(May 2015) Earlier this week, Neighbor Roy & I went to the Tucson Desert Art Museum to see their new SNAP! exhibit. As I write this, I am also working on a review of that exhibit whose content is sure to be controversial.
Afterward, we enticed Ms. Lois, who works at DART, to join us for lunch. The three of us worked our way across the street to Eclectic Café, a small restaurant in an unassuming strip mall that Lois recommended. Neither the location nor the ambiance gave us any reason to harbor high expectations.
Should you decide to try Eclectic Cafe’, may I make a suggestion? Don’t judge a book by its cover. I have reviewed restaurants with great ambiance and so-so food. Sometimes the opposite is true.
As to Eclectic’s menu, there are many vegetarian options, and a few typically American dishes, but generally it tilts toward South-of-the-Border cuisine.
Carne Asada Chimichangas
Roy ordered their Carne Asada Chimichangas ($13.75). Like me, he thought the ambiance was lacking, but “compensated for by the very attentive server and re-fried beans that were some of the best I have had.”
Vegetarian Calbacitas Tacos
Ms. Lois ordered the Vegetarian Calbacitas Tacos based on the waitress’s recommendation ($10.50).
Later she told me, “The Calabacitos Tacos were unexpectedly light and lively in flavor, and lovely in presentation. The three street-style tacos featured corn tortillas with a chopped topping of fresh squash and other crisp veggies, plus guacamole and a bit of flavorful Mexican white cheese. I asked to skip the sour cream, and they did honor my request. Our waitress was helpful, cheerful and attentive.”
“Contrary to many of the offerings at the Eclectic, the Calabacitas portion was rather dainty, light on the starch, not at all heavy, nor was it spicy. However, there was ample hot sauce available on the side.”
“I enjoyed the Calabacitas tacos a lot; just the right amount of food, no need to lug leftovers, no longing for a nap after over-eating an over-large plato of rice/bean/tortilla starchiness. Perfect for a summer lunch with friends.”
Carne Asada Burro
I ordered their Carne Asada Burro: chopped steak with green chili in a flour tortilla topped with cheese and sour cream, and served with refried beans and rice ($13.25). This was the best-tasting burro/burrito I have ever enjoyed. And I who don’t much care for rice really liked theirs.
The portions were HUGE! Both Roy & I took half of our lunch home and enjoyed it as much the next day. Ms. Karen had a bite and gave it a thumbs up. Really, our only criticism was that they did not serve fresh, hot chips with salsa and/or guacamole when we were first seated. Nor were we asked if we would like some. But that’s just a minor quibble.
Do we recommend Eclectic Café wholeheartedly to our friends & family? We do.
Eclectic Cafe
Monday – Friday 11am – 9pm. Saturdays 8am-9pm. Sundays 8am – 8pm.
7053 E. Tanque Verde Road Tucson, AZ 85715
520-433-4346
info@eclecticcafe.com
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