Yes, we were on yet another trip. This time for nine days. I realize that I'm waaaay behind on my travel posts, like 5 trips behind! Heck, I haven't even started posting on our last road trip yet. I also realize that I'm kinda mixing and matching travel posts and have gotten two emails from folks saying how confusing it is for them. For this, I apologize. I am trying not to mix trips on consecutive days, so hopefully that helps!
As for this last trip, well, we started in a familiar locale, one of our favorite cities. And wanting to start things off on the "right foot", went to an old standby of ours.
We did stay at different accommodations this time. We loved our "suite", though it was quite hot, and the place had no A/C.
The staff was wonderful, and there was even an official snorer "greeter" on site at all times!
We did two amazing tours here. One was a private historical tour combined with eats. We have been to the historical center of the city several times; but we did learn a lot and visited some places we would never had found on our own.
We also had our favorite tacos of the trip on this tour.
The second was a small group (4 people) tour of the largest market in the city. Our guide was a former chef/caterer who was simply amazing! And we got to try some interesting eats as well!
Our next stop was the city with the third largest metropolitan area in the country. It's also home to some iconic dishes, which of course, we got to try.
We also did a private food tour one day and a fantastic walking tour of the city the next.
We also had our two favorite dinners of the trip here as well.
Our next stop is famous for its namesake agave spirit.
We loved the friendly, laid-back vibe here. Folks were warm and kind….and yes, it was indeed warm with temps in the triple digits when we visited. It was nice to be ensconced in a wonderful five-star hotel in the town.
We did two distillery tours, the first took us to a demonstration garden so we could watch the Jimador in action.
We had booked a VIP tour, so the second half consisted of a wonderful private tasting, followed by a nice three course meal.
The second distillery tour was one with a familiar brand name.
This tour exceeded my expectations and really helped to "fill in the blanks". We also did a private combined distilled beverage and chocolate tasting.
This was such a beautiful and charming town.
We really took to this "Pueblo Magico". I even found my favorite "breakfast" spot in the "Callejon del Taco".
And the Missus could polish off a liter of Crema de Coco or Coconut water from this cart in a minute.
Yes, we loved our time in this state. The sights, the sounds, the food, the agave spirits! But it was the warm and friendly people that really made an impression on us!
They work so hard, but always seemed to have time for a smile!
We can't wait to return!
Thanks for stopping by, I'll have something for San Diego tomorrow!
Located the the mall on the South East corner of Third Avenue at Oxford in the Castle Park area, The Empanada Spot opened in April 2021. 
Step inside, order and pay and your empanada(s) will be cooked fresh to order. 
cc and I chose four savory flavors (there are dessert/sweet flavors available, but neither of us wanted any; we had plans). The price is $4 each.
Soon, a tray with freshly fried, piping hot empanadas and accompanying salsas were brought out to us.
Top left, The OG (a sort of fancy 'picadillo'-(finely chopped marinated steak, tomato sauce, potato) filling with or without olives). Bottom left, Rajas (poblano peppers with corn, onion and cheese). Top right, Chicharron (pork rinds in a red sauce and refried beans). Bottom right, Shrimp and Cheese (shrimp, mozzarella, onion and bell pepper).
The eggs were nice and runny, though it needed salt. The country style potatoes were on the dry side, though I did like the beans. The shredded beef which in this case was stir fried with red and green peppers, onions, and a scant bit of tomato were fine; though I prefer the more salty, beefy, toothsome, and intense flavor of the Machaca Sonora.
In the midst of an office park you will find the nicest little place which serves "Old School Mexican" from this modern building near the Border. It's family owned, been here for seven years with a location downtown on 6th Avenue and another one set to open soon in Liberty Station.
Step inside and you can scan the QR code next to the door if you want to see prices, otherwise, walk toward the cash register and place your order, after passing the multiple examples of possible choices.
We decided on a cafe de olla, which was kept refilled (there is liquid piloncillo on the table if you would like some of that brown sugar flavor in the cinnamon coffee) and a "La Verde" Aqua Fresca (each $4.95).
Soon, our orders were brought to the table. The Mister had ordered "El Patron" ($18.75, with carnitas ($4.75)). Crispy cajeta toast (a French toast topped with cajeta (Carmel-like sauce made with goats milk and sugar), two eggs (over easy requested and perfectly made), beans (not refried, but more liquid and meaty flavor) and chilaquiles with rojo sauce and topped with a light very flavorful (not fatty) carnitas. The chilaquiles were tossed in the salsa, not merely covered, so that each piece of crispy tortilla was coated. Wow-each item was quite perfect and flavorful and so very good.
I ordered the Enfrijoladas ($14.75)-Four corn quesadillas topped with frijoles, puercos cream, sour cream, cheese, onion, cilantro, two eggs (over easy), beef chorizo and avocado. This satisfied all of my cravings. I wanted to try the chorizo (IYKYK) as well as corn quesadillas, which are just something I enjoy. The bean sauce/topping had bits of pork, adding to the flavor and everything came together in each bite. 
Noticing this poster when leaving, I'm sure we will be back for lunch. 
Some of which feature ingredients that include Hoya Santa; which, if you read our 
The beefy birria partners well with the buttery-rich bone marrow. This version has some great richness and bulk, we favor this more hefty version to the more delicate version at 
First thing I did was take a sip of the consomme. Which, sadly is the same as it was from the truck. Weak in flavor, greasy tongue feel, in my opinion only good for moistening your taco. The birria itself is a bit better than what I'd had on my visits to the truck. It is less stringy and more tender though still not quite as beefy as I enjoy.
I did enjoy the salsa rojo which had a nice spice and a kick of citrus. The tortillas this time around did not hold up as well, they started to tear as I picked my tacos up. These tacos just aren't beefy-savory-spicy (without the salsas) enough with that flavor which dances with a hint of smokiness from dried chilies. Like I've said before, to me this is "birria not to offend".
Please check out Soo's 
Yes, mini huaraches with adobo rabbit. Loved the mild adobada seasoning with the "corny" huarachitos, the acidity of the salsa verde, and the calming avocado salsa. Even though the rabbit was on the chewy side, the interplay of flavors was quite nice.
The eggs were nice and runny. The chiptole harissa flavoring was interesting, not as acidic, quite smoky. Man, that baguette was quite good as well. This prep really brought out the citrus-peppery tones of the cilantro.
For some reason; perhaps we're missing good Mexican food, the tortillas seemed even better than before….such wonderful maize flavor! And perfect for dunking or enfolding around the luscious, rich, and tender beef head. The soup was quite rich and viscous, had a nice "zing" of heat, and a squeeze of lime just took the edge off the richness.
