A Brief Guide to Eating in Northern Baja California

Traversing the Border for Some Amazing Food Baja Food

Written By: Jonathan DeLise A Brief Guide to Eating in Northern Baja California Baja Food

There’s clearly something about the milieu of border cities that is a lure. Partially, it’s the international aspect, but it’s also the fact that migration to-and-from locations adds depth, culture and personality to a space.  Consequently, you can sometimes see a great variety in food in places like Tijuana, in the state of Baja California, Mexico, right across the border from the suburbs of San Diego. Today, we’ll check out a few different—though mostly local— meals sampled in Tijuana and its southerly neighbor of Puerto Nuevo, part of the “spring breakish” beach resort called Rosarito.

Obligatory disclaimer: When traversing Tijuana, it goes without saying to take safety precautions. Don’t wander around lugging one of those gold bullion vending machines on your back, and just be cognizant of your surroundings and you’ll be fine.

 

Let’s move on to the food:

Visit Don Paco Carnes en Su Jugo for flautas or tacos enrollados (rolled tacos, this time, filled with chicken) with guacamole, grated cheese, crema and lettuce. Starting off with an appetizer that will already leave you full. ¡Qué bueno!

Blvd Gral Rodolfo Sánchez
Taboada 10737, Zona Urbana Rio Tijuana
22014 Tijuana, Baja California
52 664 634 2740

Native Knowledge: Keep an eye out for the Flautas El Güero truck. The truck is typically parked at this location:

Av. Río Yaqui S/N
Zona Río
22015 Tijuana, Baja California
52 664 607 2795

 

A tamal with salsa verde.  Be sure to try a champurrado (chocolate drink with corn flour), whenever possible. The tamales from La Elotería are a fan favorite.

La Elotería
Calzada Ermita Nte 27
Col. Santa Cruz
22105 Tijuana, Baja California
52 664 104 5310

 

Bratwurst grilled on an open flavor is so delicious, locals refer to it as “Mexican caviar.” For some pretty stellar grilled meats, check out Los Perrones, they use a wood-fired grill to get their meat perfectly charred.

Los Perrones
Blvd. Sánchez Taboada S/N
Col. Zona Río
22625 Tijuana, Baja California
52 664 688 0410

 

Curious about the history of tacos al pastor?  You can thank eastern Mediterranean immigrants for this picture. Mexico has a rich history, dotted with tons of international influences. Be sure to try some of these delicious tacos—called adobada tacos in Tijuana—at one of city’s many taco stands. We recommend:

Tacos el Franc
Zona Centro Calle 8 S/N
22000 Tijuana, Baja California
52 667 142 2955

 

Tacos de pescado y un taco de camarones (fish tacos and a shrimp taco)—one of the primary gastronomic reasons foodies visit TJ. Ok, they are fried, but you can compensate for that fact by walking to and from the border crossing.

Taqueria La Barca de Guaymas
Calle 10 y Revolucion Col. Ampl.
Reforma Ensenada
Calle Diez, Ensenada, Baja California

 

Puerto Nuevo’s main draw is the langosta, in the lobster family. Enjoy langosta burritos, margaritas and fresh guacamole at one of the city’s many food stands. Try Villa Ortega for fresh lobster with stunning ocean views.

Villa Ortega
Barracuda 77
22710 Puerto Nuevo, Baja California
52 66 161 40706

 

Dessert time. The bricks flecked with (and without) pecans are called jamoncillo (de leche), aka Mexican fudge. In Madrid, you might eat churros with hot chocolate, but in Tijuana, you eat them standing behind traffic-choked lanes bound for San Ysidro.  These super-sweet sweets are another reason foodies like crossing the border, and as an added bonus, they were encanelados, filled with cinnamon cream.

Take a taste tour of Baja California

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