My Mom lives in Rio Rico so I was looking for a cool local spot to take her for her 71st birthday and Elviras caught my eye. It turned out to be as totally amazing as it looks in the pictures! The space is something I could easily write about at length - it was gorgeous! The entire restraunt is decked out with melty column candles, sparkling colorful glass hanging from the ceiling and a lovely variety of colorful low lights that gives the entire place is very classy, mellow artistic Bohemian atmosphere. Our server Nestor was fantastic. He was incredibly attentive, helped answer a lot of questions that I had about the menu, and took excellent care of my mom even bringing her a special slice of cheesecake for her birthday. Their chips and salsa were amazing! The chips are huge, which was kind of cool. It helped me with portion control because it reminded me that a tortilla chip is literally made from A tortilla, so seeing them in such big slices actually caused me to think about how many chips I would normally stuff in my mouth. I guess that's my weird diet tip ha ha! We started with the Chicharrones and also ordered a side of Guacamole. The Chicharrones were huge, fluffy, perfectly crispy and delicious. The guacamole was unique and that it featured roasted Pepita's and dried cranberries. This gave it a sweet with a little extra crunch note that was cool and next time I make guac at home, I'm totally going to add those things in as it made it a cut above. The menu is robust and has a lot of great options for entrées at different price points. I had the Fillet Sosa, which was a ribeye topped with Asadero Menonita cheese and smothered in their Salsa Verde. The steak was perfectly medium, rare and incredibly flavorful. I enjoyed the salsa Verde, although I may would've went a little bit lighter on it.m - and ya'll, the cheese was just to die for! The dish was accompanied with rice and beans. Both were good. The beans were creamy and had a traditional flavor. For dessert, I had the Elvira's Flan Custard. I loved how unique the flavor was. It featured a touch of orange liquor, Napoleon Mandarin and vanilla bean. It was accompanied with a handful of honey roasted nuts, which added a cool texture to this otherwise incredibly creamy dish. Overall, the food is totally worth the trip from Tucson and if you're in the area and want to have a special place to celebrate an occasion with an amazing atmosphere check out a virus I know I'll for sure be back but my mom is very happy about! read more

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What can I say that hasn't already been said by all the adoring fans of Elvira's? In Tubac exploring and I'd always wanted to go to Elvira's so we made a reservation after stopping in during our art walk. Came back for dinner and ****CHEF'S KISS**** the most incredible, unique dinner I've had in forever. Started with drinks. I had the Labios Ardientes - a delightful mezcal drink and my guy had a boring rum & coke. I sipped and savored the drink throughout my evening - it was strong. We ordered chicharrones to start - very good. My guy is not that adventurous so he had the grilled ribeye and it truly was perfect. I selected the hazelnut mole and have NEVER had a mole like it; very rich and exquisite. Somehow I managed to finish it all because I knew it would not be as good reheated at home. Impeccable service, incredible atmosphere and we even had some entertainment - a duo that played guitar and sang. Very soft, very calming and enjoyable. Elvira's is definitely a treat and I highly recommend it. read more

update December we're in the village to shop a little and have our special meal here Superior Service to match our meals. read more

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Amazing! Simply Amazing. The "heaven in a glass" margaritas out of this world, their Chili relleno is to a must... seriously delicious! The service is always friendly and the eclectic decor sets the stage for an elegant experience. We love dining here. read more

Elvira's - Cocktail time - Mexican Near Me - Tubac, Arizona

We love the fairytale atmosphere of Elvira's with a fantasy teardrop glass ceiling, large groupings of candles, and wine displays. It's plush and elegant. The food is above average, though pricey. The service was fast and efficient. A fun place to visit during the Tubac Festival of the Arts! read more

Elvira's - Main dining area - Mexican Near Me - Tubac, Arizona

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Wow! Atmosphere is absolutely stunning! Loved the beautiful glass decor and cozy setting. Servers were accommodating, friendly, and FAST! Fresh guac was refreshing and the mushroom appetizer was unlike anything I've had before! You MUST get a margarita. 10/10! read more

In the movie "Groundhog Day" the main character wakes up and relives the same day over and over again. If that happened to me, the amazing day I visited Elvira's is the day I would want to repeat again and again. Everything was so perfect and breathtakingly beautiful. Perfect service, lovely people, the most delicious and well plated food, and a great tequila menu. We made a reservation and arrived a little before our table was ready. Just walking into the restaurant is an epic experience. The decor is absolutely magical with glass bulbs hanging from the ceiling and regularly changing colors. A long table in the middle featured large candles with melted wax overflowing. I felt like a tourist in a big city, just starring at everything and trying to take it all in. We found seats at the bar, which is in the back of the restaurant. They have a hefty tequila menu with a variety of price differences. I love that they list each tequila they offer with the corresponding prices. I wish all restaurants did this. We met some nice locals that are regulars. We even had the opportunity to meet the owner who seems to be there quite a bit. Our table was ready quickly and we were seated. Our server was fantastic, but I did forget his name. He knew every dish like the back of his hand, and gave great advice. He made the evening perfect. We started with taquitos. Sounds boring and like frozen food right? Not here! They were so tasty! Taquitos will never be the same for me. For dinner we had the Rib Eye Azteca and the Chile Frida Kalh. Absolute perfection. And both dishes were plated beautifully. We ate as slowly as we could to relish all of the flavors. I was a little too full for dessert, but I also did not want to leave, so we had the flourless chocolate cake and it was divine. The restaurant is on one side of the building and then a gorgeous interior design store is on the other. We went back the next day to look around. I hope to get back to Elvira's soon, because this really was the best experience. read more

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The food is a step above most Mexican restaurants you'll ever go to. Deliciously prepared and beautifully presented. The Mole Negro is truly a unique mole. The Filet Sosa is a very tender cut of meat prepared exactly as ordered . The melted cheese and sosa sauce makes me want the dish every time I go. Don't miss the margaritas selection. Wine by the glass pretty limited. Service is professional and knowledgeable. Could be a little "warmer". Setting is like a secret romantic hideaway that you want to linger and enjoy. Always return - go about every month from December through May. read more

Elvira's has been on my bucket list for years now. It's one of the most raved about restaurants on this side of town and has been open since the 1920s (moved from Nogales to Tubac). Finally had the chance to come for a late lunch this Saturday. I'd highly recommend making a reservation if you are coming at peak lunch or dinner hours. With a reservation we got right in at 1:30pm but it was crowded. But again if you go off hours you should be okay, by the time we were leaving at 2:30pm/3pm it was pretty dead. The restaurant is visually stunning 10/10 for decor and ambiance. They have hundreds of hanging icicles in all different colors hanging from the ceiling. It's seriously stunning and beautiful. This restaurant is Instagram worthy. We sat by the bar and it was a comfortable experience. Service was pretty good. Our waiter I forgot his name was lovely and very personable. He was sweet and attentive when he could be, he also juggled making cocktails. Good vibes and friendly. There were tiny shortcomings like forgetting to bring us water refills when we asked but again little, he made up for it with his friendless and he definitely makes a good drink. The menu has a large cocktail and bar selection. This is definitely a good spot to stop in for a drink. I had just their classic Margarita and it was heavenly. Super lime flavored like I would normally want. 5/5 for cocktails for sure, my table was happy. The food menu in my opinion didn't outright speak to me at first. It was a little hard to pick. I'd say their primary focus is chile rellenos, moles, and shrimp dishes. While they looked good many looked spicy so was hard for me to choose. Ended up going with their flat iron molcajete dish which definitely had some spice for me with the salsa verde but it was still really good. Aside from the meat I loved the nopales and cheese inside. Nice little side of beans and tortillas too, would rate a 4.5/5. My friends were all happy with their meals as well. It's safe to say this is slightly more upscale Mexican food. You aren't going to find tacos and such on the menu. It's also a little pricy but the prices matches the ambiance and atmosphere. Cocktails are close to $20 a pop and the meals range $35-40 each. So most of us paid $50-$60 for our lunch. Not cheap but a good experience and so good id come back. Lastly, Elvira's has an awesome home goods store next door. Stunning bar ware and furniture and art. It's a miracle I got out of there without dropping more $$ but definitely worth checking out, especially if you liked the glasses and such in the restaurant. read more

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Gift shop and ambiance were all great and we were excited to eat there (especially having eaten at the original in Nogales in the 80s). When requesting an outdoor seat we were told they were all reserved. When asking for a specific table we were told it was going to be combined for a larger group. After ordering drinks several outdoor tables were cleared and open and the indoor table we were refused was given to a party of two (there were two of us). When I asked our waitperson about the mole sauces she replied that she didn't like mole. I did kindly reminded her that she did work there could she tell me anything about them? She did but the restaurant waitstaff was young and somewhat unfriendly. We decided for the money and the principal we would finish our drinks, close our tab and leave. read more

Great, authentic Mexican restaurant that is always a treat to go to. The food, service and ambiance are all top notch.

Elvira's was recommended to me by staff at the Tubac Country Inn where I was staying (separate review). I've come to rely on locals when I travel. It was advertised as an upscale Mexican joint. Imagine my surprise when I wandered in to find that the special was fresh flounder over rice, topped with shrimp in a mole sauce and plantains!! Throw in glass globules hanging from the ceiling (a la Chihuly, although they aren't) and a good waitstaff and dining on the border takes on a whole new meaning. The lady seated at a table next to me got one look at my plate and ordered the same thing! It was a thoroughly yummy experience. Eat here and your tummy will thank you (and me). read more

For those who love the artist community of Tupac, AZ only for its galleries, bakeries, cowboy photo dealers, cozy B&Bs, country grocery stores, and paddocks of horses, donkeys, & goats, you should discover Elvira's -- an upscale Mexican grill nervy enough (busy enough?) to serve fresh fish in the middle of the desert. Its extraordinary food is as fearless as its gobsmacking decor. Our cute goth hostess set the tone for restaurant's surprises -- an eye chart of a menu, the dripping Rocky Horror candle altar, and Mexican wrestling masks where you least expect them. One entree, the Chilis en Nogada comes plated in the colors of the Mexican flag. This showstopper is a savory pepper stuffed with meat, nuts, and fruit alongside a subtle walnut sauce & tangy pomegranates. Did I say the service was impeccable? It's not cheap but you will not forget your experience there. read more

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We were very excited to dine at Elvira's, especially after hearing wonderful things from others. The entrance through the unique gift shop and atmosphere was absolutely beautiful, making us feel welcomed right away. Being seated by the hostess added to our early impressions that this was going to be a great night. Unfortunately, things quickly took a turn. Our server, Celeste, was impatient and abrupt from the moment she approached our table. I'm a vegetarian, and while she offered to substitute the beans in my Chile Relleno with a salad, the dish arrived with double rice (which I hadn't requested) and no salad at all! Her attitude was not only unhelpful but outright rude, making us all uncomfortable. I ended up ordering a separate side salad, which was supposed to be $3 but ended up being charged at $5. The upcharges didn't stop there--$16 for guacamole felt excessive, particularly given the small portion. The mango margarita tasted flat, with maybe just a hint of tequila. We ordered a couple of appetizers and four entrees. The food was decent - but definitely not great--and certainly not worth the steep price tags. Every small request seemed to come with an extra charge: $5 for four chips and $3 for a taste of mole sauce. Seriously? Nickel and diming at its best! Perhaps the food would have been more enjoyable if the service had been warmer or more attentive. As it was, we left feeling disappointed and let down; what should have been a special dinner ended with a bad taste in our mouths (no pun intended). It was not the experience we had hoped for. The "cherry on top" was when Celest asked us to leave after we had paid the check, claiming that they needed our table for the next reservation, despite there being plenty of empty tables available. Wow! If only the food and service had lived up to the decor. I emailed the restaurant as soon as we got home, and I have yet to receive any acknowledgment. read more

Expensive, but, we still go. Actually today our lunch was astonishing. Service is always 5 star and of course the decor and ambiance is super pleasing; noticed they had new chairs and they were very nice. had the 'special', Chili Enogala, and damn, it can only be described as gourmet. 2 meals, 4 margarita's and 1 piece of lava cake, $175. Same as the photo's below. Great meal you will get no where else. read more

A hidden gem located in the tiny town of Tubac, nestled near the back among the few establishments they have. I say gem, because the ambiance of this place unlike any other. Immediately upon entry, you're blown away by the dramatic decor that surrounds the restaurant. Hundreds & hundreds of glass fixtures suspend from the ceiling, w/ special lighting reflecting on them, that allows them to change color every few minutes. Make your way around to the back, and suddenly you're in a beautiful one of a kind furniture & decor store. We came for dinner on a Saturday night without reservations, and were immediately seated by the very friendly hostess. Our female server was extremely rude, and was completely taken a back by her snobby attitude. Any question I had about the menu, she gave short, rude answer and basically felt like "I should've known the answer to this". Not the kind of behavior I would expect for mid-semi upscale restaurant. Anyways, let's get to the food! They provided "chips" and salsa which was actually just a few basic tostadas...salsa was a green tomatillo, very subtle but with flavor. I had the Chile Relleno in chipotlè creamè sauce and it was really good! Very flavorful and you could taste the very rich broth of the roasted tomatoes and suiza used to make this. It came with a side of rice and beans, the rice was hard & flavorless and the beans were 100% from a can...didn't even look appetizing in the slightest. My mom had the Frida Kahlo which was also a chilè relleno which is stuffed with assorted vegetables similar to calabacitas made with a chipotlè bean sauce apparently. But it too was really good & loaded with flavor, but her side of rice also lacked flavor. Overall, I do see myself returning if I'm ever in the area, but now I know what to expect. I hope they better train their servers & they work on their side dishes, as there is certainly much room for improvement. Honestly only thing bringing me back here is the ambiance. read more

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This restaurant was really neatly decorated and the shop on the side was full of art and glass work. We were super excited to try the restaurant, but I have to say the hostess was super cold and rude and made our experience very weird. She told us we basically only had 40 minutes until she needed our table back and she kept asking every guest if they had a reservation upon them walking in. Not a hi, or a hello or a welcome... It was definitely strange and why I'm rating this at 3 stars. HOWEVER, our server was super nice and the service after the fact was great. Salsa and food were delicious and we loved the addition of pumpkin seeds on the guac. read more

Elvira's - Chips and salsa - Mexican Near Me - Tubac, Arizona

First of all, absolutely gorgeous decor!! Beautiful ambience. It took a while to be served after we sat down but once the server came, everything went smooth. I didn't get his name but he was very proper and provided service like a 5-star restaurant. As for food, I came here for their mole. Okay the mole was good but their Steak was AMAZING!!!!!! So good I forgot to take a picture Had a flan for dessert. It wasn't too sweet and just perfect to finish off the meal. Overall great dining experience! read more

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Beautiful decor and great food. We liked it so much we ate there twice during our 4 night stay in Tubac. All of the dishes were delicious. I just knocked one star off for service. They were not particularly busy but it took them 25 minutes to take our drink order in the second night. Once drinks were brought, and the food order went in, service was prompt. Just had a slow start for some reason. Probably one of the best restaurants in the area, especially if you like mole! read more

Great food, pretty good service, can be intermittent. Beautiful rooms. Great drinks ! A must for out of town guests! read more

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We found ourselves passing by Tubac when my wife was listing off places we could go have a late lunch. When she mentioned Elvira's, I took the next exit and turned around. It had been in the back of my mind for months and this was the golden opportunity. The ambiance was nothing short of stellar. It didn't feel like I was anywhere near the desert, but in some other world. Now to the food. The mole was the best I've ever had. Hands down. The chicken was juicy and tender and the mole was very flavorful and a joy to eat. I look forward to going there again or taking out of town guests there for a taste of heaven. read more

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This is a beautiful Mexican restaurant! Lots of ambiance. Pricey but the lovely decor and the focus on higher scale food made it worth it. I went there for the moles and ended up ordering the tongue with two sauces so I could sample more than one. Before the entrees arrived 3-4 fried tortillas and salsa was on the table. My friend was delighted to see chili en nogado as a specialty entree. This savory sweet stuffed pepper doused in a cream sauce is a specialty dish that is hard to find. Theirs was well done snd s lovely presentation.The portions are not huge which allows you to order an appetizer or dessert. The only disappointment was we were told only one dessert was made in house. read more

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Stopped in here for dinner First off what an amazing atmosphere The food is very good I ordered a mole with chicken and it was fresh and full of flavor We also had a quesadilla that was good as well If your looking for a great meal in the area of Tubac you will not be disappointed with this choice read more

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When you walk in, you are observing a different atmosphere with the blown glass elongated balls that are strategically placed on the ceiling and lights placed around them to give it a nice glow. It is something you need to experience. The food and drinks were awesome. I had the margarita special and it was so good. I had the chili nag-alas and it was very taste. I recommend trying this out for something different. You will be delighted. read more

This is our second time visiting. As a vegetarian, I was thrilled beyond words with the options and the attention to flavor and quality. Vegetarians, this gem of a restaurant is worth traveling great distances for to finally find a chef that leaves you swooning with every bite! My husband the carnivorous was a happy guy too! Thank you to the chef and staff for your creativity and high standards of excellence in every area. The decor is to die for. There is also an absolutely amazing store attached that provides home decor that you will not find anywhere else. We will be going back for sure! Only next time will be at night so we can see the decorations when there's no natural light! read more

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Food was fantastic! Service was a little off, but over all I'd go again! The restaurant had a gazillion hanging glass objects hanging from the ceiling. I'd hate to be the one that had to dust all of them! read more

We ordered the guacamole, which was just ok and the special, Chile Enogada, wasn't at all good. Very disappointed in the chips and salsa. Chips, no flavor and salsa, very runny. Biggest mistake was eating outside. Flies and mosquitos were so bad, we had to spray ourselves with off. Coke products are flat and needed changing, and mentioned. Server was nice but really didn't understand the questions we were asking about the menu. Probably will not venture back. read more

The food is ok but I've had better Mexican food. The staff were friendly. I just didn't like the atmosphere.

The vibe was vibing & the food was great too! We had various margaritas, the chicharrones, snapper, mole, & enchiladas. Everything tasted delicious- well seasoned, fresh, & perfection. Such special spot with an amazing home interior store attached! read more

Elvira's - Restaurant dining room - Mexican Near Me - Tubac, Arizona

There are 3,482 glass globes hanging from the ceiling making for an incredible ambiance. The service was attentive and the food was absolutely amazing. I had the hazelnut mole and it was the best mole I've ever had, Small bits of hazelnuts, a nice pepper bite and such tender chicken breast. Highly recommended read more

Elvira's - Chicken Hazelnut Nut Mole, pickled onions, cilantro, rice and beans - Mexican Near Me - Tubac, Arizona

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The food was excellent! Make a reservation if you know what time you're going to be down there. It's very busy, especially on weekends when they have festivals and art shows. We started off with the guacamole, which was excellent and different from guacamole in most other restaurants. It had pomegranate and Pepitas no tomato so it was rich and creamy, and not watery My husband ordered the Tamarino rib-eye, which was cooked perfectly and came with a lot of sauce and fresh veggies and a side of rice. I had the tongue molcajetes it was truly delicious. So tender and with a rich green sauce/stew with chunks of cheese (sides of guacamole, beans, tortillas, and a grilled green onion). Service was good especially on such a busy day with the reservation. Thank you Tara. read more

Elvira's - Tongue Molcajete $35 - Mexican Near Me - Tubac, Arizona

I wanted to like Elvira's, especially because we were treating our hosts from Tubac. But its reach exceeds its grasp. Ambitious menu but none of the dishes were standouts. Long waits for water, drinks, and a check really marred the experience even though our waiter was charming when he eventually showed up. Obnoxious music with an irritating bass beat. At these prices it should have been better. read more

I'm sure restaurant managers hate to see a review start out with, "I used to run a restaurant" but I did. The ambience was insanely eye-popping! If only the food lived up to the decor. Not a big fan of mole so went with our "go-to" selections; chili relleno for my wife and the pork chop for me. We didn't have reservation, but they said we could dine on the patio. No problem. There was a gorgeous patio on the west side in the evening sun with lots of table heaters. That's not were we were sat. They took us to the rear entrance where three small tables and a broken table heater were crammed onto a stoop in the breeze. They couldn't get the heater to work so we moved inside to the bar. Not sure why the front patio wasn't an option. Our appetizer, the Taquitos de Papa were ok, but the sauce was inundated with cilantro and soggy. A great herb, but I guess they just can't help but overuse it. The potato filling was bland, not "seasoned" as per the menu. My wife loves a great chili relleno. This wasn't it. First of all, for the price the plate looked quite empty with just one chili on it. Covered with a dull sauce it just wasn't something to brag about. The pork chop was an amazing plate to behold! Two pork chops piled up high with a rich somewhat spicy sauce and a fistful of parsley. My wife wanted to taste it so I started to cut off a bite for her. Turned out I had to saw off a piece! Both chops were overcooked, tough and dry. I really should have complained. Whatever your specialty may be, get your basics right or don't offer them at all. I will say that my wife said her Margherita was excellent and, having run restaurants, the bartender was very good at his job. Handling an endlessly running printer of orders for the waitstaff, drinks and dinner orders for six at the bar AND having several tables in the dining room; he was never in the weeds. Not interested in going back. Even for the molé. Just don't want to chance having the chicken breast treated the same as the pork chop. A disappointing dinner for two for a $129.00 tab just doesn't add up. read more

Such a lovely spot with great wine choices & delicious food. My friend had the asian salad & I had the cabrilla in salsa verde. I also had the savignon blanc. So special. Jorje was a most attentive waiter & the lighted glass ornaments hanging from the ceiling gave the room a nice glow. Definitely recommend. read more

Elvira's - Mexican Near Me - Tubac, Arizona

I went here before and service was great as well as the decor. I would definitely visit here if I were in Tubac.

Absolutely beautiful and one of a kind. The food is great. The service is impeccable. All the staff are wonderful people. It has a wide variety of delicious food and it's so unique. It's one of a kind place. I highly recommend it. I've been coming to Elvira's since I first came to Tubac. It is always a wonderful experience and has wonderful music on weekends. Wonderful patrons too read more

Elvira's - Mescal. - Mexican Near Me - Tubac, Arizona

If you want the best mole in Southern AZ this is the place. I'm a huge fan of mole, and as such a connoisseur of mole, the mole here is worth the ride. The spouse had the mole coloradito, which was a robust number of chilies mixed with plum, apricots, cinnamon and other items. It's a sweet mole. The chicken is perfect. Pickled vegetables on the side. The dish comes with what can only be described as wild rice in appearance and refried beans. Mine was the mole negro. It's a robust mole, no sweetie here. Flavor profile is awesome eith a dash of empowering the chilies mixed within for your taste buds. It comes with a masa cake which I dumped, the pickled vegetables are yeah, no. Just doesn't work, the rice is similar to above, and the refried beans, are so-so. My dish came with plantains that scored. I also ordered flour tortillas. They are made on site. Yummy. We ordered early on the guacamole and ditched the queso. The menu says it comes with pineapple. That's erroneous. Rather it comes with pomegranate seeds on the top. I thought it really made it work. The salsa is mild though. read more

Elvira's - The rice and refried beans - Mexican Near Me - Tubac, Arizona

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We really enjoyed our lunch at Elvira's. We had the green chicken enchilada, the chile relleno, but the standout was the hazelnut mole. Ever since Cafe Poca Cosa closed in Tucson, I have been looking for a great mole. Elvira's hazelnut mole is layered with nuanced flavor. I also like the decor. At $25, I did think the Don Julio PC margarita was overpriced and small. Our servers were friendly. read more

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It's a bit out-of-place considering other restaurants in the area and it's setting. Trying too hard with the decor. While it 'might' fit if it were located elsewhere (Portland, OR? Savannah, GA?), Tubac is not a place for it. Very small and cramped. Your experience communicating with the waitstaff is consistent with the decor. Food was not bad. Try the Frida Kahlo Chile Poblano as it was pretty good. The Arugulu Salad, too, was good, but those are about it. Just can't get over the atmosphere and employees who contributed to the unusual feeling. read more

Service was great but food was not quite good. I had the Ribeye Tamarindo and it was quite awful. The place is beautiful but the food wasn't. read more