Although born within two blocks of each other in the coastal resort of Mazatlan, husband and wife Liliana and Fernando Garcia didn’t meet until 20 years later when they were both working in Guadalajara.
In her childhood, Liliana had honed her baking skills by watching her mother, a master baker. Fernando had learned about meats and cheeses while working in a deli during his teenage years in Mexico City. Together they ran a deli in Chapala for ten years, but it was a very slow business.
“We realized that the economy was much better in Ajijic and that the palates were much more sophisticated,” Fernando says.So, in March last year they opened Lilyfher at Colon 19 in Ajijic. As for the unusual name, Fernando says, “We’re a team and wanted to combine our names. So we have Lily and Fer, but we added the extra letter H to honor our daughter.”
Their personal style at home is to eat fresh, organic and natural foods, and they were keen for their business to reflect this. Each morning, Monday through Saturday, they arrive at the shop between 4 and 5 a.m. to start the baking process.
The shop opens at 8 a.m. but the best time to arrive is around 10 a.m., when you can be engulfed in the fragrance of freshly made breads and croissants still warm from the oven. Take your choice of plain, chocolate, raspberry, and more of warm delicate pastry. The shelves are stocked with homemade jams, pickles, olive oil, and vinegar.
An Italian friend taught Fernando the art of making pastrami and Italian sausages. He also makes liverwurst just like the old-fashioned braunschweiger, and mouthwatering bacon.
“I’m very selective in choosing the bacon,” says Fernando. “It has to be just the right balance of fat to lean. My supplier has learned that I will cut into every slab until I find exactly what I’m willing to sell in my shop.”
It seems the only thing that Liliana and Fernando don’t make from scratch are the cheeses, but they, too, are hand-picked and delicious.
Fernando will happily make your choice of sandwiches or cater your next event. The prices are reasonable: seven pesos each for a croissant, 45 pesos for a half-kilo of bacon, or 120 pesos for a half-kilo of pastrami. They’re open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The goodies fly off the shelves, so call ahead at 766-2339, if you don´t want to miss out!