It would be difficult to live in Arizona and not love Mexican food. All day, every day, scores of Mexican eateries all over the Grand Canyon State dole out plate after plate of delectable fare – and we scarf it up with a big smile on our face. With such a love for the cuisine, it comes as no surprise that the oldest Mexican restaurant in America is located right here at home, in Arizona.

El Charro opened in Tucson in 1922, and is the oldest continuously operating family-run Mexican restaurant in the country.
TripAdvisor/AJVaughnDOTcom
TripAdvisor/Mohamad H
For the past 96 years, scores of Arizonans, and tourists, have enjoyed the traditional Northern Mexico-Sonoran style food (infused with some Tucson influence) found at El Charro.
The eatery that got its start in a family home, has grown to incorporate more Tucson locations. The oldest operating location is found on N. Court Avenue in Downtown Tucson.
TripAdvisor/Onhill
TripAdvisor/123BucketList
Over the decades, the location has both remained the same - and changed. The eatery has expanded into a courtyard and a lounge adjacent to the original building. Complete with colorful decor, the old location is both upbeat and casual and retains many elements original to the old structure.

Related Stories

This Quirky Restaurant In Arizona May Not Look Like Much But Wow, The Food Is Delicious

This Quirky Restaurant In Arizona May Not Look Like Much But Wow, The Food Is Delicious

 The Burritos At This Arizona Restaurant Are So Gigantic They Fall Off The Plate

The Burritos At This Arizona Restaurant Are So Gigantic They Fall Off The Plate

 The Best Tacos In Arizona Are Tucked Inside This Unassuming Grocery Store

The Best Tacos In Arizona Are Tucked Inside This Unassuming Grocery Store
But the one thing that hasn't changed is the food.
TripAdvisor/DanandCollette
TripAdvisor/Scullyster
It's still delicious and plentiful. Many people also don't realize El Charro is the birthplace of the Chimichanga, but it is. The legend behind this popular menu item involves a fateful kitchen slip up decades ago, where, a burrito was accidentally dropped into the fryer. The rest, is history.
The very next time you're in the Tucson area, head to the oldest Mexican eatery in the U.S., and see for yourself why this restaurant is so loved.
TripAdvisor/Carol M
TripAdvisor/Michael B
There are three El Charro locations in Tucson: Downtown, Oro Valley, and Ventana. The Downtown location is the oldest location in operation, and therefore, referred to as The Original.

When is the last time you dined at El Charro? More importantly, when can you go back for more?

El Charro Cafe is located at 311 N Court Ave., Tucson, AZ 85705. It is open seven days a week: Sunday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Friday/Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Learn more on the official website of El Charro, the oldest Mexican restaurant in America.

Always scoping out new places to dine? Take a look at these 15 Restaurants In Arizona To Get Ethnic Food That’ll Blow Your Mind.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Related Articles

Explore Arizona