Alternative names Cheese crisp Place of origin United States of America | ||
 | ||
Similar Fried cheese, Double decker taco, Chile con queso, Ranch dressing, Pepper jack cheese | ||
An Arizona cheese crisp (simply "cheese crisp" in the region) is an open-faced, flour tortilla covered in shredded cheese. It is put on a metal pizza pan that has been brushed with butter or margarine and put under a broiler until it gets crisp. It is similar to a quesadilla, but distinct in that a cheese crisp is not folded over, and that it is also baked until the tortilla becomes crisp. Common cheeses to use include in various combinations are Oaxaca, Monterey Jack, or cheddar. Cheese crisps sometimes are topped with onions, cilantro, or peppers. The cheese crisp is said to have been made famous by El Charro Café in Tucson, Arizona.
Cheese crisps are ubiquitous in Arizona, but rarely found outside the state other than places popular with Arizona tourists such as Puerto Peñasco and San Diego.
