Tony's Plus Restaurant Bar

Address: Carretera Chapala-Jocotepec #149, San Antonio, Tlayacapan
Phone: 376-766-4614  Reservations: 376-766-4069
Hours of Operation: Thursday - Tuesday 12 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Closed Wednesday
Facebook Page: Restaurante Tony's Plus
Email: Tonysplus@live.com

Directions: From Walmart travel east on the Carretera approximately 1/2 mile. Tony's will be on the right (lakeside) in the Superlake shopping center. There is parking in front of Tony's Restaurant.

First Impressions

Tony's Restaurant Bar is not the kind of place that I would normally choose to dine. Quaint is okay with me and so is funky. But Tony's is located in a run down strip mall along the Carretera.

However, this restaurant is close to where I live and came highly recommended to us by many friends who have lived here for a long time.

Tony's is well known for high quality steak dinners. So, we finally got up the nerve to give it a try. Tony also owns the carniceria next door so you know his steaks are fresh.

Tony's Plus Restaurant Bar is a place we have returned to several times because of the menu selections and the consistent quality of the food.

 

Menu

Tony's Restaurant has a large and varied menu that include salads, soups, appetizers, chicken dishes, shrimp, pork and steak as well as daily specials.

A nice selection of traditional Mexican dishes are also available, such as burritos, tacos on flour or corn tortillas, and beef or chicken fajitas.

As soon as you are seated, a waiter brings a plate of corn totopos to the table, along with a bowl of pico de gallo, pickled carrots and a mango salsa to help you stave off hunger while you wait for your meal to be cooked to order.

If you prefer to start your meal with a fresh salad, there are several from which to choose -  green salad, Cesar salad and a mixed salad, as well as variations of these that include meat.


The steak menu offers T-Bone, Rib Eye and Arrachera, a tender marinated steak, and Beef Shish Kebob.

Meals are served with your choice of flour or corn tortillas.

Ask the waiter what is available for dessert and he will recite a list of pies -  peanut butter, pecan  and lemon pie - as well as cheesecake and flan.

We chose the flan to split between us and it was delicious.

Ambiance

Tony's interior is decorated with murals depicting the lake and mountains. There are plants hanging from the ceiling and an open courtyard at the back of the restaurant. The entire front is open to the street, which some may find unpleasant.

Like many restaurants in town, they play music from the 1960's and 1970's that they must think all Norte Americanos of a certain age like to hear. I want to go on record now that I have heard enough Classic Rock music to last me the rest of my life.

I wish they would just play Mexican music - softly - in the background. After all, we came here to enjoy the local culture. During an afternoon meal very recently, a dog somewhere behind the courtyard was barking nonstop through our entire meal. 

Tony's is a fine place for lunch or early dinner and the food is good. But, the environment is not conducive to romantic dinners or a special occasion. There is too much noise, from outside the restaurant and from within.

Service

Though we have heard some complaints about spotty service at Tony's, we have always enjoyed good service from the waiters. They are polite and prompt.

They do not hover around us, but check periodically to make sure our dinner is good and that we don't need anything at that moment. They are knowledgeable about the menu and specials.

Price

I have included some pictures from the actual menu that includes prices. Tony's is moderately priced, about the same as finer restaurants in Ajijc. The day we ate at Tony's, we had two glasses of wine each, two entrees and a dessert between us and the final bill was $360 pesos, about $30. I certainly cannot complain about those prices!

Our Recommendation ***

Tony's Plus Restaurant is a nice place for a casual meal, for a steak dinner or Mexican food. The quality is consistent and the prices right.

 

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.