Ajijic Tango

Address: Calle Morelos #5, Ajijic
Phone: 376-766-2458
Hours of Operation: Open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 12:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 12:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.; Sunday 12:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.; Closed Tuesday.
Website: www.Ajijictango.com
Credit Cards Accepted
Reservations encouraged for dinner on weekdays, no reservations accepted Saturday or Sunday.

Directions: From Walmart, drive west on the Carretera towards Ajijic, to right on Calle Juarez, one block past Calle Colon. Turn right onto Calle Flores and right onto Calle Colon. Travel towards the lake, approximately 5 blocks. When you cross Calle Ocampo, Calle Colon turns into Calle Morelos. Tango is on the right, 1/2 block past Calle Ocampo. Limited parking on Morelos but there is parking at the malecon 1 1/2 blocks past Tangos

First Impressions

Tango is the place to eat in Ajijic. The walls of this lovely dining room are decorated with the work of local artists.

The dining room fills quickly when the doors open at 12:30 p.m. The menu is eclectic, Argentinian-inspired, with interesting soups, sandwiches, pizzas and steaks.

This is one of the restaurants in town where you are likely to see someone you know during your meal because everyone eats here.


Though we have visited during lunch hours and in the evening, we have never had to wait long to be seated.

The Menu

Tango is billed as an Argentinian restaurant so we expected the steaks to be very good - and they are. The steaks are USDA inspected and prepared perfectly, particularly the arrachera, which is fork- tender.

Begin the meal with an appetizer, such as Spanish sausage, fillet carpaccio, empanadas (corn, beef, spinach and cheese and sausage) or spinach croquettes. There is also a variety of fresh salads available.

Entrees include homemade pastas, wood fired pizzas, steaks, chicken and fish dishes. The $60 peso lunch special is available from 12:30 to 1:30 daily, on weekdays with a limited selection of soups, sandwiches and pizza. The dessert menu features alfajour, (pastry with milk, jelly and nuts), crepes, and chocolate cake and vigilante, a cheese and sweet potato candy, Tango has a full bar, including wine and beers.

Ambience

Tango has a nice, open dining room and though the restaurant is often full, it never seems noisy. There are no intimate corners for romantic dinners, but the atmosphere is pleasant.

On occasion I have felt rushed by wait staff that hover close by, eyeing your progress and grabbing a plate or glass off the table the moment it is empty.

The last time this happened I was perturbed enough that I decided to forego dessert and a final glass of wine. I have grown used to the leisurely tempo of Mexican mealtimes and do not like to be rushed.

Besides feeling like I need to hang onto my serving utensils and wine glass, Tango's atmosphere is warm and inviting and the décor attractive. The bathrooms are spotless.

Service

The waiters are prompt and efficient - a little too prompt for me, as I explained above. Perhaps they have been scolded by impatient customers in the past and are now over-compensating, but this is only a minor issue and a personal peeve, nothing that should keep you from trying one of the nicest restaurants in Ajijic.

Price

Prices are very reasonable, especially if you visit at lunch time and order from their limited, but delicious, $60 peso menu. The line forms at the door before opening time and the restaurant fills quickly with other budget minded patrons. If you are dining in the evening, expect to pay about $450 pesos for an appetizer, 2 entrees and two glasses of wine each.

Our Recommendation ****

Good food, prompt service, reasonable prices. We recommend Tango as a great place for lunch or dinner.