There’s always something blossoming at Tucson Botanical Gardens.
Stroll down the winding path, and you’ll likely encounter hummingbirds, lizards, and the occasional butterfly. Then, about midway through the Gardens and before you reach The Great Garden Express, Edna’s Eatery by Charly’s Grill is blooming with new dishes to try.
Earlier this year, Chef Carlos Guerrero, who’s most recently known for Charly’s BBQ & Grill, moved in and has taken Edna’s Eatery under his wing — introducing new menu items since day one.
There are a few new additions but one of the menu items so many folks are raving about, including Guerrero himself, is the Avocado Toast.
For us eaters, it’s because it simply tastes great, but for Guerrero, it’s the process of creating the dish.
“The reason why I like to showcase the Avocado Toast is because I use a lot of things from the Gardens,” he said. “I started using the tomatoes and I pickled some onions that were given to me from the garden. Now that we have the freedom to use a lot of what’s grown here at the Gardens, we’re going to be using more on the menu.”
Chives that are incorporated in some of the new dishes came from potted plants in the windows of the cafe. The flowers on display in vases on each table are picked from the Gardens every morning.
Heck, Guerrero even took us on a mini tour and let us snag a couple of grapefruits from the large tree just west of The Barrio Bug.
“This is the first time in a long time we’ve had someone who’s expressed interest in harvesting from the gardens,” said Laura Leach of Tucson Botanical Gardens. “The horticulturists are really excited. They say, ‘Well, what else can we bring you Carlos? What can we grow for you? Our Director of Horticulture began his career in food production so he’s very interested in providing the right kinds of varieties of food for Carlos.”
Not all of these dishes are on the menu yet but here’s a sneak peek of what you can expect soon. Stay tuned for the official launch.
New Menu Highlights
Sweet Potato Gazpacho
Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Smoked Salmon
Chilaquiles
Supporting Local
A few other local businesses are adding to the experience at Edna’s Eatery by Charly’s Grill.
While we (the Tucson Foodie crew) were dining in, we saw a few groups of people come in for refreshments — especially during this summer heat — and the paletas (popsicles) from Delicias de Michoacan were a hit. The local ice cream and sweets shop on Craycroft Road is providing the brain freezes.
Kev’s Zesty Kitchen makes sure you’re staying hydrated with their agua frescas.
Also, for a limited time, if you bring in a donation to Pima Animal Care Center (PACC), they’ll take 5% off of your bill.
They’re currently asking for dog treats, cat and dog food, pet toys, pet beds, and lightly used blankets and towels.
Edna’s Eatery by Charly’s Grill is open 7:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. daily (subject to change each season), serving breakfast and lunch from a seasonal menu. General Admission to the Gardens or a membership is required to access the cafe.
The Tucson Botanical Gardens are located at 2150 N. Alvernon Way. For more information, call (520) 326-9686 or visit tucsonbotanical.org.
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.
