Jump to content

El Charro Café: Difference between revisions

Add links
Coordinates: 32°13′33″N 110°58′28″W / 32.2257°N 110.9745°W / 32.2257; -110.9745
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m DarkNight0917 moved page User:DarkNight0917/El Charro Café to El Charro Café: Move to mainspace
added template
 
(2 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 8: Line 8:
| mapframe = no
| mapframe = no
| pushpin_map = USA Arizona#United States
| pushpin_map = USA Arizona#United States
| established = 1922
| established = {{start date and age|1922}}
| current-owner = Carlotta Flores<ref name="forbes">{{Cite web |title=Carlotta Flores |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/carlotta-flores/ |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=[[Forbes]] |language=en}}</ref>
| current-owner = Carlotta Flores<ref name="forbes">{{Cite web |title=Carlotta Flores |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/carlotta-flores/ |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=[[Forbes]] |language=en |archive-date=July 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240707053359/https://www.forbes.com/profile/carlotta-flores/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| manager =
| manager =
| street-address = 311 N Court Ave, [[Tucson, Arizona|Tucson]], AZ 85701
| street-address = 311 N Court Ave, [[Tucson, Arizona|Tucson]], AZ 85701
Line 16: Line 16:
}}
}}


'''El Charro Café''' is a historic three-location [[Mexican cuisine|Mexican]] restaurant based in [[Tucson, Arizona]]. It has been owned by the Flores family since its establishment in 1922, making it the oldest Mexican restaurant owned by the same family in the United States. It is also one of the oldest Mexican restaurants in the United States.<ref name="natgeo">{{Cite web |last=Kozolchyk |first=Abbie |date=2022-01-02 |title=Is Tucson the best city for Mexican food in the US? |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/tucson-best-city-mexican-food-us |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=[[National Geographic]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name="tt">{{Cite web |last=Welsch |first=Michelle |date=2022-07-05 |title=What Makes El Charro Café So Special |url=https://www.tastingtable.com/916365/what-makes-the-oldest-mexican-restaurant-in-the-us-special/ |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=[[Tasting Table]] |language=en-US}}</ref> A ''[[wikt:charro#English|charro]]'' is a type of Mexican horseman.<ref name="closed"/>
'''El Charro Café''' is a historic three-location [[Mexican cuisine|Mexican]] restaurant based in [[Tucson, Arizona]]. It has been owned by the Flores family since its establishment in 1922, making it the oldest Mexican restaurant owned by the same family in the United States. It is also one of the oldest Mexican restaurants in the United States.<ref name="natgeo">{{Cite web |last=Kozolchyk |first=Abbie |date=2022-01-02 |title=Is Tucson the best city for Mexican food in the US? |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/tucson-best-city-mexican-food-us |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=[[National Geographic]] |language=en |archive-date=May 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529222505/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/tucson-best-city-mexican-food-us |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="tt">{{Cite web |last=Welsch |first=Michelle |date=2022-07-05 |title=What Makes El Charro Café So Special |url=https://www.tastingtable.com/916365/what-makes-the-oldest-mexican-restaurant-in-the-us-special/ |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=[[Tasting Table]] |language=en-US |archive-date=March 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304174933/https://www.tastingtable.com/916365/what-makes-the-oldest-mexican-restaurant-in-the-us-special/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A ''[[wikt:charro#English|charro]]'' is a type of Mexican horseman.<ref name="closed"/>


==History==
==History==
The restaurant was established in September 1922 by Monica Flin, one of Tucson's first businesswomen and the oldest of eight children.<ref name="itb">{{Cite web |last=Pangburn |first=Joe |date=2007-09-14 |title=El Charro celebrates 85 years of family and community |url=https://www.insidetucsonbusiness.com/special_sections/el-charro-celebrates-85-years-of-family-and-community/article_511bd8eb-bc9c-5d41-91ba-2a3261624ec6.html |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=[[Inside Tucson Business]] |language=en}}</ref> Her parents immigrated to Tucson from France in the 1880s, and Monica's father, Jules Flin, helped build the [[Cathedral of Saint Augustine (Tucson, Arizona)|Cathedral of Saint Augustine]] in the city.<ref name="biztuc">{{Cite web |last=Jarolim |first=Edie |date=2015-03-26 |title=A Food & Family Force |url=https://biztucson.com/2015/03/26/a-food-family-force/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810084021/https://biztucson.com/2015/03/26/a-food-family-force/ |archive-date=2022-08-10 |access-date=2024-07-03 |website=BizTucson}}</ref><ref name="wildcat">{{Cite web |last=Wright |first=Alexis |date=2015-08-06 |title=El Charro Café boasts historic presence |url=https://wildcat.arizona.edu/126843/arts-and-life/el-charro-caf-boasts-historic-presence/ |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=[[Arizona Daily Wildcat]]}}</ref> Coming back from Mexico after her second husband died, Monica acted as the restaurant's hostess, waitress, and chef simultaneously to operate the one-room restaurant, with some financial assistance from her sister.<ref name="official">{{Cite web |title=Official website |url=https://www.elcharrocafe.com/ |access-date=2024-02-09 |language=en-US}}</ref> In first months of the restaurant, Flin had to frequently persuade the neighbor, a Chinese grocer, for provisions, make the food, have the customer pay, and then pay the grocer back for the materials.<ref name="azfoot">{{Cite web |last=Whitton |first=Christine |title=The History of El Charro Café |url=https://www.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com/tucson/tucson-dining/787-the-history-of-el-charro-cafe.html |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=AZ Foothills Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> The restaurant moved from its original Fourth Avenue location to the Temple of Art and Music, where the [[Arizona Theatre Company]] currently stands, and then moved to a more popular site on Broadway.<ref name="slow"/>
The restaurant was established in September 1922 by Monica Flin, one of Tucson's first businesswomen and the oldest of eight children.<ref name="itb">{{Cite web |last=Pangburn |first=Joe |date=2007-09-14 |title=El Charro celebrates 85 years of family and community |url=https://www.insidetucsonbusiness.com/special_sections/el-charro-celebrates-85-years-of-family-and-community/article_511bd8eb-bc9c-5d41-91ba-2a3261624ec6.html |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=[[Inside Tucson Business]] |language=en |archive-date=July 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240707053400/https://www.insidetucsonbusiness.com/special_sections/el-charro-celebrates-85-years-of-family-and-community/article_511bd8eb-bc9c-5d41-91ba-2a3261624ec6.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Her parents immigrated to Tucson from France in the 1880s, and Monica's father, Jules Flin, helped build the [[Cathedral of Saint Augustine (Tucson, Arizona)|Cathedral of Saint Augustine]] in the city.<ref name="biztuc">{{Cite web |last=Jarolim |first=Edie |date=2015-03-26 |title=A Food & Family Force |url=https://biztucson.com/2015/03/26/a-food-family-force/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810084021/https://biztucson.com/2015/03/26/a-food-family-force/ |archive-date=2022-08-10 |access-date=2024-07-03 |website=BizTucson}}</ref><ref name="wildcat">{{Cite web |last=Wright |first=Alexis |date=2015-08-06 |title=El Charro Café boasts historic presence |url=https://wildcat.arizona.edu/126843/arts-and-life/el-charro-caf-boasts-historic-presence/ |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=[[Arizona Daily Wildcat]] |archive-date=July 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240707053401/https://wildcat.arizona.edu/126843/arts-and-life/el-charro-caf-boasts-historic-presence/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Coming back from Mexico after her second husband died, Monica acted as the restaurant's hostess, waitress, and chef simultaneously to operate the one-room restaurant, with some financial assistance from her sister.<ref name="official">{{Cite web |title=Official website |url=https://www.elcharrocafe.com/ |access-date=2024-02-09 |language=en-US |archive-date=February 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208205312/https://www.elcharrocafe.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In the first months the restaurant was open, Flin had to frequently persuade the neighbor, a Chinese grocer, for provisions, make the food, have the customer pay, and then pay the grocer back for the materials.<ref name="azfoot">{{Cite web |last=Whitton |first=Christine |title=The History of El Charro Café |url=https://www.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com/tucson/tucson-dining/787-the-history-of-el-charro-cafe.html |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=AZ Foothills Magazine |language=en-US |archive-date=March 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302222541/https://www.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com/tucson/tucson-dining/787-the-history-of-el-charro-cafe.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The restaurant moved from its original Fourth Avenue location to the Temple of Art and Music, where the [[Arizona Theatre Company]] currently stands, and then moved to a more popular site on Broadway.<ref name="slow"/>


Flin is credited as a possible inventor of the [[chimichanga]] in the late 1940s or early 1950s, after accidentally dropping a [[burrito]] into a [[deep fryer]]. She nearly said a curse that began with "chi", but as there were children around, she quickly changed it to ''chimichanga'', Spanish for [[placeholder name|thingamajig]].<ref name="chimichangas">{{Cite web |last=Lacey |first=Marc |date=2011-11-16 |title=Arizonans Vie to Claim Cross-Cultural Fried Food |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/16/us/arizonans-vie-to-claim-cross-cultural-fried-food.html |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=[[The New York Times]] |language=en-US}}</ref> In 1968, Flin relocated the restaurant to a house she inherited from her parents on Court Street, which is now a part of the [[El Presidio Historic District]],<ref name="azfoot"/><ref name="thisis">{{Cite web |last=Burch |first=Cathalena E. |date=2022-09-17 |title=El Charro is celebrating its 100th birthday! Here's how it all started |url=https://thisistucson.com/eat/el-charro-is-celebrating-its-100th-birthday-heres-how-it-all-started/article_851a3aa0-35de-11ed-9e2c-935c55394fb4.html |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=This is Tucson |language=en}}</ref><ref name="azwht">{{Cite web |title=Monica Flin (b. 1887, d. 1972) |url=https://www.womensheritagetrail.org/women/MonicaFlin.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620053020/https://www.womensheritagetrail.org/women/MonicaFlin.php |archive-date=2019-06-20 |access-date=2024-07-03 |website=Arizona Womens Heritage Trail}}</ref> as it had to make way for urban development projects like the [[Tucson Convention Center]].<ref name="closed">{{Cite web |last=Burch |first=Cathalena E. |date=2022-09-14 |title=Tucson's El Charro marks 100 years, but nearly closed the doors at 50 |url=https://tucson.com/news/local/subscriber/tucsons-el-charro-marks-100-years-but-nearly-closed-the-doors-at-50/article_fe556d88-2b05-11ed-b83a-d3d165ad315d.html |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=[[Arizona Daily Star]] |language=en}}</ref>
Flin is credited as a possible inventor of the [[chimichanga]] in the late 1940s or early 1950s, after accidentally dropping a [[burrito]] into a [[deep fryer]]. She nearly said a curse that began with "chi", but as there were children around, she quickly changed it to ''chimichanga'', Spanish for [[placeholder name|thingamajig]].<ref name="chimichangas">{{Cite web |last=Lacey |first=Marc |date=2011-11-16 |title=Arizonans Vie to Claim Cross-Cultural Fried Food |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/16/us/arizonans-vie-to-claim-cross-cultural-fried-food.html |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=[[The New York Times]] |language=en-US |archive-date=September 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930200718/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/16/us/arizonans-vie-to-claim-cross-cultural-fried-food.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1968, Flin relocated the restaurant to a house she inherited from her parents on Court Street, which is now a part of the [[El Presidio Historic District]],<ref name="azfoot"/><ref name="thisis">{{Cite web |last=Burch |first=Cathalena E. |date=2022-09-17 |title=El Charro is celebrating its 100th birthday! Here's how it all started |url=https://thisistucson.com/eat/el-charro-is-celebrating-its-100th-birthday-heres-how-it-all-started/article_851a3aa0-35de-11ed-9e2c-935c55394fb4.html |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=This is Tucson |language=en |archive-date=October 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002103811/https://thisistucson.com/eat/el-charro-is-celebrating-its-100th-birthday-heres-how-it-all-started/article_851a3aa0-35de-11ed-9e2c-935c55394fb4.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="azwht">{{Cite web |title=Monica Flin (b. 1887, d. 1972) |url=https://www.womensheritagetrail.org/women/MonicaFlin.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620053020/https://www.womensheritagetrail.org/women/MonicaFlin.php |archive-date=2019-06-20 |access-date=2024-07-03 |website=Arizona Womens Heritage Trail}}</ref> as it had to make way for urban development projects like the [[Tucson Convention Center]].<ref name="closed">{{Cite web |last=Burch |first=Cathalena E. |date=2022-09-14 |title=Tucson's El Charro marks 100 years, but nearly closed the doors at 50 |url=https://tucson.com/news/local/subscriber/tucsons-el-charro-marks-100-years-but-nearly-closed-the-doors-at-50/article_fe556d88-2b05-11ed-b83a-d3d165ad315d.html |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=[[Arizona Daily Star]] |language=en |archive-date=October 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023164834/https://tucson.com/news/local/subscriber/tucsons-el-charro-marks-100-years-but-nearly-closed-the-doors-at-50/article_fe556d88-2b05-11ed-b83a-d3d165ad315d.html |url-status=live }}</ref>


In 1972, Flin became very sick and appointed her sister, Zarina Dunn, and her brother-in-law to maintain the restaurant. They had just retired, however, and did not want to handle the restaurant. The couple's daughter (Monica's niece), Carlotta Flores, returned to Tucson from California a few years later to care for the restaurant.<ref name="itb"/><ref name="closed"/><ref name="azfoot"/><ref name="azwht"/><ref name="slow">{{Cite web |last=Connelly |first=Rita |date=2022-06-22 |title=100 years later, El Charro Café shows no signs of slowing down |url=https://tucsonfoodie.com/2022/06/22/el-charro-cafe-100-years/ |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=Tucson Foodie |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="resthosp">{{Cite web |last=Covington |first=Linnea |date=2022-08-23 |title=Carlotta Flores of El Charro Café in Tucson, Ariz., possible birthplace of the chimichanga, prepares for the next generation |url=https://www.restaurant-hospitality.com/new-restaurant-concepts/carlotta-flores-el-charro-caf-tucson-ariz-possible-birthplace-chimichanga |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=Restaurant Hospitality |language=en}}</ref> Flin died in 1975, from complications from multiple falls.<ref name="photos">{{Cite web |last=Wiley |first=Rick |date=2022-09-12 |title=Photos: Historic, family-owned El Charro Café in Tucson |url=https://tucson.com/news/retrotucson/photos-historic-family-owned-el-charro-caf-in-tucson/collection_05b68662-3082-11ed-bbf3-0f02ecdcc32d.html |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=[[Arizona Daily Star]] |language=en}}</ref>
In 1972, Flin became very sick and appointed her sister, Zarina Dunn, and her brother-in-law to maintain the restaurant. They had just retired, however, and did not want to handle the restaurant. The couple's daughter (Monica's niece), Carlotta Flores, returned to Tucson from California a few years later to care for the restaurant.<ref name="itb"/><ref name="closed"/><ref name="azfoot"/><ref name="azwht"/><ref name="slow">{{Cite web |last=Connelly |first=Rita |date=2022-06-22 |title=100 years later, El Charro Café shows no signs of slowing down |url=https://tucsonfoodie.com/2022/06/22/el-charro-cafe-100-years/ |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=Tucson Foodie |language=en-US |archive-date=December 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204194915/https://tucsonfoodie.com/2022/06/22/el-charro-cafe-100-years/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="resthosp">{{Cite web |last=Covington |first=Linnea |date=2022-08-23 |title=Carlotta Flores of El Charro Café in Tucson, Ariz., possible birthplace of the chimichanga, prepares for the next generation |url=https://www.restaurant-hospitality.com/new-restaurant-concepts/carlotta-flores-el-charro-caf-tucson-ariz-possible-birthplace-chimichanga |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=Restaurant Hospitality |language=en |archive-date=June 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608024645/https://www.restaurant-hospitality.com/new-restaurant-concepts/carlotta-flores-el-charro-caf-tucson-ariz-possible-birthplace-chimichanga |url-status=live }}</ref> Flin died in 1975, from complications from multiple falls.<ref name="photos">{{Cite web |last=Wiley |first=Rick |date=2022-09-12 |title=Photos: Historic, family-owned El Charro Café in Tucson |url=https://tucson.com/news/retrotucson/photos-historic-family-owned-el-charro-caf-in-tucson/collection_05b68662-3082-11ed-bbf3-0f02ecdcc32d.html |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=[[Arizona Daily Star]] |language=en |archive-date=October 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004145003/https://tucson.com/news/retrotucson/photos-historic-family-owned-el-charro-caf-in-tucson/collection_05b68662-3082-11ed-bbf3-0f02ecdcc32d.html |url-status=live }}</ref>


Flores was listed on the [[Forbes]] 50 Women Over 50 list in 2021.<ref name="forbes"/><ref name="kgun">{{Cite web |date=2021-08-17 |title=El Charro Cafe owner named on Forbes 50 over 50 list for 2021 |url=https://www.kgun9.com/news/local-news/el-charro-cafe-owner-named-on-forbes-50-over-50-list-for-2021 |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=[[KGUN-TV|KGUN 9 Tucson]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name="joins">{{Cite web |last=Sterner |first=Matt |date=2021-08-18 |title=Chef Carlotta Flores of El Charro Café joins 'Forbes 2021 Woman, 50 over 50' list |url=https://tucsonfoodie.com/2021/08/18/carlotta-flores-forbes-2021-woman-50-over-50/ |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=Tucson Foodie |language=en-US}}</ref> An episode of ''[[Top Chef: Houston]]'' was filmed at the restaurant in 2022.<ref name="oays">{{Cite web |last=Sterner |first=Matt |date=2022-05-20 |title=From Houston to Tucson: 'Top Chef' pays a visit to the city & El Charro Café |url=https://tucsonfoodie.com/2022/05/20/top-chef-visits-el-charro-cafe/ |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=Tucson Foodie |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="kvoa">{{Cite web |date=2022-05-20 |title=Tucson's beloved El Charro Café to be featured on Top Chef: Houston |url=https://www.kvoa.com/news/local/tucsons-beloved-el-charro-caf-to-be-featured-on-top-chef-houston/article_aabd3250-d876-11ec-8ae6-1f9281dcb4f6.html |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=[[KVOA]] |language=en}}</ref>
Flores was listed on the [[Forbes]] 50 Women Over 50 list in 2021.<ref name="forbes"/><ref name="kgun">{{Cite web |date=2021-08-17 |title=El Charro Cafe owner named on Forbes 50 over 50 list for 2021 |url=https://www.kgun9.com/news/local-news/el-charro-cafe-owner-named-on-forbes-50-over-50-list-for-2021 |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=[[KGUN-TV|KGUN 9 Tucson]] |language=en |archive-date=November 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130070420/https://www.kgun9.com/news/local-news/el-charro-cafe-owner-named-on-forbes-50-over-50-list-for-2021 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="joins">{{Cite web |last=Sterner |first=Matt |date=2021-08-18 |title=Chef Carlotta Flores of El Charro Café joins 'Forbes 2021 Woman, 50 over 50' list |url=https://tucsonfoodie.com/2021/08/18/carlotta-flores-forbes-2021-woman-50-over-50/ |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=Tucson Foodie |language=en-US |archive-date=February 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229064107/https://tucsonfoodie.com/2021/08/18/carlotta-flores-forbes-2021-woman-50-over-50/ |url-status=live }}</ref> An episode of ''[[Top Chef: Houston]]'' was filmed at the restaurant in 2022.<ref name="oays">{{Cite web |last=Sterner |first=Matt |date=2022-05-20 |title=From Houston to Tucson: 'Top Chef' pays a visit to the city & El Charro Café |url=https://tucsonfoodie.com/2022/05/20/top-chef-visits-el-charro-cafe/ |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=Tucson Foodie |language=en-US |archive-date=June 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628015817/https://tucsonfoodie.com/2022/05/20/top-chef-visits-el-charro-cafe/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="kvoa">{{Cite web |date=2022-05-20 |title=Tucson's beloved El Charro Café to be featured on Top Chef: Houston |url=https://www.kvoa.com/news/local/tucsons-beloved-el-charro-caf-to-be-featured-on-top-chef-houston/article_aabd3250-d876-11ec-8ae6-1f9281dcb4f6.html |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=[[KVOA]] |language=en |archive-date=July 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220728054402/https://www.kvoa.com/news/local/tucsons-beloved-el-charro-caf-to-be-featured-on-top-chef-houston/article_aabd3250-d876-11ec-8ae6-1f9281dcb4f6.html |url-status=live }}</ref>


==Menu==
==Menu==
Menu items were inspired by Sonoroan and Tucson-style Mexican food. This includes [[Arizona cheese crisp]]s, [[quesadilla]]s, [[chimichanga]]s, [[queso flameado]], shrimp [[ceviche]], [[stuffed mushrooms]], [[quesabirria]], [[nachos]], [[fajita]]s, [[enchilada]]s, [[tamale]]s, (including ones made out of [[hemp]]<ref name="tucson">{{Cite web |last=Burch |first=Cathalena E. |date=2018-07-19 |title=Tucson's El Charro has high hopes for its new hemp tamales |url=https://tucson.com/business/tucsons-el-charro-has-high-hopes-for-its-new-hemp-tamales/article_b947002d-f545-5163-b125-4023d3aee22f.html |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=[[Arizona Daily Star]] |language=en}}</ref>) [[chile relleno]]s, [[taco]]s, [[burrito]]s, and a burger. Soups include [[meatball soup]], [[pozole]], [[caldo de queso]], and [[tortilla soup]]. Alcoholic drinks are also offered. As for desserts, the restaurant serves [[Crème caramel|flan]], [[fried ice cream]], [[sopaipilla]] and [[churro]]s with chocolate, [[tres leches cake]], and ''[[Café de olla]]''. The restaurant's signature dishes are its chimichangas and [[carne seca]].<ref name="official"/><ref name="tucfood">{{Cite web |last=Tran |first=Jackie |date=2019-04-12 |title=Your Guide to 31 of Tucson's Most Iconic Dishes |url=https://tucsonfoodie.com/2019/04/12/most-iconic-tucson-dishes/ |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=Tucson Foodie |language=en-US}}</ref> The carne seca's beef is sun-dried in a cage on the downtown location's roof.<ref name="tucweek">{{Cite web |date=2019-10-24 |title=Best Signature Dish 2019 - Carne Seca at El Charro |url=https://www.tucsonweekly.com/tucson/best-signature-dish/BestOf?oid=26742368 |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=[[Tucson Weekly]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name="azcent">{{Cite web |last=Krusmark |first=Sofia |date=2021-08-11 |title=Best Mexican food in Tucson? Here are 8 contenders and the top things to order when you go |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/travel/arizona/road-trips/2021/08/11/best-mexican-food-tucson/5391820001/ |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=The Arizona Republic |language=en-US}}</ref>
Menu items were inspired by Sonoroan and Tucson-style Mexican food. This includes [[Arizona cheese crisp]]s, [[quesadilla]]s, [[chimichanga]]s, [[queso flameado]], shrimp [[ceviche]], [[stuffed mushrooms]], [[quesabirria]], [[nachos]], [[fajita]]s, [[enchilada]]s, [[tamale]]s, (including ones made out of [[hemp]]<ref name="tucson">{{Cite web |last=Burch |first=Cathalena E. |date=2018-07-19 |title=Tucson's El Charro has high hopes for its new hemp tamales |url=https://tucson.com/business/tucsons-el-charro-has-high-hopes-for-its-new-hemp-tamales/article_b947002d-f545-5163-b125-4023d3aee22f.html |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=[[Arizona Daily Star]] |language=en |archive-date=July 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240707053401/https://tucson.com/business/tucsons-el-charro-has-high-hopes-for-its-new-hemp-tamales/article_b947002d-f545-5163-b125-4023d3aee22f.html |url-status=live }}</ref>) [[chile relleno]]s, [[taco]]s, [[burrito]]s, and a burger. Soups include [[meatball soup]], [[pozole]], [[caldo de queso]], and [[tortilla soup]]. Alcoholic drinks are also offered. As for desserts, the restaurant serves [[Crème caramel|flan]], [[fried ice cream]], [[sopaipilla]] and [[churro]]s with chocolate, [[tres leches cake]], and ''[[Café de olla]]''. The restaurant's signature dishes are its chimichangas and [[carne seca]].<ref name="official"/><ref name="tucfood">{{Cite web |last=Tran |first=Jackie |date=2019-04-12 |title=Your Guide to 31 of Tucson's Most Iconic Dishes |url=https://tucsonfoodie.com/2019/04/12/most-iconic-tucson-dishes/ |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=Tucson Foodie |language=en-US |archive-date=June 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601094520/https://tucsonfoodie.com/2019/04/12/most-iconic-tucson-dishes/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The carne seca's beef is sun-dried in a cage on the downtown location's roof.<ref name="tucweek">{{Cite web |date=2019-10-24 |title=Best Signature Dish 2019 - Carne Seca at El Charro |url=https://www.tucsonweekly.com/tucson/best-signature-dish/BestOf?oid=26742368 |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=[[Tucson Weekly]] |language=en |archive-date=December 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204203145/https://www.tucsonweekly.com/tucson/best-signature-dish/BestOf?oid=26742368 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="azcent">{{Cite web |last=Krusmark |first=Sofia |date=2021-08-11 |title=Best Mexican food in Tucson? Here are 8 contenders and the top things to order when you go |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/travel/arizona/road-trips/2021/08/11/best-mexican-food-tucson/5391820001/ |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=The Arizona Republic |language=en-US |archive-date=October 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002040713/https://www.azcentral.com/story/travel/arizona/road-trips/2021/08/11/best-mexican-food-tucson/5391820001/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


Many of the restaurant's menu items are sold on [[Goldbelly]].<ref name="official"/>
Many of the restaurant's menu items are sold on [[Goldbelly]].<ref name="official"/>

Latest revision as of 06:45, 3 November 2024

El Charro Café
The original restaurant in 2007
El Charro Café is located in Arizona
El Charro Café
Location within Arizona
El Charro Café is located in the United States
El Charro Café
El Charro Café (the United States)
Restaurant information
Established1922; 103 years ago (1922)
Owner(s)Carlotta Flores[1]
Street address311 N Court Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701
Coordinates32°13′33″N 110°58′28″W / 32.2257°N 110.9745°W / 32.2257; -110.9745
Websitewww.elcharrocafe.com

El Charro Café is a historic three-location Mexican restaurant based in Tucson, Arizona. It has been owned by the Flores family since its establishment in 1922, making it the oldest Mexican restaurant owned by the same family in the United States. It is also one of the oldest Mexican restaurants in the United States.[2][3] A charro is a type of Mexican horseman.[4]

History

[edit]

The restaurant was established in September 1922 by Monica Flin, one of Tucson's first businesswomen and the oldest of eight children.[5] Her parents immigrated to Tucson from France in the 1880s, and Monica's father, Jules Flin, helped build the Cathedral of Saint Augustine in the city.[6][7] Coming back from Mexico after her second husband died, Monica acted as the restaurant's hostess, waitress, and chef simultaneously to operate the one-room restaurant, with some financial assistance from her sister.[8] In the first months the restaurant was open, Flin had to frequently persuade the neighbor, a Chinese grocer, for provisions, make the food, have the customer pay, and then pay the grocer back for the materials.[9] The restaurant moved from its original Fourth Avenue location to the Temple of Art and Music, where the Arizona Theatre Company currently stands, and then moved to a more popular site on Broadway.[10]

Flin is credited as a possible inventor of the chimichanga in the late 1940s or early 1950s, after accidentally dropping a burrito into a deep fryer. She nearly said a curse that began with "chi", but as there were children around, she quickly changed it to chimichanga, Spanish for thingamajig.[11] In 1968, Flin relocated the restaurant to a house she inherited from her parents on Court Street, which is now a part of the El Presidio Historic District,[9][12][13] as it had to make way for urban development projects like the Tucson Convention Center.[4]

In 1972, Flin became very sick and appointed her sister, Zarina Dunn, and her brother-in-law to maintain the restaurant. They had just retired, however, and did not want to handle the restaurant. The couple's daughter (Monica's niece), Carlotta Flores, returned to Tucson from California a few years later to care for the restaurant.[5][4][9][13][10][14] Flin died in 1975, from complications from multiple falls.[15]

Flores was listed on the Forbes 50 Women Over 50 list in 2021.[1][16][17] An episode of Top Chef: Houston was filmed at the restaurant in 2022.[18][19]

[edit]

Menu items were inspired by Sonoroan and Tucson-style Mexican food. This includes Arizona cheese crisps, quesadillas, chimichangas, queso flameado, shrimp ceviche, stuffed mushrooms, quesabirria, nachos, fajitas, enchiladas, tamales, (including ones made out of hemp[20]) chile rellenos, tacos, burritos, and a burger. Soups include meatball soup, pozole, caldo de queso, and tortilla soup. Alcoholic drinks are also offered. As for desserts, the restaurant serves flan, fried ice cream, sopaipilla and churros with chocolate, tres leches cake, and Café de olla. The restaurant's signature dishes are its chimichangas and carne seca.[8][21] The carne seca's beef is sun-dried in a cage on the downtown location's roof.[22][23]

Many of the restaurant's menu items are sold on Goldbelly.[8]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Carlotta Flores". Forbes. Archived from the original on July 7, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  2. ^ Kozolchyk, Abbie (January 2, 2022). "Is Tucson the best city for Mexican food in the US?". National Geographic. Archived from the original on May 29, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  3. ^ Welsch, Michelle (July 5, 2022). "What Makes El Charro Café So Special". Tasting Table. Archived from the original on March 4, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Burch, Cathalena E. (September 14, 2022). "Tucson's El Charro marks 100 years, but nearly closed the doors at 50". Arizona Daily Star. Archived from the original on October 23, 2022. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Pangburn, Joe (September 14, 2007). "El Charro celebrates 85 years of family and community". Inside Tucson Business. Archived from the original on July 7, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  6. ^ Jarolim, Edie (March 26, 2015). "A Food & Family Force". BizTucson. Archived from the original on August 10, 2022. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  7. ^ Wright, Alexis (August 6, 2015). "El Charro Café boasts historic presence". Arizona Daily Wildcat. Archived from the original on July 7, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  8. ^ a b c "Official website". Archived from the original on February 8, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  9. ^ a b c Whitton, Christine. "The History of El Charro Café". AZ Foothills Magazine. Archived from the original on March 2, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  10. ^ a b Connelly, Rita (June 22, 2022). "100 years later, El Charro Café shows no signs of slowing down". Tucson Foodie. Archived from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  11. ^ Lacey, Marc (November 16, 2011). "Arizonans Vie to Claim Cross-Cultural Fried Food". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 30, 2020. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  12. ^ Burch, Cathalena E. (September 17, 2022). "El Charro is celebrating its 100th birthday! Here's how it all started". This is Tucson. Archived from the original on October 2, 2022. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  13. ^ a b "Monica Flin (b. 1887, d. 1972)". Arizona Womens Heritage Trail. Archived from the original on June 20, 2019. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  14. ^ Covington, Linnea (August 23, 2022). "Carlotta Flores of El Charro Café in Tucson, Ariz., possible birthplace of the chimichanga, prepares for the next generation". Restaurant Hospitality. Archived from the original on June 8, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  15. ^ Wiley, Rick (September 12, 2022). "Photos: Historic, family-owned El Charro Café in Tucson". Arizona Daily Star. Archived from the original on October 4, 2022. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  16. ^ "El Charro Cafe owner named on Forbes 50 over 50 list for 2021". KGUN 9 Tucson. August 17, 2021. Archived from the original on November 30, 2022. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  17. ^ Sterner, Matt (August 18, 2021). "Chef Carlotta Flores of El Charro Café joins 'Forbes 2021 Woman, 50 over 50' list". Tucson Foodie. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  18. ^ Sterner, Matt (May 20, 2022). "From Houston to Tucson: 'Top Chef' pays a visit to the city & El Charro Café". Tucson Foodie. Archived from the original on June 28, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  19. ^ "Tucson's beloved El Charro Café to be featured on Top Chef: Houston". KVOA. May 20, 2022. Archived from the original on July 28, 2022. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  20. ^ Burch, Cathalena E. (July 19, 2018). "Tucson's El Charro has high hopes for its new hemp tamales". Arizona Daily Star. Archived from the original on July 7, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  21. ^ Tran, Jackie (April 12, 2019). "Your Guide to 31 of Tucson's Most Iconic Dishes". Tucson Foodie. Archived from the original on June 1, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  22. ^ "Best Signature Dish 2019 - Carne Seca at El Charro". Tucson Weekly. October 24, 2019. Archived from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  23. ^ Krusmark, Sofia (August 11, 2021). "Best Mexican food in Tucson? Here are 8 contenders and the top things to order when you go". The Arizona Republic. Archived from the original on October 2, 2022. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to El Charro Café.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=El_Charro_Café&oldid=1255117397"