Playa Bruja, Mazatlan's best Kept Secret

Nestled in the corner literally at the end of the road in Cerritos, Mazatlan Mexico, is a well-kept secret.
Playa Bruja (Witch Beach) is a local stetch of Pacific beach where surfer's flock every day for some of the best waves in Mazatlan. You'll notice an orange wall with a painted witch and the words "Restuarant Mr. Lionso Playa Bruja".

Follow the path around and you will enter a quaint open-air resturaunt with a view that looks like something out of a magazine.

Not only is the view breath-taking, the food is equally as extraordinary...and cheap!
Happy Hour is between 5-6pm and all drinks are buy one get one free.

Chips and salsa always accompany the beverage of coarse. Seafood here is hands down the best we had in Mazatlan. Huge shrimp, tacos, tortilla soup and fish are only a few things on this vast menu to choose from. You can get anything from a chicken taco to a 3 coarse meal and nothing on the menu is more than $8 USD.

There is usually a mariachi band performing, but its hard not to just gaze out and people watch on the beach thats right in front of you.

Off the beaten path and not mentioned in the tourist guides, Playa Bruja and Mr. Lionso's is definitely worth checking out. Even though we aren't in Mazatlan anymore, we always think back to those breathtaking sunsets and margaritas we shared at Playa Bruja.
see a video of the beach and the band here

Mega Tacos Has Mega...Everything

Everything's not just bigger in Texas, travel south of the border to Ciudad Juarez, Mexico and you'll find Mega Tacos, where everything is, well, mega. Of coarse, Ciudad Juarez really isn't on the top of everyone's travel list, many of us end up there by force, as this is where the United States has decided to open their Consulate.

So needless to say, Mega Tacos is located right next to the US Consulate. You can't beat the grilled carne asada tacos and salsa bar, and I swear its the only place in Mexico that offers free refills on soda. After being in Mexico for so long, our brat was in the mood for a cheeseburger. Naturally, we ordered the Mega Burger, seemed like the obvious choice. Here's what we got

Mega, yes it was (that would be a giant steak knife holding it together), it could've fed a family of 4. Good? After months in Mexico feeding on pollo y arroz and tacos, yes it actually was. Worth the risk of a trip to Juarez, probably not. However, if you are ever forced into visiting Mexico's warzone by the American Government, duck, cover, and run towards Mega Tacos.

Date Night - Midget Bullfighting

So you are in Mexico and want to experience some culture, but not sure you want to see the bloodbath of Bull Fighting, look for this entertaining alternative.



Midget Bullfighting. You won't even realize its on your bucket list until you experience it. We called it a perfect date night, dinner and a show. The hawkers are everywhere with everything from light up yo yos, duros and churros to cerveza and authentic mexican pizzas.

At first you aren't sure if you should be laughing at the little people, but soon it becomes clear that these are mexican superstars, not laughing is insulting. There was so much going on in the ring at one time, I felt as though I was stuck in someone's evil oompa-loompa nightmare. I needed a diversion, and quick, which brings me back to the mexican pizza. I, as usual, let my husband take the first bite. He's my Mikey, he'll eat anything.

As predictably expected, it was delicious. A Calzone crossed with a Panini, stuffed with everything except the bull. Ham, eggs, cheese, beans, onions, chorizo and that one elusive ingredient you can never identify in Mexican food slathered in a spicy red sauce. For $15 pesos (about $1.25) one was really enough for 2, but you know we ate 2 anyway. We could have just went to a resturaunt in tourist centro, but instead opted for a memory. Midget bullfighting,now we can say, ya, we did that!

Mexico on a Budget? Don't Forget the Grocery Store!

When traveling on a budget, never rule out the local grocery stores for a cheap, cooked meal. Soriana and Soriana Plus stores are the largest retailer in Mexico. Set up kinda like a Walmart, Soriana offers anything from groceries to household appliances and clothes.

At the deli, you will find some of the best fried chicken you'll ever have, complete with sides and biscuits, all for less than $4.00 USD. Salad bars loaded with pico de gallo and guacamole rock too, add a bag of chips and take it to your hotel or hostel cheap!

If you have a sweet tooth, don't miss out on the extensive bakery section that is found in many mexican grocery stores. For about 0.20 cents each you can try anything from a scrumptious pastry to something new like Pan de Muertos.

Soriana is also a great place to wonder around and try free samples. Don't forget to go to the spirits section, they are usually there handing out free shots!

Missing the Game in Ajijic? Go to Tom's Bar

So, its playoff time and life as dropped you in the small Mexican village of Ajijic, Mexico. Never fear, there is a gringo haven, even here! Located at Constitucion 32, a block from the lake, is Tom's Bar. Tom is your typical gringo who headed south with some cash and a dream, now you will find him with a beer in his hand in front of a widescreen TV, playing online poker in his bar/living room. (probably what he would've been doing if he stayed in the states)

Tom's has Canadian satelite TV, and NFL sunday ticket, so if there is a game or a race going on, you can see it here. He also has free Wi-Fi available for customers. If you get hungy, and his wife is there, you can get a great burger or if you're lucky, some awesome buffalo wings. Otherwise, satisfy your hunger with more cerveza and enjoy the game!