McGraw’s Cantina
4110 S Houghton Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85730
McGraw’s Cantina Menu
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Address :
4110 S Houghton Rd
Tucson, AZ, 85730 - Phone (520) 885-3088
- Website https://www.tucsonmcgraws.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Divey
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Laura P.
The views are nice but that's about it. This restaurant is in need of an interior make-over. There is so much more that can be done with this place! Food is average.
(3)David H.
Good food, cold beer, great views and friendly atmosphere! Love the desert cantina vibe and friendly feel. Prices very reasonable and service is friendly and efficient. Will defintely be back to try more menu items.
(5)Nickie N.
Decent happy hour on drinks only - the nacho's are AWESOME and loaded up with all the good stuff. The view is pretty nice and as long as you don't expect gormet steaks and salads you'll have a nice time.
(4)Roz-Esparza B.
Food was ok at best. Overpriced!! Not impressed at all. The "chicken fajitas" are far from it. But the tri tip was nicely cooked. Wait staff ignored us the majority of the time. Place looked dirty and table was sticky. Best part of the place is the beautiful view from the patio.
(2)Mayia S.
Yeah... I was not impressed. Its a long wait for food that doesn't even taste all that great. I love steak... but this places lacks everything I look for in steak. Super disappointed.
(1)Joe K.
Great place if you take your meals in liquid form but real food is a little pricey and it's nothing to write home about. Salads are the "handful of wilted rabbit food" variety with a handful of packaged shredded cheddar tossed on top for good measure. Steaks are generally good but I've had better for less. But, if you like drinking dinner while standing at the bar, it could be a second home. The view of the Santa Rita Mountains from the outdoor dining area (roofed but otherwise open) is fantastic.
(2)Mike L.
Well. We're still waiting for dinner. Been here twice. Not good. Don't bother.
(2)Stephanie S.
great views from patio over the vast Saguaro desert. food was decent but nothing spectacular. but hey, anyone that can handle our family of +40 with crazy infants and crazy uncles and split it on multiple tabs is a pro!
(3)Leo B.
Mediocre food. Dingy atmosphere and when the wind is just right all you get is the smell of horse stables when you sit outside. Honey Lee is right this is prime real estate that could be something special but it is not.
(2)J. Y.
Terrible. I live within a mile of the place, and I won't bother to go back again. The food is institutional grade, as in grade school and nursing home cafeteria style. Their fake, plastic saguaros are the ugliest things in a 100 mile radius.
(1)Ned B.
Our party of 6 arrived here between 5:30 & 6PM, and we first went out on the patio to have drinks. What a great view, it was beautiful. I hear that when it rains you can watch the storms roll across the valley before you, must be nice. Since it's a cantina I asked for my favorite Mexican beer, "Pacifico", and magically one appeared before me. Ahhh... Vicky had a margarita and said it was very tasty (she ordered a 2nd, by the way, so it must have been true). This is definitely a meat oriented restaurant, just my kind. The special was T-Bone steaks, and a number of us ordered them. Mine was completely delicious. Cooked medium rare, tender and totally yummy. We spent a couple of hours there, just talking and having a good time. Our server, Julie, was very pleasant and didn't bug us about anything, although by the time that we finally left, most of the tables were occupied. Next time, I think I'll try the Tri-tip...
(4)LazyBobcat A.
I have been to Mcgraw's twice in the last month and the food and service were great. Their Buffalo Chicken sandwich is delicious! We sat out in the back outdoors on the patio and it was really nice! If you haven't tried Mcgraw's lately, give it a go!
(5)Danielle B.
One star is too generous. The sad thing is, we were stupid enough to eat here twice. The only draw is that it's right up the road from our home in SE. Okay, I guess the other draw is the view on the hill-the only place you can get an awesome shot of the construction mess on Houghton. The plastic tablecloths and sticky...everything...are definitely not awesome. And the chairs make me want to hobble to the nearest chiropractor. Yowza. The first time here I ordered their burger with green chiles and we sat on the patio. We were kept company by their resident roadrunner, which was interesting. The burger was exactly how they described-char broiled. They should have added dry, but that's not quite as appealing. My husband ordered their pulled pork sandwich, which he loved, and might be the only shining star on the menu. The second time we went back we split the full rack of ribs and upon first bite were surprised at how tender the meat was. More eating led us to the conclusion that the ribs tasted like nothing but meat. Bleh. No smoke flavor, no grill flavor, nothing. A far cry from the ribs in Texas we're used to gnawing on. The only thing that would save this place would be an awesome happy hour, which they cannot boast. $2.75 for a bottle of domestic? Nooooo thank you.
(1)M O.
I live in the area and always pass this restaurant. I read the reviews before I finally visited McGraw so I knew what to expect as far as ambience. Steak was good; Burger was very good. Willing to comeback for the burger. Steak was a little pricey for the location. I'll be better off going to Texas Roadhouse where steak prices are cheaper. Would have enjoyed my meal except for the pesky flies that wouldn't stop hovering. Their salad dressings seemed watered down.
(3)Tina W.
Really loved this place!!! The patio has a beautiful view, the service was fantastic (we went on Mother's Day), food was great!! The sweet potato fries are TO DIE FOR!!! Great experience for a local place!
(5)Dude Food G.
The Dude of Food found stumbled across this place with mom. She had a burger that made me jealous I asked for the bbq tri tip sandwich until I tasted mine and then all was good. If you can't decide on something, for what it's worth, you cannot go wrong with the burger. They have a few beers on tap and the Tucson Blonde was tasty enough to have 3. The staff was nice and very easy going. If you are in Tucson and feel like throwing an ultimate Super Bowl BBQ party at a joint that has a killer view, then you should consider renting a few jacuzzi pools and bringing them here. DO NOT forget to invite me! You heard it here first.
(4)Patrick F.
Artichoke dip is amazing!! Beautiful view and friendly staff. Came in for Mother's Day. Very busy but service was good.
(5)david s.
Out in the middle of nowhere lies a cantina called Mcgraws! Here for lunch had a bowl of chili a bacon cheeseburger with mayo! Margaritas and Bud Lights!! A special thanks to Rachelle for the great service!
(5)Timothy R.
Came here again, parking still is not the best, but the service was great and the tritip sandwich as well as the beer and atmosphere was Outstanding. Our server was Jason, definitely will come here again!
(4)Sonja M.
The service is horrible, flies are everywhere, my food was burned to a crisp, yet they still served it. If it wasn't for the views there would be no reason to go. It will proabbly close as more things come to this side of town......
(1)Reena L.
Went here while visiting my sister-in-law and her husband. None of us had ever been there before, and we will never return. For a steak place, their steaks were bland and tasteless. The best part was leaving.
(1)J. B.
Found this joint using my Garmin when the two restaurants we went to earlier were discovered to be closed on Mondays. We wanted to like the place on first impression due to it's 'funky' look and the inside was quite the mix of colors and Southwest decor while the CD jukebox was playing a Wille Nelson tune for the small (07) group of patrons. My wife ordered the steak ($25) and I'm a self proclaimed burger connoisseur so I picked the normal cheeseburger, which the waitress claimed everyone loves, instead of the more 'flavorful' ones on the menu because I truly believe a burgers basic foundation is the meat patty and covering it's essence with jalapenos, grilled onions/mushrooms, BBQ (bleech) sauce etc can hide a shitty burger. I was right-on the money as the burger was....plain. My wife's steak was cooked to her specifications but was a crappy low-grade cut not worth the price charged. The sides were...sides & nothing note worthy. When we were asked if everything was ok I only commented on the burger. The staff explained they were breaking in a new cook and he may not have seasoned the burger patties properly. They did offer to refund my dinner but I declined and think it fair to pay for the service & experience but they offered a free dinner next time I stopped in. I think I would like the place if I re-visited again and that plain burger was given an opportunity to redeem itself but I don't make out that way often....
(2)Christine W.
Great atmosphere, good beers at good prices. Haven't tried the food but it looks good and big servings us Americans love. Happy, good vibe.... We will try the food next time. Hopefully it will be just as great as the atmosphere of the place. I'll let you know of course. My husband thinks I'm weird cuz I get into yelping a little too much lol.
(4)Onel V.
This steakhouse had been there forever & I live close in that neighborhood where it is at. My then-boyfriend wanted to eat where it's close by the house & I warned him that I haven't ever tried this cantina since I moved in the neighborhood in '09, the mere thought it is thriving for a long time at that hill meant something, so off we went. The place wasn't as full on a Friday night. There was a couple of families w kids, a few seats occupied by lovebirds, it wasn't hectic. My date ordered a ribeye steak cooked medium well, I ordered ribs. It kinda took a while but since him & I were having conversation, we didn't mind at all. So then my ribs came. It was served on a huge plate. They looked ok. Nothing fancy-looking. His steak came a few minutes after. It looked NOT ok. Lol. He noted that the slab of meat has a lot more of the fat side than the meat side. He sliced & forked a piece of it & suddenly he was asking for the female server. The steak was bland. I was like, "yea, you're just being difficult!" So then I sliced & tasted a piece of it too. I was totally speechless. The worst piece of steak I've ever tasted. Not kidding. It was utterly bland. No flavor whatsoever, just a piece of meat that got tossed into the fire, given one side a few minutes, tossed upside down & done! When the server came & complaint was expressed, she offered the salt & pepper shaker or have it "redone" meaning it will be shoved to the grill again & salted some more?? "Are you kidding us?!" was our look...$25 for this & all you could do is offer the salt & pepper or have it redone?.....I don't think this place really knows how to make a steak or to prep one to be cooked as a steak. What a shame. We never came back & won't be as long as i live along Houghton neighborhood.
(1)Ashley Brandon B.
Food: The menu has a wide variety of options on it and since I had heard good things about the steak I decided to try one. I ordered the steak medium, however when I cut into I was disappointed because it was medium well and not very juicy or flavorful. I expected much more of an $18 steak. The baked potato, bread and veggies were basic, nothing to brag about. Maybe, I tried the wrong thing, but from this experience I would not go back here for the food. Service: The service was below average; our cups were empty a majority of the time, the did not come around after we got our food to check and see if we needed anything so we had to chase someone down for condiments. It was on a Friday night, so I understand they are busy, but staff up accordingly to meet the needs or have the hostess also go around and check to see how customers are. Atmosphere: We sat on the inside, and the décor and seating was basic. The plastic old school table cloths with padding underneath made it feel very cheap and dirty. The outside patio looked nice and looked like it had a nice view, so if anyone goes there - I would highly suggest the Patio. I may go back just to sit on the patio for the view.
(2)Samantha O.
This place has an amazing view of the city if you sit on the patio! Great for both a date night and for groups as well. Fun atmosphere and something out of the ordinary! The food and specials are awesome- would recommend this to anyone
(5)Nee M.
Great location for the SE side, old established place--but! Not worth going to at all. The food was mediocre at best. The service was lukewarm. The worst part though: the sill/frame of the window was an inch thick all across the bottom of the window with dead flies. It had to have been months since it was cleaned. Why would you leave dead flies right next to the tables?? Nasty!
(1)Christy F.
Great views on the outdoor patio or if you do not want to brave the heat, ask for a window seat!!! It is covered outdoors. BONUS a roadrunner requents the patio too! He was my first roadrunner so I was pretty jazzed. He lives there I have been told. McGraw's is a bar, but has a full menu and I would not cosider it bar food at all! However, I have had much better meals else where....will I be back? Most likely as I am near the place often. There is a small bar, which appears to have many regulars, as I have been here twice and some looked familiar. Many a pair of cowboy boots and cowboy hats to be seen. Small jukebox between the bar and dining area....flat screens playing baseball or whatever sports de'jour. Dining area has tables and booths. Mismatched table clothes adore the tables, giving it a kitchy homey feel. Tuesday is steak night..14 bucks for steak, rosemary bread, beans and salad. My hunny loved the cliantro in the beans. We both enjoyed the extra order of onion rings too! Nice and crisp, not overly greasy or battered. Steak was rather dry and lacking of seasoning, but did have nice grill marks. I really like the rosemary chibatta roll. Another time I had the green chili chicken, loaded mashed potatos, asparagus, salad and the rosemary bread. Two chicken breasts topped with roasted green chilis and cheese. Large portion and it was juicy. Did not care for the flavor of the mashed...perfectly cooked asparagus, excellantly seasoned, and about 7 stalks!!! The house dressing is a combo of ranch and blue cheese....I love that there are no onions and tomoatoes in the salad..just romaine, cheddar, croutons and cucumber. They have Fat Tire and Blue Moon on tap along with a few toher selections. Service is always friendly...they even gave him extra beans...we got there kinda late and they ran out of the sirloin right after our order and I think people were getting ny strip instead-dang!
(3)Madeline W.
Great food and view. We had the pulled pork and the BBQ bacons cheese burger and sweet potato fries. The fries were perfectly crispy and salty. The sandwiches had house BBQ sauce on them which was very good. Both sandwiches were sweet and spicy all in one. This place would have gotten four stars if the wait staff was more present. Still a nice place for lunch if you're not in a hurry.
(3)Regina M.
We kept driving past Tucson McGraws and wondered if it was worth stopping. So one day we did. Much to our surprise it was a cozy fun and friendly atmosphere. Beautiful views from the patio of the Santa Rita mountains. Food was average, drinks were good and service was ok. We were there around four thirty in the afternoon. By the time we left the place was filling up with locals and regulars. We will go back again. They also have a side patio where you can bring your dogs with you. The sweet potato fries were very very good. Check it out.
(4)Cheryl W.
This is the second time we have been to McGraw's Cantina. We live close by so we were hoping to make this a regular hotspot. The first time we were here, we sat on the patio. It was an odd visit. The scenery and the food was terrific; however, the waitress didn't really know the menu at all and had to go back to the kitchen to answer our questions. After we received our food, one of the employees stormed out of the restaurant on to the patio, threw a set of car keys over the railing and into the desert below. Another employee came out and seemed to be looking for them. My boyfriend and I had directed him to the area where we heard the keys land. He ended up finding the keys and thanking us for our help. Last night, we decided to try McGraw's out again. We entered the restaurant and waited for quite awhile by the "please wait to be seated sign". Finally, a female employee walked past to head to the bar. She saw us standing there and said, "I'm sorry, I'll be right with you". Again, we waited for an unacceptable period of time for her to come back. She told us it would be about a 15 minute wait. There were no customers at the bar, so we decided to sit there. The restaurant had plenty of tables open, so I'm not sure why there would be a 15 minute wait, an explanation would have been nice. At the bar, the service was absolutely horrible. We were not greeted at all. We sat there for a couple minutes before the bartender even seemed to notice us. She did say, "sorry" and asked us what we wanted to drink. She didn't ask us if we wanted a menu, so after about ten minutes waiting for her to check on us, my boyfriend had to interrupt what she was doing to ask for menus. It felt like we were a burden to be there. There were only two other people at the bar and a little girl running around. Again, the restaurant did not look busy at all. She never asked us if we had questions, or if we were ready to order. She seemed to be busy, but I was a bartender for over ten years and the drinks she was pushing out did not seem to be overwhelming for an experienced bartender. She seemed to be frustrated because she had some more "complicated" orders (i.e. martinis/cosmopolitan and the dreaded "frozen margarita"). We could see the disdain in her face when one of the waitresses pointed out a carafe of frozen margaritas and asked, "shouldn't this be filled up more?" (it was only 3/4 full and the other one was completely full). She let out a sigh and went to the blender to make more. By this time, my boyfriend and I had completed our drinks and were still waiting. We had already decided to go somewhere else to eat. While my boyfriend was trying to get the bartenders attention, I was googling on my phone steak places in the same area. Finally my boyfriend got her attention and asked how much for the two beers. She had to think about it before answering. She gave us our change and muttered, "sorry". We didn't say anything and walked out. My boyfriend made a remark that this was the first time in his life that he had not tipped a bartender. My boyfriend and I go out to eat a lot, probably 4-5 times a week. We like to eat well and generally have a large bar tab. We also tip well, 20% minimum or more for exceptional service. We both agreed that McGraw's lost some fantastic customers last night. This is sad because I'm very big on eating at local restaurants and supporting the local economy. I generally despise franchise restaurants, but last night we ended up Longhorn Steakhouse. I have to say, Longhorn Steakhouse was pretty amazing. We received exceptional service and the food/atmosphere was unbeatable. We were greeted right away, and the bartender was attentive the whole time even though the place was packed (there was a 20 minute wait when we asked for a table). I would avoid McGraw's until they figure out how to properly treat customers. They could have easily made $100 off of us last night, but chose not to by treating us as if we were nonexistent.
(1)Mark S.
I can seriously understand all the mixed reviews on this place. The chairs are mismatched, the table was sticky, the salt shaker was greasy and the server's finger was in my water when delivered to the table. In other words, if you are high maintenance, you may want to look elsewhere. The server, however, was friendly, the views from the patio really nice and the food we ordered was pretty good. My wife had the burger. Another reviewer mentions that they put mayo on the burger and don't disclose that on the menu. This is true: mayo haters take note. My wife found out when she asked for a side of mayo and the server told her it already had mayo on it. She enjoyed her burger. Her comment: the only thing missing was the pickles. I had the fish and chips. It was probably some of the best I have had in town. I know Tucson is not really a seafood mecca. You would be hard pressed to call fish and chips seafood in my book anyway - I consider fish and chips bar food - and McGraws is quite good. This place is listed under steakhouses on Yelp. They do have a selection of steaks on the menu and I see that Tuesday is "steak night". Since when does steak get it's own night? I doubt I would ever order a steak here, but as far as bar food goes.and a place to sit outside on the patio enjoying our great Arizona weather, you can hardly beat McGraw's.
(3)Mark A.
We only went to this place because it's close and open, pulling into the parking lot the 1st impression is that these people don't give a shit about 1st impressions. When walking in the door it is profusion of horrendous color and tchotchke's , but the view that is stupendous is overlooked completely. I guess they are under new ownership again, and nobody really knows what's going on, because they brought us the dinner menu instead of the lunch one ( same stuff higher prices). The waitress was nice but did not know that sandwiches come with fries, you think she should that at least. I had a patty melt and their signature frozen fries, it was fine but nowhere near "yea I would eat here again". It is really too bad because it could be a cool place if they cleaned out the yard sale interior and paid a little attention to the front of the building.
(2)Joaquin K.
The chairs are awkward and uncomfortable. The plastic table coverings are sticky and feel unclean. Service is mediocre even at their best. We kept trying since it's so close but nothing has been improved. Feels like a before version of a restaurant on one of those rescue shows. Beautiful location is all that gets this a single star.
(1)R G.
Been going for 20 years a few times a year. Same style, same dirt, same grease, same service (different faces ). My expectations are just the same too. Sometimes food is great and other times not so much. The last visit was pleasant with 3 meals very tasty and 1 lacked flavor and spice, so really the restaurant part gets only 2 * the food 2* but the view 4+ so I balance it as a 3*. Maybe someday the owners get it all in sync. In the meantime I ll continue to be surprised.
(3)Ericka L.
Went there for dinner and sat on the patio at sunset. Gorgeous views and our food was great! The garden salad was fantastically fresh, my NY strip steak was cooked to perfection, and the hubs Prime Rib was spectacular. Was almost deterred by the bad reviews, but we will definitely be back soon.
(4)Peg P.
Situated on a hilltop with spectacular views of the desert, yes, it probably is a great watering hole but the food and service weren't that bad. Really. It won't keep me awake at night dreaming of the next time I can go back, but it was fine. Our server was very friendly and attentive. The tuna salad sandwich (with tomato and lettuce) and sweet cole slaw I ordered was good tasting and very generous portion-wise. My friend enjoyed the fish and chips...again, very generous portions served and prepared well. The restaurant itself was clean and freshly painted and very cozy. It can only hold 133 people. They say it's a favorite place for the crew working at Saguaro National Park East and I can see why. After all these years driving past it on the way to Saguaro, I'm glad we finally decided to stop and give it a try. We will certainly return if we're in the area.
(3)Gregg P.
Went on steak night which is Tuesday. For $12.95 you get a sirloin steak with salad, roll and beans. Potato was $2.50 more. The steak was good, small potatoes, and the beans had a good flavor. Overall a good deal. The place needs a good cleaning. Quite noisy from the bar area. Small dining are, but had more tables outside in the covered patio area with a good view south. Nice spot at sunset. Not real impressed with the place. Too bad, because it could be a neat place.
(2)Joyce C.
No better place to watch the drama of a lightning storm during Tucson's Monsoon. This afternoon, in fact, low black clouds were rumbling and lightning was snaking across the sky ... all the makings of the first major storm this season. So, my husband and hightailed it over it Tucson McGraw's Original Cantina. (That's what the sign says.) It's on the little rise overlooking the Santa Rita Mountains, off Houghton (that's way east). Blink and you might miss it. Out on the covered back porch, we settled in with beer and BBQ sandwiches. The windowed garage door let in some of the cool breeze while blocking major (cool -- did I say cooool?) gusts of wind from blowing away napkins, beer bottles, you name it. Nothing fancy, but the barbecue is tasty -- served on a bun with fries or sweet cole slaw -- and there's country music in the background. Pretty soon, McGraw himself ("I'm McGraw") came over and said howdy, lookin' like a real cowboy. Love the vibe. This place truly is an original. In fact, I think I read it was here 30 years ago -- well before the fancy housing developments that skirt around it now.
(4)Kelly K.
In a previous review, I gave McGraw's 4 stars. Sadly, I now have to drop this based on my meal there last night. I'll save you all the grief that they did not for me: - They were out of the artichoke dip (the main reason I went) - I had to get up and get my own refills of iced tea multiple times - They secretly add ingredients you don't like on to your burgers (ok ok, that is far fetched, however, they put mayo on burgers while it is unannounced on the menu. I can easily forgive all of the above, except the mayo. If you're going to destroy an amazing burger by adding the worst ingredient in life, please have the courtesy to announce so on the menu or while ordering (especially if you got a burger with green chiles on it).
(2)Anna M.
Food is kinda terrible and nothing special, along with the service. It's got a great view.. Good for some drinks on the back porch
(2)Emily C.
My family and I went there for the first time tonight, and were pleasantly surprised. The restaurant has lots of character and a fabulous mountain view. Our server was very friendly and helpful. The food was solid (they don't have a complicated menu, but our sandwiches, nachos, and burgers were all good) and the margaritas were strong. We live close by, so we will definitely go back.
(4)Phil K.
Great views of Tucson and things south of Tucson. Food is decent, nothing extraordinary. Prices are medium about 10 for a burger/sandwich. I do like the artichoke dip though!
(4)Nichole S.
The only positive thing about this place is the view from the back patio. We ordered nachos as an appetizer and it was ice cold. Everything from the chips, cheese, and beans seemed to come straight from the freezer. The shredded chicken on the side was dry and looked old. Cocktails were watery and the staff was no where to be found. We had to actually track someone down just to pay the bill. Defnitely overpriced for an awful experience.
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