"A Family Tradition Since 1959"
The original El Charro Restaurant opened in 1959 by the Brambilla in downtown Prescott. Serving the family’s favorite Mexican food recipes made it an instant hit with the locals and travelers. Many things have changed in Prescott over the last 65 years but the quality of the food and the service hasn’t. The Denny family has graciously shared these time forgotten recipes with the El Charro Norte in Chino Valley Az. Stop by for food and fun. Full bar, Big screen sports action, and Arizona vistas that have seen little change in the last 150 years.
Popular Menu Items
Mexican Specialties
Huevos Rancheros
$13.99
Tacos
Grilled Fish Tacos
$6.99
Burritos À La Carte
Carne Asada
$15.99
Open 7 Days a Week at 11 AM
Closed at 8 PM Sunday thru Thursday | Closed at 9 PM Friday & Saturday
- Mexican Cuisine
- Choice Steaks
- Weekend Live Entertainment
- Daily Drink & Steak Specials
- Fresh Ground Burgers
- Specialty Drinks
- Fish Fry Fridays
- Dog-Friendly Patio
About Us
El Charro is the oldest continually operated Mexican restaurant in Northern Arizona serving Sonoran classics created by the Brambilla family in 1959. We are a scratch kitchen wherein all of our classic plates are crafted daily. Sonoran style Mexican food has been called “Ranch food” by many of the hispanic families who worked the ranches in Northern Mexico and Arizona. Adding the beef, or great steaks to the menu was a natural fit. The consistency of the kitchen and the fresh ingredients used every day has challenged our cantina to become as steady and reliable as the back of the house. We use the finest fresh fruits, berrys and and home grown herbs to create memorable cocktails including Margaritas, Mojitos, and skinny drinks that will leave you begging for a recipe. The two are combined to make the drive to this out of the way treasure very well worth the effort.
Gallery
Gallery
Our History
El Charro was opened in 1959 by the Brambilla family in Prescott. After 24 years and several owners, Gary’s uncle Kurt purchased the restaurant in 1983 at the same time Gary opened Pudge and Asti’s above the Apache Motel in Prescott.
In 1996 Gary came to Chino Valley and opened Doreen’s at the location of the Fishing Hole where El Charro Norte is currently located. The fishing hole, opened by Bob Campbell in 1958 was a 500 sq. ft. hole in the wall with the bathrooms located “out back” however there was an actual pond stocked with fish allowing Bob his dream of owning a bait and tackle shop with a bar. There was an addition to the bar in 1986 where the cantina is located today and in 2000 Gary added the main dining area comprised of used materials Gary salvaged from the Miller Valley area in Prescott.
Gary was divorced in 2000 and returned to Prescott to purchase El Charro from Kurt that same year. In downtown Prescott Gary leaned the magic of a scratch kitchen and polished his managerial skills serving over one-hundred-thousand loyal patrons per year. More importantly he began to understand the responsibility of owning and persevering a local legend. In 2015 Gary was alerted to the fact that his cherished creation In Chino Valley was on the market again and saw an opportunity to combine the oldest continually operated Mexican restaurant with an old west restaurant that overlooked the valley where his great grandfather drove cattle in the early 1900’s.
Today Gary and Liz Denny manage the largest and oldest Mexican restaurant in Northern Arizona with a combined indoor and outdoor capacity of over 250 people. Now more than ever Gary’s slogan rings true “For more of what has stayed the same, stay with El Charro Norte.”
