Karichimaka

This place makes better Mexican food then I do! The food is very authentic! If you are a die hard fan of Mexican food, this is your place to be.

I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to make it down here! I’ve lived on the south side for 4 years and this jewel has been right under my nose the entire time. The traditional Gorditas are to die for! So good! Great home made chips and salsa and a very comfy cozy ambiance. This is a true family run restaurant, and a wonderful Tucson landmark. Put it on your list for sure!

We just moved to this area and looking for a good Mexican Restraurant, the food was terrific! We will definitely be trying this place again.

This place was recommended to me by a local. Such a cool space, family run, and great food. Love their homemade salsa and chimichangas! Good portions, and decent prices, too.

Very good authentic mexican food. Restaurant was clean and service was ok.

We spend our time in California bemoaning our inability to run over to our favorite Mexican restaurant. We lived a couple of miles from it before we moved to California. There is no parallel anywhere for their cheese crisps and chimichangas. We are here visiting for a week and are taking a group there tomorrow night. Can hardly wait.

Been open a long… long…time. … Said to be one of John Wayne’s favorites whenever he filmed movies in Tucson way back in the day. … Always a solid choice… I’ve never had a bad meal there.

Great restaurant. I think that this restaurant definitely does not get the credit that it deserves. They have great Mexican food and great service. It is the second oldest restaurant in Tucson and family owned. They’re refried beans are amazing. I’m in my 20s and still sometimes order just a bean and cheese burrito and a side of rice. The beans are delicious. Also, I don’t believe you could go there and not order a cheese crisp. They’re just so good and have always been apart of my Karichimaka experience. Everyone should check it out. And spread the word about them! Most of the times I’ve gone, there has been an almost empty house which is a shame.

My family has been coming here for over 50 years! It’s delicious, clean and the staff is wonderful. They have amazing cheese enchiladas! You can always count on Karichimaka to have a solid Mexican dish that is delicious. It’s always spot on! I have great memories here and I am so happy I can now bring my own children here. Love this place!

Nothing wrong with the building very nostalgic actually what you would want any Mexican restaurant to look like… an old style Mexican restaurant! Some of the best Mexican food in Tucson, and that says a lot! We love this place, the food and service are great… I’m not sure why there’s so many negative reviews but at least try the place you will love it.

Best chili relleno I ever had. In fact everything we had was a 5+. Great service. The owner, a gracious lady came out and asked us about the food and recommended other house special dishes for us to try on our next visit. We will be back often before we have to go home.

Amazing chicken fajitas I look forward to every time I am in town. Cheese crisps with green chiles are a must. The service is perfect and the atmosphere is authentic and welcoming. A family restaurant you don’t want to miss in Tucson!

My family and I have been coming here for 25 years– by far the best Mexican restaurant in Tucson. They don’t use lard– which we really appreciate and the family run service is always on point. Their never-​ending chips and homemade salsa are out of this world and you MUST order a cheese crisp with chile strips. The Mexican potatoes (sliced onions and potatoes) with warm tortillas is one of my favorite dishes in Tucson. The enchilada sauce is always And the refried beans– heaven. superb and the tacos are always prepared perfectly. We will continue coming here for years to come and you can’t miss this place! If this doesn’t convince you, their herds of loyal customers should!

I judge my Mexican food by the beans and they are yummy! The rest of the family was very satisfied with red chili and enchiladas as well.

Good food loved the creamy beans. I had a Chili Rellenos along with a sour cream enchilada. No complaints at our table for four. Service a bit slow. Good homemade salsa. A bit stingy with the chips. All and all a good experience. We will come back.

I was taken here on a job interview almost 20 years ago and have been coming back ever since. The food is fresh and delicious (love the chimis and the green corn tamales especially). There is no background music playing so you can actually have great meal-​time conversations. The atmosphere in general is lovely.

Went here yesterday n let’s yay say I won’t be going back ever could have got better tasting door from Viva or Los Betos! Chilli Rellenos were soggy and nasty taco meat looked old just not happy at all!

If you don’t know about this place, you’re missing out! This is easily one of the best Mexican Food places in town. Everything they do is pretty fantastic, but my favorite is the Red Chili Chimichanga, with a side of rice and the best beans I’ve ever had. That’s why I keep coming back!
Try not to go crazy on the chips and salsa like I usually do, and its really hard to say no to a cheese crisp with green chiles for the table.
I just made myself hungry and I wanna go eat there right now!

This actually was my second time to visit Karichimaka and apparently it’s a dining spot that’s been around for a while. Our server was polite, friendly, and attentive. The décor reminded me of an old western restaurant. In fact, if you step outside and take a look at the large empty tiled floors and ramadas, you think this must have been a very popular place years ago with lots of dancing and outdoor dining. Maybe someone knows its history and can comment?
My enchiladas with rojo sauce were OK and came with a side of salad. The salsa was good and the chips were OK. I thought the prices were a tad on the high side.
Like several other reviewers, nothing extraordinary here to draw me back since there are so many other wonderful choices that are not so far away. I certainly wouldn’t mind eating here again… it would just be low on my list.

Chile rellenos in the Tucson Area rated according to the Homeland Security Advisory System with three word descriptors.
Karichimaka: they were puffy. Blue
See photos.