Mia Pratt and Peter Tarwid recently opened I Love My Sugardaddy Barbecue Takeout in Plaza Montaña on the highway in Ajijic. If you know anyone who’s tried their food, then you’ve heard how good it is.
Pratt came to Ajijic two years ago after a short stay at an Indian village on Michoacan’s Lake Patzcuaro. Invited to house sit in Ajijic, she quickly fell in love with the place. Tarwid came to check out retirement options in the area and met Mia while staying at La Montaña B&B. When Mel’s restaurant closed they took the plunge and opened their first eatery.
Pratt, although a native of Arizona, grew up with a family of southern roots and learned to cook from them. Her menu is based on them: Sugardaddy’s ribs, Great Granny’s Georgia fried chicken, Uncle John’s mouth-watering super dog, Uncle Buzz’s black bean fiesta chili and Great Grandad’s molasses pork and beans are just a few of the finger-licking offerings.We started with her corn salsa served with a sour cream and chive base on tostadas. Then on to her ribs, which were succulent with a glazed BBQ sauce. The sweet and mildly spicy baked beans were mingled with fatty pork and bones. She said her secret is to boil down the local piloncillo until it gets a thick consistency. (U.S.-style molasses goes for about 90 pesos a pint at the local grocer.) We also tried the BBQ sandwich, which had a nice Carolina-style coleslaw and some not-too-hot jalapeño chilis. The dessert – mini eclairs – was small, but scrumptious. The pink lemonade was made of freshly squeezed limes.
After ordering at the window, our meal was served up take-out style in plastic bag with the necessary accouterments. We took sustenance at one of a half-dozen tables located under the portico at La Montaña. The price for this feast for two was about 250 pesos and worth every nickel.
Also on the menu are burgers, burritos, buffalo wings, baked and mashed sweet potato scoops with special cream sauce, a half-dozen interesting salads and dressings, a fitness menu for those on a vegetarian or low-fat diet. And for those not on a diet, there are delicious deserts, small but only 10 pesos each, so you can try them all: brownie bites, mini eclairs, cappuccino meringues and tiramisu.
Pratt said she’ll be soon offering some specials and that you can find out what’s new and even find some discount coupons at her blog: ilovemysugardaddybbq.com.
Alcoholic beverages can be purchased to go at the next-door liquor stand. After 5 p.m. most of the other businesses in the plaza close and parking is easy to come by.
I Love My Sugardaddy: Open Tuesday to Saturday, noon to 7:30 p.m. Located at the corner of Carretera and Colon in Ajijic. Tel. 376-766-5684.