During my recent trips to TJ I've started adding to good meal to my other activities.  I've found there is a good sushi place near the apartment Tania uses.  Sushi seems a bargain in TJ. (Sorry, I forgot the name.)  I've already posted my thoughts about the Rivoli Restaurant in the Hotel Lucerna as it is a nice crystal and linen place, with good food, soft lighting and piano music that impresses the chicas.  La Fagota, across from the Centro Culutral, has good steaks at a moderate price.  Chins has good Chinese food, but the prices approach those in the US.  I'm finding that the Zona Rio is a good place to go when you are looking for a decent restaurant.

Here is a link to Villa Savorias, a restaurant worth visiting:
http://www.sdro.com/saverios/menuc.htm

Also, here is a link to the Hungy Hikers Guide to Tijuana Dining:
http://hungryhiker-tj.com/links/  I've found it useful.

I'd enjoy  receiving information about any cultural, historical, or similar places of interest to visit while in TJ.  I realize this is not the point behind TER. However, I've reached the age where in this sport I need some time to rest and recharge between innings. (Also, I've learned not to drink if I want to be in the line-up.) Consequently, I'm searching for some interesting things to do or places to visit while I'm waiting for my next turn at bat.

This time I returned from TJ with the name and address of the place with sushi and other Japanese food that I like.  It’s Komasa at Sanchez Tabodoa No. 10132. The cross street is Diego Rivera.  Blvd. Ninos Heros, the street with all the statues and traffic-circles in the Zona Rio, runs parallel to Sanchez Tobadoa.   The Abraham Lincoln statue is on the traffic circle at the intersection of Diego Rivera and Ninos Heroes.  The other way of finding Komasa is to remember that it is across the street from the courthouse.   The Japanese food in general, and the sushi in particular, are good and inexpensive at Komasa.  Enjoy.

The Sushi House is AWESOME  This guy is the former owner of P.B.Sushi in Pacific Beach. Do you recall the Sushi bar directly across the street form Mooses/Fred mex cafe on Garnert ave?? This is the guy! His lease ran out and they wanted to raised it 3000% !! He said hell with that and met a girl in Mexico. Got married and now they both own the Sushi House! Ok here is where it is.  The club called Baby Rock which is not far from Plaza Rio. When you pass the club Baby Rock the next strett you come to on the right hand side has a Office Depot on the corner, make a right there and its on the left! ALOT of the local Chicas hang out and eat there!!

I received a PM asking for information about places I've eaten at that are near Revolucion or Adelitas.  I thought I’d post this in case anyone else is interested.

First a couple of thoughts about practices that, so far, have get dysentery away.  I only drink bottled water or bottled drinks and I avoid ice, except ice at the higher end places that make it from purified water.  I also avoid fruits like pineapple or watermelon.  Something that either contains ground water or is sitting out where it can ferment and is exposed to flies, etc.   I will eat fruits, like oranges and bananas that have a skin I can peel.  What I’m looking for is something that I know was just cooked, not something warmed up that was actually cooked earlier, and some signs of cleanliness (at least by local standards).  

The good restaurants that I know are in Zona Rio, not around Revolucion or Adelitas.  Having said that I’ll be happy to tell you about places I can remember in that area so long as you’re not expecting a gourmet meal.  I don’t know anywhere near Adelitas.  I’ve eaten, including some decent Chinese food, on some of the side streets between Revolucion and Constitucion, but I don’t remember the names of many places where I’ve been.   I’m not afraid to try most of the sit down restaurants where the locals eat, especially those that appear to be the most prosperous by TJ standards.

Here are some places I can remember.  The Hotel Ceasar along Revolucion.  They have indoor and outdoor seating, the food is decent, but is more expensive than most of the other places I’m going to mention.  I’ve eaten at Sambros, which is on Revolucion somewhere around 5th Street on the same side of the street as Hotel Ceasar.  It has Mexican food that is less expensive than Hotel Ceasar.  On the opposite side of Revoluction about a block from the AM PM (probably between 6th and 7th) is a taco stand that to me looks like it is middle of what was once the drive way of a parking garage.  (There is a bar and disco upstairs, that is only open at night.)  The grill is next to the sidewalk and there are a few tables on the ramp that goes upstairs.  It is one of those places that sell tacos for a buck (although sometimes they have a few others things.)  Nothing special, just cheaper and someplace where I take relatives who want a taco without getting sick. (Sometimes you can also eat upstairs with a view, such as it is.)  By the way, have you tried the hot dogs from any of the little carts?  They wrap them in bacon and you can get diced tomatoes, onions and all kinds of stuff on them.  I like them.  There is a little cart by the plaza on Revolucion near the arches (I think it is at Revolucion and Articulo 123).   I’ve eaten at that cart several times without a problem.  If you are walking back to the border on Articulo 123 a couple of blocks past Revolucion there is a little place for the locals that I’ve eaten at.  Sorry, but I can’t remember the name. It has a few tables, a juke box, and food costing a couple of bucks that was OK.

Now for the best places I know near Revolucion  Two are located at the corner of 7th and Madero.  (The AM PM is at the corner of 7th and Revolucion.  Madero is one block towards the border.)  One is Ricardos (or something very similar).  It has the best Mexican food in the Revoluction area that I found thus far, and is inexpensive by US standards.  The other is the Argentine steak place called Tony’s which is located in a white building on the corner 7th and Madero.  (Although it isn’t Donovan’s, you can get a good streak on a table with white linen table cloth at a reasonable price at Tonys.)  The last place that comes to mind is La Costa, a well-known seafood restaurant.  It is located on 8th Street between Revoluction and Consitucion.  It is more of an upscale place and the prices close to those in the US.  (I think it is on 8th Street.  It’s on the street with a gas station at the corner of Constitution—I always find the place by walking along Consitucion looking for the gas station.)  

As I said before, the best places I know are in the Zona Rio.  Sorry I can’t give you any recommendations for places near Adelitas.  Also, the places near Revolucion that I know aren’t close to Adelitas either.  However, the places I’ve listed above are all places I’ve eaten at least twice without having problems.  They are all places I’d take my relatives who come to San Diego wanting to see the “real Tijuana.”  Hope you enjoy some of them.

I like the Hotel Caesar restaurant but they are very slow in their food preparation. If you don't mind that, it's a good place to eat. It's of course the place where the Caesar salad was invented.

El Taurino is a great place for steaks, but it's about 3-4 blocks west of Revolution, I think on 7th.

In the Zone, I like Tres Garcias, in the alley, especially their chicken fajitas. I heard their breakfasts are good too.

I've had some friends eat at Al Capone's, next door to Chicago Club and have had good food there, but it's just a little pricey.
Across from La Tropa bar, there's a small place that barbecues chicken and it tasted just like El Pollo Loco. They had a strange macaroni salad but with some salt, it was good.

Hi Guys

Here is my picks for places to eat on  or near Rev Ave. Now remember these are opinions normally when people post these you will find one or 2 people may take offense if you have flamed or disliked their picks.

Worst food on Rev - Sanborn's - This has got to be one of the worst Mexican restaurant chains in Mexico-Horrible coffee horrible food and prices that are for tourists.

Best food on Rev - wow this is tuff -- most of the touristy locations are not that bad but not that good either and the prices are a little high.
Tillys 5th Ave, El Torito, Mystery disco, Caesar's all have OK food they do take a while to prepare and the prices are high to TJ standards and watch out for the drink prices. They may push 2 for 1 or 3 for 1 and you will find yourself paying 6 dollars a drink.

And watch out for the waiters and cooks in these places most of them are ex cons well not ex but they are from the USA avoiding jailtime. Why do you think they speak English so well and have 35 tattoos? Most educated Mexicans would not be working rev Ave for just tips.

The chops houses I have heard good stories about Taurinos and Tony's but have not eaten there. Good steaks at below San Diego prices.

La Costa - now sum people cry bloody murder if you have to dish out anymore than a 1 buck for food in TJ if you are one of those people do not come here. Nice food very different from New England seafood where I am from and prices are just below San Diego prices. I took my mother and girlfriend here for dinner and between the 3 of us including drinks it was only 50 dollars which isn't bad at all. Service is a bit slow here but very good and willing to please.

Ricardos - Best deal not on rev Ave - this is on 7th and madero I believe right across the street from Tony's and next to the Hotel Villa Zaragoza.

Great food atmosphere and locals prices. Just about anything here is good and you will not pay touristy prices.

For good coffee - I am a big coffee lover they just opened up a D'Volada coffee stand near the Arch which is like a mild version of Starfucks. Coffee prices are a little lower than Starfucks and they have decent coffee and coffee blends.      

They also have a pasteria-(Mexican Bakery Shop) on 7th before Mexico Lindo that has great Mexican bakery items at near US cost but very tasty and good coffee second to D'Volada. There are a few other Coffee shops on Rev that are connected to high end Cigar shops that sell real Cuban Cigars but I like my coffee sin Fumar so I haven't tried them yet but they should be decent one I know serves Cuban coffee.  

Just for note the Best Coffee I have had in TJ is located at La Ensenada on Sanchez Taboda in Zona Rio. They cook it in a huge pot and it is just unbelievable think of it as an orgasm in a cup.

Thanks for reading my post
Milkman

 

Not La Ensenada but La Espenada that name may still be mispelled I just didn't wnat you guys going all over TJ looking for Ensenada which is 80 miles south of TJ

A couple of other places,,,Hard Rock Cafe,,,a bit pricey but I've always had a good meal there.
Closer to the border, Senor Frogs.  Good food and always have had excellent service.

I agree with Milkster's picks.  The food at Sanborns is very lackluster and La Espenada probably has the best coffee in TJ.  I forgot about El Taurino, which does have good steaks.  We seem to be in agreement about Ricardos; I think Ricardos probably has the best Mexican food, at local prices, in the Ave. Revolucion area.  Try the shrimp (camerones al gusto).  They have about half a dozen ways of preparing their shirmp and I'm enjoyed every one that I've tried.  We both also seem to like La Coata for seafood.  I'm really glad to see there is somebody else who doesn't feel "ripped off" if he has a good food, good service, and pays almost US prices.

My impression is that TJ service seems slow to us due to cultural differences.  In the Latin American countries I have visited (and lived in) meals are supposed to be a leisurely affair where friends plan on spending an evening eating and gossiping.  The better places try to provide their guests with plenty of time to savor the meal—which we interpret as slow service.  If you want faster service, then when placing your order tell the waiter you are in a hurry (tengo preso) and ask him to bring you the bill (la cuenta) when he sees you have finished your meal (al terminar de comer).  Otherwise the waiter will probably wait until for you to ask for the bill out of fear you will consider him to have been impolite by rushing you.  If you really want to leave in a hurry then tell the waiter you have an appointment, specify the time you need to leave, and add the phrase “English time” (hora Inglesa).   My experience is that tying your timetable to the punctuality found in England is the best way of communicating that you are serious about stating an exact, as opposed to an approximate, time.  (When I lived in South America you would see Hora Ingles [English time] printed on invitations, etc. when the locals actually want people to be puncitual.)

If anyone knows of a good vegetarian style restaurant or a restaurant with a few vegg meals on the menu, please advise. Unfortunately the Indian restaurant in the Pueblo Amigo area is closed and I am not a big fan of Chinese. I know most people into the apparently great restaurant scene in TJ rag on Sanborn's, but if you know of a place with better vegetable soup, let me know! (Most places serve veggie soup with meat in it... go figure.)

one of the girl's from CC, took me there! It was great and the owner did go to school in california. Funny the chica I took there new his wife,She told me they meet at CC.

HAH!  I'm so anal.  The 'mexican' bakery next to mexico lindo is named "French Pastery" and is a french style bakery.  Best Mexican bakery is Tapatia #1 on 3rd near the corner of F. Martinez.

Really good steaks at Rodeo, 2 locations on or near Blvd. Agua Caliente.  

Try Chiles en Nogada at El Potrero (the big sombrero on Agua Caliente).

Great atmosphere and tasty carne asada at El Nido en Rosarito.

There are so many good restaurants in Tijuana they are hard to list.