BajaNomad - Authentic Mexican Restaurant in La Paz?

Authentic Mexican Restaurant in La Paz?

Pescador - 1-13-2014 at 03:50 PM

Okay, is there a really good Mexican restaurant in La Paz. I had heard about El Zarape but seems that they have gone more to a buffet style and I did not find the food very good on our last visit. Los Magueys was OK, but surely you guys who spend a lot of time there have found something else. Help.

David K - 1-13-2014 at 04:27 PM

Las Tres Virgenes, hands down!

David K - 1-13-2014 at 04:42 PM

Jesse is a Mexican... his food is Mexican (well it isn't Italian or American)... I don't understand perhaps why the Baja regional food is not Mexican?

You want like only Burritos, Tacos, Tortas fast food?

apple - 1-13-2014 at 05:02 PM

Taco Fish La Paz is my favorite for fish tacos, and there are a bunch of great tacos stands around but it's hard to say what's best for general Mexican Cuisine...

TecateRay - 1-13-2014 at 05:08 PM

Rancho Viejo, a block off the malecon just up from Papas and Beer.

Pescador - 1-13-2014 at 05:11 PM

thanks David, but Tres Virgenes is as far from authentic Mexican fare as McDonalds is from Ruth Chris Steak House. On the mainland, there are great little restaurants on almost every other corner, but it is amazing that all of the good restaurants in La Paz avoid authentic Mexican fare. For seafood there are lots of choices, but it clearly narrows out from there.

danaeb - 1-13-2014 at 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TecateRay
Rancho Viejo, a block off the malecon just up from Papas and Beer.

I guess it depends on the definition of authentic, but for me Rancho Viejo for arrachera is the best. El Guero palapa on Abasolo for seafood is also good and always crowded with locals.

bajajudy - 1-13-2014 at 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TecateRay
Rancho Viejo, a block off the malecon just up from Papas and Beer.

Ditto

Udo - 1-13-2014 at 05:18 PM

If you drive south on the malecon, there is an authentic Mexican style seafood (+killer margaritas). It is about 1/4 mile south of the Applebees restaurant (DO NOT EAT THERE!...enough said). The restaurant has indoor and sidewalk seating, an open kitchen and bar. There is a band stand on the sidewalk, but I have yet to see the band. Fairly inexpensive, since the locals eat there. I found out several years ago from the panga tour captain that took us for a snorkel to the large rock outcropping just west of Isla Espiritu Santo. I highly recommend that trip, buddy!
If you go north on the malecon, about 300 feet from the Applebees, there is a corner taco stand that serves clams in several styles, as well as oysters. Oddly enough, it is next door to a real restaurant, which is always empty when we were there.

[Edited on 1-15-2014 by Udo]

Udo - 1-13-2014 at 05:21 PM

BTW...if you are the type to get lost in large cities, bring a GPS, such as a Garmin2565.

I have no idea what the plan was when they built La Paz, but streets go in every direction.

Pompano - 1-13-2014 at 05:25 PM

Another thumbs up for Rancho Viejo. Quality and taste do it for me.

Or...the old 'Baja California' taco stand downtown.

You could also try 'Catrinas Cocina Mexicana' if you can find it. A little hideaway gem, down a one-way, just back from the malecon.

Hey, it's La Paz, you'll find plenty.

[Edited on 1-14-2014 by Pompano]

Paula - 1-13-2014 at 05:42 PM

North and south in La Paz are tricky, because La Paz is more or less upside down
because of the way it sits in the curve of the bay. So if you come from Loreto you are coming from the north, but you arrive in the more southern end of La Paz, and you can watch the sun set over the bay, which you can't do in Loreto. So what is north and what is south according to pazeños as you go on the malecon?

That was an aside, not a hijack :saint:

As for restaurants with Mexican food, maybe you would like La Fonda on Nicolas Bravo, up the hill from Hotel Lorimar, or Tamarindos, around the corner from La Fonda, on Madero (?). Tacos el Poblano, across the street from Chedraui supermarket is about as Mexican as you can get-- best tacos ever.

Bajahowodd - 1-13-2014 at 06:05 PM

Fact is that as the world grows smaller, so-called authentic almost loses its meaning. No offense, Pompano. But whether you are in Montreal, Hanover, Cairo, Yalta, or Istanbul, you will find Mexican food, as well as Chinese, Thai and Italian.

weebray - 1-13-2014 at 06:11 PM

Actually, the best authentic Mexican food is also hands down the cheapest. If you're really looking for traditional Mexican food cooked like Mamacita, look no further than the Madero Market. (corner of Revolucion y Degollado) You just sit yourself down in the very first comedor on the right of the entrance and order up chiliquilles con pollo. That is my personal favorite, but there are any number of authentic dishes. This is handmade to order, not something sitting around in a steam table. I'll put her chiliquilles up against anyone anywhere. Five of us ate there just today. La cuenta?? 205 pesos for the whole enchilada.

Pompano - 1-13-2014 at 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Fact is that as the world grows smaller, so-called authentic almost loses its meaning. No offense, Pompano. But whether you are in Montreal, Hanover, Cairo, Yalta, or Istanbul, you will find Mexican food, as well as Chinese, Thai and Italian.

Well, you've lost me again...but then, I don't have to keep up.

monoloco - 1-13-2014 at 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by weebray
Actually, the best authentic Mexican food is also hands down the cheapest. If you're really looking for traditional Mexican food cooked like Mamacita, look no further than the Madero Market. (corner of Revolucion y Degollado) You just sit yourself down in the very first comedor on the right of the entrance and order up chiliquilles con pollo. That is my personal favorite, but there are any number of authentic dishes. This is handmade to order, not something sitting around in a steam table. I'll put her chiliquilles up against anyone anywhere. Five of us ate there just today. La cuenta?? 205 pesos for the whole enchilada.

+10 My sentiments exactly, though some may whine about the wine list.

David K - 1-13-2014 at 06:54 PM

What about Mar Y Peña (or is that not real Mexican food, either)?

Is there a Oaxaca style eatery there, like Ensenada's El Taco de Huitzilopochtli?

gnukid - 1-13-2014 at 07:18 PM

La Paz is inconsistent with restaurants.

Rancho viejo has 2 locations at the moment. One on the malecon which serves food that seems cold/old and warmed up for customers and the original which has two restaurants at the same location. Be careful, facing the restaurant the one on the right is not so great and in the original location food/service is hit and miss though you should be able to get a taco. Still the original Rancho Viejo is among the more reliable restaurants but not what it used to be.

At the moment, Toro Guero on M.Abasolo and Sinaloa is very popular.

La Fonda is always simple and good.

Olympic (olympia) is just up from Rancho Viejo and has traditional food like beans, skirt steak and rice and it's not fancy nor expensive.

Fish is excellent if they are open.

Many street-side taquerias exist which are likely the best option for a bite-two kinds exist, steak/chicken/pork meat and the cabeza, tongue, lengua type-hard to know what you are getting.

The Dock at Marina La Paz is reliable but not exceptional. Service can be horrible and the food average but they do serve what they have on the menu.

Tres Virgenes is hit and miss depending on who is working. Hasn't been so great the last few times and we spent a few hundred dollars?

Azul in Costa Baja is nice and expensive.

Buffalo Grill is okay. Bizmarkcito on Malecon is usually good, I think there may two kitchens at the location so be aware...

A new restaurant opened on the beach at Posada Del Sol which is good for breakfast at about $150mn.

There are other places that offer traditional food but it is often hit and miss since timing is an issue, Mexicans and Gringos eat at different times so they may not expect you to arrive for lunch at 12 noon and there won't be anything ready.

There are ton more-Please keep posting suggestions.

Cappy - 1-13-2014 at 07:48 PM

La Panga in marina Palmira

Brinloor - 1-13-2014 at 08:17 PM

[The Dock at Marina La Paz is reliable but not exceptional. Service can be horrible and the food average but they do serve what they have on the menu.

Gnukid I beg to differ. I had absolutely the best octopus at The Dock, if that qualifies as true Mexican fare. So good that I sent a glass of wine to the chef, which they promised they would give her when she finished her shift :lol:

As to service, well maybe it helps to be a rubia soltera, but for me it has always been excellent.

bajalinda - 1-13-2014 at 09:19 PM

Pescador - I have to agree with you about El Zarape. Went there a couple of months ago and we also were not impressed with the buffet style set-up, so we ordered off of the regular menu and it wasn't very good either.

Maria California - had breakfast there a few weeks ago and it was very good. Relatively new restaurant and we want to try it for lunch one of these days too. The breakfast crowd was all locals. Used to be an old house on that corner and they have really done a great job renovating it - really lovely.

Los Magueyes - also good and popular with locals.

Rincon Gourmet - small restaurant on Abasolo across from the El Arco hardware/electrical/plumbing supply store. It's in the middle of the strip mall that has an Oxxo on the corner of Jalisco and Abasolo. Open for breakfast and lunch. We love this place for a quick lunch. It's a comida corrida kind of place with your choice of one of the 4 or 5 main dishes of the day (plus soup, beverage, dessert). Have never had a bad meal there - it's always packed with locals. It's not the sort of place where you feel that you can sit and linger, so I wouldn't go there if you want a leisurely lunch.

Rincon de Chilangos - on Revolucion between Marquez de Leon and Legaspi. Also does comida corrida and you can order off of the regular menu too. They have blue corn tortillas that are yummy.

[Edited on 1-14-2014 by bajalinda]

bajalinda - 1-13-2014 at 09:25 PM

Oh - forgot La Fonda...a block or 2 up the hill from Applebees. It's a favorite old stand-by.

Rancho Viejo also for arrachera tacos.

Sweetwater - 1-13-2014 at 09:39 PM

My picture tag is that mi Amigo es Ernesto, a block off the malecon and a very gracious host. I do not have a photo of his sign and I hope he is still there.

Three years already, I can hardly wait to visit him again.

[Edited on 1-14-2014 by BajaNomad]

latina - 1-14-2014 at 07:22 AM

For decor and ambience, a traditional Mexican menu and food beautifully presented I vote for Maria California. The only down side is that it is only open for breakfast and dinner...
***Sorry Pescador, I meant breakfast and lunch...it isn't open for dinner***

[Edited on 1-14-2014 by latina]

bajalinda - 1-14-2014 at 08:04 AM

Thanks for that info, Latina. I guess we'll have to try Maria California's for dinner instead of lunch.

sequoyah - 1-14-2014 at 08:41 AM

I love the street food and the food found in the open markets.

But, I had one of the best meals of my life at El Tupe recently.

I'm not sure what you mean by "authentic", but the chef is from Loreto and uses only local ingredients. He is both an artist and a genius, IMO.

It's not the least expensive place in town, but I savored every single bite and am going back next month to spend the evening on his tasting menu.

apple - 1-14-2014 at 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajalinda
Rincon Gourmet - small restaurant on Abasolo across from the El Arco hardware/electrical/plumbing supply store. It's in the middle of the strip mall that has an Oxxo on the corner of Jalisco and Abasolo. Open for breakfast and lunch. We love this place for a quick lunch. It's a comida corrida kind of place with your choice of one of the 4 or 5 main dishes of the day (plus soup, beverage, dessert). Have never had a bad meal there - it's always packed with locals. It's not the sort of place where you feel that you can sit and linger, so I wouldn't go there if you want a leisurely lunch.

Rincon de Chilangos - on Revolucion between Marquez de Leon and Legaspi. Also does comida corrida and you can order off of the regular menu too. They have blue corn tortillas that are yummy.

[Edited on 1-14-2014 by bajalinda]

These are both excellent suggestions.

Pescador - 1-14-2014 at 09:20 AM

Thanks to all who have responded. I perhaps should have been a little clearer. I think that what has happened is I was hoping to find a more traditional mainland style mexican restaurant. While there seems to be some carryover from the mainland, it has not really expressed itself in terms of meals and restaurants. I had great hopes for El Zarape because I got to go to a dinner they had catered and it was out of sight, but the experience at the restaurant was pretty bad. If you order from the menu, they just take it off of the steam tables anyway. The style is great and pretty traditional, but the delivery and preparation really suck.

Baja has developed its own style and methods of preparation that are different than the mainland but we see that in other areas of culture as well. We love to go to La Paz and try all the different restaurants and have had some wonderful meals and I wanted to make sure I had not missed anything in the mainland style of restaurant.

I really appreciate all the responses and will have some new places to try when I am there at the end of the month.

hookemup - 1-14-2014 at 10:07 AM

Foodies that we are, I gotta try an "artist and a genius" Where is El Tupe ?

bajalinda - 1-14-2014 at 10:25 AM

Ditto - directions/location for El Tupe please!

looks interesting

tripledigitken - 1-14-2014 at 10:34 AM

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g150771-d410182...

apple - 1-14-2014 at 11:23 AM

Out on the highway in El Centenario is a restaurant called Los Molcajetes that serves Jalisco style cuisine. I have eaten almost everything on the menu and loved it all. The prices are VERY reasonable and the family that runs it is very sweet.

Pescador - 1-14-2014 at 01:24 PM

El Tupe moved and is right behind the Applebee's. Trip Advisor hits this one pretty high so will have to try it.

latina - 1-14-2014 at 04:26 PM

I edited my post about Maria California's hours...sorry I meant they are only open for breakfast and lunch...NOT dinner...sorry about that

oxxo - 1-14-2014 at 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajalinda
Rincon de Chilangos - on Revolucion between Marquez de Leon and Legaspi. Also does comida corrida and you can order off of the regular menu too. They have blue corn tortillas that are yummy.

Rancho Viejo USED TO BE my favorite until a Paceno recommended this place to me. Rincon Chilango is the place to go for delicious authentic inexpensive food.

!buen provecho!

sequoyah - 1-14-2014 at 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by hookemup
Foodies that we are, I gotta try an "artist and a genius" Where is El Tupe ?

It just moved and is behind the Applebee's. It's very small. Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Plan to spend some time and I would advise a reservation for dinner.

Bajahowodd - 1-14-2014 at 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pescador
Thanks to all who have responded. I perhaps should have been a little clearer. I think that what has happened is I was hoping to find a more traditional mainland style mexican restaurant. While there seems to be some carryover from the mainland, it has not really expressed itself in terms of meals and restaurants. I had great hopes for El Zarape because I got to go to a dinner they had catered and it was out of sight, but the experience at the restaurant was pretty bad. If you order from the menu, they just take it off of the steam tables anyway. The style is great and pretty traditional, but the delivery and preparation really suck.

Baja has developed its own style and methods of preparation that are different than the mainland but we see that in other areas of culture as well. We love to go to La Paz and try all the different restaurants and have had some wonderful meals and I wanted to make sure I had not missed anything in the mainland style of restaurant.

I really appreciate all the responses and will have some new places to try when I am there at the end of the month.

I think that what you are referring to as Mainland style in the US is fundamentally Sonoran style, which is far from Baja style.

Inasmuch as Baja is surrounded by water, it is much more likely to have seafood in its recipes.

But after all is said and done, and especially if you have ever been to Mexico City or Guadalajara, you would know that the cuisines of the world are abundantly available.

So Pompano, and I ask this in all seriousness, please describe what you mean by traditional (mainland) cuisine. Thanks.

bajalinda - 1-14-2014 at 05:58 PM

No worries, Latina - thanks for the correction about Maria California's hours.

Apple - glad to see you mentioned Los Molcajetes in El Centenario. I just didn't think of it since it's not right in La Paz, but it is good! It's on the bay side of the highway right where the 4 lanes narrow down to 2 lanes - orange sign right next to the road.

Sorry, Lencho, that you had a bad breakfast experience at Rincon Gourmet. Perhaps they had an off day when they first opened. We've always had great lunches there.

Udo - 1-14-2014 at 06:18 PM

I have just re-read my post...I forgot to mention the name of the restaurant on the Malecon...it is named

Mi Barquito

On Edit:

gnukid has the correct name for the restaurant: Bizmarkcito

[Edited on 1-15-2014 by Udo]

Udo - 1-14-2014 at 06:24 PM

I don't know about Pompano, but my version of traditional mainland food is one that is cooked in the towns of Puebla as well as Oaxaca.

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd

Quote:

Chances

J.P. - 1-14-2014 at 11:01 PM

If it is real Lousy the first time, none. If just mediocre may bee another chance.
Authentic Mexican food would be a hard one to nail down. I have lived on the border of Mexico from Texas to California most of my life And the food is very much influenced buy the individual regions Tex Mex Being my Favorite.
After living in the Ensenada Area for over 10 years full time My favorite Mexican Restaurant is a little hole in the wall place in Lake Side Ca Called La Palapa, :lol:

Udo - 1-15-2014 at 08:40 AM

As a seasoned diner throughout all of Baja, I'm with J.P. on this one.

durrelllrobert - 1-15-2014 at 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by lencho

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Las Tres Virgenes, hands down!

"Authentic Mexican?"

Sounds like a segregated place where only authentic Mexicans are allowed. Must have to show your papers to get in. :lol:

Pompano - 1-15-2014 at 11:54 AM

(Note: I think Bajahowodd somehow got the names, Pescador and Pompano, mixed up.)

Good luck on your restaurant search in La Paz, Pescador. Sounds like good duty.

Finding a good place to eat is always a good endeavor. This morning, I'm so hungry I could eat at Arby's....

Thinking of what I consider authentic Mexican food... I have a couple traditional Mexican dishes that I really love. And....I'll cast another vote for Tex-Mex cuisine.

My two cents. If I was looking...and if I could find a restaurant in La Paz... that makes home-made chili colorado, I would certainly be a regular.

Just thinking about this next dish makes me hungry.

I was at a Las Cruces, New Mexico rancho for a few months way back when, and fell in love with...among other things...'chili colorado'. I thought it was great from the first taste. It's certainly a traditional Mexican dish, but the girl I knew said it was her family's recipe and was 'Tex-Mex'. Still my favorite today, but hard to find at times and takes a while to prepare properly. The only different part of her recipe than the 'traditional' was...NO tomatoes and used only dried whole chilis, no powdered stuff. It made for a thicker sauce, not watery like with the powdered. Delicious...a hearty red sauce, meaty, wrap or dip your fresh home-made tortillas in it...and enjoy.

For a large party, she once persuaded me to try my hand with her using a huge Dutch oven and darned if it didn't come pretty good. It was a hit with the large group at this picnic, and they all raved over it. Those were great times and the festive Mexican meals were always a huge affair. Over the years since those days at Las Cruces, I've made that recipe many times on my Coyote Bay patio. To my knowledge, everybody loves it.

Maybe I should have posted this in the Recipes forum, but hey...

So Pescador, if you can find a restaurant featuring this, I'd say you've found a place that knows about authentic Mexican cuisine. Bon appetite!

Here's photo of the dish...nothing fancy, just good wholesome food. I believe I'll cook some up this weekend.

vandenberg - 1-15-2014 at 01:01 PM

Roger,
Found your chili colorado. Got the recipe.
But surprisingly the dish didn't get that high a ranking as you can see here

.Chili Colorado, Authentic Mexican Style , 3.0 out of 5 based on 260 ratings
Rate This
Rating: 3.0/5 (260 votes cast)
Tender and juicy chunks of beef slow simmered in a delicious authentic Mexican style chili colorado (red) sauce. The sauce is made from a blend of dry and fresh chilis, onion and peppers. Then combined with slow simmered chuck steak until the beef is fall apart tender. Wrap it in a warm tortilla with guacamole, shredded lettuce, cilantro and onions, YUM! Add some refried beans and rice and dig in!

Pompano - 1-15-2014 at 01:27 PM

Ed, I'd say those advanced taste buds are way too sophisticated to compare with mine.

....I just eat what I like...stupid me.

I'm glad to be part of the 3 out of 5 who like it!

J.P. - 1-15-2014 at 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pompano
Ed, I'd say those advanced taste buds are way too sophisticated to compare with mine.

....I just eat what I like...stupid me.

I'm glad to be part of the 3 out of 5 who like it!

I totally agree, I could care less what the So Called Food Snobs say I eat Where and What I Like :yawn:

tripledigitken - 1-15-2014 at 03:21 PM

Pompano,

I agree on Chili Colorado being one of the great dishes.

I would add Chili Verde and Pozole too.