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Appreciate the guidance.
[QUOTE=ClamSlammer;2291063]LOL, you come to the ratero and drug infested alley of the $12 street hooker and you think you're too high class to eat from a taco cart? You may want to reread Bobster's posts. Anybody who possesses a minimum level of reading comprehension can realize that Bobster is intimidated by the thought of traveling around Tijuana. Hell, he's even somewhat overwhelmed by the thought of traveling through San Diego! Therefore, I recommended some places within the zona where he wouldn't have to travel. I never said these places were spectacular. I apologize for recommending these "dirty" and "greasy" places to eat. Perhaps you could provide some recommendations on the wide array of Michelin rated restaurants within the zona? Obviously as a high-class Tijuana puta monger, you have contacts within the matre the's and can get Bobster a coveted reservation at one of the fine dining establishments in the alley? LOL Tijuana is famous in Mexico for gastronomy. It's not.[/QUOTE]At Clamslammer,
I truly appreciate your guidance and insight. If I were able to upgrade my ISG account I would have definitely PM you for more tips and tricks. You are right I was and am scared shitless about venturing into Tijuana. No concerns about San Diego as I have been there several times. It is more about taking the step to go a couple of miles to the south. For this trip I will stick to the recommendations you provided for eating and will certainly be more adventurous on future trips once I get the confidence.
I certainly understand that there better (maybe much better) options elsewhere but will reserve that for next time.
Once again thanks to everyone for all you guidance and help.
Any more guidance and commonsense tips to stay safe is much appreciated.
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[QUOTE=Ctytek;2291134]LOL back. You "recommending" street taco stands and Azul is akin to recommending visiting Food Court on your trip to the Mall of America. Yeah, there isn't much there in terms of "food establishments" on that particular block of Coahuila, besides tacos stands and Azul. If your objective is to never step your foot outside of hooker block of Coahuila without starving to death. Indeed, those are the options.
And even then. If I was a newbie gringo not accustomed to Mexican street food. I'd think twice before eating street cart food. All jokes aside. Sanitary practices of these places are questionable at best. You're taking a pretty good gamble on getting yourself diarrhea, and ending up spending the rest your trip on the crapper.
For all your claimed experience of visiting Tijuana. You don't seem to know much about the city. Tijuana is most definitely a renown gastro center in Mexico. You can read about it in many publications (example: [URL]https://adventure.com/tijuana-food-drink-mexico/[/URL]). I, myself, am no "foodie snob", but there is some cheap and amazing food to be had in Tijuana.
People should expand their horizons and not be afraid to step their food outside of dirty and ratero infested Zona. That is my advice anyway.[/QUOTE]Well, I'm glad you finally realized you were completely wrong and I was completely right. I graciously accept your concession. As Bobster stated he is "shit scared" of Tijuana so obviously he would be extremely hesitant to travel around, so I gave him some recommendations within the zona, which now you concede "those are the options. " It took you a while, but I'm glad you're finally making progress and realizing your errors.
So here's another topic in which you should contemplate a little further and then concede again. To complain about the sanitary practices at taco carts in relation to brick-and-mortar restaurants conveys your extreme ignorance of how eateries are run in Tijuana. You think restaurants follow a higher level of sanitary practices than carts? It's the same or maybe even worse! Sanitation is bad everywhere. With a few exceptions, specifically those owned and operated by foreign entities, the sanitary practices of restaurants leave much to be desired. You ever get a behind-the-scenes look at La Perla? Cockroaches have effectively annexed the kitchen.
And again, Tijuana is definitely not commonly known throughout Mexico as a culinary hotspot. That claim is laughable. If you look hard enough, you can find positive restaurant reviews for ANY mid sized city in Mexico or the USA That doesn't mean that it's a renowned "gastro center. " It usually means the restaurants owners paid for a favorable review and publicity. It's like those restaurant articles in those in-flight magazines. 100% bought and paid for by the owner. It doesn't take a genius to figure that out.
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Plan.
[QUOTE=Bobster65;2291234]At Clamslammer,
I truly appreciate your guidance and insight. If I were able to upgrade my ISG account I would have definitely PM you for more tips and tricks. You are right I was and am scared shitless about venturing into Tijuana. No concerns about San Diego as I have been there several times. It is more about taking the step to go a couple of miles to the south. For this trip I will stick to the recommendations you provided for eating and will certainly be more adventurous on future trips once I get the confidence.
I certainly understand that there better (maybe much better) options elsewhere but will reserve that for next time.
Once again thanks to everyone for all you guidance and help.
Any more guidance and commonsense tips to stay safe is much appreciated.[/QUOTE]Overthinking way too much. I've offered to personally escort you there twice, for free, but would rather tip.
Someone haha.
Anyways, you can get to gong king and never leave the building, other than 2 steps to get upstairs to the hotel. I had some issues the first time I ate from the street cart. I say don't eat anything That's uncooked, such as the bowls of veggies. The trolley is 100% safe. And the taxis / limo is less than 100 yards away at pedwest.
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Advice.
[QUOTE=Bobster65;2291227]Truly appreciated everyone on this board and the advise that all of you have provided. Amazing insight and guidance. Yes to be honest I was scared shitless but feeling more confidence with everyone's advise of using good old common sense. This has always been a bucket list item for me to do and hopefully I get to do it and that too more than once.
I will certainly post to this board once I get back from the trip. I was thinking of using Alberto Quinto services just because he was recommended by someone and seemed to be connected with HK club. Now I will need to rethink this based on everyone's guidance.
Once again a big thanks to everyone.[/QUOTE]Honestly, you're probably better off doing what the majority of people are recommending: taking the trolley and then taxi to ZN. If you negotiate with taxi drivers your overall round trip from and back to SD airport will be quite cheap compared to what this Quinto guy is offering. A negotiated taxi ride will be almost the same or a dollar more than Uber.
However, if you decide to give Quinto a try, please tell us his rates to inform the board. Calling him wouldn't be a bad idea to get some kind of price quote. Anyways, whatever you choose to do will be an experience. Share it with us!
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Are you seriously claiming that one runs the same risk of food poisoning when eating at a taco cart vs a proper brick and mortar restaurant?? Restaurants have refrigeration and running water. Carts follow basically zero food safety. You have got meats sitting in the sun for hours with flies buzzing around them – your only hope is that grill gets most of the bacteria and salmonella before you put that taco in your body. Several bros reported getting sick after eating street food on this forum alone. Those are just basic facts. Claiming that the risk is the same is ludicrous, and just another example of bad advice that I see all over this forum.
Same goes for the rest of your post – Tijuana has a very active culinary scene, and many young aspiring chefs run local eateries that are well worth trying. To claim otherwise just again shows your ignorance of the city, beyond a couple of dirty blocks of La Zona. But keep trying.
[QUOTE=ClamSlammer;2291342]Well, I'm glad you finally realized you were completely wrong and I was completely right. I graciously accept your concession. As Bobster stated he is "shit scared" of Tijuana so obviously he would be extremely hesitant to travel around, so I gave him some recommendations within the zona, which now you concede "those are the options. " It took you a while, but I'm glad you're finally making progress and realizing your errors.
So here's another topic in which you should contemplate a little further and then concede again. To complain about the sanitary practices at taco carts in relation to brick-and-mortar restaurants conveys your extreme ignorance of how eateries are run in Tijuana. You think restaurants follow a higher level of sanitary practices than carts? It's the same or maybe even worse! Sanitation is bad everywhere. With a few exceptions, specifically those owned and operated by foreign entities, the sanitary practices of restaurants leave much to be desired. You ever get a behind-the-scenes look at La Perla? Cockroaches have effectively annexed the kitchen.
And again, Tijuana is definitely not commonly known throughout Mexico as a culinary hotspot. That claim is laughable. If you look hard enough, you can find positive restaurant reviews for ANY mid sized city in Mexico or the USA That doesn't mean that it's a renowned "gastro center. " It usually means the restaurants owners paid for a favorable review and publicity. It's like those restaurant articles in those in-flight magazines. 100% bought and paid for by the owner. It doesn't take a genius to figure that out.[/QUOTE]
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Quinto assistance. . .
Some guys could use and afford special assistance in Tijuana like that offered by the HK Concierge Quinto. I bet Robert Kraft or some of the other rich guys who got busted in Florida would be happy to pay for a guide or concierge service to save time and mistakes. Perhaps now they will start looking for a place to party like Mexico or Colombia where they will not be humiliated and shamed for wanting the company of attractive women. But average guys with more time than money would likely be better off buying a subscription to ISG and reading the forum and asking questions.
[QUOTE=NegotiateHard;2291474]Honestly, you're probably better off doing what the majority of people are recommending: taking the trolley and then taxi to ZN. If you negotiate with taxi drivers your overall round trip from and back to SD airport will be quite cheap compared to what this Quinto guy is offering. A negotiated taxi ride will be almost the same or a dollar more than Uber.
However, if you decide to give Quinto a try, please tell us his rates to inform the board. Calling him wouldn't be a bad idea to get some kind of price quote. Anyways, whatever you choose to do will be an experience. Share it with us![/QUOTE]
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[QUOTE=Ctytek;2291517]Are you seriously claiming that one runs the same risk of food poisoning when eating at a taco cart vs a proper brick and mortar restaurant?? Restaurants have refrigeration and running water. Carts follow basically zero food safety. You have got meats sitting in the sun for hours with flies buzzing around them your only hope is that grill gets most of the bacteria and salmonella before you put that taco in your body. Several bros reported getting sick after eating street food on this forum alone. Those are just basic facts. Claiming that the risk is the same is ludicrous, and just another example of bad advice that I see all over this forum.
Same goes for the rest of your post Tijuana has a very active culinary scene, and many young aspiring chefs run local eateries that are well worth trying. To claim otherwise just again shows your ignorance of the city, beyond a couple of dirty blocks of La Zona. But keep trying.[/QUOTE]Tijuana enjoys a next-door proximity to San Diego County, which has over 3 million residents. There's over 20 million people in the US's Southern California. It allows Tijuana, which has Mexico's best access to that market, exceptionally vibrant food areas in many parts of the city.
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[QUOTE=Ctytek;2291517]Are you seriously claiming that one runs the same risk of food poisoning when eating at a taco cart vs a proper brick and mortar restaurant?? Restaurants have refrigeration and running water. Carts follow basically zero food safety. You have got meats sitting in the sun for hours with flies buzzing around them your only hope is that grill gets most of the bacteria and salmonella before you put that taco in your body. Several bros reported getting sick after eating street food on this forum alone. Those are just basic facts. Claiming that the risk is the same is ludicrous, and just another example of bad advice that I see all over this forum.
Same goes for the rest of your post Tijuana has a very active culinary scene, and many young aspiring chefs run local eateries that are well worth trying. To claim otherwise just again shows your ignorance of the city, beyond a couple of dirty blocks of La Zona. But keep trying.[/QUOTE]I tell my friends when I am traveling abroad about how great the food and service in Tijuana. I have some wonderful experience eating in Tijuana.
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Thanks for the offer.
[QUOTE=OneInTheDugOut;2291434]Overthinking way too much. I've offered to personally escort you there twice, for free, but would rather tip.
Someone haha.
Anyways, you can get to gong king and never leave the building, other than 2 steps to get upstairs to the hotel. I had some issues the first time I ate from the street cart. I say don't eat anything That's uncooked, such as the bowls of veggies. The trolley is 100% safe. And the taxis / limo is less than 100 yards away at pedwest.[/QUOTE]I would have loved to take you up on your offer. Unfortunately I will not be able to make it out there in Mid March as I have some travel commitments at work. I would have loved to have learned the ropes from you. I am only able to visit next week or first week of March.
I hope to be able to make it again to Tijuana and maybe then I can take you up on your very kind offer. If there is anyone going there this week and willing to show a newbie around please let me know.
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Time vs. Money.
[QUOTE=Travv;2291561]Some guys could use and afford special assistance in Tijuana like that offered by the HK Concierge Quinto. I bet Robert Kraft or some of the other rich guys who got busted in Florida would be happy to pay for a guide or concierge service to save time and mistakes. Perhaps now they will start looking for a place to party like Mexico or Colombia where they will not be humiliated and shamed for wanting the company of attractive women. But average guys with more time than money would likely be better off buying a subscription to ISG and reading the forum and asking questions.[/QUOTE]I agree with you. When a man has more than enough money, his time is worth way more than logging onto this website and reading pieces of information that will save him $10 here and $20 there and on top of that, making the trip an hour or two longer. Millionaires and billionaires likely don't have an hour to read on how to save even $/ E 100 whether it be euros or dollars.
However, if trolley + taxi from the airport is going to make the trip 15 minutes longer and have a price difference of $50 or so, I'd say even based on time, it's probably better to do it our way. This Quinto guy could also have more stuff he wants to sell or more propinas he wants to collect while he's giving this guy a ride. Our new friend is very busy, but unless I'm mistaken I would have to use probability and percentage of the general population to assume he's not in the millionaire / billionaire category. Just an assumption Bobster! Sorry if I assumed wrong haha.
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Agree 100%.
[QUOTE=ScatManDoo;2291569]Tijuana enjoys a next-door proximity to San Diego County, which has over 3 million residents. There's over 20 million people in the US's Southern California. It allows Tijuana, which has Mexico's best access to that market, exceptionally vibrant food areas in many parts of the city.[/QUOTE]Tijuana has many food options besides street tacos. In the Plaza Rio area are Mision 19, Marinka and the weekend brunch at The Lucerna Hotel; all very good IMO.
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[QUOTE=Ctytek;2291517]Are you seriously claiming that one runs the same risk of food poisoning when eating at a taco cart vs a proper brick and mortar restaurant?? Restaurants have refrigeration and running water. Carts follow basically zero food safety. You have got meats sitting in the sun for hours with flies buzzing around them your only hope is that grill gets most of the bacteria and salmonella before you put that taco in your body. Several bros reported getting sick after eating street food on this forum alone. Those are just basic facts. Claiming that the risk is the same is ludicrous, and just another example of bad advice that I see all over this forum.
Same goes for the rest of your post Tijuana has a very active culinary scene, and many young aspiring chefs run local eateries that are well worth trying. To claim otherwise just again shows your ignorance of the city, beyond a couple of dirty blocks of La Zona. But keep trying.[/QUOTE]All I'm saying is that brick and mortar restaurants don't necessarily follow strict food service sanitation standards. There isn't a dramatic difference between carts and restaurants regarding sanitation issues. Each has its favorable and unfavorable characteristics. Yes restaurants have refrigeration and running (unsafe tap) water. Carts have ice and big tanks of water. The main advantage there is with carts is that you can actually see how your meal is prepared. There's no place to hide. In a restaurant, you have no idea what is going on back there.
And I'm not denying that Tijuana has a little burgeoning culinary scene. But every mid sized and larger city has that. You're saying Tijuana is nationally renowned for its gastro scene. It's not. Nobody chooses to visit Tijuana from other parts of Mexico with food options being a factor in deciding their visit.
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[QUOTE=Ctytek;2291134]For all your claimed experience of visiting Tijuana. You don't seem to know much about the city. Tijuana is most definitely a renown gastro center in Mexico. You can read about it in many publications (example: [URL]https://adventure.com/tijuana-food-drink-mexico/[/URL]). I, myself, am no "foodie snob", but there is some cheap and amazing food to be had in Tijuana.
People should expand their horizons and not be afraid to step their food outside of dirty and ratero infested Zona. That is my advice anyway.[/QUOTE]Good advice. I am a foodie. Except for Tijuana, I travel internationally one or twice a year. For the last 7 or 8 years I've been concentrating on going to places for the local cuisine, and not so much the ladies. I've made a point of trying to visit as many locales, and restaurants, featured on Anthony Bourdain's show, as possible. Some were great, some only so-so. Whatever.
The point is that Tijuana is, in fact, a great foodie destination. It's blessed with proximity to livestock farms, seafood, and incredible produce. The Mediterranean climate allows cultivation of some outstanding grapes which, in turn, are now producing some incredible wines. There are so many different places to eat / drink in Tijuana that I almost never eat at the same place twice. Some of the best food I've eaten was in Tijuana, the Valle de Guadalupe, or Ensenada. The cuisine is sometimes called Baja Med, a term that had been overused to the point of cliche. But it's accurate in that it reflects that the cuisine is very Mediterranean in composition and style, but uniquely Baja Californian. You'll not find this in other locations in Mexico. One thing I like about Mexico is that it's still rather regional. You want pre-Hispanic, go to Oaxaca. Incredible pozole, go to Acapulco. An incredible variety of different takes on meat and seafood, go to Tijuana.
Anybody who claims that Tijuana is not a foodie destination probably still eats at McDonalds.
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[QUOTE=CaptainSolo;2290608]This is why the entire US male population should move to within walking distance of Tijuana.
[URL]https://boston.cbslocal.com/2019/02/22/robert-kraft-prostitution-charges-video-jupiter-florida-new-england-patriots-owner/?fbclid=IwAR3d9HbNWmIO3B-rmIRWHlqnLsswWJEBHKILr8nbEH1VObRfs6IfpJlmBOo&replytocom=719339[/URL]#respond.
Robert Kraft, New England Patriots Owner, Being Charged In Jupiter, Florida Prostitution Bust.
February 22,2019 at 12:43.
JUPITER, Florida (CBS) Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, will be charged in a prostitution bust in Jupiter, Florida. Kraft, who denies doing anything illegal, was allegedly caught in the act on video, according to police.
[/QUOTE]On the border of the US and Mexico there are more cities with tolerance zone, but not as big as Tijuana. Nogales, Ciudad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo. BTW prostitution law in the US is similar to Afghanistan, Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Rwanda, Uganda [URL]https://prostitution.procon.org/[/URL] My calculations but I am not a mathematician just on Tijuana's example, how much money loses state of California because it has illegal prostitution. Example In one week may be 1000 visiting men Tijuana Zona Norte spend about $ 150 - $ 200 per person. This is $ 150,000 - $ 200,000 per week. For one year, this is $ 7,800,000 - $ 10,400,000 for 10 years $ 78,000,000 - $ 100,400,000. And now add US tourists dollars spent on legal prostitution in other countries like Europe, South America, Caribbean, Asia because prostitution in the US is illegal, it is an incredible amount of money. US policy to keep prostitution illegal is a great and expensive mistake.