($$-$$$) Pass through the non-descript archway on Avenue Morelos in Zihuatanejo, and you enter a spacious, courtyard setting that is Restaurant El Pueblito. The garden and the sunbathing iguanas add to the tranquil experience. The menu includes a variety of chicken, beef and seafood dishes, all in the style of Guerrero-state cuisine. Pozole, the Guerrero soup made with hominy and either pork or chicken, is available on Thursdays.

just the facts, ma'am: El Pueblito is open daily for lunch and dinner, from 12 pm to 10 pm. Live music every night. Thursday is Pozole day, and the volume of the music is pumped up quite a bit with really large speakers.

don't miss: The shrimp cocktail has a picante kick to it, and goes down real well with a cold beer. The coppola filet is a fish fillet with a unique peanut-y sauce that is delicious.

meet me @: El Pueblito is on Avenue Morelos, #249, in Colonia Centro.

filed under: @zihua- authentic fare- casual dining- live music- restaurants by Bev (Nov 06)

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($$$) Because Zihuatanejo is a fishing village, there are numerous seafood restaurants to choose from, but Jarocho is unique in that it is Vera Cruzana seafood. The beautiful architecture with exposed wood and Segusino furniture provides a lovely setting for this casual dining experience. (All furniture and artwork is for sale at Segusino, also owned by Jaime Eskauriatza.) The menu includes a wide variety of seafood, steaks, and, on Sundays, paella.

just the facts, ma'am: Jarocho is open daily except Mondays for lunch and dinner 2 to 11 pm. Choose between indoor and outdoor seating. Large groups welcome.

don't miss: the seafood conchas (on the shell) is a rich appetizer and a great way to start the meal. The fish filet with lemon and capers is delicious.

meet me @: Jarocho is located at H. Galeana, #15, on the corner of Nicolas Bravo, just down from Cinema Paraiso.

filed under: @zihua- authentic fare- bars- casual dining- restaurants by Bev (Nov 06)

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($$) For an inexpensive meal that is away from the crowds of tourists check out La Cabaña de Otero. This outdoor restaurant is located in the shady front garden of a residential neighborhood and is mostly frequented by local Mexicans. The lunch menu varies daily, but generally provides a choice of three traditional dishes made with pork, chicken, beef or vegetables. The chicken in creamy chipotle sauce is a tasty dish on the picante side, and is served over rice. All meals are served with queso fresco, beans and homemade tortillas.

just the facts, ma'am: La Cabaña de Otero is open daily except Mondays for breakfast, lunch and early dinners, from 9 am to 5 pm. On Sundays, the menu includes barbecued lamb.

don't miss: The fried fish is a whole fish, generally red snapper, cooked with garlic until it is deliciously crispy. It is not always available, but if you ask in advance, they’ll make sure they have it.

meet me @: La Cabaña de Otero is located on the corner of Paseo de la Boquita (the road to Comercial Mexicana) and Las Huertas Avenue (the road with TelMex).

filed under: @zihua- authentic fare- casual dining- restaurants by Bev (Jul 07)

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($$) Restaurant and bar, La Langosta, is a great option for an afternoon of fun in the sun on Playa Larga. Located right on the beach, they serve a variety of seafood, made in so many different ways that everyone is bound to find a favorite. The menu includes local dishes such as tiritas (tiny strips of raw fish in lime juice and chopped onion) and their version of pescado a la talla called talla adobada (a whole fish wrapped in foil and cooked with mild seasonings). Walk on the beach, play in the pool or hang out in a hammock while spending the afternoon drinking cool cervezas or limonadas and watching the dolphins swim by.

just the facts, ma'am: open daily from 10 am to 6:30/7 pm. Kids' pool and adult pools included. The jukebox can get a bit loud at times, but they are always happy to turn it down when asked.

don't miss: the camaronillas are made with fresh shrimp, a gently spicey red sauce and wrapped in masa (used for making corn tortillas). The breaded shrimp has just a light crunch and is delicious.

meet me @: La Langosta is located on Playa Larga where the road to Playa Larga intersects the frontage road.

filed under: @elsewhere- authentic fare- beach food- restaurants by Bev (Oct 06)

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($) Pollos Locos is one of the local favorites for fire-roasted chicken and meat. An order of chicken comes with grilled onion, rice, tortillas, salsa, salad and mouth-watering grilled chicken. Top off your meal with a soda or cold beer. If you prefer wine, feel free to pop across the street to the liquor store as there’s no corkage fee.

just the facts, ma'am: Pollos Locos is open every day, 11am to 10pm. Pollos Locos is located in Zihuatanejo on Nicolas Bravo, #15, or in Ixtapa at the Hacienda Shopping Plaza. Stay in at the restaurant, place an order to go, or call for home delivery.

filed under: @zihua- authentic fare- on the cheap- restaurants by Bev (Aug 07)

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($) The official name is "La Cenaduria" but the nickname was coined by a long-time visitor and is now recognized by most locals, cab drivers, and tourists - if only because "Pozole Alley" is just that! A small row of small, family-run restaurants that serve dirt-cheap, extremely good, and wholey authentic Mexican food with little fanfare, save the occasional wandering troubadour, juggler, or gaggle of playing children. Although the prices have risen in recent years, you can still get a hearty meal of enchiladas, sopes, tamales, or tostadas for under 20 pesos (including a glass of agua de jamaica, naranja, o horchata and a large steaming bowl of pozole for about 22 pesos. Pozole blanco with chicken or pork is served every day while the more savory (and spicy!) pozole verde and pozolo rojo are served on the traditional Thursday.

just the facts, ma'am: Although some of the restaurants also serve lunch, most take siesta before the alley comes to life at dusk through the late supper hours. During Mexican holidays and on most Sunday nights, you might have to wait for a table - or be friendly and share!

don't miss: everyone has their favorite restaurant on Pozole Alley so make sure to try each one to find your pick. My favorite is three restaurants in from Nicholas Bravo because of the delicious salsas, including a muy picante salsa verde and a refreshing, chunky ensalada jitomate (tomato salsa). In fact, I often request baggies of the salsa to take home from my eggs the next morning!

meet me @: runs perpendicular into Nicholas Bravo, in between Benito Juarez and Vicente Guerrero

filed under: @zihua- authentic fare- on the cheap- restaurants by Isahrai (Oct 06)

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($$) If you’re tired of the touristy crowds, but still want an authentic, delicious and affordable meal in a tranquil, tropical setting, you must try Pollocoa in Coacoyul. Located off the beaten track, the slogan at Pollocoa is “Lo Mejor en Pollo” (The Best in Chicken) and they are not exaggerating. Chicken comes grilled, breaded, in a creamy poblano sauce, with mole, as chicken cordon bleu, or any other way you wish to have it prepared. The menu also includes a full range of appetizers, salads, seafood, steaks and Sunday pork specials. For an extra cost ($50 pesos per adult and $25 pesos per child) you can use their swimming pool for as long as you want. The shallow end is partitioned off from the deep end, and is just shallow enough for a 2 1/2-year-old (mine to be precise) to stand up in without water wings. While waiting for your meal, or to burn off some of the calories after you eat, you can stroll the grassy grounds and watch the farm animals at the back of the property. They include turkeys, chicken, roosters, parrots, and most interestingly, ostriches. You can also while away your time watching the cooks work in the open-air kitchen, which is built around the natural rock formations originally on the property.

just the facts, ma'am: Restaurant Pollocoa is open every day, from 9:30am to 6pm. At the moment it is one of the undiscovered gems of Zihua, so it is never crowded, and sometimes you can have the whole pool area to yourself. Free wifi is available, as is shaded parking. Parties are welcome and include the cost of the pool. The six on-sight bungalows also have free access to the pool and wifi. Most of the restaurant and the restrooms are wheelchair accessible.

don't miss: The homemade pico de gallo is fabulous and has a surprising touch of oregano in it. The grilled chicken comes as a 1/4 order, 1/2 order or a whole chicken, and is a family favorite. If you want to branch into seafood, the coconut shrimps with mango sauce is a must.

meet me @: Pollocoa is located in Coacoyul on Carratera Nacional Acapulco-Zihuatanejo (on the left-hand side of the road from Zihuatanejo to Acapulco).

filed under: @elsewhere- authentic fare- casual dining- restaurants- waterlogged by Bev (Feb 08)

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($$) Salvador's might be called a "hole in the wall" restaurant - if it had any walls! With just a cluster of tables and chairs under an awning, there is no ostentation about Salvador's - just hearty, authentic Mexican food and cold beer and soft drinks. Fishermen can also bring their latest catch for Salvador to prepare and serve fresh off the grill.

just the facts, ma'am: Salvador's is open from 9 am until 9 am (mas o menos), Monday through Saturday.

don't miss: the enchiladas verde and camaronillas are arguably some of the best in Zihua while the guacamole has a picante kick from an abundant use of chiles.

meet me @: Salvador's is located at the foot of the second pedestrian bridge over the canal on Calle Adelita in Colonia la Madera.

filed under: authentic fare- on the cheap- restaurants by Isahrai (Oct 06)

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($) Tradition rules on Thursdays at Santa Prisca with verde (green) and blanco (white) pozole served at this hole in the wall basement restaurant. All orders of the Guerrerro-native soup come with a plate of appetizers including miniature chile relleños (made from picante jalapeños!), taquitos, chicharrones (pork rinds), avocado, and tortilla chips with bean sauce. Don't come if you're in a hurry or want a quiet afternoon because lingering and loud music is part of the Thursday ritual.

just the facts, ma'am: opens on Thursday afternoons at 2 until the pozole runs out. There's an unpredicatable ambiance here which is half the fun of going regularly: sometimes it's a rockin' fiesta til after midnight, sometimes a slow, sweaty afternoon of leisure (and soup!).

don't miss: live music from popular local musicians, a shot of their own mezcal especially brought in from Taxco, or a large pitcher of the freshly made and unbelievably addictive limonada.

meet me @: Santa Prisca is located in Colonia el Limon on the inbound lateral of 200, Avenida Victor Hugo. Most cab drivers know how to get there and will likely drop you in front of a hardware store. Go next door and follow the music down the stairs.

filed under: @zihua- authentic fare- live music- restaurants by Isahrai (Sep 06)

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