General Reports

[QUOTE=SleazySteve; 1533981]You've been to Tijuana 8 times and you're staying at Camini Real and partying at Dolce? Seriously have you never read this forum once? Guys when it comes to Tijuana, don't over think it. Ticuan and Hong Kong, that's all you need to know. There is a reason those names are mentioned over and over here. Its because they are by far the best.

That being said has anybody been to Black Bull hahaha. Its that joint directly across the street from Ticuan. Last time some Americans at the Ticuan were telling me how it was a great spot. Doesn't look like much from outside.[/QUOTE]I have been to the Black Bull bar on several occasions while staying at the Ticuan. Don't waste your time. It is a mostly locals only bar with girls that all wear the same school girl looking outfits. These are some of the most boring unfriendly girls I have ever seen. Will never approach you. The place doubles as a massage parlor. It is bazaar. Every hour or so the overseeing matron of the place does an all girl call where all the girls up and go with her into another room to return 10 mins. Later. While some of the girls are really good looking, place is a piece of crap unless you just want to relax and drink a beer as a prelude to hitting the Coahuila.

[QUOTE=RikiMichaels4;1534276]I have been to the Black Bull bar on several occasions while staying at the Ticuan. Don't waste your time. It is a mostly locals only bar with girls that all wear the same school girl looking outfits. These are some of the most boring unfriendly girls I have ever seen. Will never approach you. The place doubles as a massage parlor. It is bazaar. Every hour or so the overseeing matron of the place does an all girl call where all the girls up and go with her into another room to return 10 mins. Later. While some of the girls are really good looking, place is a piece of crap unless you just want to relax and drink a beer as a prelude to hitting the Coahuila.[/QUOTE]Thanks for the great info, good to know. I've always been tempted to try it only cause its so damn convenient.

Looking forward to my next trip in a few months, it will be my first time going solo. Kentucky Fried Buches, Mision 19, and a threesome on this next one.

[QUOTE=SleazySteve; 1534416]Thanks for the great info, good to know. I've always been tempted to try it only cause its so damn convenient.

Looking forward to my next trip in a few months, it will be my first time going solo. Kentucky Fried Buches, Mision 19, and a threesome on this next one.[/QUOTE]Don't let somebody else dictate your fun. Listen to advice, but make your own decision. Local bars can be a lot of fun. Mexicans take a back seat to no one when it comes to partying. In the local bars the women rarely come up to the guys. It's not done. They may stare at you and do their best to make eye contact, but they'll never come up to the guy. HK is the exception because it's run like a gringo bar. That's one reason the meseros in some places drag girls around to the gringos. They know the lady won't approach the customer and the gringo customer is too shy to approach the lady.

I keep meaning to poke my head in, but I've either been on my way elsewhere or was put off by the PITA touts that sometimes try to nab you as you come out of Ticuan.

I've been lax on reporting, so I'll try to catch up a bit. This is a foodie report, so those looking for cheap titillations should skip to the next one. LOL.

I was down the other weekend, spending the night with one of my CL faves. I asked what she wanted for dinner. She said Mexican food. OK, sez I, let's try Cien Anos. I've never been.

It's located next door to Hotel Real del Rio (I wasn't staying there this time, but I'll post a TR about it later). It's easy to miss because the sign is only on the door and not terribly obvious from the street.

So, we get there and she orders a salad! WTF? Later I asked about it, and she said she meant tacos and enchiladas. So, if you're looking for traditional Mexican food, don't bother. But if you like good seafood and steaks, this is right up your alley.

The place is rather small and sparsely decorated in a sort of traditional Mexican hacienda style, and I'm using the term loosely. But it's comfortable and the service is very attentive.

Anyway, they have some delicious hot, dense dinner rolls they serve you first. They didn't have a salad that met her tastes, so the chef custom made a very nice one, and he also whipped up some custom creamy blue cheese dressing. So, the service is top notch.

I tried the camarones de aguachile. Delicious, and extremely spicy. Fiery, actually. The main was Camarones de XXXXX (It's a guy's name, but I've forgotten it). Again, superb. Grilled shrimp with a very spicy sauce somewhat like Chinese chili oil, but a different flavor and much spicier. All of this was accompanied by a rather decent house Tempranillo, probably from L. A. Cetto.

We were both full but she wanted something sweet. We decided to split some ice cream, but they were out. Lucky us. We tried the flan instead and this is some of the best flan you'll find in Baja. The flan itself was delicious but the caramel was some of the best I've tasted. It was just on the edge of being burnt, but wasn't. This imparts a delicious sort of smoky flavor (for lack of a better term) to the caramel. Well worth going back just for that.

So, the custom salad and dressing, appetizer, entrée, two glasses of wine for me, a beer for her, the flan, plus a nice tip, came to somewhere around 800 pesos. Reasonable, IMHO.

However, what was not reasonable was the "band." There were three strolling musicians. Now, to be fair, they were quite good. Bass violin, violin, guitar, if memory serves. I figured why not, and had her pick some songs. They played four songs, and quite well. Then she said no more and it was time to pay up. She asked how much, the leader replied 400 pesos. WTF? I had to have him repeat it. Cripes. Even good mariachis get something like 50 pesos per song, but these guys wanted 100. Lesson learned. Ask up front. Dayum.

Next came an after dinner stroll where we stopped into Sinatra's for a cocktail. The drinks here are good. If you like mojitos the bartender makes a pretty decent one. Service is good, the music is decent and it's a good place to chill.

So, if you're looking for a slightly more upscale night out, you can do worse than these places.

Phordphan, cool report. I've had their food before, very interesting style and ingredients. Your writing made me hungry, Thanks.

After a couple of great tacos, as usually, I stopped in the customer service counter at HK. I was waiting to chat the customer service cutie (CS cutie) , but there was a,"She stole my wallet" situation going on. It involved an older monger, like about my age or older, a new girl, Edgar, and the CS cutie was doing the translating. He said while he was walking in the club, he felt someone taking his wallet from his back pocket. When he turned around, he saw some girl making a beeline to the women's bathroom. That is the girl he decided took the wallet.

Well, HK searched the chica and the bathroom and came up with zilch! Edgar asked the monger if he saw the chica take the wallet, but he didn't, thus, no case against the chica, whether she did the deed or not. I could tell the dude was really frustrated and concerned. He looked at me and asked for my help. The first thing I wanted to say was,"Why in the Sam Hill are you carrying a wallet, especially in your back pocket?" But I didn't because it would only rub salt in this deep wound.

I asked him how I could help. He asked me where I lived, and he lived somewhat near me. He said that he needed to borrow ten dollars for transportation so he could return home. He promised to contact me the next day and pay back the money. I gave him 10 bucks, gave him my phone number, and wished him luck crossing the border without an I'd. To give him full credit, he called me the next day and wanted to meet and pay me back, or take me to lunch; I appreciated the call and offer. I told him no worries and be more cautious next time. Maybe he can buy me a screwdriver or two the next time I see him in La Coahuila.

After getting my fill of eye candy, it was off to Tropical. The mesero I really like, number 5, met me at the door and threw one of the lazy ass chicas off the barstool I wanted. I was there during the chica dancing nude / mostly nude timeframe. Granted, these are not HK or AB body types, but the girls really put forth a great effort in dancing, whether they are chunky or not; I admire that. Then they parade around with the announcer for tips. That announcer knows me and finds me every time. Hell, I'm a sucker for naked girls walking around asking for a lousy buck. After the dancing stopped, BT started playing rap music, WTF? One thing I don't like about BT is every time I find a new girl that I like, she is not there the following week / s. Where in the hell do they go?

I was getting hungry, so I headed to Nikki's. There were some hottie meseras, but I was only interested in getting a sandwich. I ordered the Nikki's sandwich, which had several meats on homemade bread. Too much bread, so I transferred my meats and other goodies to one set of buns. It was good!

After a good sandwich, it was SG time! One of my favorites finally returned after a nice long break. She is not for everyone, her ass is huge! She went to book the room for 20 minutes and I said fuck that. Hell, it takes me 5 minutes to get undressed and even more time to get dressed; we booked for 40 minutes. Once in the room, I realized I failed to have a face / ass picture in recent time. While pondering my next move, I thought that the ass might be too big if she sat on my face; I had a "What the fuck" moment. Once she was on, I found it very hard taking a picture, no less breathing. With a lot of effort, I flipped her big ass over and went for that photo shot instead; breathing was easier as well. I tipped her well.

I planned to get my fat hairy ass out of Tijuana within 8 hours, but I had one more stop to make; Chicago. My favorite was waiting at the door like she was expecting me all along. We grab our favorite bar spot, got our drinks, and then kissed and played like kids on a school bus. One of the girls I took to my hotel a while ago, came by and was asking me for a drink. I explained that I was busy and maybe another time would be more appropriate to approach me. Last week she was a blonde with braids and now, a redhead? Pretty face, but a serious train wreck of a body. I sent her packing and we continued on with our school bus activities.

As the taxi was taking me to the border, there was DUI check-points set up in three different places. I actually made it in and out of Tijuana in seven hours; my timing is getting better.

So is there still a long wait time between Tijuana and San Ysidro border into US by pedestrian?

That was a great move helping the guy out tom...

I usually leave my passport and extra cash in my room... I never carry all my cash on me...$20 in my sock...just in case

[QUOTE=Dave1027;1536767]So is there still a long wait time between Tijuana and San Ysidro border into US by pedestrian?[/QUOTE]The lines have loosened up a bit. It depends the time and day you go. I cross at around 10 pm Sunday. 15 min max. BUT on Presidents Day Monday I went back at 8pm. The line did not seem to long about 30 ft from the ped bridge. The CBP agents were putting on a "slowdown". Must of been milking the holiday OT. Pressing for DT and 1/2. Squirrely motherfuckers took 3 hours! The "ready" lane and sentry lane has cut down the lines. But I know by the agents questions if they are pushing people through or being pricks. It is totally up to those assholes! (I am not a fan!)

I ran across this today, while surfing around the 'net. This has absolutely nothing to do with Tijuana, but it is interesting. Also surprising, considering how conservative Mexican society is.

[url]http://www.vice.com/mexicalia/oaxacas-third-gender[/url]

I headed to the zona last weekend right around noon for an hour of fun. I usually always walk to and from the border, using the ped bridge over the river and then straight under the arch to Calle Articulo 123 to Constitucion. Although I'm alone, I have never had a problem feeling unsafe since its broad daylight, always people around, and I've made the walk enough times. I walk confidently and wouldn't think I look like a lost tourist or first-timer 'Easy prey'. I don't dress flashy or even wear a watch.

As I left the Zona around 1pm, I stopped for traffic on 123 & Revolucion right under the Arch. I guy about mid-30's came up and asked me for some money. I politely said, 'No, lo siento' and continued walking across Revo into the pedestrian shop area. He followed me within arm's length, then started to ask if he could guess my name, 'Is your name Mark? You look like a Mark. Is it Bob? ' I continued to ignore him and not answer, figuring he would give up and leave. 'How about I guess your sign. Are you a Leo? Were you born in March? How about April. I bet its April, right? ' I continued walking, and refused to look at him or answer, thinking it would only keep him there longer. Right where 123 splits into a Y, I saw a street cop coming towards us alone. I thought about asking the cop to help get the guy off my back, but only figured that the guy might get mad and then wait for me ahead and do something to retaliate.

He followed me all the way to the next street (Madero?) and into the next block of shops, where a little girl about 5 years old came up to us and asked him, yes him, if he wanted to buy some Chiclets gum. He tells me, 'You want to see something, let me show you. Watch me. ' And he reached into his pants and pulls out money to buy some gum, but accidentally drops his money on the ground. As he fumbles around to pick it up, I walk a little faster ahead, but he runs back and closes the gap between us. His voice changes to a mean tone, 'See that? I have compassion. You don't have that. You are mean, and God will show you. You still won't help me? You think you're special? ' and so on and so on, non-stop talking the whole way to and across the next street Negrete, and into the little outdoor plaza towards the bridge.

Now I started wondering if he was going to try something physical with me on the stairs or on the bridge, or if he had some buddies on the bridge waiting. I can fight pretty good, but I started thinking about Mexican jail if I really kicked someone's ass and how crooked the cops are anyway. As I started the steps up the bridge, he finally called me an asshole and turned away. I kept looking over my shoulder while on the bridge, but luckily nothing happened. It was a really uneasy feeling.

This guy looked half white / half Mexican, with straight collar length hair, about 6'2, thin with a dirty black jacket and black pants. Although he had an accent, he spoke English pretty well.

[QUOTE=Spinneritas; 1537265]Now I started wondering if he was going to try something physical with me on the stairs or on the bridge, or if he had some buddies on the bridge waiting. I can fight pretty good, but I started thinking about Mexican jail if I really kicked someone's ass and how crooked the cops are anyway. As I started the steps up the bridge, he finally called me an asshole and turned away. I kept looking over my shoulder while on the bridge, but luckily nothing happened. It was a really uneasy feeling.

This guy looked half white / half Mexican, with straight collar length hair, about 6'2, thin with a dirty black jacket and black pants. Although he had an accent, he spoke English pretty well.[/QUOTE]Sometimes it's worth a buck to get these annoying parasites off your back, even though it's against every principle I can think of. He was probably a drug-addicted deportee, hence the good English and accent.

[QUOTE=Phordphan;1537309]Sometimes it's worth a buck to get these annoying parasites off your back, even though it's against every principle I can think of. He was probably a drug-addicted deportee, hence the good English and accent.[/QUOTE]I agree with you Phord. Once I was walking around the block of HK and AD etc, a shoe polishing guy, speaking excellent English bugged me all the way from LC around the block to PB club. By that time, he was so pissed that I still refused to let him Polish my shoes, he started cursing."Hey you have the money to pay for pussies and you wouldn't even spare a dollar to help me feed my family" and so on. So I took out a dollar and shut him up.

[QUOTE=Tony Giavanni;1537375]I agree with you Phord. Once I was walking around the block of HK and AD etc, a shoe polishing guy, speaking excellent English bugged me all the way from LC around the block to PB club. By that time, he was so pissed that I still refused to let him Polish my shoes, he started cursing."Hey you have the money to pay for pussies and you wouldn't even spare a dollar to help me feed my family" and so on. So I took out a dollar and shut him up.[/QUOTE]I will say that last time I was in Tijuana I got the best shoe shine of my life on the sidewalk outside HK. The guy really did a great job.

Hey guys what's the deal with the passport card. At Otay Mesa I heard the wait time on a Sat afternoon was like 5 min if you had the card. Is the wait similarly short at San Ysidro? Is this correct that I have to send off my current passport in the mail and they will return it with the card?

Thanks to the poster with the review of Cien Anos. I've been curious about that place but I can't seem to get away from Villa Saverios, its my absolute fav.

[QUOTE=SleazySteve;1537393]Hey guys what's the deal with the passport card. At Otay Mesa I heard the wait time on a Sat afternoon was like 5 min if you had the card. Is the wait similarly short at San Ysidro? Is this correct that I have to send off my current passport in the mail and they will return it with the card?[/QUOTE]If you don't want to send in your passport, maybe because you want to use it in the mean time. You can send your birth certificate along with the application. After everything is done they will mail it back to you.