Eclectic Cafe
7053 E Tanque Verde Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85715
Eclectic Cafe Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Tucson for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
7053 E Tanque Verde Rd
Tucson, AZ, 85715 - Phone (520) 433-4346
- Website https://eclecticcafetucson.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Paul C.
Ultimate Veggie Burrito and the Veggie Burger FTW!!! Not if these are gems! The burger is surprisingly delicious, I wouldn't say meaty, but delicious, much better than any other veggie burger I've tried. The burrito is just die hard filling and scrumptious. The staff is awesome, it's always clean and the for sale art has even improved. I always bring out of town guests here, especially for breaky!
(5)Martin M.
Average service, average decor, totally average food. Not terrible.....just average. We got the chicken walnut/strawberry salad and some beef enchiladas. You could make the salad at home and find better Mexican food at approximately 1400 different places in Tucson. For cheaper, too!
(3)Rebecca C.
This is one of my top five favorite restaurants in Tucson. I always have a good experience here. I first started coming to Eclectic around five years ago when they we're running some sort of two salads and two iced teas for $20 summer specials. That's how I got hooked. The iced tea is my favorite in Tucson (not counting "tea shops"). I usually get the mago, but they also have plain black, prickly pear, and decaf apricot. They're really good about keeping my glass full. I really appreciate that! This is my go to spot when I want a salad. There's over a dozen to choose from including several that are offered as half sized portions. My current favorites are the mango curry chicken salad (that's chicken on a green salad, not chicken salad) and the spinach artichoke salad. The menu also has quiche, sandwiches, Mexican, and breakfast on the weekends. They often experiment with new limited time items over the summer and I recommend you try them while they're available. Last summer there was a pesto burrito that was great and this summer I'm enjoying their take on a Sonoran hot dog. The services is friendly and efficient. The one time I ordered something a didn't like (some breakfast item was too oniony for me, can't remember which) and they offered to take it off my bill and bring me something new when they noticed I wasn't eating it. I didn't even have to ask! For me they are a bit out of the way on the Eastside (I live NW), but totally worth it.
(5)Anthony R.
Took the girlfriend here for a date night. The place is clean and busy and the staff is very friendly, but we left a bit disappointed. We had the nachos to start, which are basically just chips with beans and cheese melted on top, and a few diced green chile pieces. Decent, but not great and not something you can't make in a couple minutes at home in the microwave. The meals were just OK- girlfriend had the tortilla soup, which looked kinda like a mess of tortilla chips sitting in broth. I guess that's basically what it is. Though the avocado pieces were good, the broth didn't really taste like anything. I had one of their specials- a pasta with chorizo and a spicy sauce. The sauce itself was good, but the meal was just not pleasant to eat- the cheese was something grated and hard, which isn't for me but that's just a personal taste thing. What really bothered me was that the chicken slices were tough, like they had either been overcooked or previously frozen. There were also peppers and various other things in there, but didn't really add to a coherent flavor and seemed a bit raw and crunchy, kinda like eating a salad. It does seem to cater specifically to an older crowd of regulars who sit down to complain about obamacare, which didn't bother us too much but would get old really quick. I get the feeling that the establishment is successful more for its network of regulars than the food itself. We may be back to give it another try- a lot of things on the menu sound good, but we weren't impressed with the things we did order.
(3)Tom E.
Been going to Eclectic for nearly 20 years. Consistently good food - friendly and qujck service Thanks Mark Haddad Smith
(4)Tanata S.
Not a good experience here. Menu too extensive to do anything well. Server spilled water on my 84 year old grandmother and barely apologized. Atmosphere very dead energy. Produce sad and wilty. Nice outdoor seating area but I should have left before even ordering as it just felt "off"
(2)Paul C.
Despite living on the East side for nearly 20 years, this was only perhaps my fourth visit to Eclectic Cafe. It's a cozy little restaurant tucked into an aging strip mall on one of the busiest intersections in town. The inside is painted in warm colors and features beautiful paintings which appeared to be by local artists. The menu is extensive and has many, many dishes that would be good choices. I quickly chose the Francisco's Enchilada Salad, as I have never had anything called an enchilada salad before. It arrived almost immediately -- less than five minutes after I ordered it. This would usually be a good thing during my lunch hour, but it did not bode well for the quality of the food. The salad was large, fresh, and beautiful, with bright green slices of avocado, crumbles of queso fresco, chicken soaked in red guajillo sauce, tiny halved jalapeños, and topped with crisp tortilla strips. The salad was accompanied by a jar of red salsa that was just piquant enough, without overwhelming the flavor of the dish. Underneath the salad, I found a pair of corn tortillas soaked in the delicious guajillo sauce. The only real fault with the dish was the chicken, which was slightly dry and slightly tough. When the plate arrived so quickly, my first thought was "How did they have time to grill the chicken?" They didn't; it was pre-cooked. And for this, it suffered. Some of the tomatoes were also under-ripe and had hard, flavorless white centers. Every other aspect of the salad was perfect. Eclectic Cafe's menu is huge and many of their items are unique, at least in my experience. The fast service got me back to work with 20 minutes to spare in my lunch hour and while this would usually be a benefit, I would have waited that extra 20 minutes if it had meant better chicken. Still, I would be happy to return to Eclectic and sample more of their local delights.
(3)Andrew A.
Went to EC for dinner a couple weeks ago. I had an enchilada salad and my gf had a Carne Asada chimichanga. The menu here was huge and there were many options. I didn't like my salad, it was under dressed and kinda tasted like one big bland mess. I wasn't very hungry so maybe that had something to with it. The strange thing was that when the server came back to see I hadn't eaten but two bites of my enormous salad, and didn't want to take it home .....he didn't seem concerned why someone would order an 11 dollar salad and only have a couple bites. The reason I still gave this place 3 stars is that the chimichanga was absolutely phenomenal!!!! I mean it was one of the best either of us had ever tasted . We took half of it home, reheated it in the oven a couple days later and it was still better than most chimis in any other restaurant!!!! One other problem w EC is that it's located right next door to Rene's Organic Oven. If I'm goin all the way out to east Tanque Verde.....I'm gonna hit Renees every time. But we will definitely be back to Eclectic for another Chimichanga ! Upon revisiting this establishment, I must report that my change in order form a salad to their turkey melt made all the difference in the world! My gf had the shredded beef chimi again and it was just as delicious as the first time she ordered it. My turkey sandwich was nice and juicy with a good amount of REAL turkey on it. I also tried the tortilla soup which was pretty darn good too. We will return !
(3)M S.
It is hard for me to eat out because I have so many dietary restrictions, but there were so many options here. I got the grilled vegetables with pasta, chicken, and Parmesan. It was so delicious, and healthy too! They did not skimp on the vegetables at all, there were so many, and there was a lot of chicken too. The chicken had a good flavor-usually I am very picky about how chicken tastes, but theirs was so yummy! I would definitely go here again and recommend it to anyone. It's a plus that it's local.
(5)Michelle M.
We're just passing through, but this place is worth putting in my Yelp cue for future reference. The mango chutney chicken salad was delicious. I loved all the gluten free options and fresh food. Somehow my baby did well, too, which speaks for the gentle, friendly ambiance.
(4)Cat C.
I love this place. I was surprised it had 3.5 stars. When I fly out to California I always make it a point to come here. ALWAYS. -tortilla soup is a must and amazing!! 10 stars -Marc's chicken chorizo pasta. 10 stars I would try other stuff but I just love it too much. Other things over tried -McGina Mac n cheese 4 stars
(5)Marlo M.
Don't believe the 4 plus stars on Google or 3 Plus stars here. This place is like a slight upgrade from Denny's or a chain, maybe more a place seniors would think was good. I'm from Seattle and perhaps we have better food. We got the nachos, asked for less cheese since others plates we saw were drenched with cheese. They came half cold still with too much cheese and the only toppings were refried beans and one olive. Like a bad Mexican chain. The veggie chopped salad was good. The beer selection was good but there was no gluten free beer or cider and the wine was limited and not good. Also our server couldn't answer most of out questions about the food and had to ask and come back even though they were basic questions. If you like Denny's or Applebee's this is your place. Otherwise find somewhere else. Trust me
(2)Laurie C.
We stopped by Eclectic for lunch and were very impressed with everything; the spotless patio, the warm greeting, excellent service from the bus person, and the terrific food. Best tortilla soup I've had in Tucson. The menu is huge with many choices available for those who are following a restricted diet of any type. Our server went outside to chat with a friend on the patio so another server brought our check. The bus person hurried to get the door for us and say goodbye - so impressive!
(4)Kelly L.
love this local fav! The chilequilas are a great side dish to any of their tasty choices. And boy do they have a lot to choose from! The zucchini bread french toast is really good. The side of fruit was a little disappointing but the french toast was so great I didn't need the side. Their breakfast burros are large and full of stuff. Every dish is really filling without being completely overwhelming which I enjoy. Great location - especially to hit after a nice hike up Sabino Canyon!
(4)Francie R.
My husband and I love this place a probably eat there at least every other week. Their menu is large and varied and their food is always well done and plentiful. The Carne Asade Taco's are a family favorite, as well as the two sauce burrito, which has a wonderful, tangy tomatillo sauce. I can honestly say that have never had a bad meal here. They also take reservations, which is a huge plus as far as my husband is concerned, as he hates waiting in line for anything.
(5)E Z.
Awesome quality freah food and friendly staff. Best ambiance with great aerwowrk. The zucchini bread at the register is worth the money. Remember to tip with pick up orders. The hostress gathers, boxes and bags everything.
(5)Robert R.
Had lunch here Tuesday. The outdoor patio was pleasant and heated. Service was prompt and courteous. The sandwiches were good but we thought the french fries were just average and came out lukewarm. No one ever offered to refill our waters. Not a bad experience but given the somewhat above average prices nothing to make me come back anytime soon.
(3)A P.
Oooh... yum yum yum! These guys are a lot better than their sister place. The food is good, although the portions are small. The prices are good. Their outdoor patio/ seating area is small but just oh-so-lovely and so enjoyable even when you are facing car grills with dead bugs stuck to them... The service is pretty good (but sometimes they aren't always super friendly). I love the laid back atmosphere and love all the cute/ amazing dogs that people bring with them to this restaurant-- honestly, that just adds so much fun to the experience. And of course, the view of the Catalinas while dining. What could be better?
(5)C S.
Eclectic Cafe is one of our favorite places for breakfast on Sunday. Swift, friendly service & the food is quality & consistent. The coffee is very good w/raw sugar packets & your own little SS cream pitcher.
(4)Alexis B.
Everything is good here. Tortilla soup from here is my favorite soup of all time! Bright some people from out of town and all they could say was wow!
(5)Jill S.
Weird menu doesn't make sense. It's like strange modem food and Mexican food. The restaurant looks very cheap from the inside. Food is cheap I would never go back.
(2)Odessa K.
Stopped in for a quick bite, and ordered the tortilla soup. It came out super fast and was delicious - with nice big slices of avocado. Great friendly service to!
(5)Saba B.
Eclectic Cafe resembles a mom-and-pop diner transported into a Foothills strip mall, but upon closer inspection, the menu is surprisingly varied (chicken enchilada salad - wth?) and supported with farm-fresh and organic ingredients. Jason, the owner, told us that EC has been around for 37 years, but it's anything but tired and dated. My turkey-havarti sandwich, thankfully served with a little Russian dipping sauce, was delicious and hearty. At $9 with only a pickle sliver side, it had better be. My partner couldn't finish her enchilada salad, but sang its praises. Judging by the quick turnover at lunch, EC has many fans and regulars. The service lagged at the end, but our waitress was quick to make solid recommendations and help us make sense of the menu selections. Wallet permitting, EC is a worthy weekend lunch spot.
(4)Brian M.
Chorizo burrito is absolutely amazing! It's a quiet place, great patio and we love to go as often as possible!
(5)Cody V.
First time at this place. Wanted breakfast but their selection was pretty slim. So I ordered a cup of Tortilla Soup. Two tortilla chips does not make tortilla soup. While the flavor was great there was to much veggies for my taste. It was however, teaming with avocado. The highlife of my meal was the rolled tacos! DELICIOUS! I could have eaten a dozen. The four that come on the plate were perfect! I'll be back.
(4)Mildred Kitty R.
Only been there for lunch on several occasions. Food is actually very good. Great flavor and the portions are really large. I like the diner look, it makes me feel comfortable. Drinks were offered and served right away, always someone to refill promptly ( on other visits had to look for waiter and ask for refill) Server came quickly and asked for our order. She was nice enough but no extra good day, how are you and seemed a little impatient when my husband took a minute to order his entree. She was serving a lot of tables so I am sure she was very busy. Other than that it was very nice. Will return often. The food is very good Have not ordered anything I haven't liked yet!! Ps. Booths are very comfortable but need cleaning in between customers.
(4)Gary K.
Dog friendly patio with lots of shade and extra spare water dishes for dogs. Slightly overpriced. Chicken crepes with spinach mushroom cheesy cream sauce are very good, but wish you had the option to order 2 crepes for lunch instead of the 3 crepe portion. Adding a salad makes the lunch/dinner expensive. Breakfast choices are good and different. The nova lox plate is good for two large open face bagel sandwiches (generous portion of nova lox, sliced red onion & tomato, mound of cream cheese, but wish they also included sliced cucumbers), BUT Eclectic Cafe has the WORST BAGELS we have ever eaten; mushy, tasteless, cheap store bought crappy bagels (best to stop across the street at Bruegger's Bagel Shop and pick up some fresh "real" bagels). We find the servers are either unfriendly (no personality, especially some of the male waiters) and tend to disappear (several times we got tired of waiting to get our check to leave). But the bussers are always hardworking, hustling, very attentive and friendly... too bad they do not earn the main tip or become our servers. If it wasn't for the busboys we have had, the overall service would have to be rated fair to poor.
(3)Mirian P.
Best salads ever! :-) love the chorizo con huevos and the Monte Cristo breakfast sandwich. Mango or prickly pear iced teas are yummy too. Great staff.
(5)Sylvia M.
Tucson Gem!!! My fiance had never been before but he loved the atmosphere and the service. He had a burger and said it wasn't the best thing he had ever had but the other things far made up for it. I had the chorizo and eggs. YUM!! not too greasy, just perfect. This place makes me wish i lived on the east side.
(5)Melinda C.
Oh my! I tried something new and I might not get the quiche again! I know, gasp... I tried a carne asada chimi, enchilada style. The sauce is incredible! IMO, much better than the salsa. I didn't leave a drop of it. So, if you're in the mood to try something different next time you're at Eclectic Cafe, and you haven't had anything with their enchilada sauce, try it! You won't be disappointed!
(4)Richa S.
I have to be fair and update this place.. this seems the 2nd time I've had a better experience the 2nd time round at a restaurant.... I went with my friends family (same friend from previous post) because once again Renee's Organic Oven was too packed to squeeze me in for my 1 to 1.5 hour lunch... I ordered the iced tea which was tasty. My friend got the arnold palmer and 2nd round switched to the tea saying there was very little lemonade. The waitress was a little stiff friendly. almost a bit too fake covering her stress and was the same waitress as last time. It was a bit weird and I swear that 99% of the time I'm not too critical of a waitresses demeanor unless its rude (that's the embracing-love-everyone hippie child in me) Momma G ordered this pasta salad and said it was good but this chorizo pasta salad she had before was better although she enjoyed the zucchini for a summer crispy freshness. My friend ordered the Bandero (Banderito? Bandito?) chicken enchiladas and loved them. She said she usually orders the green sauce ones but enjoyed these with 3 different sauces- white, red, green. one different type on each enchilada. served iwth rice and beans I ordered the enchiladas as well but with cheese. They were excellent. First time I ordered mexican without asking for jalapenos on the side. The rice was perfectly cooked and salted well. The beans were tasty too although I was immersed in good conversation and filled up too fast to dig into more of them for feedback. I'll be going back again... still wont order the calabacitas as the first time but i'll give all the other dishes a shot too!
(4)Onofre S.
Every Friday the Eclectic Cafe has Clam Chowdah!!! Everything is fresh and the salads and especially the House Ranch Dressing are OUTSTANDING!!! They should bottle the Ranch Salad Dressing. Everyone is friendly and they remember you and are like going "home" everytime we are there! FUN and DELICIOUS!
(5)Joie H.
So the food here is amazing but the staff are kinda... Odd. Not overly friendly at all. Came to table and said "are you ready to order". Just very cold for a Saturday morning breakfast.
(3)Diana L.
Great place for breakfast. Try the zucchini French toast. You don't need any syrup on thus one! De-lish!!
(5)Kay L.
The best part about our visit was the backserver/busser who greeted us and promptly took our drink order. It took our actual server 10 minutes to greet us (and by greet, he literally mumbled a hello). Aside from that, after pondering numerous options on their extensive menu, we both made horrible decisions. I had a salad, and my boyfriend had a sandwich. Both were the blandest and stalest dishes we've ever had. My salad came with an avocado half still in its shell, and it was barely ripe. I asked for dressing to liven it up, needless to say it never came. It was a sad experience, considering how long we had been wanting to try Eclectic Cafe. We'll never go back.
(2)Adrienne A.
I love this place! We have been going there for years and it is consistently excellent. This time of the year it is delightful to sit outside. My only problem is trying to decide which of the many terrific entrees to order. The staff are always friendly, great service and never a disappointment. Today I ordered the calabacitas for the first time and it will be my new favorite. If I could change one thing it would be to have a second option for hotter salsa. They offer a hotter sauce at additional cost and I am not crazy about it, would love to have another (included) choice to spice up my Mexican food. Give it a try, you won't be sorry!
(4)Mike S.
One word: Bland. Actually two words: Extremely bland. On a positive note, the food seems healthy. Not overly salty, or oily. But zero flavor. Blah! They tend to serve an older crowd, which explains the lack of flavor. Older people tend to not like any real spices.
(2)Mike B.
On Feb 19th 2014 I had lunch here. Very disappointing. I emailed them to let them know. The email bounced. I contacted them using the web form. As of Feb 26th I have not heard from them. Here is the email I sent them: ~~~~~ Greetings, This past Wednesday I stopped in for a bit to eat. Remembering from previous visits your salads were quite filling I decided to order the 1/2 portion of your Spinach And Artichoke Chicken Salad. What a disappointment. "1/2 portion"? I don't think so. It was more like 1/3. And, the amount of artichoke and chicken in the salad looked like nothing more than and after thought. Are you operating under new management? Do you have a new cook? Are you experiencing ingredient shortages? As I said - very disappointing. -Mike BTW - the contact email address on your web site: " info@eclecticcafe.com " bounces. ~~~~
(2)Shelley S.
Food was different but really good! I had Marc's chicken and Chorizo Pasta..it was delicious with artichoke hearts and plenty of chicken. Husband had a Albacore melt and sweet potato fries that was equally as good. Service was fast and friendly!
(4)Julie K.
Love the food here!!! I always try to eat at Eclectic when I'm on the east side!
(4)Chelsea L.
I'm the kind if girl who likes to start lunch with dessert. So that's what we did. Bread pudding was amazing followed but soup and salad. The poppyseed dressing is great. We sat on the patio after CrossFit across the street. And yes I did workout and then go right for the dessert.
(5)Carol L.
This is our go-to place for comfort food. We both always order the chicken-and-rice soup, which is just like "mama used to make," and my husband is partial to the chicken quesadillas. The menu doesn't change, but it's big enough to suit a variety of moods and preferences.The artwork and photography on the walls do change periodically -- and that's fun.
(4)Ben S.
They were very accommodating to our large party. The food tasted very good. The service was friendly. I wish not everything had cheese and sour cream.
(4)Katie P.
I have dined at Eclectic four times and every time it is pleasantly surprising! The dining atmosphere is... well... eclectic. It reminds me of a Coco's, which would normally not be appealing, but the ever-changing art is always quite good and provides excellent dinner conversation. I have always chosen one of the daily specials, which tend to be new fresh twists on classic dishes. Everything I've eaten seems healthy and fresh! The desserts are also quite tasty. The service is always friendly and attentive. Would I drive out of my way to go? Probably not. But if you're in the neighborhood (or just been out for a hike in the area) it's an excellent lunch/dinner spot!
(4)Kinga H.
eclectic [e-klek-tik] Definition of ECLECTIC adjective 1 : selecting what appears to be best in various doctrines, methods, or styles 2 : composed of elements drawn from various sources --------....courtesty of merriam-webster dictionary....-------- The atmosphere reminds me of cramped little diner. There is a cute shaded patio outside, too bad it's Tucson and the heat makes you run for the much less aesthetically pleasing indoors with the A/C. Major kudos for being so vegetarian-friendly! Love. Eclectic in the sense that the menu offers items inspired by Mexican cuisine and some by traditional and modern American cuisine. Recommendations: (lunch/dinner) -Mexican Tortilla Soup (chicken based broth, no meat chunks in the soup, yay). A light yet filling option. -Hacienda Salad with Cilantro Chicken or the Francisco's Enchilada Salad (de Michoacán). Both varieties offering a fresh twist on a traditional "taco salad" -Vegetarian Torta with grilled eggplant, red bell pepper, artichoke heart, onion, tomato, melt- ed havarti and Parmesan cheese on a wheat roll. -Carne Asada Tacos. Yummy. -Open-faced Chicken or Carne Seca Enchiladas. A 'heavy' meal option but so worth it! Great flavors and taste. (brunch) -whole wheat pancakes with any of the offered toppings are a never wrong choice.
(4)Christian M.
Our favorite family restaurant in Tucson. The salsa is REAL, the service is great, the mustard is HOT--no, really, do not try it if you are not right with your Creator. AMBIENCE: 3 stars. Strip mall (hey, this IS Tucson). The booths and chairs are comfy, and there is outdoor seating with misters to keep you cool. SERVICE: 4 stars. We always seem to get very attentive servers and host staff. FOOD: 4 stars. Everybody in the family is happy. From the bean burrito to the grilled cheese, to the Leo's Favorite burrito (my favorite) and their awesome salads--the food is crafted well. The salsa is very good (as is the guacamole), but if you are brave then you MUST try the hot mustard--it will definitely clear your sinuses out! Their soups are great as well--especially the Tortilla Soup with Chicken and Avocado. ALCOHOL: beer and wine available. FAMILY: 5 stars. Great for kids, and food is served quickly. OVERALL: 4 stars. We eat here 3-4x/month.
(4)Sunny B.
We had a late lunch/early dinner here around 4pm yesterday. By the time we left at 5, the restaurant was completely full! For a Tuesday night! I guess that says something about the fun, eclectic menu and quality of food. I was starving and ordered the Hacienda Cilantro Chicken salad. It was a warm salad, which I wasn't so sure about, but I ended up eating the whole thing. It was amazing. My mom had the quiche of the day with a spinach salad. Decent prices and big portions.
(5)Wendy A.
Man, it's been a long time since I've written a review! Haven't gone out much lately and when I do there hasn't been anything worth writing about. However, a friend and I did a nice long walk/jog and decided to do lunch she mentioned the Eclectic Cafe and since I'd never been thought heck yeah I want to try somewhere I've never been! From the moment we walked in you just knew it was a warm and friendly place. Every one of the staff were so friendly and helpful. All the food sounded so good! My friend swore by the chicken tortilla soup she said its the best with a half sandwich. I was brave tried the vegetable torta and sweet potato fries. I was NOT sorry. The fries were the bedtime ever had! So good my friend ordered some for herself. The torta was also excellent tasted so fresh and delicious. Made me wonder if they made the bread themselves? But, again the staff were the bomb! Wish I could remember names better! I will be back again and again....
(5)David A.
You can never go wrong here. There's a reason it's been open for four decades. It's delicious. The food is above average and the owner, Mark is such a nice guy. Also, they offer decaf iced teach which is delicious. My family has been going here for the past decade and will always be loyal customers. Keep it up yall!
(4)Trish W.
I just had the Eclectic Cafe cater my wedding this past weekend (09/08/12) at my home. I will try and tell you how incredibly wonderful the experience was having them there to take care of the reception. Tammy (Eclectic Cafe employee) showed up while we were at the church getting married, and when we returned, the hors duevors were set up, food, wine, champagne, glasses, etc.; Tammy even went around and lit all my candles for me, inside and out, so when we returned, it was a beautiful glow in the house and on the patio. As guests were arriving, she immediately started asking what would they like to drink. I didn't have to do a thing! All throughout the night, Tammy served, cleaned, packed away the extra food, and by the time she was ready to leave, everything was cleaned up and all we had to do was enjoy the rest of the night to dance, enjoy our guests, and have fun. Tammy and the Eclectic Cafe, I hope you read this because I cannot thank you enough for making my special day better then I could have imagined. I wish that I could give you more then a 5 star rating!
(5)Joel P.
Love the breakfast! It's a bummer they only serve it on weekends. Maybe it isn't so bad considering I'd be broke. I wish they brought the price down a little considering the portion size. They used to be a little bit bigger. But it still doesn't stop me from the amazing Eggs and Chorizo plate! The managers are awesome people and the staff is always nice and friendly. Great local spot that is a must-have. Great coffee also and it's nice to sit outside when it isn't too hot in this Tucson desert.
(4)Karen B.
Had a great lunch with a friend here last week. She ordered a spinach salad and tortilla soup and I got the cobb salad with the house roasted turkey and blue cheese dressing. The service was fantastic, prices reasonable and the food was delicious! I have to eat gluten-free and have trouble eating out without feeling awful afterward, even in gluten free restaurants. After my salad here, I felt better than when I walked in and didn't have any issues at all afterward. This is going to be my go-to lunch place from now on!
(5)Mike M.
We heard about the Chowder. We were disappointed. There weren't many clams, like 1, and there were a bunch of carrots. Also, it had a spicy peppery taste to it. We had the burger. Man that was good. Try it, you will like it. On a side note, the staff saw we didn't like the soup and said since we didn't like it, we didn't have to pay for it. I figured we didn't like it, that was on us and I was paying, no big deal. I appreciate that the staff, including the manager, tried to make it right. We will be going back. I hope this helps.
(3)Cameron R.
We should have known when we were greeted at the door by the manager stating that they close at eight o'clock (it was 7:31 p.m.). No hello. No welcome to the Eclectic Cafe. Just an unwelcoming glare and the time check. Our server was nice enough but inattentive. No drink should go unfilled for more tHan five minutes. The food was passable, certainly not what we've come to Expect over the years from them. The chicken torta came on a pumpernickel roll, very odd choice for a Mexican sandwich. I had to wait five minutes for mustard for my sandwich and one package of crackers for my soup. The couple dining next to us were the recipients of the hovering manager's shooting glances and pressuring them (and us) to finish faster. The whole experience left us with a bad taste for a return visit. What an awful way to treat your customers!
(1)Adam F.
Nice place to have a light meal for dinner. Strawberry chicken salad was very good. Attentive service. Seems to be a solid "go to" kind of place.
(4)Jes W.
Usually excellent. Mediocre tonight. And poor service. Tough tasteless carne asada on store bought tasting tortillas. Usually their carne asada tacos are wonderful. Hope this was just a blip.
(4)Joseph L.
If I am going to spending $30 per person.....I will spend it at Vero Amore... Banana cream with chocolate chips dessert was a let down... textures and temperatures between these three ingredients was a mess..yes I said it... it was a MESS. Cream wasn't chilled enough, banana was too cold, chocolate chips hard as rock... use chocolate grater please... Don't be lazy and makes the dessert looks cheesy...
(2)Elyse P.
Meh. I'll give it one more go, but first experience was nothing to write home about. Got the taco salad. Totally average. I ordered the vegetarian version but the plate I got had chicken. I'm not a vegetarian, so it was fine, and I got the chicken for free, so that was fine too. The saving grace? The banana chocolate chip frozen pie.
(2)MH W.
Try the key lime tart! Most amazing texture and flavor!
(5)John H.
I have never ate anything here that was not delicious. Though they are always busy, good service is always there.
(5)Amanda D.
I've been to the Eclectic Cafe many times and enjoyed it tremendously (especially their breakfast). Recently stopped by the Eclectic on a Sunday and their breakfast crowd was huge! With all that being said, this particular review is about an event I attended last night, which was catered by the Eclectic Cafe. Word in the room was that the meatballs with this heck-to-the-yeah white sauce was off the hook good. Someone was wise enough to spread the word that the sauce on the meatballs was so good that it should be eaten with bread. I took that advice very seriously and did not waste that magical sauce that the yummy meatballs were marinated in. What other yummy treats did the Eclectic bring to the party? The biggest layer bean dip platter I've EVER seen. Holy deliciousness! Guacamole that is Tucson's finest. Big, huge, major fan of their guac! Also, their salsa can't be beat! If the Eclectic was closer to my house, I would be a frequent flyer for pints of their salsa. So if you didn't know that the Eclectic catered events... now you do!
(5)Ambrosia R.
Two words put this place high on my list for a hangover brunch: Amazing coffee. Two other words put this place high on my list for a meal anytime: Fantastic food. I came here with my husband for lunch after a late Saturday night had left us both feeling a little ragged. (Point of note - Yelp currently lists them as being closed on Sunday, but their sign said they were open until 8.) Despite being packed to the gills, they got us a table and some coffee within ten minutes of our arrival. And to their credit, the coffee was great - far better than your usual Yuban-esque restaurant fare. Usually I strongly dislike the overcharge-for-beverages-to-subsidize-meals model that seems so popular, but this stuff was almost worth paying $2.50 a cup for. The menu was almost enough to send me into shock in my compromised state - all sorts of options, all of them delicious-sounding. Eventually I settled on the strawberry chicken salad (hurrah for restaurants that offer half-portions) and a cup of tortilla soup, while my husband ordered the Carne Asada tacos. If there's one thing that keeping me from giving then five stars (aside from my usual hesitancy to give an "excellent" rating based on first impressions), it was the speed of the service - the packed house meant things were a little slow. But to their credit, they kept our coffee cups full, and when the food arrived it proved to be well worth waiting for - amazingly fresh and beautifully presented and just plain delicious. And they even had Arizona Gunslinger hot sauce on the tables, a dash of which boosted the tortilla soup from "good" to "amazing". As I said, I'm hesitant to give five-star (or one-star) ratings on the basis of a single visit - I've had too many disappointing (or more impressive) follow-ups in the past. But they'll certainly be getting my business again, and I have high hopes.
(4)Nessa P.
After reading reviews and wanting to go somewhere different, the husband and I made the trip. For lunch time on a Saturday the wait time wasn't bad, about 15 minutes. First, the menu doesn't match the decor at all. I think an upgrade to the interior would make the Cafe more appealing. But there are a ton of regulars who seem not to mind. I had a chicken torta and the husband had a ruben. Both were pretty good and filling. My main criticism is the waiter. We got our food super fast, but when we were done, we sat for about 10 minutes before we had to flag down someone else for our check. I really felt like we could have left without paying and no one would have noticed. I WOULD NEVER DO THAT! I don't expect to be waited on hand and foot, but if we have empty glasses, offer a refill. If decor doesn't bother you, the food is great. The waiter may have been having an off day. We may eat there again, but take it to go.
(3)Pam W.
Try the garden burger! I'm not a vegetarian but it was SO tasty and the right fit for the lighter lunch that I desired.
(4)Richard S.
I love the strawberry chicken salad and there ice tea is excellent. My wife and I are here quite regularly and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere while we recover from a busy day.
(5)Lee P.
Great for weekend mornings after a hike. I love the egg dishes and the Mexican dishes, but everything I've had there has been great.
(4)Chelsea P.
I love Eclectic Cafe! I almost always order the Chicken Strawberry Salad... which is what I had today! It is a perfect mix of strawberries, chicken, blue cheese and a beautiful dressing. It's hard to order anything else! The service was good today, and the mango iced tea was delicious! I always leave full, but not stuffed, and very satisfied. Yum!
(4)Christy K.
We ate here because I got an awesome groupon offer. I was surprised at how full and popular this place was; on a Wednesday evening, we had quite a wait for a table. Service was superb and the menu options were quite tasty. I was very thrilled with my choice, which was a stir-fry veggie dish, and my partner got a veggie burger with fries. It was pretty tasty, and we enjoyed a nice dessert as part of our groupon deal.
(4)marv k.
After experiencing a bad dinner and discussing it with the manager I feel I must change my rating of the Eclectic. We have been coming here for over 10 years but will not return. After having a very poor dining experience and all the manager would do is say well the next time you come in I'll by you desert my confidence in them is gone. He had the opportunity to make it right at the time but did nothing. The salmon was over cooked and my wine glass dirty from previous use. Sorry Eclectic too many other places that want to please and understand the value of a customer.
(2)Bill F.
We lived in Tucson more than 15 years ago and liked the Eclectic Cafe back then. After a recent visit, however, I can say that the place has changed so much that it not only isn't what we remember, it has become a place to avoid. It was busy on a Saturday afternoon, the lunch crowd was primarily older folks and some families. My wife ordered a salad with berries and I ordered a half sandwich and a cup of soup. When the cup of soup arrived, I was shocked at how small it was. My wife told me that the cup size was like the little tea cups she would use as a five year old girl in "tea parties." In two minutes, what was probably four spoonfuls of soup was consumed. My half-sandwich was equally small. It was corned beef but they "forgot" to put the mustard on it, so I had to open and apply myself. When I did that, I noticed how gross and fatty the beef was. I had to pick out the fat. Do you know how a good corned beef sandwich is about an inch or more thick with meat? Well, this one was simply one slice of corned beef. In other words, two or three bites. What a terrible, terrible value. The salad was tiny, served on a side-salad sized plate. Overly sweet dressing that tasted like High-fructose corn syrup. The berries were tasty, but the value for the salad was terrible as well. Of course, we tried telling them about these issues, but they had a "who cares" attitude. I thought it was funny when I was checking out that I was asked "How was everything?" and I told her "Terribly marginal" and she said "Happy you enjoyed it" and smiled as she handed me my change.
(2)Brian R.
Our second time here and probably last. A very mediocre experience and with other quality restaurants nearby it fell far short of expectations. I had the carne asada Burro, which was a middling portion size. The beef was tasty but a minimal amount. The Mexican Salad was just lettuce with salsa. Very overpriced for the portion size. My wife had the raw chopped salad. The portion size was middling too. Several key ingredients were missing too. Oddly the veggies were cut into infant size pieces (WTF?). Overall a C. Don't bother.
(2)Beth B.
I visit the Eclectic Cafe quite often when I am in Tucson for business. I am a vegetarian, and and they have an amazing array of vegetarian-friendly entrees, soups, and salads. I've enjoyed their warm salads, garden burger (served with a large side salad), raspberry iced tea (caffeine-free, which is fantastic), chocolate cake (rich and full of chocolate chips), and quesadillas. They also have plenty of healthy options for meat-eaters. Be sure to ask for a "Tucson Originals" card when you dine at Eclectic Cafe. You can earn points at this and many other independently-owned Tucson restaurants.
(5)Laura M.
This was a cute place with an old-timey feel. You can definitely tell it's been around the 30+ years they say, with a large portion of its customers appearing to have been loyal customers since the beginning. I ordered the harvest winter salad. It was okay...actually pretty darn small for a salad, especially compared to a place like Choice Greens. However the chicken was moist and delicious. I was dissapointed that the all-white chicken meat wasn't featured in more of the salads...there were a lot more that had chicken salad instead (which doesn't spell healthy to me). Unsweetened Mango iced tea was a must...probably will hit this place again since it's convenient but won't go out of my way to go here. Check out restaurant.com for gift certificates to this place at a good price if you want to check it out for yourself.
(3)Raul S.
2 stars even though the food was really good. Vegetarians would love it. However, first impressions are everything, and service was iffy on day we went (middle of week). Put name down and saw that we were first on the list as we waited for a table. Restaurant is small (kinda like a diner), and so we stepped off to the side to allow people to enter. The hostess forgets about us, then seats others who come in ahead of us. We stood around for a while even though there were empty booths. I would think about giving it one more shot based on the tastiness of the food. But two strikes on service and they are out. Parking was plentiful in shopping center. Food: Cannot complain about the service. Service: If I don't get good service at a restaurant, what's the point of going there? Ambience: Looks like a Jerry Bob's, but with a vegetarian menu.
(2)Chelle F.
Two words: breakfast burros. The flour tortillas are soft, the eggs are perfect (not runny, not rubbery, not gritty, not questionable in the least, just fluffy and delicious), they're HUGE, the cheese is creamy and melty... I could go on for days. Get 'em enchilada style, both the red sauce and green sauce are rich and savory. They come with a big pile chilaquiles, which are made from kick-ass corn tortillas in a very well spiced red sauce. And, of course, the thing that makes the whole package so amazing: fresh, quality ingredients. There's really no way to make such amazing food without them. The only tragedy is that they only do breakfast on weekend mornings. As for the rest of the food, it's still super-good. I've eaten there quite a few times now and I've never been disappointed by anything. I've eaten/been with people who got: Chicken Salad Sandwich, Chicken & Rice soup, that enchilada salad thing, the Winter Chicken salad, and the double Havarti burger.
(5)Joyce C.
Friendly and warm with a, yes, "eclectic" menu. I was eating light, so I ordered the tomato stuffed with tuna salad. A little pricey, maybe, for a small scoop in a small tomato surrounded by a few carrot and celery sticks. But it happened to be exactly what I wanted. Even the tomato was tasty (not always the case). The place was full by the time we left on a Thursday evening, but the service was warm and attentive. It's going to be too hot to sit outside for a little while, but we definitely will be back and try breakfast al fresco some weekend morning. A good, solid choice.
(3)Robert M.
Ok place. Doubt I would come back. Almost a 3 star. Service nice. Way too pricy for the quality. Had a chicken burro with all the chicken lumped on one side. Drenched with weird sauce.
(2)Alan P.
Please yelpers don't let anyone eat at Eclectic Cafe when Jack In The Box is in the same parking lot for the strip mall. The fish flautas were ok but everything else on the plate was COVERED in a weird TOO SWEET poppy seed dressing. It looked like a liquid plastic with black specks. The one star isd overly generous for the food;the service was very good.
(1)Bert K.
The Eclectic Cafe at Sabino Canyon Rd & Tanque Verde is a small treasure on Tucson's eastside. My favorites include the soups--gazpacho, Mexican tortilla or on Fridays clam chowder--the Ruben sandwich and strawberry salad. For dessert try the bread pudding. Open for brunch Saturday & Sunday, I can recommend without reservation the Monte Cristo, chorizo burro with tomatillo sauce and the huevos rancheros. The service is outstanding and the atmosphere friendly. Indoor or outdoor dinning is available. Waits are sometimes required but well worth it.
(5)Michael S.
Great Service---ice tea was continuously refilled! What other restaurant adds the mint to the tea? Gotta love it! Had club sandwich--Wife had Joey's Southwest Pasta-- both were excellent!
(4)Jenn D.
I frequent often since I work next door, May I recommend the vegetarian Burrito, or the delicious tortilla soup!!! Thumbs up on the staff, they are very tenitive! Great ambiance.
(4)Charmaine T.
Having just moved into the neighborhood, we haven't been doing much home cooking as we try to pull the new place together. This of course is the perfect time to get out and try some new places, so we ventured into Eclectic Cafe one evening to grab some dinner to go. The service was friendly and fast and we ordered a mix of tacos, burritos and salads for our crew and it was all pretty darn delicious. No complaints. We will definitely be making future visits!
(4)Greg S.
We found this place by accident one day, many years ago. Now, when my wife and I are here (we come to Tucson 3x ea year), The Eclectic Cafe is a traditional "must". We drive all the way across town from Tucson National to experience this place. We've never had anything that wasn't fantastic and their prices are fantastic for what we get. Definitely 5 yums up!
(5)Brian H.
This place has been here FOREVER. A typically low-key, health-bent Tucson establishment with reasonable prices that doesn't skimp on quality or quantity.
(4)Gabrielle B.
The interior was drab. The food was bland. My friend's glass came with lipstick on the rim. "Eclectic Cafe" suggests a hip and delicious location, but most of the patrons were elderly. The prices were very high compared to the appearance and taste of the food. The employees were good but I won't be returning.
(1)Deborah M.
Eclectic Cafe is a terrific place to go for lunch or dinner or during the weekend for lunch. Their food is always fresh and good. Convenient if you're on the east side of town.
(4)Amanda B.
Maybe I have just been lucky compared to the other reviewers, but I have eaten here three times and all the times have had a good experience. The most recent visit was a few weeks ago. Our waitress was really great. Our drinks were always full, without ever once having to ask. I had the veggie torta and it was so good. In addition I somewhat customized my order and she got it exactly right, so I was really happy. My sister had one of the hamburgers and was only able to eat half of it. (only because she was full from chips and salsa). My husband cleaned his plate and said it was really good. I will definitely go back.
(4)Brittany H.
Damn good Mexican food finally! Wouldn't have thought I'd find it here but what do you know? Had the shredded beef chimichangas and chicken enchiladas, muy bueno! The beans were delicious and the meat was juicy. The portions were huge, the atmosphere is quaint and the service is very friendly. Can't wait to go back and try some of their other dishes because the menu is expansive.
(4)Pattie T.
I have been to this place a couple of times now and I cannot say I will ever come back. The service by this one waitress (which I had both times) was not inefficient but very unpleasant. On both occasions she seemed irritated to serve us which did not make for a positive dining experience. In fact, I could not wait to get out of there. To me, it is never a good sign when you look at the door waiting for your check to come so you can run as fast as you can out of there. My food on the first visit was good but not great but my friend had a turkey sandwich make from real roasted turkey. I wanted to try it as a reuben so we went back. I was not thrilled. It was very small for a $9 sandwich and it came with no fries or side. It did not taste great or bad. It was just ok. I did not feel I got my moneys worth out of it for sure. If I want a reuben in the future I will go across the street and eat at Canyon's Crown Pub. Much better sandwich even with the deli turkey then Eclectics. On a positive note - their tea was good. The mac and cheese was awesome but still not worth coming back there to deal with the service.
(2)Roy B.
Wide variety of fare. Very tastey and worth the trip. Chicken gotta and mexican salad today.
(4)lisa b.
I, personally, love this place. Just happened upon it on the way to Sabino Canyon, and so glad we did. Coming from the east coast (NJ), I found it hard to find super fresh food plus a slightly unusual menu in Tucson. This place affords both. I had the quiche and salad special a couple of times and a very "eclectic salad" my third time here. All were fabulous. The sandwiches and salads (full order) are on the more expensive side, but it beats any fast food or diner experience around. So, well worth the extra few bucks. I would frequent this place if I lived close by.
(5)Terry T.
One of the Best huevos rancheras I have had in many a moon....Great eatery..Always has been.
(5)Marsha W.
This little place is always busy which should tell you something. The menu is eclectic as the name implies and I like the quiche best. Dessert is the reason I and friends go there, the flan is out of sight.. It has a good texture and comes looking like a picture on a plate. This is a comfy pleasant experience...
(4)Jennifer D.
Eclectic Cafe was voted one of Tucson's best restaurants in 1981. It is displayed all other their walls. Well, it is 2010 and things have changed. I pride myself in eating healthy most of the time and thought Eclectic Cafe would have delicious, organic healthy options. My main dish was a salad it was okay. Not worth a drive to the east side or maybe even the walk from the parking lot into the restaurant. I was shocked and very disappointed in the Banana-Chocolate Cream Pie. I love desserts, and wanted something that would not sit like a brick in my stomach. The Banana-Chocolate Cream Pie put two bricks in my stomach. Ouch! It was one of the worst desserts ever. First, Eclectic Cafe is using the word "chocolate" very loosely. In this case it meant 3 chocolate chips. Second, this was not a pie at all- there was no crust. Crust is what makes a pie. Third, "the pie" was made in a ceramic ramekin designed for creme brulee. The contents of the ramekin was pure super sweet cream that had been thickened with banana slices and two or three walnuts resting in thick cream. How is this possibly a healthy dessert option? Do you want your customers leaving with stomach aches? There are so many amazing ways to make healthy and delicious desserts. I think Eclectic Cafe is past their prime (1981) and falls very short in 2010. Please wake up Eclectic Cafe and become for progress in the kitchen.
(1)RuggSkins f.
We have visited the Eclectic Cafe twice and doubt we'll be back. The 1st time we went, I asked the waitress if the Corned Beef sandwich was piled high with corned beef (at $8.50 I hoped it was)... she said it was, so I ordered it. I was very disapointed to find a skimpy on the meat, blah, blah blah sandwich placed in front of me. Nothing to writed home to mom about that's for sure. We live on the east side, and the Eclectic is in our neighborhood so to speak so we decided to give it a second chance... this time ordering the Carne Asada Chimichangas. At $12.75 this better be good! Save your money... Go elsewhere!
(2)Kaylan B.
I went here for a weekday lunch. I ordered the mango tea which was delicious - light mango flavor, no artificial sweetener, it was great. And I asked for a to-go cup to take some back to work with me, and I was presented with a HUGE 32 oz cup! I ordered a half ham sandwich with tomato bisque soup (the soup of the day). The soup was tasty, and so was the sandwich. Nothing to write home about, but it was good. The mustard that comes with the sandwich, however, was not good at all. I was warned that it was "spicy", but it really wasn't - it was just horseradishy, and tasted nothing like mustard at all. Thank goodness it came on the side, and didn't ruin my sandwich. The service was great - never an empty glass, and it was very quick! Even though it's a sit down place, we were in and out within an hour. I want to give it 3.5 stars, but I can't quite award Eclectic Cafe 4 because of the gross mustard incident.
(3)Erin H.
I have eaten here on several occasions - it's a fave of my friend who lives there - and I have always had good, decent food. I love sitting outside here with their curtains - makes a parking lot setting pretty cozy - which is hard!
(3)M M.
You just can't go wrong here. Great food,casual dining and good beer and wine selection. We love it
(5)katie h.
The menu has a good variety of foods. The food is pretty good - I've had the vegetarian burrito - enchalada style and the crossant with fruit and yogurt. The burrito was huge, but the salad that came with it didn't come with dressing which I thought was weird. The crossant was warm and the fruit was fresh. I give this place only 3 stars though because the service is not very good. The bus people are friendly and helpful but the servers are not - they aren't rude, but they aren't very attentive.
(3)Clark M.
I was really underwhelmed when I ate here. The food is meager in quantity, and the service is nothing to boast about. The quality of the food is also pretty drab. The quiche tastes old and mucky, and the salad that comes along with it consists of two leaves of lettuce,a sprout, and a drop of mayonnaise on top. It seemed like the waitress we had wanted to argue with us, and the manager wasn't any friendlier. I decided that I would give the place another chance and visited it for a second time, only to find a cockroach the size of a Pinto scuttling across my table. I'm trying to give this place the benefit of the doubt, but it's really hard. All in all, this place wasn't a really great experience.
(1)Kerry F.
The servers are so friendly and the food is pretty gooood. They'll make it work to fit your diet. At least in my case.
(5)Surranna V.
I think they are trying to make good food. The chorizo was decent the rest was ok. The decor is awful. Just a wierd place, eclectic yes, but not in a good way.
(2)Miranda G.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Eclectic Cafe! The food is fantastic AND healthy, no one can't beat their prices for the quality of food they make, and the staff is absolutely lovable. They have great dishes ranging from vegan to gluten free to low carb to Mexican and they're all to die for. I have even used them for catering and take out multiple times. I just can't get enough of it!
(5)Susan C.
We visit every time we go to Tucson. Love the chicken fruit salad and the fries are the best Ive ever had. Never had a problem with the service even on weekends
(4)Mike E.
Cute little place on the corner, outdoor seating available but in Summer I would stick to early morning. They do a good breakfast special on Saturday, couple eggs, toast that sort of thing. Breakfast burrito was ok.
(3)J. Y.
A few people in Tucson raved about this place when we moved here, but the 3 or 4 times I've gone, it was lackluster each time. It's slightly over-priced for what you get, and the atmosphere is awful if there are more than a few parties present, as the dining area is tiny and every little noise and voice echoes.
(2)Gabrielle B.
The interior was drab. The food was bland. My friend's glass came with lipstick on the rim. "Eclectic Cafe" suggests a hip and delicious location, but most of the patrons were elderly. The prices were very high compared to the appearance and taste of the food. The employees were good but I won't be returning.
(1)Deborah M.
Eclectic Cafe is a terrific place to go for lunch or dinner or during the weekend for lunch. Their food is always fresh and good. Convenient if you're on the east side of town.
(4)Jenn D.
I frequent often since I work next door, May I recommend the vegetarian Burrito, or the delicious tortilla soup!!! Thumbs up on the staff, they are very tenitive! Great ambiance.
(4)Greg S.
We found this place by accident one day, many years ago. Now, when my wife and I are here (we come to Tucson 3x ea year), The Eclectic Cafe is a traditional "must". We drive all the way across town from Tucson National to experience this place. We've never had anything that wasn't fantastic and their prices are fantastic for what we get. Definitely 5 yums up!
(5)Charmaine T.
Having just moved into the neighborhood, we haven't been doing much home cooking as we try to pull the new place together. This of course is the perfect time to get out and try some new places, so we ventured into Eclectic Cafe one evening to grab some dinner to go. The service was friendly and fast and we ordered a mix of tacos, burritos and salads for our crew and it was all pretty darn delicious. No complaints. We will definitely be making future visits!
(4)Brian H.
This place has been here FOREVER. A typically low-key, health-bent Tucson establishment with reasonable prices that doesn't skimp on quality or quantity.
(4)Amanda B.
Maybe I have just been lucky compared to the other reviewers, but I have eaten here three times and all the times have had a good experience. The most recent visit was a few weeks ago. Our waitress was really great. Our drinks were always full, without ever once having to ask. I had the veggie torta and it was so good. In addition I somewhat customized my order and she got it exactly right, so I was really happy. My sister had one of the hamburgers and was only able to eat half of it. (only because she was full from chips and salsa). My husband cleaned his plate and said it was really good. I will definitely go back.
(4)Brittany H.
Damn good Mexican food finally! Wouldn't have thought I'd find it here but what do you know? Had the shredded beef chimichangas and chicken enchiladas, muy bueno! The beans were delicious and the meat was juicy. The portions were huge, the atmosphere is quaint and the service is very friendly. Can't wait to go back and try some of their other dishes because the menu is expansive.
(4)Pattie T.
I have been to this place a couple of times now and I cannot say I will ever come back. The service by this one waitress (which I had both times) was not inefficient but very unpleasant. On both occasions she seemed irritated to serve us which did not make for a positive dining experience. In fact, I could not wait to get out of there. To me, it is never a good sign when you look at the door waiting for your check to come so you can run as fast as you can out of there. My food on the first visit was good but not great but my friend had a turkey sandwich make from real roasted turkey. I wanted to try it as a reuben so we went back. I was not thrilled. It was very small for a $9 sandwich and it came with no fries or side. It did not taste great or bad. It was just ok. I did not feel I got my moneys worth out of it for sure. If I want a reuben in the future I will go across the street and eat at Canyon's Crown Pub. Much better sandwich even with the deli turkey then Eclectics. On a positive note - their tea was good. The mac and cheese was awesome but still not worth coming back there to deal with the service.
(2)Roy B.
Wide variety of fare. Very tastey and worth the trip. Chicken gotta and mexican salad today.
(4)lisa b.
I, personally, love this place. Just happened upon it on the way to Sabino Canyon, and so glad we did. Coming from the east coast (NJ), I found it hard to find super fresh food plus a slightly unusual menu in Tucson. This place affords both. I had the quiche and salad special a couple of times and a very "eclectic salad" my third time here. All were fabulous. The sandwiches and salads (full order) are on the more expensive side, but it beats any fast food or diner experience around. So, well worth the extra few bucks. I would frequent this place if I lived close by.
(5)Terry T.
One of the Best huevos rancheras I have had in many a moon....Great eatery..Always has been.
(5)Marsha W.
This little place is always busy which should tell you something. The menu is eclectic as the name implies and I like the quiche best. Dessert is the reason I and friends go there, the flan is out of sight.. It has a good texture and comes looking like a picture on a plate. This is a comfy pleasant experience...
(4)RuggSkins f.
We have visited the Eclectic Cafe twice and doubt we'll be back. The 1st time we went, I asked the waitress if the Corned Beef sandwich was piled high with corned beef (at $8.50 I hoped it was)... she said it was, so I ordered it. I was very disapointed to find a skimpy on the meat, blah, blah blah sandwich placed in front of me. Nothing to writed home to mom about that's for sure. We live on the east side, and the Eclectic is in our neighborhood so to speak so we decided to give it a second chance... this time ordering the Carne Asada Chimichangas. At $12.75 this better be good! Save your money... Go elsewhere!
(2)Jennifer D.
Eclectic Cafe was voted one of Tucson's best restaurants in 1981. It is displayed all other their walls. Well, it is 2010 and things have changed. I pride myself in eating healthy most of the time and thought Eclectic Cafe would have delicious, organic healthy options. My main dish was a salad it was okay. Not worth a drive to the east side or maybe even the walk from the parking lot into the restaurant. I was shocked and very disappointed in the Banana-Chocolate Cream Pie. I love desserts, and wanted something that would not sit like a brick in my stomach. The Banana-Chocolate Cream Pie put two bricks in my stomach. Ouch! It was one of the worst desserts ever. First, Eclectic Cafe is using the word "chocolate" very loosely. In this case it meant 3 chocolate chips. Second, this was not a pie at all- there was no crust. Crust is what makes a pie. Third, "the pie" was made in a ceramic ramekin designed for creme brulee. The contents of the ramekin was pure super sweet cream that had been thickened with banana slices and two or three walnuts resting in thick cream. How is this possibly a healthy dessert option? Do you want your customers leaving with stomach aches? There are so many amazing ways to make healthy and delicious desserts. I think Eclectic Cafe is past their prime (1981) and falls very short in 2010. Please wake up Eclectic Cafe and become for progress in the kitchen.
(1)Kaylan B.
I went here for a weekday lunch. I ordered the mango tea which was delicious - light mango flavor, no artificial sweetener, it was great. And I asked for a to-go cup to take some back to work with me, and I was presented with a HUGE 32 oz cup! I ordered a half ham sandwich with tomato bisque soup (the soup of the day). The soup was tasty, and so was the sandwich. Nothing to write home about, but it was good. The mustard that comes with the sandwich, however, was not good at all. I was warned that it was "spicy", but it really wasn't - it was just horseradishy, and tasted nothing like mustard at all. Thank goodness it came on the side, and didn't ruin my sandwich. The service was great - never an empty glass, and it was very quick! Even though it's a sit down place, we were in and out within an hour. I want to give it 3.5 stars, but I can't quite award Eclectic Cafe 4 because of the gross mustard incident.
(3)Erin H.
I have eaten here on several occasions - it's a fave of my friend who lives there - and I have always had good, decent food. I love sitting outside here with their curtains - makes a parking lot setting pretty cozy - which is hard!
(3)M M.
You just can't go wrong here. Great food,casual dining and good beer and wine selection. We love it
(5)katie h.
The menu has a good variety of foods. The food is pretty good - I've had the vegetarian burrito - enchalada style and the crossant with fruit and yogurt. The burrito was huge, but the salad that came with it didn't come with dressing which I thought was weird. The crossant was warm and the fruit was fresh. I give this place only 3 stars though because the service is not very good. The bus people are friendly and helpful but the servers are not - they aren't rude, but they aren't very attentive.
(3)Clark M.
I was really underwhelmed when I ate here. The food is meager in quantity, and the service is nothing to boast about. The quality of the food is also pretty drab. The quiche tastes old and mucky, and the salad that comes along with it consists of two leaves of lettuce,a sprout, and a drop of mayonnaise on top. It seemed like the waitress we had wanted to argue with us, and the manager wasn't any friendlier. I decided that I would give the place another chance and visited it for a second time, only to find a cockroach the size of a Pinto scuttling across my table. I'm trying to give this place the benefit of the doubt, but it's really hard. All in all, this place wasn't a really great experience.
(1)Kerry F.
The servers are so friendly and the food is pretty gooood. They'll make it work to fit your diet. At least in my case.
(5)Surranna V.
I think they are trying to make good food. The chorizo was decent the rest was ok. The decor is awful. Just a wierd place, eclectic yes, but not in a good way.
(2)Miranda G.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Eclectic Cafe! The food is fantastic AND healthy, no one can't beat their prices for the quality of food they make, and the staff is absolutely lovable. They have great dishes ranging from vegan to gluten free to low carb to Mexican and they're all to die for. I have even used them for catering and take out multiple times. I just can't get enough of it!
(5)Susan C.
We visit every time we go to Tucson. Love the chicken fruit salad and the fries are the best Ive ever had. Never had a problem with the service even on weekends
(4)Mike E.
Cute little place on the corner, outdoor seating available but in Summer I would stick to early morning. They do a good breakfast special on Saturday, couple eggs, toast that sort of thing. Breakfast burrito was ok.
(3)J. Y.
A few people in Tucson raved about this place when we moved here, but the 3 or 4 times I've gone, it was lackluster each time. It's slightly over-priced for what you get, and the atmosphere is awful if there are more than a few parties present, as the dining area is tiny and every little noise and voice echoes.
(2)Rebecca C.
This is one of my top five favorite restaurants in Tucson. I always have a good experience here. I first started coming to Eclectic around five years ago when they we're running some sort of two salads and two iced teas for $20 summer specials. That's how I got hooked. The iced tea is my favorite in Tucson (not counting "tea shops"). I usually get the mago, but they also have plain black, prickly pear, and decaf apricot. They're really good about keeping my glass full. I really appreciate that! This is my go to spot when I want a salad. There's over a dozen to choose from including several that are offered as half sized portions. My current favorites are the mango curry chicken salad (that's chicken on a green salad, not chicken salad) and the spinach artichoke salad. The menu also has quiche, sandwiches, Mexican, and breakfast on the weekends. They often experiment with new limited time items over the summer and I recommend you try them while they're available. Last summer there was a pesto burrito that was great and this summer I'm enjoying their take on a Sonoran hot dog. The services is friendly and efficient. The one time I ordered something a didn't like (some breakfast item was too oniony for me, can't remember which) and they offered to take it off my bill and bring me something new when they noticed I wasn't eating it. I didn't even have to ask! For me they are a bit out of the way on the Eastside (I live NW), but totally worth it.
(5)Cat C.
I love this place. I was surprised it had 3.5 stars. When I fly out to California I always make it a point to come here. ALWAYS. -tortilla soup is a must and amazing!! 10 stars -Marc's chicken chorizo pasta. 10 stars I would try other stuff but I just love it too much. Other things over tried -McGina Mac n cheese 4 stars
(5)Marlo M.
Don't believe the 4 plus stars on Google or 3 Plus stars here. This place is like a slight upgrade from Denny's or a chain, maybe more a place seniors would think was good. I'm from Seattle and perhaps we have better food. We got the nachos, asked for less cheese since others plates we saw were drenched with cheese. They came half cold still with too much cheese and the only toppings were refried beans and one olive. Like a bad Mexican chain. The veggie chopped salad was good. The beer selection was good but there was no gluten free beer or cider and the wine was limited and not good. Also our server couldn't answer most of out questions about the food and had to ask and come back even though they were basic questions. If you like Denny's or Applebee's this is your place. Otherwise find somewhere else. Trust me
(2)Anthony R.
Took the girlfriend here for a date night. The place is clean and busy and the staff is very friendly, but we left a bit disappointed. We had the nachos to start, which are basically just chips with beans and cheese melted on top, and a few diced green chile pieces. Decent, but not great and not something you can't make in a couple minutes at home in the microwave. The meals were just OK- girlfriend had the tortilla soup, which looked kinda like a mess of tortilla chips sitting in broth. I guess that's basically what it is. Though the avocado pieces were good, the broth didn't really taste like anything. I had one of their specials- a pasta with chorizo and a spicy sauce. The sauce itself was good, but the meal was just not pleasant to eat- the cheese was something grated and hard, which isn't for me but that's just a personal taste thing. What really bothered me was that the chicken slices were tough, like they had either been overcooked or previously frozen. There were also peppers and various other things in there, but didn't really add to a coherent flavor and seemed a bit raw and crunchy, kinda like eating a salad. It does seem to cater specifically to an older crowd of regulars who sit down to complain about obamacare, which didn't bother us too much but would get old really quick. I get the feeling that the establishment is successful more for its network of regulars than the food itself. We may be back to give it another try- a lot of things on the menu sound good, but we weren't impressed with the things we did order.
(3)Tom E.
Been going to Eclectic for nearly 20 years. Consistently good food - friendly and qujck service Thanks Mark Haddad Smith
(4)Tanata S.
Not a good experience here. Menu too extensive to do anything well. Server spilled water on my 84 year old grandmother and barely apologized. Atmosphere very dead energy. Produce sad and wilty. Nice outdoor seating area but I should have left before even ordering as it just felt "off"
(2)Paul C.
Ultimate Veggie Burrito and the Veggie Burger FTW!!! Not if these are gems! The burger is surprisingly delicious, I wouldn't say meaty, but delicious, much better than any other veggie burger I've tried. The burrito is just die hard filling and scrumptious. The staff is awesome, it's always clean and the for sale art has even improved. I always bring out of town guests here, especially for breaky!
(5)M S.
It is hard for me to eat out because I have so many dietary restrictions, but there were so many options here. I got the grilled vegetables with pasta, chicken, and Parmesan. It was so delicious, and healthy too! They did not skimp on the vegetables at all, there were so many, and there was a lot of chicken too. The chicken had a good flavor-usually I am very picky about how chicken tastes, but theirs was so yummy! I would definitely go here again and recommend it to anyone. It's a plus that it's local.
(5)Michelle M.
We're just passing through, but this place is worth putting in my Yelp cue for future reference. The mango chutney chicken salad was delicious. I loved all the gluten free options and fresh food. Somehow my baby did well, too, which speaks for the gentle, friendly ambiance.
(4)Paul C.
Despite living on the East side for nearly 20 years, this was only perhaps my fourth visit to Eclectic Cafe. It's a cozy little restaurant tucked into an aging strip mall on one of the busiest intersections in town. The inside is painted in warm colors and features beautiful paintings which appeared to be by local artists. The menu is extensive and has many, many dishes that would be good choices. I quickly chose the Francisco's Enchilada Salad, as I have never had anything called an enchilada salad before. It arrived almost immediately -- less than five minutes after I ordered it. This would usually be a good thing during my lunch hour, but it did not bode well for the quality of the food. The salad was large, fresh, and beautiful, with bright green slices of avocado, crumbles of queso fresco, chicken soaked in red guajillo sauce, tiny halved jalapeños, and topped with crisp tortilla strips. The salad was accompanied by a jar of red salsa that was just piquant enough, without overwhelming the flavor of the dish. Underneath the salad, I found a pair of corn tortillas soaked in the delicious guajillo sauce. The only real fault with the dish was the chicken, which was slightly dry and slightly tough. When the plate arrived so quickly, my first thought was "How did they have time to grill the chicken?" They didn't; it was pre-cooked. And for this, it suffered. Some of the tomatoes were also under-ripe and had hard, flavorless white centers. Every other aspect of the salad was perfect. Eclectic Cafe's menu is huge and many of their items are unique, at least in my experience. The fast service got me back to work with 20 minutes to spare in my lunch hour and while this would usually be a benefit, I would have waited that extra 20 minutes if it had meant better chicken. Still, I would be happy to return to Eclectic and sample more of their local delights.
(3)Martin M.
Average service, average decor, totally average food. Not terrible.....just average. We got the chicken walnut/strawberry salad and some beef enchiladas. You could make the salad at home and find better Mexican food at approximately 1400 different places in Tucson. For cheaper, too!
(3)Andrew A.
Went to EC for dinner a couple weeks ago. I had an enchilada salad and my gf had a Carne Asada chimichanga. The menu here was huge and there were many options. I didn't like my salad, it was under dressed and kinda tasted like one big bland mess. I wasn't very hungry so maybe that had something to with it. The strange thing was that when the server came back to see I hadn't eaten but two bites of my enormous salad, and didn't want to take it home .....he didn't seem concerned why someone would order an 11 dollar salad and only have a couple bites. The reason I still gave this place 3 stars is that the chimichanga was absolutely phenomenal!!!! I mean it was one of the best either of us had ever tasted . We took half of it home, reheated it in the oven a couple days later and it was still better than most chimis in any other restaurant!!!! One other problem w EC is that it's located right next door to Rene's Organic Oven. If I'm goin all the way out to east Tanque Verde.....I'm gonna hit Renees every time. But we will definitely be back to Eclectic for another Chimichanga ! Upon revisiting this establishment, I must report that my change in order form a salad to their turkey melt made all the difference in the world! My gf had the shredded beef chimi again and it was just as delicious as the first time she ordered it. My turkey sandwich was nice and juicy with a good amount of REAL turkey on it. I also tried the tortilla soup which was pretty darn good too. We will return !
(3)Kelly L.
love this local fav! The chilequilas are a great side dish to any of their tasty choices. And boy do they have a lot to choose from! The zucchini bread french toast is really good. The side of fruit was a little disappointing but the french toast was so great I didn't need the side. Their breakfast burros are large and full of stuff. Every dish is really filling without being completely overwhelming which I enjoy. Great location - especially to hit after a nice hike up Sabino Canyon!
(4)Laurie C.
We stopped by Eclectic for lunch and were very impressed with everything; the spotless patio, the warm greeting, excellent service from the bus person, and the terrific food. Best tortilla soup I've had in Tucson. The menu is huge with many choices available for those who are following a restricted diet of any type. Our server went outside to chat with a friend on the patio so another server brought our check. The bus person hurried to get the door for us and say goodbye - so impressive!
(4)Francie R.
My husband and I love this place a probably eat there at least every other week. Their menu is large and varied and their food is always well done and plentiful. The Carne Asade Taco's are a family favorite, as well as the two sauce burrito, which has a wonderful, tangy tomatillo sauce. I can honestly say that have never had a bad meal here. They also take reservations, which is a huge plus as far as my husband is concerned, as he hates waiting in line for anything.
(5)E Z.
Awesome quality freah food and friendly staff. Best ambiance with great aerwowrk. The zucchini bread at the register is worth the money. Remember to tip with pick up orders. The hostress gathers, boxes and bags everything.
(5)Robert R.
Had lunch here Tuesday. The outdoor patio was pleasant and heated. Service was prompt and courteous. The sandwiches were good but we thought the french fries were just average and came out lukewarm. No one ever offered to refill our waters. Not a bad experience but given the somewhat above average prices nothing to make me come back anytime soon.
(3)A P.
Oooh... yum yum yum! These guys are a lot better than their sister place. The food is good, although the portions are small. The prices are good. Their outdoor patio/ seating area is small but just oh-so-lovely and so enjoyable even when you are facing car grills with dead bugs stuck to them... The service is pretty good (but sometimes they aren't always super friendly). I love the laid back atmosphere and love all the cute/ amazing dogs that people bring with them to this restaurant-- honestly, that just adds so much fun to the experience. And of course, the view of the Catalinas while dining. What could be better?
(5)C S.
Eclectic Cafe is one of our favorite places for breakfast on Sunday. Swift, friendly service & the food is quality & consistent. The coffee is very good w/raw sugar packets & your own little SS cream pitcher.
(4)Jill S.
Weird menu doesn't make sense. It's like strange modem food and Mexican food. The restaurant looks very cheap from the inside. Food is cheap I would never go back.
(2)Alexis B.
Everything is good here. Tortilla soup from here is my favorite soup of all time! Bright some people from out of town and all they could say was wow!
(5)Saba B.
Eclectic Cafe resembles a mom-and-pop diner transported into a Foothills strip mall, but upon closer inspection, the menu is surprisingly varied (chicken enchilada salad - wth?) and supported with farm-fresh and organic ingredients. Jason, the owner, told us that EC has been around for 37 years, but it's anything but tired and dated. My turkey-havarti sandwich, thankfully served with a little Russian dipping sauce, was delicious and hearty. At $9 with only a pickle sliver side, it had better be. My partner couldn't finish her enchilada salad, but sang its praises. Judging by the quick turnover at lunch, EC has many fans and regulars. The service lagged at the end, but our waitress was quick to make solid recommendations and help us make sense of the menu selections. Wallet permitting, EC is a worthy weekend lunch spot.
(4)Odessa K.
Stopped in for a quick bite, and ordered the tortilla soup. It came out super fast and was delicious - with nice big slices of avocado. Great friendly service to!
(5)Brian M.
Chorizo burrito is absolutely amazing! It's a quiet place, great patio and we love to go as often as possible!
(5)Cody V.
First time at this place. Wanted breakfast but their selection was pretty slim. So I ordered a cup of Tortilla Soup. Two tortilla chips does not make tortilla soup. While the flavor was great there was to much veggies for my taste. It was however, teaming with avocado. The highlife of my meal was the rolled tacos! DELICIOUS! I could have eaten a dozen. The four that come on the plate were perfect! I'll be back.
(4)Mildred Kitty R.
Only been there for lunch on several occasions. Food is actually very good. Great flavor and the portions are really large. I like the diner look, it makes me feel comfortable. Drinks were offered and served right away, always someone to refill promptly ( on other visits had to look for waiter and ask for refill) Server came quickly and asked for our order. She was nice enough but no extra good day, how are you and seemed a little impatient when my husband took a minute to order his entree. She was serving a lot of tables so I am sure she was very busy. Other than that it was very nice. Will return often. The food is very good Have not ordered anything I haven't liked yet!! Ps. Booths are very comfortable but need cleaning in between customers.
(4)Mike S.
One word: Bland. Actually two words: Extremely bland. On a positive note, the food seems healthy. Not overly salty, or oily. But zero flavor. Blah! They tend to serve an older crowd, which explains the lack of flavor. Older people tend to not like any real spices.
(2)Gary K.
Dog friendly patio with lots of shade and extra spare water dishes for dogs. Slightly overpriced. Chicken crepes with spinach mushroom cheesy cream sauce are very good, but wish you had the option to order 2 crepes for lunch instead of the 3 crepe portion. Adding a salad makes the lunch/dinner expensive. Breakfast choices are good and different. The nova lox plate is good for two large open face bagel sandwiches (generous portion of nova lox, sliced red onion & tomato, mound of cream cheese, but wish they also included sliced cucumbers), BUT Eclectic Cafe has the WORST BAGELS we have ever eaten; mushy, tasteless, cheap store bought crappy bagels (best to stop across the street at Bruegger's Bagel Shop and pick up some fresh "real" bagels). We find the servers are either unfriendly (no personality, especially some of the male waiters) and tend to disappear (several times we got tired of waiting to get our check to leave). But the bussers are always hardworking, hustling, very attentive and friendly... too bad they do not earn the main tip or become our servers. If it wasn't for the busboys we have had, the overall service would have to be rated fair to poor.
(3)Joie H.
So the food here is amazing but the staff are kinda... Odd. Not overly friendly at all. Came to table and said "are you ready to order". Just very cold for a Saturday morning breakfast.
(3)Mirian P.
Best salads ever! :-) love the chorizo con huevos and the Monte Cristo breakfast sandwich. Mango or prickly pear iced teas are yummy too. Great staff.
(5)Sylvia M.
Tucson Gem!!! My fiance had never been before but he loved the atmosphere and the service. He had a burger and said it wasn't the best thing he had ever had but the other things far made up for it. I had the chorizo and eggs. YUM!! not too greasy, just perfect. This place makes me wish i lived on the east side.
(5)Melinda C.
Oh my! I tried something new and I might not get the quiche again! I know, gasp... I tried a carne asada chimi, enchilada style. The sauce is incredible! IMO, much better than the salsa. I didn't leave a drop of it. So, if you're in the mood to try something different next time you're at Eclectic Cafe, and you haven't had anything with their enchilada sauce, try it! You won't be disappointed!
(4)Mike M.
We heard about the Chowder. We were disappointed. There weren't many clams, like 1, and there were a bunch of carrots. Also, it had a spicy peppery taste to it. We had the burger. Man that was good. Try it, you will like it. On a side note, the staff saw we didn't like the soup and said since we didn't like it, we didn't have to pay for it. I figured we didn't like it, that was on us and I was paying, no big deal. I appreciate that the staff, including the manager, tried to make it right. We will be going back. I hope this helps.
(3)Richa S.
I have to be fair and update this place.. this seems the 2nd time I've had a better experience the 2nd time round at a restaurant.... I went with my friends family (same friend from previous post) because once again Renee's Organic Oven was too packed to squeeze me in for my 1 to 1.5 hour lunch... I ordered the iced tea which was tasty. My friend got the arnold palmer and 2nd round switched to the tea saying there was very little lemonade. The waitress was a little stiff friendly. almost a bit too fake covering her stress and was the same waitress as last time. It was a bit weird and I swear that 99% of the time I'm not too critical of a waitresses demeanor unless its rude (that's the embracing-love-everyone hippie child in me) Momma G ordered this pasta salad and said it was good but this chorizo pasta salad she had before was better although she enjoyed the zucchini for a summer crispy freshness. My friend ordered the Bandero (Banderito? Bandito?) chicken enchiladas and loved them. She said she usually orders the green sauce ones but enjoyed these with 3 different sauces- white, red, green. one different type on each enchilada. served iwth rice and beans I ordered the enchiladas as well but with cheese. They were excellent. First time I ordered mexican without asking for jalapenos on the side. The rice was perfectly cooked and salted well. The beans were tasty too although I was immersed in good conversation and filled up too fast to dig into more of them for feedback. I'll be going back again... still wont order the calabacitas as the first time but i'll give all the other dishes a shot too!
(4)Onofre S.
Every Friday the Eclectic Cafe has Clam Chowdah!!! Everything is fresh and the salads and especially the House Ranch Dressing are OUTSTANDING!!! They should bottle the Ranch Salad Dressing. Everyone is friendly and they remember you and are like going "home" everytime we are there! FUN and DELICIOUS!
(5)Diana L.
Great place for breakfast. Try the zucchini French toast. You don't need any syrup on thus one! De-lish!!
(5)Kay L.
The best part about our visit was the backserver/busser who greeted us and promptly took our drink order. It took our actual server 10 minutes to greet us (and by greet, he literally mumbled a hello). Aside from that, after pondering numerous options on their extensive menu, we both made horrible decisions. I had a salad, and my boyfriend had a sandwich. Both were the blandest and stalest dishes we've ever had. My salad came with an avocado half still in its shell, and it was barely ripe. I asked for dressing to liven it up, needless to say it never came. It was a sad experience, considering how long we had been wanting to try Eclectic Cafe. We'll never go back.
(2)Adrienne A.
I love this place! We have been going there for years and it is consistently excellent. This time of the year it is delightful to sit outside. My only problem is trying to decide which of the many terrific entrees to order. The staff are always friendly, great service and never a disappointment. Today I ordered the calabacitas for the first time and it will be my new favorite. If I could change one thing it would be to have a second option for hotter salsa. They offer a hotter sauce at additional cost and I am not crazy about it, would love to have another (included) choice to spice up my Mexican food. Give it a try, you won't be sorry!
(4)Mike B.
On Feb 19th 2014 I had lunch here. Very disappointing. I emailed them to let them know. The email bounced. I contacted them using the web form. As of Feb 26th I have not heard from them. Here is the email I sent them: ~~~~~ Greetings, This past Wednesday I stopped in for a bit to eat. Remembering from previous visits your salads were quite filling I decided to order the 1/2 portion of your Spinach And Artichoke Chicken Salad. What a disappointment. "1/2 portion"? I don't think so. It was more like 1/3. And, the amount of artichoke and chicken in the salad looked like nothing more than and after thought. Are you operating under new management? Do you have a new cook? Are you experiencing ingredient shortages? As I said - very disappointing. -Mike BTW - the contact email address on your web site: " info@eclecticcafe.com " bounces. ~~~~
(2)Shelley S.
Food was different but really good! I had Marc's chicken and Chorizo Pasta..it was delicious with artichoke hearts and plenty of chicken. Husband had a Albacore melt and sweet potato fries that was equally as good. Service was fast and friendly!
(4)Julie K.
Love the food here!!! I always try to eat at Eclectic when I'm on the east side!
(4)Chelsea L.
I'm the kind if girl who likes to start lunch with dessert. So that's what we did. Bread pudding was amazing followed but soup and salad. The poppyseed dressing is great. We sat on the patio after CrossFit across the street. And yes I did workout and then go right for the dessert.
(5)Carol L.
This is our go-to place for comfort food. We both always order the chicken-and-rice soup, which is just like "mama used to make," and my husband is partial to the chicken quesadillas. The menu doesn't change, but it's big enough to suit a variety of moods and preferences.The artwork and photography on the walls do change periodically -- and that's fun.
(4)Ben S.
They were very accommodating to our large party. The food tasted very good. The service was friendly. I wish not everything had cheese and sour cream.
(4)Katie P.
I have dined at Eclectic four times and every time it is pleasantly surprising! The dining atmosphere is... well... eclectic. It reminds me of a Coco's, which would normally not be appealing, but the ever-changing art is always quite good and provides excellent dinner conversation. I have always chosen one of the daily specials, which tend to be new fresh twists on classic dishes. Everything I've eaten seems healthy and fresh! The desserts are also quite tasty. The service is always friendly and attentive. Would I drive out of my way to go? Probably not. But if you're in the neighborhood (or just been out for a hike in the area) it's an excellent lunch/dinner spot!
(4)Kinga H.
eclectic [e-klek-tik] Definition of ECLECTIC adjective 1 : selecting what appears to be best in various doctrines, methods, or styles 2 : composed of elements drawn from various sources --------....courtesty of merriam-webster dictionary....-------- The atmosphere reminds me of cramped little diner. There is a cute shaded patio outside, too bad it's Tucson and the heat makes you run for the much less aesthetically pleasing indoors with the A/C. Major kudos for being so vegetarian-friendly! Love. Eclectic in the sense that the menu offers items inspired by Mexican cuisine and some by traditional and modern American cuisine. Recommendations: (lunch/dinner) -Mexican Tortilla Soup (chicken based broth, no meat chunks in the soup, yay). A light yet filling option. -Hacienda Salad with Cilantro Chicken or the Francisco's Enchilada Salad (de Michoacán). Both varieties offering a fresh twist on a traditional "taco salad" -Vegetarian Torta with grilled eggplant, red bell pepper, artichoke heart, onion, tomato, melt- ed havarti and Parmesan cheese on a wheat roll. -Carne Asada Tacos. Yummy. -Open-faced Chicken or Carne Seca Enchiladas. A 'heavy' meal option but so worth it! Great flavors and taste. (brunch) -whole wheat pancakes with any of the offered toppings are a never wrong choice.
(4)Christian M.
Our favorite family restaurant in Tucson. The salsa is REAL, the service is great, the mustard is HOT--no, really, do not try it if you are not right with your Creator. AMBIENCE: 3 stars. Strip mall (hey, this IS Tucson). The booths and chairs are comfy, and there is outdoor seating with misters to keep you cool. SERVICE: 4 stars. We always seem to get very attentive servers and host staff. FOOD: 4 stars. Everybody in the family is happy. From the bean burrito to the grilled cheese, to the Leo's Favorite burrito (my favorite) and their awesome salads--the food is crafted well. The salsa is very good (as is the guacamole), but if you are brave then you MUST try the hot mustard--it will definitely clear your sinuses out! Their soups are great as well--especially the Tortilla Soup with Chicken and Avocado. ALCOHOL: beer and wine available. FAMILY: 5 stars. Great for kids, and food is served quickly. OVERALL: 4 stars. We eat here 3-4x/month.
(4)Sunny B.
We had a late lunch/early dinner here around 4pm yesterday. By the time we left at 5, the restaurant was completely full! For a Tuesday night! I guess that says something about the fun, eclectic menu and quality of food. I was starving and ordered the Hacienda Cilantro Chicken salad. It was a warm salad, which I wasn't so sure about, but I ended up eating the whole thing. It was amazing. My mom had the quiche of the day with a spinach salad. Decent prices and big portions.
(5)Chelsea P.
I love Eclectic Cafe! I almost always order the Chicken Strawberry Salad... which is what I had today! It is a perfect mix of strawberries, chicken, blue cheese and a beautiful dressing. It's hard to order anything else! The service was good today, and the mango iced tea was delicious! I always leave full, but not stuffed, and very satisfied. Yum!
(4)Wendy A.
Man, it's been a long time since I've written a review! Haven't gone out much lately and when I do there hasn't been anything worth writing about. However, a friend and I did a nice long walk/jog and decided to do lunch she mentioned the Eclectic Cafe and since I'd never been thought heck yeah I want to try somewhere I've never been! From the moment we walked in you just knew it was a warm and friendly place. Every one of the staff were so friendly and helpful. All the food sounded so good! My friend swore by the chicken tortilla soup she said its the best with a half sandwich. I was brave tried the vegetable torta and sweet potato fries. I was NOT sorry. The fries were the bedtime ever had! So good my friend ordered some for herself. The torta was also excellent tasted so fresh and delicious. Made me wonder if they made the bread themselves? But, again the staff were the bomb! Wish I could remember names better! I will be back again and again....
(5)David A.
You can never go wrong here. There's a reason it's been open for four decades. It's delicious. The food is above average and the owner, Mark is such a nice guy. Also, they offer decaf iced teach which is delicious. My family has been going here for the past decade and will always be loyal customers. Keep it up yall!
(4)Trish W.
I just had the Eclectic Cafe cater my wedding this past weekend (09/08/12) at my home. I will try and tell you how incredibly wonderful the experience was having them there to take care of the reception. Tammy (Eclectic Cafe employee) showed up while we were at the church getting married, and when we returned, the hors duevors were set up, food, wine, champagne, glasses, etc.; Tammy even went around and lit all my candles for me, inside and out, so when we returned, it was a beautiful glow in the house and on the patio. As guests were arriving, she immediately started asking what would they like to drink. I didn't have to do a thing! All throughout the night, Tammy served, cleaned, packed away the extra food, and by the time she was ready to leave, everything was cleaned up and all we had to do was enjoy the rest of the night to dance, enjoy our guests, and have fun. Tammy and the Eclectic Cafe, I hope you read this because I cannot thank you enough for making my special day better then I could have imagined. I wish that I could give you more then a 5 star rating!
(5)Joel P.
Love the breakfast! It's a bummer they only serve it on weekends. Maybe it isn't so bad considering I'd be broke. I wish they brought the price down a little considering the portion size. They used to be a little bit bigger. But it still doesn't stop me from the amazing Eggs and Chorizo plate! The managers are awesome people and the staff is always nice and friendly. Great local spot that is a must-have. Great coffee also and it's nice to sit outside when it isn't too hot in this Tucson desert.
(4)Karen B.
Had a great lunch with a friend here last week. She ordered a spinach salad and tortilla soup and I got the cobb salad with the house roasted turkey and blue cheese dressing. The service was fantastic, prices reasonable and the food was delicious! I have to eat gluten-free and have trouble eating out without feeling awful afterward, even in gluten free restaurants. After my salad here, I felt better than when I walked in and didn't have any issues at all afterward. This is going to be my go-to lunch place from now on!
(5)Cameron R.
We should have known when we were greeted at the door by the manager stating that they close at eight o'clock (it was 7:31 p.m.). No hello. No welcome to the Eclectic Cafe. Just an unwelcoming glare and the time check. Our server was nice enough but inattentive. No drink should go unfilled for more tHan five minutes. The food was passable, certainly not what we've come to Expect over the years from them. The chicken torta came on a pumpernickel roll, very odd choice for a Mexican sandwich. I had to wait five minutes for mustard for my sandwich and one package of crackers for my soup. The couple dining next to us were the recipients of the hovering manager's shooting glances and pressuring them (and us) to finish faster. The whole experience left us with a bad taste for a return visit. What an awful way to treat your customers!
(1)Adam F.
Nice place to have a light meal for dinner. Strawberry chicken salad was very good. Attentive service. Seems to be a solid "go to" kind of place.
(4)Jes W.
Usually excellent. Mediocre tonight. And poor service. Tough tasteless carne asada on store bought tasting tortillas. Usually their carne asada tacos are wonderful. Hope this was just a blip.
(4)Joseph L.
If I am going to spending $30 per person.....I will spend it at Vero Amore... Banana cream with chocolate chips dessert was a let down... textures and temperatures between these three ingredients was a mess..yes I said it... it was a MESS. Cream wasn't chilled enough, banana was too cold, chocolate chips hard as rock... use chocolate grater please... Don't be lazy and makes the dessert looks cheesy...
(2)Elyse P.
Meh. I'll give it one more go, but first experience was nothing to write home about. Got the taco salad. Totally average. I ordered the vegetarian version but the plate I got had chicken. I'm not a vegetarian, so it was fine, and I got the chicken for free, so that was fine too. The saving grace? The banana chocolate chip frozen pie.
(2)MH W.
Try the key lime tart! Most amazing texture and flavor!
(5)Amanda D.
I've been to the Eclectic Cafe many times and enjoyed it tremendously (especially their breakfast). Recently stopped by the Eclectic on a Sunday and their breakfast crowd was huge! With all that being said, this particular review is about an event I attended last night, which was catered by the Eclectic Cafe. Word in the room was that the meatballs with this heck-to-the-yeah white sauce was off the hook good. Someone was wise enough to spread the word that the sauce on the meatballs was so good that it should be eaten with bread. I took that advice very seriously and did not waste that magical sauce that the yummy meatballs were marinated in. What other yummy treats did the Eclectic bring to the party? The biggest layer bean dip platter I've EVER seen. Holy deliciousness! Guacamole that is Tucson's finest. Big, huge, major fan of their guac! Also, their salsa can't be beat! If the Eclectic was closer to my house, I would be a frequent flyer for pints of their salsa. So if you didn't know that the Eclectic catered events... now you do!
(5)John H.
I have never ate anything here that was not delicious. Though they are always busy, good service is always there.
(5)Ambrosia R.
Two words put this place high on my list for a hangover brunch: Amazing coffee. Two other words put this place high on my list for a meal anytime: Fantastic food. I came here with my husband for lunch after a late Saturday night had left us both feeling a little ragged. (Point of note - Yelp currently lists them as being closed on Sunday, but their sign said they were open until 8.) Despite being packed to the gills, they got us a table and some coffee within ten minutes of our arrival. And to their credit, the coffee was great - far better than your usual Yuban-esque restaurant fare. Usually I strongly dislike the overcharge-for-beverages-to-subsidize-meals model that seems so popular, but this stuff was almost worth paying $2.50 a cup for. The menu was almost enough to send me into shock in my compromised state - all sorts of options, all of them delicious-sounding. Eventually I settled on the strawberry chicken salad (hurrah for restaurants that offer half-portions) and a cup of tortilla soup, while my husband ordered the Carne Asada tacos. If there's one thing that keeping me from giving then five stars (aside from my usual hesitancy to give an "excellent" rating based on first impressions), it was the speed of the service - the packed house meant things were a little slow. But to their credit, they kept our coffee cups full, and when the food arrived it proved to be well worth waiting for - amazingly fresh and beautifully presented and just plain delicious. And they even had Arizona Gunslinger hot sauce on the tables, a dash of which boosted the tortilla soup from "good" to "amazing". As I said, I'm hesitant to give five-star (or one-star) ratings on the basis of a single visit - I've had too many disappointing (or more impressive) follow-ups in the past. But they'll certainly be getting my business again, and I have high hopes.
(4)Nessa P.
After reading reviews and wanting to go somewhere different, the husband and I made the trip. For lunch time on a Saturday the wait time wasn't bad, about 15 minutes. First, the menu doesn't match the decor at all. I think an upgrade to the interior would make the Cafe more appealing. But there are a ton of regulars who seem not to mind. I had a chicken torta and the husband had a ruben. Both were pretty good and filling. My main criticism is the waiter. We got our food super fast, but when we were done, we sat for about 10 minutes before we had to flag down someone else for our check. I really felt like we could have left without paying and no one would have noticed. I WOULD NEVER DO THAT! I don't expect to be waited on hand and foot, but if we have empty glasses, offer a refill. If decor doesn't bother you, the food is great. The waiter may have been having an off day. We may eat there again, but take it to go.
(3)Pam W.
Try the garden burger! I'm not a vegetarian but it was SO tasty and the right fit for the lighter lunch that I desired.
(4)Richard S.
I love the strawberry chicken salad and there ice tea is excellent. My wife and I are here quite regularly and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere while we recover from a busy day.
(5)Lee P.
Great for weekend mornings after a hike. I love the egg dishes and the Mexican dishes, but everything I've had there has been great.
(4)Christy K.
We ate here because I got an awesome groupon offer. I was surprised at how full and popular this place was; on a Wednesday evening, we had quite a wait for a table. Service was superb and the menu options were quite tasty. I was very thrilled with my choice, which was a stir-fry veggie dish, and my partner got a veggie burger with fries. It was pretty tasty, and we enjoyed a nice dessert as part of our groupon deal.
(4)Bill F.
We lived in Tucson more than 15 years ago and liked the Eclectic Cafe back then. After a recent visit, however, I can say that the place has changed so much that it not only isn't what we remember, it has become a place to avoid. It was busy on a Saturday afternoon, the lunch crowd was primarily older folks and some families. My wife ordered a salad with berries and I ordered a half sandwich and a cup of soup. When the cup of soup arrived, I was shocked at how small it was. My wife told me that the cup size was like the little tea cups she would use as a five year old girl in "tea parties." In two minutes, what was probably four spoonfuls of soup was consumed. My half-sandwich was equally small. It was corned beef but they "forgot" to put the mustard on it, so I had to open and apply myself. When I did that, I noticed how gross and fatty the beef was. I had to pick out the fat. Do you know how a good corned beef sandwich is about an inch or more thick with meat? Well, this one was simply one slice of corned beef. In other words, two or three bites. What a terrible, terrible value. The salad was tiny, served on a side-salad sized plate. Overly sweet dressing that tasted like High-fructose corn syrup. The berries were tasty, but the value for the salad was terrible as well. Of course, we tried telling them about these issues, but they had a "who cares" attitude. I thought it was funny when I was checking out that I was asked "How was everything?" and I told her "Terribly marginal" and she said "Happy you enjoyed it" and smiled as she handed me my change.
(2)Brian R.
Our second time here and probably last. A very mediocre experience and with other quality restaurants nearby it fell far short of expectations. I had the carne asada Burro, which was a middling portion size. The beef was tasty but a minimal amount. The Mexican Salad was just lettuce with salsa. Very overpriced for the portion size. My wife had the raw chopped salad. The portion size was middling too. Several key ingredients were missing too. Oddly the veggies were cut into infant size pieces (WTF?). Overall a C. Don't bother.
(2)Beth B.
I visit the Eclectic Cafe quite often when I am in Tucson for business. I am a vegetarian, and and they have an amazing array of vegetarian-friendly entrees, soups, and salads. I've enjoyed their warm salads, garden burger (served with a large side salad), raspberry iced tea (caffeine-free, which is fantastic), chocolate cake (rich and full of chocolate chips), and quesadillas. They also have plenty of healthy options for meat-eaters. Be sure to ask for a "Tucson Originals" card when you dine at Eclectic Cafe. You can earn points at this and many other independently-owned Tucson restaurants.
(5)Laura M.
This was a cute place with an old-timey feel. You can definitely tell it's been around the 30+ years they say, with a large portion of its customers appearing to have been loyal customers since the beginning. I ordered the harvest winter salad. It was okay...actually pretty darn small for a salad, especially compared to a place like Choice Greens. However the chicken was moist and delicious. I was dissapointed that the all-white chicken meat wasn't featured in more of the salads...there were a lot more that had chicken salad instead (which doesn't spell healthy to me). Unsweetened Mango iced tea was a must...probably will hit this place again since it's convenient but won't go out of my way to go here. Check out restaurant.com for gift certificates to this place at a good price if you want to check it out for yourself.
(3)Raul S.
2 stars even though the food was really good. Vegetarians would love it. However, first impressions are everything, and service was iffy on day we went (middle of week). Put name down and saw that we were first on the list as we waited for a table. Restaurant is small (kinda like a diner), and so we stepped off to the side to allow people to enter. The hostess forgets about us, then seats others who come in ahead of us. We stood around for a while even though there were empty booths. I would think about giving it one more shot based on the tastiness of the food. But two strikes on service and they are out. Parking was plentiful in shopping center. Food: Cannot complain about the service. Service: If I don't get good service at a restaurant, what's the point of going there? Ambience: Looks like a Jerry Bob's, but with a vegetarian menu.
(2)Chelle F.
Two words: breakfast burros. The flour tortillas are soft, the eggs are perfect (not runny, not rubbery, not gritty, not questionable in the least, just fluffy and delicious), they're HUGE, the cheese is creamy and melty... I could go on for days. Get 'em enchilada style, both the red sauce and green sauce are rich and savory. They come with a big pile chilaquiles, which are made from kick-ass corn tortillas in a very well spiced red sauce. And, of course, the thing that makes the whole package so amazing: fresh, quality ingredients. There's really no way to make such amazing food without them. The only tragedy is that they only do breakfast on weekend mornings. As for the rest of the food, it's still super-good. I've eaten there quite a few times now and I've never been disappointed by anything. I've eaten/been with people who got: Chicken Salad Sandwich, Chicken & Rice soup, that enchilada salad thing, the Winter Chicken salad, and the double Havarti burger.
(5)Joyce C.
Friendly and warm with a, yes, "eclectic" menu. I was eating light, so I ordered the tomato stuffed with tuna salad. A little pricey, maybe, for a small scoop in a small tomato surrounded by a few carrot and celery sticks. But it happened to be exactly what I wanted. Even the tomato was tasty (not always the case). The place was full by the time we left on a Thursday evening, but the service was warm and attentive. It's going to be too hot to sit outside for a little while, but we definitely will be back and try breakfast al fresco some weekend morning. A good, solid choice.
(3)Robert M.
Ok place. Doubt I would come back. Almost a 3 star. Service nice. Way too pricy for the quality. Had a chicken burro with all the chicken lumped on one side. Drenched with weird sauce.
(2)Alan P.
Please yelpers don't let anyone eat at Eclectic Cafe when Jack In The Box is in the same parking lot for the strip mall. The fish flautas were ok but everything else on the plate was COVERED in a weird TOO SWEET poppy seed dressing. It looked like a liquid plastic with black specks. The one star isd overly generous for the food;the service was very good.
(1)marv k.
After experiencing a bad dinner and discussing it with the manager I feel I must change my rating of the Eclectic. We have been coming here for over 10 years but will not return. After having a very poor dining experience and all the manager would do is say well the next time you come in I'll by you desert my confidence in them is gone. He had the opportunity to make it right at the time but did nothing. The salmon was over cooked and my wine glass dirty from previous use. Sorry Eclectic too many other places that want to please and understand the value of a customer.
(2)Bert K.
The Eclectic Cafe at Sabino Canyon Rd & Tanque Verde is a small treasure on Tucson's eastside. My favorites include the soups--gazpacho, Mexican tortilla or on Fridays clam chowder--the Ruben sandwich and strawberry salad. For dessert try the bread pudding. Open for brunch Saturday & Sunday, I can recommend without reservation the Monte Cristo, chorizo burro with tomatillo sauce and the huevos rancheros. The service is outstanding and the atmosphere friendly. Indoor or outdoor dinning is available. Waits are sometimes required but well worth it.
(5)Michael S.
Great Service---ice tea was continuously refilled! What other restaurant adds the mint to the tea? Gotta love it! Had club sandwich--Wife had Joey's Southwest Pasta-- both were excellent!
(4)