El Chorro Lodge

08/30/02

It's the View

by outalot at Citysearch

The view from the outdoor patio is serene. The food is good, but not as amazing as I was expecting based on the reviews from this site. DON'T GO INSIDE, I think that will ruin the mood. It's a bit run down in parts and not as appealing to the eye. Having said all this, I would still recommend it, just don't go expecting Gainey Ranch or the Royal Palms, it is not. But it really is a very pretty place to have a good meal with a wonderful view in a gorgeous neighborhood.

09/25/08

Not a good experience

by hardey at Citysearch

Went to the resturant because my brother and his wife said great 2nd choice for a saturday night. I ordered the duck and my brother ordered the shrimp in mustard sauce.

When my dinner arrived the half duck was actually 2 leg quarters and I ate one of them , as the waitress was too busy to notice our table . When she finally arrived I explained that I ate most of the first leg quarter and why wasn't there a breast and wing. She went back to the kitchen and when she returned , she explained that duck was all dark meat and the kitchen had not made an error. When the manager was called she said that it was not possible for the kitchen to make that error. All this was said as she looked at my plate and obviously there were two leg quarters there. She was a great manager for backing up her staff .... the problem still was evident, yet not addressed. I am sorry to say my brothers dinner was acceptable but not worth the $28.00 for 5 shrimp that were medium sized.

I would not go to the resturant to eat but the sticky buns were great.

• Pros: great sticky buns
• Cons: overpriced

04/11/08

Horrible Experience

by sukisuz at Citysearch

We had the most horrible experience and were so disappointed because we were really looking forward to entertaining our guest who had never been to El Chorro. After a long day of meetings and conference calls, all we wanted to do was sit down with a bottle of wine and share a few appetizers. The staff was so rude to us and would not let us order what we wanted. They told us we HAD to order dinner in order to sit at a larger table; there were 5 of us. When we expressed that we just wanted wine and appetizers the hostess tried to cram us in a small table that was meant for two. It was embarrassing and we were made to feel so uncomfortable. We ended up leaving and going to The Sanctuary, which was BEAUTIFUL!

Our group is in a customer related field and is always asked to recommend places for people to try. We will never recommend El Chorro to anyone. Another review I read said it right. Not everyone who goes there is a winter visitor. Word does get around.

• Cons: Thumbs Down. Rude Staff!

12/27/07

Not going again

by nurseie at Citysearch

The food was just ok, but wow - expensive. This place is way over priced. Also, most of the diners there were over 70 - we felt way out of place and we are late 30's-early 40's. Service was pretty good, and I understand that the views are nice if you arrive prior to sunset, but the meal was just too overpriced. I could have made the same thing at home quite easily. Sorry - not going again.

08/06/07

El Choro

by apereira2 at Citysearch

Visited El Choro Aug 6th. Have been visiting the Phoenix area since 1997 and have enjoyed the Steaks at Mortons, Ruth's and Flemings. Dissappointed at the 8oz Filet Mignon ordered from the 1600F Mesquite oven. The steak ordered was not medium well-done as I ordered. I had to send it back as it was brougt medium rare. I also could taste the burnt grill marks on my steak. Well I'm not going back and will stick to my favourites. The mash potatoes were nice though and the location is nice.

Dr. Pereira

• Pros: Location
• Cons: Steak was below average

11/17/06

Outdoor dining at its best..

by ddrew at Citysearch

Very Phoenix, good service, fun, food is definitely recommended. The lamb was excellent. A local favorite.

This desert hideaway still feels as glamorous as it was in the '30s and '40s, when Hollywood celebs were regulars.

by Contributor at Citysearch

In Short
Ask any longtime valley resident to name the best patio in town, and chances are they'll mention El Chorro, a rambling, old adobe restaurant built in 1934 as a private school for girls. Nestled between Camelback and Mummy mountains, the place still feels like the cool desert hideaway used by early Hollywood stars. Whether you want a full meal or just a drink on an outdoor patio, it embodies the romance of old Arizona.

03/21/06

Lobster and Sticky Buns

by desert_girl at Citysearch

The very best appetizer - and the best lobster I've ever eaten: "flash-fried" lobster tail, affectionately known as "lobster bites". This could be a meal in itself but when I'm really looking to satisfy my lobster craving I go for the full-meal lobster tail with all the trimmings. Menu prices really don't reflect the awesome array of all that comes with a meal at the El Chorro. For example: A basket of incredible, secret-recipe sticky buns comes free with every meal, along with a full relish tray of raw veggies, pickles, and sweet peppers. Great food, great atmosphere, great patio!

• Pros: Patio views, Acoustics indoors, Welcoming attitude

08/29/05

Still 'ho hum' after all these years.

by srblanco at Citysearch

This has to be the most overrated restaurant in the Phx area. While the outdoor ambience and view is marvelous, the same,(yawn), tired, old classics are still on the menu after all these years. Last time I visited, the rack of lamb was overcooked, dry and tasteless to the point of being close to jerky. Given the time it took to get to our table and the relative inattention of our server, we suffered through it, wondering once again why we bother to come here every year or two, (Hope perhaps?). It only seems to get worse with time. It's a damn shame that one of the Valley's true landmarks manages to exist at this level of mediocrity. It's more of a "social climbing" scene than a gastronomical one and this Valley Native prays that someone will breathe new life into this once proud establishment. Time for my nap...zzzzzz

• Pros: scenery, ambience, old AZ charm
• Cons: lackluster chow, lackluster everything, Overpriced

08/29/05

Great Food

by jamslam at Citysearch

Food and service were outstanding! Teriffic chef prepared meals, rack of lamb outstanding!

• Pros: Wonderful food, top service, free valet

06/04/05

Way overpriced, mediocre food

by uri1 at Citysearch

This place came highly recommended for steaks, and I went and found the location one of the most beautiful in phoenix. Maybe my expectations were too high, but my steak was not flavorful, the vegetables were overcooked, and when you started look closely at things around you, they appeared more rundown than authentic. After awhile, all I could see were the water stains, rust, and coarse exposed wood, and it ruined my meal.