BajaNomad - Guerrero Negro

Guerrero Negro

thefishaholic - 5-18-2013 at 07:49 AM

Need a place to eat (dinner) in GN on our trip North next weekend.

Want a good Chile Relleno (w/seafood?) or other "Comida Corrida". No Tacos as we will fill up in Ensenada at the Fish Market before crossing the border.

Thx

DianaT - 5-18-2013 at 07:58 AM

We have tried them all more than once and really prefer the large taco stand. However, since you want a sit down place, the one we think is better than most is Don Gus.

rts551 - 5-18-2013 at 08:36 AM

You can try Santo Remedio. We have not been there in a while. Use to be a very nice sit down place (even after ownership changed).

BajaBlanca - 5-18-2013 at 09:11 AM

Our favorite place for mouth watering, butter melting filet mignon with mushroom sauce is the Malarrimo Hotel and Restaurant.

We have been there many times and have yet to be disappointed with this dish. I know other dishes have received less than stelar reviews, but the filet mignon is really, really good.

You pull into town on the main drag and keep looking right. You can't miss it.

Their little Mexican nick nack store is one of my all time favorites too. To the right of the restaurant.

Lee - 5-18-2013 at 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaBlanca
Our favorite place for mouth watering, butter melting filet mignon with mushroom sauce is the Malarrimo Hotel and Restaurant.

tiotomasbcs - 5-18-2013 at 09:32 AM

Las Casuelas for seafood esp Scallops in GN. Chile Rellenos you might find at Scottys(Mulege) or Todos Santos--Miguels. Where do you like to eat in CSL? Tio

willardguy - 5-18-2013 at 10:42 AM

another vote for don gus. last week their special was halibut with either octopus or scallops. it were gooood! :yes:

thefishaholic - 5-18-2013 at 11:14 AM

Done Mallarrimo and always have great meal.
Just want a new place.
So where's Don Gus?
We'll be at Cowboy's for the nite.

willardguy - 5-18-2013 at 11:29 AM

just west of malarrimo across the street, sits back off the main road a bit. it has an adjoining motel, never tried it.

Bajahowodd - 5-18-2013 at 04:06 PM

I guess it's different strokes...

Last three times we ate at Malarrimo it was mediocre at best. That plus the waiter tried to refuse taking a credit card. I finally asked him point blank if those renting rooms there had to pay cash. He ran the card. But, I noticed that the receipt had no line for a propina. So, I'm guessing that the waiters worry about being stiffed.

That said, unless we are specifically headed down fro a whale trip, we try to plan our journey to avoid GN. It's really tough for restaurants (only exception is that you can get a really good breakfast at Nautilus/ Plaza Caracoles.)

Hotels all seem to have negatives. I recall when Raul opened the Caracoles, it seemed like a prayer answered. Unfortunately, the place is very tired. Don't think they know what paint is. And the last time we stayed there, one of the wooden platform beds was cracked.

Cowboy is so so. Depends on which way the wind is blowing, in that their grill exhausts out to the parking lot.

As for dinner, I'd go with Don Gus, Las Cazuelas and Los Remedios, even though we now try to avoid the town if we can.

Udo - 5-19-2013 at 01:06 PM

For lunch or dinner, there is no better place than Mario's Palapa, about a kilometer north of town on Mexico one.
The place is old funky style with broken shell floor, bu the food is fabulous. The guacamole does not get made until you order it.
The campechana is the best we have ever had in Baja. It is made ceviche style, where every piece of sea food is raw, and well adorned. The orange slices add a nice flavor touch.

Campechana:

part of the restaurant:

The front of the restaurant:

chuckie - 5-19-2013 at 01:12 PM

+10 I didnt know the name of that place but have eaten there many times..

rts551 - 5-19-2013 at 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Udo
For lunch or dinner, there is no better place than Mario's Palapa, about a kilometer north of town on Mexico one.
The place is old funky style with broken shell floor, bu the food is fabulous. The guacamole does not get made until you order it.
The campechana is the best we have ever had in Baja. It is made ceviche style, where every piece of sea food is raw, and well adorned. The orange slices add a nice flavor touch.

Read about bugs and rats in the other post ( http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=67273 ) before you eat at Marios.

shari - 5-19-2013 at 02:39 PM

People can poo poo GN all they want but it does have several great places to eat...having lived there for many years I can vouch that Don Gus heads up the list for excellent quality food, service & decor, followed by Las Cazuelas, and Caracoles does have some nice choices that you dont find around these parts...like the potato skins with bacon are fantastic..and their pasta in nice too when you get tired of seafood and tacos. Tony in the fish taco truck in front of Laguna Tours on the main drag has exquisite fish tacos, and the little seafood c-cktail stand "Chukis" is also wonderful. For delicious mainland dishes like mole, beef stews, pozole etc, the little restaurant just before the main gas station in the middle of town "Estilo del Sur" is very good too....lots of choices...but for tacos Cowboy is my favorite.

Cowboys

bajaguy - 5-19-2013 at 04:45 PM

The loaded baked potato and a few tacos.............you can crawl back to your room.

And for breakfast there is a great little place a couple of blocks from the Cowboy.....ham and egg burritos, pastry, fruit coctail with yogurt and coffee!!!!!!....Shari has the directions..............

[Edited on 5-19-2013 by bajaguy]

mulegemichael - 5-19-2013 at 05:00 PM

last time at malarimmos arrived right at dinner time and badly wanted a c-cktail and nice meal...ordered some kind of tacos..can't remember exactly, but first bite and i almost gagged it was so rotten...we asked the waiter what was in it as it tasted and looked like cat food....he couldn't tell us but went back to the kitchen and brought us out what looked like the same exact product..he said, "here, try this"...my bride said, NO, YOU try it!"...he wouldn't....it was just awful!

Don Gus or Estilio Sur

thefishaholic - 5-20-2013 at 09:29 PM

Thanks for the help.

We've done Marios and their c-cktail is Awesome.

Want the "home style" so probably will end up at Estilio.

David K - 5-20-2013 at 10:13 PM

Shari, you should do a food tour of Guerrero Negro where we can sample a little from each of your places.

I also trust Udo as a gourmet with his recommendation of Mario's and will happily try it next time we are 400+ miles south of the border! A palapa roof is an excellent shade to eat under and it will be nice to know that it keeps out some pests as much as it may house them! :lol:

Bajahowodd - 5-21-2013 at 05:05 PM

After decades of traveling the peninsula, I feel that for those heading South, especially, Malarrimo has a welcoming, home-like feel to it. But, that's the infrastructure, not the food or the service.

Can't recall how many times, even when the place was almost empty, that we were rushed. Main course arriving while we were in the middle of salad or appetizers.

Makes me a tad sad that they cannot seem to be better.

willardguy - 5-21-2013 at 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
After decades of traveling the peninsula, I feel that for those heading South, especially, Malarrimo has a welcoming, home-like feel to it. But, that's the infrastructure, not the food or the service.

Can't recall how many times, even when the place was almost empty, that we were rushed. Main course arriving while we were in the middle of salad or appetizers.

Makes me a tad sad that they cannot seem to be better.

boy you got that right. I'll say this, best showers in baja, no low flow showers heads there! :bounce:

Lee - 5-21-2013 at 05:26 PM

If I felt rushed at Mallarrimo's, I'd let them know. If the food wasn't good, I'd send it back. Then go down the street.

I've never had rushed service and after 10 years, one meal that wasn't great. Also think GN is a great town with great people.

I have no problem referring people to Mallarrimo's. Every restaurant has an off night. I think bad karma follow's some people around.

tripledigitken - 5-21-2013 at 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lee
If I felt rushed at Mallarrimo's, I'd let them know. If the food wasn't good, I'd send it back. Then go down the street.

I've never had rushed service and after 10 years, one meal that wasn't great. Also think GN is a great town with great people.

I have no problem referring people to Mallarrimo's. Every restaurant has an off night. I think bad karma follow's some people around.

Word!

David K - 5-21-2013 at 05:36 PM

MALARRIMO'S was the in the top ten best restaurants in Baja, back in 2002 per an article by Greg Niemann... It was #2, right after the #1: Mauricio's in (Nuevo) Rosarito (the village between Punta Prieta and Villa Jesus Maria).

Too bad MALARRIMO's has fallen in quality since then!

BAJA.DESERT.RAT - 5-21-2013 at 05:49 PM

Hola,

i stayed in one of the rooms at malarimos and i disagree with the best shower post. the room was extremely dated and the bathroom and shower was just passable.

baja cactus gets my vote for a great room and shower but is exceeded by JARDINES. jardines great rooms and beds and fabulous showers with water pressure the owners live will knock you against the wall and all the hot water you want. lots of secure parking with a night watchman, all in a wonderful garden setting.

the wonderful owners, Carmen and Guillermo also live on site and are the most cordial and friendly innkeepers.

BIEN SALUD, DA RAT

tripledigitken - 5-21-2013 at 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
MALARRIMO'S was the in the top ten best restaurants in Baja, back in 2002 per an article by Greg Niemann... It was #2, right after the #1: Mauricio's in (Nuevo) Rosarito (the village between Punta Prieta and Villa Jesus Maria).

Too bad MALARRIMO's has fallen in quality since then!

It hasn't in our experience.

BAJA.DESERT.RAT - 5-21-2013 at 05:59 PM

jardines great rooms and beds and fabulous showers with water pressure " the owners live " will knock you against the wall and all the hot water you want

" the owners live " is in the wrong place in my post.

BIEN SALUD, DA RAT

Lee - 5-22-2013 at 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
As for dinner, I'd go with Don Gus, Las Cazuelas and Los Remedios, even though we now try to avoid the town if we can.

rts551 - 5-22-2013 at 01:03 PM

going to be interesting to see how they turn out, but there is at least two new hotels being built in Vizcaino and one of them looks like it will be quiet large.

Well...

Bajahowodd - 5-22-2013 at 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lee

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
As for dinner, I'd go with Don Gus, Las Cazuelas and Los Remedios, even though we now try to avoid the town if we can.

Started to respond to this early on and stayed out of it. Still, I'm curious about this comment.

Since the restaurants and motels in GN do not work, what does work? If it's worth avoiding GN, I"m guessing the next stop is Vizcaino, San Ignacio or Santa Rosalia.

Last two trips, we made it from San Quintin to Santa Rosalia easily.

Gotta say, however, that the El Morro just South of town is getting a bit long in the tooth. The owner, who also owns the El Morro in GN is getting quite advanced in age. That not withstanding, the property is amazing sited on a bluff overlooking the Sea of Cortez.

The have closed their restaurant, but offer up the menu for delivery from El Muelle.

Personally, I would much rather drive into town and eat at El Muelle. Hands down, the best restaurant in Santa Rosalia. Exceptionally varied menu that even includes gourmet pizzas.

Last month I had their chicken fajitas. Holy crap! A huge serving mostly of tender chicken.

Full bar. Eat inside or out.

That's how we did it. (avoiding GN)

What motels and restaurants are at these places that beat out GN?

DianaT - 5-22-2013 at 06:07 PM

Tercos Pollito in Santa Rosalia is also better than anything found in Guerrero Negro. It is easy to find on the main road as one enters the town.

Howard - 5-22-2013 at 06:31 PM

Diana, going North or South is it as you enter town?

DianaT - 5-22-2013 at 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Howard
Diana, going North or South is it as you enter town?

When you turn off of the main highway to go into town, it is on the right hand side of the road --- near the entrance and across from the small park.

This is a quite old snapshot--- I don't have a current one. Food is very good, the squid chip dip is fantastic, and the old photos and memorabilia are fun to see. It is popular with the locals, especially the local clubs. There are also a few rooms around the patio about which we know nothing.

mulegejim - 5-22-2013 at 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT
Tercos Pollito in Santa Rosalia is also better than anything found in Guerrero Negro. It is easy to find on the main road as one enters the town.

Great place but a bit of a drive from GN.

DianaT - 5-22-2013 at 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mulegejim

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT
Tercos Pollito in Santa Rosalia is also better than anything found in Guerrero Negro. It is easy to find on the main road as one enters the town.

Great place but a bit of a drive from GN.

Yes,it is and it is another reason to pass right by Guerrero Negro. :biggrin:

rogbag - 5-22-2013 at 09:51 PM

Stayed at Malarrimo's and had dinner this last Monday nite and it was all good. The road out front is a little noisy, but don't know how you get away from that other than to get a smaller room in back. Dinner and service was good. Room was pretty nice, other than the bed being a bit short for a tall person. We all have to bear some sort of burden....
Will have to try one of the other dining establishments next time we end up there for the evening.

windgrrl - 5-23-2013 at 06:25 AM

Thumbs up for Mario's. Friendly, fast, lovely service and delicious. Ample parking for big rigs.

Udo - 5-23-2013 at 08:11 AM

That was my experience exactly...plus how can a restaurant screw up NACHOS??
They did!

Quote:

Originally posted by mulegemichael
last time at malarimmos arrived right at dinner time and badly wanted a c-cktail and nice meal...ordered some kind of tacos..can't remember exactly, but first bite and i almost gagged it was so rotten...we asked the waiter what was in it as it tasted and looked like cat food....he couldn't tell us but went back to the kitchen and brought us out what looked like the same exact product..he said, "here, try this"...my bride said, NO, YOU try it!"...he wouldn't....it was just awful!

Udo - 5-23-2013 at 08:16 AM

AMEN to that, windgrrl!

Quote:

Originally posted by windgrrl
Thumbs up for Mario's. Friendly, fast, lovely service and delicious. Ample parking for big rigs.

Don Gus

thefishaholic - 5-27-2013 at 07:30 PM

Tried Estilo first, but they were closed. Sunday?

Went to Don Gus.

Great salsa. One of the best Lintel soups ever!

That's were it ended.
Sent the wife's Margy back. Can't explain the taste?
The baked potato was not done (hard center) cooking but edible.
The T-Bone had taste but was well done (ordered MR) and the toughest steak we've had in Baja.

Oh well next trip we stick with Mallarimo's.

Skipjack Joe - 5-27-2013 at 10:01 PM

Try Las Cazuelos before giving up on Shari's suggestions. In my opinion, the food there is better than Malarrimos (and more affordable).

There was a time when Malarrimos was the best restaurant between Ensenada and Santa Rosalia. That's when there were hundreds of yards of empty desert between it and the town. It was a real haven for the weary traveler. But it no longer stands out.

Lee - 5-28-2013 at 09:16 AM

Las Cazuelos is family, locals and the food is nothing special. Ambiance is important to me and Cazuelos doesn't have it. Bright lights, cafeteria style seating and tacky decor. That wouldn't keep me away if the food was great but it's not.

I eat at Malarrimo's 2-4 times a year, and except for an issue with dessert, once, the food has always been good to great. And I've always eaten there with other people. That would equal around 10-15 meals a year -- no complaints. By that I mean we either like the food or send it back.

By comparison, food at Mama's up North has been mediocre, at best, like someone said here, how's it possible to screw up nachos?

If Malarrimo serves up 2,000-3,000 meals a year, factor in chef's night off, or sick, or fish didn't come in that day.

DK mentioned that Malarrimo's was top 10, or so, ten years ago. I've been going there that long and, to me, it's still good.

Service, on the other hand, has been spotty. It's been impossible to get the check consistently. You might have to ask for it -- and if it's busy, that'll take awhile.

chuckie - 5-28-2013 at 09:55 AM

A simple "La Quenta, Por favor", solves that problem..whats the hurry anyhow?

mtgoat666 - 5-28-2013 at 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lee
Service, on the other hand, has been spotty. It's been impossible to get the check consistently. You might have to ask for it -- and if it's busy, that'll take awhile.

I prefer to have to ask for it... it's rude of waiter to bring check before customer asks for it,... just saying!

Noise

Bajahowodd - 5-28-2013 at 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rogbag
Stayed at Malarrimo's and had dinner this last Monday nite and it was all good. The road out front is a little noisy, but don't know how you get away from that other than to get a smaller room in back.

The noise factor is for real. I'm reminded of Whittier Boulevard in East LA or Van Nuys Boulevard on cruise night.

Perhaps the only thing to do at night is drive around.

And let's not forget the disco at Plaza Caracoles where the loud music goes on into the early morning.

On a different note, This is Mexico. It is considered to be bad service if you are presented a check at your table before asking for it.