Did you know that a popular dish that can be found on the menu of nearly every Mexican restaurant was invented right here in Arizona? The chimichanga has roots in the iconic El Charro Cafe in Tucson — and its existence is completely accidental!
El Charro Cafe was established in 1922 by Monica Flin.
El Charro Cafe It’s the nation’s oldest Mexican restaurant in continuous operation by the same family, featuring award-winning, handcrafted recipes that fuse Sonoran tradition and local ingredients.
Business is still booming nearly 100 years later, with natives and tourists alike flocking to the charming, century-old house in droves.
El Charro Cafe We all know how delicious the food is, but not everyone is aware El Charro actually invented one of the most popular Mexican dishes: the chimichanga.
El Charro’s chimichanga story starts with Monica, who created the popular dish by complete accident.
El Charro Cafe While frying beef tacos, she mistakenly dropped a burro into the frying pan along with them. She was about to utter a swear word in Spanish as the oil splashed up, but changed it to “chimichanga” at the last second because her young nieces and nephews were around.
Several different chimichanga varieties are on the menu, ranging from a simple bean and cheese to slow-cooked, hand-pulled pork roast.
Facebook/El Charro Cafe The classic Carne Seca is what made the restaurant famous, so it’s a safe choice if you can’t decide.
All chimichangas come with rice and beans, and opting for “elegante style” adds enchilada sauce, melted cheese, guacamole, sour cream, and pico de gallo on top.
Facebook/El Charro Cafe Talk about a flavor explosion!
You can even get mini chimichangas for an appetizer!
Facebook/El Charro Cafe These cuties feature assorted fillings and come topped with fresh tomato salsa and sour cream.
The theme extends to dessert, too.
Facebook/El Charro Cafe Gooey apple filling is stuffed inside blankets of dough, fried to flaky perfection, and topped with agave nectar and cinnamon sugar. Dipped in luscious vanilla ice cream, these bite-sized morsels are the perfect ending to your meal.
Did you know chimichangas were invented in Arizona? Have you ever eaten one from El Charro Cafe? If so, we’d love to hear how you liked it. Check out El Charro’s website and Facebook page for more information, and if you’re hungry for more scrumptious Mexican food, check out our previous article: 10 Restaurants In Arizona To Get Mexican Food That Will Blow Your Mind.
El Charro Cafe
It’s the nation’s oldest Mexican restaurant in continuous operation by the same family, featuring award-winning, handcrafted recipes that fuse Sonoran tradition and local ingredients.
We all know how delicious the food is, but not everyone is aware El Charro actually invented one of the most popular Mexican dishes: the chimichanga.
While frying beef tacos, she mistakenly dropped a burro into the frying pan along with them. She was about to utter a swear word in Spanish as the oil splashed up, but changed it to “chimichanga” at the last second because her young nieces and nephews were around.
Facebook/El Charro Cafe
The classic Carne Seca is what made the restaurant famous, so it’s a safe choice if you can’t decide.
Talk about a flavor explosion!
These cuties feature assorted fillings and come topped with fresh tomato salsa and sour cream.
Gooey apple filling is stuffed inside blankets of dough, fried to flaky perfection, and topped with agave nectar and cinnamon sugar. Dipped in luscious vanilla ice cream, these bite-sized morsels are the perfect ending to your meal.
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Address: El Charro Café, 311 N Court Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701, USA
