Charro Steak & Del Rey

Ribeye steak was best I've had in town, even with it being Choice level quality, I was pleasantly surprised with the really good seasoning and flavor it had; I'd choose it over Silver Saddle and Cattletown by far and even Daisy Mae's (which I like). Now I didn't try any of the really high dollar steakhouses that serve Prime beef while visiting Tucson, so I can't compare to those, but this place does charge a premium price, so much so that I would consider it on the very high end of Choice beef pricing. In addition I really liked the complimentary chips and homemade salsa - the tomatillo salsa was excellent! I was also satisfied with the beer tap selection. My rating is 5 stars for the flavor of the meat and over quality of food, 4 stars for the prices/value, and 3 stars for overall wait staff/ambiance (5 for friendliness/good service and a 1 for odd behavior as you can read below).

While this place charges premium level prices, the staff do not live up to this level of pricing. Not that the staff were rude or anything like that, my service was actually pretty good at the bar the two times I came here earlier in the year. Interestingly enough though, I had similar observations of odd behavior both times I visited, which is an indication of a management problem. The first time I had told my bartender/waiter that it was my first time here and asked what recommendations he had and then I indicated that I was looking for a good steak; he went on with this diatribe of information noting how good the steaks were and that you won't find better steaks/prices at any of those high dollar steakhouses because the chef keeps everything local. I said "ok, so the steaks are Prime here then" after he provided a definitive "yes" he went on another diatribe of how good they were and pricing, etc. It was rather odd so I queried him about the steaks some more because he was talking them up with such a passion. At some point thru my querying he said "I'm pretty sure they're Prime, but let me go verify with the Chef" - I think he realized that he wasn't going to B.S. me. He came back and said "it's Choice steaks tonight bro". I remember it so vividly because I've never had someone talk the food up so much, provide some wrong information, and then come back with a responce like that. It was my first indication that something was off, however as noted, I was pleasantly surprised with the steak. If it would have been Prime beef I would have agreed with him on the pricing, but it was still an expensive cut of Choice beef. My second indictation that something was off was on the same experience, I kept seeing the hostess coming back to the hostess stand and reading her book in plain sight of everyone, which seemed odd as she wasn't even trying to hide it. Fast forward about a month later I decided to come back again and got the exact same ribeye steak, which was delicious again (2 for 2)! This time a different hostess, but similar behavior scrolling there her phone. Also this hostess was going back and forth behind what looked like a private area with sliding walls, however they weren't shut all the way, and she would pop some food in her mouth then come back out chewing it - she probably did this close to a dozen times. Additionally on this same trip a group of waiters, the hostess, and what looked like a manager were goof balling around right next to the bar area for quite a period of time. Again, not bad service, just behavior you wouldn't expect to observe at such a nice place as this. Apparently, I am really observant when I eat by myself, because I'm not sure anyone else noticed, but I must say that I've never observed this type of behavior at the other places I eat at. I will probably come back to this place again for the ribeye steak when I'm in town and see what other types of odd behavior I come across, but I would definitely not hold any type of business function here, due to the lack of professionalism.