Thrillist, the website of all things foodie trends and tastes, has come out with its list of America's most iconic restaurants, and Tucson's legendary El Charro Cafe gets the Arizona nod.
"Sure, there's more than one El Charro now, but the original downtown location is the most iconic in the state," Colorado-based author Lee Breslouer wrote in the article posted on Sunday. "And their enduring popularity is no fluke -- people can't seem to get enough of their legendary carne seca, marinated Angus beef you can stuff inside tacos and enchiladas. They dry it themselves, of course. Sit on their patio on those cool desert nights with a house margarita, and you're made in the shade. You can also sit out there during the day, if you want to literally be in the shade."
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Thrillist has included El Charro, 311 N. Court Ave. downtown, in several past lists, including last August's 21 best Mexican restaurants in the U.S.
Grant it, Thrillist is more of a popularity contest than anything else, with writers soliciting recommendations from diners.
But this list included "ons of research, awkward cold calls, and several cross country trips," the editors reported.
"To qualify for this list, a place had to have been around for 30+ years (all have been in business since at least 1980) and still be a crowd favorite. And while some of these restaurants may not have the best food or be tourist-free, they're all famous," Breslouer reported.
