($) If you’re walking down Paseo de la Boquita just past Plaza Kioto on your way to the Centro and you think you smell fried chicken, you’re right. Country Fried Chicken is a small restaurant just across from the canal and serves some of the best fried chicken in Zihua (outside of my kitchen, natch). You can order pieces and side orders a la carte, or you can get a dinner packages with chicken, cole slaw and mashed potato with gravy.

don't miss: For an extra special treat, don’t miss out on an order of chimichangas -- 3 for 30 pesos -- fried tortillas filled with shredded chicken and other yummy stuff.

meet me @: Country Fried Chicken is located on Paseo de la Boquita, #23, Zihuatanejo. They are open every day, 11 am to 9 pm. Buy chicken to eat there, take away, or call for delivery to your home.

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

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($-$$) La Casa Cafe has become a vacationer and expatriate's staple, offering a balanced mix of gringo-style breakfasts, deli sandwiches and wraps, and Mexican favorites in a quiet courtyard-style restaurant. Owners Lorna and Pedro are great for directions, travel advice, and Zihua stories. Major sporting events are shown on a large flat panel tv during special extended hours and they also occasionally also have night time live music events.

just the facts, ma'am: open Tuesday-Sunday, serving 9 am - 2 pm; La Casa Cafe is one of the few nonsmoking restaurants in Zihua.

don't miss: the coffee! Casa Cafe's slogan is "Life's too short to drink bad coffee" and they take this sentiment seriously with strong brewed americano plus a wide range of espresso-based drinks. From the menu, the homemade multigrain bread and bagels are a hit with customers who try in vain to pry the recipes from Lorna.

meet me @: La Casa Cafe is located in Colonia la Madera in the middle of Calle Adelita, the street running alongside the canal. Look for their sandwich board sign and Pedro outside, greeting passersby.

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

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($) For a healthy meal at a lean price, check out Loncheria La Especial. Connected to the plant nursery, Viva Vida Vivero, Loncheria La Especial provides you with an assortment of fresh juice options including orange, melon, carrot, guayaba, papaya, nopal and spinach. The breakfast and lunch menu include tostadas, tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, sopes, sandwiches and eggs made any style.

just the facts, ma'am: Loncheria La Especial is open Mondays through Saturdays, 8 am to 3 pm and is located on Paseo de Palmar, between Plaza Kioto and DHL.

don't miss: for a fabulous pick-me-up or a hangover helper, don’t miss the Popeye Super Juice with spinach, pineapple and chaya, and the chicken enchiladas verdes.

filed under: @zihua- on the cheap- restaurants by Bev (Jul 07)

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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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($$) 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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