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Paulina
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3812
Registered: 8-31-2002
Location: BCN
Member Is Offline
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We used to stop there to pick up food to go for Cody. She was on a toddler kick where she only wanted to eat beans and potato wrapped in a flour
tortilla. While I waited for our order I liked to take a peek at the guest book to see who was down the road ahead of me. I usually recognized a name
or two.
Each time we stopped the price of one burrito would jump quite a bit. We continued to stop and pay the price until the last time we stopped it took
thirty minutes to get one burrito out of the kitchen. No, they weren't busy with customers, just busy chatting behind the counter, and stink eye me
when I started to get impatient.
I've always felt that you can judge the health of the kitchen by it's bathroom.
The main reason we stopped eating there was because the bathrooms were filthy. I know it must be tough to keep them clean when so many travelers use
them, but when I followed behind one of the ladies from the kitchen who didn't practice good hygene, there was no way that I wanted to eat anything
she handled.
I got the feeling that the restaurant had to be surviving on nostalgia alone, because the food was poor, prices depended on who you were, unfriendly
staff and unsanitary conditions in the bathroom only meant the kitchen probably left much to be desired. I didn't want to take that chance with my
children.
P<*)))>{
[Edited on 14-10-2008 by Paulina]
\"Well behaved women rarely make history.\" Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65297
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Russ, Paulina... just a mile down he highway is 'Tacos Mision' (run by Hugo the artist) and you will love the burritos and stuffed baked potatoes
there!
Anyway, no matter where in the world you go and eat, you will get sick somewhere, someday. It may be the water or it may be other issues. It is no
fun, as I have experienced it too, but not at Espinoza's.
Corky, it was Rolli who asked me to sign the sticker to Mama... ir was not my idea. There must be some value to it, because Antonio at Alfonsina's
asked me to do the same!
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bajarasta1
Newbie
Posts: 10
Registered: 9-10-2008
Location: humboldt-cabo
Member Is Offline
Mood: elevated
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our family has eaten there regularly in the past five years and never had a problem. they arge kind to us , and great with the kids. the prices are a
bit elevated, but the remainder goes to support the orphanage. and we are not your average nomad( dreadlocks reggae vibe) which isnt always welcomed
in a catholic mexican atmosphere.
as for the decor of the place we feel it is perfect. it is full of history, the history of the baja mil, the racers, that is mama's. and is what
makes it unique. its been a must stop for every racer, and surfer(which we are) for over thirty years. heres my suggestions.
1. a few more pics and nostalgia of the orphanage.
2. if there has been problems in the kitchen(we have never noticed) then watch the food temps and storage carefully , as well as using sanitary
clean up methods that are up to date.
3. remember gringos cant drink tap water in any form even ice or in cold soups. soups must be boiledfor at least five minuetes.
and remember as for what our opinion is worth. mamas is already perfect. its the safest place to stay and eat, gas up, and sleep. in the whole area.
baja cactus hotel and mama espanosas is a tradition. we have no intention to break it. see you guys in early november....
one love
bajarasta
surf first everything a come after!!
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Skipjack Joe
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8088
Registered: 7-12-2004
Location: Bahia Asuncion
Member Is Offline
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A note about why some get sick at Mama's and others do not.
I'm convinced that some people are more resistant to water born pathogens than others. During one of my trips to baja many years ago we picked up some
bad water in Guerrero Negro, using it for all of our drinking needs. It took me about a week to figure out the cause of my ailments. But here's the
thing. My wife was drinking the same water and had no ill effects whatsoever. Whether it was her immune system or the chemical makeup of her GI tract
or I am just genetically predisposed to these critters, I don't know.
I agree with the idea that improper food storage is likely the biggest problem. It's just not kept at low enough temperatures. I sometimes suspect
that the salsa that you don't finish with your chips is simply offered again to another customer with more added. I don't think they throw it away at
all places.
It's usually hard to determine where your misfortunes begin. All I know is that when I cook my own food I never get sick.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65297
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajarasta1
our family has eaten there regularly in the past five years and never had a problem. they arge kind to us , and great with the kids. the prices are a
bit elevated, but the remainder goes to support the orphanage. and we are not your average nomad( dreadlocks reggae vibe) which isnt always welcomed
in a catholic mexican atmosphere.
as for the decor of the place we feel it is perfect. it is full of history, the history of the baja mil, the racers, that is mama's. and is what
makes it unique. its been a must stop for every racer, and surfer(which we are) for over thirty years. heres my suggestions.
1. a few more pics and nostalgia of the orphanage.
2. if there has been problems in the kitchen(we have never noticed) then watch the food temps and storage carefully , as well as using sanitary
clean up methods that are up to date.
3. remember gringos cant drink tap water in any form even ice or in cold soups. soups must be boiledfor at least five minuetes.
and remember as for what our opinion is worth. mamas is already perfect. its the safest place to stay and eat, gas up, and sleep. in the whole area.
baja cactus hotel and mama espanosas is a tradition. we have no intention to break it. see you guys in early november....
one love
bajarasta |
A lot of people talk about an orphanage supported by Mama... I am curious as to where it is, as no orphanage is in El Rosario from what I was told.
The closest I know of is in Colonia V. Guerrero, but there may be another, closer?
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toneart
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4901
Registered: 7-23-2006
Member Is Offline
Mood: Skeptical
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To be specific:
My stomach grenade was caused from eating crab burritos. I literally passed out the next day during one of my trips to the toilet. Fortunately I had
a room at The Baja Cactus and Antonio, who happened to be there, personally looked after me.
This suggests poor refrigeration or poor food age monitoring. I have eaten crab before and since so I know it was not an allergic reaction.
Putting my story together with others who have reported here establishes a pattern. It doesn't mean you will get sick every time. Odds are, you will
never experience a problem by stopping there on the occasional road trip.
I think it is the responsible thing to do in relating my story. People have to make their own decisions as to whether they want to take a chance. I am
not willing to play Russian Roulette. The known pattern is not a pleasant one.
By the way, I have never gotten sick in street taco stands all over Mexico. Mulege has several great ones and I patronize them often. My gut is well
acclimatized.
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Sharksbaja
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5814
Registered: 9-7-2004
Location: Newport, Mulege B.C.S.
Member Is Offline
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That sounds like vibrio. Nasty stuff associated with seafood poisonings. Coulda killed you!
I've never gotten sick there the many times I've eaten there. Check those temps daily Roli!
I'll have to stop in soon.
DON\'T SQUINT! Give yer eyes a break!
Try holding down [control] key and toggle the [+ and -] keys
Viva Mulege!
Nomads\' Sunsets
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
Member Is Offline
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DK-
I concur about the quality of Tacos Mission. My gripe is the place is closed more often than open. I usually resort to the small red and white place
just across the street.
Zac
| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Russ, Paulina... just a mile down he highway is 'Tacos Mision' (run by Hugo the artist) and you will love the burritos and stuffed baked potatoes
there!
Anyway, no matter where in the world you go and eat, you will get sick somewhere, someday. It may be the water or it may be other issues. It is no
fun, as I have experienced it too, but not at Espinoza's.
Corky, it was Rolli who asked me to sign the sticker to Mama... ir was not my idea. There must be some value to it, because Antonio at Alfonsina's
asked me to do the same! |
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Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
Member Is Offline
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With what?
| Quote: | Originally posted by Sharksbaja
Check those temps daily Roli!
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I'll bet that if you checked 100 roadside restaurants you would find less than ten with a working food thermometer.
Any takers?
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Cypress
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7641
Registered: 3-12-2006
Location: on the bayou
Member Is Offline
Mood: undecided
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If your supplier is sending you bad stuff (seafood, poultry, beef or pork) you're in trouble before you even fire-up the burners.
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CaboRon
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3401
Registered: 3-24-2007
Location: The Valley of the Moon
Member Is Offline
Mood: Peacefull
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Wash your hands ..... and keep the mayo at 45 degrees farenheit !
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fdt
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4059
Registered: 9-7-2003
Location: Tijuana, Baja California
Member Is Offline
Mood: Yeah, what if it all goes right
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We used to stop there religiously but since the late 90's the food quality went down and the prices went up so now we just stop further down the road.
Maybe Gerardo can pass along to all the staff at Mama Espinoza this, just in time;
http://www.globalhandwashingday.org/
A well informed Baja California traveler is a smart Baja California traveler!
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Sharksbaja
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5814
Registered: 9-7-2004
Location: Newport, Mulege B.C.S.
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Dave
| Quote: | Originally posted by Sharksbaja
Check those temps daily Roli!
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I'll bet that if you checked 100 roadside restaurants you would find less than ten with a working food thermometer.
Any takers? |
yep, and how many coolers work but run too warm. Clean those condenser coils regularly!
DON\'T SQUINT! Give yer eyes a break!
Try holding down [control] key and toggle the [+ and -] keys
Viva Mulege!
Nomads\' Sunsets
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Ken Cooke
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8964
Registered: 2-9-2004
Location: Riverside, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Pole Line Road postponed due to injury
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Suggestion? Baja Grande sendoff on November 28th
I'm bringing the whole Baja Grande 2008 crew to Mama Espinozas's on November 28th as a sendoff for our weeklong trip in Baja (Norte y Sur).
Question: Can I show my DVD I just finished producing while we party it up that Friday night???  Here is the preview:
RETO HARDCORE 2008
Thanks in advance, that would be cool. I will bring along the rated PG version, the rated R version will stay back at the ranch.
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ELINVESTIG8R
Select Nomad
Posts: 15882
Registered: 11-20-2007
Location: Southern California
Member Is Offline
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Change one. I had to register Gerardo at Mama Espinoza's as GERARDO instead of MAMA ESPINOZA for the time being to get him a new password. He will be
on soon to say hi.
David
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surfer jim
Super Nomad
Posts: 1891
Registered: 8-29-2003
Location: high desert
Member Is Offline
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After reading all this it just reminds me why I never eat anything that I didn't bring myself....
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2-tie-dye-4
Nomad
Posts: 145
Registered: 9-25-2008
Location: Jerome, AZ population, strange
Member Is Offline
Mood: jonesin' for Baja
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I share the experiences with Rodorado (dao 45), and agree that Mama's left something to be desired, but I can't say enough good things about Baja
Cactus. What a wonderful place to stay for so little money. And the staff is so caring and helpful. We needed a doctor and they hooked us up, first
thing in the morning.
We\'re all here cuz we\'re not all there, mountain stranded time
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burnrope
Nomad
Posts: 214
Registered: 10-24-2006
Member Is Offline
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I've always had great chow at Mama's for 10+ years. It's only disappointing when she's out of lobster and serves crab instead. It's not like the
Dungeness we get in Northern California. It's really stringy. Does anyone on the board know it's source? I've stayed in the hotel there and it's
always been what I'd expect for a inexpensive room in Baja.
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Cypress
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7641
Registered: 3-12-2006
Location: on the bayou
Member Is Offline
Mood: undecided
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burnrope, Blue Crab is sorta stringy, but very tasty. Some seafood venders get "creative", they turn fish into crab, rays into scallops, one species
of fish into another more expensive species, etc. 
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65297
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by burnrope
I've always had great chow at Mama's for 10+ years. It's only disappointing when she's out of lobster and serves crab instead. It's not like the
Dungeness we get in Northern California. It's really stringy. Does anyone on the board know it's source? I've stayed in the hotel there and it's
always been what I'd expect for a inexpensive room in Baja. |
Try Baja Cactus Motel next door. One of the new rooms... $35-$40 unbelievable comfort, quality, atmosphere, service... for a Baja motel... or anywhere
for that matter!
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