Reviews of restaurants.

Last night here. My reviews of restaurants!

Gas station in Ajo (Chevron?): we stopped here because we had a 40 minute wait to get through the immigration checkpoint at Midway. There was a medical emergency and they were landing a helicopter to get someone out. This gas station had Amazing burritos at the register. We tried chorizo & egg and steak & potato. They also had green chile and red chile. I thought those might be too messy for the car.

Tacos Brissas: Very good food, although limited menu. The Papa Rellena lived up to its reputation, and I liked that they served lots of extras - beans, the grilled jalapenos & onions, and the whole tray of different salsas & accompaniments.

Something Something con Flavio (along the water in the Malecon). Yucky. Expensive. Ordered mixed seafood grill and everything was rubbery. The ceviche was not chunky - it was ground together and almost a paste of fish. Breaded fish filets were thin and dry and bland. Should have known better than to eat there - there were only gringos in the place!

Puesto del Sol at Playa Bonita in Sandy Beach. Great view, and good for the kids who played on the beach while waiting for the food. Very overpriced. A canned Tecate was $3.00. Our lunch for 4 was $53 before tip. Good food, but not worth the price. It seemed a little tame (gringo-ized). Wouldn't go there again. There's too much other good food.

La Cita. Excellent. Chicken mole was tender and flavorful. It came with tortillas so thin you could see your hand through them. Also had the best shrimp cocktail I've ever had in Rocky Point. The breakfast menu looks really good and its either there or Ruby's tomorrow before we head out.

Azul. The pool bar at Bella Sirena. Much better than anticipated. Had 2 for 1 drinks happy hour. Ordered a shrimp basket, fish basket, shrimp tacos and fish tacos. The shrimp were HUGE and the serving on the basket was easily 1/2 pound. Very well cooked. The fish was flounder and it was delicate and moist and delicious. Also a HUGE serving. Easily 7-8 large pieces of fish. The tacos were 3 tacos each for $6 - a real bargain. The shrimp and fish baskets were $9 and $8.

I had a great time reading these boards to get some idea of where to eat. Thanks for the help and I hope my experiences help someone else.

Oh, also had Pollo Lucas. Good. An easy meal when you just want to sit "home" and eat on the deck.

Super Ley grocery store had really good produce and was better than the Fruiteria on Sinaloa.

Coke at the Oxxo is cheaper than the grocery store.

2 questions - what is the typical rate to tip at a restaurant? And ... Hmm, I forgot the other question. Oh well.
 

mis2810

Guest
Totally agree with you about Flavios- what a waste of money. Puesto del Sol, mediocre at best and way gringo. Love La Cita. Love Pollo Lucas. Want to try the Papa Rellena but haven't yet. Great fish tacos at Viva Mexico on the Malecon. No view but great tacos, great service and they let you bring your own beer in. Haven't tried Azul Bar yet. I really wanted to try Pane y Vino but heard from a couple of people that the Chef treats his Mexican employees really badly.
 

El Gato

Guest
Love La Cita - when it was at the Old Port - decades ago - all the fishermen ate there, my Dad included. Even then they had the best Mole and shrimp cocktails (shrimp was serviced in an old fashioned milk shake glass and I think the kids paid 25 cents - I could always locate them there in the afternoon). Agree about Puesto del Sol - had lunch there once at a major cost, poor service and food was't that good - never again. Never tried Flavios has never heard anything good about it.

Azul Bar has some really neat specials - as their Mother's Day Brunch - if Luca does something like that again (he is thinking of it) be sure to go. We also love Pane e Vino. Someone mentioned how Luca didn't treat his employees well. I've never seen anything to suggest that. All their employees that we have met have seemed very happy and welcoming. He and Karina are always introducing them and praising them to us. I've been to places where employees have not been treated well and it shows up in their demeanor - so my guess is that is just an unfair rumor.
 
Okay, had breakfast at Rosy's. Very very good! Lots of pancake options for the kids - one had pancakes with chocolate chips and the other had cherries.

I had carne deshebrada with fried eggs on top. OMG, yum! I need to make this at home. The carne was succulent and juicy lots of onions & peppers in it. The eggs were perfectly cooked, cooked but still runny. The yolk blended with the carne and it was a marriage made in heaven. I think I almost licked the plate. :)

Back home today.
See you next year, PP!!!!!
 

marybna

Guest
Where is Taco Brissas. Love La Cita. Glad to hear about Azul. They were reopening the day after I left. After a quick run to Oregon we will go back for Doggie Dental. Will eat at Azul the next trip since that is the pool I use. I love all of the suggestions on this site. I have been sent to more good places to eat that I never would have known about
 

playaperro

El Pirata
I had a great time reading these boards to get some idea of where to eat. Thanks for the help and I hope my experiences help someone else.

Oh, also had Pollo Lucas. Good. An easy meal when you just want to sit "home" and eat on the deck.

Super Ley grocery store had really good produce and was better than the Fruiteria on Sinaloa.

Coke at the Oxxo is cheaper than the grocery store.

2 questions - what is the typical rate to tip at a restaurant? And ... Hmm, I forgot the other question. Oh well.[/QUOTE]

I use the tip calculator on my phone. but will tip according to the service, but I'm kind of ruff looking not starchy, lol, If you don't mind me asking where did you stay? BTW nice review but I always get fresh sea food at aqui con flavio, maybe cause they know me....
 
Totally agree with you about Flavios- what a waste of money. Puesto del Sol, mediocre at best and way gringo. Love La Cita. Love Pollo Lucas. Want to try the Papa Rellena but haven't yet. Great fish tacos at Viva Mexico on the Malecon. No view but great tacos, great service and they let you bring your own beer in. Haven't tried Azul Bar yet. I really wanted to try Pane y Vino but heard from a couple of people that the Chef treats his Mexican employees really badly.
Not from what I've seen, Melissa. The guys seem to love working there. Luca is a sweetheart and the waiters, especially Miguel and Victor are always in a good mood. Luca's fiancé Karina is wonderful. I wouldn't believe a word of that rumor. I've seen Luca under stress and yet always willing to lend a hand. Of course working with chefs for the Taste of Peñasco, I learned early on that almost all of them have a bit of temperament...like many creative types. Luca is one of my favorites. Let me know when you're here and want to go!
 
Flavios lacks flavor and freshness usually. Last trip down we hit the malecon and my dad got suckered into the first place he walked by which we knew wasn't going to be anything special but we just wanted cold drinks. They brought us out a free serving a clams (not sure why) but they looked questionable at best. Ate some just to be polite and had fish tacos and that was enough to know i don't need to go back anytime soon. Wife had a cheese quesadilla that any kid would love.
 

Roberto

Guest
Recent Experiences:

Mexico Beach Bum -( On the Malecon, second level, old La Palapa location) Stopped with the thought of eating about 6:30 or so. Really nice building, ocean views with deck outside. Place was empty of customers and feels cold and sterile inside (needs tablecloths.) Waitress, nice friendly young lady with good english was fun to chat with. She told us that there are recently new owners from Scotsdale AZ I think. Staff member was cleaning tables by going from one to the other with a spray bottle of Fabulosa and a rag. No water and no rinsing. The odor of Fabulosa and food do not go well together for me. We left and I noticed the smears on the tables he had 'cleaned'. Again, poorly trained staff and absentee owners do not go well together. Overall a 4 (although I confess I have never eaten here, the joint is just not inviting to me) as a restaurant and a 9 as a bar with a view. Fabulosa spraying a -5

La Fondita --(On Fremont, next to the the Black Dog Casino,) Food very tasty, friendly and efficient staff, place very clean. Dine in or out. Very Mexican menue. Had fajitas give them a 9. Friend had a burrito he loved it. The atmosphere is a bit cold and sterile feeling. Was a guy with insect spray in a squirt bottle going around the dining room shooting spray randomly on some tables, the windows and some plants. No bueno. Food rates a 9, atmosphere a 7 and insect spray a -4

Carribien Bay -- (On Fremont in the Mirador, towards the beach from Capones) Place used to be down on the Malecon second level nearby the Oxxo. Owner came over to chat us up and said the menue was the same as the other joint. Menue is extensive but nothing really different from the standard Penasco fare of variations on shrimp and fish stuff. Offers a variety of sandwiches and the pizza has been reported to be good. Staff was efficient and attentive. Had some special requests and they werr happy to comply. Had fajitas and I'll give them a 8.5. The place is huge inside with very very high ceilings, large central bar, second level balcony around half the building and a large stage on one end. Few windows so there is little natural light inside. It has a 'cave feeling' due to the high ceilings but he is working on the decorations. Owners says he is considering having shows there. Dine in or out as you please. No one with a spray bottle here. Atmosphere an 8 due the cave feeling, food an 8.5.

Latitude -- ( Up on the side of Whale Hill, on the left side of Benito Juarez on the way to the Maleon. Look up or you might miss it !) Have been frequenting this joint quite a bit. Nice atmosphere. Owner, Mike is almost always there and willing to make you what you want to eat. Mexican food is real tasty. Service is always good, nice friendly and helpful staff. Excellent family friendly atmosphere, good with kids. Internet and free phone to the US. Beer on tap and always has wine. Large palapa overlooking the boats, dine in or out. Heavy sports bar, LOTS of big screens but not intrusive as some others. Atmosphere a 8.5, food the same.

Bryans , (on Fremont close to the Las Conchas entrance) -- Another hang out for me. Packed for big sporting events and on Friday night for the Prime Rib Special (get there early to order if you have your heart set on it, served at 7 or so ) . Beer on tap but runs out of wine a lot! Pizza here rates a 9 in my book. Burgers are also a 9. A few Mexican offerings with good fajitas. Chicken Wings special on Wed. night can draw a large crowd but generally later. Pasta specials on Thursday are pretty good too, when they don't run out! Sports bar atmosphere but no too intrusive. Adjacent dirt street is access to the new sand drag strip and gets hairy on drag nights. Atmosphere a 7 (Sports bar) food average 8.
 

Hooch

Guest
Man ate at Mar Blu Saturday night, was not impressed at all had crab raviolis and they were bland. Girlfriend had fettuccine and it was mediocre at best. Mushroom soup was great. Bill was $81 bucks tipped $15 bucks in cash and they charge the credit card $87. Ratf$%ked me for a $21 dollar tip
 
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Roberto

Guest
Don Julios -- On Fremont, the old Las Fuentes restaurant. Have not been back for some time. Friend and I ate there and they served him a glass of water that smelled like a dirty wet dog. Absolutely disgusting. Called the waiter and he shouted at the bartender. Staff gathered around the big screen TV in the bar chatting. Food was mediocre. I won't go back. I think it is the same owner as Mar Blu ? Anyone know for sure?
 

Hooch

Guest
Took my brothers son over to BooBar for his birthday for lunch. He ordered the double cheesburger BooBar burger and holy crap is was huge. This kid can eat and he left a whole patty. Got me some hotwings and they were hot, huge plus. Place was packed but we still got good service. Always liked that place.
 

Stuart

Aye carumba!!!
Staff member
Recent Experiences:


Bryans , (on Fremont close to the Las Conchas entrance) -- Another hang out for me. Packed for big sporting events and on Friday night for the Prime Rib Special (get there early to order if you have your heart set on it, served at 7 or so ) . Beer on tap but runs out of wine a lot! Pizza here rates a 9 in my book. Burgers are also a 9. A few Mexican offerings with good fajitas. Chicken Wings special on Wed. night can draw a large crowd but generally later. Pasta specials on Thursday are pretty good too, when they don't run out! Sports bar atmosphere but no too intrusive. Adjacent dirt street is access to the new sand drag strip and gets hairy on drag nights. Atmosphere a 7 (Sports bar) food average 8.
You forgot the most important thing: ICE COLD INDIO ON TAP!!!!!! In the grande gallon stein, no less!!! :puff:
 

rplarry

Guest
Took my brothers son over to BooBar for his birthday for lunch. He ordered the double cheesburger BooBar burger and holy crap is was huge. This kid can eat and he left a whole patty. Got me some hotwings and they were hot, huge plus. Place was packed but we still got good service. Always liked that place.
Probably the best burger in town is at BooBar.
 

TICO-T

Guest
Don Julio owns the Mare Blu in Old Port, and Sandy Beach + Don Julio's on Fremont. I had the fish soup twice this weekend and fantastic. The purified water with a lime was fine. Tecate Light was better!
 

MIRAMAR

Guest
Ate at a few places right on the Malecon for fish tacos, and they don't stack up w/ Blue Marlin's grilled shrimp tacos w/ Pico de Gallo, Red Onions, and Cilantro cream sauce- yum. Agree w/ review on Bryan's and the Prime Rib- great deal for $10. Tacos Poblanos are the best I've found for Carne Asada in Penasco.
 

GV Jack

Snorin God
Tico-T said,
Tecate Light was better!
Tico, last month I was at Don Julio's with Ross. That is our family traditional last night treat. Love the Shrimp Mary (Surprise)

Ross ordered a Sol and I had a Tecate Light. After a bit, I happened to notice that the Tecate bottle was quite a bit smaller than
the Sol. Upon further review it appeared that the Tecate had about 30 +/- ML less than the Sol. When I pointed that out to our
favorite server, without a second's hesitation, he said, "Ah Senor, thats why they call it Tecate Light." We laughed our a$$es off.

Obviuously, my choice for the rest of the night was Sol. Still love the place.
 
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