Tucson restaurants.

el Charro Cafe

The Open View

For three star Mexican, try El Charro Cafe in Tucson. This inexpensive restaurant has been around since 1922 1922. Know before you go: this place features outdoor dining. When you step inside the restaurant, you'll notice a family atmosphere. This restaurant is good for groups.

User Reviews of el Charro Cafe

Yelp.com Review - by Rob B.

3.0 of 5 stars. An institution. It has aquired that "theme park" feeling usually reserved for restaurants in places like Fisherman's Wharf and Solvang. I like the space alright, and, fortunately, there weren't any…
yelp.com - user review - 09/02/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Nicholas H.

5.0 of 5 stars. Awesome, awesome AWESOME! El Charro is about as authentic as you can get in terms of Tucson rustico Mexican food. The restaurant itself is unbelievably authentic (set in an old Barrio district home…
yelp.com - user review - 08/28/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Erich M.

4.0 of 5 stars. If you go in the summer you can ignore all the whining about how long it takes to get seated. We went twice, on Friday and Saturday night around 8:30pm and were seated instantly. Where is everyone in…
yelp.com - user review - 08/13/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Hans F.

5.0 of 5 stars. The best Carne Seca! This is the real deal. Great atmosphere anytime! you might have to wait, but this place is well worth it.
yelp.com - user review - 08/03/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Dena S.

5.0 of 5 stars. Best Mexican Food Ever!! Please please please come to New York City - I need my carne seca fix.
yelp.com - user review - 08/03/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Jeffrey L.

4.0 of 5 stars. El Charro - (this location only!) is a great place to visit. This original location (well, original for our day & age) is in the historic El Presidio district of downtown Tucson. It occupies a home…
yelp.com - user review - 08/03/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Jill J.

4.0 of 5 stars. Here's the latest review from the Arizona Daily Star: http://169.197.62.22/scripts/foxisapi.dll/wmsql.wm.request?HIT_22749902_2FG127W5P2.15
yelp.com - user review - 07/30/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Shelly I.

3.0 of 5 stars. We had a family dinner here and it was overall quite good. We were ushered into a separate side room, which had great ambience, and it was really lovely being in our own room. The service was so-so.…
yelp.com - user review - 07/07/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Carrie R.

5.0 of 5 stars. So happy to see that El Charro is still around! This was my go-to place when the 'rents were in town when I was in college.... Not your traditional Mexi fare...more New Wave-ish. lol Picture a…
yelp.com - user review - 06/17/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by D O.

1.0 of 5 stars. Awful food...if this is real Mexican food, send me to Taco Hell. I've given it three chances, figuring I'd be fair, but the third time I found something in my tamale that was unidentifiable. The…
yelp.com - user review - 05/23/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Ramon C.

5.0 of 5 stars. Have you had the Topopo salad? Sure, the Carne Seca is great, but I think the Fish Tacos and their salads are even better... I just heard they also put a burger on their menu and can't wait to try…
yelp.com - user review - 03/06/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Aaron W.

3.0 of 5 stars. Weird, slow service. Long wait. Carne seca was good but... not something I'd call best in the world. Hmm. A little overhyped I think.
yelp.com - user review - 02/20/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Michael S.

5.0 of 5 stars. Not sure so how many people can be disappointed by this classic restaurant. It has to be the best Americanized Mexican restaurant there. (Although, they just edge out Rosa's because of their superior…
yelp.com - user review - 02/20/2008
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Impressive Service

Although apprehensive to bring guests to this restaurant because of a previous no so good experience, I decided to because they wanted mexican food, and without a doubt, El Charro is the best mexican
kudzu.com - user review - 02/14/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Audrey L.

4.0 of 5 stars. My parent told me I needed to stop by El Charro when they found out I was headed to Tucson for the Jewelry Show. Not only did we (my friend Jenny and I), check it out, but we returned the following…
yelp.com - user review - 02/02/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Leo B.

1.0 of 5 stars. Horrific place. Rude servers long waits and the world famous carne seca is not always up to par.
yelp.com - user review - 01/16/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Jeff S.

5.0 of 5 stars. In the Tucson Mexican restaurant wars, you have two sides: the El Charro Lovers and the Haters who want you to go anywhere else. I'm definitely a Lover. The Hater will complain to you about long…
yelp.com - user review - 01/07/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Arnold Z.

1.0 of 5 stars. For the life of me, I don't know why people rave about this place. The ambiance of this restaurant is marginal at best and the food is not very good with the exception of the carne seca. I have eaten…
yelp.com - user review - 12/20/2007
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Best Mexican in Tucson

You won't find a better bite, or a better price, in Tucson than at El Charro. The restaurant is actually a redone house and that old-time charm is just amazing. And the food is pretty nifty as well
kudzu.com - user review - 11/07/2007
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Best carne seca around!

El Charro restraunt on N Court is a great Mexican restraunt with a wonderful atmosphere. The food is great, and the Carne Seca is exceptional. The gift store attached has a variety of nice gifts and t
kudzu.com - user review - 10/29/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Lauren W.

5.0 of 5 stars. The carne seca is transcendant; dry, chewy and weird, yes. Incredibly flavorful, YES. Try the carne seca chimi, dears. We are, after all, talking about the place that supposedly invented the chimi…
yelp.com - user review - 10/23/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Jenny H.

5.0 of 5 stars. The carne seca is to die for. I don't even live in Tucson anymore, but I dream of the carne seca salad. Mmmmmm.....
yelp.com - user review - 09/24/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Alyssa F.

4.0 of 5 stars. 3.5 stars. Good food at reasonable prices. Vegetarian plate is my fav. If you pay with a "United Airlines Credit Card" they give you triple bonus points. Maybe it works with all milage cards but I'm…
yelp.com - user review - 09/20/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Junior S.

4.0 of 5 stars. Fantastic carne seca, but salsa in syrup dispensers just doesn't work.
yelp.com - user review - 09/01/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Mary R.

4.0 of 5 stars. WINNER: Best Carne Seca IN THE WORLD RUNNER-UP: Best Cheese Crisp
yelp.com - user review - 08/19/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Yvett R.

4.0 of 5 stars. Yum! The carne seca and the pozole . . . . yum!
yelp.com - user review - 07/13/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Destroyer Z.

1.0 of 5 stars. No, no, no... canned peas do NOT belong in a taco. The food is disappointing at best.
yelp.com - user review - 06/02/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Aaron H.

1.0 of 5 stars. So, I heard all of these amazing things about this restaurant...."mmm, it's so good" and "WOW...best ever!" Actually, I thought it sucked! I know that this might be a little harsh, but i have had…
yelp.com - user review - 03/25/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Amanda S.

1.0 of 5 stars. I went to El Charro recently while visiting Tucson with my boyfriend and his parents. His parents had eaten here quite a few years back and raved about it. My boyfriend and I checked out the Yelp…
yelp.com - user review - 03/25/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Mark S.

3.0 of 5 stars. I thought the place is charming mainly due to the over time grown building structure (this is probaly what tricks used-to-chains Americans into believing the food is special...probably more so after…
yelp.com - user review - 03/23/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Micha M.

4.0 of 5 stars. I'm giving El Charro 4 stars not because the food is amazing, but because it's a classic in Tucson and worth a visit if you are here. The atmosphere is Tucson in a Nogales-kitch sort of way, but I…
yelp.com - user review - 03/13/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Kim B.

5.0 of 5 stars. Delcious carne seca! Beans and rice are perfect. However, the next time I go - I'm getting my own private order of guacamole. That guacamole.....blew me away. Fresh, tangy, just the right amount…
yelp.com - user review - 03/08/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Alissa T.

3.0 of 5 stars. This was an ok Mexican Restaurant. I had the carne seca quesadilla and chile relleno. Both were ok. The carne seca was very dry and it came with pico de gallo, was hoping that it comes with guacamole…
yelp.com - user review - 02/28/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by sarah k.

4.0 of 5 stars. A Tucson classic. The carne seca is not to be missed. Add it to your list of places to go if you are planning a visit to Tucson.
yelp.com - user review - 02/04/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Ed G.

5.0 of 5 stars. Just had lunch there today. Got the "USA Today Chimi" and it was HUGE. Very tastey too. I'm not a big carne seca fan, but even I really liked this chimichanga. And I have enough left over for two…
yelp.com - user review - 12/30/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Arissa C.

5.0 of 5 stars. I never knew Mexican restaurants could be sooooooo romantic...be ready to be transported in a world that is Tucson's best mexican restaurant rich in history and tradition- just try their Margaritas!…
yelp.com - user review - 12/21/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Joel B.

5.0 of 5 stars. Yum. The famous burrito is delicious, like a mexican chicken potpie. Yum! If you are in the neighborhood, definately give it a try
yelp.com - user review - 10/31/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Walesa K.

4.0 of 5 stars. OH my oh my. Chile Relleno tht was OVERFLOWING with cheese and roasted chicken. Chips that kept on coming and a kind and attentive staff making sure the water was well in supply as back up for all that…
yelp.com - user review - 10/23/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by matt p.

5.0 of 5 stars. El Charro's downtown is the best sit-down Mexican food in Tucson! Great patio and great service.
yelp.com - user review - 07/21/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by T-Bone L.

5.0 of 5 stars. Believe the hype. The food was over-the-top delicious. We got a sampler platter and a bowl of soup (they had about 5 soups). We couldn't finish, but we kept trying and trying...They are famous for…
yelp.com - user review - 03/07/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Kelly A.

5.0 of 5 stars. Mmmmm. My favorite Mexican food, and a place I always have to visit when I'm in Tucson. The carne seca is divine. This place has a huge selection of tequilas, too, and I haven't found anything bad…
yelp.com - user review - 04/10/2005
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Frommer's

El Charro, housed in an old stone building in El Presidio Historic District, claims to be Tucson's oldest family-operated Mexican restaurant and is legendary around these parts for its unusual carne seca, a...
frommers.com - user review
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Frommer's

Located in an old stone building in El Presidio Historic District, El Charro claims to be the nation's oldest family-operated Mexican restaurant that has been continuously open--it's been serving authentic...
frommers.com - user review
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10Best

the original el charro, founded in 1922, is the oldest mexican restaurant in tucson; the original owner, monica flin, is said to have invented the chimichanga. that heritage remains strong today, with a...
10best.com - user review
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Wcities

this legendary eatery is the foundation on which tucson's dining scene was built, and it's a must-visit when you come to the old pueblo. all areas are decked out in brightly colored furnishings and authentic...
wcities.com - user review
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Yahoo! Travel

Find valuable restaurant information including descriptions, photos, reviews and interactive maps for El Charro in Tucson, Arizona. Locate additional information on sights, attractions and hotels.
travel.yahoo.com - user review
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AOL CityGuide

intimate setting, mariachis on the weekends. they have classic mexican food in a great surrounding. close to symphony, theater, downtown arts district and great for a begginning or an end of an evening...
cityguide.aol.com - user review
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TripAdvisor

i understand there might be two "el charro" restaurants in tucson. i am very familiar with the original.....
tripadvisor.com - user review
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Cigar Aficionado

the cantina features over 60fine tequilas...
cigaraficionado.com - user review
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Fodor's

fun for your aunt from des moines, mediocre mex for you!
fodors.com - user review
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RestaurantRow.com

delicious mexican cuisine within a charming setting...
restaurantrow.com - user review
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