Restaurants

Like other Mexican cities, Villahermosa has seen the arrival of U.S. franchise restaurants, but as these things go, I prefer the Mexican variety: Sanborn's, Av. Ruiz Cortines 1310, near Parque-Museo La Venta (tel. 993/316-8722), and VIPS, Av. Fco. I. Madero 402, downtown (tel. 993/312-3237). Both usually do a good job with traditional dishes such as enchiladas or antojitos (supper dishes). But if you're looking for something beyond the standard fare, take a taxi to Jangada (tel. 993/317-6050), an all-you-can-east seafood restaurant, with a wonderful variety of seafood cocktails, ceviches, grilled fish, and soups. It's on the west side of town in the La Choca neighborhood on Paseo de la Choca 126. The only problem is that it closes at 7pm. If you want to eat later, there's a sister restaurant next door that's a Brazilian-style steakhouse called Rodizio. It stays open until 9pm. It is quite good as well.