Food in Tijuana

[Artisttyp]

I see what look like very nicely BBQ'ed whole fish at the restaurants by the beach like Mariscos Colima.

BUT, those fish look thin to me.

Makes me wonder if they have enough meat after you remove the skin and bones.

Until I see evidence that they are actually filling vs just looking great I will stick with the BBQ shrimp sticks.

Better to go to Titos on 5th and Ocampo.

[Rambo1969]

I see what look like very nicely BBQ'ed whole fish at the restaurants by the beach like Mariscos Colima.

BUT, those fish look thin to me.

Makes me wonder if they have enough meat after you remove the skin and bones.

Until I see evidence that they are actually filling vs just looking great I will stick with the BBQ shrimp sticks.

[Captain Solo]

https://www.latimes.com/espanol/cali...egan-a-tijuana

It's on Ave Hippodromo, 1 block West of Aqua Caliente, behind the Caliente Casino.

Will have raw mariscos plus grilled squid and octopus.

The famous tostadas of La Guerrerense de Ensenada arrive in Tijuana.

Sabina Bandera's cooking, which was praised by Anthony Bourdain, is offered in a food truck on Hipódromo de Tijuana avenue.

BY ALEXANDRA MENDOZA.

SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE IN SPANISH.

APR. 18,2023 3:14 PM PT.

The renowned seafood tostadas from La Guerrerense de Ensenada can now be found closer to the border. This Monday, it opened its new food truck -style location on Hipódromo Avenue just outside Tijuana's Caliente Stadium.

"I am happy and content, because a lot of people have supported us," said Sabina Bandera La Guerrerense, 68, during the opening of this new location of the family business with more than 60 years of history in Baja California; Bandera's in-laws started the business and she arrived later, newly married, in 1976.

The Singapore toast with a peanut sauce shown by Sabina Bandera.

The seafood cart that began in Ensenada in 1960 has become an obligatory stop for tourists and an emblematic site of Baja California gastronomy. His toasties have been recognized around the world, and in 2012, they were featured on an episode of the late chef Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations show.

Bourdain, who referred to Bandera as "a genius" once he tried his cooking in Ensenada, took a special place in the history of La Guerrerense.

Even in the food truck in Tijuana there is a photograph of Bourdain and Bandera with a quote attributed to the renowned chef: "Doña Sabina Bandera serves the most amazingly fresh, sophisticated and colorful tostadas. Absolutely phenomenal," he reads.

"I was very surprised," Bandera recalled. "A high-ranking gentleman liked my street food, what more could one ask for?" she added.

The food truck in Tijuana has a grill, which allows you to expand the offer of dishes. Visitors will be able to try some octopus with squid skewers, as well as some marlin dobladitas, Bandera said.

Also, the traditional ceviche tostadas with local ingredients such as sea urchin, shrimp, crab, fish, scallops and clams, among others; as well as seafood cocktails, Ensenada-style fish tacos, gratin clams and glass aguachiles.

Mariana Oviedo, daughter of Bandera, and who has been part of the family business since she was a child along with her two brothers, said she was enthusiastic about the arrival of the business in Tijuana.

"It is one more achievement for the family," he said. "Being able to bring our food, seasoning, product and way of working to another city. Because, although we are so close together, they have a different culture and rhythm of life, and it's like saying 'a little piece of Ensenada, there it goes'.

Mariana Oviedo (right), daughter of Sabina Bandera, serves customers at La Guerrerense Food Truck in Tijuana (The San Diego Union-Tribune).

La Guerrerense, which has two locations in Ensenada -- the cart and a restaurant across the street -- welcomes locals and visitors from around the world, including from the region between San Diego and Tijuana, Bandera noted. They also have another location in Mexico City.

La Guerrerense Food Truck in Tijuana will be open from Monday to Sunday from 10:30 am To 4:30 pm Or while supplies last. For its location click on this link.

[Phordphan]

So this little seafood cart in Ensenada exploded after a visit from Anthony Bourdain. Now you don't have to drive to Ensenada to try it. I had never heard of it in all my visits to Ensenada but for those that enjoy getting away from the Zona you might want to check it out.

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com...pen-in-tijuana

I've eaten there several times. The food is outstanding. They specialize in a bunch of different kinds of ceviche. They are almost always packed, and usually have lines at the front of the stand and the back. You need to get there pretty early in the day if you want any kind of selection and don't want to wait in a long line. They're usually sold out of most everything by afternoon. Especially if a cruise ship is in port. Michelin quality seafood at street food prices.

[Captain Solo]

3 to 4 mariscos stands sell raw seafood along the main Mateos Blvd, also half a dozen around the market on the East side of trinket alley. The most popular one is El Guero across the flag pole on Alvarado. Anthony Bourdain allegedly visited and did a video. Sea food sold by the carts are fresh and delish. They sell large quantities so their seafood is fresh, not spoiled, rotting seafood sold in restaurants. We stopped in Ensenada on a cruise, walking all over town. My wingmen stopped at every cart to sample all kinds of raw shellfish, large clams, oysters, cockles.

El Guero sells large quantities of all kinds of shell fish. Cruise passengers walk by and look but almost all clients were locals. Visitors are afraid of the Montezuma revenge. I have been eating Mexico's raw seafood for 20 years, never had problems.

No need to travel to Ensenada to try Mexico's unique seafood. La Zona's seafood carts sell the same shellfish prepared the same Mexican ways as El Guero, prices about 30% cheaper. I like the large clam raw in lime juice, onion, cilantro and hot sauce, tastier than sushis and sashimis any time. Sunday the Star Wars crew stopped in at Mariscos Paisano cart at the School Girls corner. This guy makes a very good blanched shrimp cocktail starting at $5, with fresh, springy shrimp, not rubber shrimp from Costco like other carts, recommended. We ordered raw seafood to go with beers from the store to have lunch on Rizo balcony, watching HK girls arriving to work. We downed a lot of beers with the raw seafood even before hitting the bars. Life is good!

Papaya and Obiwan were gracious to treat the crew to this authentic and delicious Mexican lunch. Muchas Gracias.

[Sol12]

So this little seafood cart in Ensenada exploded after a visit from Anthony Bourdain. Now you don't have to drive to Ensenada to try it. I had never heard of it in all my visits to Ensenada but for those that enjoy getting away from the Zona you might want to check it out.

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com...pen-in-tijuana

[Hargow20]

I went to the butcher shop Carnicería Canalesby 5th and Madero. (8340 Flores Magón Tijuana, Baja California). They have a good selection of meat and the mead is good quality as well. I was thinking of getting some. But did not have something to keep the meat cool.

[Artisttyp]

I'm planning on trying this place for the first time. Do you think I'd need a reservation for Sunday dinner this weekend?

Anyone recommend specific dishes? I like sea food but nothing raw.

No but it does get very crowded on weekends all restaurants do and it is not uncommon to see people waiting outside to be called in. IMO I would recommend doing a Brunch there instead around 1 pm. Afterwards it will be crowded.

[FlacasOnly420]

No reservations needed. I like the stuffed shrimp.

Looking forward to it.

[Sol12]

Not a steak culture. They are more familiar to cooking large thin slices of beef on a grill or pan until is is almost blackened. I have learned to stop taking Mexican women to eat steak, because I have yet to find a Mexican woman that actually likes steak.

Well it seems by the responses from others that these girls can't really be stereotyped. I imagine it's the same as most places and just depends on how you were raised and what types of food you would try and how things were prepared. I'm sure the poorer the family was the lack of them buying a good steak would be. So I wouldn't so much say that it's not a steak culture it's more of a class issue and depending on what part of Mexico you grew up in.

[Hargow20]

No reservations needed. I like the stuffed shrimp.

I'm planning on trying this place for the first time. Do you think I'd need a reservation for Sunday dinner this weekend?

Anyone recommend specific dishes? I like sea food but nothing raw.

[Jackie888]

I've noticed the Mexicans like their steaks well done and I prefer medium rare.

Not a steak culture. They are more familiar to cooking large thin slices of beef on a grill or pan until is is almost blackened. I have learned to stop taking Mexican women to eat steak, because I have yet to find a Mexican woman that actually likes steak.

[FlacasOnly420]

I'm planning on trying this place for the first time. Do you think I'd need a reservation for Sunday dinner this weekend?

Anyone recommend specific dishes? I like sea food but nothing raw.

[KBToys]

El Grill brings out samples of the steaks, which is nice. For larger steaks they'll cut them in half and cook the halves separately. Because my Mexican GFs like their steak just on the rare side of shoe leather. Ugh. I have to have between Medium Rare and Medium.

El grill was good and they do let you see the different cuts of meat. It is almost similar pricing to a good SoCal steak house.

[KBToys]

El Grill brings out samples of the steaks, which is nice. For larger steaks they'll cut them in half and cook the halves separately. Because my Mexican GFs like their steak just on the rare side of shoe leather. Ugh. I have to have between Medium Rare and Medium.

I've noticed the Mexicans like their steaks well done and I prefer medium rare.