There are more and more complaints on social media that Los Cabos has become too expensive. At the same time, its reputation as a food lovers’ paradise has grown dramatically over the past few years. Gringo Gazette has decided that it is important to showcase local restaurants that provide good food and service at a reasonable price, from street food to fine dining. In each issue, three restaurants (one from each of the three towns) will be featured in print with an expanded review online. This issue focuses on seafood.
From our September 9 2024 edition
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Almost every Italian restaurant in Los Cabos includes pizza on their menu. There are lots of different styles – thin crust, thick crust, wood-fired, or oven-cooked. However, there are only a few truly pizza places in Los Cabos. In this issue we explore a few of those true pizza places.
Todos Santos: Pizzeria RomAntica. Pizzeria RomAntica is a delightful Italian restaurant on the corner of Militar and Zaragoza in downtown Todos Santos. Dining is in a walled courtyard surrounded by trees and plants. On a recent visit to the restaurant, we had the opportunity to meet Giorgio Cortellessa, the chef and owner. The first thing he did was ask me to tell him the name of the restaurant. He told me the capital A in the name was very important. The restaurant was named, Roma Antica – old Rome. He asked if we had tried the pizza, and we hadn’t, making me promise to try it on the next visit. The pizza is made with a special combination of six flours to create the unique flavor of the crust.
The menu at Pizzeria RomAntica offers a full range of Italian delights – from appetizers and salads to pasta and homemade pasta specials, main courses – fish, lobster, beef and about 30 different pizzas. On the first visit, Jerry and I started with a bottle of Chardonnay and the bruschetta. For pasta, Jerry selected the Rigatoni a la Norma and I chose the Bucatini Amatriciana. Both pastas were excellent with a good tomato sauce. Jerry had to have the Panna Cotta for dessert while I drank more of the wine.
On the next visit with Beth, we tried three different pizzas – Margherita, Vegetarian, and Dolce Vita. The Dolce Vita had prosciutto, mascarpone cheese as well as mozzarella and tomato sauce. The Vegetarian included mushrooms, zucchini, black olives, onions, artichokes and capers along with the mozzarella and tomato sauce. The crusts were thin on the bottom and fluffy around the edges. The flavor of all the pizzas was excellent.
The atmosphere at Pizzeria RomAntica is delightful, the service excellent and the food very good. Chef Giorgio, thank you for demanding that we try your pizza. It was excellent.
Cabo San Lucas: Wicked Pizza. Wicked Pizza is on Blvd Marina across from the Tesoro Hotel in Cabo San Lucas. Originally opened in 2009 by a couple from Boston who fell in love with Mexico, it moved to its current location in 2011. Wicked Pizza says, “We Make a Hell of a Good Pizza.” It is New York-style pizza with recipes from the North End of Boston (the Italian area). The restaurant makes its dough and tomato sauce fresh every day.
The restaurant is a true hole-in-the-wall style pizza joint with about six tables, a big screen TV for sports (the Olympic Opening Ceremonies were on when we were there), and a wall of Wicked Pizza branded merchandise. The menu provides choices of lots of different pizzas as well as a Make Your Own option with a base price of $220 mx. There are two sizes – medium (16″) and large (18″). Both are huge. The menu also offers a few sports bar-type items – wings, jalapeno poppers, meatballs, fries and some salads.
We ordered two medium pizzas – a Make Your Own with sliced tomatoes and a Veggie Pizza (without the broccoli and black olives). When they came, they took up two tables on their stands with a spatula to serve each. Beth, a New Yorker, folded her version of the margherita and started eating right away – but it was very hot. The Veggie Pizza was piled high with toppings and would have been even more so with broccoli and black olives. The crust was very crispy and the pizza was very good. The two pizzas could have fed eight people so we took a lot home with us.
The owners of Wicked Pizza have given back to the community from the start and now donate the proceeds of their “Pupperoni Special” on Tuesdays to local pet shelters. The atmosphere was fun, the pizza and service were great, and the prices were very reasonable (compared to most of the Italian restaurants in town). www.wickedcabo.com
San Jose del Cabo: Corleone Pizzería. While the United States may have Godfather’s pizza, San Jose del Cabo has Corleone Pizzeria. Using the stylized image of the Godfather and his altered sayings – “I’m gonna make him a pizza he can’t refuse,” The history of the Corleone family is on a large bulletin board inside the restaurant. Corleone Pizza is in the small plaza in the Hotel Zone with Le Bar, JJ Burgers and Salads, and Thrifty Ice Cream. Seating is outside on a built-in banquette and free-standing tables.
Corleone Pizzeria offers both red and white (no tomato sauce) as well as salads, antipasto, pasta and lasagna. They also have some good desserts. I had a craving for pizza and as this restaurant is relatively new, I decided to give it a try. I ordered a veggie pizza with extra mushrooms and without the spinach and black olives that are usually included. The thin crust was crispy and great, and the pizza was covered with green peppers, onions, tomatoes and mushrooms. The servers were attentive and friendly. I would definitely go back again to enjoy their pizza. www.facebook.com/corleonepizzerialoscabos
From our August 26, 2024 edition
Los Cabos has truly become a foodie’s paradise.
If you are thinking that all you will find is Mexican food, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. There is every type of food that you can imagine – Mexican, Italian, Japanese, American, Texas BBQ, Chinese, Indian, Greek, Mediterranean, Cuban, French and more. In this issue, we will be introducing you to some great choices of ethnic food available in Los Cabos.
San Jose del Cabo: El Grill
Located on the frontage road on the highway going south two blocks before Walmart (Valerio Gonzalez) is El Grill, a Greek and Mediterranean restaurant. The chef and owner Waleed is from northern Iraq and cooked in Cyprus, Greece and London before moving to Los Cabos. As you enter the main gate, the kitchen is on the right and the main dining area is under a huge palapa. A bar runs down the whole left side of the interior of the restaurant.
It is easy to see the Mediterranean influence as you look at the menu. From the appetizers – hummus, tapenade, tatziki, babaghanoosh, dolmades, spinakopita – to the main courses – shrimp, chicken and beef kabobs, special Greek fish preparations, moussaka, Thalassina with seafood. The menu also has pita pizza, vegetarian selections, pastas, steak, lamb and several salads.
We were recently there with new neighbors and ordered a variety of items from the menu. As appetizers, we ordered the Greek potato salad made with spinach, olive and capers rather than mayonnaise and mustard. Amanda ordered the spanakopita as an appetizer – phyllo dough with spinach and cheese inside. For main courses, Val chose the moussaka, Amanda ordered the Santorini – a shrimp dish with fresh vegetables and feta cheese, Beth ordered the chicken souvlaki – skewers with chicken and vegetables – which was served with rice pilaf. I chose the chicken with noodles.
The portions are large and flavorful. The service was excellent. The prices very reasonable.
https://www.facebook.com/elgrillrestaurant
Cabo San Lucas: Rich Taste of India
About 6 ½ years ago, Kapil and Priyanka moved to Los Cabos. Priyanka was interested in opening a restaurant. She started cooking and selling from home, then opened in a container park in Cabo San Lucas. In February last year, Rich Taste of India opened in their current location on Francisco Villa. They also opened in the food court in the Walmart Plaza.
The menu offers a full range of vegetarian and non-vegetarian appetizers and main courses as well as rice and breads. Everything is fresh every day. The vegetables and chickens are purchased in the morning, and the gravy preparations are done on the same day. We started with three different chicken appetizers – chicken pakoras, chicken samosa and a chicken roll. The chicken samosa came with two different dipping sauces, and was like a small, deep-fried taco of chicken. The chicken pakoras were small, battered chicken balls. The chicken roll was like a burrito in with chicken, peppers, onions, and some Indian spices. The flavors of all these appetizers were excellent.
For main courses, Bill ordered the Butter Chicken, and I chose the Chicken Korma. Both came in large bowls with gravy filling the bowl. We each chose our level of spice. The main dishes came with rice and naan – the Indian bread. The Chicken Korma has sliced peanuts and almonds in the gravy, which tasted almost like a peanut sauce. The flavor was amazing with just a touch of spice. Bill had some Rice Kheer for dessert, which is a hot rice cooked in milk with sliced almonds on top.
I was very impressed and will be back and will visit the food court location as well. Main courses $250 mx. https://www.facebook.com/richtasteofindia
Todos Santos: La Morena
Located on the main street of Todos Santos (Benito Juarez) on the block west of Hotel California is La Morena. Erik Castellanos and his Cuban chef wife run the restaurant and offer great food and service. The dinner menu includes appetizers, salads, main dishes with fresh fish, shrimp, pork, chicken and steak and even a vegetarian platter. There are also great desserts. When you are in the indoor dining area at the bar or the outdoor dining area in the patio (where the stage is for live music), you will see a menu of specials written on a large easel. The Cuban influence in the dishes is clear on the special board. Dishes like Cuban Pork Ribs served with rice and salad, Ropa Vieja – shredded beef service with plantains, rice, and mixed vegetables – and Fish Fillet in Chile Guajillo butter with rice and vegetables. Camarones a la Cubana are also on the menu. The spices on many of the items on the menu reflect the Cuban style of cooking.
My guest Mike chose the Cuban Pork Ribs, and I debated between the Ropa Vieja and Slow Cooked Pork and ordered the Slow Cooked Pork. Both came with rice and salads. My Slow Cooked Pork also had grilled plantain slices that were delicious. All at a very reasonable price. We added a Mango Margarita and a Santo Tomas Chardonnay to enjoy, while we waited and ate the chips and salsa that were offered as a starter. The food was very tasty and flavorful.
The food was great, the service excellent and friendly, the manager helpful and the entertainment among the best we had experienced in Baja Sur. Entrees mid $200 mx https://www.facebook.com/LaMorenaTodosSantos
From our August 12, 2024 edition
Breakfast is supposedly the most important meal of the day. In Los Cabos, there are lots of restaurants and hotels that offer elaborate brunches. Places like Flora Farms, Casa Martin, Torote Restaurant in Valle del Sol offer incredible brunches on Sundays and breakfasts on other days. Brunch prices in Los Cabos can range from $1,100 mx to $1,900 mx (or about $61 to $105 US). In Restaurants That Don’t Break the Bank, we search for local restaurants that have great food at a reasonable price. Here are some suggestions for your consideration.
Cabo San Lucas: Cabo Grill Shop El Tezal. Cabo Grill Shop is a family-friendly hidden gem in Los Cabos. The first thing that you see when you enter is the large cactus leading to an outdoor dining area. To the left is a very large play area for almost every age of kids – swings, slides, trampolines, and even a small climbing wall. At the back under the palapa is a ping pong table. The center of the outdoor dining area is dominated by their Shop, offering pastries, salsas, granola, and more homemade products for sale. The bar and another dining area are under the palapa, along with the kitchen. Chester, the owner’s English Sheepdog sat under the palapa overseeing the outdoor dining area.
Breakfast is served until 1 p.m. every day, except Sunday. The menu offers a wide range of traditional breakfast items – lots of egg dishes, waffles, French toast, breakfast sandwiches, pancakes, fruit bowls, and granola. However, several of the preparations are anything but traditional. I ordered the Shakshuka – poached eggs on fresh sourdough bread with avocado, lettuce, tomato, onions, carrots and mushrooms between the bread and the eggs. It was an incredible breakfast. Jerry ordered the Burrata Cheese Toast, which was also served on sourdough with a large piece of burrata cheese, salad and nuts (he was testing the breakfast for his wife who is vegetarian). Again, very impressive.
So, if you want something to do with your family for breakfast, it is available from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. with lunch starting at 1 p.m. and the full lunch and dinner menu available from 2 until 10 p.m., the Cabo Grill Shop is a great choice. The owners, Miguel and Barbara and their staff are great hosts. For more information visit them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/cabogrillshop/
Todos Santos: Caffe Todos Santos. Caffe Todos Santos is located on Centenario Todos Santos. This unique dining space played the role of Caffe Todos Santos in the morning and Tre Galline in the evenings. It is a favorite for many locals for breakfast. The restaurant has three different seating areas. In the front of Centenario is a seating area with a pastry bar at the front. Through the kitchen (or entered on the next street down) are three levels of dining.
We chose a table in the dining area near the entry from Avenida Legaspy. Our server greeted us, brought us the menu, and asked what we would like to drink. Beth ordered a cup of coffee and both of us ordered a fresh squeezed orange juice. The glasses of orange juice were clearly just squeezed and very large. Beth said that the coffee was very good. For our breakfast, Beth ordered a Denver Omelet without cheese. The omelet is served with hash browns and toast with butter and strawberry jam. I ordered the Huevos Al Gusto. In my case, this was Huevos a la Mexicana, which were served with refried beans and flour tortillas. Both portions were very large. I used the tortillas to make a few burritos filled with eggs and refried beans. On a previous visit, Beth had ordered a bagel with eggs and bacon, which was served with tomatoes and avocado. It was a great breakfast, excellent service, and a very pleasant atmosphere. The prices were very reasonable with entrees below $200 mx (about $11 US).
For more information about Tre Galline and Caffe Todos Santos visit them on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tregallinets/
San Jose del Cabo: Casa Azul
In our continuing search for great local places to eat, friends have repeatedly suggested that we visit Casa Azul on Paseo de Pescador right beside the CFE office in San Jose del Cabo. You can recognize it easily with its blue front (Azul) and large palapa that covers the restaurant.
The restaurant is huge with two levels under the palapa. My server came over after I sat down with the extensive menu. The breakfast choices include eggs in almost any way that you would like them, different omelets, chilaquiles and four different breakfast specials. In addition, you can choose from fruit, hot cakes, burritos, sandwiches, quesadillas, smoothies, and other items for your breakfast. You can select coffee, hot chocolate, sodas, fresh squeezed orange juice as well as other juices to drink.
I decided to have my favorite, Huevos a la Mexicana. The plate was huge with eggs, refried rice flour tortillas, and included some sweet plantains with icing sugar and toast. The flavor and portion size were amazing.
The portion sizes, the food taste and quality were excellent, and the prices were great. Most of the breakfast items are $200 mx or less (about $11.00 US). This is truly a great value and a local place to put on your list.
For more information about La Casa Azul visit them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/lacasaazulcabo
From our July 29, 2024 edition
Todos Santos: 5 Tacos and a Beer. Plaza Victoria, located on Camino Las Playitas in Las Tunas on the north side of Todos Santos, is home to several different restaurants, including Bonjour Madame, Bajavaria and 5 Tacos & a Beer. Open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. every day but Wednesday, 5 Tacos & a Beer are on the menu for $195 pesos. This small garden restaurant offers outdoor seating and fresh food at a reasonable price. Taco Tuesday includes specials and live music.
I recently visited just after they had opened to try the restaurant for the day. I decided to start with a Mezcalita, one of their specials, which came with chili salt on the rim. I watched the bartender shake the drink to mix all the ingredients.
Looking at the menu, I decided to try two of the tacos from the seven offered that were different than the traditional beef, el pastor or chicken. So, I ordered the pulled pork and the vegan taco, which came with mushrooms and tempura cauliflower. The tacos were served on blue corn tortillas and came with a few salsas to add spice if you liked. While I waited for the tacos, I enjoyed some guacamole along with my Mezcalita.
Miguel, the owner, came by to see how I liked the food. I had arrived just after opening time and he explained there was live music starting at 6:30 p.m. That was when I saw Ashbolt Stewart and Juan start to set up their instruments in the restaurant.
This local taco restaurant offers very good tacos and friendly service at a very reasonable price. Where else are you going to get 5 tacos and a beer for $195 pesos? I will be back to try out Taco Tuesday and its specials soon. Profile on Google at https://5tacostodossantos.com
San Jose del Cabo: The Hangman. Located in Chamizal, a block or so north of the highway in San Jose del Cabo, with an almost 30-year history in San Jose del Cabo, The Hangman is a favorite of locals – especially those who like spicy food. Walking in the front door, gives you a sense of the eclectic nature of the decor. Hanging from the ceiling and the walls is a treasure house of unique items – clocks, old carousel horses, tools, serving trays, tin advertising signs for a range of products and paintings. Above the host desk is a sign that says “Certified Junkologist.” The restaurant is family-owned and operated with Sergio (the father) still spending time in the kitchen, while Sergio (the son) works in the restaurant.
The reason that I indicated that people who favor spicy food love The Hangman starts with the incredible condiment tray that covers the whole middle of the table. Seemly innocent items, like small pieces of pineapple, will have you screaming for something to cool down your mouth. Even the small, boiled potatoes are spicy. Ask for suggestions on which ones are mild – there is one light avocado dip with no spice. The menu has a great selection of Mexican food – tacos, quesadillas, baked/mashed potatoes and even fondues and vegan and vegetarian specials.
If you like, your meal can start off with a cup of their bean soup, which is excellent. I usually order a potato with the special mushroom sauce that is normally served with pork in a quesadilla. Beth ordered the potato with steak and no cheese. The potatoes normally include cheese on top. Our friend Ethan ordered three different tacos – steak, beef fajita and chicken with tomato sauce. We were all delighted with our meals.
There is live entertainment every evening with a guitarist playing and singing American and Spanish hits. The service is always excellent and the prices very reasonable. This is a place that you don’t want to miss on a visit to Los Cabos. https://thehangmansurfandtacos.negocio.site/ or www.facebook.com/thehangmansurfandtacos
Cabo San Lucas: Bar Restaurant Campestre. Located in north Cabo San Lucas just before the highway to Todos Santos starts on Salvatierra s/n between Lopez Mateos and Camino al Faro is the traditional Mexican Restaurant Bar Campestre. This local favorite has been in business since 2001 owned and operated by a family that provides authentic Mexican food with good service at very reasonable prices. With indoor dining under a walled palapa, diners can choice from one of the three item daily specials – soup, a drink and a choice of main course for $160 pesos (or about $8.00).
We had tried to go several times before we finally succeeded. We had tried on Saturday (when they are closed) and a few times when the line up outside made it unrealistic to stop. Clearly a very popular local place, the regular menu offers appetizers (e.g., nachos, guacamole, soup, shrimp cocktail), salads, a children’s menu and main courses of fish, chicken, shrimp and steak. There is a large range of Mexican regulars from tacos and quesadillas to enchiladas, sopes, chile relleno and fajitas.
We started our lunch with guacamole that was added to the tortilla chips and salsas that had already been served. Beth ordered the chicken flautas, served with refried beans. Beth said they were very good and took two of the five to go. There were five large flautas. I ordered plain cheese quesadillas. Much to my surprise, there were three large flour tortillas filled with cheese, served with French fries, pico de gallo, refried beans and avocado slices – all for $95 pesos. They were huge and I took two of the three quesadillas home for two more meals!
The restaurant was doing an amazing business with tables filled and a very busy take-out business, with cars lined up out front to pick up their orders as we were leaving. If you want a great local Mexican restaurant experience, Restaurant Bar Campestre is truly worth a visit. https://campestrerestaurant.com/ or www.facebook.com/restaurantbarcampestreloscabos
Todos Santos: Pacifica Fish Market. There is a great little fish market and restaurant on the north side of Todos Santos on Calle Horizonte. The menu is posted outside the door with a sign saying to order before going to sit. The menu only offers seafood items with a few vegan specials. With two columns, one describes the specials – three tacos with different preparations of the fish and types of tortillas, burritos with fish, shrimp or vegan, fish and chips, or a fish plate and salad. The second column describes fish, shrimp, Pacifica or vegan tacos. You can choose corn, blue corn or flour tortillas and the fish Baja style, blackened or grilled. There are also a few sides. We ordered one fish plate with blackened fish and flour tortillas and one Baja fish taco and one vegan taco.
After ordering and paying, you walk back into a very pleasant outdoor dining area decorated with surfing and fishing items, including several mounted fish. The kitchen is at the back of the space and a semi-circular bar is at the back. We ordered a cucumber and a hibiscus margarita to start while waiting for our food to be delivered. Our order number was displayed on the table. The fish plate had four large pieces of snapper, salad, rice and beans. There was enough food for two people to share. The fish taco had two big pieces of fish with guacamole, chipotle mayo, shredded cabbage, pickled red onion and cilantro. The vegan taco replaced the fish with black beans and pico de gallo. The flavors were all very good and the service was quick and friendly. The market price on the fish plate was $400 mx – the most expensive item on the menu. www.instagram.com/pacifica_fish_market
Cabo San Lucas: Los Kurricanes Restaurant. Attached to Pescaderia (Fish Market) on Calle Alikan, Los Kurricanes offers all kinds of fresh fish dishes. The owners, Juan and Lupita, divide the responsibilities – Lupita runs the business and Juan catches the fish. The fish at the Pescaderia and on the menu at Los Kurricanes were caught overnight and are served fresh. Los Kurricanes only has about eight tables in a very pleasant space with a wall-long saltwater aquarium. But the menu is not small. Their cold bar includes sashimi, ceviche, seafood cocktails, and tostadas using all kinds of seafoods. The specialties menu has tacos, and skewers with different seafood, or steaks, chicken, and salmon are also available. However, their real special is their filet of fish. You can select the fish that you would like that is available in the Pescaderia, have it cooked in the style that you prefer, and choose from a series of sides (both hot and cold) that are available in the front of the kitchen adjacent to the dining room. You can even order complete packages to eat in or to go for two, four or eight people and pick them up 20 minutes after you order.
We started our meal with some octopus ceviche that was piled high on a plate with avocado slices, tomato, onion and more. Our main course choices included a whole fish, two filets of sea bass with a garlic butter sauce, with different sides and deep-fried shrimp. A plate of flan ended the meal. The food was delicious, the portions huge and the service excellent. Full fish dinners $320 mx. Every year, they have special, huge Christmas and New Year’s Eve packages to take out with appetizers, main courses, dessert and wine at great prices www.facebook.com/loskurricanes
San Jose Del Cabo: Kefish Seafood. New to the scene is Kefish Seafood Market. Taking over the space of Las Cazuelas del Don on Malvarrosa, two blocks north of the highway at the light before Walmart, Kefish Seafood Market is both a restaurant and a market. The two owners, Luis Lujan and Juan Carlos Montes, are dedicated to only serving fresh fish. With two sources, one a spearfisher, who provides them with their fish daily, they take the whole fish and filet it to get the exact cuts that they want each day. Kefish is open from 11:30 to 6:00 pm each day (except Tuesday) to ensure that the fish served that day has been caught and prepared on the same day.
The small outdoor dining area, with about 10 tables under fabric cover, has been nicely done with multi-colored tables. The menu is on a blackboard near the door and accessible from a QR code on the table. It offers both cold and hot appetizers, tostadas, sashimi, tacos and some special fish plates, all at a reasonable cost. On our recent visit, we selected the tuna tostada with mango, tuna sashimi, kampachi sashimi and Baja-style fish tacos on flour tortillas. The sashimi platters had eight pieces each along with garnishes. The tacos had two large pieces of curel (a type of kampachi) battered and deep fried with an amazing pico de gallo that included mango pieces. All the items were fresh, delicious, and with ample portions. The service was great. We even tried a special Mezcal from Oaxaca accompanied by sliced oranges with chili salt. Tacos were $55 mx and sashimi $220 mx. www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556095674558 www.instagram.com/kefish.seafood.market
