The Chimichanga is a pan-fried burrito that is well-known in Tex-Mex cooking. It is typically made with a wheat flour tortilla filled with several types of meat, cheeses, and beans and deep-fried. The dish is believed to have originated in the 1920s in Arizona. There are several stories about how Chimichanga came to be. Still, the most accepted story is that Monica Flin, the owner of El Charro Café in Tucson, Arizona, invented it. According to this story, Monica Flin inadvertently dropped a burrito into a fryer and decided to serve it anyway. The customers loved it and started asking for more. Whatever the true story, there is no doubt that the Chimichanga is a delicious dish that has become popular worldwide. In this blog post, we will investigate the history of Chimichanga and how it became a staple of Tex-Mex cuisine.

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El Charro Café – Tucson

El Charro Café has served Tucson’s best Mexican food since 1922. The restaurant is known for its chimichangas, deep-fried burritos stuffed with cheese and meat. El Charro’s founder, Monica Flin, is credited with inventing the dish. According to legend, she accidentally dropped a burrito into a fryer and decided to serve it anyway. The result was so popular that it became a permanent menu item. Today, El Charro is run by Monica’s granddaughter, Carolita Martinez. The restaurant has expanded to several locations across Tucson and serves delicious chimichangas and other Mexican favorites.

Los Compadres – Phoenix

In the late 1970s, Rudy and Carmen Valenzuela took over a small Mexican restaurant in north Phoenix called Los Compadres. The restaurant was nothing special, but the Valenzuela’s had a vision for it. They wanted to create a casual, family-friendly place where people could come to enjoy tasty food and good times. One of the things that made Los Compadres special was its chimichangas. These fried burritos were invented by mistake when Carmen accidentally dropped a burrito into a vat of hot oil. But the resulting dish was so delicious that it quickly became a menu staple. People came from all over to try Los Compadres’ famous chimichangas, and the restaurant became known as the “Home of the Chimichanga.” Today, Los Compadres is still owned and operated by the Valenzuela family. It remains a popular destination for Phoenix locals and visitors, who come for the great food, friendly atmosphere, and of course, those delicious chimichangas.

Mangos Mexican Cafe – Mesa

Mangos Mexican Café is a restaurant in Mesa, Arizona that specializes in chimichangas. The restaurant was founded in 2002 by brothers David and Daniel Maldonado. The brothers were born and raised in Hermosillo, Mexico. Their parents owned a restaurant there, and the brothers grew up working in the family business. After moving to the United States, they decided to open their restaurant. The name Mangos comes from the brothers’ hometown of Hermosillo. There is a street called Avenida de Los Mangos (Mango Avenue). The Maldonado brothers wanted to carry a tad of home to their new restaurant in Mesa. The menu at Mangos Mexican Café features a variety of traditional Mexican dishes, including enchiladas, tacos, burritos, and quesadillas. The signature dish is the Chimichanga. The Chimichanga at Mangos is made with shredded beef or chicken, beans, cheese, and green chilies enclosed by a flour tortilla and seared until fresh. It is served with sour cream and salsa on the side. The Chimichanga originated in Arizona, and Mangos Mexican Café is one of the best places to try this iconic dish. Assuming you are searching for a real taste of Mexico, look no further than Mangos Mexican Café in Mesa!

Mi Nidito Restaurant – Tucson

Mi Nidito Restaurant has been serving Sonora-style Mexican food in Tucson since 1952. The restaurant is best known for its chimichangas, invented by co-founder Monica Flin. The Chimichanga story begins in the early 1950s, when Monica and her husband, Gilbert, opened Mi Nidito (“My Little Nest”) on South 4th Avenue. The restaurant quickly became a local favorite, partly thanks to Monica’s cooking. One day, while making burritos, Monica accidentally dropped one of them into the fryer. Rather than waste the food, she decided to serve it anyway. The result was so popular that it became a regular menu item, and the Chimichanga was born. Today, Mi Nidito is still family-owned and operated, and the Chimichanga remains its signature dish. If you are ever in Tucson, try one for yourself!

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Original Blue Adobe Grille – Mesa

The Chimichanga is a deep-fried burrito that originated in Arizona. The dish was accidentally created when a cook at the Original Blue Adobe Grille in Mesa, Arizona, dropped a burrito into a fryer. The restaurant’s owner, Fabiola Rodriguez, liked the fried burrito so much that she added it to the menu. The Chimichanga has become a popular dish in Arizona and the United States. There are many ways to make a Chimichanga, but the most common ingredients include beans, cheese, rice, meat (usually chicken or beef), and salsa.

Macayo’s Mexican Table – Multiple Locations

Macayo’s Mexican Table began in Arizona in 1946 when Woody and Victoria Johnson opened a small Mexican restaurant in downtown Phoenix. The restaurant quickly became popular with locals and tourists thanks to its delicious food and friendly atmosphere. One of the restaurant’s most popular dishes was the Chimichanga, a fried burrito filled with meat, cheese, and beans. The dish was so popular that the Johnsons trademarked it in 1967. Today, Macayo’s still serves delicious chimichangas at its multiple locations across Arizona.

Mi Casa Restaurant – Benson

If you are looking for a delicious, authentic Mexican dining experience in Benson, Arizona, look no further than Mi Casa Restaurant. This family-owned and operated restaurant has been serving mouthwatering Mexican cuisine for over 30 years, and their chimichangas are some of the bests in the state. But how did the Chimichanga start in Arizona? According to legend, it was created by accident when a cook at Mi Casa Restaurant dropped a fried burrito into a vat of hot oil. The result was a crispy, crunchy treat that quickly became a customer favorite. Today, Mi Casa Restaurant’s chimichangas are made with fresh-pressed masa dough and filled with your choice of meat (including their signature carne asada), beans, cheese, and veggies. They are then deep-fried to perfection and served with sour cream, salsa, and guacamole. Trust us – once you have had a Mi Casa chimichanga, you will be hooked!

Serrano’s Mexican Restaurant – Multiple Locations

If you are ever in Arizona and looking for delicious Mexican food, check out Serrano’s Mexican Restaurant. They have multiple locations throughout the state, so you are sure to find one near you. Serrano is best known for its chimichangas. If you have never had one, a chimichanga is a deep-fried burrito typically filled with meat, beans, and cheese. The history of Chimichanga is quite fascinating. It started in the 1950s at El Charro Cafe in Tucson, Arizona. One day, the restaurant’s owner accidentally dropped a burrito into a deep fryer. Rather than waste it, he decided to serve it anyways and dubbed it the “chimichanga.” The dish was an instant hit with customers and soon spread to other restaurants across Arizona. Today, the Chimichanga is one of America’s most popular Mexican dishes. So next time you are in Arizona, be sure to try one!

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