Welcome to El Charro Café Downtown
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311 N Court Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701 Hotline: (520) 622-1922
Welcome to El Charro Café Downtown, a vibrant culinary gem nestled in the heart of Tucson, Arizona. Located at 311 N Court Ave, this restaurant is a must-visit destination for both locals and travelers looking for a true taste of Mexican and Sonoran cuisine. With a rich history and an extensive menu, El Charro captivates not only with its flavors but also with its inviting atmosphere.
From the moment you step inside, you’ll be enveloped in an ambiance that celebrates the culture and spirit of Mexico. The aesthetic blends traditional decor with a modern touch, making it an ideal spot for a cozy dinner or a lively gathering with friends. The outdoor seating area and the occasional live mariachi performances enhance the dining experience, drawing you into the local culture.
Menu Highlights
El Charro Café Downtown boasts a diverse menu that caters to a variety of tastes. Their offerings include:
- Buenos Dias Recipes - Start your day right with dishes like Huevos Rancheros or the hearty Chorizo y Huevos, both gluten-free and bursting with flavor.
- Aperitivos - Dive into fresh guacamole made with Haas avocados or indulge in their famous Carne Seca Cheesecrisps.
- Aperitivos Del Mar - Seafood lovers can savor dishes like Shrimp Chi-Charron and the delicious House Made Ceviche.
One standout offering is the acclaimed Carne Seca, Tucson's air-dried beef. El Charro is the original purveyor of this beloved local specialty, making their carne seca enchiladas a must-try. Guests rave about how it imparts a unique, smoky flavor that is hard to find elsewhere.
Customer Experiences
Patrons often share their delightful experiences, emphasizing the attentive service and the warm, inviting atmosphere. One customer, Ray W., praised the “amazing” salsas, while another, Louise B., noted, "always had great dinners." It’s commonplace to hear about the generous portions, with one review highlighting that their nachos could feed three!
Moreover, during happy hour, guests can enjoy $2 off margaritas, making it a perfect time to sip on delicious cocktails while munching on freshly made chips and salsa. Many visitors would agree; the salsa here has been hailed as one of the best they've ever tasted.
Final Thoughts
El Charro Café Downtown isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a celebrated institution in Tucson's dining scene. With its historic roots, friendly staff, and delightful food that caters to various dietary preferences—including options for vegans and gluten-free enthusiasts—this eatery has mastered the balance of offering something for everyone. Whether you’re craving a classic taco or adventurous new creations like jackfruit tacos, El Charro promises a culinary experience that you'll want to revisit.
If you find yourself in Tucson, make sure to stop by El Charro Café Downtown. With their commitment to quality, authentic flavors, and a vibrant dining atmosphere, a visit here is truly an unforgettable experience.
Food service was great. Atmosphere perfect. Went with friends and had a great meal. Salsa's were amazing.
Love Love Love it, always had great dinners including 3x out of town guests. Home of hubby's favorite Carne Seca to date, Tucson air dried beef, rehydrated, chipped and then grilled--they being the OG, still have the sole permit to dry the beef in triangular cages on the roof, do Look Upwards!! An extensive menu, if you are looking for the less tried and something new, good chance El Charro has it: jackfruit tacos; cod instead of the usual tilapia in seafood stuffed poblano; vegan hemp tamales; nopal and portobello mushroom fajitas; to their own aztec torta bread for burgers and tortas! Their Green Chile & Corn Tamales are the 2nd hi bar to pass as ECC's are my fave, the fluffiest ever, never molded and mealy like a set jelly mold of many others I've tried. Pace yourself on the table Salsa, mucho picante para mi, and fresh thick chips, very moreish. Ditto for the margaritas, $2 off during HHr Mon-Fri 3-6PM. Hubby can't help himself slurping $15 Cadillac de la Casa Cazadores Anejo & Grand Marnier. Reservations almost a must evening hours and beware UA events that bring extras on scene. Sign up for their own rewards program for points towards $ off. De Nada Amigos!
What a delicious meal. This restaurant is kind of tucked away in a dark, industrial part of town, but the restaurant and parking lot were well lit. Service was attentive and our food was flavorful and delicious. I was sad I couldn't eat all of my food! Would definitely recommend and come back.
Food was delicious and loved the atmosphere. Margaritas were great too - we were able to grab one from the bar while we waited.
We love El Charro. Anna V was our server. She was amazing! The food was exceptional as always!
Food was delicious! Menu is quite extensive with some interesting items. Large portions of fresh food. The rellanos were so good as were the chicken tamales! Nachos were enough for 3 people. Our server Kenny was great!
This is one of the oldest restaurants in the area and a place of great character. It's just a fun place--we were lucky enough to see the live mariachi perform on the weekend, there's outdoor, semi outdoor, and inside seating to suit your mood. The portions are enormous and generous on the protein with lots of customizable options on the menu. We got the enchilada style (sauce and cheese), but they also have quesadilla style (just cheese) and other options for add ons. Service was speedy and on top of things, they're happy to explain anything on the menu and it was our first time here! We asked for recommendations and they do say that they're better known for their chimichangas than the burritos. But you probably can't go wrong with either one. They also have GREAT chips and salsa, probably one of the best salsas I've tasted. It's sweet with a tiny kick. If you're in Tucson, give this place a visit!
El Charro is an absolute delight! I had the Birria verde, which offered a unique twist on a classic dish I adore. The flavors were incredible, giving me that perfect Tex-Mex vibe that was such a treat! And let's talk about the chips--hands down, the best chips I've ever had at a Mexican restaurant! They were perfectly fried and had a magical quality that I can only describe as "unicorn dust." Absolutely incredible! The friendly staff made the experience even better, and the downtown ambiance perfectly complements the delicious food. If you're in the area, you have to check out El Charro. It's a culinary gem that I can't wait to visit again!
We had a great experience! We made a reservation and was seated right away. The whole place is decorated so nice and our waitress was the sweetest. She let our son help with the guacamole and took time to talk to him- not expected but appreciated. We heard some live music and the food was fast. Now for the food. This place is touristy but that is okay. You will still have a good experience but the food is not the best but still good. We got the carne seca enchiladas and it was good! 4/5 and I can see why it is famous- good, smoky flavor. We also got the chicken fajitas and it was okay- 3/5 and I would get something else. For dessert we got the churros and that was great!