El Charro Café Downtown

“To start out with the chips and salsa were top shelf. These salsas were hand made and were very thick and had lots of flavor. I'm pretty sure the green one is tomatillo based. The chips were really good. Not overly greasy or burnt. Now on to the main course. I had the Enchiladas Del Rancho [ Pork / Carnitas ] covered in some kind of cheese / cream sauce that was amazing. The carnitas were very tender and had a nice smoky flavor. I had refried beans and some rice on the side. I was really impressed with how good these enchiladas were. For dessert I had some churros. Also excellent, but I could only eat one. I was stuffed from the main meal. I took the rest home in a to go box. For quality of food I would give this place 6/5 stars if I could. Ambiance is great. It feels like a Mexican restaurant should. The service staff did an excellent job down the board from the busser, the food runner and my server. [ Shout out to Miya ! ] I will DEFINITELY come back here next time I'm in Tucson. This shot right to the top of the list of my favorite Mexican restaurants in Arizona. Worth the drive from Phoenix to check it out.”

“Absolutely fantastic. This is hands down some of the best Mexican food we’ve had anywhere in Arizona. The three entrées we ordered were outstanding!! Full of flavor, well-prepared, and clearly made with care. Every dish impressed. The chips and salsa were decent, though not the highlight. Parking is limited and can be frustrating, and the wait time for the food was a bit longer than expected. That said, once the food arrived, it was clear it was worth it. If you’re looking for truly excellent Mexican cuisine, this place delivers. We’ll definitely be back.”

“This place is full of history! The internet notes it as the oldest restaurant in Tucson, established in 1922, but in chatting with our server we learned the home itself was built in 1896. Even more impressive, it began as a woman owned and operated business, a rarity at the time. It has stayed in the family for generations and is now run by Tia Monica’s grandniece. We checked in with Tiana and V, the super-friendly hostesses, and after a short wait were seated on what used to be the original porch. The way they’ve preserved the charm of the home is truly impressive. Our server, Jose, was wonderful, knowledgeable, and clearly proud of the restaurant’s heritage. He shared its history with us and even took us to the back patio to show where the carne seca is made. He brought us a sample, and while it’s not something I could eat a lot of, it was very flavorful. Their green salsa had a surprising little kick, which I loved. I ordered two tacos—one shrimp and one carnitas. Both were delicious, but the carnitas was especially scrumptious. And of course, I had to try their tres leches cake. It was very tasty, and the caramel drizzle added an interesting twist.”

“Quiet, low-key spot within walking distance (about a block and a half) from some team-building activities like an escape room, which made the location convenient. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating, which is a plus. The food was just okay. This place is supposed to be the original home of the chimichanga, but honestly, it reminded me more of a Taco Bell chalupa in terms of the breading and overall texture. Not bad, just not what I expected. As someone who’s a foodie from Louisiana, it didn’t really stand out or live up to the hype. Margaritas were disappointing and not really worth the price. Overall, prices were about average for the Tucson area. Not a terrible experience, but not memorable either—I probably wouldn’t go back.”

“Very crowded (it just opened), no awnings while you wait outside to be seated. Service and food were okay. Prices were high. The visit yesterday reminded me why I haven't visited their locations in over 10 years. I'd rather go to Rancho Rustico in Rita Ranch or Calle Tepa. Positives were that it was convenient for my friend and I to eat after visiting the crafts Fair and the restaurant decor was nice.”