BajaNomad

Puerto Nuevo

Lindalou - 6-8-2008 at 10:37 AM

Are the signs to turn off pretty easy to see coming or going to or from Chula Vista? How far is it from Ensenada and from Chula Vista? Where do they serve the best and most reasonable priced Lobster? Thanks......Linda

[Edited on 6-8-2008 by RichnLinda]

woody with a view - 6-8-2008 at 10:41 AM

if you miss the turn from the toll get off at la fonda/alisitos and backtrack. 8-10 minutes past the pemex/toll booth in south rosarito via the toll.



i'll leave the reviews to someone else.

David K - 6-8-2008 at 10:43 AM

Yes, well signed, south of Rosarito and Foxploration (Popotla)... 30 miles from the border, 40 miles from Ensenada (approx.).

Recommend highly 'CHELA'S' on the top (3rd) floor... on the first street once inside the Puerto Nuevo entrance arch... near the end of the sttrrt, on the right.




[Edited on 6-8-2008 by David K]

Woooosh - 6-8-2008 at 02:17 PM

The weather's great this weekend- you'll have a great visit. Take the advice of Chela's! I've made the mistake at eating at some of the newer oceanfront places when hosting guests. I had taken a nephew to Chela's years before- but had forgotten how good it was.

mtgoat666 - 6-8-2008 at 02:50 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by RichnLinda
Are the signs to turn off pretty easy to see coming or going to or from Chula Vista? How far is it from Ensenada and from Chula Vista? Where do they serve the best and most reasonable priced Lobster? Thanks......Linda

[Edited on 6-8-2008 by RichnLinda]


prices are about same thruout town. personal favorite is on main entry street, first restaurant on the left as you enter town driving toward water (one story building on corner) -- forgot the name. don't know if it's in season right now.

if you want seafood, you'll find better places than puerto nuevo if you eat in TJ or ensenada. pureto nuevo restaurants reallu only offer limited selection and limited food quality.

Lindalou - 6-8-2008 at 06:52 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mtgoat666
Quote:
Originally posted by RichnLinda
Are the signs to turn off pretty easy to see coming or going to or from Chula Vista? How far is it from Ensenada and from Chula Vista? Where do they serve the best and most reasonable priced Lobster? Thanks......Linda

[Edited on 6-8-2008 by RichnLinda]


prices are about same thruout town. personal favorite is on main entry street, first restaurant on the left as you enter town driving toward water (one story building on corner) -- forgot the name. don't know if it's in season right now.

if you want seafood, you'll find better places than puerto nuevo if you eat in TJ or ensenada. pureto nuevo restaurants reallu only offer limited selection and limited food quality.
OK, I'm game, tell me about the ones in Ensenada. I would much rather save the drive.

woody with a view - 6-8-2008 at 06:56 PM

i didn't want to comment, but here goes.....

look at the picture. there is a 1/2 lobster that was frozen for who knows how long. then it's burned on a flat top grill and presented AT FULL PRICE with all the rice and beans you can eat (maybe)......

:barf:

Roberto - 6-8-2008 at 07:02 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody in ob
i didn't want to comment, but here goes.....

look at the picture. there is a 1/2 lobster that was frozen for who knows how long. then it's burned on a flat top grill and presented AT FULL PRICE with all the rice and beans you can eat (maybe)......

:barf:


Uh-Oh, here we go. :lol::lol::lol::lol:

David K - 6-8-2008 at 10:22 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody in ob
i didn't want to comment, but here goes.....

look at the picture. there is a 1/2 lobster that was frozen for who knows how long. then it's burned on a flat top grill and presented AT FULL PRICE with all the rice and beans you can eat (maybe)......

:barf:


Full price?
You must have missed my trip report following the Pyramid Resort Book Signing: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=31222

Our first choice was the Half Way House, but it was booked for a wedding party. That is a GOOD place to eat!!

But, we went to plan B...

Baja Nomad (Doug) turned me onto Chela's a few years ago... It is unlike other Puerto Nuevo places... Bob H noticed that we were the only gringos in there (a good sign)...

The meal photo was the half lobster, fried fish and quesadilla plate... rice, beans sure... but before dinner came was all you can eat guacamole & chips and ceviche (no extra charge). Not a fancy meal, but very good and reasonable... Baja Angel had the lobster and carne asada... we had 4 beers with our two dinners for under $50... I think I posted the details in the trip report (along with more photos).

We all were very happy with the meal quality and price... and Bob H and Audrey are world travelers and know good food... for Puerto Nuevo eating, I think Chela's stands above the rest... thank you Doug Means!

DianaT - 6-8-2008 at 10:31 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody in ob
i didn't want to comment, but here goes.....

look at the picture. there is a 1/2 lobster that was frozen for who knows how long. then it's burned on a flat top grill and presented AT FULL PRICE with all the rice and beans you can eat (maybe)......

:barf:


But now you know you are wrong---:lol::lol::lol:

The best place to eat has been established --- fact, not opinion.



[Edited on 6-9-2008 by jdtrotter]

David K - 6-8-2008 at 10:41 PM

Just so long as it is not hear-say! LOL!!!

capt. mike - 6-9-2008 at 07:22 AM

my last few trips eating there told me to quit going..........
sorry PN fans but nothing really special or worth it as a side stop IMHO. Frozen then overcooked lobsters, who needs it?
i have had WAY better seafood at many Ensenada and even Rosarita places for less $$ and more cordial service. i think PN is now just a tourist trap where the hawkers and barkers drain the fun out of it.
just a carnival scene and they simply want your $$$$$.:smug:

larry - 6-9-2008 at 08:55 AM

Quote:
Quote:
OK, I'm game, tell me about the ones in Ensenada. I would much rather save the drive.


In Ensenada, I would highly recommend Mariscos Bahia Ensenada, on Riveroll, one door off Lopez Mateos (the main tourist street). I've eaten there several times over a number of years and it has always been great--all kinds of seafood, and pretty much only seafood.

Woooosh - 6-9-2008 at 09:04 AM

OK try this if you don't need the tourist experience... Go to the other lobster village- but don't eat there.

You take the dirt road just south of the Fox studios in south Rosarito (right where the blvd 2000 intersects). Go down that dirt road towards the ocean, park and then walk to your left down by the cove. Ask one of the locals where you can buy live lobsters. They'll look both ways and then take you into a building with a locked room where you can buy lobster to take home and prepare properly. I've done this a few times and gotten huge live lobsters at great prices.

Lindalou - 6-9-2008 at 09:51 AM

We've bought live lobsters that were brought right to our door for very good prices. Just not the experience we're looking for.

bajaguy - 6-9-2008 at 09:57 AM

RichNLinda....to avoid throwing gasoline on a smouldering campfire, please check your u2u

mtgoat666 - 6-9-2008 at 10:36 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody in ob
i didn't want to comment, but here goes.....

look at the picture. there is a 1/2 lobster that was frozen for who knows how long. then it's burned on a flat top grill and presented AT FULL PRICE with all the rice and beans you can eat (maybe)......

:barf:


i suspect that even when lobster is in season, many of the restaurants in PN serve from frozen.
i never eat shellfish unless cooked from live, and won't even flirt with eating it if i suspect it is not fresh.
the streets are lined with stands selling cheap crappy tourist junk, kind of a sleazy carnival feel to the town.

The Gull - 6-9-2008 at 02:24 PM

Directly across the street from Chela's is La Perlita.

Great meal. They will show you the live lobster before they cook it. Honest family-run place. Normal dinner about $25 per person for large bugs, includes all the other stuff, too.

David K - 6-9-2008 at 05:52 PM

Thanks Gull... I will try it.

It may also be a good choice for those who cannot climb three flights of stairs!

Nice that some people aren't so quick to put a place in the trash list because they had a bad experience at Puerto Nuevo... How many restaurants are in there, anyway!!!

The Gull - 6-9-2008 at 06:11 PM

Conservative estimate of the number of restaurants at PN would be 20.

Two years ago when the street hawkers were not as controlled as they are today, I would stroll along the streets with a friend or two and negotiate for the best deal. Normally, we could get 8-10 1/2 tails (real small), soup, beans, rice, tortillas, chips, salsa and a margarita or beer for $15/person.

Within the last year, the hawkers are getting more aggressive and I think we are looking at an opportunity, here.

Shopping around might be just what the doctor ordered. If you have a group, you can order up a Mariachi band on Friday or Saturday and get quite a concert along with dinner for the savings. Think of it - 10 people saving $10 each on the meal could afford 10 songs. Sounds like the right way to spend an hour or more. ...but then again, being a true American, dine and dash and complain that they didn't bring the check immediately would be the better way to go????????????:no::no::no::no::no:

Lindalou - 6-10-2008 at 10:37 AM

Thank you everyone. I didn't get many suggestions on Ensenada Lobsters.However, I think the trip will be fun and we can see another town that we haven't visited yet in Baja.