(note- some of the text refers to photos not included in this post- go to the website to see the images)
Baja's La Cocina de Doña Esthela named FoodieHub “Best Breakfast in the World”
Global culinary organization recognizes Valle de Guadalupe restaurant’s classic Mexican breakfasts.
LONDON, UK. On Sunday, May 31, Valle de Guadalupe restaurant La Cocina de Doña Esthela was awarded “Best Breakfast in the World” by international
culinary website and mobile app FoodieHub. The award was presented at the organization’s third annual global awards ceremony held at famed eatery, St.
John Bread & Wine in London. Soho chef Martin Morales presented the award, which was accepted on behalf of Doña Esthela by Nicholas Gilman of the
website Good Food in Mexico City.
FoodieHub is the worlds’ largest global network of local food experts, representing over 150 cities around the world. Collectively, these experts have
eaten, photographed, documented and catalogued over 4,000 individual dishes and destination dining recommendations, which are found on the FoodieHub
website and app. The organization hosts global and regional award ceremonies annually to recognize the best in fast feast and destination dining
categories.
“It’s not easy to pick winners across so many nominations,” FoodieHub CEO Jeffrey Merrihue recently shared, “So our methodology is similar to that of
other food awards whereby local experts nominate items and a central team tries the items on a rotating basis.”
As the “Foodie Hub Expert” for the Valle de Guadalupe, I had the honor of nominating La Cocina de Doña Esthela for this year’s award. I visited the
restaurant a few months prior to the nomination and enjoyed Doña Esthela’s famous machcaca con huevos (dried beef with eggs), pan de elote (corn
bread) and a sampling of my amigo’s chorizo con huevos (spiced sausage with eggs).
La Cocina de Doña Esthela’s traditional Mexican cooking was “discovered” by the hungry cast and crew of a telenovela (soap opera) filming at the
nearby Hacienda la Lomita vineyard a few years ago. Word of her traditional Mexican breakfasts spread and tables have been packed with locals and
hungry day-trippers from Baja and Southern California every weekend since.
Doña Esthela delivers fresh-baked pan de elote to the kitchen.
In addition to her talent for preparing traditional northern Mexican food, Doña Esthela has a solid “make it work” attitude and ethic - she built her
rustic restaurant onto her home as business grew. It’s a beautifully planted and decorated ramshackle - as are all the best spots in Baja California -
that provides a glimpse into what her family’s life is like out in the middle of wine country.
The rustic, ramshackle, wonderful touches at La Cocina de Doña Esthela.
Doña Esthela is the heart and soul of the place. She’s a constant, warm, smiling and welcoming presence in the restaurant. I chatted with her as she
was delivering a large basket of freshly baked bread and pastries to the kitchen and she presented us with a bag of these treats to take home when we
said our hasta luegos.
Here is a description of Doña Esthela’s award-winning machaca dish from the FoodieHub website:
Doña Esthela’s machaca is spiced with serrano chiles, bell pepper and garlic, scrambled with fresh eggs from her small farm, and served with a rich,
peppery side of refried beans. Her large, warm, paper-thin, house-made flour tortillas and crumbly farmer’s cheese are offered with every breakfast.
Doña Esthela’s award-winning machaca con huevos.
FoodieHub’s Best Breakfast in the World category included nominees from cities as diverse as Baltimore, London, Melbourne, Mumbai, New Orleans, Orange
County and Tokyo – which demonstrates FoodieHub’s global reach and further validates the growing worldwide popularity Valle de Guadalupe cuisine and
chefs have been enjoying recently.
La Cocina de Doña Esthela is located at Rancho san Marcos el Porvenir. From Highway 1 heading north, turn right on the dirt road where signs point to
Hacienda la Lomita. +52 646 156 8453, Facebook: La Cocina de Doña Esthela
To see other FoodieHub meal and restaurant recommendations in the Valle de Guadalupe, visit here.
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scott@agringoinmexico.com
A Gringo in Mexicomikeymarlin - 6-4-2015 at 11:40 AM
do they deliver to San Diego ?????Martyman - 6-4-2015 at 12:46 PM
I had a great breakfast there. World's best...wow. Better go back. Bajahowodd - 6-4-2015 at 04:50 PM
Meh.bajaguy - 6-4-2015 at 04:59 PM
"........La Cocina de Doña Esthela is located at Rancho San Marcos el Porvenir. From Highway 1 heading north, turn right on the dirt road where signs
point to Hacienda la Lomita. +52 646 156 8453, Facebook: La Cocina de Doña Esthela........."
If you follow Hwy 1 as stated above, you will starve to death before you find La Cocina de Doña Esthela. It is located between Hwy 3 (Ensenada-Tecate)
and the road from El Tigre to El Porvenir In the Valle de Guadalupe
Ateo - Saw the photos, need an objective review of the food you had!!
It was my wife who went yesterday. I will ask her to post her thoughts shortly. She left me with he kids so she could go wine tasting. Ateo - 6-7-2015 at 08:46 AM
I'm interpreting this from Spanish to English right now.................
Here's her review:
I drove from San Diego to Cocina Esthela. We walked in around 2PM and it was packed! 20 minute wait but well worth it.
As we waited we walked around and explored the store next door.
Cocina's main dish is Birria. The homemade tortillas are EL MEJOR.
It was HOT inside for those of you who need ventilation.
They don't sell beer. They're working on getting a permit so BYOB and keep it on the down low.
Toilets were good.
Fresh OJ was good.
People were really friendly and down to earth.
Rustic furnishings and environment.
Food was excellent!
Borrego tatemado was good.
[Edited on 6-7-2015 by Ateo]Ateo - 6-7-2015 at 08:50 AM
From La Mision, hang a left here. bajaguy - 6-7-2015 at 08:53 AM
