OUR TOP 10
RESTAURANT PICKS
by Annie, Roberta, Robert and
Bob A.
Wouldn't you just love to know
all our favorite eating places that most tourists haven't found
yet? OK, you twisted our arm, so we give! Here are some
of our faves, we can't let all our secrets out! These are in no
particular order of preference. (Your
welcome!)
1. Especias -- corner of 5th Street and 10
Avenue. Their Argentinian chef has created some of the
best dishes we've tried lately. The menu has a variety
of beef and steak dishes, which are very popular, but we also love
the chicken with cilantro. Very reasonable prices for food that you
would expect to pay much more for. Nice atmosphere
too.
2.
La Parroquia -- 10 Avenue between Juarez & 1st,
behind the square next to San Miguel church, upstairs. Not
exactly off the beaten path, but maybe you've walked by this place dozens
of times and not known it was there. This is a good Mexican cantina and
it can get a little crazy as the night goes on. Great local food at
local prices, fresh seafood, fajitas, and local Yucatan
dishes.
3.
Kelley's -- 10 Avenue between Salas and
1st. Owner Gene Kelley (yes that's his name) is originally from
Colorado but has lived in Coz for many years. Kelley got the
formula right -- court the locals with low prices, fantastic food that you
can't get anywhere else on the island, and a fun, friendly staff.
Where else in the Caribbean can you sit under a palm tree and have real
southern-style chicken fried steak? His Reuben sandwich is about
the best we've ever had. Also try the excellent curry dishes, Angus
beef and Manny's Irish pub grub. Live music every Friday
night, David and the band play some great rock, reggae
and blues...we'll see ya there!
4.
El Mercado -- corner of Salas and 25
Avenue. Not exactly a restaurant, but oh man, the food!
This is the local market where you can buy everything from fresh produce and
meats (hanging on hooks, not for the feint of heart), seafood (hold your
nose), to shoes, clothes, and your basic junk. Behind the produce and
meat section you will find an aisle with counters where you can get a variety
of local taste treats like a whole fried fish, tortas, tacos, and our
favorite...gorditas, a fried cornmeal pocket stuffed with chopped pork, onions
and cilantro...yummm, you gotta love that grease! Open only during the
day and the earlier you go the better, have breakfast or lunch
here.
5.
El Sitio -- 2nd Street, between 5 & 10
Avenue. This is nothing more than a lunch cart in a vacant lot,
but if you like fish or shrimp tacos, this guy makes the best. Only open
until about 12:30 or whenever they decide to stop cooking for the day.
Eating fish tacos for breakfast is normal around here, give it a try!!
Gringos beware of the salsa.
6.
Johnny Bravo's -- 15 Avenue between 3rd &
Salas. For beef lovers only! They got BEEF, no chicken,
no fish...they got BEEF! Delicious and tender arracherra (that's
beef!) tacos and Mexican platters. Open nights only -- until
very late, at least 2am or later.
7.
Los Otates -- 15 Avenue between 3rd & Salas
(next to Johnny Bravo's). This place has been here a long
time and for good reason. Tacos al Pastor are always a favorite as well
as the Pozole, which is a big steaming bowl of a pork stew with hominy, served
with toppings of shredded cabbage, chopped onion, cilantro and
spices. They have just about every kind of taco you can think of
and some kinds that you would never think of! Also open until very
late, we hear it's still open at 4am!!!
8.
Coffeelia -- 5th Street between
Melgar and 5 Avenue. More than just a coffee shop. Try their Dutch crepes, lots of
different flavors and combinations to choose from. Great lunch menu
features quiches, salads and sandwiches. Local prices. Open from
8am to 11pm, closed Sundays.
9.
Ninos Pizza -- 10 Avenue at 3rd Street. Tel.
872-4166. This is where the locals get their pizza, 'cause it's
good pizza and costs much less than any other pizza in
town. You can eat at their nice little outdoor restaurant on picnic
tables or they deliver.
10.
El Moro -- 75 Bis. Norte, between 2nd and 4th
Streets. Tel. 872-3029. El Moro has been around for
decades, famous for their fresh seafood (especially the lobster and fish)
and traditional local dishes. A huge menu, it's hard to decide
what to order but so far everything we've tried has been great. Try one
of their creamy soups. this place is a little hard to find on your
own if you've never been there, so bring a "local" buddy with you (any of us
will volunteer!) or take a taxi. Provecho!
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
How much deeper would the oceans be if
sponges didn't live there?
A
COZUMEL DOG STORY
Submitted by Diane
Cooper
My husband I and my 21 year old
stepdaughter Nicki were on our yearly diving trip to Cozumel. We have
been diving with Roberta for several years but this time is the first we
stayed at Village Tan Kah. One night my husband was sitting out in front
of our room with the door open. This brown dog just walked into our room
and climbed up on the futon where Nicki was laying reading, like he knew
her. Animal lovers that we are, we just laughed and Nicki
started petting him. We knew Roberta had a couple of dogs and this
one seemed at home so we thought it was hers. Well needless to say
the dog and Nicki fell asleep and her dad just shut the door and came to
bed. During the night I woke up to the sound of the dog drinking out of
the potty and then he went back and got in bed with Nicki. Well the next
morning my husband opened the door and the dog jumped down and took off down
the street. Nicki sat up in bed and said, "How used she felt he just was
looking for a place to sleep and didn't even say goodbye. We never
saw him again. We asked Roberta if it was hers and she said she had
never seen him before.
Ed. - Great story Diane! We have
not seen that dog again either, guess he was just passin' through. Our
current Village Tan Kah pet is now a very sweet and gentle black female dog
named Peso. But don't worry, she sleeps
outside!
THE SCUBA SHACK SKINNY...
There's always something going on at
the Shack and The Village. We are very excited to be hosting this
year's Longhorn Scuba Camp. Johnny Rob is bringing down 33 divers
in June, most of them teenagers. Johnny gets our vote for bravery this
month!
Next time you come to stay at Village
Tan Kah, you'll have some more rooms to choose from. Construction has
finally been started on 2 new rooms, they'll be large second story
rooms similar to 3 Musicians.
We are wanting to expand our
library and will gladly accept your used paperbacks. Throw a few in
your bag next time you visit. And Peso would love some doggie
treats...muchas gracias
amigos!!!