We never enjoy telling folks that a local restaurant is closing but in this case, the closure is only temporary. Phew!
About two weeks ago, El Minuto Cafe temporarily closed its doors for a roof repair and other renovations throughout the building. The restaurant opened nearly 90 years ago and has survived freeway construction, urban renewal, and downtown revitalization.
In other words, renovations here and there make sense for El Minuto Cafe. Juan Shaar first opened the restaurant’s doors in 1936, serving Sonoran-style Mexican specialties crafted with family traditions.
Renovations are two weeks in and Zulema Salinas, the restaurant’s co-owner/great-granddaughter of Shaar, was told the work would take about eight weeks. However, progress is truckin’ along faster than they predicted.
“So far it seems to be moving a lot quicker,” said Salinas. “We’re hoping that sometime in June we’ll be back up and open again.”
Stay tuned for the an official reopening date.
El Minuto Cafe is located at 354 S. Main St. For more information, visit elminutotucson.com and follow El Minuto Cafe on Instagram. Read our September 2019 article “Four Generations Serving Sonoran-Style Mexican Specialties.”
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Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
