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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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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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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We saw a blue Bentley park in front downtown El Charro, after seeing the license plate that said he was the boss. We went in he was on the phone and he actually yelled at us for interrupting his call although we hadn't said a word. His behavior went down from there. He was mean to all employees with whom we saw him interact. I can't say how the food was because we were feeling so badly for the employees. I can say that guy has a lot of gall. Never again. And I'd bet he'd call ice on "HIS" employees. read more

I expected something more authentic for Arizona. Appetizers weren't that great, food was okay. I think I would try somewhere else next time I'm out in Tucson. 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 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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This place truly stands the test of time. If someone came to Tucson specifically for Mexican food, I'd point them in this direction. I get steak fajitas and they're fantastic. read more

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

This place is a classic Sonoran eatery. It is a large restaurant with plenty of inside and outside seating. I tried their sun cured beef specialty and hated it. It was dry and tasteless, but was told it was very popular. I was provide with another dish, enchiladas, and happily devoured it. My wife hade enchiladas mole and enjoyed it. I recommend going here. It is classic. Take plenty of quarters for parking if you have trouble using the Tucson parking app. 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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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

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

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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I stopped in early on a Friday evening and the place was packed. I asked if they had seating at the bar to grab a quick bite but found out they don't serve food at the bar? It was 20min wait for a table and 20min for a to-go order so I opted for to-go. It was ready in less than 20 minutes but what I got was pretty disappointing. No cheese on the beans and no pico or dressing at all for the enchiladas. The meat inside one of the enchiladas was so dry it was almost crunchy. The rice was actually the best part of the meal. I appreciated they included chips and salsa which is why I'm giving a 3 instead of 2 stars. read more

El Charro Cafe - Enchiladas Sonorenses - Tacos Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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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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

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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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.

Well. The food was really fantastic and flavorful! I ordered the quesabirria street tacos and they were fabulous. Came with arroz and frijoles. Delicious. Our waiter, Aaron G was fantastic. He also suggested the natural margarita. Oh my goodness, it was one tasty margarita. ALL natural ingredients, made here. It did get a little breezy and a bit chilly while sitting on the patio. There were heaters, but our table was not situated near one and we sat close to the kitchen, dishwashing station and liquor storage. Not much ambiance. Quite busy. Would I wait another hour to eat here? Probably not. I would come back though. read more

Ok... this is my favorite restaurant in the world. No kidding. The carne seca is completely unique and amazing. In enchiladas or as a platter. Oh my GOD! Wonderful service and the original location near downtown has the vibe of eating in a family kitchen with the love of a grandmother in every bite. read more

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

We ate here twice during the week we spent in Tucson. The chimmi is amazing and we had exactly the same order both times we went. By far the best chimmi we've ever eaten. read more

El Charro Cafe - Grilled Parillada Chimichanga with Chicken enchilada style with green - Tacos Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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In town for the Gem show? Don't leave town before you try the greatest Mexican food in the entire United States! El Charro! The original building at 310 North Court in downtown Tucson has been serving at that location for over 100 years! They must be doing something right! Many things actually! It's my favorite Mexican food ever! Go next-door to Bar Toma get a Margarita and enjoy the cool atmospheric courtyard, great for socializing, meetings, etc. The service is top notch! Do yourself a favor and go right now! read more

On arrival, I was very pleased that there was a parking lot right across the street. The cost to park was so cheap that I thought it was a mistake but it wasn't. It was very easy to make a reservation from their website. Because of road construction, I was a few minutes late, but they were gracious and seated us right away. I had wanted to eat there for a few years since seeing them on Top Chef and hearing about their sun dried beef. Not every restaurant I've seen on Top Chef has lived up to the hype, but this one did. I assume the complementary chips were homemade because they had an intriguing smoky flavor that was very good. Their guacamole at the table was spicy, but excellent. Their specialty beef has been made the same way for over 100 years. It was delicious. If I have visitors from out of town, I will definitely take them here. read more

Our first time to have dinner here. Outstanding service from the start. Told the hostess that this was our first time having dinner at this historic restaurant and Valerie asked if we would like a tour. She was awesome and took us on a full tour. Dinner was amazing. Best chimichanga we ever had! Manager was outstanding and was very appreciative that we wanted to complement the staff and give five star review of the food. Oh I forgot to mention the great house Margaritas! I would recommend this restaurant to anyone that loves Mexican cuisine. We also had a great table by the window with a beautiful breeze. Top to bottom this was a five star experience! read more

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

I had tried El Charro once before and I was underwhelmed. But I saw a video on YouTube of somebody who recently went there and decided to try again. I ordered the chimichanga and there was no place to add guacamole. So I called and got a young woman and asked her about it and without saying a word she put me on hold. I was on hold for a while so I hung up and called back. This time a man answered and I asked him about it and he said he would put it in the bag. He then started yelling to an employee that he didn't want someone back in the building and hung up. So I called back and told him my name so that when the DoorDash or came maybe he could put it on top and he was very short and irritated and said yeah I'll do it man I'm the owner I gotta go. Rude at best. You guessed it. No guacamole. read more

El Charro Cafe - It's not even great. - Tacos Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Waited around 30 minutes but food came out quickly once seated. Somehow we managed to get the one waitress that had iffy English. I speak a bit of Spanish but everybody else was fluent that we saw in English so it was a bit awkward ordering. I got the house tacos which whatever, basically just a grease bomb hamburger patty with some lettuce and an overly tomato flavored salsa. Buddy got a veggie enchilada and he said it was fine enough. Interestingly enough the salsa with the chips was pretty good, but wasn't the one served with my tacos. Food and service 2 stars but I'll give an en extra star for the old west decor and the historical nature of the building. That said, not a chance I'd come back. read more

We waited about 20 minutes for a table for two -- not bad at all, and definitely worth it. I had the Quesabirria Enchiladas and my mom ordered Tucson's Enchiladas Sonorenses with the El Charro Carne Seca. Both dishes were delicious, super flavorful, and very filling. We finished with the dessert trio; the flan and tres leches were the perfect sweet ending. The team that welcomed us was friendly, and the service overall was solid. The dining room was lively and every table was full, which added to the energy of the meal. read more

This is one of the oldest restaurants in the area and a place of great character. It's just a fun place--we were lucky enough to see the live mariachi perform on the weekend, there's outdoor, semi outdoor, and inside seating to suit your mood. The portions are enormous and generous on the protein with lots of customizable options on the menu. We got the enchilada style (sauce and cheese), but they also have quesadilla style (just cheese) and other options for add ons. Service was speedy and on top of things, they're happy to explain anything on the menu and it was our first time here! We asked for recommendations and they do say that they're better known for their chimichangas than the burritos. But you probably can't go wrong with either one. They also have GREAT chips and salsa, probably one of the best salsas I've tasted. It's sweet with a tiny kick. If you're in Tucson, give this place a visit! read more

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A random person in Northern California recommended El Charro Cafe for me to try while visiting Tucson. Man this little spot is history didn't disappoint. So cute, very tasty food, and everyone was very friendly. I highly recommend for anyone in the area to try it, several times because it doesn't disappoint. Very traditional, delicious Mexican food. read more

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A Tucson legend. Did they invent the chimichangas? Who cares? This is the original location for an amazing restaurant, still operating as a family business. One of the oldest in the US. And you can see why. Terrific service, fresh produce, air dried carne seca, all your favorite dishes. Grilled fish tacos? Yup. Huge burritos? Yes. Margaritas to die for? Of course. Great bar?Undoubtedly. Seriously great experience. And the ambiance is remarkable too. It's in the founder's original house in the Old Pueblo. You might have a wait if you don't have reservations, but no worries, their patio bar is always a great spot to wait for a table. Highly recommend this place, and actually ALL of their restaurants located throughout Tucson. Buen provecho! read more