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LAKE CHAPALA RESTAURANTS REVISITED
SEPTEMBER 2001

Listings by Community

AJIJIC
CHAPALA
CHULA VISTA
JOCOTEPEC
RIBERAS DEL PILAR
SAN ANTONIO TLAYACAPÁN
SAN JUAN COSALÁ

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The following information is provided by my good friend, Teresa Kendrick, who is the author of the most important book you can buy if you're planning on visiting Ajijic and Lake Chapala: Mexico's Lake Chapala and Ajijic: The Insider's Guide to the Northshore for International Travelers. This is an excerpt from her revised edition, to be released in 2002.

I've made special notes on those restaurants I personally know about.

• $$$ Means expensive (complete meals from 80-120 pesos),
• $$ Means moderate (complete meals from 50-80 pesos) and
• $ Means inexpensive (meals under 50 pesos).
• *** Means my personal favorites!

These annotations won't be included in Teresa's revised edition! Print this out if you're planning on visiting or even if you live here. The information's current and invaluable. If you find any errors, please email Teresa at ajijic@chapalaguide.com.

Thank you, Teresa.

AJIJIC

Ajijic Grill

Fresh international menu with a Japanese flair, featuring fresh fish, tempura, tepanyaki and sushi. Great place to take guests. Full bar. Open Wednesday through Monday, noon to 9:00 p.m. Closed Wednesdays. Morelos 5, Ajijic. $$$ ***

Armandos

Located behind the Danza del Sol Hotel, restaurant and bar has an old Hacienda atmosphere. Features an international menu with Mexican dishes and flambéd desserts including crêpes suzette. Open Wednesday through Monday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Ocampo 51, Ajijic. $$

Axixique Mesón

Restaurant and bar featuring Mexican menu with specials such as paella (rice dish with vegetable and meat or fish). Open daily, except Wednesdays, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Carretera Chapala-Jocotepec 424, Plaza Rancho del Oro, Ajijic. $$

Baguettes & Company

Baguettes, bagels, salads, snacks and pastries. Deliveries available. Open Tuesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Carretera Oriente #60-1, (across from Telmex) in Ajijic. $

Bruno´s Circus

Newly redecorated, Bruno¹s remains Lakesiders´ favorite destination for grilled steaks and chicken. Full bar. Good place to take guests. Open Monday through Friday 12:30 to 3 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday 12:30 to 8:00 p.m. Closed Sunday. Reservations required. Carretera Oriente 20, Ajijic. $$$ *** (My personal favorite - best mesquite-grilled filet and baked potato anywhere. A very different, healthy lunch menu of stir fry dishes and salads.)

Café Incalli

New location on Constitución from its former location above Casa de la Cultura on the Ajijic plaza. Breakfast and lunch. Open Monday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Sunday. 16 de Septiembre # 2-B, Ajijic. $

Cenaduría Memo´s

Excellent Pozóle, Sope, Tostadas. Real homemade Mexican (Jalisience) food. Open Daily 6:30 p.m. to 12 p.m. Hidalgo # 25, Ajijic.

Chung

Excellent American-style fast Chinese food. Very well priced withdaily specials and 2-for-1 buffets. Open daily 12 a.m. to 5 p.m. Carretera Chapala-Ajijic # 30-32, at the light on the bypass. $

Danny's Restaurant and Bar

American-style breakfasts and lunches, known best for great hamburgers. Open Monday - Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sundays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Carretera 2-A, Ajijic (near the corner of Colón and the Ajijic Carretera). $

Dominos Pizza

Delivery only. Open daily 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Located at the junction of the Libramiento and the traffic signal on the Chapala-Ajijic Carretera #40-44. $

Donas Donuts

Breakfast, donut and coffee shop popular with international crowd. Open Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday & Sundays 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Carretera Oriente 49, Ajijic. $

El Bar.Co

Restaurant-Bar. Hours vary. Open Friday 6 p.m., Saturday 6 p.m. & Sunday 2:00 p.m. Good grilled hamburgers and more. Carretera Ajijic-Jocotepec 33-A, next to the Pemex Station, Ajijic. $

El Sarape

Features favorite Mexican, Tex-Mex and Arizona-Mex dishes such as chimichangas, along with grilled, steaks, ribs and chicken. Full bar and salad bar available. Open daily 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Carretera Poniente 26-A, Ajijic. $$ *** (Best hamburger in town, too)

El Super Burrito

Small eatery features good Mexican food for lunch and dinner. Deliveries possible. On J. Encarnación Rosas above the carretera. Hours not available. $

El Rincon de los Angeles

Open Monday 2 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday 1:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Closed Sundays. Carretera Chapala-Jocotepec, in the Plaza Rancho del Oro, Ajijic. $$$ *** (Great shrimp and the last time I was there, a complimentary glass of wine)

Evie´s Simply Coffee (Business is UP For SALE)

Nice getaway for coffee, pastries, soups and light lunch fare. Suitable for vegetarians. Open Monday through Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Wednesday Closed. Hidalgo 21, Ajijic. $ ***

Frida Azul

Excellent homemade Mexican food served buffet style. Carretera Chapala-Ajijic # 15-B. Open Wednesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. High Season hours 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed Tuesdays. $$

GeeGee's Country Store Soup and Salad Bar

Open in the high season, Saturdays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. September through December. Jaltepec, 3.5 kilometers west of San Juan Cosalá. $$

Johanna´s Restaurant

Good Austrian-German cuisine in a renovated home. Good place to take guests. Full Bar. Closed Mondays. Open Tuesday through Sunday 1 a.m. to 8 p.m. Blvd. Ajijic 118-A, Ajijic. $$$

La Bodega

Small, cozy place to take guests for lunch, afternoon coffee and pastry, or for a cocktail-hour drink and dinner. Features and international menu with favorite Mexican dishes. Open daily noon to 10:00 p.m. At 16 de Septiembre 124, Ajijic. $$

La Casa Grande

International menu located in the former Patty's Windsurfer Bar. Limited parking on Colón. Open Wednesday through Sunday 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. Colón # 50, Ajijic. $$$$ (Very upscale)

La Floresta del Frances

International and Mexican menu, bar and salad bar. Open Monday through Thursday 1 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Friday 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday 1 p.m. to 12 a.m. & Sunday 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Carretera Oriente 45, Ajijic. $$

La Fonda Ajijic

Good for late breakfasts and lunch, this small eatery serves home-style typical Mexican food. Open daily 9: 00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Carretera Poniente 2-A, Ajijic. No Phone. $

La Fuente

(Inside the Ajijic B & B) Serves breakfasts in a lovely garden for B & B guests and non-guests. Open daily 8:30 to 11 a.m. Hidalgo # 22, Ajijic. $$

La Joya del Lago

Casual open air palapa dining next to hotel gardens, pool, and sports area. Features bar and international menu. Good place for breakfast, lunch and to take teenagers. Open daily 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Rio Zula 7, Ajijic. (Across from the former Billy Moon complex) $$

La Nueva Posada

Favorite destination on the Lake for gatherings of all kinds (especially holiday events) Appreciated for its large international menu and ambiance. Live music and dancing in the bar on weekends. Open Sunday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Donato Guerra 9, Ajijic. $$$ *** (Great place to take newcomers).

Las Playas

Sidewalk seafood restaurant on the Ajijic plaza. Open Tuesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Jardín 1-A, Ajijic. $$ *** (Try the shrimp tacos)

La Trattoria de Giovanni

Favorite gathering place for drinks and Italian-style fare including pizza and lasagna. Occasional live music. Good place for teenagers. Hours vary, but generally open daily from noon to 10 p.m. Carretera Oriente 28, Ajijic. $$-$$$ (Try the fish cognac).

Loncheria El Tepalo

(Commonly known as Arraiga Brothers´) Located across the street from the plaza, this typical Mexican loncheria is great for breakfast and lunch with a Mexican menu featuring Aztec soup, fresh juices and hamburgers. Good for plaza people watching, teenagers and tourists. Makes deliveries near the plaza. Open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Parroquia 2, Ajijic. $-$$ (Great chicken)

Los Telares

High-end international-style restaurant and bar serving lunch and dinner. Occasional live music. Open Sunday through Thursday noon to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday noon to 10 p.m. Morelos 6, Ajijic. $$$ (Under new management and better value now)

Manix

Cozy dinner restaurant featuring an international menu and full bar. Oso Bucco is a favorite dish. Open Monday through Saturday 1 a.m. to 9 p.m. Ocampo 57, Ajijic. $$$ ***

Melanies

New location for this restaurant with an international menu. Open Tuesday through Saturday 12 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday Buffet 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ocampo #30, Ajijic. $$-$$$

Michel´s Bakery and Coffee Shop

Pleasant sidewalk café with specialty coffees, teas and pastries inside Bugambilias shopping center. Open daily 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Plaza Bugambilias is located next to El Torito Grocery on the main highway in Ajijic. $

Min Wah

Chinese restaurant featuring such favorites as mushu pork and almond chicken. Lunch specials, live piano music on occasion, good service, full bar and takeout. Daily 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Callejon del Tepalo 6, Ajijic. $$ ***

Panino

Great deli and pastry place. Open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Carretera Oriente # 1, Plaza La Montaña, Ajijic. $ ***

Pastelería Miky

Offers very nice North American-style pastries. Closed Mondays. Open Tuesday through Sunday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Boulevard Ajijic #62, La Floresta. Across from Tobolandia on the "Avenue of Trees" as you enter Ajijic from the Libramiento or bypass. $

Pimienta Negra

Authentic Lebanese and German dishes, full bar and warm personal service. Some selections suitable for vegetarians. Open Monday through Saturday 12 a.m. to 9 p.m. Closed Sundays. Ocampo # 70, Ajijic. $$-$$$

Que Taco

Light fare for lunch and dinner. Open Tues, Wednesday 12:00 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday-Saturday 12:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. Carretera Poniente, Chapala-Jocotepec # 14, La Canacinta. $$ (Great shrimp crepes)

Salvador´s

North American-style menu with daily specials and salad bar. Good place for breakfast and lunch. Open Sunday through Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. closed Saturdays. Carretera Oriente 58 (next to El Torito grocery), Ajijic. $$

The Tamale Place

Our name for this unsigned (and difficult to spot) homegrown restaurant in the Seis Esquinas neighborhood, west of Ajijic, that serves homemade tamales, empanadas, tostadas, sopes and atole. Open Monday, Tuesday and Saturday 7 p.m. to approx. 10 p.m. Hidalgo 96, Ajijic. $ (I'd get there by 6 p.m.)

Tio Domingo

American-Mexican menu. Ocampo # 204, 766-24-53. Closed Tuesday. Open Wednesday through Monday. Ocampo # 204, Ajijic. $$ (Great dessert crepes)

Valenciana´s Pizza

Pizza parlor with delivery service. Open daily noon to 10 p.m. Plaza Montaña 1, Ajijic. $$

Villa del Pastor

Very good Tex-Mex style food. Very reasonably priced. Open daily 9a.m. to 9 p.m. Closed Monday. On the Carretera Ajijic-Jocotepec, near the Waffle House. $$ ***

The Waffle House

American and Mexican-style breakfasts including 12 varieties of waffles, pancakes, blintzes, biscuits and shakes in an attractive, efficient environment. Their newsstand carries many current publications. Open every day except Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Carretera Poniente 75, Ajijic. $-$$

CHAPALA

Alfredo´s California Restaurant-Bar

Menu favorites are stir-fry, ribs, and roast pork. Clean fast service, Sunday brunch buffet. Occasional live music in second-floor lounge. Open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays open 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Local home delivery. Hidalgo # 245, Chapala. $$ ***

Beer Garden

Practically a Chapala institution on the pier with a great view of the Lake, the beer garden is now available to rent for fiestas. Open weekends in the evening. Malecón 9, Chapala.

Café Paris

Sidewalk café preferred for people watching in downtown Chapala. Good place for breakfast, lunch, and for simple afternoon coffee and dessert. Open daily 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Avenida Madero 421, Chapala. $-$$

Chapala Haciendas

Features international menu with Mexican and Tex-Mex selections. Squash-flower sauce and margaritas are favorites. Live music from the ´40s and ´50s on Saturdays and Sundays. Sunday brunch 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Good place to take guests. Open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Carretera Chapala-Guadalajara Km. 40, Chapala Haciendas. $$-$$$ (Dancing, too)

Chemary

Open porch allows diners to people-watch over their meal. Menu features Tex-Mex and Mexican favorites and a full bar. Margaritas are said to be a favorite. Open daily 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Madero 2, Chapala.

Churros Aldama

Serves fried and sugared "churros". Open Monday through Friday 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Avenida Madero # 461, Chapala.

OLATI (Often incorrectly known as Italo's)

Inexpensive Italian-style café also offering pizza. Decent place for lunch. Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Closed Thursday. Hidalgo 228, Chapala. $-$$

Las Conchitas

Offers seafood, steaks, and Mexican specialties. Open daily 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. except Thursday. Paseo Ramon Corona 210-A, Chapala.

La Leña

Restaurant and bar featuring grilled steaks from Sonora, open-air dining in a relaxed atmosphere. Serves generous portions of barbecue ribs. Open daily noon to 10 p.m. Madero 236-C, Chapala (just south of Chemary).

Los Cazadores (Braniff House)

Serving a blend of menu items including Mexican food, seafood and steaks, this historic 19th century mansion is a good place to watch the comings and goings along the Chapala pier. Open Tuesday through Sunday 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Paseo Ramón Corona # 18, Chapala. $$$

Lulu's

An economical breakfast and lunch place sweetened by Lulu's personal warmth. Serving eggs, juices, and sandwiches Monday through Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed Sunday. Morelos #186-A, Chapala. $

Mariscos Guicho

Serves seafood, free margaritas or white wine with meals. Free delivery In the Chapala area. Open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Closed Tuesdays. On the Chapala Malecón (boardwalk). $$ (Great escargot)

Restaurant Cozumel

This Lakeside favorite serves seafood (their cheese-stuffed, bacon-wrapped shrimp are a specialty), and steaks, margaritas, and bar drinks, with live music on Wednesdays and Friday. Open Tuesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. On Paseo Ramón Corona 22-A (on the east end of the Chapala Malecón or boardwalk), Chapala. $$ (Free wine and margaritas!) ***

El Superior

Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner of typical Mexican and gringo fare. Enchiladas Suizas is a favorite menu selection. Patio seating in front. Open daily 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Tuesdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Madero 419, corner of Hidalgo at the traffic light in Chapala. $$

The Coffee Tree

Offers fresh roasted coffee and coffee drinks, pastries, pies, and cookies. USA Today on sale. Open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hidalgo 236, Plaza las Palmas, Chapala. (Not confirmed, no phone.) $ (Sells coffee beans, too)

CHULA VISTA

La Flor de Cordoba

Beautifully appointed restaurant and bar featuring specialty coffees, pastries and cocktails. Entrees have been weak in the past. Open daily 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Av. Chula Vista 5, Chula Vista, Ajijic. $$$

RIBERAS DEL PILAR

ACÁ Café*

Soup, salad and juice bar inside the new Animal Shelter in Riberas del Pilar. Open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., closed Sundays. $$

Betty's Restaurant

Breakfasts and sandwiches. Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Carretera Chapala-Ajijic #90, Riberas del Pilar. (Near Mexico Rustico furniture.) $

Chicken Little

Offers prime chicken dishes with weekly specials. Great place for lunch. Open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed Sunday. Carretera Ajijic - Chapala 101, Riberas del Pilar. $$ *** (Try take out soups, meatloaf and peanut-butter cookies)

La Fuente de la Salud (In Mundo Sano health food store across from Duke's Imports in Riberas del Pilar)*

Small, pleasant fonda serving fresh juices and health food snacks such as smoked salmon on toast. Open daily 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Carretera Oriente 60, Riberas del Pilar. $$

SAN ANTONIO TLAYACAPÁN

Caffe Due

Serving designer coffees and teas including hot and iced chai tea, along with sandwiches made with bagels and baguettes. Open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Near La Paz Liquors in the SuperLake grocery store area of San Antonio Tlayacapan. $$

Diana de Italia

Full-course, Italian meals for lunch and dinner reasonably priced with good service. Full bar. Good place to take guests. Catering available. Closed Monday. Open Tuesday through Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., with Sunday Brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Independéncia 124, San Antonio Tlayacapán. Reservations needed during high season or on American Thanksgiving and Christmas. $$-$$$ (Often has great music) ***

Golden Fried Chicken

Features North American-style fried chicken, biscuits, mashed potatoes and cole slaw. Will deliver. Open daily 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Carretera Chapala-Ajijic 160-B, San Antonio Tlayacapán (across from Bananas Restaurant, near the bypass). $

Tony´s

Mexican menu, includes barbecued pork ribs, tacos, and salad bar. Specializing in barbecue ribs. Delicious fast-fare to go or sit-down service. Open daily 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Carretera Chapala-Ajijic 149. (Next to Super Lake grocery and Tony¹s Meat Market in San Antonio Tlayacapán.) $$-$$$ *** (Best ribs in town and sometimes Tony sings!)

Mario´s

Sparkly-clean fonda featuring typical Mexican fare, hamburgers and french fries. Good for breakfast and lunch (look for daily specials). Good place for teenagers. Tuesday through Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ramón Corona 132 (just off the plaza), San Antonio Tlayacapán. $$ ***

SAN JUAN COSALÁ

Doña Chila

One of the beach restaurants you see as the Chapala-Jocotepec highway winds it¹s way west. A good place for drinks and Mexican-style beach fare (the seafood is from the pacific coast), it also offers a good view of the Lake and weekend windsurfers, boaters, and jet-skiers. Great for teens and visitors looking to unwind. Open daily 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Carretera Chapala-Jocotepec Km 62, San Juan Cosalá.

Restaurante Las Ollas

Lakefront beach restaurant serving drinks, seafood and typical Mexican fare. Great place for lunch with great view of the Lake. Open daily 12:15 a.m. to 8 p.m. Carretera Chapala-Jocotepec Km. 62, San Juan Cosalá.

Cenaduría Lupita Taquería

A secret place the locals love for delicious, clean Mexican food including pozóle on weekends, sopas, flautas, enchiladas, and tostadas. Open Monday through Friday 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Hours for pozóle Saturday 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. On Porfirio Díaz 92, San Juan Cosalá.

Restaurante Minera

One of the beach restaurants serving Mexican and typical Mexican food and specializing in barbecue. Great place to watch the sunset over drinks. Open daily 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Carretera Chapala-Jocotepec Km. 62, San Juan Cosalá.

Ruben's

Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner in a poolside setting at the thermal baths (balneario) in San Jan Cosala. Open Tuesday through Sunday 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. La Paz Oriente 418, San Juan Cosala (376) 1-06-06. $$-$$$ ***

JOCOTEPEC

Mariscol El Caracol

Offers a good variety of Mexican-style seafood bar with TV. Open Tuesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Hidalgo 119, Jocotepec.

Cenaduría Lando

Good a-la-carte Mexican food. Open daily 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Miguel Araña 126, Jocotepec.

La Carreta

Delicious Mexican grilled meat dishes with and array of accompaniments. Open Thursday through Tuesday 1:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Hidalgo 75, Jocotepec.

KBlue

If you enjoy Blue's articles, then don't miss her new monthly magazine Living at Lake Chapala...Mexico Makes Sense, available now at www.mexico-insights.com. e-mail Blue: mexicoblue@prodigy.net.mx

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