BajaNomad - Eating in La Ventana/El Sargento

Eating in La Ventana/El Sargento

weebray - 2-28-2014 at 04:47 PM

The center of the action in this area has been, for years, the main campground in La Ventana. Across the street is a small tienda and an unnamed restaurant named Pablos. I guess they exist because they are right across from the campground and you really don't care what the food tastes like when you get the munchies. We have been eating in small ranch style restaurants in Mexico for years - usually with good result. This place was truly dreadful. Let me describe their version of huevos rancheros. Plop one (1) raw corn tortilla on a plate under two eggs. Cover with a canned and warmed, uncooked, sauce of chopped tomatoes needing salt and pepper. No onion, garlic, chili, cilantro, nada. Just raw, uncooked, acidic tomatoes. Add a dollop of canned refritos and serve. I'm not making this up. I was advised that this is a nice old Ventana fishing family. They need to go back to what they know best. Wait to smoke a fat one when you're not near this place so you won't be tempted.

Mariz - 2-28-2014 at 04:58 PM

Sounds Delicious!! :lol:

desertcpl - 2-28-2014 at 05:35 PM

:no:

desertcpl - 2-28-2014 at 05:39 PM

got to tell you this one,, and I know I will get some flak

about 10 years ago,, going to Gonzaga bay

we went into Papa Fernandez for lunch,, 4 of us

the service was beyond terrible,, the food sucked

when we asked for some salsa,, they brought us a bottle of ketchup

Yum,,, sorry Willard guy,, hope it has improved

David K - 2-28-2014 at 05:55 PM

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Originally posted by desertcpl
got to tell you this one,, and I know I will get some flak

about 10 years ago,, going to Gonzaga bay

we went into Papa Fernandez for lunch,, 4 of us

the service was beyond terrible,, the food sucked

when we asked for some salsa,, they brought us a bottle of ketchup

Yum,,, sorry Willard guy,, hope it has improved

No photo of John Wayne with Papa, but at Gonzaga Bay we have always had great food at Alfonsina's... Here's Baja Angel and The squarecircle (Roy) about to enjoy garlic shrimp...

gnukid - 2-28-2014 at 10:04 PM

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Originally posted by weebray
The center of the action in this area has been, for years, the main campground in La Ventana. Across the street is a small tienda and an unnamed restaurant named Pablos. I guess they exist because they are right across from the campground and you really don't care what the food tastes like when you get the munchies. We have been eating in small ranch style restaurants in Mexico for years - usually with good result. This place was truly dreadful. Let me describe their version of huevos rancheros. Plop one (1) raw corn tortilla on a plate under two eggs. Cover with a canned and warmed, uncooked, sauce of chopped tomatoes needing salt and pepper. No onion, garlic, chili, cilantro, nada. Just raw, uncooked, acidic tomatoes. Add a dollop of canned refritos and serve. I'm not making this up. I was advised that this is a nice old Ventana fishing family. They need to go back to what they know best. Wait to smoke a fat one when you're not near this place so you won't be tempted.

This is the first year that Pablo's Viento Norte Restaurant is being run by staff as opposed to his wife and daughter who is now a INM officer. The family has retired from the restaurant. The new staff are just learning and by the way some hitchhike to work from Los Plannes and home each night. Give em a break while they figure it out and reduce expectations.

Other suggested restaurants in Ventana include Tacos Leon, Tres Palamas, and the restaurant at Ventana Windsurf I think is called Boccios. There is also a great fish coop store called Perla's near the el sargento police station and a weekend pizza place behind the park called Pizza Maschine and El Rincon in town across from Raul's store.

weebray - 3-1-2014 at 11:46 AM

Someone needs to explain the basics of cooking to these folks. They either don't give a schmidt or don't have a clue about cooking. I happen to believe the former because I find it impossible to believe ANY young Mexican girl doesn't know the basics of a tomato sauce. BTW we are big fans of Tacos Leon and eat there pretty much every time we're in Sargento. That being said last week 4 of us ate there, 3 had fish tacos which tasted very fresh. All three of us had a major case of the squirts for 2 -3 days following. It has been alluded that this area is new to the restaurant/tourist business. I actually think there is some merit to this. Maybe some tutoring in basic food safety, kitchen cleanliness, cross contamination and basic cooking techniques is in order. I would be happy to help with demonstrations if the desire is there. Life's too short for bad food.

gnukid - 3-1-2014 at 12:04 PM

I think part of the problem is the seasonal nature of LV which means it's like starting over every year. And many "young" people have no tomato sauce skills since knifes are considered dangerous for kids few even have a serrated edge knife worth using and in many households the most senior person cooks while younger folks do not. So, that's life in LV. Nothing beats home cooked food. Try the place above La Ventan Windsurf I think it's Bocios! or contact Bruce Spradly or Jaimie at Pizza Maschine and have a pizza party at his pizza restaurant next to El Viento Norte behind the park next to the church. He makes fresh tomato sauce from local sourced tomatoes and the best pizza you ever had.

desertcpl - 3-1-2014 at 12:15 PM

Dk,, yes I remember that pic on the wall,

yes we have eaten at Alfonsina's several times now and its been very good

[Edited on 3-1-2014 by desertcpl]

willardguy - 3-1-2014 at 12:19 PM

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how am I involved in this? ANYWAY my two centavo's, don't know the name but there's a big warehouse building that houses a restaurant and a kite school that makes a good pizza. I don't recall much about the pizza but sure do remember the owners girlfriend Sydney! :yes:

weebray - 3-1-2014 at 12:20 PM

Why?? Nice sweater puppies???

desertcpl - 3-1-2014 at 12:21 PM

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Originally posted by willardguy

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wasn't saying you was involved, but you live there and might take offense to my post, it might be a favorite of yours

willardguy - 3-1-2014 at 12:37 PM

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Originally posted by desertcpl

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Originally posted by willardguy

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wasn't saying you was involved, but you live there and might take offense to my post, it might be a favorite of yours

lol! no offense taken, I rarely eat there but when I have its always been good and we love claudia and the girls behind the stove :yes:

desertcpl - 3-1-2014 at 03:32 PM

that's why we stopped at Papa s was the reviews was all good