Quick restaurant report: Doña Juanita

StewartG · 08-14-2006

At the invitation of my friend Mindbender and his lovely wife, Jacqui, I had the pleasure of dining at Doña Juanita several weeks ago in Playa. Very cute little place on Juarez around 45th ave, across from the Pemex station.

Here is a picture of my son who will be pointing to the name of the restaurant, in case you missed it!

While it is a bit noisy being on Juarez, it was actually a nice variation from the typical 5th Ave place. The "setting" was very authentic Mexican street scene, and the food was quite good!

Iain ordered the arracharra platter, which was very tasty and quite big. More than enough for him to share with the rest of us!

While I have yet to find arracharra as good as HC de Monterrey, this was still good meat, and the beans and rice were good sides as well.

IMHO, the mole is a real standout. We ordered mole enchiladas which were out of this world. The mole was rich and well balanced, with just a hint of anise. Check it out:

The most amusing aspect of the meal, however, was the manner in which the beer was served. I ordered a beer and fully expected it to be served in a bottle, as in most places in Playa. Here, however, they serve their beer in a mug. A terracotta mug!!!

Good food, cold beer, good friends and my little guy with me. What could be better!

beachluver2 · 08-14-2006

great colorful pictures!! Love how your mug matched your sunburn

Your son is a cutie

Hope he enjoyed his first day of school...

Michele · 08-15-2006

OMG, that is one of our favorite places!!!! Glad you got to check it out too. We love it for lunch.

StewartG · 08-15-2006

First day of school is actually tomorrow for him, but today is "meet the teacher" day... (just three more hours!)

Michele - good family style place with family style food. I really liked it. The night we were there, there was a family of about 12 or so having dinner right next to us. This seems like a real place for locals. Next time I'm in town, you'll have to let me know about any other places like this!

queencityfan · 08-15-2006

At the risk sounding like I'm pandering to a commie I just have to say thanks for all your great food posts!
Your little guy is a doll, enjoy him now, those school years just fly by.
We'll be in Playa soon for our first non-AI trip and the toughest part of planning for me has been deciding which great places to eat!
'Course HC is number one on my list along with several others you have reccomended.

StewartG · 08-15-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by queencityfan

At the risk sounding like I'm pandering to a commie I just have to say thanks for all your great food posts!
Your little guy is a doll, enjoy him now, those school years just fly by.
We'll be in Playa soon for our first non-AI trip and the toughest part of planning for me has been deciding which great places to eat!
'Course HC is number one on my list along with several others you have reccomended.

Feel free to PM me with your general likes and dislikes, where you may be traveling along the coast, as well as your tolerance for "primitive" conditions, and I'll be glad to shoot you a few tailored suggestions!

Glad you like the posts!

JEZ · 08-15-2006

Was the terracotta mug frozen? Just wondering..... ha ha ha

summer05 · 08-17-2006

As we were heading to the airport last month, I noticed this cute little restaurant and took a quick pic to remember it. So glad to hear the food is good--will be sure to try it next time down!
Oh, and NO teacher could resist a cute little guy like your son! I know--I'm a teacher!

Summer

Sol · 08-17-2006

Cute place Stew!! I like the plates on which their food is served. Beautiful!

jenndavidson007 · 08-17-2006

I am a mole junkie. Can't wait to try this on our next trip. Nice sunburn!!!

StewartG · 08-17-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by jenndavidson007

I am a mole junkie. Can't wait to try this on our next trip. Nice sunburn!!!

MMMMmmmmmm.... Mole....

**Mindbender** · 08-18-2006

Well done for getting this report up Stewart!

The set lunch is always a good deal and includes a starter and drink such as limonada or jamaica. Often the starter is a traditional soup.

You'll need a phrase book, if your Spanish is limited, as there's no English menu.

08-14-2006	#1 (permalink)
StewartG commie pinko Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: The Kremlin (when not at my dacha in Houston) Posts: 12,319	Quick restaurant report: Doña Juanita At the invitation of my friend Mindbender and his lovely wife, Jacqui, I had the pleasure of dining at Doña Juanita several weeks ago in Playa. Very cute little place on Juarez around 45th ave, across from the Pemex station. Here is a picture of my son who will be pointing to the name of the restaurant, in case you missed it! While it is a bit noisy being on Juarez, it was actually a nice variation from the typical 5th Ave place. The "setting" was very authentic Mexican street scene, and the food was quite good! Iain ordered the arracharra platter, which was very tasty and quite big. More than enough for him to share with the rest of us! While I have yet to find arracharra as good as HC de Monterrey, this was still good meat, and the beans and rice were good sides as well. IMHO, the mole is a real standout. We ordered mole enchiladas which were out of this world. The mole was rich and well balanced, with just a hint of anise. Check it out: The most amusing aspect of the meal, however, was the manner in which the beer was served. I ordered a beer and fully expected it to be served in a bottle, as in most places in Playa. Here, however, they serve their beer in a mug. A terracotta mug!!! Good food, cold beer, good friends and my little guy with me. What could be better!

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08-14-2006	#2 (permalink)
beachluver2 way into it Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Arlington, Tx. Posts: 112	great colorful pictures!! Love how your mug matched your sunburn Your son is a cutie Hope he enjoyed his first day of school...

08-15-2006	#3 (permalink)
Michele añejo Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Playa del Carmen, QR, MX Posts: 2,541	OMG, that is one of our favorite places!!!! Glad you got to check it out too. We love it for lunch.

08-15-2006	#4 (permalink)
StewartG commie pinko Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: The Kremlin (when not at my dacha in Houston) Posts: 12,319	First day of school is actually tomorrow for him, but today is "meet the teacher" day... (just three more hours!) Michele - good family style place with family style food. I really liked it. The night we were there, there was a family of about 12 or so having dinner right next to us. This seems like a real place for locals. Next time I'm in town, you'll have to let me know about any other places like this!

08-15-2006	#5 (permalink)
queencityfan añejo Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 1,619	At the risk sounding like I'm pandering to a commie I just have to say thanks for all your great food posts! Your little guy is a doll, enjoy him now, those school years just fly by. We'll be in Playa soon for our first non-AI trip and the toughest part of planning for me has been deciding which great places to eat! 'Course HC is number one on my list along with several others you have reccomended.

08-15-2006	#7 (permalink)
JEZ añejo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: At the Beer Bucket, Playa Del Carmen Posts: 3,087	Was the terracotta mug frozen? Just wondering..... ha ha ha

08-17-2006	#8 (permalink)
summer05 beachaholic Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 288	As we were heading to the airport last month, I noticed this cute little restaurant and took a quick pic to remember it. So glad to hear the food is good--will be sure to try it next time down! Oh, and NO teacher could resist a cute little guy like your son! I know--I'm a teacher! Summer

08-17-2006	#9 (permalink)
Sol Chupacabras Whisperer Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Gem State Posts: 9,199	Cute place Stew!! I like the plates on which their food is served. Beautiful!

08-17-2006	#10 (permalink)
jenndavidson007 beachaholic Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: denver Posts: 254	I am a mole junkie. Can't wait to try this on our next trip. Nice sunburn!!!

08-18-2006	#12 (permalink)
Mindbender Moderator Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Playa del Carmen Posts: 2,905	Well done for getting this report up Stewart! The set lunch is always a good deal and includes a starter and drink such as limonada or jamaica. Often the starter is a traditional soup. You'll need a phrase book, if your Spanish is limited, as there's no English menu.

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