Description: It was the first real day of my road trip; I was in Ajijic to pick up Libby. I wanted to go sightseeing. I figure the best way to start a day seeing the sights is with breakfast on the plaza. Tepalo Restaurante fit the bill. It is a long, narrow building, with little decoration, red and green tablecloths, and sturdy wooden chairs. Filled with mostly locals—about half North American expats and half nationals—only two of the 15 or so tables were empty. We chose the one with the best view.
The busy waitress eventually got around to us, brought us menus, and promptly brought our beverages. We had ample time to study the menu waiting for her return. With the exception of the hamburger steak, covered in gravy, served with mashed potatoes (a nod to the foreign community), mostly Mexican fare was available, as we had hoped. Hotcakes, egg dishes, chilaquiles, and a few meat dishes, ranging from 20 to 30 pesos (US$2 to $3), were offered for breakfast. The lunch/dinner menu was varied, with light meals like sandwiches, quesadillas, burgers, tacos, and burritos costing between 15 and 30 pesos. More substantial meals, such as rotisserie chicken, milanesa, pork chops, chile rellenos, shrimp, and fish, ran between 30 and 70 pesos, most closer to 30 than 70. Soups and salads were also available. Eventually the smiling waitress returned, apologized for making us wait, and took our orders.
I had the combination plate—
chilaquiles (fried tortilla strips, simmered in a red chile sauce, topped with cream, cheese, and onion),
carne con chile (chunks of pork meat simmered in a red chile sauce), and refried beans. It was all good, the carne con chile was especially tasty. Libby had the torta Tepalo—judging by the take-out orders we had seen during our wait, the house specialty. It was a sandwich, made on a French roll, filled with bacon, ham, steak, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado, and jalapeños. It was great. Libby returns often for the torta Tepalo. As we were getting ready to leave we saw a Mexican plate go by—enchiladas, chile relleno, steak, rice and beans. It looked great; I know what I'm having next time.
Sample MenuChilaquiles Verdes.........27 pesos (US$2.60)
Fried tortilla pieces simmered
in a green sauce topped with
diced onions, crumbled cheese,
and sour cream
Carne con Chile...............30 pesos (US$2.85)
Chunks of pork simmered
in a red chile sauce
Lonche Especial Tepalo...26 pesos (US$2.50)
Bacon, ham, beefsteak, and cheese
topped with lettuce, tomato, onion,
avocado, and Jalapeño served on
a French roll
Milanesa de Cerdo............46 pesos (US$4.40)
A thin pork steak, breaded
and fried, served with
salad and rice
Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
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