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Welcome to El Minuto Cafe

At El Minuto Cafe, the heart of Mexican cuisine beats vibrantly. Established in 1936, this Tucson gem celebrates tradition while welcoming guests into a warm, family-owned atmosphere. The inviting pink walls and bustling environment make it a community favorite, perfect for gatherings and casual dining. Signature dishes like the flavorful Albondigas soup and the irresistible combination plates showcase authentic recipes crafted with love. With options for groups and a commitment to excellent service, El Minuto Cafe is not only a tasty destination but also a cherished local landmark. Experience a slice of Tucson's history and a burst of tradition on every plate.

LOCATIONS

Welcome to El Minuto Cafe: a delightful gem nestled in Tucson, Arizona, that embraces the rich and vibrant flavors of Mexican cuisine. The restaurant, located at 354 S Main Ave, has been charming locals and visitors alike since 1936. This family-owned establishment welcomes you into a cozy atmosphere that feels as inviting as stepping into a cherished home.

El Minuto Cafe is not just about delicious food; it’s about creating a memorable dining experience. With a commitment to authenticity and quality, the menu offers a range of traditional dishes that are sure to satisfy a wide variety of tastes. From hearty soups like Albondigas and Menudo to flavor-packed combination plates such as the El Minuto Deluxe featuring chicken tostada and chile relleno, there’s something for everyone. The tacos, whether beef or shredded chicken, are particularly noteworthy for their generous portions and robust flavors.

  • Ambiance: The decor features warm pink walls and a casual vibe, perfect for families and groups alike.
  • Service: Renowned for its friendly and attentive staff, El Minuto Cafe strives to provide excellent service, making each meal feel special.
  • Convenience: Accessible by wheelchair, with options for reservations, takeout, and delivery, it caters to various dining preferences. Enjoy outdoor seating under the warm Tucson sun or a cozy indoor experience.
  • Payment Options: They’re modern and flexible, accepting Apple Pay, credit cards, and even cryptocurrency.
  • Kid-Friendly: The menu features limited vegetarian options and is welcoming to children, with dishes that cater to younger palates.

Customers rave about the hospitality that emanates from this establishment, with many sharing personal anecdotes of their delightful visits. Frank M. guarantees satisfaction with every bite, while Lei L. sings praises for the must-try chips that pair perfectly with their renowned salsa. It's this sense of community and warmth that keeps diners returning.

While some have noted minor hiccups, such as inconsistencies in the chips and salsa, the overall consensus remains clear: El Minuto Cafe is a Tucson staple where memories are made over exquisite, hearty meals. Experience the comfort of authentic Mexican cuisine in a welcoming setting. El Minuto Cafe awaits your visit!

Whether you’re stopping by for a quick lunch, dinner with friends, or a family outing, make sure to savor every moment at El Minuto Cafe—a true treasure in Tucson’s vibrant dining scene.

START YOUR REVIEW OF El Minuto Cafe
Connie G.
Connie G.

I had always wanted to try this place out. It closes at 3pm so I left my hone early enough. I arrived with an hour to spare. Walking into this place is like stepping into someone's hone. I was seated with a view of the patio. There are two other rooms for diners. I had cheese enchiladas. The food came out within minutes. The service here is top notch. My meal was good but the enchilada sauce was bland. Spicy, yes, but not much more taste to it. Otherwise it was a very satisfying dining experience. The building is across the street from the convention center. I am sure this cute family restaurant gets crowded then.

Frank M.
Frank M.

I've eaten here several times over the years. I've never been disappointed by the food, service or the ambiance. The only complaint is parking. It's just the location. They can't help that the city has grown around them. Planning another visit tomorrow after church.

Lei L.
Lei L.

Amazing hospitality from the family that runs this joint. The crisps are a must!! It was so good with great texture and flavor. They have a lunch special so I got a topopo salad to have some greens during this trip.

Becky W.
Becky W.

One of our local long lasting Mexican restaurants on the edge of Barrio Viejo and Downtown Tucson. We decided to dine here before a Roadrunner match at TCC. The restaurant inside is mostly pink walls and seems to have more tables than I remember. The place was very busy and we arrived at 5. The service was excellent, we had made a reservation and we were seated right away. Our waiter was kind and attentive. Endless chips and salsa, and their salsa is amazing! One downturn was they did not have any carne seca and may not have again until spring. Many of our friends were disappointed with that news. This particular evening they did not have any tamales. So three combination plates were offered a chicken enchilada instead. The three who ordered the combos did not mind at all and said their plates of food were wonderful, flavorful, and fresh. We had one that ordered a chicken burro enchilada style and it was a huge serving and was delicious! One ordered the shredded beef plate and said the shredded beef was flavorful and beans and rice were just like grandma's! Served with a very large tortilla which was fantastic. One order shredded beef enchiladas and they said the sauce was so good and added another flavor to the beef. I had a Topopo salad. I wish I had more tomatoes and slices of avocado. I had two half slices of tomato and one slice of avocado. The rest of the plate was shredded iceberg lettuce, shredded cheese and shredded chicken. The bean tostada underneath was delicious. The refried beans were soooo good! Their food is always consistent and delicious. They have slimmed down their menu and prices have gone up. One of the common trends when dining out these days. Overall a wonderful dinner with friends.

Manny M.
Manny M.

Traditional and delicious plates. This location is a community staple. Anyone I've asked during my time here in Tucson, "where is one place I must go?" The one place that always came up was El Minuto. Now I know why, great environment, welcoming staff and great eatery. We ordered a few plates to get a variety of the tasting and I must say, the Albondigas soup was my favorite. Such a hearty and flavorful burst in this soup, you can taste the love poured into it. The flautas, and the chimichangas were great. Though very different in taste the tortillas were crisped and chicken (flautas) and ground beef (chimichangas) were savory and bursting through in each bite. The only dislike was we arrived an hour and 15 minutes before close (8pm), and we felt the urgency from the waiter to get our order before we can fully review and decide as if closing was near. Not sure if he was just focused on closing aspect and just wanted to order and bounce, but overall from everyone else it was pleasant and good experience.

Katie M.
Katie M.

Where you can get a huge lunch for 9.99 in 2024, here! And, I'm talking stuff yourself full!!! Absolutely delicious authentic Mexican. Clean restaurant, friendly staff, warm fresh tortilla chips and salsa as soon as we sat. Bottomless drink refills. This gem is a must visit.

Beth B.
Beth B.

A Tucson staple. This place is authentic. The staff was nice. The decor standard and clean. I had the flat enchiladas and omg brought some memories back. Very good. I'd you're looking for old school Mexican food in downtown, go here.

Alex K.
Alex K.

This place has been around since 1936 which is always a good sign. It was recommended to me by a friend so I decided to try it. We came on Xmas eve for lunch, so they were closing in an hour. We were seated quickly but the waiter came pretty quickly as if we knew what we wanted before sitting down. He brought us chips and salsa and took our drink order and brought it out immediately. We still hadn't figured out what we wanted. He brought out the silverware. My fork was dirty so he replaced it with a clean one without being told. Again he asked if we were ready to order and we were feeling rushed. We told him we needed more time. All of this happened within a few minutes. We figured out what we wanted in about 5 minutes but now the waiter had given us too much time. I kept feeling like we were annoying him because we came within an hour of closing. We finally put our order in for the chicken enchiladas. The chips and salsa were horrible. The chips tasted cold and bland and hard. The salsa was too runny and too much tomato which overwhelmed it. I read somewhere if the chips and salsa sucked that you should not expect the food to be better. Good chips and salsa are important in a Mexican restaurant to me. I was having low expectations for our entree. The entree came out pretty quickly. It looked appealing and smelled great and served hot. The waiter was nice enough to let me know the plate was hot. The chicken enchiladas themselves were delicious. Tender and moist chicken, great flavors and textures. I was so happy that it wasn't as bad as the chips and salsa. We scarfed down the enchiladas, paid up, and out the door within 30 minutes. I would go back again just knowing the chips and salsa suck but the rest of the food looks good. The crisps seemed to be popular so I might try that next time.