Review El Charro Cafe - The Original - Tucson

This place is too perfect if you ask me. The service, fantastic. The location and decor, amazing. The food, out of this world. It is a crime that this place is this good! The food came together perfectly from chips and salsa to the main course. We got a window seat which was lovely midday.

One of the oldest restaurants in the area. Authentic food, big servings, great drinks and a good time. My wife and I stopped here after exploring downtown. We sat outside on the patio and had a great lunch. The refried beans are legit here! This establishment is a staple of the Tucson community and it was an honor visiting this mom and pop establishment that is now run by their children. They seem to have a couple other locations and sister restaurants in the area. When I’m back in Tucson, I will be back.

We had a good experience at El Charro. The food was amazing, drinks were strong and the chips and salsa was amazing too. The only downside being our waitress and service. Chips and Salsa were great. Prickly Pear Margarita was strong and packed a punch. Mangopeno was spicy and delicious. We got a vegan burrito chimichanga style and it was mindblowing. It was hot and fresh and not deep fried like how we have had it so far. Very delicious and highly recommend. About the server, She was not able to answer any questions or offer any explanations about how we could order some vegetarian food. She repeatedly said she will check, but never seemingly did. We had to figure it out ourselves and Google reviews, with no help from her. She even seemed to have forgotten to place our entree order in, as it took forever. This ruined an otherwise amazing meal.

A local recommended that we try this place for lunch. Definitely a great recommendation! Everyone in our group loved their meals. Service was great. Beautiful historic building. We had a late lunch and the food came out quickly. They do have vegan options.

The food was incredible. It took over a half hour to get served. But the staff worked with my wife's food allergies to provide her with a great meal as well. Can't wait to go back. I feel the prices were adequate for what we got.

Sometimes when the restaurant says they've been around for a long time, you hope it's because the food is just so good that people just keep coming in there for Generations. This is that type of restaurant. Customer service was honestly some of the best I've seen in my life. Even when super busy our server always found time to make sure we were taken care of. Our food was Unreal and Portion sizes were awesome. Everything was reasonably priced for what we got and can I say enough good things about just how great the food was. All local flavors to the area that will fit almost any pallet. Price is mid range or just be aware but honestly a great hangout spot for a date business occasion or just want to sit out and eat a good meal. Street parking and paid lot parking nearby if need. Overall one of my favorite restaurants I had the opportunity to go to while visiting the Tucson area. All the food was good, you honestly can't go wrong with a single meal choice.

Yesterday I had ordered online but there was a technical problem. Yet, the host and the manager provided a great customer service and the situation was handle with kindness. First time going to that location and I recommend. Plus their food was beyond exceptional 😁

It's been 21 years since my last visit here. The food is just as delicious now as it was then. When you a tradition going back over 100 years, quality goes along with that. The Tamales are simply the best I've had. So, if you're in Tucson, stop in at the downtown location and enjoy great food and atmosphere.

We ate there one day when it was really crowded. We (5) were seated in the courtyard, the servers were running like crazy taking care of everyone, the food was great, and the event was wonderful. I liked it. Would go there again.

The food here was AMAZING! I loved the steak. The chips were really good and the service was great everyone was so nice and I love the decorations. I would definitely go here again 10/10

The food was absolutely delicious. The service was excellent. Not a long wait and attentive waiters, however, that was our first time there and we got the crappies seat right by the door and people were not stop coming In and out. Flies were bothering us and there was a big pole on the side of our table. We wanted to see the back of the restaurant at least get a chance to actually go in and get full experience but yeah we didn't get to. 😕

After a day sightseeing at Old Tucson and the Desert Museum we needed food fuel! Googled best food near me. El Charro came up!! So happy with our choice to stop and eat there with our family! My husband and I loved everything about the food and atmosphere! Our kids stepped out of their comfort zones and tried new foods and were happy too. My in laws enjoyed their meals as well. Definitely recommend 🫔🌮

A line of customers for El Charro in Tucson from the entrance at 311 N. Court Ave. and down the block was no surprise on a late Saturday afternoon. As a customer of fine restaurants, I’ve found that people don’t mind waiting when they know the meal they’re waiting for will take them on a culinary taste journey. The restaurant known as El Charro is a place of such food wonders as Charlotte’s Chicken Mole and Sinaloa Shrimp Culichi. My little group of three arrived fairly early in the afternoon and before the line started forming. There were a few open tables available. Martha, a very good knowledgeable server greeted us. We felt really good because you can tell when service will make your experience all that much better and you can also tell early on when bad or unprofessional service will make your experience less than ideal. She answered our questions about food and drinks and did so in a pleasing way where you believed she enjoyed answering. Both my wife and son ordered the Prickly Pear Margarita. I sampled one of the drinks. Very good. I should have ordered one. El Charro has a menu with many food options I chose #2 Numero Dos for $16.95. This is the chicken tamale, chicken enchilada in tomatillo sauce and grilled chicken soft taco. My son ordered ALA Pork Tamale and Bandera Enchilada. Two plates were set before him and a bowl with rice. He let me have a taste of the enchilada and I enjoyed it. He wouldn’t give me a taste of his tamale though. The chicken tamale I ordered wasn’t going to be shared either. My wife ordered steak tacos and she gave me a small piece of the meat and I found it soft and flavorful. I would return to El Charro on a future visit to Tucson.

Operating from the same location since 1923. There’s 100 years of experience going into your food and it taste like it. It’s awesome even though it was a bit crowded when we were there the wait staff was polite and the food came out of the kitchen quick, and was delicious.

Oh man! I was a little concerned because the place was so hyped up. If I ever come back and eat nothing but the carne seca I'll be happy. I can probably eat it with anything on the side and it will still out do everything else. Also had their Centennial beer which was also SO good. Smooth, milky aftertaste and served in a chilled glass. If you're a beer person you have to try it.

El Charro is my favorite Tucson restaurant. I've been coming here since I was a child with my family and every time I'm back in town I will come dine here for a taste of home. The food is absolutely delicious. Try the Carna Seca, Sonoran sun-dried shredded beef strips, my personal favorite and the flavor is one that I have found can't be duplicated anywhere, trust me...I've looked. As you wait for your meal, try the fresh guacamole, which is made right at your table or gnaw on some chips and salsa (the salsa is some of the best I've ever had). The restaurant itself (downtown location) is on the historic places list with furniture dating back to the beginning of the long history of the restaurant. For the history buffs, the ceilings of the restauant are black basalt rock that was quarried from the base of “A” mountain by the original owner's family. El Charro is the Nation's longest running Mexican restaurant owned and operated by the same family that started it back in 1922. The is NO other replica for traditional Sonoran Northen Mexico and Tucsonan cuisine. Don't be fooled by any other restaurant in town, this is the real deal.

When in Tucson you must visit El Charro Cafe's downtown location! Sitting in the childhood home of the creator of this historic 100 year old restaurant was a treat, the food was phenomenal! Although I'm sure you can't got wrong with any dish, the famous sun dried Carne Seca Platter is a must! The sun dried meat literally melts in your mouth but has the texture and flavor of jerky! I also highly recommend the Sinaloa Shrimp Culichi, the shrimp are tender and the sauce is spoon worthy! The table side guacamole is good and the Skinny Margarita is perfect! Service is spot on, very well trained and super friendly.