This is an old school local Mexican restaurant. When you pull up and walk in there's no doubt about what kind of food you're going to be enjoying. We joined friends that are regulars and it was great. Service was spot on right there without being overly pushy. Drinks and salsa are tasty and fair sized. My wife had a burrito that filled up the plate and tasted great . I had the rolled Sanora taco plate which is my go too and it was one of the best I've had this season. read more

The beans and rice were deliciously cooked with just the right spices and salt. The beef tacos were bland with no flavor and so was the chicken enchiladas. I ate in and had the guacamole tostada with beans and rice. The tacos and enchiladas were take out. I brought to the family and they did not like the meal The manager did not return my call as she promised. I would not eat here again read more

I'd put out a request for "The best margarita and Mexican food" to a local FB group and El Charro was far and away the most recommended place. Well, in a nutshell, the recommendations were correct!! I've had margs at 3-4 other places in town and this was the best one so far. I'm a purist so it's the House margarita on the rocks w/salt. I did order the "Jumbo" which they say is just 2 $6 margaritas in a single $15 form. I'd be back just for this! But then there's the food! Also the best Mexican food I've had in town. My go to at a lot of places like this is the "Steak and Enchilada" or Tampequena Steak. The steak is sirloin and thin. I was told that its the same asada they use for the tacos and burritos just not chopped up. Turns out it's pretty good. Pro Tip: Like a lot of places I go on both sides of the border, order it one level more done than you actually want. Dinner comes with a small salad, (the blue cheese dressing is GREAT!) awesome scratch made beans and rice, pico, guac, and your choice of bought corn tortillas, or a giant made in house, flour tortilla. Get the flour!! The enchilada is an a la carte side order and I opted for cheese enchilada with red sauce. It was like a hug in my mouth! I'd go back just for an enchilada dinner, they were that good. My server Agustin was an absolute delight! Very personable and polite. He offered suggestions and insights about the menu and was just a very good server. He anticipated if i needed anything and was attentive without being intrusive or hovering! Dude should go around and give Waiter Lessons. They close at 8 daily and they're typically busy but the wait is usually short. read more

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Lunch at an OG Yuma spot on our way to Spring Training from San Diego... and it was ridiculously good! The prices are very reasonable. We shared the 3 item and were stuffed. Lina, our server, was just lovely. Very sweet. read more

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Food: chicken enchiladas with green sauce, and bisteak. Complimentary chips and two salsas. I had asked if they have enchiladas verdes and the waitress said yes and said the sauce is chunky like this salsa pointing to one of the salsas. I wasn't sure what that meant but said ok. When the dish came it wasn't green at all and I asked if this was the green sauce and she said yes it's chunky like this sauce, again pointing to the salsa. Well ok 1) again not the color green and 2) it literally was the salsa so not like it. It tasted ok but not enchiladas verdes at all. Ambiance: cutely decorated. read more

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Yelp never fails when it comes to finding the hidden gem of places to eat in new places. On our way back to Mesa from Oceanside California we stopped in the very old city of Yuma AZ for gas and since nobody had eaten we found El Charro and decided to pop in to get something to eat. The place was packed and since they didn't have a dog friendly patio we got our order to go. My boyfriend ordered the guacamole tostada that was really good for being such a simple item and since it was a hot day out it was not overly filling. I ordered their green chili enchilada and beef tamale combo that came with beans and rice. Now to be honest I wasn't a huge fan of the green chili enchilada I can't really explain why? Only that lettuce somehow was topped on it but it wasn't a deal breaker because my boyfriend really liked it. The beans were crazy good super creamy and flavorful, the rice was fluffy and cooked thoroughly and the tamale was off the chart. The meat to masa ratio was perfect and the sauce was different in a good way it had little additional bite size pieces of meat in the sauce topping a nice size tamale very filling meal to sat the least. This is also a locally owned business by a really nice husband and wife. So if you get to Yuma or just happen to be in the area it's not to far off the freeway and there's plenty of parking. read more

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Their ratings were very high, but actually going in there and eating we were both totally disappointed. The guacamole was old where it was turning brown and the tortilla for my husband's burrito was wet where it had not been cooked and so we would not return even though it had a nice crowd in there with lots of people the quality of the food that day was not good.. read more

You get a lot of food but is not good. I got the chicken chimichanga, my son got the tamales. We both felt the food tasted like something was missing. The chicken in the chimi was dry and not seasoned although it was cooked to perfection it did not have any cheese 1/5. The rice was bland 1/5 The drink, Pineapple Aguas Frescas, taste it like water with a little pineapple juice poured in it 2/5 The service was good and friendly. They provided chips and salsa as soon as we sat down. The restaurant is pretty small and a lot of people were waiting for orders to go so it was crowded right as you walked in the door. The restaurant seemed clean, but i did have an upset stomach after, which makes me think something may be off in the kitchen. read more

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We heard about el Charro from a local and had to try it tonight. We had dinner at 630p tonight (Friday 2/20). The place was busy but we were seated immediately. All the staff welcomed us at some point. We ordered their chimichanga and a tostada with the spicy margarita and el Cabo margarita. Our server, Corey, was amazing. She knew it was our first time visiting the place and offered tons of information about the menu. We loved what we ordered and had such great service -we will be back! Can't say enough... this is a Must Try in Yuma for local Mexican food. read more

Our party came for dinner. Bustling place! We ordered fajitas, the crisp with chicken, a tostada, bean burrito enchilada style and cheese enchilada with beans. All were delicious!! Generous portions with reasonable prices. Friendly servers and staff. read more

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Atmosphere, service, and price were perfect! I got the FF. Two rolled tacos served with rice from the lighter side. Appreciated all the options especially great if you don't eat too much, want to mix and match with other things, or a smaller meal! read more

El Charro Cafe - Inside neon light decor - Mexican Near Me - Yuma, Arizona

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Place was packed with locals sharing greetings on a Sunday. Service was quick, personable, and friendly (even though we were pretty obviously passing though), and helpful. The Dia de Los Muertos decorations complemented the themed decor which provided a festive feel. The food was very inexpensive and well worth the price we paid. For Vegetarians ask about whether the items are vegetarian; we assumed rice and beans were. Which may (or may not) have been a mistake. read more

Went for dinner. Wasn't overly impressed. Food was mediocre. The meat sauce on the tamale wasn't tasty at all. Cheese enchilada was just stringy cheese. All of us left over half the food because it just didn't taste that good. Restaurant wasn't that busy. Staff was friendly. Will we go back? Doubtful. read more

El Charro Cafe - Mexican Near Me - Yuma, Arizona

The food is so good, fun atmosphere good for solo date nights of families with kids BUT THE BEST PART was traveling five hours to get here with 4 1/2 more to go to my destination and having Sydney H wait my table. She did a wonderful job very attentive just very nice. Service overall felt like I was very welcome and that I belonged here. Will most definitely be back next time. I am in Yuma. read more

Food was good. Service was okay, but everyone was so nice. Ambiance was pleasant. We ordered the Margaritas that were 2 for 12 on Happy Hour, 1 frozen and the other OTR. Both beverages arrived to the table OTR. HH Margs are tasty but seem to lack some of the alcohol. Chips and salsa are good but the hotter of the two salsas was far from spicy. They're very fresh and full if veggies, but I was disappointed that the spicy of the two hardly had a bite. Our orders were as follows: Two cheese enchiladas with rice and then Green Chili con Carne (because green is the spiciest of the two) with rice and beans along with mantequilla for my tortilla. That tortilla was huge and served piping hot. Perfect! Our entrees were both good but nothing to get excited about. Our server was quite nice but may have had too many tables cuz we didn't see her in a timely manner. Overall it was good but fell short of expectations we got from reading other reviews. read more

El Charro Cafe - Chips and Salsa, YUM. - Mexican Near Me - Yuma, Arizona

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This place is a poorly kept secret among the locals. It's busy. We went for an early lunch on a Tuesday and it was packed. This is home style Mexican food and it's good. It's somewhat unique to the area with Sonora as its influence Im told. I had the green chili enchiladas. This is three cheese filled corn tortillas with a pork green chili over them and chopped iceberg lettuce atop. Served with your choice of rice or beans (refried). Huge serving that my 20 year old self would have devoured. Too much for me these days but no regrets. Service was attentive and courteous. I'll be headed back whenever I'm in Yuma. read more

Came here to see what all the hype was about, after being recommended by dang near everybody in Yuma, I had to try for myself. For Starters Chips were extremely greasy! Accompanied by Very good salsa so it made up for it I guess. Then came our Order, my Wife ordered Flautas and very clearly said Flautas , what was Brought out were 2 skimpy rolled tacos from the kids Menus. Utterly disappointed to say the least, plain flavor and kinda cold. My daughter ordered the Carne Asada Nachos, very greasy again smh, Pico de Gallo had no flavor. My Dish was the best and why Its 2 stars . I ordered the Chile con Carne Rojo, very delicious and flavorful. The ambiance is Ok, very crowded , but lovely design. For this being our first time, I am not ready to give up, and will absolutely give it another chance. read more

It has been YEARS since we ate at the restaurant, as we typically order to go. Renee was an OUTSTANDING staff member! Our party of 8 absolutely loved her! She was so attentive, personable, and accommodating. She made our family dinner quite the experience! Food was amazing! We enjoyed every dish; from burritos, to soup, nachos, tacos and steak plate - phenomenal! We'll be back soon! read more

Best Mexican food in Yuma. Every year when I come to Yuma to camp in the desert, I am always going to stop by El Charro Café. The chicken tacos are amazing! The enchiladas are divine! But it's always the chips and salsa that bring me back to a Mexican restaurant. And there's is absolutely delicious. read more

Great family ambiance amazing food. Family owned and operated cozy place with great tasting Mexican food

Thank you El Charro for wonderful Mexican food. Excellent service . Nice dining area . Get there early or get on the waiting list .

This place has the best Mexican food in yuma, the service is fantastic! Sometimes it is a bit noisy but lots of fun!

Always clean always colorful and pleasing to the eyes! This Yuma restaurant has a long history and is a favorite to many! Lively customers enjoy the relatively small dining area! This business is always the go to for event catering in Yuma and they have true community spirit! This is a happy local dining spot with a strong reputation as place to enjoy an evening out with family. Although arriving at 5:30 to a very full parking lot we were told it was a 25 minute wait. It was actually much shorter!!! Three out of four of us chose Carne Asada Burritos each prepared a different way. The first offering of Chips and salsa is complimentary. So often we take more than the edge off of our appetite with their flavorful chips. The fresh pico salsa is watery (I wish they would drain off some of it! Entrees One as a Bowl (tortilla-less) was merely described as good. A red and Green version was served on a plate which was three times hotter than the filling of the burrito was. A red version was flavorful but likewise lacked the temperature. The Friday Night special was a Cheeseburger Dinner. Shredded lettuce and an over abundance of Mayonnaise made for a messy feast. The burger was cooked well and was a good size. Hmmm. Might have been extra delicious with Guacamole in lieu of Mayo! Fries are plank style and pleasing! Did we complain about the tepid Carne Asada? No but .... We mentioned it after paying and the Hostess did go straight away to the kitchen after thanking us. I don't expect fillings to be searing hot but these were served to us moderately warm. We believe in Local Business and know stuff happens! This has never been our experience in numerous evenings there in three years! A good place worth coming back to! read more

Delicious chimichangas and ambiance is great as is the service. Salsa and chips are great also. Parking lot is a little dark. read more

This was our first time at El Charro Cafe & already look forward to going back. Hubby ordered the chicken enchilada with beans no cheese (allergy) he absolutely loved it. Said the red sauce was just spicy enough for added flavor but not overwhelming & the chicken was moist & tasty. The beans were pretty tasty too. I ordered a folded beef taco which was hot & tasty, the tortilla was perfectly crunchy. The complimentary chips/salsa was delicious with 2 salsas to choose from depending on your preferences. Our server Maria, did an excellent job making sure we had everything we needed from drink refills to extra chips. The atmosphere was casual Hispanic with interesting artwork, no loud music playing just pleasant sounds/conversations from a very busy restaurant. We will absolutely be back & now have a place to recommend if asked. read more

El Charro Cafe - CC. Red or Green Chile Enchilada with beans no cheese - Mexican Near Me - Yuma, Arizona

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Stopped here for some authentic food and we were very happy! Service was great. Sincerely enjoyed their tomato and green chilies served with our chips. Our meals were terrific and priced reasonably too. Give it a try! read more

I like the place. My wife, not so much. They make their own chips and salsa. No store bought stuff here. Prices are reasonable and service was excellent. We shall return! See our YouTube channel Coolest Life. read more

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3.5 actually. Good food and good margaritas. Friendly service. Sauces are on the heavy side.

Fantastic food. Place is clean and service is excellent. I get their enchilada plate it's great every time! Worth the stop

Showed up at a busy time but received the best of service from Ana! Super delicious meal and great margaritas. The salsa and chips were fresh and just the right spice! Highly recommend a stop at this gem. read more

El Charro Cafe - Mexican Near Me - Yuma, Arizona

5 Stars - A Must-Try Carnitas Plate! I ordered the Carnitas dinner plate and was blown away by how delicious it was! The pork was perfectly seasoned, tender, and moist -- not dry at all like you sometimes find elsewhere. Every bite was packed with rich, savory flavor and just the right amount of crispy edges that gave it a great texture. read more

El Charro Cafe - Carnitas plate - Mexican Near Me - Yuma, Arizona

I wanted an early dinner (3:30 pm) and good Mexican food. I read some previous Yelp reviews and So Happy I came here. As soon I walked in, I was greeted by the hostess/cashier and was seated within 30 seconds. They were busy the entire time and the place was completely full by the time I left. The Hornitos Margaritas were included in the Happy Hour, and were delicious, especially at $5 a piece. I ordered the Sonora Taco Plate and my waitress, Maria, suggested to try both the beef and chicken. The meat is shredded and rolled up in flour tortillas, then slightly fried. They came with Guacamole, Sour Cream, and shredded lettuce. I also added some of their homemade salsa and each bite was just as good as the previous one. The rice was fluffy and full of flavor and the refried beans had a nice texture with the right amount of melted cheese. Maria was one of the best waitresses I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. She treated each table with smiles and knows many of the regular customers and what they like to order. I now understand why this place is so popular- they treat each customer with kindness and finesse. read more

El Charro Cafe - Chips and two types of salsa made in house. - Mexican Near Me - Yuma, Arizona

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Very good! Excellent food and service. Inez salsa is the BEST!! Definitely recommend as highly as possible.

Visited 7/18/2023 OMG. El Charro Cafe. Since 1949 In Old Town Yuma Arizona. Loretta and I got to check This Fabulous Historic Mexican Restaurant off my very large, (Got To Do It) Wish List Tuesday for Dinner. Old Original Family Recipe's passed down through family and still wowing it's Foodie followers. Famous for its Special Red and Green Sauces that blew our minds with our first bites. As usual I had to try the most popular dishes and ended up taking home enough for a full dinner the next night for Loretta and myself. Loretta chose The Machaca Chimichanga with Cheese. It was the size of your arm and the filling was super tender. Far to much for only one. I chose The Super Famous Historic Beef Red Saddle Burrito Wet only requested to have it Christmas Style 1/2 Red Chile con Carne and 1/2 Green Chile con Carne. Wow Wow Wow. It was beyond Amazing. But as with the Chimichanga it was a monster. A two people Share Item. I also ordered on the side A Chili Relleno and Two Sonora Rolled Beef Tacos to try. Loretta and I shared everything so we could compare what we each thought. Well we Both Loved Everything we Ordered and will positively Come back for more every time we are near Yuma. Food was so far above my expectations it was excellent along with the Prices and The Service. Highly Recommended. If any of my friends get the chance to come through Yuma this is a must try. You'll never regret it. We Both would like to thank my friend Dan Edwards for sharing his experiences at this Fabulous Amazing Restaurant Destination. Thanks Dan you were right. It Is Amazing Food. read more

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Six of us had dinner at the El Charro Cafe last night. It's not a fancy place, a little noisy, but they deserve 5 stars for their food. I can honestly say that it was the best Mexican food we've had since coming to Yuma. They were very busy, waiting line was short. They still managed to give all of us everything we needed and the prices were very reasonable. The portions were large and we took half of our meal home with us. I personally had the chimichanga served enchilada style and it was the very best. I can't wait to try it again. read more

Delicious food, cute decor, and awesome, personable service. Highly recommend this stop when you're traveling through Yuma!

The staff was friendly but food was not my cup of tea. Their nachos were not what you would expect and food seemed very Americanized (not very traditional). My husband enjoyed it but he loves the yellow cheese and olives etc but that's the type of Mex food he grew up with. read more

This place is cute if you're visiting. The place is small, and service is amazing! But the food, is mediocre. I had the green Chile enchiladas, drowned in Cheese & Sour cream. And tons of olives. (I'm not fond of olives) the rice was dry, beans were reheated and crusty. The albóndiga soup was basically vegetable soup from a Can with meatballs. We were really excited about the tortillas, to be told they were handmade. They definitely did not look handmade nor tasted like them. Sooo. Currently my stomach hurts after the food. read more

El Charro Cafe - Mexican Near Me - Yuma, Arizona

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Amazing food and atmosphere! We always make time for dinner there while in Yuma! Such a friendly place to visit

El Charro is the best! My brother and I had such a great experience at El Charro. Our waitress, Maria, was absolutely fantastic-friendly, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout the meal. . She had a warm smile, incredibly friendly, and seemed to enjoy what she does. Maria anticipated our needs before we even had to ask-refilling drinks and checking in on us just at the right time. The food was absolutely delicious! I hope you are lucky enough to get Maria! Thank you so much! read more