kids: Yes, kids are very welcome and there is a separate children's menu. Wine List: Selection is small but there is sangria and a variety of Mexican beers, tequilas and margaritas. Smoking Policy: No smoking. Parking: There is both metered and free street parking at the downtown restaurant. The other locations have free parking lots. Credit Cards: All major credit cards accepted. Prices: $ - $$$ Pricing Key: Note: This information was accurate at the time of our visit. All contact information, availability, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the restaurant before making reservations and/or travel plans. Return to Tucson Arizona Vacation Destination page from El Charro Café
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