Address: Carreterra Pte #162, Ajijic,  - located on the Lateral Road
Telephone: 766-3437
Hours: 12am to 9pm, Tuesday through Saturday. Closed Sunday.
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Cash only; No Credit Cards Accepted
Reservations Recommended; Now featuring live music.

Directions: From Walmart, drive west on the Carretera approximately 2 kilometers, through Ajijic. Turn left at Calle Rio Bravo,  and then make an immediate turn left onto the cobblestone lateral road that runs alongside the Carretera.  You will pass Yves Restaurant on the right, and then arrive at Just Chillin, just before the lateral road dead ends. There is parking on both sides of the lateral road in front of the restaurant.

See end of article for live music schedule



Just Chillin: Picture by M Slater

First Impressions

Just Chillin Bar and Grill rose to life in the ruins of El Azul de Frida, a nice little café that just never did catch on. But, unlike its predecessor, Just Chillin has discovered the key to getting customers in the door.

We knew something was different when we entered the restaurant and the hostess asked if we had reservations. Was she serious? The dining room was only partially full at the time, but she quickly found a table for our party in the back dining room. It wasn't long after we arrived that the restaurant began to fill with gringos - and everyone seemed to know one another. In fact, we even recognized people we knew.

A television is situated over the bar and tuned to a sports channel. Classic rock, country and reggae music plays in the background. The local crowd is happy, boisterous and clearly pleased to have a place to meet with friends. Lake Chapala is a socially active place - even those who have never been so inclined before suddenly have a very busy social life. Just Chillin Bar and Grill has tapped into this phenomenon with much success.



Just Chillin Nachos - a Half Order: Picture by M Slater

The Menu

Just Chillin Bar and Grill characterizes themselves as a traditional American and Mexican eatery and they definitely pitch their service to the expat customer.

The menu offers salads as starters, and a variety of traditional pub grub, including hamburgers prepared in several styles, a selection of tacos, fajitas,  pork chops and even pasta. (Fish tacos have just been added to the menu, two for $70mx. This from a friend who has eaten there recently.Nachos have been replaced with the best fish & chips and fish tacos in town! Prices are inexpensive, for large fish tacos with generous cole slaw and no skimping on ingredients and family owners and staff are the sweetest people you'll ever find. We always enjoy our meal, conversation w friendly staff & over all experience.) Just Chillin has a full bar with prices that are probably the lowest we have seen in the Lake Chapala area. The price to drink at Just Chillin is  moderate  cheap - wine, 20pesos and beer just 16pesos. Maybe this is the key to drawing in the crowds.



Shrimp, Chicken and Spinach Tacos: Picture by M Slater

We decided to start with nachos. The waitress warned us of the extra huge serving size of the Big Papa Nachos, even for sharing among our table of four, and suggested we order the "baby nachos."

This was wise counsel as even the baby nachos were almost too much for the four of us to finish.
My companion, a local sports writer, and I ordered shrimp, chicken and spinach tacos to share and our friends ordered a hamburger and French fries and spaghetti dinner.

The serving sizes are generous, to say the least, and the food tasty and satisfying. The meals at Just Chillin Bar and Grill are not gourmet. This is simply large portions of properly prepared comfort food served in a noisy, friendly atmosphere.

Service and Ambience

Hamburger and French Fries: Picture by M Slater

Just Chillin Bar and Grill reminds me of those many corner pubs in Wisconsin neighborhoods, places where friends gather at long tables to talk sports and politics, drink cheap beer and eat giant portions of satisfying food.
This is not the place for a romantic evening or pondering world events over a fine brandy -but, it doesn't pretend to be. This is as close to a working class bar as you are going to get at Lake Chapala and the formula seems to work.

Our waitress was friendly, happy and informative. She checked on our table often to make sure we had enough to eat and drink. The price of our meal was extremely reasonable. You can afford to visit Just Chillin Bar and Grill again and again without busting your budget.

Our Recommendation ****

Just Chillin Bar and Grill serves traditional American and Mexican food in a pub-style atmosphere. Their inexpensive comfort food and down-right cheap drinks are about the best deal in town. If casual, friendly service and a place to meet friends is what you are looking for, then there is no better place to find it than at Just Chillin Bar and Grill. We recommend that you call for a reservation and make sure to bring cash. Credit cards are not accepted.

Live Music Schedule .