We stopped here Saturday, ready to camp for the night. In a hurry to camp, we ate at Rancho Grande- across the road from the Pemex. In spite of
the sketchy looks of the cooking area, we decided to have fish tacos.
Big mistake. Both of us got sick.
We've traveled extensively through the Americas in rural/remote areas with few probs.
These guys need to do some work. Follow your instincts.
Drive right on.
We were impressed with breakfast next morning at Campo Sacrificio to the south ~ 6km from highway. The two women running the place were doing an
excellent job of running a kitchen.
Regards,
Jaywillardguy - 10-16-2013 at 06:21 PM
so jay, did you end up camping at rancho grande and hit sacrificio in the morning, or stay at sacrificio? thanks for the heads upwoody with a view - 10-16-2013 at 06:28 PM
a friends wife's uncle owns the entire spread. part of the Pino's operation. i'll tell them.
[Edited on 10-17-2013 by woody with a view]David K - 10-16-2013 at 06:32 PM
Bad news... as that cantina got high marks in the past...
Good food always reported at Alfonsinas's and Papa Fernandez', however.
Thanks for the report!willardguy - 10-16-2013 at 06:38 PM
im assuming this was the taco bar in front of the market, not the adjoining restaurant?David K - 10-16-2013 at 06:46 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by willardguy
im assuming this was the taco bar in front of the market, not the adjoining restaurant?
I didn't notice two eating places at the market last summer... is this new restaurant a separate building/ room from the market?bajabuddha - 10-16-2013 at 06:50 PM
i stayed at rancho grande beach camp last spring... they're building mostly-enclosed walled palapas (cabanas, whatever) now and twice the price of
just parking your rv next to a shade-palapa. Also, they chained the entire hectare to the west for ?? whatever reason ?? developement plans.... the
sand blows into the beach camp so bad i couldn't see my trailer from 100m. away. Bad Ju-Ju.willardguy - 10-16-2013 at 06:51 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Quote:
Originally posted by willardguy
im assuming this was the taco bar in front of the market, not the adjoining restaurant?
I didn't notice two eating places at the market last summer... is this new restaurant a separate building/ room from the market?
its just a taco bar under the palapa on the right as you walk in. had great tacos there couple months back.
hey it happens everywhere once and awhile!David K - 10-16-2013 at 06:53 PM
Oh, okay... so only one eating place. I do try to be observant on my trips!
The highway construction crew and military checkpoint personal seemed to keep them very busy.jaymtb - 10-16-2013 at 10:21 PM
We camped at far S end of Sacrificio. Looked at R. Grande palapas- decided there would be no sleep to be had there.
In future, would blow by all and head farther south to camp for more peace and quiet.
... Jtreuboff - 10-16-2013 at 10:33 PM
When the wind blows at Rancho Grande Beach, it is like being sand blasted. Sacraficio is very clean and the ladies have the restaurant ship shape as
well as the whole area.Skipjack Joe - 10-17-2013 at 12:19 AM
Papa Fernandez is the best place to stay out of the wind. It blows from the north and they face south with a bluff behind them, which shields you from
the weather.
They also serve good basic Mexican food. Although I've never had food issues at Rancho Grande either.Bwana_John - 10-17-2013 at 08:26 AM
Quote:
Papa Fernandez is the best place to stay out of the wind. It blows from the north and they face south with a bluff behind them, which shields you from
the weather.
Only if you have one of the homes to stay in. The campground is on the other side of that bluff and faces east exposed to the SOC and to the wind, the
campsites are NOT inside the bay they are to the north of P. Willard.David K - 10-17-2013 at 08:38 AM
Nobody mentions the fine campground/ palapas of Campo Beluga... They are south of Rancho Grande and North of El Sacrificio.
BajaRat - 10-17-2013 at 11:01 AM
Rancho Grande sure has a fine market though.motoged - 10-17-2013 at 11:03 AM
I Googled Sacrificio but could not easily find its location....anyone have better knowledge of its location?
Graciaswillardguy - 10-17-2013 at 11:14 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by motoged
I Googled Sacrificio but could not easily find its location....anyone have better knowledge of its location?
Gracias
its on the west shore of the punta final baySkipjack Joe - 10-17-2013 at 11:21 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by motoged
I Googled Sacrificio but could not easily find its location....anyone have better knowledge of its location?
Gracias
Enter these coordinates in google:
29 degrees 45'05.87"N, 114 degrees 20'46.68"W
It's after the rocky area going south on the dirt road toward Pt Final.
[Edited on 10-17-2013 by Skipjack Joe]tripledigitken - 10-17-2013 at 11:49 AM
motoged,
It is signed on 5 just south of the Rancho Grande complex. Just head east for a couple of miles.
Here is the layout looking south to north. Note the palapa on the very right.
the cyclists used the large palapa to camp, referenced in the last photo. Less the 200' from restaurant.
view from restaurant
Paula is still raving about the pancakes. My shrimp omlete was delicious!!!!!
Of course the sunrises are, well you know.
motoged - 10-17-2013 at 12:03 PM
Thanks, guys......That stretch south of Rancho Grande usually has me on the pegs and focused on washboard, baby-heads , soft sand surprises.....and
visiting Coco for a few cold ones before heading to Calamujue.....
I guess next time I will look around a bit more on that stretch.
These days my Baja moto rides are geared more towards exploring than "A to B fast mode". So these bits of info set up "the next ride".
I have stayed several times at Alphonsina's and camped on the beach just south of airstrip (arrived after dark)....but never "took the time" to
explore the area more....next time.
[Edited on 10-17-2013 by motoged]David K - 10-17-2013 at 04:29 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by motoged
I Googled Sacrificio but could not easily find its location....anyone have better knowledge of its location?
Gracias
And the spelling of the other place...
In 1970, and Villa Mar Y Sol was squatting, once Josefina (of Rancho Santa Ynez) could run them off, she called the camp 'Punta Final' after the
nearby south point of Ensenada de San Francisquito (but everyone also calls 'Gonzaga Bay'):
motoged - 10-17-2013 at 04:44 PM
Thanks David....David K - 10-17-2013 at 06:17 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by motoged
Thanks David....
El gusto es mio, mi amigo del Norte! basautter - 10-17-2013 at 07:14 PM
Alfonsina's has great food and great people, and I have never gotten sick there (30+ days). Highly recommended.mrfatboy - 10-17-2013 at 10:28 PM
My friends got sick at the Rancho Grande taco bar last 4th if July. I warned them. Sat and watched them take their first bite, gag, and spit back the
food in a napkin when the cook had his back turned. I told them to take the food to go (and throw away later) as not to insult the guy.
I then went to alfonsia's had great fish tacos. They just watched me enjoy their meal while their stomachs turned. 'I told you so'
It's not the first time I have heard people getting sick at RG.spikemd - 10-31-2013 at 01:39 PM
Thanks for the info. I will head to Alfonsina's for some fish tacos next week.Pacifico - 11-1-2013 at 08:09 AM
I ate some tacos there in August. Luckily, I didn't get sick! It was one of those meals that "just didn't feel right" going down. Never again.....
There are plenty of other options in the store...mrfatboy - 11-1-2013 at 08:29 AM
I'm no cook but what do you really have to do to screw up a taco? It's really scary to think about what's being served there.LoyeB - 11-4-2013 at 02:39 AM
Whats stumbling to me is that Rancho Grande now offers craft beer(from California) in the market...I was there last year and saw Stone Brewing Co. and
Sierra Nevada in the fride.cabonotcho - 11-4-2013 at 05:44 AM
The more i explore this site the more im finding it very informative -and most certainly enjoy the pics and maps with some postings and can see most
here appear 2 luv baja as much as me n mine-thx
3 weeks ago
BeemerDan - 11-4-2013 at 10:48 AM
I was at Rancho Grande a few weeks ago, The restaurant next door was closed, but ate at the new taco bar and had no problems, Camped at Rancho Grande
and had a great time, and the store is well stocked as someone mentioned before, Couple years ago stayed a Sacrifico and had a terrible time, That
said, its always a different experience each time I go down, Used to love Alphonsina's, and now think its overpriced.
[img][/img]David K - 11-4-2013 at 10:52 AM
That is a cool photo Dan!Skipjack Joe - 11-4-2013 at 12:32 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by mrfatboy
Sat and watched them take their first bite, gag, and spit back the food in a napkin when the cook had his back turned. I told them to take the food
to go (and throw away later) as not to insult the guy.
Never had that happen to me. It usually takes bacteria several hours to reach a size portion that will start for you to feel queazy. I don't know of
anyone that gags on first bite. Although I've reacted like that with moldy food.
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