History

The iconic setting, historic buildings and Continental cuisine are El Chorro Lodge’s trademark. El Chorro is an inspired, Arizona landmark providing a charming and unique dining and entertainment experience. Situated on 11 acres in the heart of the Town of Paradise Valley, El Chorro Lodge is one of the area's last traditional fine-dining establishments.

El Chorro Lodge was originally built as the Judson School for Girls, developed by John C. Lincoln in 1934 so his daughter Lillian could attend school. The school was purchased by Jan and Mark Gruber in 1937 and converted to a restaurant and lodge. Clark Gable, Milton Berle and other prominent figures visited the lodge in its early days. In the 1950s, the lodge became a favorite of Arizona families and local celebrities, including David Wright, son of Frank Lloyd Wright.

Joe Miller started at the rustic, homey El Chorro in 1952 as a bartender and his future wife, Evelyn, better known as Evie, was hired as a cocktail waitress in 1954. He and Evie purchased the lodge in 1973 and over the years, expanded the restaurant's capacity from 70 to 200 seats. They also kept the restaurant open year-round instead of closing in the warmer months, which had been the tradition until 1990.

More Recent History

A noted Valley philanthropist and long-time Paradise Valley resident, Jacquie Dorrance, acquired El Chorro Lodge in 2009 and was joined by operating partners Kristy Moore and Tim Moore. The restaurant and property were revitalized to enhance the existing buildings and expand the indoor-outdoor dining spaces and private dining areas. The entire property has also been updated with the latest technologies, including new entertainment sound systems and Wi-Fi.

In restoring the lodge’s rustic charm, 21st century ideals were embraced through the reuse of existing resources and sustainable practices. Leading the renovation, Desert Star Construction maintained the original building and worked within the original footprint to increase sustainability in the building design and operations. Seeking LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council and certification from the Green Restaurant Association of America. Some of El Chorro Lodge’s sustainable initiatives include solar water heating and solar electric panels that will generate a substantial portion of the property’s total energy consumption.

The team at Vallone Design working in collaboration with Candaleria Design, sought to maintain the classic ambiance and charm of the original restaurant while adding comfort and function to the design. The exterior patio remains the main focus of the restaurant. The new patio space has been expanded to include some new fire features and outdoor lounge spaces. The original fireplace by the Classroom Bar will be maintained along with the newly restored original furnishings. El Chorro’s signature blue color is pulled throughout the décor. In keeping with the properties rich history, antique photos of Arizona and cherished memories will be displayed on custom shelves mounted over the dining booths.

Upon entering the restaurant, the indoor/outdoor bar serves as the main attraction. At the bar, guests will enjoy some of the best seats in the house as they take in the breathtaking view of Camelback Mountain. The indoor/outdoor feel continues throughout the interior with the addition of large sliding doors that open to the patio.

Seamlessly connecting the interior to the exterior, landscape architect, Berghoff Design Group, added structure to the overall site experience by creating a sense of arrival, hand selecting native desert plants, trees and vegetation and leading the design of many patio features including the water feature, the organic herb garden, bocce ball court, multiple garden areas throughout the property and the manicured event lawn.

The Lodge’s event pavilion is now acclimatized and updated to create a stunning wedding and event space along with a beautifully manicured event lawn and garden, all in the majestic shadows of Camelback and Mummy mountains. The new menu includes many of the original El Chorro comfort classics, new fresh, healthy lifestyle selections, and the famous sticky buns, of course!
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