Off Fifth "musts" For Meals?

Scout · 05-05-2007

I've read all through the posts in Changarros y mas and have a few specific questions...

I would love to try HC de Monterrey & Casita de los Guisos BUT in all honesty we really spend most of our day at the beach and then usually have a good workout at the Gym before resting a bit and then heading out for dinner. As these two places seem to close on the early side they may not be viable options for us.

So...

it seems like a few options would be:

El Fogon
La Pesca

Are there any other really special local secrets that I'm missing here? We will be doing alot of the upscale places on Fifth (John Gray's, Ula Gula, La Palette,etc) when friends join us for 5 days in the middle of our trip, but during the portion my partner & I are alone we really want to try some fabulous local spots. By the way, he (my partner) is of Mexican heritage and fluent in Spanish so the more "local" and "authentic" the better! He also LOVES his mole, so any suggestions in that area would be appreciated as well.

Thanks for your suggestions.

cjgans · 05-05-2007

El Fogon is a must....we really enjoyed it!

CaroleLB · 05-05-2007

I get beat up for recommending Negro Sal (14th and 1st - right around the corner from The Gym) but it is truly delightful - incredible service (again, my opinion) - wonderful ambiance - food, sublime.

I love Argentine beef - my favorite for a great steak (I'm partial to skirt steak - cannot remember the Argentine name for it) - and it's truly like buttah! I cannot remember the name of the place but it's on 10th between 24th and 26th. Everything I put in my mouth there was fannnnnntastic - try the shrimp stuffed avocado and the spinach/mozzarella empanadas). Best of all the price was half that of Chicago Don's and the quality equally as good, if not better.

btw, if you find great mole, please let me know

abbondanza!
CLo

Big Fish · 05-05-2007

You HAVE to have some Pollo Asadero (BBQ cluck). A few places around but our fave is on the corner of 20th Ave and 2nd St Norte. Eat in or take out - again it closes early tho (about 6pm I think). Cheap cheap cheap! Yum yum yum!

El Sarape on Juarez (between 25th y 30th ave) was also good and open later.
Another place I keep getting told is great but havn't tried yet as I keep forgetting about it. The Deer and Pheasant (Faison y Venido - or something like that). On highway on north side of Juarez (just) there is a picture of deer and pheasant on the sign that appears to be part of a hotel. Apparently cuisine is mayan - but MUCH cheaper than Yaxche and good service.

myhappyplace2 · 05-05-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaroleLB

I get beat up for recommending Negro Sal (14th and 1st - right around the corner from The Gym) but it is truly delightful - incredible service (again, my opinion) - wonderful ambiance - food, sublime.

I love Argentine beef - my favorite for a great steak (I'm partial to skirt steak - cannot remember the Argentine name for it) - and it's truly like buttah! I cannot remember the name of the place but it's on 10th between 24th and 26th. Everything I put in my mouth there was fannnnnntastic - try the shrimp stuffed avocado and the spinach/mozzarella empanadas). Best of all the price was half that of Chicago Don's and the quality equally as good, if not better.

btw, if you find great mole, please let me know

abbondanza!
CLo

I remember that meal fondly! Not only great food but great company!

BTW the name is Asador de Manolo.

Bluespicker · 05-06-2007

Ditto on Pollo Asadero....great bird and cheap! I like good and cheap.

Scout · 05-06-2007

Thanks for the sugestions. Asador de Manolo sounds like a good option to toss into our eclectic mix.

CaroleLB- I agree with you on Negro Sal. Great ambience/vibe. We ate there just after they opened. The service was polite but they still had opening jitters and everything was just a little "off". I'm looking forward to returning and seeing how things may have improved. That room is so beautiful + it is right across the street from where we are staying!

Scout · 05-06-2007

I believe this is the website for Asador de Manolo:

http://www.el-asador.com/index.htm

**Mindbender** · 05-06-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scout

A post on El Asadera intrigued me, but from reading the forum it seems they have closed.

El Asadero on 25th Avenue between 2nd and 4th Streets has NOT closed.

DPreefer was reading a sign on a wrong building and posted incorrect info.

Please edit your original post to give the correct information. Also, yes do try it, for example the arrachera nacional is as good as HCs without having to sit in the BBQ smoke, and they have excellent tortillas. I was watching them knead the dough only yesterday.

Scout · 05-06-2007

Thanks Mindbender. I have deleted that portion of my post. I discovered in your previous post that they are Open 7 days a week, 9am to 10pm. Great news for us!

**Mindbender** · 05-06-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scout

Thanks Mindbender.

De nada

For anyone else here's the full monty on El Asadero:

http://www.playa.info/playa-del-carm...las-playa.html

Beachnutt719 · 05-06-2007

LaPesca & Dr Taco

Sunny20 · 05-06-2007

El sarape - lov it!!
Dr. Taco
La bamba jarocha
El Fogon
Taco and Torta Stands on the 20th avenue and Juarez.
Love the caldo de pollo at a little place between 30th and 35th avenue and 1ra sur.
And of course HC de Monterrey. Love their chicken (I know it's a meat place but I'm not a red meat person)

Starfish · 05-07-2007

La Cueva del Chango
Tango Taco
El Pariaso
Don Mario
El Oasis
La Pesca
Carboncitos

StewartG · 05-07-2007

I would second the recommendation for La Bamba Jarocha. I especially like their mixed seafood soup.

I would also say that, come hell or high water, you need to make it to HC. Its my favorite restaurant in Playa, and one of my favorites in the world.

I'm a fan of the seafood at El Cejas. Large selection of fresh seafood (including several types of ceviche), well prepared with pride.

You may also want to try La Borrega across from the McDonald's on 307 for authentic central Mexico barbacoa.

All of these places will give you excellent, authentic local food at a good value.

I agree with the suggestions about Negro Sol, but its not really "local" nor is it inexpensive. But good food and good service. I had a GREAT date there a couple of months ago with THREE lovely ladies, NONE OF WHICH WERE MY WIFE!!! (Did I mention how much I love Playa?

)

05-05-2007	#1 (permalink)
Scout ruined Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 95	Off Fifth "musts" For Meals? I've read all through the posts in Changarros y mas and have a few specific questions... I would love to try HC de Monterrey & Casita de los Guisos BUT in all honesty we really spend most of our day at the beach and then usually have a good workout at the Gym before resting a bit and then heading out for dinner. As these two places seem to close on the early side they may not be viable options for us. So... it seems like a few options would be: El Fogon La Pesca Are there any other really special local secrets that I'm missing here? We will be doing alot of the upscale places on Fifth (John Gray's, Ula Gula, La Palette,etc) when friends join us for 5 days in the middle of our trip, but during the portion my partner & I are alone we really want to try some fabulous local spots. By the way, he (my partner) is of Mexican heritage and fluent in Spanish so the more "local" and "authentic" the better! He also LOVES his mole, so any suggestions in that area would be appreciated as well. Thanks for your suggestions. Last edited by Scout : 05-06-2007 at 12:40 PM.

05-06-2007	#10 (permalink)
Scout ruined Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 95	Thanks Mindbender. I have deleted that portion of my post. I discovered in your previous post that they are Open 7 days a week, 9am to 10pm. Great news for us! Last edited by Scout : 05-06-2007 at 12:44 PM.

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05-05-2007	#2 (permalink)
cjgans life=playa Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 797	El Fogon is a must....we really enjoyed it!

05-05-2007	#3 (permalink)
CaroleLB Go Cougars! Join Date: May 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 3,895	I get beat up for recommending Negro Sal (14th and 1st - right around the corner from The Gym) but it is truly delightful - incredible service (again, my opinion) - wonderful ambiance - food, sublime. I love Argentine beef - my favorite for a great steak (I'm partial to skirt steak - cannot remember the Argentine name for it) - and it's truly like buttah! I cannot remember the name of the place but it's on 10th between 24th and 26th. Everything I put in my mouth there was fannnnnntastic - try the shrimp stuffed avocado and the spinach/mozzarella empanadas). Best of all the price was half that of Chicago Don's and the quality equally as good, if not better. btw, if you find great mole, please let me know abbondanza! CLo

05-05-2007	#4 (permalink)
Big Fish beachaholic Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Calgary AB Posts: 403	You HAVE to have some Pollo Asadero (BBQ cluck). A few places around but our fave is on the corner of 20th Ave and 2nd St Norte. Eat in or take out - again it closes early tho (about 6pm I think). Cheap cheap cheap! Yum yum yum! El Sarape on Juarez (between 25th y 30th ave) was also good and open later. Another place I keep getting told is great but havn't tried yet as I keep forgetting about it. The Deer and Pheasant (Faison y Venido - or something like that). On highway on north side of Juarez (just) there is a picture of deer and pheasant on the sign that appears to be part of a hotel. Apparently cuisine is mayan - but MUCH cheaper than Yaxche and good service.

05-06-2007	#6 (permalink)
Bluespicker añejo Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Rural Mankato,Minnesota Posts: 2,341	Ditto on Pollo Asadero....great bird and cheap! I like good and cheap.

05-06-2007	#7 (permalink)
Scout ruined Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 95	Thanks for the sugestions. Asador de Manolo sounds like a good option to toss into our eclectic mix. CaroleLB- I agree with you on Negro Sal. Great ambience/vibe. We ate there just after they opened. The service was polite but they still had opening jitters and everything was just a little "off". I'm looking forward to returning and seeing how things may have improved. That room is so beautiful + it is right across the street from where we are staying!

05-06-2007	#8 (permalink)
Scout ruined Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 95	I believe this is the website for Asador de Manolo: http://www.el-asador.com/index.htm

05-06-2007	#12 (permalink)
Beachnutt719 añejo Join Date: May 2004 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 3,971	LaPesca & Dr Taco

05-06-2007	#13 (permalink)
Sunny20 Billow Maiden Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Playa del Carmen Posts: 2,389	El sarape - lov it!! Dr. Taco La bamba jarocha El Fogon Taco and Torta Stands on the 20th avenue and Juarez. Love the caldo de pollo at a little place between 30th and 35th avenue and 1ra sur. And of course HC de Monterrey. Love their chicken (I know it's a meat place but I'm not a red meat person)

05-07-2007	#14 (permalink)
Starfish reposado Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,008	La Cueva del Chango Tango Taco El Pariaso Don Mario El Oasis La Pesca Carboncitos

05-07-2007	#15 (permalink)
StewartG commie pinko Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: The Kremlin (when not at my dacha in Houston) Posts: 11,998	I would second the recommendation for La Bamba Jarocha. I especially like their mixed seafood soup. I would also say that, come hell or high water, you need to make it to HC. Its my favorite restaurant in Playa, and one of my favorites in the world. I'm a fan of the seafood at El Cejas. Large selection of fresh seafood (including several types of ceviche), well prepared with pride. You may also want to try La Borrega across from the McDonald's on 307 for authentic central Mexico barbacoa. All of these places will give you excellent, authentic local food at a good value. I agree with the suggestions about Negro Sol, but its not really "local" nor is it inexpensive. But good food and good service. I had a GREAT date there a couple of months ago with THREE lovely ladies, NONE OF WHICH WERE MY WIFE!!! (Did I mention how much I love Playa? )

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