Rocky Point Talk archive

Ramons, Casa de Capitan, Mary's, Rosy's, Tacos Poblano

Started by lightlystarched · Jun 5, 2014 · 38 replies
lightlystarched
Well, we are just finishing up our week here. I wish I could be as positive as I was last year. I think this will be our last year here for awhile.

Just had the most disappointing dinner at Casa de Capitan's. Ordered the "Capitan's Especial". A little bit of steak, fish and shrimp. There was no seasoning, no sauces, not even a side of limes. The most boring, bland meal ever. I should have known, when all I saw were white faces, but it was our second try for a restaurant tonight and I was tired. We had gone earlier to La Curva and it just looked like a Garcia's or Manuel's back in Phoenix. And all white faces. We paid for our drinks there and left to hunt down something else.

My hubby took the kids to Rosy's this morning for breakfast. I asked him to bring me back an order of carne deshebrada. I wanted just a pile of meat. The waitress didn't understand and my hubby didn't check the box and I got meat scrambled with overcooked rubbery eggs. Really gross.

Ramon's last night was excellent. Everything was wonderful and our server was fun and gracious.

Tacos Poblano was good.

Ate at Guss's (Agustus?) Big place near the hotel on the way to Max's. The carne asada and pastor was good there, but I got a little skeeved out about the giant tray of condiments/salsas that I'm sure they reuse over and over. I mean who knows what fingers and double dipping have occurred? Sneezes? blech.

Max's was less than impressive as well. The pizza crust seemed like one of those pre-made jobbies.

Mary's (at the Malecon) was EXCELLENT. Ate there twice. Love the sauce that the shrimp is cooked in for the shrimp tacos. Also had "Avocado Surprise" which was avocado halves filled with shrimp salad. Very very tasty. And their shrimp cocktail never disappoints. All the ingredients seemed fresh and the preparations were interesting.

I bought some flounder to make tacos from a vendor at the Malecon. Opened it to make dinner and it was very gross smelling. Will probably not trust the fish vendors again.

I am feeling tired of the constant hassling for cash. My car was "washed" twice. You can't enjoy the beach without a parade of vendors. At lunch it is the little girls selling chicle, and the empanada vendors, and the rose vendors, and the mariaches wanting a piece. I pay a cleaning deposit for the end of my stay at Bella Sirena and yet, there is an envelope to tip housekeeping. They have done nothing this week except drop off new rolls of toilet paper and removed the trash. No fresh towels, nothing else. What the heck am I supposed to be tipping? I do understand that there is extreme poverty here. I tip generously going out to eat, I give a buck to the parking lot attendant at Super Ley, I tip the guy at Pemex, I buy some trinkets. But enough is enough. I don't feel good about being here. I feel guilty, and taken advantage of.
El Tiburon
I have never had a good meal at Casa de Capitan. About the only thing they have going for them is the view. That's probably the draw for all of the flat-landers. I pretty much agree with the rest of your observations.
mis2810
I ate at Casa del Capitan for the first time last Friday. BORING food. The view is great. I'd heard all about how fantastic their Margaritas were so I tried one. BLECH!!!! Sure there's lots of tequila in it, but the rest of it was just sour. I'd go back there for a few beers and the sunset and that's about it. I haven't been to all the "usual places" - like Latitude, Max's, etc., but it's been my experience that all the places that cater to the "white faces" - as you put it - are never very good. Give me Pollo Lucas and Burros Longos anyday and I'm a happy camper.

We did eat at Rosy's on Saturday morning and I had the Huevos con Machaca and I thought it was good. My husband and our friends love the Huevos Rancheros there also.

It seems like there are more beach vendors this year than in years past. It does get old, but all the tourist beaches in Mexico are like that. Maybe you guys should think about going further south to Encanto, Dorada, Miramar, etc. - no beach vendors out there, right?
Terry C
We do get vendors in Encanto. Sunglasses, wood sculptors, massage girls, cigar sellers, etc, etc.
Southbeacher
I, for one, love Del Capitan. Granted, I find most restaurant food to be over salted to my taste, and I am not a meat or fish eater. So what tastes bland to some is perfect for me. Their pico de gallo can't be beat. And granted, most people like sweet, daiquiri-type margaritas. I go for fresh ingredients in a more classic-style drink. So to me, I have yet to find a margarita in or near the Malecon that even approaches Del Cap's quality. Yes -- it is not gourmet food, but the whole experience -- views included -- keeps me going back.
Landshark
Southbeacher said:
I, for one, love Del Capitan.

We enjoy going there for lunch on the patio & have for years. No complaints on the food & drink & the view is breathtaking.
Landshark
Terry C said:
We do get vendors in Encanto. Sunglasses, wood sculptors, massage girls, cigar sellers, etc, etc.

And the mango man! Years ago I used to view the vendors as a nuisance. As time went on I realized they were very nice hard working people. Greet them with a smile and offer them a cold water.
AZRob
lightlystarched said:
Well, we are just finishing up our week here. I wish I could be as positive as I was last year. I think this will be our last year here for awhile.

Just had the most disappointing dinner at Casa de Capitan's. Ordered the "Capitan's Especial". A little bit of steak, fish and shrimp. There was no seasoning, no sauces, not even a side of limes. The most boring, bland meal ever. I should have known, when all I saw were white faces, but it was our second try for a restaurant tonight and I was tired. We had gone earlier to La Curva and it just looked like a Garcia's or Manuel's back in Phoenix. And all white faces. We paid for our drinks there and left to hunt down something else.

My hubby took the kids to Rosy's this morning for breakfast. I asked him to bring me back an order of carne deshebrada. I wanted just a pile of meat. The waitress didn't understand and my hubby didn't check the box and I got meat scrambled with overcooked rubbery eggs. Really gross.

Ramon's last night was excellent. Everything was wonderful and our server was fun and gracious.

Tacos Poblano was good.

Ate at Guss's (Agustus?) Big place near the hotel on the way to Max's. The carne asada and pastor was good there, but I got a little skeeved out about the giant tray of condiments/salsas that I'm sure they reuse over and over. I mean who knows what fingers and double dipping have occurred? Sneezes? blech.

Max's was less than impressive as well. The pizza crust seemed like one of those pre-made jobbies.

Mary's (at the Malecon) was EXCELLENT. Ate there twice. Love the sauce that the shrimp is cooked in for the shrimp tacos. Also had "Avocado Surprise" which was avocado halves filled with shrimp salad. Very very tasty. And their shrimp cocktail never disappoints. All the ingredients seemed fresh and the preparations were interesting.

I bought some flounder to make tacos from a vendor at the Malecon. Opened it to make dinner and it was very gross smelling. Will probably not trust the fish vendors again.

I am feeling tired of the constant hassling for cash. My car was "washed" twice. You can't enjoy the beach without a parade of vendors. At lunch it is the little girls selling chicle, and the empanada vendors, and the rose vendors, and the mariaches wanting a piece. I pay a cleaning deposit for the end of my stay at Bella Sirena and yet, there is an envelope to tip housekeeping. They have done nothing this week except drop off new rolls of toilet paper and removed the trash. No fresh towels, nothing else. What the heck am I supposed to be tipping? I do understand that there is extreme poverty here. I tip generously going out to eat, I give a buck to the parking lot attendant at Super Ley, I tip the guy at Pemex, I buy some trinkets. But enough is enough. I don't feel good about being here. I feel guilty, and taken advantage of.



lightlystarched,

You need to rent a house on the beach so you can cook your own food to your liking. You sound like my mother in law. We eat at Casa de Capitan's ever time we go down. The food and service is so good I drop a big tip there. The venders that walk on the beach selling stuff may get a little aknowing but I tip my hat to them. I wouldnt make it one day doing that, walking on the sand lugging those things in the heat.

Maybe next vacation you take, try Down town Detroit. Then you will see the light and appreciate Rocky Point.
lightlystarched
Well, yeah, we had planned on cooking. Bought tortillas, limes, butter, cabbage and avocado. And then we opened the fish we purchased. It was way past its prime.

And I usually like eating out for vacation. We usually go out for 1 big meal a day, 1 small meal, and then just have snacks around for other times.

We ate our first meal of the week at Tacos Brissas and it was great. I'm not afraid of local food. But after awhile its just the same carne asade/carne pastor (at the more affordable places) and not much else. I tried to find places that might have a more varied menu. We didn't do Pollo Lucas this year which would have been better than Casa del Capitan.

I really feel like this trip was a let down. I like trying varied local cuisine - that's a big draw of traveling for me. It just wasn't happening this time.

The second time my car was washed (first time was outside Tacos Brissas) outside La Curva, I just told the two teen boys "no" and shook my head. They made very angry motions and faces at me. I don't come on vacation to be abused by the locals.
lagrimas85
I can sympathize with you, I bought 2 round trip tickets to Hawaii, rental car for 9 days, my friends condo was free.. We landed on the big island and I was in heaven..It went dowhill after that..after 3 days, I wanted to get back to Rocky Point.I had sold my business so at that time we were full time here...I paid 200.00 dollars to change each airline ticket, turned the rental car in and headed home..I just couldn't stand the place.. I haven't eaten at the Casa del Capitan since 2009, Rosy is a friend of ours, but I got sick twice in a row also about 2009 so that was that..It's a lot of work to put togther a vacation and not be able to enjoy it. But if it were me I wouldn't stick around. ..I would just give up and head home. I thought your report was good and fair.. People might take what you have written as an insult, I would look at it and fix it if they were my businesses......but they're not, so I guess it does'ent matter.......what I think....but what you think should matter.....It makes me wonder how many people like you come here and don't write about,but just simply never come back.......thanks for your post

courtesy of carnac
Last edited: Jun 7, 2014 at 1:45 PM
Luna
Wow interesting comments. Whenever we go, and not often enough, we cook most of the time, but make it a point to venture out to our favorites places.

El Captain food is bland, but I believe it is because it is not the typical Mexican food we are used to in the US. We go for the view, the view, the view and of course the margaritas (which have always been very good!) ;)
My hubby loves Ramones fish fry.
I love Mar Blue on Sandy Beach. Sitting on the patio and enjoying a cocktail at sunset. Yummy!
We also try a new place every time we go, but these have been our favorites for the above reasons.
rplarry
lightlystarched said:
Well, we are just finishing up our week here. I wish I could be as positive as I was last year. I think this will be our last year here for awhile.

Just had the most disappointing dinner at Casa de Capitan's. Ordered the "Capitan's Especial". A little bit of steak, fish and shrimp. There was no seasoning, no sauces, not even a side of limes. The most boring, bland meal ever. I should have known, when all I saw were white faces, but it was our second try for a restaurant tonight and I was tired. We had gone earlier to La Curva and it just looked like a Garcia's or Manuel's back in Phoenix. And all white faces. We paid for our drinks there and left to hunt down something else.

My hubby took the kids to Rosy's this morning for breakfast. I asked him to bring me back an order of carne deshebrada. I wanted just a pile of meat. The waitress didn't understand and my hubby didn't check the box and I got meat scrambled with overcooked rubbery eggs. Really gross.

Ramon's last night was excellent. Everything was wonderful and our server was fun and gracious.

Tacos Poblano was good.



Ate at Guss's (Agustus?) Big place near the hotel on the way to Max's. The carne asada and pastor was good there, but I got a little skeeved out about the giant tray of condiments/salsas that I'm sure they reuse over and over. I mean who knows what fingers and double dipping have occurred? Sneezes? blech.

Max's was less than impressive as well. The pizza crust seemed like one of those pre-made jobbies.

Mary's (at the Malecon) was EXCELLENT. Ate there twice. Love the sauce that the shrimp is cooked in for the shrimp tacos. Also had "Avocado Surprise" which was avocado halves filled with shrimp salad. Very very tasty. And their shrimp cocktail never disappoints. All the ingredients seemed fresh and the preparations were interesting.

I bought some flounder to make tacos from a vendor at the Malecon. Opened it to make dinner and it was very gross smelling. Will probably not trust the fish vendors again.

I am feeling tired of the constant hassling for cash. My car was "washed" twice. You can't enjoy the beach without a parade of vendors. At lunch it is the little girls selling chicle, and the empanada vendors, and the rose vendors, and the mariaches wanting a piece. I pay a cleaning deposit for the end of my stay at Bella Sirena and yet, there is an envelope to tip housekeeping. They have done nothing this week except drop off new rolls of toilet paper and removed the trash. No fresh towels, nothing else. What the heck am I supposed to be tipping? I do understand that there is extreme poverty here. I tip generously going out to eat, I give a buck to the parking lot attendant at Super Ley, I tip the guy at Pemex, I buy some trinkets. But enough is enough. I don't feel good about being here. I feel guilty, and taken advantage of.

lightlystarched said:
Well, we are just finishing up our week here. I wish I could be as positive as I was last year. I think this will be our last year here for awhile.

Just had the most disappointing dinner at Casa de Capitan's. Ordered the "Capitan's Especial". A little bit of steak, fish and shrimp. There was no seasoning, no sauces, not even a side of limes. The most boring, bland meal ever. I should have known, when all I saw were white faces, but it was our second try for a restaurant tonight and I was tired. We had gone earlier to La Curva and it just looked like a Garcia's or Manuel's back in Phoenix. And all white faces. We paid for our drinks there and left to hunt down something else.

My hubby took the kids to Rosy's this morning for breakfast. I asked him to bring me back an order of carne deshebrada. I wanted just a pile of meat. The waitress didn't understand and my hubby didn't check the box and I got meat scrambled with overcooked rubbery eggs. Really gross.

Ramon's last night was excellent. Everything was wonderful and our server was fun and gracious.

Tacos Poblano was good.

Ate at Guss's (Agustus?) Big place near the hotel on the way to Max's. The carne asada and pastor was good there, but I got a little skeeved out about the giant tray of condiments/salsas that I'm sure they reuse over and over. I mean who knows what fingers and double dipping have occurred? Sneezes? blech.

Max's was less than impressive as well. The pizza crust seemed like one of those pre-made jobbies.

Mary's (at the Malecon) was EXCELLENT. Ate there twice. Love the sauce that the shrimp is cooked in for the shrimp tacos. Also had "Avocado Surprise" which was avocado halves filled with shrimp salad. Very very tasty. And their shrimp cocktail never disappoints. All the ingredients seemed fresh and the preparations were interesting.

I bought some flounder to make tacos from a vendor at the Malecon. Opened it to make dinner and it was very gross smelling. Will probably not trust the fish vendors again.

I am feeling tired of the constant hassling for cash. My car was "washed" twice. You can't enjoy the beach without a parade of vendors. At lunch it is the little girls selling chicle, and the empanada vendors, and the rose vendors, and the mariaches wanting a piece. I pay a cleaning deposit for the end of my stay at Bella Sirena and yet, there is an envelope to tip housekeeping. They have done nothing this week except drop off new rolls of toilet paper and removed the trash. No fresh towels, nothing else. What the heck am I supposed to be tipping? I do understand that there is extreme poverty here. I tip generously going out to eat, I give a buck to the parking lot attendant at Super Ley, I tip the guy at Pemex, I buy some trinkets. But enough is enough. I don't feel good about being here. I feel guilty, and taken advantage of.


Probably a good idea, as you noted, to take some time off from visiting Rocky Point. I think you may have been expecting La Jolla, on a Mexico budget.

I knew when I first started reading that this was going to be a "complainer" post. Glass half-empty.

That's ok. I agree, Casa del Capitan isn't Maestro's or Drinkwater's in Scottsdale, however they do have a few decent dishes. Just not all sodium'd up like in the US. Not the best food in the world, and if the food were "to die for", no one would get in with a view like that. I do disagree, the margs are very good and much better than the corn syrup margs you will find at most places in RP.

Go for drinks and appetizers and view at Capitan and then go to your favorite place without WHITE FACES afterwards for dinner. Which really what you are saying is that you were looking for a place with BROWN FACES.

Be bold and say what you really mean.

By the way, if you weren't so tainted by skin color, La Curva serves as many Mexicans as it does Americans/white faces. You should have given it a try and not judged so quickly by COLOR of skin. La Curva's food is always excellent....
Last edited: Jun 24, 2014 at 4:42 PM
brokenwave
+1 on La Curva, always decent to very good. We've been there many times over the years.
I don't worry about getting sick there.
Go there at lunch and you will see more locals than Gringos.
Last edited: Jul 2, 2014 at 1:18 PM
apricot
Four places we hit every time we're down there: Pollo Lucas (first place we go to and usually go there at least twice), Casa del Capitan (we go for the shrimp dishes and the view, never tried the margaritas but intend to do that next time), La Curva (always good), and Wreck (we love the breakfast, only one item for breakfast on the menu and they don't open until 11:00 am, you can add a bloody mary to it for $2.00).
ADR
lightlystarched said:
Well, we are just finishing up our week here. I wish I could be as positive as I was last year. I think this will be our last year here for awhile.

Was it a slow week down there? I have found over the years that on slow summer weeks, the food quality goes way down.
I am guessing that most places can't afford to throw out unused food, so it isn't very fresh when there aren't customers to turnover the food supply quickly. Just my opinion though.

I've only gotten sick twice, and it was the only 2 times i have been to Con Flavio. Although I know many people that swear by it.

I always try a new place if possible, but Mary's is as good today as it was 10 years ago when it had 4 tables. You cant go wrong with the baby clams at The Blue Marlin. Pane e Vino is excellent, as are both Ramon's, La Curva, the Sonoran Sea pool bar tacos for a quick lunch, Pollo Lucas, Pizza at Capones, etc. There are so many better choices that Captitan, you just have to ask around, and read reviews that are posted on this very site.

As far as vendors, last week we were overwhelmed with how many were on the beaches. More than I am used to seeing. It seemed endless. Times must be tough for them, so we tolerate them and say "no thank you" about a thousand times a day, but they have never been pushy, or scary, or demanding in any way.

"Car washes"? kids asking for change? Maids looking for a tip? again, just say "No thanks". They are trying to feed their family, just like you and I do, so try and give 'em a break. It's not like they are getting $11 an hour salary and still asking for tips. :)
Its not just Mexico, I get hit up every day when I walk my gf's dog downtown by the ASU campus for change, as well as every I-10 off ramp.
Last edited: Jul 2, 2014 at 11:32 AM
mis2810
We tried Mary's last week for the first time. I'm not a seafood eater, but my carne asada tacos were good. My husband had the Carlos V shrimp and said there were very good.
tequilatodd
This is the first time I have read any part of this thread.

In response to lightlystarched. How often do you visit our beloved Rocky Point? How many times have you been?
Haven't seen you around here on the forum before. Only 4 posts to your name.
It must suck to go out to what you think may be a nice night out for dinner and have a crappy meal. I was here over Circus Mexicus. Judging by the time of your post, I was just arriving when you left. My week was outstanding. We usually don't go out a lot as we save $$ by cooking at the condo. So I don't have as many restaurant reviews as you.
I'm sorry you have such a bad opinion of PP and will not be back.
Hope you give it another chance.
El Gato
In 1984 a group of us came down - some for the first time - and stayed at the Villa Granada. One was a college student, born and raised in Boston & attending Harvard. His nose was so far up in the air it is a wonder he had any idea of where he was walking. He couldn't believe that his Dad had brought him to this terrible, small, dusty place. Aunt Louisa handed him a Margarita and introduced him to some ASU students who were staying there.

The next morning he was still complaining about the lack of amenities - certainly wasn't up to Boston standards. But his new found ASU friends convinced him to join them for a day on the beach and riding dune buggies.

That afternoon we were all sitting in the courtyard having a drink, talking and listening to music. ASU & Harvard kids arrived from their day on the beach and headed for the showers. A little background info: Now, at that time in Penasco, water was about as rare as gold and half the time it was turned off at the hotel in order to conserve it. We continued enjoying ourselves under the massive Bouganvilla vine that covered the courtyard.

Shortly Harvard was out on the balcony, a towel wrapped around him, shampoo still in his hair, calling down to Louisa, "Please Louisa, five more minutes of water so I can get the soap off!" - this was said with a grin. His Dad, in shock, said "Is that my son - the Harvard snob!!!" She gave the kids five more minutes of water. Then they all joined us and, in Penasco fashion, it all turned into a lovely party for the rest of the afternoon.

By the next morning Harvard was pleading with his Dad to be able to stay another day. He no longer saw a small dusty town - instead he saw friends and a way of life that was so different from his, but beautiful in it's own right.

Penasco isn't Boston, nor Phoenix. It is still a land of manana. But when the service is slow, lean back and enjoy the view and conversations with old and new friends.
tequilatodd
Well Said
brokenwave
+1 on the well said, boy do I miss the Villa Granada, loved the Saturday afternoon specials they had. My wife's parents and their RP friends
would take us there every time we came down.
gup
El Gato said:
In 1984 a group of us came down - some for the first time - and stayed at the Villa Granada. One was a college student, born and raised in Boston & attending Harvard. His nose was so far up in the air it is a wonder he had any idea of where he was walking. He couldn't believe that his Dad had brought him to this terrible, small, dusty place. Aunt Louisa handed him a Margarita and introduced him to some ASU students who were staying there.

The next morning he was still complaining about the lack of amenities - certainly wasn't up to Boston standards. But his new found ASU friends convinced him to join them for a day on the beach and riding dune buggies.

That afternoon we were all sitting in the courtyard having a drink, talking and listening to music. ASU & Harvard kids arrived from their day on the beach and headed for the showers. A little background info: Now, at that time in Penasco, water was about as rare as gold and half the time it was turned off at the hotel in order to conserve it. We continued enjoying ourselves under the massive Bouganvilla vine that covered the courtyard.

Shortly Harvard was out on the balcony, a towel wrapped around him, shampoo still in his hair, calling down to Louisa, "Please Louisa, five more minutes of water so I can get the soap off!" - this was said with a grin. His Dad, in shock, said "Is that my son - the Harvard snob!!!" She gave the kids five more minutes of water. Then they all joined us and, in Penasco fashion, it all turned into a lovely party for the rest of the afternoon.

By the next morning Harvard was pleading with his Dad to be able to stay another day. He no longer saw a small dusty town - instead he saw friends and a way of life that was so different from his, but beautiful in it's own right.

Penasco isn't Boston, nor Phoenix. It is still a land of manana. But when the service is slow, lean back and enjoy the view and conversations with old and new friends.


This was our 1st. stay @R.P., had only been out ay Cholla Bay @Brother-in-law's place. prior.
This was 1990, same as you vines cascading down, big heavy-set manager, Named Jim Coffe
e served in bed and evening intertainment.
Great memories indeed.
John Walz
rplarry said:
Probably a good idea, as you noted, to take some time off from visiting Rocky Point. I think you may have been expecting La Jolla, on a Mexico budget.

I knew when I first started reading that this was going to be a "complainer" post. Glass half-empty.

That's ok. I agree, Casa del Capitan isn't Maestro's or Drinkwater's in Scottsdale, however they do have a few decent dishes. Just not all sodium'd up like in the US. Not the best food in the world, and if the food were "to die for", no one would get in with a view like that. I do disagree, the margs are very good and much better than the corn syrup margs you will find at most places in RP.

Go for drinks and appetizers and view at Capitan and then go to your favorite place without WHITE FACES afterwards for dinner. Which really what you are saying is that you were looking for a place with BROWN FACES.

Be bold and say what you really mean.

By the way, if you weren't so tainted by skin color, La Curva serves as many Mexicans as it does Americans/white faces. You should have given it a try and not judged so quickly by COLOR of skin. La Curva's food is always excellent....

Don't hold back...tell him what you really feel!...lol!
jerry
Change is good.....A mountain vacation at the just barely operating but beautiful Tamarack resort in Donnally Idaho is a bargain.Condo for 100 a night,great bike riding,hiking,ok fishing ( not In the same class same as of ours of course) ,great farmers markets,antiques,hunting and super hot Springs...A city vacation in Portland was a blast......Pismo Beach has perfect weather 12 hours from Tucson.....Gila wilderness camping...Vegas baby...
Roberto
jerry said:
Change is good.....A mountain vacation at the just barely operating but beautiful Tamarack resort in Donnally Idaho is a bargain.Condo for 100 a night,great bike riding,hiking,ok fishing ( not In the same class same as of ours of course) ,great farmers markets,antiques,hunting and super hot Springs...A city vacation in Portland was a blast......Pismo Beach has perfect weather 12 hours from Tucson.....Gila wilderness camping...Vegas baby...


Bragger !!
Wood Spinner
Buying fish in ther fish market is easy. Never buy any fish that is pre cut. Look at the fish whole on ice and if the eyes are not clear it is old and a no no.
Find a nice clear eyed fish and have them cut off what you want. Most of the scales are ok but I do carry a 1 lb ball to pre check. Many times there will be a scale close
to them but when they see the ball the tell me the other scale is better. It will be dead on Buy from the same place every time if you are satisfied with the quality. They are quick to get to know you.
fatboyharley
Luna said:
Wow interesting comments. Whenever we go, and not often enough, we cook most of the time, but make it a point to venture out to our favorites places.

El Captain food is bland, but I believe it is because it is not the typical Mexican food we are used to in the US. We go for the view, the view, the view and of course the margaritas (which have always been very good!) ;)
My hubby loves Ramones fish fry.
I love Mar Blue on Sandy Beach. Sitting on the patio and enjoying a cocktail at sunset. Yummy!
We also try a new place every time we go, but these have been our favorites for the above reasons.
dwig222
We have been coming down for many years and we know where to get the best meals. We will occasionally try a new place after reading many good reviews, and if it is good, we add it to our list. We eat all of our breakfasts out and usually at Lolita's because we love a good Mexican breakfast. But we eat at the same places every time we come down because we know we will get a good meal. We have had our car washed a few times, but if we see them, we tip them not to wash it. When I'm on the beach it only takes a second to say "no thank you". One thing you might also consider is going to Ley's deli. Today I bought some pre-cooked refried beans, some cooked rice, fresh made tortillas, and some kind of meat in a delicious sauce. If we don't feel like going out, we just make a delicious meal at home. Sometimes it's a whole chicken that I bake and have with some fresh veggies from the veggie market or a different rice from the deli. Get a pound of shrimp at the fish market. Now you know to smell it and check for freshness. There are a ton of ways to have a good meal down here. We also tip the parking guy at lays and I get excited to see the look on the little girl's face when I have her a dollar for some gum or the young boy at Lays who bags my groceries. You just don't get all those experiences anywhere else that is a few hours away.

Compared to the cost of a week in San Diego, Rocky Point is about 90 % less so we can do it 3 or 4 times a year!
brokenwave
Tipping vs Panhandling

I always try to tip 5-10+ pesos or a dollar when someone actually does a small task for us,
like pumping gas, washing our windshield, bagging our groceries at stores, the parking lot guy at Super Ley,
the guy that grills our meat and veggies at SL, the water store guy putting our 5 gal water bottles in the car.

Even the little kids selling gum and seashells will get my money.
The more they do, the more I tip.

I just don't care for getting hit on 3-4 times every time we go out and it's like that every trip now.

In AZ, I have also been hit up, by the people standing on the median islands in N Phx I offer them a sandwich but they always want $$.
In Flagstaff it's also pretty bad with people camped out near all the popular eating places wanting $$.

I don't mind paying for services provided, but decided awhile ago I am not every panhandlers ATM.
GV Jack
When I lived in St Louis, I was coming home from work one day and at the top of the off ramp sat a guy with a sign that said,
will work for food. I stopped and told him I had a ton of yard work that needed done. He said he wasn't interested but would take
$20.00 instead. I explained how the cat ate the cabbage to him which he greeted with a number of four letter words. I laughed and drove
off. What a country.
Terry C
My mom always told me when I would take her to doctors appointments that those panhandlers all drive fancy cars from all the money they make. She told me they park their cars in a parking lot a short distance away. Love you mom...
She might of been right!!!!!!
HILL BOY
If you tip them too much it turns them into beggars I never tip over 10% unless the service is excellent 10 pesos for your bagger or the guy that fills your tank and does not even wash your windshield
tndr_cpl
Our first trip to RP was in 1984. Our extended family owns a cabin (to call it a house would be pretty generous) in Cholla Bay but for many years we have only stayed at various places on Sandy Beach. I would never call myself an "expert" on RP and we definitely are far more tourists than extended locals. That being said there is one thing that has always seemed to be a constant complaint by many. Although they don't say it directly it can be boiled down to "this isn't what I am used to in the states". Duhhhhh... it's another country! The idea that you shouldn't tip over 10%, or lack of amenities or etc etc. are based on what we are used to in the states. If people want things like they are in the states then (the obvious goes here)

We are Americans through and through, but thoroughly enjoy the Mexican culture and it's people. We love going to RP along with trip to other parts of Mexico specifically because we enjoy the differences not to mention that it is a lot less expensive and pretty close to home. As others have said, try and slow down and enjoy the industrious little kids who try and sell you chicklets, the vendors on the beach, the guys who sometimes make your car windows even dirtier when they wash them, the low cut tops on the busty tourists (my wife among them), the sound of the ocean and the fact that you are far more wealthy than more of the people who live here.

Yep, it's different than the states, and that's why we keep coming back
Hillbeartoe
MMmmmm , Busty chicks.
I am a softy since I teach 5-6 year old children most of which are from Mexico. It breaks my heart to see them selling all the little things they lug around and know that this is how I will see them the next time I come down. And the next.....
Probably a little off topic but, I just don't know how anyone could be annoyed when to me they should should be putting things in perspective and realize that they will never know what it is like to be them. The extra change you hand out down there probably works out to 2 trips to Starbucks which in the long run you end up pissing out anyways!
fatboyharley
Just tried with my family Ramons again. Shrimps tacos came two shrimp on a flat taco no garnish. Fajitas served with no tortillas margaritas made with sprint. Fish serviced burnt salsa full of pepper and over amount of onions. Service terrible and we were not the only table who complained and sent back food. One table walked out
chihauhau
fatboyharley said:
Just tried with my family Ramons again. Shrimps tacos came two shrimp on a flat taco no garnish. Fajitas served with no tortillas margaritas made with sprint. Fish serviced burnt salsa full of pepper and over amount of onions. Service terrible and we were not the only table who complained and sent back food. One table walked out

It is my belief you are talking about the sandy beach locale, right. We the original Ramon's in town is closed. Ramon is not working . His x wife and family has taken over the sandy beach place, and she also got the property of the original in the recent divorce settlement. So Ramon may arise somewhere else soon I hope. Just to clarify the lack of quality and service to your bad review of the place.
sheep3mom
Actually, the one at Sandy Beach (Sonoran Sea) was great when we were down in November - good service, friendly atmosphere, great food! Whoever is running it is doing a great job.
fatboyharley
We went to the original one. Did not hear of the divorce when we asked about him no one said anything. In fact the other large table also asked about him and nothing was said to them either. I saw his sister in law in November in sans and she said she was managing the sandy beach location
Crowbar1
I ate at the ramons at the condos Saturday. the guac wasn't the same, the margaritas were crap, like said earlier, full of soda. I asked about ramon and couldn't get a straight answer. I will mark this place off my list as it isn't any good any longer. ramon would make us the best margaritas!! I hope he resurfaces somewhere and soon as his restaurants were at the top of my list of favorites. drove by his in town location too and saw people loading up some trucks from the stuff inside, like the AC unit!!
Southbeacher
Crowbar1 said:
I ate at the ramons at the condos Saturday. the guac wasn't the same, the margaritas were crap, like said earlier, full of soda. I asked about ramon and couldn't get a straight answer. I will mark this place off my list as it isn't any good any longer. ramon would make us the best margaritas!! I hope he resurfaces somewhere and soon as his restaurants were at the top of my list of favorites. drove by his in town location too and saw people loading up some trucks from the stuff inside, like the AC unit!!

I heard he might resurface when the restaurant across from the "mall" on Rodeo opens . . .