Very cold and very hungry, we shivered our way to the hotel door. Our toasty room, with its fireplace and blanket-covered beds, was a few steps behind us. A restaurant that had been recommended to us was just across the street. Being creatures of habit, we scuttled across the road.
An elegantly dressed waiter opened the door, took a good look at us, and asked us to please wait. We had assumed that, like most restaurants in the area, dress was casual. A quick glance around the room, while very clean and pleasantly lit, did not give the impression of a dress code, although maybe I should have worn shoes. The smiling waiter promptly returned and seated us back in a dark corner. After a few awkward questions, we were assured that our attire was not inappropriate. The waiter, speaking in hushed tones, explained that there was a secret meeting of the neighborhood cofradia (brotherhood), and he had asked permission to let us in. I guess we didn’t look to be likely spies, even though the obnoxious tourists inside us were rearing their ugly heads we thought. We didn’t snoop, stare, or take pictures.
We were brought the menus, drink orders were taken, and we were generally fussed over. I don’t think I have ever had such an attentive waiter. He was eager to please in a very sweet way, never overwhelming.
The menu offers an ample assortment of the usual dishes and prices are reasonable. A full breakfast runs from 18 to 25Q. There are three soups to choose from for 9 to 12Q and also three salads from 25 to 30Q. A huge array of sandwiches and some pizzas are offered for 15 to 45Q. There are about 15 main meat dishes, most being beef with the exception of the fish filet and the pork chops, for 20 to 55Q, which come with soup, salad, rice, and bread.
I ordered the milanesa (breaded beefsteak) and Libby, the pork chops. Our soups were quickly served and were hot, delicious, and very comforting. Our main courses soon followed. Everything was good; nothing was great. The portions were average. We finished off dinner with the fried bananas, which were very good.
Just after dessert, the waiter moved us to a window seat. The cofradia had left the building. A crowd began to grow outside; soon we had to stand to see out the window. All of a sudden 20-foot kings and devils appeared and wandered off towards the plaza with the crowd following. Soon we did the same, no longer feeling the cold, to see the celebration, but that is another story.
Tziguan Tinamit is on Av. 5, 2 blocks north of the plaza and across from the Hotel Chugüila.