Seldom are my meals at a Sanborns particularly memorable, but they've always been reliable. Depending on their location, they serve as a place to have a quiet and comfy seat (in a mall, for example), find relief from the heat, and/or to pick up books, magazines, maps, postcards, etc. In some locations the ambience is a combination of the atmosphere at Denny's, Sears, and Starbucks.

I did have an interesting Thanksgiving turkey dinner at the Sanborns in Col. Lindavista (northern part of el D.F.) on year at my local niece's instigation. All I could think of was that turkey would be better served (on either side of the border) in a classic mole sauce.

La Casa de los Azulejos has the oldest Sanborns in the chain (I believe), and it is worth the time checking it out for its tile work, especially if you're anywhere nearby.

Sanborns is a nationwide chain of family restaurants with a shop attached. The restaurants offer both traditional Mexican dishes, as well as some Tex-Mex and international fare. The shops sell books, magazines, CDs, electronics, as well as sweets and usually a pharmacy and ATM are located inside the stores. The range of English books and magazines depends on the specific location.

As chains of family restaurants go, this isn’t a bad one and we frequent them on every visit. The food is generally tasty and reasonably priced. The selection available is vast, so there is something for every taste and occasion. Breakfast is served until 1pm and can be a full Mexican or American breakfast or lighter stuff such as hot cakes and waffles or yogurt and muesli. Most of the food is traditional Mexican and full meals include the traditional pasta or rice dishes served as starters to a meat main course. Lighter fare such as enchiladas and tacos as well as true Tex-Mex fajitas and burritos are also available. Various international options such as sandwiches and burgers are also available to make it a true family restaurant even for foreigners with picky children. A range of cakes is on offer to round off a full meal or to enjoy with coffee only. If you come for the latter only, it is considered good form NOT to help yourself from the breadbasket that usually arrives with the menus.

Sanborns always have fresh flowers on each table and always a combination of red and white -- usually carnations. According to tradition, the original owner was told that his enterprise would prosper as long as red and white flowers appear together on the tables. The waitresses wear colorful traditional Mexican dresses and service is usually good. Décor varies by location.

The first Sanborns was opened in the Casa de Azulejos in the Centro Histórico and it still occupies this building. The location is superb and the décor here fantastic consisting of centuries old tile mosaics. Although you could probably find better restaurants in the center of Mexico City going to Sanborns here is not a bad choice. The food is good and reasonably priced and you are assured of both Mexican and more international food. Also lunch in Mexico can be a leisurely affair taking easily two hours so service in many restaurants can be slow for the simple reason that most patrons are in no rush. However, if you don’t want to waste daylight sightseeing hours on lunch, you can be in and out of Sanborns in 20 minutes.

Furthermore, and frequent visitors to these shores can confirm the importance of the following: I’ve been sick in Mexico City many times, but never has a meal in Sanborns been the prime suspect.

La Casa de los Azulejos Francisco Madero 73-7 Tel: 5510 3748

Sanborn's is a restaurant within a deparment store. Such eateries are not typically known for their dining experiences, but Sanborn's is a Mexico City exception. We ate breakfast at the Sanborn's in the Centro Historica district. They have about every kind of fresh-squeezed fruit juice you can imagine. I had guava, papaya, and orange juice all mixed together. And then I had my new favorite dish: chilaquiles. All in all, a very good meal.

Sanbourn's is like the Denny's of Mexico, but better. The restaurants are large and very inexpensive. I ate here various times and the service was decent. I had quesadillas one time and tacos another. They are open fairly late (maybe all night, I can't recall). I wouldn't say the food is 'typical' Mexican, but it is tasty enough if you want a quick meal.