WISDOM'S CAFE
HOME OF THE WORLD FAMOUSFRUIT BURRO & AWARD-WINNING MARGARITAS
OPEN TUES. thru SAT.11 A.M. ~ 8 P.M.
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TEXT OR CALL US(520) 398-2397
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1931 E. FRONTAGE RD. #10TUMACÁCORI, AZ
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We take reservationsfor 5 people or moreand are highly recommended during the months of February and March.
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SPECIAL HOURS:Halloween ~ we will close at 3 P.M.Thanksgiving closed OPEN CHRISTMAS EVEChristmas Day closed New Year's Eve we will close at 3 P.M.New Year's Day closedSaturday, Jan. 2 closed
OUR LAST DAY BEFORE OUR 6 WEEK SUMMER CLOSURE WILL BE ON SATURDAY, MAY 22, 2027.WE WILL BE CLOSED for a short break for repairs & R & R & reopening on Tuesday, July 6, 2027.
SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER FOR UPDATES, SPECIALS AND AREA EVENTS! Sign up here:
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FRIDAY live music 5-8 PM with WILL FORAKER 10/30/26+ Fish & Chips until we sell out😋SATURDAY WE WILL CLOSE AT 3 PM😋EVERY 1ST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH2-for-1 MARGARITAS all day😋EVERY 2ND SATURDAY OF THE MONTH2-for-1 MARGARITAS all day
ALL WEEKPoblano Chile en Nogada😋TUESDAY2-for-1 margaritas all day+ Birria (Tacos, Burritos & Cheese Crisps) + our DOS Garlic Shrimp😋WEDNESDAY Enchiladas del Mar😋THURSDAY DIE HARD WISDOM'S FAN 2-for-1 drink and fruit burro specials with code words (sign up for our newsletter above to receive code words)+our amazing Enchiladas Banderas (except during Tubac Festival)😋EVERY 1ST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH2-for-1 margaritas all day😋EVERY 2ND SATURDAY OF THE MONTH2-for-1 margaritas all day
From left to right: Garlic Shrimp, Tacos de Birria, Enchiladas del Mar, Enchiladas Banderas, Fish & Chips
UPCOMING LIVE MUSIC
Friday, October 305-8 PM
Saturday, October 31
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HOME of the WORLD FAMOUS FRUIT BURRO
Order your FRUIT BURRO first ~ each one made fresh to order
$13We take one of our locally made flour tortillas, fill it with the fruit of your choice, roll it up into a burrito & deep fry it 'til it's golden & crispy, then dust it with cinnamon & sugar ~ served hot with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. We make these to order & recommend following Wisdom's tradition & placing your order with your entrée! Choose between APPLE * BLUEBERRY * CHERRY * PEACH * COCONUT CREMEFLAVOR OF THE MONTH +$1 * Split your fruit burro between 2 people with an extra scoop of ice cream +$4
FLAN
$7Smooth and creamy with a rich, golden top
APPETIZERS
CHIPS & SALSA hand cut, locally made corn tortilla chips
$8hot and crispy chips served with our Salsa Fresca.Pineapple~Mango Salsa OR our Cucumber Salsa instead of Salsa Fresca +$1
And GUACAMOLE
$14comes with our hand cut corn tortilla chips & our Salsa Fresca
PUPUSA
$8.50thick griddle cake (or flatbread) stuffed with cheese. The national dish of El Salvador made with cornmeal, similar to the Venezuelan arepa. Top it with refried beans OR shredded beef OR turkey OR spicy ground beef (+$3)
BACON WRAPPED SHRIMP APPETIZER
$17Delicious shrimp wrapped in bacon make the perfect combo ~ served with BBQ sauce on the side. GF option ~ ask for no BBQ sauce.
SHRIMP CEVICHE
$15.50a Mexican tradition best enjoyed with a cold cerveza! Shrimp marinated in lime juice with chopped tomato, bell peppers, onion, cilantro & garlic. Served with crispy chips & avocado slices
CHEESE CRISP
$12.50A 16" crispy flour tortilla with melted cheese on top & cut into 8 delicious sliceswith mild green chiles +$1 * with our Veggie Cucumber Salsa +$3 * with shredded beef or shredded turkey, mild green chiles topped with lettuce and tomato +$6.50
NACHOS
$15.50crispy, homemade chips smothered in cheese and topped with sour cream, guacamole, jalapeños & salsa (CHACHA STYLE ~ fries instead of chips +$1)Add refried beans OR shredded beef OR turkey OR spicy ground beef (+$3 ea topping)
SOUPS & SALADS
WISDOM'S TORTILLA SOUP
$12Our version has turkey, veggies, melted cheese, avocado and crispy tortilla strips on topLight eater option ~ choose our small soup for $9.50
POZOLE
$13.25POZOLEtively AMAZING. Delicious pork in a scrumptious broth in perfect hominy comes with shredded cabbage & diced onion on the side, served with 2 buttered slices of toasted bread (ask for corn torts for GF).Light eater option ~ choose our small soup for $10.75
POBLANO SOUP
$11.50Our most popular soup from DOS & wonderfully spicy
WISDOM'S HOUSE SALAD
$12As beautiful as it is delicious ~ mixed greens tossed with gorgonzola cheese, sliced almonds, onions, tomato and avocado.
DOS SALAD
$12Deliciously crisp spring mix topped with fresh apples, nuts, gorgonzola cheese and drizzled with our House Raspberry Balsamic Vinaigrette or opt for a Traditional Balsamic Vinaigrette
CAESAR SALAD
$12Crisp romaine lettuce tossed with our house Caesar dressing & croutons, topped with fresh Parmesan cheese.
PINEAPPLE~CITRUS CILANTRO SALAD
$12A wonderful fresh salad ~ mixed greens, almonds, cranberries and tomato tossed with our blended Pineapple~citrus & Cilantro dressing
(Light eater option ~ choose a small salad for $9.50)
Top Any of Our Salads with
Chicken or Steak or Shrimp or Grilled Fish +$8 * Bacon~wrapped Shrimp +$11 * Surf & Turf $12.50 * Chicken & Steak & Shrimp +$13
WISDOM'S TORTILLA SOUP & SALAD COMBO
$19.50Our hearty Wisdom's Tortilla Soup and our fresh Wisdom's Salad make for a delicious combo that is a customer favorite!Light eater option ~ small soup & small salad combo $16.50
TACO SALAD SUPREME
$17.50Our crispy flour tortilla shell filled with our Wisdom's beans, rice & spicy ground beef ~ topped with lettuce, cheese, guacamole, salsa & sour cream
LILA'S SPECIAL TOSTADA
$13Named after local, Lila, this tostada starts with a crispy corn tortilla & our Wisdom's beans as the 1st layer. Next comes lots of shredded lettuce. Then your choice of shredded turkey or beef. And on the very top has cheese, tomato & avocado slices.
+Gluten Free warning/disclaimer
Please note that any item that is fried is done so in the same fryer as flour products and thus we can't guarantee they are 100% gluten free. Additionally, other menu items might come into contact with the same surface as flour products & although we try our best to prevent cross-contamination we can't guarantee it.
WARNING Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.While we take precautions to prevent cross-contamination, we cannot guarantee that any menu item is completely free of allergens.
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CHIMIS & BURRITOS
CHIMICHANGA
$14.50Border favorite featuring a large flour tortilla stuffed with your choice of Wisdom's beans, shredded beef, turkey or spicy ground beef then deep-fried until golden and crispy ~ served with lettuce, tomato, Cheddar Jack cheese & a scoop of sour cream.with rice and beans add $4 * smothered with red enchilada or green tomatillo sauce add $2
BURRITO
Stuffed with Wisdom's Beans and Cheese $13 * stuffed with Shredded Beef OR Shredded Turkey OR Spicy Ground Beef $15 * All served with a scoop of sour cream. * make it a Combo and add Wisdom's Beans inside for $2Smother your burrito with our red enchilada or green tomatillo sauce + $2
CLIFF BURRITO
$17Cliff's favorite featuring our shredded beef, Wisdom's beans, red enchilada sauce and cheddar jack cheese stuffed inside a large flour tortilla, rolled up and served with lettuce, tomato, cheddar jack cheese, and a scoop of sour cream on the side.Smother your burrito with our red enchilada or green tomatillo sauce +$2
STEAK BURRITO ~ BURRITO DE CARNE ASADA
$18.50100% Angus beef Steak, Wisdom's beans, Salsa Fresca & cheese stuffed inside a flour tortilla. Served with a scoop of sour cream on the side.Smother your burrito with our red enchilada or green tomatillo sauce for +$2
ENTRÉES
TAMPIQUEÑA
$27.50Cliff's ALL~TIME, favorite! A northern Mexico plate featuring a tender, 100% Angus beef Steak, Cheese Enchilada and Chile Relleno with our salsa fresca, sour cream & Wisdom's refried beans and Mexican rice
CHIPOTLE PENNE PASTA
$15Experience vibrant flavors in this exciting pasta creation. Our signature Chipotle Sauce adds a smoky, spicy kick to every biteadd Chicken OR Shrimp OR steak +$8
CHEESE CRISP
$12.50A 16" crispy flour tortilla with melted cheese on top & cut into 8 delicious sliceswith mild green chiles +$1 * with our Veggie Cucumber Salsa +$3 * with shredded beef or shredded turkey, mild green chiles topped with lettuce and tomato +$6.50
SUPREMA
$202 people can share this giant 16" crispy flour tortilla featuring melted Cheddar Jack cheese and layered with Wisdom's beans plus your choice of shredded beef or shredded turkey, onion, mild green chiles, lettuce and tomato.Don't wanna share? You don't have to! Order our smaller, personal~sized 12" version -$2
QUESADILLA
$12.50A large flour tortilla filled with melted Cheddar Jack cheese served with a scoop of sour cream and Salsa Fresca on the sideWith mild green chiles +$1 * with Wisdom's beans +$2 * with grilled chicken or steak or shrimp or grilled fish +$8
MARY HIXON PLATE
$15A soft corn tortilla filled with your choice of cheese, seasoned shredded turkey or beef then rolled up & smothered with our delicious red enchilada sauce, lots of melted cheese & topped with lettuce & tomato. Served with Wisdom's refried beans, Mexican rice & a scoop of sour cream. Ask for our green Tomatillo salsa for a GF option.You can also choose Ground Beef +$2 Shrimp or Grilled Fish +$3
GREEN PLATE
$16.50Do you prefer to make your burrito as you go? Then this is the plate for you! Our seasoned shredded beef on a plate next to our delicious rice and beans beans plus the perfect flour tortilla to scoop it all up
TURKEY PLATE
$16.50Craving our shredded turkey that has been slow-cooked all night then seasoned with roasted tomato, onion, garlic and green chile? We've got you covered! Served next to our Mexican rice and our Wisdom's beans plus a big flour tortilla so you can make your burrito as you go
SONORAN CHICKEN
$18.50A tender breast of chicken smothered in our green tomatillo sauce and topped with melted cheese. Served with rice and frijoles de la olla (whole pinto beans in a delicious broth garnished with fresh cilantro and onion).
FLAUTAS
$20STILL one of Celeste's favorites! We take 4 corn tortillas, roll 'em up with your choice of seasoned shredded turkey or beef then deep fry them until they're golden & crispy. Topped with lettuce, tomato & cheese and served with our Wisdom's beans, rice and a scoop of sour cream & guacamole
FAJITAS ~ choose between Steak OR Chicken OR Shrimp
$20.50Grilled with onions & bell peppers & served with our Wisdom's beans & Mexican Rice on the side with a scoop of guacamole, salsa fresca, sour cream & a warm flour tortilla!Chicken & Steak +$3.50 * Shrimp & Chicken OR Shrimp & Steak +$3.50 * Shrimp AND Chicken AND Steak +$4.50
CHICKEN TENDERS
$14.50Golden & tender strips of breaded chicken served with your choice of French Fries OR our Mexican rice & Wisdom's beans
WARNING Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.While we take precautions to prevent cross-contamination, we cannot guarantee that any menu item is completely free of allergens.
SHRIMP TACOS
$18
Grilled shrimp served in soft flour tortillas, topped with cabbage, red onion & our chipotle~lime sauce (order DOS~style to get our super secret chiltecream sauce instead!). Comes with Mexican rice and frijoles de la olla (whole pinto beans in a delicious broth garnished with fresh cilantro and onion).
COCONUT SHRIMP TACOS
$17.50
served with its own special jalapeno sweet & sour sauce
PAN SEARED FISH TACOS
$18
served in soft flour tortillas, topped with lettuce & our pineapple~mango salsa (order DOS~style for our spicy & delicious chiltecream sauce, red onion and cabbage instead). Comes with Mexican rice & pinto beans in a delicious broth garnished with cilantro and onion.
BAJA FISH TACOS
$17.50
3 crispy, breaded cod tacos topped with cabbage, red onion & our chipotle Sauce
BACON WRAPPED SHRIMP PLATE
$19
Delicious shrimp wrapped in bacon served with Wisdom's beans & Mexican rice with our salsa fresca, guacamole & sour cream on the side. GF option ~ ask for no rice.
SURF & TURF
$25.50
THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS. Our bacon wrapped shrimp & a 100% Angus steak served with our Mexican rice, Wisdom's beans, salsa fresca & guacamole on the side. GF option ~ ask for no rice.
COMBO PLATE
$18.50
Choose any 2 of the following, served with our Mexican rice & Wisdom's beans: Taco (Shredded Beef OR Turkey OR Ground Beef * Enchilada (Turkey OR Beef OR Cheese) * Tostada (Bean OR Beef OR Turkey) *
If one of your 2 options include the following, we charge an extra $1.95 for each: Green Corn Tamale * Chile Relleno * Grilled Fish Taco (comes in a soft flour tortilla) * Shrimp Taco (comes in a soft flour tortilla) * Shrimp OR Fish Enchilada
Sandwiches
CHEESEBURGER
$17
DELICIOUS ½ LB 100% Angus beef & all the fixings on a whole wheat bun & French fries.
BUILD YOUR OWN ~ .50 ea.: gorgonzola * jalapeños * mild green chiles * sautéed onions * BBQ sauce. Add any of these toppings for $1.50 ea.: bacon * avocado * guacamole
CHICKEN SANDWICH
$16
A tender, grilled chicken breast on a whole wheat bun topped with fresh avocado slices, tomato and lettuce with a side of our Chipotle~lime Sauce. Served with your choice of our Wisdom's salad or French fries.
BUILD YOUR OWN and add any of these toppings for .50 ea: cheddar~jack cheese * gorgonzola * jalapeños * mild green chiles * sautéed onions * BBQ sauce. Add any of these toppings for $1.50 each : bacon * avocado * guacamole
SOUTHWEST CHICKEN CLUB
$17.50
A border twist on the traditional club sandwich. A tender, grilled breast of chicken & bacon with melted cheese and mild green chiles on a whole wheat bun & a side of our chipotle~lime Sauce. Served with your choice of our Wisdom's Salad or French fries.
BUILD YOUR OWN and add any of these toppings for .50 ea: gorgonzola * jalapeños * mild green chiles * sautéed onions * BBQ sauce. Add any of these toppings for $1.50 each : bacon * avocado * guacamole
SONORAN HOT DOG
$15.50
A border favorite! A hot dog served in a soft Mexican roll with bacon crumbles, pinto beans, cheese, sautéed onions, diced tomato and guacamole on top & a roasted chile on the side. Served with your choice of our Wisdom's Salad or French fries.
A LA CARTA
HAND MADE TAMALE
$9.50
Our green corn tamale is made with love by Chef Mary. Gluten & lard free! Our corn masa is stuffed with cheddar jack cheese & mild green chiles then steamed. Served with a scoop of our salsa fresca & guacamole.
Calabasitas Tamale stuffed with squash, tomato, onion & cheese $10 * Red Tamale with shredded beef for $10. Want yours smothered in our green tomatillo salsa or red enchilada sauce ~ add $2 *ASK FOR OUR VEGAN OPTIONS!
TAMALE SLIDER
$11.50
A tamale topped with avocado slices and cilantro, served with a scoop of salsa. (Add shredded beef OR turkey OR pinto beans + $3)
ENCHILADA
$8.50
A soft corn tortilla is filled with your choice of cheese, seasoned shredded turkey or beef then rolled up and topped with a delicious red enchilada sauce, lettuce, tomato & cheese. Our sauce is made with chiles from our local Santa Cruz Chili & Spice Co. Served with a scoop of sour cream.
You can also choose ground beef for $9.50 OR Shrimp for $10.50 OR Pan Seared Fish for $10.50 Ask for MARY HIXON~STYLE and we'll put extra melted cheese on top of any of our enchiladas for an extra $2
TACO
$7.50
Our crispy corn taco dorado filled with your choice of beans, shredded beef, shredded turkey or ground beef & topped with lettuce, tomato & cheese. Served with a scoop of salsa.
or choose a Shrimp Taco (served in a soft flour tortilla so not GF) for $8.50 * or try our Grilled Fish Taco (served in a flour tortilla so not GF) for $8.50
CHILE RELLENO
$9.50
Another of Chef Mary's labor of love! Roasted Anaheim chile stuffed with cheese, dipped in our special batter and fried to golden, crispy deliciousness, served with a scoop of sour cream, lettuce & tomato.
Want yours smothered in our green tomatillo salsa or red enchilada sauce ~ add $2
TOSTADA
A crispy corn tortilla topped with your choice of protein, layered with lettuce, tomato & cheese
with refried beans $8 * with shredded beef OR turkey $9.75 * with shrimp OR Pan Seared Fish $10.50. Add refried beans to any protein + $1.50
WARNING Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.While we take precautions to prevent cross-contamination, we cannot guarantee that any menu item is completely free of allergens.
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SIDES
SALSA FRESCA
Made fresh daily with roasted jalapeños, tomatoes, onions & cilantro $6.75. Or try our Pineapple~mango Salsa or Cucumber Salsa for $7.25
Other sauces: Chipotle~lime sauce * Red Enchilada sauce * Tomatillo sauce * Chiltecream * $2.75 each
GUACAMOLE made fresh daily
$10.50
SIDE OF WISDOM'S REFRIED BEANS or FRIJOLES DE LA OLLA
$5.50
SIDE OF MEXICAN RICE
$5.50
SIDE OF WISDOM'S REFRIED BEANS (or FRIJOLES DE LA OLLA) and MEXICAN RICE
$9
HAND CUT CHIPS ~ made to order!
$4.75
Our hand cut chips are made from locally made corn tortillas & are made to order so they arrive warm, crispy & delicious
TORTILLAS
$3
Choose between a giant 16" flour tortilla or 4 corn tortillas
FRENCH FRIES
$6.50
BEVERAGES
ARNOLD PALMER * LEMONADE * ICED TEA * COKE * DIET COKE * ROOT BEER * SPRITE * DR. PEPPER * GINGER ALE * MILK * CHOCOLATE MILK * COFFEE * HOT TEA * HOT CHOCOLATE * CRANBERRY JUICE * APPLE JUICE * OJ
$3.75
STRAWBERRY LEMONADE * HORCHATA * JAMAICA * TAMARINDO (+$1)
ROOT BEER FLOAT
$9.50
Made with two scoops of our vanilla ice cream!
CERVEZA, VINO, Y MAS
CERVEZA
$7
ON TAP: XX Amber * XX Lager * Modelo Especial * BOTTLE: Negra Modelo * Tecate * Tecate Light * Pacifico *
CRAFT BEER ON TAP
$7.50
Cliff's favorite part of the job is choosing which 4 specialty beers to have on tap for you! Your server will let you know what our selection is this week.
DOMESTIC BEER
$6
Bud * Bud Light * Coors Light * Beck's (Non-Alcoholic)
WHITE CLAW HARD SELTZER
$6
MICHELADA
$10.25
Our special blend of spicy and deliciousness with the beer of your choice
CHELADA
$7.50
Celeste's favorite in San Miguel de Allende, the Mexican beer of your choice poured over ice with lots of lime and a salt-rimmed glass
BLOODY MARY
$11.50
Our special blend of spicy deliciousness with Tito's vodka
VINO 8 OZ glass
$10.50
WINE ON TAP Cliff chooses one white and one red, searching for small, family-owned vintners. Ask what's on tap today! Our wine comes in a stainless steel keg maintaining superior wine quality which helps to keep the wine tasting exactly as the winemaker intended! And it reduces the carbon footprint wine leaves behind. Cheers!
WINE BY THE BOTTLE
We are proud to carry a great selection by local winery Flying Leap Vineyards & Distillery.
MARGARITAS
WISDOM'S MARGARITA $13.50
Mango, Strawberry, Pomegranate or Tamarindo + $1
LA CHINGONA AKA The FRIDAY NIGHT SPECIAL
$18.50
Celeste's twist on our Wisdom's Margarita made with a special 100% agave silver tequila & pomegranate, rimmed with salt & lime
TEQUILA Y MÁS
TEQUILA 100 % Blue Agave 2 OZ
SILVER $12.50 is Tequila's purest form, clear and un-aged.. REPOSADO $14.50 Golden-hued after it's rested & aged in wood barrels for up to a year. AÑEJO $16.50 Amber-hued, aged 1-2 years, smooth, complex flavor. EXTRA AÑEJO $21.50 Mahogany-hued, aged 2+ years with ultra smooth, complex flavors.
Ask us about our Mezcal and Bacanora
MIXED DRINK
$10.50
All of our cocktails are made with premium liquor.
*free refills on all EXCEPT Milk/Chocolate Milk/Hot Chocolate/Cranberry/AppleJuice/OJ/Strawberry Lemonade/Float/Aguas Frescas
WARNING consumption of alcohol during pregnancy may cause birth defects such as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.WARNING Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.While we take precautions to prevent cross-contamination, we cannot guarantee that any menu item is completely free of allergens.
Just For Kids
10 & under
Kid's Macaroni & Cheese
$7
Kid's Chicken and Fries
$8
Don't want fries on the side? Ask for beans/rice or salad!
Kid's Plain Hot Dog & Fries
$7
Don't want fries on the side? Ask for beans/rice or salad!
Kid's Quesadilla
$7
Kid's Bean and Cheese Burrito
$7
Kid's Taco
$7
beef or turkey
Sashi Plate
$9
shredded beef, a side of rice and beans, and a warm flour tortilla
Griffin Burrito
$9
shredded beef, melted cheese on top & a scoop of sour cream
Dessert
Milkshake
$8
Scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream
$4
Root Beer Float
$7
Kid's Sundae
$6
Mini Fruit Burrito With Ice Cream
$7
Wisdom Sopaipilla
$5.50
mini fruit burrito withOUT the fruit, served with ice cream
Drinks
Juice
$3.75
lemonade, apple, cranberry or orange
Milk or Chocolate Milk
$3.75
Soda or Iced Tea
$3.75
*Menu and prices subject to change*
OUR HISTORY
WISDOM’S CAFÉ TUMACÁCORI est. 1944
In 1944, Howard and Petra (Gomez) Wisdom opened the doors to Wisdom’s Café, alongside the old Nogales Highway, never imagining that their little café was destined to become a dining tradition three generations strong.Because Petra’s father was a property owner in Tumacácori and gifted parcels of his land to his children and their spouses, the café is in a lovely location with a view of the Tumacácori Mountains to the west and the Santa Ritas to the east. It started out as an L-shaped little place that served breakfast and housed a rowdy bar. And since Howard was a natural born cowboy and an athlete in the saddle, alongside the café he soon built a roping arena where bulldogging and rodeo champions came from around the U.S. and Mexico to show off their skills.
Eventually the building grew to its current size with, as Petra recalled, a little help from the workers building Interstate 19. Howard and Petra provided a great breakfast and lunch and the guys helped Howard pour the floor in the bar. Sadly, the official opening of I-19 in 1979 forced many wonderful businesses to close their doors, including Wisdom’s Café, because of the loss of traffic. Fortunately in 1980, the Wisdoms’ son, Herb, and his wife, Irene (Pesqueira), agreed to return home from Long Beach, CA, where they’d lived for 20 years, to help Howard and Petra give new life to the café. Herb asked his sisters, Jennie Belle and Linda, and his brother, Jesse, to help, too. It became a family affair, including the priceless Frances, whose generations-old recipes made our mouths water, and the wonderful Barbara, without whom the business could never have grown, and Irene’s mom, Ana, who cooked, shredded, sliced and diced for years and contributed her own family recipes! These folks turned the café into the place you see today. They were even written up in the New York Times!
As for the fruit burro, legend has it that one afternoon, quite by accident, a tortilla spread with jam fell into some hot cooking oil and thus the now World Famous Fruit Burrito had its start.Both the yummy fruit burro and the delicious chimichanga have helped make Wisdom’s a dining tradition for locals and travelers alike. And by making the café a completely non-smoking restaurant in 1982, way ahead of any ordinances, Herb and Irene encouraged the residents of the growing retirement town of Green Valley to patronize their place. By word-of-mouth, the Wisdoms’ reputation for friendly service and great food began to spread.Many customers, most of whom the Wisdoms consider family, watched Herb and Irene’s sons, the late Richard and his younger brother, Cliff, grow up to help their folks with the place and warmly welcomed Cliff’s wife, Celéste (Martin), who was born and raised in Nogales, AZ, into the fold. Celéste’s grandfather was Frank B. Carroon and was the owner of Carroon Mortuary (now Adair’s Carroon Mortuary) in Nogales, which provided the first ambulance service to the town. Her grandmother was Katherine Farrell whose parents came from Ireland and homesteaded in Harshaw, just east of Patagonia, where the family ranch is still worked by cousins, Nancy & Mary Hale. Celéste’s parents were Carol (Carroon) & Robert Martin, the former an early childhood educator, the latter an attorney, both of Nogales. Cliff and Celéste took over in 2002 and have added their own touches to Wisdom’s such as the delicious margarita, an expanded menu including vegan and vegetarian options and the covered patio. Many of you remember when the next generation arrived: Sasha Noelle was born in 2000 and was joined by her baby brother, Griffin Ford, in 2004. They are the 5th generation to work at Wisdom’s!
If you can, take a moment to wander around the café and enjoy the family heirlooms & antiques collected by Howard, Herb, Cliff & Celéste, plus other unique items, many lovingly entrusted to the Wisdoms by customers. You’ll see paintings by Aunt Jean, Aunt Jennie Belle & customers, murals by Uncle Jesse, photos of family, friends and customers and trophies and medals won by Herb & Cliff and their fastball team, Si Señor. Admire Native American pottery found in our Santa Cruz River, cowboy memorabilia, Herb’s knife collection, beer steins, typewriters, snow shoes, Cliff’s Little League uniform, antique cameras, and countless other treasures. And don’t forget to check out the “artwork” in the powder room, ladies!Please make yourselves at home and discover why Wisdom’s has become a tradition for locals & tourists alike. And for more info and pictures visit our website, www.WisdomsCafe.com or go to our FB page www.facebook.com/WisdomsCafe and post your own Wisdom’s picture! For updates via our newsletter please text your email address to (520) 398-2397.
WISDOM’S DOS TUBAC est. Nov. 2, 2013 (closed Dec. 5, 2021)
Wisdom’s DOS (Wisdom’s 2) was opened by Cliff and Celéste in 2013 on Nov. 2 (Dia de los Muertos) because they wanted to create a warm and welcoming space in the town of Tubac that included great craft beer. They took some favorite menu items but worked hard to create a unique menu and experience to complement the original location. Together with the amazing Chef Mary and a wonderful staff, they expanded DOS over the years by adding more patio space & a second dining room. The beautiful bar was built by Cliff while Tumacacori Mesquite made the top. The artwork on the walls reflected Cliff and Celéste’s passion for music and Dia de los Muertos plus beautiful antiques borrowed from Wisdom’s. DOS closed in 2021 due to Cliff and Celeste realizing that there was more to life than working 7 days a week, no matter how successful the location was. They now manage the original location with help from their two adult kids, Sasha and Griffin.Abrazos,the Wisdom family and our AMAZING STAFF
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