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September 17, 2006, found me paying a visit to beautiful Tijuana, in the Mexican state of Baja California, and I was doing my usual "thing," just walking around, enjoying the culture, taking lots of photos, and getting to know the locals. But after hiking around for several hours, and eating only a couple of fine tacos, enjoyed at Tacos Fitos, it was time for a more substantial breakfast.
Left: Loncheria "Anita's" on the corner of Av. Agua Caliente and Calle Union. Right: Pablo works the grill, as customers sit at the bar and watch his antics. I first sat at the bar, but soon moved to a table. At the corner of Av. Agua Caliente, and Calle Union, far from the tourist zone to the north, I found a restaurant by the name of Loncheria Anita's just by sure luck and the fact that I prefer to walk when I'm visiting Tijuana. Loncheria Anita's is located at the corner of busy Ave. Agua Caliente and Calle Union, in a very modest building, and it's a fabulous restaurant that's only know to the locals, as few tourists would dare to visit such an establishment. Naturally, Loncheria Anita's is open to the street, as are most small, family-owned restaurants in Tijuana. Anita's is owned by the Ramierez family, and its been in the same location since 1992. Pablo, the owner, chief-cook-and-bottle-washer, is a friendly sort of guy, and he keeps the front door always open during business hours, as the locals cruising "Agua" will stop, honk, wave and gesture, and Pablo will be quick to drop his cooking duties, run to the open door of the restaurant, and will chat, wave, or gesture at the person who just greeted him. I quizzed Pablo on this, and he said since he's been in the same location, what could be more friendly and natural behavior? It works for me.
Left: Pablo cooks my breakfast, as daughter Francis waits on the patrons, and busses the bar and the tables. Right: I manage to snap a photo of Pablo cooking beans, as Francis waits on another customer. You walk into Loncheria Anita's, and after greeting friendly Pablo and his lovely daughter Francis, you'll notice that Pablo is behind the bar, and he'll return your greeting with a smile, and as you seat yourself at the bar, facing the griddle/grill/bar, you'll actually be offered a printed menu of the food they offer, which is a rarity in a small, family-owned restaurant in Tijuana. Wow! I sat at the bar, and made my selection from the menu, but after making my selection, I moved over to a table. As I was thirsty, I asked Francis for a coke, and I was immediately rewarded with an icy-cold, large coke, for the small sum of MEX $8.00, and a glass of ice. From the printed menu I chose the meatless breakfast of two fried eggs, fried over easy (the preferred, and default style of fried egg in Mexico) hash brown potatoes, 6 warm corn tortillas, refried beans, and red and green salsa, for the price of MEX $25.00; a small amount over two U.S. greenback dollars. Not only do you get to enjoy delicious, reasonably-priced food at Loncheria Anita's, but you get to observe the bantering between father and daughter, and you get to watch the pseudo American Graffiti actions as the locals pause in front of the restaurant, honk, and naturally Pablo has to shirk his duties to rush out to greet his acquaintance, and to exchange a few pleasant greetings.
Photo: All of this food for a little over two U.S. bucks? Check it out: Corn tortillas, hash browns, fried eggs over easy, red and green salsa, and a bowl of refried beans topped with cheese. Not to mention, a delicious Mexican Coke. I cringe at the MacGarbage meals at twice the price of this delicious breakfast! If you want to savor delicious, inexpensive-priced food, free of tourists, in true Tijuana style, plan to visit Loncheria Anita's. It's located on Av. Agua Caliente, south of Av. Revolucion, a couple of miles south of the tourist mecca, and worlds away. Loncheria Anita's is the "real deal" when it comes to fine food, served for locals, and catered to the taste of the locals. Highly recommended. Loncheria
Anita's Copyright(c) 2007 eRench Productions, Inc. All rights reserved. This site has been on the web since December 22, 2002. Web page design has been created by eRench Productions, Inc., custon photography for any occasion...
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