BajaNomad - Any suggestions for a good restaurant within walking distance of the border?

Any suggestions for a good restaurant within walking distance of the border?

Martyman - 9-2-2014 at 11:50 AM

Martyman - 9-2-2014 at 11:52 AM

We could take a cab from TJ but prefer a good walk to take in the sights. Thanks!

woody with a view - 9-2-2014 at 11:52 AM

Jack in the Box!
:lol:

nandopedal - 9-2-2014 at 11:56 AM

Caesar's, about a mile walk.

DENNIS - 9-2-2014 at 12:16 PM

Which side of the border?

dasubergeek - 9-2-2014 at 12:46 PM

This may be an unpopular opinion, especially coming from a Tijuana-phile like myself... but I don't think you should do the walk. The walk from the border to the civilized parts of Revolución are some of the worst blocks in Mexico. They're every horrifying stereotype of Mexico that we estadounidenses harbor. Touts everywhere, rife with pickpockets, skeezy ramps to cross the river with the smell of urine, homeless weirdos shouting up at you from the riverbed, being followed by insistent hooers. It's awful and it's not the real Tijuana.

Cross the border, grab a cab for a couple of bucks, go somewhere good. If you want to eat on Revolución there's Caesars and La Caza Club for high-end, there's Fonda Santa Fe for midrange (a full meal is 50-60 pesos), there's plenty of low-end stuff everywhere. Or you could take the cab to Mercado Hidalgo. Eat at El Rincón del Oso in the market, or at Tacos Fitos just outside. Eat at Mariscos Rubén just off 8th, or at La Cahua del Yeyo. If it's the afternoon after 3, eat at Tacos El Franc across Sánchez Taboada.

From there you can walk to Revolución if that's where you're going, or walk a kilometer south and go to Das Cortez, by far the best coffee in northern Baja. It's on the corner of Brasil and Durango in La Cacho. From there it's 1.3 km to the Sanborns on Revolución and 8th.

Martyman - 9-2-2014 at 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
Which side of the border?

Sorry...TJ side.

willardguy - 9-2-2014 at 01:10 PM

yeah walk in, have a nice meal at Caesars then hit the Dandy del Sur on 6th street. lots of history with both!

Chiki Jai

tripledigitken - 9-2-2014 at 02:00 PM

I'll recommend this favorite restaurant of ours in TJ. Has been there since the 40's and is always good. Spanish tapa dishes as well as full size meals. (1388 Revolution at Calle Galeana)

I agree about taking the taxi too.

[Edited on 9-4-2014 by tripledigitken]

danaeb - 9-2-2014 at 02:27 PM

One of my favorites too, Ken. Not the best now, certainly, but it's one of the few survivors of old Tijuana. I went there in my (much) younger days when we would go to Jai Alai on a Friday or Saturday night on a whim. I was there recently. I'm still trying to talk my old compadres into SENTRI or Global Entry so we can all start going back again. I miss those days.

SlyOnce - 9-2-2014 at 02:41 PM

I live in Playas de TJ. I will second the warning about walking to Ave. Revo. It is very easy. You turn left, cross the pedestrian bridge over the cars, head towards the McDonalds, then walk across the bridge over the river.

Be warned

My friend was robbed at 4 PM on a sunny Sunday afternoon walking over the river bridge.

Why risk it for a $5 fare?

Once in Centro walk all around to your hearts content, but stay in the Revo - Constitution area and don't go north of the arch on Primera nor south of 9th.

On Ave Revo I like La Placita nearly next to Cesar's I actually don't care much for Cesars. Down on 8th right behind the Sanborn's is a great little place, can't remember the name, but has yellow awnings. Gfreat food, good price and 1 block out of the tourist zone.

dasubergeek - 9-2-2014 at 04:05 PM

There's nothing wrong with the area south of 9th. There's a Calimax grocery store at 10th; Revolución curves after 11th and after a little bit (there's a Pollo Feliz chicken roastery on the one side) you work your way onto Aguascalientes and head toward La Cacho, which is perfectly safe. No, the big issue is just crossing Fundadores without getting hit.

Also, if you do it around lunchtime, you can turn right on Av. Jalisco and go to Tortas Washmobile, a TJ classic with chipped beef au jus on a ciabatta roll.

North of the arch, you just have to know where you're going, but the only reason I'd bother would be to go to Kentucky Fried Buches.

BajaGeoff - 9-2-2014 at 04:51 PM

Tortas Washmobile is delicious!

Bajahowodd - 9-2-2014 at 04:57 PM

Unfortunately, much to my chagrin, the days of old Tijuana have not yet returned. Even though the horrendous carnage that took place at the height of the cartel violence has abated, there remain much street crime.

The local CBS radio station in LA just had a report today about the street crime.

So sad because not too long ago, Revolucion was a wonderful place to stroll in the evenings.

Maybe soon. Not now.

Martyman - 9-3-2014 at 01:43 PM

Thanks to everyone that responded. I'll take that cab.

sancho - 9-3-2014 at 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dasubergeek
skeezy ramps to cross the river with the smell of urine, homeless weirdos shouting up at you from the riverbed

Or you could take the cab to Mercado Hidalgo

I do that walk every few months, just to keep in touch with Mex, can't argue
with your description of the ped bridge. I've never felt any hesitation, although
obviously I would not consider it after sunset. I go to a place near Caliente Blvd.,
2 mi maybe 45 min walk, good chile rellanos, then stroll thru the colorful Mercado
Hidalgo, then up 6 th st., to Revo down then to the ped bridge and back. I did
take note of the reported robbery on the bridge at 4 pm

bajalearner - 9-3-2014 at 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by danaeb
One of my favorites too, Ken. Not the best now, certainly, but it's one of the few survivors of old Tijuana. I went there in my (much) younger days when we would go to Jai Alai on a Friday or Saturday night on a whim. I was there recently. I'm still trying to talk my old compadres into SENTRI or Global Entry so we can all start going back again. I miss those days.

Where is it located?

tripledigitken - 9-3-2014 at 08:55 PM

bajalearner,

It is at 1388 Revolution at Calle Galeana, just north of the old Jai Alai palace on the same side of the street.

Ken

Quote:

Originally posted by bajalearner

Quote:

Where is it located?

soylent_green - 9-4-2014 at 07:32 PM

Consider Otay border - there is a food epicenter nearby and free of tourists and guys trying to sell you stuff. And crossing by foot in Otay is a breeze (normally)

Short 2 mile taxi ride to the commercial center in otay across street from hotel Lausana. You can walk, but id take the taxi.

My food walking tour of it

1st stop Guiseppis Otay. A Plascencia restaurant. Italian. I would get a legit ceasar salad and a glass of wine to start. When people talk about real ceasar salads in TJ, they are talking about the kind made at a Plascencia restaurant.

2nd stop Chewins. Marisco heaven. Marlin tacos, shrimp c-cktails, oysters on the shell, etc etc and a cerveza. Plus they have a trampoline hahahah. Great atmosphere.

3rd stop Cafe de La Flor. Dessert of Carrot cake with a mocha coffee. Breakfasts there are great too.

4th stop next door a Bol Corona - sit down branch of a TJ burrito institution. Get a bag of burritos to take back home for later cuz now you are probabaly stuffed.

Have a good trip
----

Paulina - 9-4-2014 at 08:02 PM

Hola Soylent Green, welcome to the Nomad board. I just had to mention the ironic smile I got when I realized that your first post was about food.

That was a good movie. I've never eaten an apple any other way after watching it.

P>*)))>{

dasubergeek - 9-5-2014 at 09:53 AM

If you're crossing at Otay, the thing to do is to get a taxi and go straight to El Mazateño.

rayfornario - 9-5-2014 at 12:16 PM

Got a good laugh out of those afraid to walk to Revolution Avenue from the border. I have been crossing at least once a week and walking to Revolution without a problem for the past 17 years.
A good restaurant with an excellent chef is right on the corner with the arch. It is called the Museum Restaurant with great old pictures of TJ and alot of the local brew beer on tap, the chef ids first rate too!
My personal favorite is the Safari Club on 5th and Revolution, ask for Froy and try the Chicken Fajitas! :tumble:

tjsue - 9-5-2014 at 05:55 PM

When I lived in TJ, I walked across the bridge to Revolution Avenue many times, day and night. It's a 45 minute walk to Revolution, and I always stopped to pet the stray cat that lives next the night club there. I never had any problems, and there is always at least one police car stationed on the bridge.

dasubergeek - 9-5-2014 at 10:03 PM

My issue is that it's a terrible introduction to a beautiful country. I don't get hassled (except by the aforementioned "evening professional"), perhaps because I'm built like a brick chicken house, but it's a horrible, horrible walk and there's absolutely nothing on that walk that justifies the long walk.

mtgoat666 - 9-5-2014 at 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rayfornario
Got a good laugh out of those afraid to walk to Revolution Avenue from the border. I have been crossing at least once a week and walking to Revolution without a problem for the past 17 years.
A good restaurant with an excellent chef is right on the corner with the arch. It is called the Museum Restaurant with great old pictures of TJ and alot of the local brew beer on tap, the chef ids first rate too!
My personal favorite is the Safari Club on 5th and Revolution, ask for Froy and try the Chicken Fajitas! :tumble:

It's a chit hole, an eyesore, and relatively unsafe in off hours.

willardguy - 9-6-2014 at 08:34 AM

I gotta go with ray, the museum bar is a cool spot to just hang out have a few coldies and people watch. fun to look at all the old photos on the wall too.
if the walk-in ain't your cup of tea take a taxi, but I always take the not-so-scenic route, makes you count your blessings!

never had a problem but ymmv