Ever wonder what the difference is between a good restaurant and a great restaurant? Anyone who said ambiance, food or service would be on the right track, but wrong. The correct answer is notoriety. While this answer may sound bad, the truth is many restaurants that offered great food and service shut down way before they ever had a chance to make their mark on the dining world. Other restaurants that were not as good achieved immortality because they were featured on television. Of course there are other factors about restaurants that are featured on television that need to be considered:
1. Many of the restaurants featured on Food Network or the Travel Channel are good restaurants that are deserving of the honor that they have received.
2. Every restaurant will have a bad day. Even chefs like Emeril Lagasse and Paula Deen will have an off day now and then.
3. The terms “good” and “bad” are subjective. Not everyone will like a particular restaurant, or on the flip side, maybe someone will like a particular restaurant that the majority does not.
Two of the best restaurants in the city of Tuscon will be featured on the Travel Channel's hit program “Food Paradise”. Each restaurant has already won the hearts of Tuscon residents as well as other awards. Now they will have the chance to strut their stuff on the small screen. So which restaurants are getting called up to the show? For the answer, scroll down and see what all of the fuss is about.
The El Charro Cafe is not just a restaurant but a dining institution. The restaurant is the oldest Mexican restaurant in the nation that is owned by a sole family. While many restaurants (Mexican or otherwise) routinely change hands, El Charro has remained in the Flin family since Tia Monica first opened it in 1922. The restaurant features Sonoran and Tuscon-style and is even known as the “birthplace of the Chimichanga”. Legend has it that Tia Monica was making burritos one day when some oil splashed up from the pan. Like many others who have experienced this, Tia Monica was about to utter a Spanish cuss word that begins with letters “ch”. However Tia Monica was raised not to use foul language so she uttered the word “chimichanga” which translates to “thingamajig”. Over the years the thingamajig and other dishes have earned El Charro numerous awards including Best Mexican Restaurant in the Tuscon Lifestyle as well as being named one of America's Top 50 Restaurant Icons by Nation's Restaurant News. El Charro also has the distinction of being the official Mexican restaurant of the Arizona Wild Cats. El Charro was recently featured on the Travel Channel series “Food Paradise”. The episode aired on March 13th at 10 p.m. Eastern Time, 9 p.m. Central Time.
El Charro Cafe is located at the following locations:
311 Court Street Tuscon, AZ 85701
6910 East Sunrise Tuscon, AZ 85750
15920 South Rancho Sahuarita, AZ 85629
7725 North Oracle One Valley, AZ 84704
Truck drivers are known as America's road warriors. As such a road warrior needs a place to get some great food quickly. When truck drivers are passing through Tuscon, they know that the best place to stop at is Omar's Hi-Way Chef. Omar's Hi-Way Chef started out as just another truck stop restaurant. The restaurant opened inside the Tuscon Truck Terminal in 1954. The restaurant did well throughout the years until 1996 when the owners of the Triple T hired Omar Ramirez to run the restaurant. From then on the restaurant became one of the favorites for Tuscon residents and truckers alike. The reason behind the success is Chef Ramirez. Omar Ramirez is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and was voted Chef of the Year by the Southern Arizona Chef's Association in 1998. Omar's Hi-Way Chef serves traditional truck stop fare, but the most popular dishes come off the 24-hour breakfast menu. Since marny truckers drive through the night, they appreciate the opportunity for a hot breakfast no matter the hour. All of this has led Omar's Hi-Way Chef to be featured on Food Network. Next week the restaurant will be featured on the Travel Channel series “Food Paradise”. The episode featuring Omar's Hi-Way Chef will air on March 27th at 10 p.m. Eastern Time, 9 p.m. Central Time.
Omar's Hi-Way Chef is located at 5451 East Benson Highway Tuscon, AZ 85706 (the Craycroft Exit (Exit 268) on Interstate 10).
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