History
Arizona claims the chimichanga as its own, with Tucson's El Charro and Phoenix family kitchens both telling tales of a burro that slipped into the deep fryer mid-century. Whoever dropped the first one, the dish became an Arizona-Mexican signature, distinct from Tex-Mex, and spread across Valley Mexican rooms through the late 20th century. The canonical version is crisp outside, juicy inside, and buried under toppings.
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Tours, tastings and classes from the cities on this page, bookable on GetYourGuide.
Common allergens: Gluten, Dairy
Make it at home
Ingredients
- 4 large flour tortillas
- 500g shredded cooked beef or chicken
- 1 cup refried beans
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- Neutral oil for frying
- Salsa, guacamole and sour cream to serve
Method
- Warm the tortillas so they fold without cracking.
- Spread refried beans down the centre of each, add the meat and a little cheese.
- Fold in the sides and roll tightly into a sealed parcel, securing the seam with a toothpick.
- Heat 4cm of oil to 180C (350F) in a deep pan.
- Fry the chimichangas seam-side down first, turning, until golden and blistered all over, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Drain, remove the toothpicks and smother with cheese, salsa, guacamole and sour cream.
Tip from the editors. Seal the seam well and fry seam-side down first, or the parcel unrolls and floods the oil.
Where to eat chimichanga
Chimichanga in Phoenix
Rosita's Place ★ 4.2
Rosita's Place (Mexican) in Phoenix: It has served Sonoran-style Mexican since 1964; the green-chile plates and the chimichanga are the long-time orders.
Why locals goA 1964 Sonoran family room on McDowell that locals guard while visitors chase the newer downtown Mexican names.
TipIt has served Sonoran-style Mexican since 1964; the green-chile plates and the chimichanga are the long-time orders.
Los Sombreros ★ 4.3
Los Sombreros in south Scottsdale has served Oaxaca-inspired Mexican food since 1994, in a cantina-style house with a patio and a menu that includes moles.
OrderThe traditional chile relleno, then the Mexican chocolate cream pie.
TipMonday is all-you-can-eat tacos at $9.99 and Tuesday has $3 to $5 tacos; happy hour runs Monday to Thursday from 14:00 to 18:00.
Comedor Guadalajara ★ 4.1
Comedor Guadalajara on South Central is a big sit-down Mexican room of regional staples, fast service and lunch specials that fill a plate without much spend.
OrderA combination plate off the lunch-special menu with rice and beans.
TipLunch specials are the value; the room is large, so walk-ins move fast.
Chimichanga in Scottsdale
Los Olivos Mexican Patio ★ 4.2
Los Olivos Mexican Patio in Old Town Scottsdale is a four-generation Sonoran restaurant open since 1947, known for cheese crisps and Mexican Flag Enchiladas.
OrderA cheese crisp to start, then the Mexican Flag Enchiladas with both red and green sauce.
TipTortillas and salsas are made by hand; ask for the Blue Room or the inside patio when you are seated.
Ajo Al's Agua Caliente Plaza ★ 3.8
Ajo Al's Agua Caliente Plaza is the Scottsdale branch of a family-run Sonoran-style Mexican cafe with smoked street tacos and Mexican pizzas since 1986.
OrderThe smoked street tacos and a Mexican pizza, with a frozen margarita.
TipOn Shea Boulevard; the other Scottsdale branch is on 90th Street, and the site lists Taco Tuesday and happy hour menus.
Jalapeno Inferno ★ 3.8
Jalapeno Inferno on Scottsdale Road in north Scottsdale serves Sonoran Mexican food, with a take-out cantina nearby, and three tacos for $11.99 every Tuesday.
OrderThe Tuesday three-taco plate with shredded machaca beef, in a soft or hard shell.
TipThe dining room is at 23587 N Scottsdale Rd; the take-out kitchen and cantina is at 7605 E Pinnacle Peak Rd.
Chimichanga in Tucson
El Charro Cafe ★ 4.6
El Charro Cafe on Court Avenue in Tucson is the United States' oldest family-run Mexican restaurant (1922), and the claimed birthplace of the chimichanga.
SignatureChimichanga, Carne seca
El Charro Cafe Ventana ★ 4.3
El Charro Cafe Ventana on East Broadway in Tucson is the eastside outpost of the 1922 downtown original, serving the same carne seca and chimichanga.
SignatureCarne seca, Topopo salad
More cities are in research. Want chimichanga covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.