Food in Tijuana

[KBToys]

Went to 260 Grados Saturday night about 7 PM for dinner. This place is very popular. The line was long, about 100 people ahead of us. I asked the woman holding the wait list. She said she did not know how long. I figured we were already there so we should wait.

After 2 hours my name was called, went inside waited 15 minutes to be seated. Sat at a table, waited another 15 minutes, nobody was taking order. The place was playing very loud Mexican Techno music. Lost of families with children were dining, moving to the music. I am talking about loud music near near HK loud level. Damn.

Another 15 minutes a guy came by to take order. The place was pretty hectic and chaotic. Dinner now costs 280 pesos or about $15, only a dozen appetizers with a dozen meats and shrimp entrees, beers $2, cocktails $6. I ordered 2 appetizers, some beef, pork, shrimp, salad. The Cajun shrimp was mushy, rehydrated, not fresh. Rib eye steak was good, brisket was sliced too thin and too salty, bulgogi and marinade pork bellies were way too sweet, inedible. The Korean side dishes, kimchi and salad never showed up. There was no dipping sauce.

Dinner with a beer and tip costed $18. With $15 for rt uber rides it costed about the same as the best KBBQs in OC and LA which serve much larger and better selections of meats and fresh seafood, without the long wait. By the time I got back to La Zona, I had been gone 4 hours, damn. Mr Pampas and Churrascaria do Brasil cost $24 but have much larger selections of meats and seafood, plus a huge salad bar and you get seated quickly.

I would never go back to 260 Grados.

Best bet is not go during traditional hours for lunch or dinner and especially during weekend. I usually go around 2-3 pm midweek and never have issues. I need to keep up on food reviews, but nothing memorable sticks out in my mind. The Pampas with underground parking is the best in town and the only Churrascaria I've been to was the one in Galerias Hippodromo. It is just ok, but service is good at both locations.

I do recall going to Ensenada last week and a good restaurant is Boule. Every dish was great, fast service, and reasonably priced. The owner even comes out to see if everything is to your liking. It is outdoor seating and they have a sand pit with some ball game. I just went for the food.

[Captain Solo]

Went to 260 Grados Saturday night about 7 PM for dinner. This place is very popular. The line was long, about 100 people ahead of us. I asked the woman holding the wait list. She said she did not know how long. I figured we were already there so we should wait.

After 2 hours my name was called, went inside waited 15 minutes to be seated. Sat at a table, waited another 15 minutes, nobody was taking order. The place was playing very loud Mexican Techno music. Lost of families with children were dining, moving to the music. I am talking about loud music near near HK loud level. Damn.

Another 15 minutes a guy came by to take order. The place was pretty hectic and chaotic. Dinner now costs 280 pesos or about $15, only a dozen appetizers with a dozen meats and shrimp entrees, beers $2, cocktails $6. I ordered 2 appetizers, some beef, pork, shrimp, salad. The Cajun shrimp was mushy, rehydrated, not fresh. Rib eye steak was good, brisket was sliced too thin and too salty, bulgogi and marinade pork bellies were way too sweet, inedible. The Korean side dishes, kimchi and salad never showed up. There was no dipping sauce.

Dinner with a beer and tip costed $18. With $15 for RT UBER rides it costed about the same as the best KBBQs in OC and LA which serve much larger and better selections of meats and fresh seafood, without the long wait. By the time I got back to La Zona, I had been gone 4 hours, damn. Mr Pampas and Churrascaria do Brasil cost $24 but have much larger selections of meats and seafood, plus a huge salad bar and you get seated quickly.

I would never go back to 260 Grados.

[Rambo1969]

I visited the beach on Friday and enjoyed multiple sticks of 6 large BBQ shrimp on a stick. Simply delicious.

They shrimp are cooked & served with shell on the them. Nicely seasoned. Yummy!

Many vendors walk along the beach selling these shrimp kabobs.

6 good sized shrimp for 50 pesos ($2.50) - cheaper than cost of raw shrimp here.

If you can spare the time I recommend this.

BTW. Uber to the beach is under $5. And only $1 if you take the mini-vans which act like a bus service.

[Sol12]

Any of why'all have recommendations on breweries? Will be around this weekend and looking to try some new ones. These are the ones I'm already very familiar with: Border Psycho, Mamut, Norte, Ludica Artesenal, Playami, Insurgente Tap Room, BCB Tasting Room.

So any recommendations on highly-regarded breweries folks might have other than the ones listed above would be very much appreciated, thanks! I prefer lactose-sweetened sours and high ABV IPAs but any popular spot with a solid selection will do.

For those of you looking to get away from the Zona and are beer fans they are having the Tijuana Beer Fest on June 11th thru 13th. It will be at the Caliente Stadium parking lot. Will have Tijuana beers along with some San Diego beers.

[LuvMexicanas]

In Centro just a couple blocks away from Ticuan is this great breakfast joint. Prices are very fair and the food is on point. I ordered the juevos con machaca which was excellent. Pretty good coffee too.

[KBToys]

Any of why'all have recommendations on breweries? Will be around this weekend and looking to try some new ones. These are the ones I'm already very familiar with: Border Psycho, Mamut, Norte, Ludica Artesenal, Playami, Insurgente Tap Room, BCB Tasting Room.

So any recommendations on highly-regarded breweries folks might have other than the ones listed above would be very much appreciated, thanks! I prefer lactose-sweetened sours and high ABV IPAs but any popular spot with a solid selection will do.

I drove by a beer hall on Aqua Caliente near the tower and I know Telefonica food court has large silver tanks and think they brew it on site.

[AfternoonSnack]

Any of why'all have recommendations on breweries? Will be around this weekend and looking to try some new ones. These are the ones I'm already very familiar with: Border Psycho, Mamut, Norte, Ludica Artesenal, Playami, Insurgente Tap Room, BCB Tasting Room.

So any recommendations on highly-regarded breweries folks might have other than the ones listed above would be very much appreciated, thanks! I prefer lactose-sweetened sours and high ABV IPAs but any popular spot with a solid selection will do.

That's a good list. I'd just add Teorema on Revolucion. Good beer and a chill place to hang out, especially upstairs.

[BrotherMouzone]

Any of why'all have recommendations on breweries? Will be around this weekend and looking to try some new ones. These are the ones I'm already very familiar with: Border Psycho, Mamut, Norte, Ludica Artesenal, Playami, Insurgente Tap Room, BCB Tasting Room.

So any recommendations on highly-regarded breweries folks might have other than the ones listed above would be very much appreciated, thanks! I prefer lactose-sweetened sours and high ABV IPAs but any popular spot with a solid selection will do.

[SeaBeeJoe]

I got a grande pizza, pasta, and chicken wings. The pizza was the best as I've never had one made with sourdough. The pizza was good quality. The chicken wings and pasta were just average. I would recommend for the pizza and the grande was like 350 peso. Not sure if that is expensive for Tijuana, but I felt it was good value. I prefer quality over quantity.

Also went to Pockets billiard sports bar. I got some nachos with steak which was good, micheladas, and mango chamoy margarita. I recommend for hours of fun if you prefer a break from mongering. It is in Zona Rio.

I will be down to Tijuana after next week to meet my girl. I will. Have to check it out for sure. Thanks for the report.

[Jackie888]

So what are the street food-carts that guys should try in the Zona Norte? And what food carts should guys avoid?

My favorite (and most people) is the taco cart across from La Perla on the HK corner. It's been there forever. Has tons of people so it's relatively safe.

My avoidance is the taco cart over by bar Valentina. One of my favorite chicas got food poisoning there months back and if a local chica can get Montezuma's revenge, I can.

[KBToys]

I got a grande pizza, pasta, and chicken wings. The pizza was the best as I've never had one made with sourdough. The pizza was good quality. The chicken wings and pasta were just average. I would recommend for the pizza and the grande was like 350 peso. Not sure if that is expensive for Tijuana, but I felt it was good value. I prefer quality over quantity.

Also went to Pockets billiard sports bar. I got some nachos with steak which was good, micheladas, and mango chamoy margarita. I recommend for hours of fun if you prefer a break from mongering. It is in Zona Rio.

[KBToys]

I tried El grill and their 500 gram USDA ribeye which was delicious. The shrimp wrapped in bacon was just ok and the mixed drinks had plenty of alcohol and I couldn't finish it since they must have done a heavy pour with the mezcal. The tuna ceviche was just okay. The best part is the service and the rib-eye. Also got the chocolate lava cake with ice cream and it wasn't as impressive as the reviews from Yelp. The bill was close to $200 with the tip. I would repeat just for the ribeye, but try some other dishes in future.

[SeaBeeJoe]

You need help.

Sounds like your vetting process. TBH.

I really can't stand a fishy pussy, the few times I had it happen to me I was turned off from the zona for over a month, then I got horny again and returned to play Russian Roulette with the stank puss LOL.

[KBToys]

Most "average" places are really heavy on the rolls, and most of them are crammed with "Filadelfia. " The Mexicans love their cream cheese. IMO a little goes a very long way when it's put into sushi.

I have yet to find a decent sushi joint in Tijuana. The one in Plaza Chapultepec is the worst and is supposedly a "popular" sushi joint throughout Mexico. Tobu on aqua caliente is decent and a good price. Sushi Tei is decent and their micheladas are wonderful, but I think it is a cash only establishment. I will have to do a better job of providing food reviews.

[Phordphan]

From my experience, the chicas are used to Mexican-sushi. Kinda like American girls liking California rolls. Neither are really sushi. So I would ask her or other chicas what she heard are good sushi restaurants. She may get pissed that you tried to give her raw uncooked fish at a fake sushi restaurant, and retaliate by hiding those great tits from you.

Most "average" places are really heavy on the rolls, and most of them are crammed with "Filadelfia. " The Mexicans love their cream cheese. IMO a little goes a very long way when it's put into sushi.