Scottsdale Eats: El Chorro
During our first go-around with Scottsdale, we’d pass by this sign that simply said, “El Chorro.” We had no idea what it was – hotel, golf course, brothel, senior living facility, or all of the above. All I knew is that seeing it made me bellow out “El Chorro!!” like I was an announcer for Sabado Gigante –
univision.com
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Curiosity didn’t exactly get the best of me, as I didn’t Google what it was until a couple weeks later. Imagine my surprise when I found out it not only was it a restaurant, but it was pretty famous one that old school Hollywood types like Clark Gable and John Wayne used to frequent. It was remodeled a couple years ago and the menu got an update.
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The Surroundings
Since it’s been around for ages, it has the luxury of having it’s own gates and entryway – not like other Scottsdale fine dining establishments that are in strip malls and office parks.
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We sat in the courtyard, which was pretty enough. But it paled in comparison to the gorgeous view of Camelback Mountain.
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I normally hate sitting with my back to the dining area, but I moved to the other side of the table to keep looking that view.
Here’s what we had –
My first Rose of the summer. Sorry, didn’t take notes on it.
Gazpacho
Shrimp Pepper Pot – sautéed shrimp in a spicy beer broth
Truffle Fries with garlic aioli and sriracha ketchup
Kale Salad – goat cheese, cranberries, candied pecans, white balsamic
Niman Ranch NY Strip – Trust me, it looked much better than this…
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Overall, everything was perfectly executed. The shrimp was nicely spiced, the fries perfectly crisp, and the steak was exactly on the rare side of medium-rare. Just like I ordered it.
So it turns out that El Chorro was the furthest thing from a brothel. But it was pretty close to an old folk’s home. If that represents an updated menu, I can’t imagine what was on the old one – maybe something like this from my blog buddy Yinzerella?
There was another reason why it felt like a total throwback to the 70s. Here is why.
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2 comments on “Scottsdale Eats: El Chorro”
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wine century
Doppel Member, Baby!
I’m so hungry after reading this. Dang your awesome review and pics. (shaking fists at my computer right now) Haha.
Isn’t it funny how signs can evoke that kind of thing? There’s a small town that we pass on the way to the cottage, named Chinquapin and every time we pass I say it very fast and loud. Maybe one day the hubs and I will actually stop there and see if it holds any treasures for us, like your El Churro. 🙂
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