Ocampo 71

Address: Melchor Ocampo # 71, Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico

Phone: 376 108 0862  Reservations accepted

Hours: 2pm to 12pm, Wednesday - Sunday ; Summer Hours 4pm - 12pm
Wifi Available
Live Jazz every Wednesday, at 7:30 pm
Facebook Page

First Impressions

Ocampo 71

OCampo71 opened recently as a neighborhood bar and pub in Central Ajijic, just two blocks west of Calle Colon. It has a friendly, "everybody knows your name" feel with a full bar, comfortable seating areas for groups to gather and dining tables in a covered outdoor dining room as well as a pleasant indoor area.

We visited on a Thursday evening when the café was moderately busy. We had reserved a table but there was no reason to on this evening as there were plenty of tables available, though as more people learn about the pleasant, comfortable ambience and friendly service, that will most likely change.

Propaganda Craft Beer

Ocampo 71 has live jazz on Wednesday evenings, starting at 8pm. We were a day late on this visit, but won't be next time.

Menu

We were seated promptly and the waiter brought the drink and food menus. We were waiting for friends to join us for pizza and botanas so ordered drinks and took a few minutes to peruse the items on the menu. Ocampo 71 features a full bar with a large selection of Mexican craft beers.

For those who like a light, IPA, Propaganda Beer, brewed in Monterrey was a favorite of the table. We also sampled the Tijuana Moreno which is a dark stout, and 7B, an amber beer brewed in Mexico City.

Pizza Menu

This is a casual eatery, so the offerings include foods you can eat with your hands, like nachos,  French fries, baguettes, hamburgers, sandwiches and a special pizza menu. When our friends arrived, we ordered fries and nachos and Pizza Margherita.

This is a thin, crisp crust pizza with tomatoes, cheese and basil and was good without being too filling, and is just enough for two people. The nachos were crisp and the topping had just a little kick.

Carlos waited on our table and provide lots of good information about the different Mexican craft beers and also made recommendations. We lingered over our pizza and botanas for two hours, never feeling rushed.

Nachos and Pizza at Ocampo 71

Service and Price

The service at Ocampo 71 is attentive, informative and friendly. The customer is king here. This is a great place to meet friends to chat over a Mexican craft beer and botanas.  Prices are reasonable. Our bill, for pizza, nachos, 3 craft beers and 3 glasses of was $445 pesos, about $30USD. Try getting something comparable north of the border for this price.

Our Recommendation ****

Blu Velvet Plays on Wednesday Evening
 

We like Ocampo 71 and will return for Jazz night. This is a great place to meet friends for a pizza or hamburger, accompanied by a craft Mexican beer. It is within walking distance for visitors staying in Ajijic and one of the few places in the area open until midnight. We made it back to Ocampo 71 recently and spent a nice evening listening to a really good jazz quartet. There is even room for dancing, if you are so inclined.

Mariscos el Carnal

Address:  Carratera Oriente #1352
                San Juan Cosala, Jalisco
Phone:  387 761 1010
Hours:  Monday - Sunday 12pm - 7PM
Webpage: www.elcarnalmariscos.com

Directions:  From Walmart, head west on the Carratera towards Jocotepec, for approximately 7 miles. Mariscos El Carnal is the second restaurant on the left (lakeside, with the shark hanging at the entrance), in the line of restaurants in the Piedra Barrenada. There are some topes (speed bumps) just before the restaurant and flaggers trying to get you to come to their restaurant. Valet parking is available for about 30 pesos.

First Impressions

Mariscos el Carnal is located in what is known as the Piedra Barrenada, a tourist zone between Ajijic and San Juan Cosala, lined with lake front restaurants.

You can't miss the entrance to Mariscos el Carnal. There are large topes (speed bumps) at the beginning of the restaurant zone that slows traffic down to a crawl. Then, there are hoards of young, extremely energetic men waving frantically at every passing car, urging them to park and dine at one of the  restaurants.

And, if the flag-wavers and the topes don't alert you to the entrance of Mariscos el Carnal, just watch to your right for the giant replica of a shark that hangs out front.

On this stretch of Lake Chapala, the water comes very close to the road, so all the restaurants offer a view of the lake. Marsicos el Carnal has about the best view of them all from their open-air dining rooms.

Use the valet parking, or just pull into the parking lot across the street from the restaurant. The crazy, flag-waving hoard will make sure you cross the road safely.

Menu

The menu at Mariscos el Carnal is about the size of a small novel, offering an impressive variety of fish and seafood dishes, steaks and traditional Mexican plates served in interesting and unique ways.

For instance, you can choose a hot cheesy molcajete or a mixed platter of seafood or  meat served on a table top grill.

Package deals are available for groups who like to share. Be careful, because some of these deals include a bottle of tequila which will raise the price of the meal significantly.



When we arrived one early Sunday afternoon, we were seated by the hostess without having to wait. The waiter took our drink order while we read the menu.

Our drinks arrived quickly, accompanied  by an interesting starter that included a tasty pico de gallo and a mixed fresh vegetable dish served with crackers and packaged tostada chips.

We ordered the fried shrimp plate and seafood stuffed flautas. Frankly, I am addicted to the flautas at Mariscos el Carnal. They are so light and delicious that I could eat a dozen at one setting.

Fortunately, they only bring three, accompanied by a guacamole sauce .
There were three on the  plate, above, but I couldn't help eating one before taking the picture.

We ordered a nice Merlot to accompany our meal and ended the feast by splitting a piece of rich chocolate cake. Mariscos el Carnal has a full bar available and the menu suggests some unique cocktails and mixed drinks.

The last time we dined at Mariscos el Carnal,  we ordered the mixed shrimp grill. The waiter brought a clay, grill to the table, filled with shrimp prepared in every way imaginable - fried, diablo, garlic and butter and cheese stuffed, bacon wrapped, to name some.  The meal was accompanied by a plate of rice and salad.

This is a fun way to taste a little bit of every shrimp dish.

Service and Ambiance 

The flag wavers and the guy on stilts, yelling and motioning drivers into their establishments, are obnoxious. But, once you enter the restaurant you encounter a less frenetic environment. There are roaming mariachis and a live band plays for guests after 3 pm on weekends. There is a long pier that stretches from the restaurant into the lake.
 


The view from our table at Mariscos el Carnal

The service from wait staff is good, and I have never felt rushed when eating at Mariscos el Carnal, though we may sit and sip wine and stare across the lake long after we have finished our meal.

The view from the dining room is superb. We watched the vaqueros and their horses on the beach, speed boats pulling skiers, and jet skiers enjoying beautiful Lake Chapala on a recent Sunday afternoon.

Oddly, we are usually the only gringo diners in the restaurant and I cannot understand why, since the food is excellent and the view of the lake is unsurpassed.

The dining room is covered by a huge palapa, with an expansive view of Lake Chapala from every table. If it is breezy when you go, sit one table back from the lake's edge and avoid being chilled.

 

Price

Mariscos el Carnal is pricier than most restaurants lakeside by about 25%, not a lot when you consider the setting. It is nice to sit by the water as you enjoy an excellent meal. Dinner for two, four glasses of wine and dessert will run about $600p, or $45US at today's exchange rate.

Recommendation ****

Eat here. Excellent food. Wide variety of dishes and presentations. Full bar. Good service. The music can get loud, so if this bothers you, do as we do and come in the early on a Sunday afternoon.

Maquina 245:La Estacion de la Hamburguesa

Address: Carretera #152, San Antonio, Tlayacapan
Hours: Wednesday to Monday 8 AM - 2:30 PM; Closed Tuesday
Cash Only

Directions: From Walmart, travel east on the Carretera about 1/2 mile to the first stop light. Maquina 245 is on the left (mountainside), on the second floor above the papelaria.

First Impressions


Stairway to Maquina 245

Maquina 245 is a burger place located on the second floor above a paper store. It is not accessible to anyone who has trouble walking or navigating steep stairways. The décor is interesting, once you climb the stairs to get to the restaurant, with model trains and railroad crossing signs.

There are tables inside the restaurant and outside on the porch area. Because of the second floor location, it catches a nice breeze. The restaurant appeared very clean and the owner greeted us warmly.

Menu

The menu is limited but interesting, it is a burger place, after all. There are a few starters, such as nachos, and a short list of burgers in a variety of meats, including traditional hamburger, buffalo burger, lamb burger, wild pork burger and ostrich burger. All meals come with thick, seasoned fries.



Buffalo Burger

The drink menu is limited to a few varieties of beer, white and red wine and soft drinks. We ordered white wine. Unfortunately, it was served warm and had turned to vinegar. It was a shame, since the wine was the least expensive that we have seen lakeside at $35 pesos per glass and the waitress gave us a generous pour.

But, we could not drink it. We traded the soured wine in for a Pepsi and a craft beer made in Chapala. The beer was quite good, light and red in color.

We ordered a traditional hamburger and a buffalo burger. The burgers were cooked to order and came out on huge crusty buns. The fries were well seasoned, soft and delicious.



Craft Beer made in Chapala

The burgers were cooked medium well and topped with caramelized onions and peppers. There was no dessert menu, however, the waitress brought a basket of individually wrapped cookies and offered us each one, "on the house." The cookies were fresh and moist. 

Ambiance and Price

The theme of Maquina 245 is trains and there are images, signs and train signals everywhere. The dining area is open and breezy. There are benches and wooden tables, couches and coffee tables. We sat outside and it was like being at a picnic.

The service was prompt and friendly. The waitress returned our wine immediately when we indicated that it was not good and replaced it with something else without an argument.

While we were there, a friend of the kitchen staff showed up. She appeared to be sick, coughing and sneezing, but walked right into the open air kitchen. I probably would have enjoyed my meal more if I had not seen this.


Burger Menu

Our meal came to $240 pesos for 2 burger plates, 1 craft beer and 1 Pepsi, or about $18 US.

Our Recommendation  **
The food is tasty if you want just a burger, though it is a bit pricey. Because I took a sip of very warm, rancid white wine, it soured the meal for me - literally. Have a hamburger or a buffalo burger and a good craft beer made in Chapala but skip the wine.

Cafe Negro

Address: 158 B Carretera of Chapala - Jocotepec and Calle Allen W. Lloyd, San Antonio, Tlayacapan
Hours of operation: Monday - Saturday 8:30 AM - 4 PM, Sunday 8:30 AM - 2 PM
Summer Hours (May-October) 8 AM - 2 PM Tuesday through Sunday (Closed Monday)

Directions: From Walmart head east on the Carretera approximately 1/4 mile. Cafe Negro is on the left. Across from AbsolutFenix Realty and the bus stop.

First Impressions

Café Negro is a bustling, busy little café on the lateral road next to the Carretera in San Antonio. There are a few tables set up on the narrow sidewalk near the entrance to expand the small indoor dining room. There are two tables with umbrellas to block the sun and a table with no umbrella and as many tables as can be packed into the indoor dining area.

This place  is always busy, full of expats and visitors to the area. It is jam packed inside, but freshly painted and clean.

There are no hours posted on the front of the café, no phone numbers, no website or social media posts or reviews for this café. From the menu, it appears as if the café is open Monday through Friday.

Menu

Café Negro has a small menu of daily breakfast entrees that change each day of the week, but we were told we could order anything off the menu. There is a nice  selection of beverages - coffee, tea, hot chocolate and juices. You must ask for water if you would like a glass with your meal. The coffee was served hot, but was a bit weak and watery tasting.

The menu includes crepes, several varieties of omelets, scrambled eggs, bagels, fruit, yogurt, and a vegetarian frittata. The morning we visited we ordered a ham and cheese omelet and  vegetarian frittata, which were both served with a cup of fresh fruit and toast.

Our meals came out of the kitchen quickly. The ham and cheese omelet was very good with a generous amount of ham and cheese.

The fruit cup had fresh strawberries, melon and kiwi, a nice accompaniment to the breakfast. The shredded zucchini and carrots that topped the frittata were barely cooked, almost  raw. I had expected something different, so it is probably my own fault that I was not happy with my meal and could only eat about half.

I would not order this again, though the presentation was beautiful. If the vegetables had been cooked properly, it probably would have been delicious.

Ambiance

Café Negro is a tiny café. There is not enough seating, inside or outside, for the large number of customers. Be ready to sit very, very close to your neighbors. Grab a seat outside, under an umbrella, if a table is available.

There is music playing in the background, not too loud, golden oldies that so many Mexican restaurants assume will appeal to their customers. Café Negro's customers are mostly retired residents of Canada and the US.

Parking is plentiful and located along the lateral road in front of the café. It appears as though many of the customers walk to the café from nearby neighborhoods. Service is prompt, perfunctory, almost brusque. You certainly don't feel like loitering at your table, having another cup of coffee, chatting with your companion or reading the Guadalajara Reporter at Café Negro - get in, eat and get out.

Price

The price for a full breakfast at Café Negro is very cheap. We ate two full entrees and had two American coffees for $138 pesos. What was a little disconcerting was the charge for topping off our coffee. Our bill included a $10 peso per cup charge for each refill.

Really? A charge for topping off my cup of coffee? I could understand a charge for specialty coffee refills, but for heating up a regular cup of coffee when the meal is served? I had to ask several times before an obviously perturbed waitress refilled our cups and told us - in Spanish - that she was charging us for the refill.

It surprises me when businesses do not realize that little things - refilling a cup of coffee, pleasant wait staff  - are what bring customers back again and again.

Our Recommendation ***

The food is average at Café Negro and the dining room and serving areas are clean. If you want a quick breakfast, with decent food at reasonable prices and don't mind snarling wait staff and an extra charge each time your coffee cup is topped off, then Café Negro fills the bill.

Our joke about places like this is that if you get on their nerves, by asking for a glass of water or to have your coffee topped off, they add a PIA charge to your bill - because you have been a pain in their posterior. I suspect we got a PIA charge on our bill for bothering them for a refill of our coffee.

But, I could be wrong. Maybe they treat all of their customers like pains in their ...well, you get the idea. Personally, I have come to expect courteous service and the welcoming, relaxed atmosphere of the local cafes, so I will not return to Café Negro. But, a lot of expats like this place, it is always crowded, so there must be some attraction that totally escapes me.

Try Café Negro if you must, but if you feel rushed and unwelcome, and get a PIA charge for asking the waitress to heat up your coffee, don't say I didn't warn you.

Lake Taco

Address: Libramiento Chapala Ajijic #132, Plaza Interlago Interior #23
Phone: 331 230 6173, 376 766 2945
Hours of Operation: Monday - Saturday 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Facebook Page: Lake Taco Ajijic

Directions: Turn north, on the road directly across from Walmart. This is the Libramiento.. Head up this road approximately 1/4 mile and turn right into the Pemex Station. Lake Taco is located next to the Car Wash under the large palapa.

 

First Impressions

Lake Taco is located in the corner of a strip mall just north of Walmart on the Libramiento. It is easy to spot because of the large palapa that covers the outdoor dining area. Our first impression was that it looked like a nice spot for lunch. We like to sit outdoors to eat and enjoy the beautiful weather of Lake Chapala.

The dining area is clean and inviting. There are herbs planted around the patio and you can smell the strong scent of rosemary and lavender.

The waitress was laying across the serving bar, looking bored and tired, as we walked up to the hostess station. She roused herself long enough to seat us at a table in the corner and take our order.

Jim Morrison and The Doors were blasting from the speakers attached to the top of the palapa. We tried to talk to one another after we were seated, but only managed to hear a few words of our conversation. I looked around, but there was no way of escape. We were trapped in that 1960s time warp that so many local restaurants seem to think appeals to expats.

Menu

The menu is fairly limited, with items such as tacos and burritos, salads and hamburgers and side dishes of beans or French fries. Lake Taco opens at 9:00 a.m. so they also offer a breakfast menu.

Wine and beer are available, as well as a selection of non-alcoholic beverages. The restaurant also offers, according to their Facebook page, a full bar. We had a chicken burrito and a fish taco. Both were very good and freshly made.

Lake Taco is good place for lunch or breakfast, or for a quick taco, or burrito. Sometimes you need a place where you can just drop in for a quick snack, and Lake Taco is one of those places.

Ambiance

The dining patio at Lake Taco is casual and open air. We sat in the corner so we could have a view of the lake and the mountains. The dining area is clean and inviting. The only issue I have is with the loud, loud, loud music.

We like to chat during lunch and the music precluded any conversation that didn't involve shouting and gesticulating.

We could see the mountains to the north, and the lake in the distance from where we were sitting.
Lake Taco has wifi and there were customers on the patio, sipping coffee and reading their tablets.

There is a nice view from some areas of the patio. The waitress was pleasant, but quickly excused herself to go back to her lounging area on the bar.

Price

The items on the menu at Lake Taco are cheap.
This is not fine dining, by any stretch of the definition, but it is not meant to be. This is lakeside's version of Taco Bell.

You can eat two entrees and have a glass wine each for under $20.

 

Our Recommendation ***

This is an outdoor taco shack, good for lunch or a quick snack. The food is good and cheap. Someone please tell them to turn down the music so we can talk to one another over lunch and we might just linger a little longer.

Ritchie 88

Address: #41 Calle Colon, Ajijic
Telephone: 376-766-4185
Facebook Page: Ritchie 88
Hours:                  Tuesday - Saturday  9AM - 4PM
                             Sunday 9AM - 3PM

Directions:  From Walmart, head west on the Carreterra to a right on Calle Juarez, one block past Calle Colon in Ajijic. Turn right on Calle Flores, and right on Calle Colon. Head south for 2 1/2 blocks. Ritchie 88 will be on your right just before the plaza. Parking is limited in this area.

First Impressions

Wednesday is market day in Ajijic and we were going to be in town for the afternoon, so we made plans to try Ritchie 88, a highly recommended restaurant near the main plaza.

Ritchie 88 is ranked #2 on Trip Advisor for restaurants in Ajijic. That is high praise, considering how many wonderful restaurants are in the area.

Currently, Ritchie 88 is only open for breakfast and lunch, however, the owner, Patricia, told us that she plans to extend the hours until 8 p.m. on Thursdays through Saturdays, starting the week of February 10, 2014. The full lunch menu will be offered at night as well as dinner specials.

We arrived at Ritchie 88 at about noon and were the only ones in the café. We were met at the door by the owner who seated us in the outdoor patio area in the back of the restaurant.

The restaurant is clean, pleasant and wonderful aromas were wafting from the kitchen. There were specials written on the blackboards at the entrance and a sandwich board with the special of the day - shrimp burger.

Menu

The menu offered a nice selection of breakfast and lunch plates. Breakfast included a number of omelets, waffles, French toast, and eggs any style, served with beans or hash browns. I would have had a spinach and goat cheese omelet but we arrived too late.

Too bad, because it sounded amazing. Instead I ordered a spinach salad with warm goat cheese. It was served with a basket of fresh bread and was absolutely delicious.

My husband ordered a chicken baguette that was also very good. The presentation was done with care and was lovely.

After our lunch was served, we were left alone to dine, soft classical music playing in the background, the beautiful Mexican sun shining in the courtyard and a soft breeze blowing, just enough to turn the whirligig in the garden.

We had a very good meal in a pleasant atmosphere. It made me wonder why there are not more people dining in this wonderful little café.

After our meal, we were offered a small selection of desserts and decided to try the warm brownie, topped with ice cream and crushed nuts. It was very good.

The lunch menu offered a number of baguettes, soups and salads. The soup of the day was lentil and I was tempted to try that. Ritchie 88 has a large selection of hot and cold teas and coffees, as well as wine and beer.

We were very pleased with our meals and are anxious to return to sample the selections off the breakfast menu.

 

Ambiance

The outside of the restaurant, in Ajijic, rarely suggests the ambiance inside the restaurant, and such is the case with Ritchie88. It has a modest, unassuming exterior and a bistro-like atmosphere inside.

There is art on the walls inside, classical music playing in the background and a courtyard with covered outdoor seating. There are orange trees, a pomegranate tree and wind chimes singing in the breeze.

Inside the restaurant is another  small dining room. The atmosphere is cozy and romantic.
I think it is a good idea for Ritchie 88 to offer extended hours, as this is a beautiful spot for a romantic, intimate dinner.

 

Service

We were served by the owner herself and she made sure that we were well taken care of and happy with the taste and quality of the food. But, otherwise, she left us alone to enjoy our meal. She made suggestions from the menu and made us aware of the specials of the day. Overall, the service was very good, which you would expect if waited on by the owner of the establishment!

 

Price

The prices are moderate, with house wine by the glass priced at $35 pesos and most entrees priced at about $70 - $86 pesos. Our total bill, with two entrees, hot chocolate, coffee latte, tea and dessert came to $260 pesos, about $20.

Our Recommendation ****

The lunch menu at Ritchie 88 is very good and we can recommend it to you for lunch. We plan to return to sample the breakfast menu. This is a nice place for lunch, close to the plaza but with intimate dining and excellent service.

Yves Restaurant Bar

Address: Carretera Poniente #493

Phone: 376- 766- 3565

Website: Yves Restaurant

Hours of Operation:  Monday - Tuesday 8a.m. - 8:30 p.m.; Thursday - Sunday 8 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. Closed Wednesday

Credit Cards Accepted

Directions:  From Walmart, travel west on the Carretera through Ajijic. Approximately 1 mile past Calle Colon, Yves is on the left in a former inn. Turn left on either Calle Flores Magon or  Calle Rio Bravo then take the unpaved frontage road to Yves. There is parking on the road in front of Yves, just keep an eye out for Vino Blanco and Martini, the resident mother/son burros!

First Impressions

Yves Restaurant Bar was one of the first restaurants we visited when we arrived in Ajjijc. At that time, it was situated on the lakefront with beautiful views from the  patio of the mountains across the lake and the pelicans taking off from the marsh grasses.

Now located on the Carretera, the new Yves Restaurant still conveys a pleasant, al fresco atmosphere. The new location may be difficult to find for first time visitors because it is located off a small frontage road, behind the brick walls of a former inn, but there are signs indicating the entrance on the Carretera and the ubiquitous white burro, Vino Blanco, may just be grazing near the entrance.

Menu

Yves serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, one of the few restaurants in town that manages to pull off this feat and do it well. We usually visit at lunch time and are offered the choice of ordering off the breakfast or lunch menu. Since it is gauche - even for us - to drink a glass of wine at breakfast, we usually order off the lunch menu. We have never been disappointed with our meal at Yve's.  .

Breakfast ranges from salmon and cream cheese omelets to pancakes served with their very own honey to the Mexican specialty, chilaquiles. Lunch is an eclectic mix of Mexican standards, Italian food, burgers and soups. Yves is known for their wonderful salad bar that is available during lunch and dinner service.

Order off the dinner menu, if you are hankering for some wonderful Arrachera or Sea Bass with Garlic Shrimp, beginning at 1 p.m. Yves offers beer and wine as well as a full bar and has a variety of non alcohol beverages.

* Update: Yves serves a really good breakfast. This morning we stopped in for coffee and decided to order mushroom, cheese and spinach omelets. The dishes were served with hash brown potatoes and a choice of bacon or sausages and came with toasted wheat bread, accompanied by freshly made strawberry jam. You can also order juices, or a mimosa, with your breakfast.

Ambience

We loved Yves lakefront location, so I was prepared to be disappointed in the new venue. However, the new location is very nice in its own way - outdoor seating under umbrellas, a pool that has been transformed into a pond with fountain, and the ever present burro, a sort of mascot for the restaurant, grazing under a nearby stand of trees.

Yve's Restaurant Bar is located on the Carretera, yet the atmosphere is quiet and serene, thanks to the brick walls of the old inn.

The restroom - only one to accommodate both men and women - is spotless. The owner was buzzing about when we had lunch recently, greeting guests and making sure the details of the lunch service were just right.

Yves opens early, which we particularly like, so if we are in town before the traditional lunch starts at most local restaurants (usually not before 12:30 p.m.) we know we can get a good meal, in a beautiful atmosphere.

Service

The service at Yves is very good - prompt, courteous, efficient. We were seated quickly and our drink order taken right away. The owner is on hand to make sure that his guests are greeted and are happy with their meals.

Waiters have a much larger area to cover now, with seating along the water feature, under a grove of trees and inside the restaurant, but they don't seem to have a problem making sure that all of their guests are well served.

Yves, himself,  has extensive experience in the restaurant business and it is apparent in the service and quality of the food.

Price

Yves Restaurant and Bar is moderately priced, in keeping with comparable restaurants in Ajijic. Monday is specially priced at 10% off all lunch and dinner tickets. Salad is included with most entrees and if you order an appetizer, the salad bar is half price.

Our Recommendation ****

Yves Restaurant and Bar has relocated from the lake front but has not lost its charm, high quality food or excellent service. This is a popular place for breakfast - especially on Sunday morning or romantic lunch. In the high season, make reservations, especially if you are coming with a large group.