We enjoyed the Chile Relleno, and Birria Chimichanga. Service was friendly. They were able to accommodate a group of 8 as a walk in on a Thursday night which we were very grateful for. read more

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love the ambiance of this place! Was visiting family in AZ and was told they had really good food and it didn't disappoint. The combination plate came with an enchilada, taco and a tamale, was a really good way to try new things without having to commit to just one entree read more

El Charro Cafe - numero cuatro - Tacos Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

We were excited to come try this restaurant on a recent road trip, but the overall experience was very disappointing for many reasons (listed below). We were able to be seated immediately at 1PM on a Sunday. As someone who has lived in SD and LA, the food is fine but nothing out of the ordinary, and price point is high for what it is. Service was also very slow. That being said, the patio space was decorated well. Our waiter explained that the mini chimichangas appetizer is a random assorted mix, and that there was no guarantee what you get as filling, which was strange to me. We still ordered them as the restaurant is credited for inventing them. These were just okay, we ended up getting one chicken and three vegetarian ones. There were a lot of flies in the patio space which further detracted from the experience. And the strangest part of this visit: when we first saw down, we noticed they gave us paper cups for water and all the tables around us got glass cups for water. At first, I figured that it was an inventory issue, but lo and behold the large party seated right after us also got glass cups. What's worse is that one of the paper cups started leaking mid meal. Obviously, this difficult to prove, but it felt like a racial microaggression as the other parties were Caucasian and we were the only POCs there. When we inquired, the waitress misunderstood us and said "well, we don't let people take glass cups to go" which was a bizarre answer in it of itself and nothing to do with what I said. The manager then said "I'm sorry you feel that way" which is a non-apology, and cited an inventory issue, which clearly was not the actual reason as noted by my observations. El Charro, please do better so your future customers do not feel this way. read more

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Good portions of meals. Huge menu selection. Staff was courteous and hard working. Close to the downtown area and the surrounding area currently under redevelopment in areas. This neighborhood was one of the original neighborhoods during the 40's and 50's. Ambiance was perfect for the area. read more

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This was our first stop in Tuscon for a weekend trip. Already knew the food would be a different style from California Mexican food and I was excited to see what Tuscon had to offer. The mole enchiladas were flavorful and the restaurant itself was historic and full of charm. The true gem was our server Kim who gave us a tour around. Had she not we wouldn't even had known how truly awesome the different spaces were that this restaurant has to offer. She really set the tone for the remainder of our trip. Thank you Kim! She's a great asset to your establishment. read more

Good Mexican food in downtown Tucson in a fun family-friendly setting. The restaurant is very big and they were able to accommodate a large group with no notice. Food was good and service was friendly. I'd recommend the chile rellenos. They also claim to be the birthplace of the chimichanga. read more

El Charro Cafe - Front of the restaurant - Tacos Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

A great Mexican spot!! I really appreciated all the vegetarian/vegan options, and I loved my vegan enchiladas with chick pea chorizo and vegan cheese. The table side guac was great, and chips and salsa for the table came with two delicious (and spicy-ish) salsas. The prickly pear marg was a crowd favorite too. Was visiting for the weekend and glad this place was recommended, would love to return! read more

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A must for every visit to Tucson!! My family lives in Tucson and we always dine here at least ONCE whenever I'm in town. For my parents, it's because of the multiple vegan options available on the menu here. For me, it's because I absolutely love the fresh, generous portions of food with every entree. You can literally taste the quality in every bite! I've always loved everything that I order here, but a few of my personal "must try" items include the tableside guacamole, which we do nearly every time. It's a blast watching them prepare it fresh right at the table and then enjoy with some tortilla chips. I also love all the enchilada plates here, including the Bandera enchiladas, which come in three different sauces of green, white, and red! Another great option are the "El Charro Style" tacos, which are beef tacos in a what's a nice and fluffy, yet slightly crunchy taco shell Regardless of what I order, I'm always left satisfied and with leftovers for later! I love sitting in the little outdoor courtyard space that this downtown/presidio location has. It's easy to find shade while still enjoying the sunshine! I've also never had an issue with service here - always very quick to take your order and get the food and drinks out. Oh yeah, speaking of drinks, margaritas are always a must for me!! My personal favorite is the prickly pear cactus margarita - super colorful and has great flavor without being overly sweet. If you're in Tucson, make sure you don't skip a visit to El Charro!! read more

El Charro Cafe - El Original Charro Style Beef Crisp Tacos - Tacos Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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The food was amazing starting with the mini chimis that were lightly fried and delicious. The mains were just as flavorful. The hanger steak was tender and juicy and the seafood was perfectly cooked. Both entrees were well seasoned and definitely represented the best tastes of Mexican cuisine. The staff was extremely courteous and professional starting with the hostess that we checked in with to the waiter who was efficient and helpful. This would have been a 5 star review if not for the manager (?) that greeted and seated customers. He spoke very rudely to the staff in front of customers and was rude to patrons as well. read more

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Everything was good except the food. Good service and ambience; the place was also super crowded. Prickly pear margarita was above average I'd say. Chips were solid, although the salsa was pretty bad. Not sure if this is baseline or I got a bad batch but it was close to inedible. It tasted like spicy ketchup. For my entree, I had a beef burrito and it was also underwhelming. Meat was very dry and bland. Beans and guacamole were fine but did not salvage the meal overall. Oh also you have to pay for parking. Lot is $9 for the day and street parking was $2.50 for 2 hours which wasn't bad. read more

The Carne Seca here is unique in the world. Using proprietary recipes and equipment that you will not find anywhere else. It is a literal taste explosion and truly my favorite Mexican food anywhere. read more

Came home for the holidays and got to enjoy all my favorites from Charro. My favorite thing about this restaurant is the service. Antonio is absolutely worth the wait. You guys, he's our favorite server. They should also pay the hostess more for the way she's treated by tourists. She was amazing at navigating difficult people. The experience is totally worth the wait time, and they even let you grab a drink and enjoy it on the patio while you wait. I love this place. It's where I send all my friends and family when they visit Tucson. read more

El Charro Cafe - Café de olla - Tacos Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Love Love Love it, always had great dinners including 3x out of town guests. Home of hubby's favorite Carne Seca to date, Tucson air dried beef, rehydrated, chipped and then grilled--they being the OG, still have the sole permit to dry the beef in triangular cages on the roof, do Look Upwards!! An extensive menu, if you are looking for the less tried and something new, good chance El Charro has it: jackfruit tacos; cod instead of the usual tilapia in seafood stuffed poblano; vegan hemp tamales; nopal and portobello mushroom fajitas; to their own aztec torta bread for burgers and tortas! Their Green Chile & Corn Tamales are the 2nd hi bar to pass as ECC's are my fave, the fluffiest ever, never molded and mealy like a set jelly mold of many others I've tried. Pace yourself on the table Salsa, mucho picante para mi, and fresh thick chips, very moreish. Ditto for the margaritas, $2 off during HHr Mon-Fri 3-6PM. Hubby can't help himself slurping $15 Cadillac de la Casa Cazadores Anejo & Grand Marnier. Reservations almost a must evening hours and beware UA events that bring extras on scene. Sign up for their own rewards program for points towards $ off. De Nada Amigos! read more

El Charro Cafe - Chile Relleno del Rey $18.95 grilled shrimp & cod stuffed Poblano, green sauce queso casero. Whole charro beans yum! 2-2025 - Tacos Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Loved this place. I had the tortilla soup with chicken - it was yummy. My friends had other dishes and everyone enjoyed their meal. One of the customers that day called my friend "Jamaican royalty" LOL read more

Someone suggested I check out El Charro Cafe while in Tucson. So glad I did! It was AMAZING and staff was very attentive. Had the Grilled Chicken al'Pastor Tacos and they were PHENOMENAL! read more

El Charro Cafe - Grilled Chicken al'Pastor Tacos - Tacos Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Food was good. Service was awesome. Nice cool ambiance. Like I say I'm a big history buff and I love to eat so this place has been on my radar for a while. I spkoe with one of the managers. Sorry I forgot his name but he was grwat. Definitely coming back read more

El Charro Cafe - The no. 1 - Tacos Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Best server (Martha) ever, her table side guacamole was amazing! The food was absolutely delicious...I'm already planning a return trip before heading back home! read more

El Charro Cafe - Carnitas Chimichanga with Christmas Sauce - Tacos Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Yes Sí Oui Ja Sì Sim نعم Evet 是 / 对 はい 네 Ndiyo Ja Tak Vâng / Dạ If you're visiting Tucson, your trip is NOT complete unless you've dined at El Charro! The history is rich, the food is delicious, the service is usually great, the atmosphere is lively and there's ART EVERYWHERE! Bring a big group or fly solo, they've gotchu! I highly suggest reservations but I don't think they do "day of" so plan ahead. Note: we were a party of 5 last night.... we arrived before 7pm, we were sat at nearly 8pm and served at nearly 9pm. This can happen here but the server was upfront about their situation, which we appreciated. Just be aware, sometimes El Charro can be a bit of a marathon dining experience but I promise you, it's worth it. read more

We drove in from Gilbert and were starving. Was happy to be seated right away. We were given menus and were excited to partake in the brunch menu options as we were craving breakfast--ordered a mimosa, our 2 breakfast entrees, and a carajillo. Waiter came back to inform us brunch is only Sunday and we couldn't order those plates but could add an egg to any dish...so disappointing. I ended up just getting a bean and cheese burrito and the fiancé got a birria tacos--my mimosa was mostly orange juice. The carajillo came late as they were waiting for a fresh batch of coffee--we should have known then it was going to be a miss. It came and looked like ice tea. It was very watered down and definitely made with coffee and not espresso. So if you're a true carajillo lover--skip. We were comped a free dessert for the inconvenience and tried the chocolate tamale which surprisingly was good and a trip (we make tamales for Christmas and make sweet tamales but never chocolate) worth a try! The restaurant has history. The salsa was delicious. Beens and rice were good. Just super bummed by the menu mix up and the beverages. Parking is paid parking. read more

Cute and with historic charm. Food tasty and great variety. Biggest issue is inconsistency with service. The wait for food can be very very long. Prices on high side. read more

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The underrated star experience is honestly criminal because our time at El Charro was fantastic. Made a reservation on a Thursday night because duh. Thinking ahead for busy times. Got sat for a table of two and prompt water and chips and salsa brought out by the super nice waitress. Margs for both of us. House for myself. Cadillac Silver for the Wife. Hers very much better than mine which was overtaken by melted ice pretty quick, but you can't not appreciate fresh squeezed lime over bottled mix every day of the week. Appetizer was the mini chimi sampler, which the only downside was, they were truly MINI, but given the fact that we were only slightly hungry, it worked out. The flavors were amazing. Even something as simple as a bean and cheese chimi tasted very very good. Chimis on point. We shared Combo Plate Numero Cinco, which was some Carne Seco, a Chile Relleno, and an Enchilada Caseno. All amazing. No complaints. Our waitress forgot the tortillas but after flagging her down was very apologetic and borderline ran back with them to make sure we had them to enjoy the meal. It was a very homey restaurant with that "Abuela is in the back forcing you to eat more" feel. And I would definitely go back again, despite many people's negative comments on here! read more

We've been wanting to visit El Charro Café for a long, long time. Not just because it's the historically oldest operating Mexican Resto in Tucson, proclaimed "One of America's 21 Most Legendary Restaurants" by Gourmet Magazine in October 2008, but mostly because the reviews and the hearsay about its excellent Mexican viddles has nagged me to visit for a long, long time, especially with its ratings of 4.2 on Yelp, 4.3 on Google and 4.1 on Tripadvisor! A pretty impressive track record! El Charro Café - Downtown has been around since 1922 in a home dating back to 1896 serving a Tucson-style take on Sonoran regional Mexican Cuisine which appears to be its legacy. El Charro does an excellent job with the culinary traditions of the norteño Mexico are characterized by their bold flavors, preparation simplicity, its emphasis wheat-based products, use of grilled meats, and a unique flavor profile through strong use of Chiltepin's Heat and the emphasis on mesquite wood for cooking. All these combined makes for a unique take on an incredible cuisine. This place is humongous in size with its assorted interior rooms, bar area and a huge and traditional outdoor seating patio. The service from their enormous staff is terrific, the accommodations comfortable and the atmosphere very, very Mexican - without being cheeky! The dish selection is ginormous from aperitivos, sopas y ensaladas, to mains like enchiladas, chile rellenos, fajitas, to tamales, carne seca and tamales. It is a difficult conundrum figuring out what to get unless you've arrived with a preconceived idea. And the aromas spewing around the dining areas and wafting from the kitchen do not help in your endeavor. On with the food... We of course started out with the traditional Margaritas - perfectly made with no scrimping on the Tequila. Our mains consisted of my selection of Numero Cinco: with a wonderful rendition of Carne Asada - perfectly prep'd and seasoned, an almost perfect Anaheim Chile Relleno stuffed with delicate Queso Casero with a very tantalizing green salsa - with just the right amount of batter, not overwhelming, and excellent traditional seasoning, along with a wonderful and very flavorful Queso Casero Enchilada and of course tortillas. Across the table my Wife and Sis ordered dishes that included a voluptuous serving of a Burrito called El Charro Carne Seca - seasoned dried shredded beef, a terrific rendition of Enchiladas Sonorenses with red chile, onion and a dab of fresh cheese. I must say I was impressed with the quality, quantity and flavors put together overall for the meal. For the hype built up it was well worth the visit. Although very, very good, and worth trying out, don't expect miracles as there are many Sonoran examples to be had in Arizona. But Chef Carlotta does a great tribute to Tia Monica, the overwhelming array in their selection, as well as the tribute to Sonoran Cuisine deserve a visit. Much enjoyed! Buen provecho ya'll. read more

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Disappointing Experience The ambiance was fun, and we loved sitting by the open windows. We were so excited to try the place where the chimichanga was created, but unfortunately, the food was just okay. My husband had the carne seca chimichanga, and I ordered the tamales The best thing on both plates was the rice, which was honestly amazing. Service was marginal at best, and with so many other great Mexican restaurants to choose from, we wouldn't come back. read more

El Charro Cafe - Chimichanga - Tacos Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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If you're going to El Charro, make sure you have reservations and pack your patience. Our recent experience there was exasperating due to inattentive service and a slow kitchen. We ordered a wide variety of dishes among us, and the consensus was that about half of the items were excellent and half of them were meh. The ambience is pretty nice, so while we were waiting for our server and our drinks and our appetizer and our dinners and the check and to make our payment, we waited in a pleasing space. I just wish that the food and especially the service measured up to El Charro's reputation. Will likely not return. read more

First time in Tuscan and the Mexican food scene did not disappoint. El Charro was our first stop and the ambiance had me at hello. It is a cute building that looks like an old house on the inside making it feel cozy and authentic. From the hostesses to the bartender to our waiter, the customer service was great. Drinks were good and the food was even better. My party all ordered a chimichanga and one burritos. I ordered a side tamale just to try thinking it would be a little one. I was surprised to see a nice size one that was filling. We all had to go boxes and let me tell you, that chimichanga hit the spot the next morning. Still good! I would highly recommend a visit there if you are in town. Oh, and I can't forget the mariachi duo who serenaded guests. Even had a sing-along. It was a great time. Prices were bad for the quality and amount of food you receive. read more

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The chips & salsa was very tasty, particularly the red sauce, as was the Pollo Arizona Enchiladas. Combined with the good service, eclectic decor and cozy atmosphere, it was a great lunch experience. read more

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Went for dinner with a party of 7. Initially made a reservation for 6 online as that is the max but was able to call to add a person when they asked to come. Service was great. Our server was attentive and helpful. Food came out quickly and was delicious as always. Love the chips and salsa. We also tried the pitcher of prickly pear margaritas which was enjoyed by all. read more

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A local iconic restaurant that supposedly invented the chimichanga. It's formerly a home that's been converted into a restaurant. I've eaten here several times and the food has always been good, but not great. It's a cool atmosphere and a bar that has a lot of Mexican bar staples. The service is consistently good. Sometimes there can be a wait. read more

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"Not accepting reservations because wait is so quick". The wait time 30 mins and 100+ degrees outside!! WTF

This was our groups 1st experience there. I was a little surprised. My group had someone with a roll away walker.and come to find out there was no way for my guest to enjoy the main restaurant. My guest could not go up stairs. We were offered a patio seating but it had just rained. We were offered another seating in Toma but again stairs. There were only 3 steps. My guests had to have 2 of us help them up because our guest really wanted to eat at the establishment. We understand it's a classic and it's been around. Shout out to Omar for later telling us we could've gone out the red door and can use it on the way out. (Careful that one step blends in) Omar was helpful attentive and ensured our birthday gathering was enjoyable he put on some music at great volume where we could have a conversation. The food was good. Carne Seca Chiles rellenos ,chimichangas with and without sauce were delicious crunchy and seasoned just right Beans are.home made and the rice was deliciously comforting. The flan was beyond amazing I highly recommend it. It did not have a strong egg flavor.and the Carmel syrup was not burned. We took a look around without our guest at the main restaurant and took.us way back and we loved it. Bathrooms are small! But it's from.the 1920. (Our home is from.the 40s so we know) (Trying to check them out more as I always miss this) I have seen most tucaon establishments make small modif5for ramps to meet the wheelchair or walk away walker. Maybe later . Well be back unfortunately not with these two important guests read more

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We had a great time! We had a big group and were able to have a private room. Service was solid and very nice. Everyone really enjoyed their food. We were in town for a business trip and it was perfect! read more

El Charro Cafe - Tacos! - Tacos Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Stopped in the other day for lunch after a long absence. Margaritas, Cheese Crisp and Tacos all good - positive service.

Great Mexican food. Authentic and the service is great. It was so hot when we visited so we only sat inside. The Birria tacos were amazing. The chicken burrito - awesome. Skinny margaritas are legit. We will return next time in Tucson. read more

Been here a few times. Best to make a reservation as it gets pretty busy! Service was a little slow this time, but the extra staff were responsive when we needed some extra things. They have a live mariachi band as well. Their salsa is SO good! Quality of food and portion size were both great! read more

Toni and I went the El Charro for her birthday. We enjoyed it. They had live mariachi music and we had a good table by the window. The food was good and the service was too. Luckily we had a reservation because it was extremely busy on Sunday. The wait was 1 hour to 1.5 hour. The hostess did a very good job managing restless customers. I would recommend this place WITH a reservation. read more

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Soft tacos were great, and you are allowed to mix and match meats! You can mix and match enchiladas as well. The table side guac was just ok, but they do give you unlimited chips! Lots of parking in front, there is a giant paid lot facing the restaurant. Make a reservation as wait times can sometimes get long. read more

This is a MUST TRY whenever you find yourself in Tucson. The ambience and authentic chips and salsa greets you as you settle into their surprisingly large menu. No need to linger..,go straight for the queso birria chimichanga and thank me later. After all, THIS is where the chimichanga was originated! The service was attentive and polite and the owner is actively in the dining rooms to ensure stellar service. Can't go wrong. Give it a try! read more

My wife and I were excited about trying El Charro Cafe as it's been in business since 1922. For the most part, it was a great experience. We started with a beer (as it was happy hour) in the colorfully decorated bar area, which has a chilled vibe. After awhile we were seated in the main part of the restaurant, which is beautifully decorated with dramatic murals on the walls. As this is the restaurant that invented the chimichanga, I couldn't resist ordering one. I got the green chile beef (tender shredded brisket) with arroz and frijoles. It was massive, very flavorful, and too big to finish (and I had a big appetite going into the meal). The arroz and frijoles were very good. My wife got the El Charro carne seca enchiladas. Carne seca is a speciality of the restaurant: it's sliced, salted, and air-dried beef. It's spicy and crunchy and unique, and my wife and I thought it was very tasty. She couldn't finish her large plate of food either. Our waiter was professional and provided good suggestions on the best dishes to try. The chips and salsa provided before the meal were very good. (A caution: read the fine print for upcharges on some of the dishes. I was surprised when I got the bill.) read more

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Tourist trap. Told table would be ready in 20, ok. Food arrived after 60. Steak fajitas maybe a 1/4 pound of meat and a pound of onion. 1/2 cup at best of bell peppers. Good flavor. Not worth $30. read more

Great chimichanga! This location is located in the heart of Tucson and was well regarded by the locals we went with. The Mangopeña margarita was surprisingly good with the right mix of sweet and spicy. The quesobirria chimichanga was a huge portion with flavorful filling that could easily be enough for 2 people. Overall, a great Mexican spot for groups in Tucson. read more