It has been several years since we last visited La Gitana so on a recent drive to Arivaca we stopped in for a beer. The establishment is classic old bar with great atmosphere. They happened to be packed this time because it was deer season. Drinking undoubtedly saved some deer that day. The service was excellent. Since we only ordered a draft beer each we will have to return to try the food. What passed us by, all looked good. read more

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Incredible unique and historical place. The carrot cake is Incredible. The saloon bar is so cowboy cool for a cantina. Every person working and eating there were so genuine. Cute little town and very cheap. That famous Jackelope carrots cake was made with love. read more

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Friendly, clean, welcoming ~ all the things you want in a cantina pretty much in the middle of nowhere. Took a drive for the day and came through Arivaca and found ourselves at La Gitana for a drink and some lunch. We ordered a couple of adult beverage (nice selection of beers are available as well as standard liquors) and made our way outside to the patio. My husband had a bacon cheeseburger with a side of coleslaw and he said it definitely hit the spot. I had the special of the day which was a green chile & chicken enchilada casserole with a side salad. The casserole was flavorful and the green chiles delicious (just not spicy....I like spicy). One interesting thing...we each ordered a shot, chilled. The bartender asked if they didn't have what we wanted chilled, was it OK if she used ice to chill it. Well, of course! This happens frequently and I know what to expect. What we got were two highball glasses filled with ice and the shots poured over the ice and served exactly like that. Definitely NOT the way one chills a shot with ice. Upon earlier glances of La Gitana online we noticed a bit of an identity crisis on the wall near the bar. There was signage for the Cardinals, the Broncos and Steelers. So we brought a Raiders sign and presented it to one of the owners who SAYS she will hang it in the bar. We'll see next time we roll through! La Gitana is a welcome respite from the road and a great place to wet your whistle and enjoy some great food. read more

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One of the best bars in the West. Good burgers, cold beers, live music and the old rustic charm.

We stopped here looking to have a bite before exploring the Ruby Ghost Town. We were looking for a fun, laid back experience and we found it here. The food was decent, nothing gourmet but that's not what we were after. I had a quesadilla and a beer and my friend said her cheese burger was fantastic. We put some George Strait on the jukebox and enjoyed the heck out of ourselves. The waitress was so nice, too. read more

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If you're coming to Arivaca this is about the only choice besides a sonoran dog truck. I wanna try that place too. Place is busy and only a bartender to take orders. So she's very busy too. We beat the big group so time to food was not bad. Waitress aka bartender was pleasant considering all the customers. Food was okay. Beer was cold. Patio is nice. It's a nice place to stop. read more

La Gitana Cantina - Current hours. The other photo is old an no longer accurate. - Bars Near Me - Arivaca, Arizona

We stopped in here after visiting Buenos Aires Wildlife RefugeChipotle. We sat at the bar and loved the salty popcorn, although a bit to salty....but beer is available! And peanuts on the bar too. The Black bean burger with green chiles and a side of coleslaw ... yum! I had Hamburger with Swiss cheese and green chiles with side of potato salad, would order it again! DosEquis amber and Dr Peper soda. Only flour tacos, not corn so that's why I chose hamburger. Music playing out on the patio and for a Saturday a very busy place but food came out pretty quickly. Cash payment or plan to pay $1.00 each time you use your credit card. Can keep an open tab to just use credit card once. This is the place to eat when in Arivaca. Ate my burger before I remembered I wanted a photo... it was delicious and besides the photo could never capture the great flavor! read more

Great place for a cold brew on tap. The place is small but full of character due to the local collection of friends and neighbors who frequented the place the day we came in. The food selection is not very good, but in the middle of nowhere it was just fine. read more

Several of my friends told me how good this place was. I guess today wasn't the day to go. Over 30 minutes before our order was taken. Over an hour and a half to get our food. Three guys waited 2 hours for their food, and one guy wound up getting a to go bag after 2.5 hours. The food was plain and not worth the price paid. They had live music that was extremely loud and not very good. read more

Bammmm. Small town. Realllll small. One restaurant is surviving. And the reason. It's GOOD!!! Despite being tempted by daily specials. I went for 2 chicken tacos w avocado. Lots of chicken & avocado. And to top it off. The best carrot cake EVA!! One of the owners was there tending bar & serving. And the cook!! Both really nice & friendly. I wud return!! read more

Love this place. Always wanted to stop here and finally had the time. Stop in and enjoy the atmosphere.

Service can be slow when busy, as there is one person waiting tables and tending bar. The cook brings food to the tables to help out. Knowing this going in sets my expectation so there is no frustration. The food was really good and everyone is friendly there. I will be back next time I'm in town. read more

The cantina is as tried and true as it gets. It's open every day and every night but if you miss even a moment, something will have happened while you're away. Something is always happening here. There's a big jukebox which stands proudly in the corner of the bar by the pool table and you will hear everything from Linkin Park to Alan Jackson to Pat Benatar to Al Green. And you will more than likely be surprised at who chooses these tracks as you see 60 year-old hippies playing air guitar to Guns'N'Roses. This place keeps you on your toes. There's a pool table and on Thursday nights, there are tournaments. Hop on in, don't be shy, but beware of the sharks (they are a plenty). There's also free internet (the only place in town with wifi except for the Arivaca Library). If you're hungry this is going to be your best bet to grab something to eat in Arivaca, though know that the bartender is also the bouncer, cook, technical support, and counselor of the establishment so be patient. The burger will all the fixins is a good staple with cheese, bacon, veggies, and green chile. All your food will be microwaved but it's surprisingly good. The Cantina also doubles as a liquor store so if you need to buy a bottle or six-pack of something, you can do that here and leave with it. It also doubles as an ATM - if you're paying with a credit card, they will charge you a flat 20 dollars but then give you cash back. They don't get charged a fee and you get cash. Win win. Most everyone at the Cantina is going to be welcoming and down to earth. Note that there are some (mostly harmless but annoying) drunkards. Also, there's a pretty good mix of people which means that on any given night there will be a Rebel, a hippie, a butch lesbian, a cowboy, an african-american-german, a New York Lawyer, a No More Deaths activist, and an ex-military dude. I'm not sure how everyone gets along but they mostly do. If you disagree with someone you can talk to them and everyone is open to a conversation and will tone it down if they're offending you. (this town is pretty much free of Border Patrol and militia due to some rough history a ways back - the town did a good job of making them feel unwelcome). You really have to come here at least once. In the winter you can even build a fire outside and in the summer you can people-watch on the patio and catch some live bands. This place is absolutely nuts but if you're a little nuts (and I am) you'll feel right at home. read more

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A most friendly place. More than worth the scenic if lengthy drive. It is the gathering place for many of the local gentlemen and ladies. A more informal place to enjoy a meal and a drink you won't find. Julie often tends the bar. A delightful young woman. Nearby is a pool table where fun games are usually in progress and clearly visible from the bar. Through a door is the open air patio. The perfect place to spend an evening. Some of the nicest and most friendly people you'll run across. read more

Great St. Paddy's Day at the bar. Sat on the patio and listened to Western swing band Way Out West. Good time. read more

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La Gitana is "gypsy" in Spanish. Arivaca comes from the 9000 acre La Aribac ranch (a Pima Indian word for "small springs). 1850's. Charles Poston. Heintzelman Mining. History. Blah. Blah. What ev. It has nothing to do with La Gitana Cantina in Arivaca, Arizona- about 70 miles south and west of Tucson. Arivaca is a cool and strange little town, for sure, and a nice ride out of Tucson through some pretty unspoiled desert. I'm pretty sure Arivaca is a town filled with vampires, or skin walkers...all nice and friendly normal- ranchers, vaqueros, hunters, miners and marijuana growers by day, but then at night...You know, like that bar in "From Dusk til' Dawn." That's what I imagine anyways, as I drink my cold draft Pacifico and have a shot of Hornitos while soaking sun on the patio. It's nice. Real nice. Too nice. I like this place though. Always good service, cold beer and friendly regulars. I've never been here at night, but legend has it there is sometimes live music. There is one pool table inside and darts on the patio. Here is my old man caveat: there is a Homeland Security checkpoint on highway 286, which is kind of a popular corridor for smugglers of both humans and drugs. Eh, that's why I haven't traveled it at night. Not because I'm a gutless coward, but because I'm an OLD gutless coward who has used up almost all his get out of jail "free" cards. I'm sure it's fine, but I like my hassle free day drinking. And don't forget- vampires...scary, scary vampires. read more

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Four snowbirds in Green Valley- had to take our friends there today for lunch. Two of us have been there a few times before and we've never seen it so busy (a Thursday during lunch time). We sat at the bar and had a few drinks. We ordered hamburgers and quesadillas and decided to sit outside in the courtyard. The wind was pretty heavy but the sunshine beat out. Thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere and food. The bartenders seem a bit sour on our visits but the courtyard and food service makes up for it. Prices good and food is basic but good. The drive there from Green Valley is delightful scenery. read more

This is clearly the best place in town to have a drink and a bite to eat, in fact it may be the only place. The beer is cold, the food is hot, the locals are friendly, and it has air conditioning. If you go to Arivaca, this is a must see. Don't miss it. And since its on the main road, and the only paved road, it's pretty hard to miss. It's got a casual down home atmosphere, so don't over dress. If you show up in a suit and tie, you might feel out of place, but the locals won't judge you. Mostly...actually, they might, so don't over dress. while you shouldn't drink and drive, if you do feel so inclined they'll give you drinks to go - like if you over dress and feel out of place, you can take your drink and drive, and chances are good you won't see any police, since the locals appear to have run them out of town. I highly recommend this joint, and any joints they might be passing around. The ratings don't get any higher, and neither do the clientele. This may be the last true dive bar at end of the planet. A true American gem and a blast from the past. read more

I have been here several times before but today, exceptionally slow service. Waiting on a burger and a salad, dry - no attention to assuring that we have drinks. People have received their food, eaten and left while we wait. Disappointed, and still waiting..... 30 minutes plus now..... About ready to pay for our drinks and go! 45 minute to an hour wait due to short staff but once said and done the wait ended with excellently prepared food!! read more

If you're exploring Arivaca, AZ area - this is a 'must stop'. Great homemade potato salad!! Friendly service. Burgers were tasty. Hot chips and cold salsa are the best in town. read more

La Gitana Cantina - Nice place to kick back. - Bars Near Me - Arivaca, Arizona

A bar in the small community of Aricaca, 11 miles north of the border, contains a fair amount of beers on tap, mixed drinks, and food! I was happy to stop by for lunch while working out here and there is a menu with burgers, sandwiches, pizza and salads, and burritos. I was told the tuna was out today, but that the chicken salad sandwich was good, so I went for it. I picked rye bread and potato salad over chips. It came out to about $7.40. The sandwich was made on sight and packaged up in a to-go bag for me with a side of very delicious potato salad. The sandwich was good, fresh, with delicious chicken salad, fresh red tomato, and large leafy greens. I devoured it happily. I'd love to come back here after work and enjoy drinks. Lots of seating here, it's a nice place. read more

Stopped for a glass of iced tea and dessert. It's clean and the staff are friendly. Clearly a gathering spot for locals and folks just passing through. My husband and I shared a piece of carrot cake. Absolutely delicious, some of the best carrot cake I have had in many years. It's definitely a long drive if you are coming from the Arivanca exit off the 19. 23 miles (give or take). But its a pleasant drive, curvy roads with twists, turns and dips. So if you are passing through stop and try this place. Simple and basic, if I lived in that little town I would defiantly frequent this place. read more

I drove for miles through open range, on twisting roads to find Arivaca, Arizona. As I drove down the tiny main street, I found a handful of buildings: a decaying adobe once used as a school, a post office, a mercantile, an artists' co-op store and a bar. I chose to park in front of the bar. Live blues came from the building, as good as anything Stevie Ray Vaughn ever played. Sun-weathered locals entered through the patio, their panting dogs on leashes. I headed toward the patio, where patrons sat under awnings, surrounded by beer cap mosaics, enjoying cold beers and icy cocktails. My fellow imbibers were incredibly friendly and shared stories about their lives in the small desert town. The Cantina was listed in Esquire Magazine as one of the 100 best bars in the US. It has a reputation for attracting characters, both as customers and employees. I was told there's a bartender who'll crack your back as you lie on a table - he once stretched a local customer out on the bar and pulled a troublesome tooth. No, this isn't a trendy club - this is a bar, a beer joint, a local watering hole. Its patio walls are colorful, though not as colorful as the characters who spend time there every afternoon. The interior is small and simple - a bar and a few tables. The walls have photos of past events and customers, including the hippies who, in the early 70s occupied a local ghost town until they were tossed out for littering. The drinks are generous, the surroundings are old-west cool and the company is great. This is a classic bar and worth a visit. read more

La Gitana Cantina - Bars Near Me - Arivaca, Arizona

I love Gitana, which lives up to its name as gypsy cantina. We always stop here for libations after exploring hiking trails in the area. Dogs are no longer allowed on the patio, but the bartender showed us a shady spot right outside where dogs can be tied and monitored. Last time we were here, a trio of blood-soaked cowboys with holstered guns bellied up to the bar. They'd just butchered a cow, they explained. Gitana's reputation as a wild west saloon is well-earned, but during the day miners, cowboys, vaqueros, border patrol, and misfits of all sorts mingle easily. In fact, the folks here are easygoing and proud of their little corner of the borderlands. Worthy musicians occasionally make the pilgrimage down I-19, and I'd love to be a (nervous) fly on the wall one of those Saturday nights. read more

This place is a real treat! Don't be surprised when locals approach you to welcome and/or attempt to figure out who you are. Music and dancing on weekends can be a lot of fun. Chuck Wagon & The Wheels frequent the music venue there. It seems like a long drive from interstate 19 to Arivaca, and you will probably see your fair share of military vehicles from the border patrol Homeland Security people, but in the end you will look back at it as a real adventure off the main road on your way down to old Mexico. read more

Read about this center of town life. Caring community of diversity and mutual support. A good place to be accepted if you are open minded and follower of the Golden Rule read more

We love La Gitana! We've taken many friends and visitors there and everyone has always had a good meal and a good time. Great service, wonderful menu, friendly folks - just a real gem off the beaten path!! read more

Live music, cold beer, generous shots, sports, pool... what more could you want? The Halloween party is, well, bananas. Half the town and many people from out of town show up in costumes and dance the night away. The live music is great, from CCR to NOFX, you have no idea what song is coming on next. There's always someone to talk to, always someone to greet you, always someone to to toast or cheers. I can't think of a bar in Tucson that is this much fun! read more