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Cafe de Olla

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garyrbeck
garyrbeck
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4 out of 5
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Editor Pick

Cafe de Olla

  • July 17, 2008
  • Rated 3 of 5 by Andariega from Boca de Tomatlan, Mexico
Cafe de Olla

You will immediately recognize Cafe de Olla by the long line winding down the sidewalk. It specializes in Mexican food, mostly the kind foreigners would recognize. Steak, seafood and barbequed meats are also offered. It has been many years since I have eaten dinner here. The food has always been quite good, the service decent and the surroundings, sort of old hacienda style, pleasant, but nothing is worth standing in that line for. The restaurant now opens for breakfast with the same cooks and staff but no lines. We had to go.

Just off Olas Altas, Cafe de Olla is in a convenient location. It was a pleasant morning. We sat at one of the two tiny tables out on the sidewalk. The waiter eventually noticed us and came over with the menu. It was typical – eggs offered a variety of styles, including traditional Mexican ways, pancakes, fruit plates and a handful of Mexican specialties like molletes and chilaquiles.

We ordered and were promptly served. I had the eggs with machaca – eggs scrambled with machaca (dried shredded beef), onions, tomatoes and poblano peppers. It was served with beans, panela cheese, fried bananas and tortillas. It was good, no more and no less. Salsas, as usual, were served with the meal. The salsa Mexicana – chopped onion, tomato, chile and cilantro – was average, but the red sauce was really good. Linda had toast and tea; what more can I say.

Our waiter, after the delay noticing we were there, was attentive and polite. The establishment is clean and comfortable. The food was as good as most restaurants in the neighborhood, although, a few doors away is Boca Bento, where the breakfasts are superb. I would be happy to eat breakfast at Cafe de Olla again but probably won't.

Sails said , "Yeah, the food is good but nothing is worth waiting in that line for."

sample menu
breakfast
Nopales con Huevo ............37 pesos/US$3.50
eggs scrambled with cactus
Omelet Cafe de Olla ............55 pesos/US$5.25
shrimp, bell pepper and mushrooms
lunch and dinner
Queso Fundido con Chorizo. ...........70 pesos/US$6.70
melted cheese with chorizo
Empanadas de Champiñon ............68 pesos/US$6.50
mushroom turnovers
Chiles Rellenos ............68 pesos/US$6.50
Chicken Fajitas ............110 pesos/US$10.50

Cafe de Olla is open Wednesday thru Monday from 9:00 am until 11:00 pm. Credit cards are not accepted.

Directions - Cafe de Olla is on Basilio Badillo between Olas Altas and Pino Suarez. From the southwest corner of parking/plaza Lazaro Cardenas (the ocean is to the west) head south along Olas Altas for one block, go left on Basilio Badillo a half block. The restaurant is on the right.

From journal Romantic Mexican Dining

Café de Olla

  • January 21, 2005
  • Rated 4 of 5 by garyrbeck from San Francisco, California
Open 9am to 11pm; Closed Tuesday, September 15 to October 15, and some holidays.

This is a family-run spot that, for years, has seen their place expand - overhead fans were added and prices have risen. It features large inside trees and whimsical artwork, many times for sale. It is a great stopover for simple authentic Mexican fare in addition to clay pot cinnamon coffee, breakfast chilaquiles, barbeque, a Mexican combo platter for 105p, a huge seafood platter for two people for 430p, octopus in garlic for 90p, steaks for 165p, carne asada for 88p, ribs for 95p, chiles rellenos for 63p, tacos or tostadas for 60p, the best combo enchiladas for 68p, chicken for 85p, pork tamales in a banana leaf for 38p (Mindy loves them), twice-baked potatoes from the outside grill for 15p, tasty tortilla soup for 40p, and guacamole for 40p. Meals include good crispy chips, salsa fresca, and a nopales [cactus] salad. It is loud and busy in high season, with long lines that move quickly and are sociable! No reservations or credit cards.

Gary's guide...
garyrbeck1@yahoo.com

From journal Gary's Puerto Vallarta Travels

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