Tijuana Restaurant Tips by lmkluque Top 5 Page for this destination

Senor Maguey: Terraced Patio Dining

There are more restaurants along Avenida Revolucion than you can imagine. Never far from a meal or a drink. Most places are, a restaurant by day and a raging night club by night. Making a choice, from one to the other, is the most difficult. The standard test is to see how busy a place is--the busier, the better.

However, considering that on Revolucion most people are tourist, haven't a clue where to eat and are often times scared to death at the idea of "Montezuma's Revenge," that test doesn't really work here.

As for night time activity, Senor Maguey's Cantina & Mucho Party offers dancing, pool tables and a basket ball court.

Favorite Dish: I haven't eaten at Senor Maguey's but would choose this place over many of the others in the surrounding area. My choice would be based on the fact that they offer patio dining overlooking Revolucion and if the food wasn't delicious, at least the scene below would be interesting and no matter what, the Margaritas would be strong and made the way I like them--Mexican style--no ice, sweet with the taste of lime and plenty of Tequila!

Address: On Avenida Revolucion between 5th & 6th.

Comparison: less expensive than average

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Mexican

Chiki Jai Restaurante: Spanish Style Chiki Jai Restaurante Review

Everyday, people walk past this restaurant without the slightest idea of the history it has survived. Famous movie stars, writers, boxers, bullfighters and especially Jai Alai players ate and drank in this yesteryear hot spot. It is no coincedence that Chiki Lai is just across the street from the Jai Alai Palace, where else would those great Spanish Jai Alai players, or for that matter the famed Spanish Bullfighters go for down-home cooking?

Check out the photos along the walls and have a glimpse of Tijuana's glory days.

Favorite Dish: Paella which comes with salad, French bread and bleu cheesh is a favorite, but there are many more choices, including some unusual items.

The aroma seeping out of Chiki Jai should be enough to convince you to give it a try.

Address: 1388 Avenida Revolucion

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: At the NE corner of 7th and Avenida Revolucion

Phone: 685-4955

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Eclectic/International

Cafe Francais La Belle Claude: French Food Mexican Style!

Near the Jai Lai Palace, this cozy little place quietly stood and beckoned me in. Of course it isn't a real French cafe, however the owners have done everything possible to give the feel of relaxed isolation in the sea of humanity which pass by on Avenida Revolucion.

The owners, the parents of La Belle Claude, have a farm outside of Tijuana and make their own jams and cheeses which are nicely displayed on the shelves. Foot traffic along the sidewalk, cloistered with a small fence and lovely trees in front of this cafe, is sparse. This is just the place to sit and relax with a coffee and pastry. The adjacent dining room, Nica-Oh Steakhouse, offers fresh Angus beef for a more filling meal if that is your desire.

Update:

Nica-Oh has closed. The good news is that La Belle Claude is still open and serving.



Favorite Dish: A sweet pastry and a Cuban coffee! The jus de veau lié, something like a French-dip sandwich, was really good too.

Address: Calle Galeana, #8186-A

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: West on Calle 7 from Avenida Revolucion

Phone: 685-3415

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: French

Caesar's Restaurant!: Legendary Home to the Caesar Salad! Caesar's Restaurant! Review

Hollywood has the Brown Derby and Tijuana has Caesar's! This restaurant became popular by catering to all the rich, beautiful and famous people who traveled south from L.A. for a drink or the races at Caliente. Hotel Caesar and Caesar's Restaurant were the places to go to avoid the press and Prohibition. This restaurant has survived and so has it's legends.

Update:

Caesar's Restaurant and Hotel have been renovated by the Placencia family of Tijuana almost two years ago. It seems that they have done a wonderful job turning back the 80 years Caesar's has been around to recapture the glamourous days of this mecca for Hollywood stars. In the process they have also succeeded in changing Caesar's into the number one restaurant in Tijuana.

Hopefully this is just the beginning of revitalization for the town.

Favorite Dish: Why not try a Caesar Salad? The debate rages whether or not this famed salad originated here. I believe it did.

Address: 1059 Ave. Revolucion y Calle 5ª

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Next to Hotel Caesar on Avenida Revolucion on the corner of Calle 5

Phone: (664) 685-5608

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 5

Theme: Eclectic/International

El Torito Pub: Glen Miller? El Torito Review

As with most restaurants on Revolution, El Torito Pub: Restaurant and Discotheque also has a nightlife and offers something besides drinks and a meal such as, live Mariachis, pool tables and even a mechanical bull for those who like a challenge.

However, what attracted me was the sound of Glen Miller's music coming out of El Torito Pub's doors. It was an interesting surprise, as most places along Revolution had either Mariachi music playing or one of the more up-to-date tunes.

El Torito Pub looks pretty new and my guess is that it stands in a rebuilt section that had burned down some years ago.

Favorite Dish: They serve mostly Mexican food, offer some seafood and of course drinks.

Address: Avenida Revolucion between Calle 2 & 3

Comparison: about average

Phone: 685-1636

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Mexican

Club AnimalE: More Terrace Dining

Though I've never eaten here I would try it out myself--not for the nightclub--for a meal. The upstairs, open air dining looks interesting and it was full of people. I do know that was because Club AnimalE happens to be closer to Calle 1 where walking tourist emerge from the Plaza Viva Tijuana--the pedestrian route from the border to downtown--but it still looks like an interesting place to try.

Favorite Dish: I would look at the plates of the other diners and see what looked good to me and order that. Most Mexican food in the tourist areas is toned down a bit for the palate of those not used to heavy spices so you may find the flavor bland. Just add hot sauce and all should taste fine.

Address: Avenida Revolucion corner of Calle 3

Comparison: about average

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 3

Theme: Mexican

Margarita's Village: Now with Two Locations Margaritas Village Review

Margarita's Village has a location in Rosarito Beach and that is the one I ate at. The waiters were very friendly, funny and effecient, the food was good and the drinks even better. The downtown restaurant is the older of the two in Tijuana and most likely very similar to the Rosarito store. In the new, Plaza Viva Tijuana--the pedestrian route from the border to downtown--restaurant Margarita's Village looks to be a bit different, bigger and more open, however, I expect that the food and service is just as good.

Favorite Dish: What ever you like on the menu should be tasty and of course the Margaritas!

Address: Avenida Revolucion corner of Calle 3

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Second location: Plaza Viva Tijuana,
Phone: (664) 682-8-58

Phone: (664) 685-3862

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Mexican

Margarita's Village: A Second Location Margaritas Village Review

If your intention is to only make a short stop in Tijuana this location would be ideal. It is very near the border at Plaza Viva Tijuana and seems to be very popular.

Just in front of the restaurant is a large "village plaza" and I imagine that at night it fills up and becomes quite festive.

I haven't eaten at this location, but did like the Margarita's Village downtown, so this should be good too. Also, I like the terrace dining overlooking the Plaza.

Favorite Dish: Margaritas! Of course.

Address: Calle 3, Tijuana, Mexico

Comparison: about average

Directions: Plaza Viva Tijuana

Phone: (664) 685-3862

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 5

Theme: Mexican

Mr. Tequila: Looks Promising

This is an untried restaurant for me but it looked interesting and had I not had lunch already, I would have stopped here to try it out.

It is located near the USA / Mexican border in the newest tourist shopping area, Plaza Viva Tijuana. I liked the patio dining section and the trees surrounding it. The view from the restaurant is of the Plaza Square and I imagine that it would be especially festive in the evenings. Mariachi music from a neighboring restaurant fills the square and sets the mood.

Favorite Dish: As with most restaurants, they serve Mexican food and have a full service bar, but what might be most useful is the fact that they serve breakfast. Plan your walking tour to Tijuana early, miss the crowds and start things off with Huevos Rancheros or my favorite, eggs, chorizo, beans and tortillas!

After I get a chance to stop here for a drink or a meal I will expand on this suggestion. Until then why not try it for yourself?

Address: Plaza Viva Tijuana Square

Comparison: about average

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Mexican

Tia Juana Tilly's (La Terraza Grill): TJ Tilly's Day Job Tia Juana Tilly's (La Terraza Grill) Review

Tia Juana Tilly's was popular before they opened Tilly's Fifth Avenue--which I believe was the second "Tilly's" location. Mealtimes at TJ Tilly's is not the bustling experience that you'll find at night and the primary reason for that is the location. The farther up Revolucion the fewer tourists. At night, during the nightclub hours this is a pretty busy place. Busy with more locals than tourists--Mexican and San Diegan locals that is.

Favorite Dish: Steak, chicken, and seafood dishes are offered here and the prices range from $7.00 to $13.00 for a meal.

They are now open for breakfast, $2.95.

Happy Hours between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. daily, draft beer for $.99 or 2 for the price of 1 mixed drinks.

Address: Ave. Revolucion 1500-C, Zona Centro

Comparison: about average

Directions: Corner of Calle 7 & Avenida Revolucion^b

Other Contact: (011)(52)(664) 685 7833 Ext. 4

Phone: (011)(52)(664) 685 0588

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Mexican

Website: http://discoverbajacalifornia.com/restaurant.php?id=116