When Tucson McGraw's Cantina first opened 22 years ago, there was nothing out on the Southeast Side, co-owner Barbara Blair said.
But now, the local restaurant and bar is slowly being surrounded by new development, and business has never been better, Blair said.
Its brightly colored stucco walls, tile floors and patio have been there since the beginning, Blair said. But its atmosphere hasn't changed.
The restaurant, at 4110 S. Houghton Road, serves a variety of food and drinks, including hand-cut steaks and homemade burgers. Its atmosphere — with Western tile floors, a 4-foot wooden boot and neon lights — is about good food and a local place to hang out, Blair said.
McGraw's was built with a horse-hitching post because several ranchers in the area would come to eat.
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"We have people who have stories about this place when it first opened," Blair said.
Patrons can sit outside on the patio and watch local wildlife, like roadrunners and squirrels, come up close to tables to see if they can grab a snack.
And while subdivisions have opened on all four sides of the hilltop restaurant, Blair said she sees the same people come in to eat.
"We don't advertise. We only get people in here from word of mouth," Blair said.
Blair said her typical customers include military personnel from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, ranch hands and tourists. However, Blair said, a lot of new local residents haven't come to eat there yet.
"We're just a local dive bar," Blair said.
In addition to the food, the restaurant has a banquet center that can seat up to 80 with overflow onto the patio, Blair said.
The restaurant also helps out in the community. Lex McGraw, the owner, sits on the board of directors for the Arizona Restaurant and Hospitality Association.
Tucson McGraw's also supports a local charity every year through its Charity Golf Tournament. The 13th annual tournament is July 15 at the San Pedro Golf Course in Benson.
All proceeds of the golf tournament will go to the local charity Casey's Children, which benefits children with developmental disabilities.
"It helps us give back to the community," Blair said.
Last year the golf tournament raised $8,000 for charity. Organizers hope to raise more this year.
Blair said what makes Blair happy is the long-term relationship she has with her customers and employees.
"We have employees who have worked here 10 years," Blair said. "It's a great place to work and eat."
One of those employees is Rachelle Lawrence.
Lawrence said she loves working at Tucson McGraw's mainly because of the regulars that come in every night.
"I get at least five tables a night I know," Lawrence said. "The people here are really laid back. It's a pretty awesome place to work."
Lawrence has worked at Tucson McGraw's for four years, but said she had known the owners for many years before that. She recommends the tri-tip sandwich.
For more information about Tucson McGraw's Cantina, go online to www.tucsonmcgraws.com or call 885-3088.
No reservations are accepted, though.
"We're not that sophisticated of a place," Blair said.
