The Chimichanga Was Invented At This Old, Charming Restaurant In Arizona Nearly 100 Years Ago
By Katie Lawrence|Published April 16, 2020
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Katie Lawrence
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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 changed her major twice (psychology, computer science, and finally criminal justice) before taking a leap of faith and dropping out to pursue a career in freelance writing.
Today, Katie writes for the Texas and Arizona pages of OnlyInYourState.com and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on the sofa with a hot cup of coffee, watching a crime TV show or scary movie.
Did you know that a popular dish that can be found on the menu of nearly every Mexican restaurant was invented right here in Arizona? The chimichanga has roots in the iconic El Charro Cafe in Tucson — and its existence is completely accidental!
El Charro Cafe was established in 1922 by Monica Flin.
It's the nation's oldest Mexican restaurant in continuous operation by the same family, featuring award-winning, handcrafted recipes that fuse Sonoran tradition and local ingredients.
Business is still booming nearly 100 years later, with natives and tourists alike flocking to the charming, century-old house in droves.
While frying beef tacos, she mistakenly dropped a burro into the frying pan along with them. She was about to utter a swear word in Spanish as the oil splashed up, but changed it to "chimichanga" at the last second because her young nieces and nephews were around.
Several different chimichanga varieties are on the menu, ranging from a simple bean and cheese to slow-cooked, hand-pulled pork roast.
The classic Carne Seca is what made the restaurant famous, so it's a safe choice if you can't decide.
All chimichangas come with rice and beans, and opting for "elegante style" adds enchilada sauce, melted cheese, guacamole, sour cream, and pico de gallo on top.
Gooey apple filling is stuffed inside blankets of dough, fried to flaky perfection, and topped with agave nectar and cinnamon sugar. Dipped in luscious vanilla ice cream, these bite-sized morsels are the perfect ending to your meal.
Did you know chimichangas were invented in Arizona? Have you ever eaten one from El Charro Cafe? If so, we’d love to hear how you liked it. Check out El Charro’s website and Facebook page for more information, and if you’re hungry for more scrumptious Mexican food, check out our previous article: 10 Restaurants In Arizona To Get Mexican Food That Will Blow Your Mind.
Are there any restaurants, businesses, or other attractions in Arizona you think the world should know about? Head over to our nomination page and give them a shoutout — you just might see your submission featured in an upcoming article!
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