Family-Owned Since The 1920s, Step Back In Time At Elvira's In Arizona
By Katie Lawrence|Published February 13, 2020
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
We can always count on family-owned restaurants for consistency and tradition, and Elvira’s is no exception. This Mexican food institution dates to 1927, and its quality hasn’t wavered a bit since then.
Elvira's dates to 1927, first established in Nogales, Mexico, as a to-go only restaurant. It has since moved to Arizona and undergone some extensive renovations, but the grandson of the original founder is dedicated to keeping family traditions alive.
Inside, the atmosphere is an incredible blend of styles, themes, and cultures. Extravagant light fixtures hang from the ceiling, rooms are painted different colors for no apparent rhyme or reason, and religious figures across a vast array of faiths sit proudly everywhere you look. Definitely not your average mom-and-pop Mexican restaurant!
As far as the food, it offers a modern take without sacrificing authenticity. Green chile enchiladas, homemade guacamole, and queso fundido deliver the familiar zesty flavors you know and love, with simple swaps like wild rice instead of Spanish.
Four different moles can be found on both the lunch and dinner menu. One, colloquially known as the "King of Moles," features a whopping 34 ingredients, all of which were carefully selected to create a flavor profile filled with depth and subtlety.
Other popular entrees include Chiles Rellenos, tacos, beef tongue, and grass-fed steak. Make it a multicultural dining experience by adding a side of Shishito peppers with ponzu sauce! Oh, and don't skip out on the age-old Elvira's tradition of a 50-cent tequila shot to accompany your meal.
If you're not quite ready to leave after the check comes, just move your group on over to the bar for a nightcap. The atmosphere is no less lively, and the intentionality of the drink pairings will absolutely blow your mind.
Passionately crafted cocktails and margaritas combine things like silver tequila, grapefruit soda, fresh lime, and rose liqueur that come together in the most delicious way possible and hit every taste receptor on your tongue. There are also many varieties of wine, beer, scotch, and malts to choose from.
