I don’t just mean taco stands and Oxxo! This is a very short list of some REALLY GREAT places for food in Baja (Baja California and Baja California Sur). This is by no means all inclusive. I also have very few pictures of the amazing food we’ve discovered, usually because we eat it so fast that it is gone before I remember that I should take a pic. NOTE: Everyplace mentioned has at least some items that are celiac-safe and gluten-free.
TIJUANA – we didn’t spend a lot of time in TJ, so here are my few notables.
NOTABLY GOOD
La Cosecha – Calz del Tecnológico 1951- 10 y 11, La Pechuga, Universidad Otay, 22427 Tijuana, B.C.
This little place is in a tiny strip mall outside of downtown. It doesn’t look like much, but the food here was so good that we had 2 meals here in 2 days. Delicious mariscos (seafood) – the Basha had the seafood enchiladas with red sauce and they were FABULOUS! I had corn chowder with shrimp – rich, filling and sumptuous. Also notable were the camarones a la plancha (grilled shrimp). Always large helpings and very tasty white wine.
NOTABLY BAD
McCarthy’s Irish Pub – Town Center, Rampa Aeropuerto #16000 L-2.09 planta alta en Alameda, La Pechuga, Otay Constituyentes, Tijuana, B.C.
I’m going to write this off to a number of bad choices and bad timing. First bad choice – an Irish pub in Mexico. That choice was due to bad timing – arriving before check-in time and needing to kill time in an unfamiliar place. Hunger breeds stupidity and choices were made. Also bad timing – COVID precautions meant that a large portion of the restaurant was closed for safety measures. Few people meant lax service and bad attitudes all around. I’d say, “Don’t do it.”
ENSENADA – although we’ve been to Ensenada before, it has been a while, so our food explorations seemed brand new. Also, now there is the GF factor which makes everything a bit more… careful.
NOTABLY GOOD
La Flor de la Calabaza – km -ensenada, Carretera Tijuana-Ensenada 108, Zona playitas, 22760 Ensenada
We found this little gem online, and then discovered that we could WALK there from our hotel. On first glance we were skeptical of this tiny tienda/restaurant. One bite of breakfast and we were sold! Major kudos to the staff for their good mask habits, attention to distancing and sanitation, and still keeping the atmosphere relaxed and comfortable. My recommendation for breakfast is the huevos rancheros (I had them twice!) The breakfast sandwich and chiliquilas also looked wonderful!
La Guerrerense (cart) – Calle 1ra y Alvarado, Ensenada, BC. México
Another gem that we found by accident. We didn’t go to the restaurant, we stood on the street corner, eating tostadas with our hands, along with about 20-25 other people. Ordering is fast, food prep is fast, food is messy and you absolutely can’t go wrong. We tried the ensalada de jaiba con callo (crab salad with scallops) and the ceviche de bacalao con pulpo (cod ceviche with octopus). If we’d been in Ensenada longer we would have eaten here more.
SAN IGNACIO – we adore this tiny town! And although there are other places to eat in town, we only ever go to one place.
Taqueria Lupita – Zocolo, San Ignacio, BCS
A tiny taco stand that is only open for dinner, and only serves one thing. The cook/owner doesn’t speak English, but if you can say the number of tacos you want in Spanish you are good for the evening. His hot salsa is not to be taken lightly – I had tears running down my face last time, much to his amusement. And occasionally he will offer you a grilled jalapeno, especially when there are others around to watch the gringo sweat. It is all in good fun and we wouldn’t miss it for the world.
SAN FELIPE – we’ve visited a couple of times, and some of the restaurants that we liked last time weren’t open this time. Dunno if that is permanent or seasonal. (All restaurants are on the Malecon, facing the water.)
Mariscos Brenda – not open this time, but was great for camarones aguachile on our last visit. We were sad not to be able to revisit this restaurant.
Restaurante Rosita – Located at the end of the Malecon, and apparently a haven for Baja 500/1000 racers, this restaurant has a large menu with tiny pictures that are nearly indistinguishable from each other. The food, however, is TOP NOTCH. The tacos camarones (shrimp tacos) come with 3 tacos, rice and beans. Simple, delicious, and very filling. No matter what they will make sure that you have music during your visit! We tried sitting outside to avoid the music, it didn’t work.
