On a visit to Tecate, Baja California, I was hiking around town and marveling at the sights.  However, walking has a price, as you get hungry.  That's a good thing in Mexico, as it give you the opportunity to sample the local cuisine. So when I arrived at the corner of Av. Defensores de B.C. and Av. P. Elias Calles, I noticed a small, brightly painted restaurant called "El Vagabundo" and I knew that it was time for dinner.

El Vagabundo's full name is "Super Tortas El Vagabundo."  It's a small, typical open-to-the-street restaurant, painted a bright shade of blue, with a large sign in front that announces their menu, framed by Coca-Cola advertising.  Vagabundo's counter faces the street, so you can order directly from the kitchen without going inside, if you prefer.  Or, you can come on in, order your food, and sit down at one of the plastic tables.

 

Left:  El Vagabundo, at the corner of Defensores and Calles.  Note the kitchen window that faces the street for walk-up orders.  Right:  In the dining room, looking toward the kitchen.

El Vagabundo is a family operation, very typical of small Mexican restaurants.  Dad cooks, Mom cashiers, and chops veggies, and Daughter buses tables and does whatever needs to be done.  When you walk in, you place your order at the counter/kitchen with Dad.  Don't bother looking for a printed menu, as there isn't any.  Just ask for whatever taco or torta you want and if they have the ingredients in stock, they'll fix it for you.  I had a taco de tripa in mind, but they were out of tripe, a common occurrence (it's very popular in northern Mexico,) so I decided to settle for a couple of carne asada tacos.  Oh the choices that one has to make!  Don't bother with your English, as it isn't spoken at El Vagabundo.

While your order is being prepared, you can walk over to the cooler, open the door and grab a beer or a soda. That's one of the many things I love about small, Mexican restaurants is things are so informal.  There is no cash register, no computer; it's all on the honor system.  You NEVER pay for your meal until you're finished eating; if you attempt to do so before, it's considered an insult in Mexican culture.  By the way, while you're waiting, you can help yourself to chips and salsa.

 

Left:  The dining room.  Notice the stacked cases of beer and sodas, the hanging pans and the pots stored on the shelves.  Quaint!  Right:  A look into the kitchen as my order of tacos is being prepared.  The walk-up order window that faces the street is in the background.

The dining room is fairly small, with a half-dozen or so tables.  It's a local hang-out, as there are local newspapers around, real estate flyers and other reading material.  The rear of the dining room is used for storage, as there are cases of beer and sodas stacked up, 5-gallon bottles of water, cases of chips, a couple of refrigerators and more. They have constructed shelves for storage  on the walls, above the fridges, and have more cases of sodas, stock pots, pans and more stored there.  The decor of the place could be described as plain, or maybe "earthy," but, as in the case with all small, family-owned and operated restaurants in Mexico, spotlessly clean.  Of special note was the freshly-swept tile floor.  Try to find that in the U.S.!

 

Left:  I look into the kitchen, as I sit at my table munching on fresh chips and salsa.  Note the storage shelves. Right:  Two delicious carne asada tacos, with all the fixin's, ready to eat.  Simply delicious!

I ended up eating two carne asada tacos.  El Vagabundo is somewhat different than many Mexican restaurants I've visited, as you order the condiments that you want on your taco, and the cook garnishes them for you.  I asked the mom whey they do it that way, and she said for sanitary reasons.  No problema!  Anyway, I ordered the works: Sliced avocado, cabbage, tomato, cheese and the obligatory slice of lime.  Of course all of veggies were fresh, and locally grown, as per the norm in Mexico.  All for the sum of only $16.00, about $1.60 in U.S. dollars.

If you want a good meal at a great price, and a chance to observe local culture, pay a visit to El Vagabundo the next time you're in beautiful Tecate.