Tucson: Downtown Food Tour (Choose 1 of 3)
Discover Tucson’s historic downtown on a guided food tour with a streetcar ride. Learn about the city’s architecture, history, and culture while enjoying a full meal o...
The chimichanga is a deep-fried burrito stuffed with shredded beef or chicken, beans, rice and cheese, topped with sour cream, guacamole, salsa and lettuce.
El Charro Cafe founder Monica Flin is said to have invented the chimichanga in 1922 by accident at her Court Avenue kitchen in El Presidio. According to family lore, she dropped a burrito into the deep fryer and shouted 'chingada' (a Spanish curse), softening it to chimichanga in front of the children. El Charro has run the dish ever since. The chimichanga is now standard at Tucson Mexican-American restaurants and across Arizona, with regional variations in Phoenix, Flagstaff and the Sonora border.
2 editor picks for Chimichanga in Tucson, ranked by editorial score. All Tucson signature dishes · Chimichanga across every city.
Also in: Phoenix.
El Charro Cafe ★ 4.6
el-presidio · 311 N Court Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701
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.
El Charro Cafe Ventana ★ 4.3
catalina-foothills · 6310 E Broadway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85710
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.
Learn to cook it, or eat it with a guide
Chimichanga makes more sense with someone from Tucson explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Book food experiences in Tucson
Tucson Food Tour: Downtown Walking Food Tour with 6 Tastings
Explore downtown Tucson on a walking food tour. Enjoy tastings from locally-owned restaurants, discover hidden gems, and learn about the city's history and culture.
Tucson: Guided Downtown Tour with Streetcar Ride & Food
Explore downtown Tucson on a guided tour with a streetcar ride. Learn about the city's history, enjoy food at two local restaurants, and experience the City of Gastron...