Although the irresistible aroma of street food -- carne asada (marinated beef grilled over charcoal) tucked into corn tortillas, for starters -- is everywhere, less well known is that Tijuana has restaurants of real quality, despite the presence of a Hard Rock Cafe that lures many of the visitors. The following places are worth the taxi trip. The main meal of the day is la comida (lunch); restaurants are busiest around 2:30pm.
Note: Do not drink water unless it comes straight from a bottle (this includes ice, or uncooked vegetables, like lettuce, that have been washed), or you might leave Tijuana with a going-away gift; restaurants listed below generally have sanitary conditions, but it doesn't hurt to be cautious.
For breakfast (or lunch or dinner, for that matter), a locals' favorite not far from the Grand Hotel is El Potrero, Blvd. Salinas 4700 (tel. 664/686-3626). Like Hollywood's old Brown Derby, this restaurant is shaped like a giant hat -- a sombrero, to be exact. The interior is filled with cowboy memorabilia from the owner's days as a charro (horseman).
Tijuana is also home to outstanding restaurants representing international cuisines -- just because you're in Mexico, doesn't mean you have to eat Mexican. There's award-winning Argentinean food at Cheripan, Escuadrón 201 No. 3151 (tel. 664/622-9730; www.cheripan.com); excellent Mediterranean-Baja fusion at Villa Saverios, Blvd. Sánchez Taboada 10451 (tel. 664/686-6442); sushi at Negai, Escuadrón 201 No. 3110-4 (tel. 664/971-0000); and the flavors of Spain at Chiki Jai, Av. Revolución 1388 (tel. 664/685-4955). Except for Chiki Jai, the preceding eateries are all in the Zona Río's dining district.
For an unusual treat, stop by Tepoznieves, Blvd. Sánchez Taboada 10737, Zona Río (tel. 664/634-6532), an ice cream parlor that carries flavors like you've never seen: nardos, concocted from the tangy tuberose flower; nopal, made from cactus; or petalo de rosas (rose petals). There's also a location in Playas de Tijuana on Paseo Pedregal.
