Address: Carretera Poniente #162
Phone: (376) 766 3437 Cell 331 395 3810
Beginning Feb 2, 2014 Wednesday - Saturday 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Breakfast: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Lunch/Dinner: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
5 p.m. - 8 p.m. Hamburgers, Phillys, Salads, Specials
Facebook: facebook.com/azul-frida
Email: [email protected]
Directions: From Walmart, head west on the Carretera approximately 2 kilometers, through Ajijic. Turn left on Rio Bravo and then immediately turn left again onto the "lateral". This cobblestone road runs parallel to the Carretera heading back east. You will pass Yves Restaurant on the right, and then arrive at El Azul de Frida, just before the lateral Road Dead Ends. There is parking on the lateral in front of the restaurant.
Our first impression of El Azul de Frida was by word of mouth, which as we know, is the best advertisement for any business. Go there for great fish, we were told by friends on a local forum. So we took their advice, looked up the address and made plans to visit this restaurant on our way home from a shopping trip to Jocotepec.
We jumped off the bus at Calle Rio Bravo, on the western edge of Ajijic. This is where the local bus turns south towards Ajijic, off the Carretera.
Still unsure of just exactly where El Azul de Frida was located, we walked east on the cobblestone road that runs parallel to the Carretera. We passed Yves Restaurant and walked a short distance further until we came to the brightly colored café, located just before the road dead ends.
How had we missed this orange, blue and green building with the huge sign that announced, El Azul de Frida? A few tables with umbrellas on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant lets you know that they are open for business.
The menu had a nice selection of creative beef and fish dishes that I have never seen before in any local restaurant. Two daily specials were advertised on a white board and also explained in detail by our waitress.
We chose two fish dishes, the special, which was a lightly breaded fish filet with corn cream sauce and breaded fish filet with walnut sauce. These were both accompanied by steamed mixed vegetables, rice and a basket of handmade tortillas.
All entrees include a large bowl of the soup of the day served with fresh, warm buttered bread. We were served a delicious bowl of vegetable cream soup. Our entrees arrived steaming hot from the kitchen and were both very good.
After we had finished our entrees, the waitress offered us the choice of two different desserts included with the meal, a jello-like mousse sprinkled with crushed nuts or rice pudding. We chose one of each. These were simple, light not too sweet bites that were a pleasant finish to the meal. El Azul de Frida offers beer, mixed drinks and a large selection of non alcohol drinks.
While we were finishing our dessert, another couple arrived and ordered the alternate special of the day, Charmorro, a pork dish wrapped in banana leaves and steamed. This is the specialty of the house.
It looked and smelled amazing and we asked them as we left if it was good, and they confirmed that it was, indeed, delicious.
There is a game room in one of the dining areas in the back of the restaurant, with a foosball table and a pool table. A screened area behind the main dining room has games for families with children.
Tables are covered with colorful vinyl and topped by red umbrellas. Soft Mexican music is playing in the background.
The bathrooms are in an area just outside, behind the fountain. They are old, yet very clean. There are separate restrooms for hombres and mujeres, which I appreciate.
You can see into the kitchen area where food preparation takes place and it appeared to be very clean. It is apparent by the décor, the games and the menu offerings that the owners hope you will come in, bring friends and family, and hang around for a while. No one is snatching your plate the moment you are done or rushing you out the door at El Azul de Frida.
The pork special, Chamorro, was listed at $90 pesos, but when it came out of the kitchen we knew why - it was huge and wrapped in steaming banana leaves. We are trying this dish the next time we go to El Azul de Frida.
The drink special, margaritas, were two for $50 pesos. El Azul de Frida is truly a bargain for excellent quality meal.
Phone: (376) 766 3437 Cell 331 395 3810
Beginning Feb 2, 2014 Wednesday - Saturday 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Breakfast: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Lunch/Dinner: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
5 p.m. - 8 p.m. Hamburgers, Phillys, Salads, Specials
Facebook: facebook.com/azul-frida
Email: [email protected]
Directions: From Walmart, head west on the Carretera approximately 2 kilometers, through Ajijic. Turn left on Rio Bravo and then immediately turn left again onto the "lateral". This cobblestone road runs parallel to the Carretera heading back east. You will pass Yves Restaurant on the right, and then arrive at El Azul de Frida, just before the lateral Road Dead Ends. There is parking on the lateral in front of the restaurant.
First Impressions
| Entrance to El Azul de Frida |
We jumped off the bus at Calle Rio Bravo, on the western edge of Ajijic. This is where the local bus turns south towards Ajijic, off the Carretera.
Still unsure of just exactly where El Azul de Frida was located, we walked east on the cobblestone road that runs parallel to the Carretera. We passed Yves Restaurant and walked a short distance further until we came to the brightly colored café, located just before the road dead ends.
How had we missed this orange, blue and green building with the huge sign that announced, El Azul de Frida? A few tables with umbrellas on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant lets you know that they are open for business.
Menu
There was only one couple eating at El Azul de Frida when we arrived on a Thursday afternoon at about 2:00 p.m. We chose a table in a cozy corner and the waitress appeared immediately with chips and three kinds of salsa and took our drink order.The menu had a nice selection of creative beef and fish dishes that I have never seen before in any local restaurant. Two daily specials were advertised on a white board and also explained in detail by our waitress.
We chose two fish dishes, the special, which was a lightly breaded fish filet with corn cream sauce and breaded fish filet with walnut sauce. These were both accompanied by steamed mixed vegetables, rice and a basket of handmade tortillas.
All entrees include a large bowl of the soup of the day served with fresh, warm buttered bread. We were served a delicious bowl of vegetable cream soup. Our entrees arrived steaming hot from the kitchen and were both very good.
After we had finished our entrees, the waitress offered us the choice of two different desserts included with the meal, a jello-like mousse sprinkled with crushed nuts or rice pudding. We chose one of each. These were simple, light not too sweet bites that were a pleasant finish to the meal. El Azul de Frida offers beer, mixed drinks and a large selection of non alcohol drinks.
While we were finishing our dessert, another couple arrived and ordered the alternate special of the day, Charmorro, a pork dish wrapped in banana leaves and steamed. This is the specialty of the house.
It looked and smelled amazing and we asked them as we left if it was good, and they confirmed that it was, indeed, delicious.
Ambiance
Original artwork covers the walls of the café, giving it the feel of a small gallery. El Azul de Frida is artsy, and yes, funky, with bright colors, clean and inviting dining spaces with an al fresco atmosphere created by the vine covered screened walls, potted plants and tables topped with red umbrellas.There is a game room in one of the dining areas in the back of the restaurant, with a foosball table and a pool table. A screened area behind the main dining room has games for families with children.
Tables are covered with colorful vinyl and topped by red umbrellas. Soft Mexican music is playing in the background.
The bathrooms are in an area just outside, behind the fountain. They are old, yet very clean. There are separate restrooms for hombres and mujeres, which I appreciate.
You can see into the kitchen area where food preparation takes place and it appeared to be very clean. It is apparent by the décor, the games and the menu offerings that the owners hope you will come in, bring friends and family, and hang around for a while. No one is snatching your plate the moment you are done or rushing you out the door at El Azul de Frida.
Service
Service is excellent. Our waitress was friendly and informative. The art on the wall is the work of her brother, who also has a gallery in Edinburg, Texas. This is obviously a family run restaurant and they really want you to feel at home.Price
Every entrée on our menu was priced at $70 pesos, and that was for an entire meal that includes soup, entrée, side dishes, homemade tortillas and dessert.The pork special, Chamorro, was listed at $90 pesos, but when it came out of the kitchen we knew why - it was huge and wrapped in steaming banana leaves. We are trying this dish the next time we go to El Azul de Frida.
The drink special, margaritas, were two for $50 pesos. El Azul de Frida is truly a bargain for excellent quality meal.
