Try Los Amigos

jonesy girl · 02-15-2008

Just returned from memorable visit to Playa

. Wanted to thank everyone on the Playa forum for their help and tips. Your assistance made our trip fantastic. The restaurant list came in very handy. We discovered a great, relatively new Mexican-Russian restaurant on 26th St. & 30th Ave., called Los Amigos. I know - sounds weird but presented very reasonable, yummy food served with great enthusiasm by Russian owners Lana & Alex (from NY). We ate lunch and dinner there on several occasions and were always very happy.

syl · 02-15-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonesy girl

Just returned from memorable visit to Playa

. Wanted to thank everyone on the Playa forum for their help and tips. Your assistance made our trip fantastic. The restaurant list came in very handy. We discovered a great, relatively new Mexican-Russian restaurant on 26th St. & 30th Ave., called Los Amigos. I know - sounds weird but presented very reasonable, yummy food served with great enthusiasm by Russian owners Lana & Alex (from NY). We ate lunch and dinner there on several occasions and were always very happy.

whats mexican russian food like?any pics to show?

jonesy girl · 02-15-2008

Actually the owner's have a great staff creating mexican dishes. I believe that the Russian influence - as explained by Lana - was that she believes in "loading" the table, ie. you have lots to eat. We always had a bowl of the daily soup provided and of course, tortillas. As we were always looking for good food experiences during our stay I wanted to pass on this discovery.

syl · 02-15-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonesy girl

Actually the owner's have a great staff creating mexican dishes. I believe that the Russian influence - as explained by Lana - was that she believes in "loading" the table, ie. you have lots to eat. We always had a bowl of the daily soup provided and of course, tortillas. As we were always looking for good food experiences during our stay I wanted to pass on this discovery.

thanks i will add that to my list!!!!do they have awebsite?

jonesy girl · 02-15-2008

Don't think so... Say hi to Lana from me (& my husband, Allan). She is really sweet and funny. Have a great trip!

Wish I were back there - it is too cold here in Canada.

Babaloo · 02-15-2008

a russian couple from new york serving mexican...
...what a concept!

jonesy girl · 02-17-2008

You said it...only in Mexico. I think that's why I like it so much - it can be quirky.

Dpreefer · 02-18-2008

I had seen several good reports from visitors about Los Amigos, so I had dinner there last week on my recent trip to Playa to check it out. I cannot say that I noticed any Russian influence in the food, except for an extensive list of liquors. The menu was quite complete with tacos and grilled meats of all kinds, as well as huaraches and fajitas. I found the food quite good, although they play the music uncomfortably loud, which I think they incorrectly believe attracts more customers.

My main problem with Los Amigos is its location. In any other place, I would recommend it as a more than acceptable place for a good Mexican meal, however, they have the unfortunate problem of being one block down from El Pastorcitio, and one block further from El Fogon. These are the two best taco and grilled meat places in Playa in my estimation (with the possible exception of the 3 HC de Monterey incarnations for their arrechera), and with company like these, it seems foolish to choose the 3rd best place in the neighborhood. With this said, no visitor will be disappointed with their dining experience at Los Amigos.

**Heather** · 03-23-2009

I've eaten at Los Amigos (Calle 26 and Avenida 30, on the NW corner) about 6 times now, and the food has been consistently excellent and well-priced. They do not play the loud music anymore. I've eaten there 4 times in the last week (twice for breakfast with friends, twice for lunch alone), they are starting to look at me funny.

In addition to their full menu, every day they have breakfast and lunch specials, with about four different dishes to choose from. Breakfast dishes include things like omelet, chilaquiles, huevos a la Mexicana, and all are served with a glass of OJ, bread and/or tortillas, butter, and jam. The breakfast special costs 35 pesos, or about 2.65 usd.

Lunch specials might include dishes like puerco en salsa verde, pollo en mole, pozole, or alambre de pastor, and come with the typical sides (rice/beans, tortillas, chips/salsa). You also get a bowl of their delicious homemade veggie soup and a glass of the "fruit water" of the day, all for 40 pesos, or about 3.03 usd.

The service is always pleasant and efficient, the space is open and inviting, and really, the price/quality can't be beaten.

I took some photos of my lunch today.

Fresh, crispy chips and 3 kinds of salsa. My favorite is the avocado/habanero blend

Homemade veggie soup (potatoes, carrots, onion, a bit of celery, chayote, with cilantro). I could eat a giant bowl of this for lunch and be happy.

Today's selection was agua de tamarindo (tamarind)

Pollo with yummy mole, rice, and hot tortillas.

I'm stuffed, for a total of about 3.75 usd, including tip.

Check this place out.

Buggirl · 03-23-2009

Heather- that looks great! Thanks for the photos- hopefully we'll get a chance to try this place out.

Maddison1002 · 03-23-2009

We ate here on our first night in Playa. I tried to order cheese enchiladas but they came with chicken, so my cousin swapped me her fish tacos for my chix enchiladas. Nice place.

January Guy · 03-23-2009

Another vote for this one. Ate their in January and had wonderful and a great time.

Peterm · 03-24-2009

I always like going there too.

Yesterday evening I had tasty fajitas vegetarianas. Quick and friendly service while listening to traditional Mexican music. Reminds me of cowboy movies.

Jimontheriver · 03-24-2009

We also had a great meal at Los Amigos. Photos and more to come on day 6 of my trip report that I'm working on.

TravlGrl · 04-15-2009

We're headed to Playa in 17 days and have never been to Los Amigos. This is very much a budget trip for us this time around.

In general, what's the price range at Los Amigos? I'm in the process of putting together my "inexpensive" restaurant list.

Thanks in advance!

02-15-2008	#1 (permalink)
jonesy girl lost on fifth Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 23	Try Los Amigos Just returned from memorable visit to Playa . Wanted to thank everyone on the Playa forum for their help and tips. Your assistance made our trip fantastic. The restaurant list came in very handy. We discovered a great, relatively new Mexican-Russian restaurant on 26th St. & 30th Ave., called Los Amigos. I know - sounds weird but presented very reasonable, yummy food served with great enthusiasm by Russian owners Lana & Alex (from NY). We ate lunch and dinner there on several occasions and were always very happy.

02-18-2008	#8 (permalink)
Dpreefer beachaholic Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 316	I just tried this place for my restaurant list. I had seen several good reports from visitors about Los Amigos, so I had dinner there last week on my recent trip to Playa to check it out. I cannot say that I noticed any Russian influence in the food, except for an extensive list of liquors. The menu was quite complete with tacos and grilled meats of all kinds, as well as huaraches and fajitas. I found the food quite good, although they play the music uncomfortably loud, which I think they incorrectly believe attracts more customers. My main problem with Los Amigos is its location. In any other place, I would recommend it as a more than acceptable place for a good Mexican meal, however, they have the unfortunate problem of being one block down from El Pastorcitio, and one block further from El Fogon. These are the two best taco and grilled meat places in Playa in my estimation (with the possible exception of the 3 HC de Monterey incarnations for their arrechera), and with company like these, it seems foolish to choose the 3rd best place in the neighborhood. With this said, no visitor will be disappointed with their dining experience at Los Amigos.

03-23-2009	#9 (permalink)
Heather employee of the month Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Playa del Carmen Posts: 14,600	My new go-to breakfast/lunch spot I've eaten at Los Amigos (Calle 26 and Avenida 30, on the NW corner) about 6 times now, and the food has been consistently excellent and well-priced. They do not play the loud music anymore. I've eaten there 4 times in the last week (twice for breakfast with friends, twice for lunch alone), they are starting to look at me funny. In addition to their full menu, every day they have breakfast and lunch specials, with about four different dishes to choose from. Breakfast dishes include things like omelet, chilaquiles, huevos a la Mexicana, and all are served with a glass of OJ, bread and/or tortillas, butter, and jam. The breakfast special costs 35 pesos, or about 2.65 usd. Lunch specials might include dishes like puerco en salsa verde, pollo en mole, pozole, or alambre de pastor, and come with the typical sides (rice/beans, tortillas, chips/salsa). You also get a bowl of their delicious homemade veggie soup and a glass of the "fruit water" of the day, all for 40 pesos, or about 3.03 usd. The service is always pleasant and efficient, the space is open and inviting, and really, the price/quality can't be beaten. I took some photos of my lunch today. Fresh, crispy chips and 3 kinds of salsa. My favorite is the avocado/habanero blend Homemade veggie soup (potatoes, carrots, onion, a bit of celery, chayote, with cilantro). I could eat a giant bowl of this for lunch and be happy. Today's selection was agua de tamarindo (tamarind) Pollo with yummy mole, rice, and hot tortillas. I'm stuffed, for a total of about 3.75 usd, including tip. Check this place out.

03-24-2009	#13 (permalink)
Peterm very sparkly Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Playa Del Carmen Posts: 31	yes I always like going there too. Yesterday evening I had tasty fajitas vegetarianas. Quick and friendly service while listening to traditional Mexican music. Reminds me of cowboy movies.

02-15-2008	#3 (permalink)
jonesy girl lost on fifth Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 23	Actually the owner's have a great staff creating mexican dishes. I believe that the Russian influence - as explained by Lana - was that she believes in "loading" the table, ie. you have lots to eat. We always had a bowl of the daily soup provided and of course, tortillas. As we were always looking for good food experiences during our stay I wanted to pass on this discovery.

02-15-2008	#5 (permalink)
jonesy girl lost on fifth Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 23	Don't think so... Say hi to Lana from me (& my husband, Allan). She is really sweet and funny. Have a great trip! Wish I were back there - it is too cold here in Canada.

02-15-2008	#6 (permalink)
Babaloo añejo Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Playa del Carmen Posts: 22,553	a russian couple from new york serving mexican... ...what a concept!

02-17-2008	#7 (permalink)
jonesy girl lost on fifth Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 23	You said it...only in Mexico. I think that's why I like it so much - it can be quirky.

03-23-2009	#10 (permalink)
Buggirl añejo Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: on an island in the sea..... Posts: 7,993	Heather- that looks great! Thanks for the photos- hopefully we'll get a chance to try this place out.

03-23-2009	#11 (permalink)
Maddison1002 life=playa Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Erie PA Posts: 676	We ate here on our first night in Playa. I tried to order cheese enchiladas but they came with chicken, so my cousin swapped me her fish tacos for my chix enchiladas. Nice place.

03-23-2009	#12 (permalink)
January Guy añejo Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Twin Cities Posts: 5,900	Another vote for this one. Ate their in January and had wonderful and a great time.

03-24-2009	#14 (permalink)
Jimontheriver añejo Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Illinois on the Mississippi Posts: 2,121	We also had a great meal at Los Amigos. Photos and more to come on day 6 of my trip report that I'm working on.

04-15-2009	#15 (permalink)
TravlGrl very sparkly Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 37	We're headed to Playa in 17 days and have never been to Los Amigos. This is very much a budget trip for us this time around. In general, what's the price range at Los Amigos? I'm in the process of putting together my "inexpensive" restaurant list. Thanks in advance!

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