[Bret and Yvonne]

Is this it? Can’t take any credit for this, I know that I saved it from this web sight, just don’t know who posted it but, thanks!

Part 1

VARIOUS PLACES TO EAT

Dated: 1/1/2007

Playa del Carmen: List of Recommended Places to Go

(This is Playa! New places open all of the time. Some places disappear, even though they were great. Keeping up with the current list of favorites is difficult, but we will try to keep this updated. This list is current as of January 1, 2007)

Tacos and cheap eats

• H & C Butcher Shop - Located on Calle 1 Sur (This is on the Playacar side of Ave. Juarez) between 20th and 25th. This is a real butcher shop with excellent meats to take home and cook. It also has excellent and cheap cooked arrechera and steak lunch and dinners. This place gets rave reviews from locals. They close early (about 7 P.M.) so get there early.
• Dona Mary- This is supposed to be the best place for a Mexican dinner. The women only speak Spanish and most of the food choices are made with chicken. They are only open for dinner. 7pm-12am. 30th ave and 28th st (calle). Taxi or moped accessible.
• Pacos Tacos (Puerto Aventuras) - This is a little taco stand found at the first Pemex station south of Puerto Aventuras. It is very clean and sanitary and reported to have the best shrimp tacos in the area, as well as other excellent tacos fillings.
• Taco del Rey – Located on 6th Street, opposite Chicago Don Jose, this good taco place has tortas and tacos of excellent quality.
• Pizza Pazza - This place has awesome slices of pizza and seems to be popping up outlets all over town. Located next to El Oasis. 12th st between 5th and 10th ave. Also on 5th Avenue at 14th.
• Aca Los Tacos- Tacos al pastor (pork tacos on a spit…kinda like gyros). Corner of 5th ave and Constituyentes. Small tacos. Not bad. Many frequent visitors like them a lot.
• El Santuario - (The Sanctuary) – Located on 15th Ave between 12th and 14th, across from the church. This is the place for Torta Ahogada, a specialty from the town of Jalisco, which is a roast pork sandwich served on a toasty roll with onions in a bowl of tomatoey sauce. Add spice and…….Yummmm!
• El Sarape- Tacos al pastor and other Mexican grub. Opens at noon. Located on Juarez, about 4-5 blocks from the ferry terminal. Worth a visit.
• El Fogon- Tacos al pastor. 3 locations: 30th Ave and 6th St and 30th Ave near 32nd St. Newly opened on Ave. Constituyentes between 25th and 30th, across from the new Mega. Fantastic!! Makes everyone’s favorite list for legitimate Mexican food at a good price.
• El Pastorcito – Grilled meats and tacos al pastor and arrechera. One of the best!! 30th Avenida and 28th Street. The mixed grill for two Hill feed 4 normal people.
• Tacos Israel- (Also known as Tacos Arabe) Awesome tacos. Tacos arrachera (flank steak) and tacos al pastor. There is a bright blue and white striped awning. Corner of 15th ave and 10th st. Possibly moved location recently.
• La Casita de Los Guisos (formerly La Madrina)- I have heard great things about this place. Tamales on weekends, mole, etc. 20th ave and 6th st. (look for red chairs) Closed Tuesdays. Lunch only.
• Doctor Taco- Great tacos and vegetarian selections. 10th ave between 8th and 10th st.
• El Faisan y el Venado- Great Mexican and Yucataenaen specialties. Lots of locals eat here, especially for lunch. On highway 307, north of Juarez. You will find many of the Yucatecan specialties here that are served at Yaxche, but much less expensive. Recommended are the carne ahumada and the panuchos cochinita.
• Food Carts-(very clean and safe to eat) Most of these carts are located at 5th ave and Juarez. The pork tacos served in the morning are supposed to be great. Churros at night. Empanadas, fresh fruit cups and fresh squeezed orange juice.
• Los Burritos del Gordo – Avenida 15, between 10th and 12th at 10 bis. Great fish tacos and burritos. Owned and run by a Mexican who lived in California for 20 years and returned to Mexico. He ran out of money and sank everything he had into this small place and it is supposed to be excellent. He speaks perfect English. Look for red chairs and tables on the street.
• La Floresta –On the highway by the electric station (before Ave. Juarez), this open air local place is only open through late lunch. Only tacos of shrimp and fish, but they are fantastic! For 10 pesos each you get fresh seafood and awesome hot sauce. Wash it down with a cerveza and head for the beach.

Breakfast and Sandwich Shops

• La Cueva Del Chango- A must! - This place is a little out of the way but well worth it. Located on 38th Street, up one block from Shangri-La. Homemade granola served with fresh fruit and yogurt. Eggs with cheese and chaya (Mayan spinach) served with homemade tortillas. Fresh squeezed juices and great coffee. They are also open for lunch and dinner. 38th st between 5th ave and the beach. Hand-built by the owners with great funky style. Cool hippie-ish elegance. Perfect way to start the day.
• Java Joe’s- The best coffee and place to gossip with the locals. Breakfast and sandwiches. Bagels are flown in from Mexico City. If you have a Playa question, ask Joel or Ronnie and they will know the answer. Homemade grilled Italian sausage in the afternoons. 10th st between 5th and 10th ave.
• Hot Baking Company- Homemade breads and pastries, eggs and bacon, etc. Has two locations. (Calle Corazon) corner of 5th ave and 14 st. 10th st bwtween 5th and 10th.
• La Vagabunda – This attractive open air restaurant has been inconsistent for lunch and dinner, and seems to have lost its focus, but the breakfasts are hearty and good. Located on 5th Avenue between 24th and 26th.
• Food Carts at the Zocalo – Located on 5th Avenue and 2nd by the park. These carts are there in the morning and leave when they are sold out, usually before 11:00 A.M. Tacos and sandwiches (tortas) of pork, chicken, beef and shrimp, with great hot sauces. Go to the cart with the biggest crowd, telling you which is the best. Great breakfast for $2 to $3. And do not forget the fresh squeezed orange juice cart to wash them down. This is not to be missed, and to make you feel better, I never heard of anyone getting ill from eating there.
• Baguiz- Sandwiches and probably breakfast. 20th ave between 6th and 8th st.
• IL Mangiare- Delicatessen with sandwiches, bagels, coffee, etc. 5th ave between 28th and 30st.
• Nativo - Constitucion and 30th. Local place with excellent Chilaquiles. Well Recommended by locals.
• La Casita de los Guisos – Avenida 20 between 4th and 6th. Also very high on the local recommendations for chilaquiles for breakfast.

Places for Dinner or Big Lunch

• Media Luna- Newly redone, this place has a good reputation. All types of food: vegetarian, pasta, seafood. They also have great juices, drinks and sangria. 5th avenue between 12th and 14st.
• Babes Noodle Bar- An old standby on 10th Street between 5th and 10th Avenues. Also a new location on 5th Avenue between 28th and 30th. Many regulars swear by this Thai noodle bar, but after eating there three times, I find the food to be inedible and by far the worst Thai food I have ever eaten. They do have good mojitos, which may explain the different reviews by customers. Take your chances if you must have Thai food, but be warned.
• Chicago Don Jose – Very popular, but extremely pricy for Playa. Known for their excellent steaks (all imported USA beef), Chicago ribs, Lithuanian ravioli (I do not know what that is, but it garners raves). Located on 6th Street between 5th Ave. and 10th Ave.
• Tango Taco – Is really much more than tacos. This Argentine meat place on Calle 10 between Ave 10 and 15 has tasty grilled meats served many ways. Tacos and empenadas are great, but so are the dinner platters.
• Casa Mediterranea- Great pasta and fish. 5th ave between 6th and 8th st. (down a walkway across from lunata hotel) Many regulars swear by this place as consistent, fresh and delicious.
• Yaxche- (ya-shay) One of the nicest restaurants in town. Real Mayan restaurant with gourmet Mayan food. This is the only place in Playa where you will see many of their Mayan specialties. This place has won a bunch of awards. Check out their romantic garden in the rear. 8th Street between 5th and 10th.
• Manne’s Biergarten- German pub. Wednesday night is rib night and Friday’s is pork roast. Closed Tuesdays. 4th st between 10th and 15 ave. A full menu of Mexican and German favorites, Manne’s has been a regular favorite of the Playa regulars for years. Friendly with good beer.
• Playa Maya-This excellent boutique hotel on the beach between 6th and 8th is also a great place for breakfast or lunch. Fresh seafood, coconut shrimp, great guacamole and seviche. Playa Maya Hotel is also the consensus favorite small hotel on the beach.
• La Parilla- This is a really fun place to eat. They have Marachis from 8-10. Good Mexican food. Many regulars eat dinner here their first night in town. 5th ave between 8th and 10th (or 8th and 6th).
• Sol Food- New restaurant that is supposed to be very good. Vegetarian, meat, pasta, seafood. 8th St. between 5th and the beach. Also has a location on 5th Avenue at 22nd. Pricy.
• John Gray’s Kitchen- A must for that “special” dinner! - This small restaurant is located in Puerto Morelos, about 25 minutes north of playa. Take a taxi or car. John Gray, the owner, was formerly a chef at the Ritz Carlton in California. The food is wonderful and the setting is romantic. Hours are Monday-Saturday 6-10 pm. You can call for reservations, but not a must. 998-871-0665. Opened a location in Playa in 2005 off 5th Avenue at 14th. Pricy but excellent.
• Ah Cacaos- This is the place that serves only chocolate. Located on the corner of 5th Ave and Constituyentes. Best brownies ever!!!
• IL Duca- This restaurant is a transport from Rome (Frommer’s top 10 restaurants in Rome). Mussels flown in on weekends. 10th Street between 1st and 5th Avenues.
• La Tarraya – On the beach between 2nd and 4th Streets, this reliable restaurant gets consistent good reviews from the regular visitors who like the well prepared food overlooking the beach. The location is a great help, as it is right by the zocalo, so you are in the middle of everything.
• Bloody Chicas: - 4th Street between 25th and 30th. Sandwiches, comida corrida, specials such as fried chicken, a favorite of some of the Playa regulars.
• Carboncitas: - 4th Street between 5th and 10th. Dishes are supposed to be excellent. Tacos al pastor and grilled meats. In the tourist zone but cool. This place seems to make many regular’s favorite lists.
• La Baretta (Barbara’s Place) – Located on the corner of 26th and 5th Avenue, this is a local gathering place for the Italian residents and passers-by with good pastas and breakfasts. Excellent coffee, with an Italian flavor.
• El Asador de Manolo – This welcoming Argentinian grill is on 10th Street between 24th and 26th and serves delicious grilled meats, empanadas and Mexican specialties. The prices are reasonable and the service is good. (Note: A fire broke out here the first week of January, 2007 and did significant damage. Check to see if they are open before making plans.)
• La Fragata – This little hole in the wall is on 24th Street between 5th Avenue and 1st Avenue. Many locals come here regularly for the good breakfast and fresh food. Special dishes made every night are always excellent. Only a few tables on the sidewalk, so it is very cozy.
• Makkaroni - This very funky Italian restaurant looks like it should be a taco joint but reportedly serves good Italian food and friendly vibes. Found on 4th Street between 10th and 15th Aves, next to Manne’s Biergarten.
• El Oasis – This once highly regarded shrimp taco institution, located on 12th Street between 5th and 10th used to be on everyone’s must-do list. But since Jaime sold the place last year and they expanded to twice the size, the service has become perfunctory and the food has become less than memorable. It is still not bad and is now notable mostly for their incredible hot green sauce and terrific tamarind sauce for the seafood tacos.
• El Emporio – This is a Uruguayan parilla, in case you did not know that Uruguay has their own cuisine. I cannot tell it from an Argentine grill, but the food is delicious and the owners are friendly. Located on Calle 38 between 5th and 10th Avenues, it is worth the trip.
• Buenos Aires – Another excellent Argentine restaurant with tasty steaks and meats located on Calle 6 between 5th and 10th Avenues. Lunch and dinner, but it is cash only. (984) 873-2751.
• El Chino – Many regulars swear by this long standing Mexican food restaurant for its quality and good prices. This reviewer finds it only average in quality, but the atmosphere is the real old Playa. Cash only. Located across from Manne’s Biergarten on Calle 4 between 10th and 15th.
• Il Pescatore - This attractive Italian / seafood restaurant on 10th Avenue at 24th Street is fairly pricey, but the homemade pastas are excellent. The name would indicate that it is primarily serving seafood, but this would be misleading. Except for the excellent seafood soup, the kitchen has no talent for making properly cooked seafood. Stick to the pastas and avoid the interior tables on a hot night, because the stoves are behind you and you will be very uncomfortable.
• El Diablito (Cha-Cha-Cha) - On the corner of 12th Street and First Avenue, in the middle of the ****** corner Euro scene, this is a restaurant in the earlier hours that serves very good smaller plates of Japanese/Mexican fusion cuisine. Raw seafood dishes and fried rockfish standout, but they are all good, but a bit pricey, especially if accompanied by the $8 alcoholic drinks.