Even the most miserable expats find it hard not to get caught up in the excitement of Mexico’s Independence celebrations. Many enterprising restaurants will create special menus and events for the occasion, while others will offer their regular fare but with more joviality than usual. Here is a sampling of Lakeside’s culinary options over the Independence Day weekend.
La Bodega (16 de Septiembre 124, Ajijic) is hosting a Noche Mexicana on Saturday, September 14, offering a menu of traditional favorites, including chiles en nogada, a plato Mexicano, (a sampler of Mexican delights) and more. Choices from the regular menu are also available. Live entertainment by Sol y Luna from 8:30 p.m. to midnight. On September 15, the eatery offers a special menu of Mexican cuisine, as well as their regular fare. Reservations at (376) 766-1002.
Manix Restaurant (Ocampo 57, Ajijic) celebrates Saturday, September 14, and Sunday, September 15 with all-day servings of shrimp cocktail, traditional chiles en nogada and flan Napolitano, all for 160 pesos. There will also be three other options available. Live Mexican tropical from 7-9 p.m. Reservations at (376) 766-0061.
Los Telares (Morelos 6, Ajijic) is offering delicious chiles en Nogada plus its regular menu on both Saturday, September 14 and Sunday, September 15. To help celebrate in Mexican style, there will be a 2x1 deal on Tequila el Viejito, either by the bottle or glass. Reservations at (376) 766-0428.
Roberto’s Restaurant (Carretera Pte 3, West Ajijic) is holding a veritable Mexican Independence Day feast on Monday, September 16, offering food, dancing, decorations and fireworks. Start with guacamole and chips and a traditional chile relleno en nogada. Then head over to the gourmet taco buffet featuring hand-made tortillas, duck confit and grilled pineapple, shrimp in chipotle crema, pork chicharron in salsa verde and more. For dessert enjoy flan Napolitano. Festivities begin at 6:30 pm with live music by Sol y Luna and fireworks at 8:30 p.m. All for 160 pesos per person. Reservations at (376) 766-1616 a must.
Number Four (Donato Guerra 4, Ajijic) starts celebrating on Friday, September 13, 8 p.m. with traditional Mexican music from Trova Yucateca. Cover: 30 pesos. On Saturday, September 14, the Tall Boys Band “rock out ‘til the knock out,” when the Saul “Canelo” Alvarez/Floyd Mayweather world title fight will be shown live from Las Vegas on five screens. Cover: 100 pesos, includes botanas. On Sunday, September 15, 3 p.m., Los Lirios will play traditional Mexican music. No cover. On Monday, September 16, patrons can enjoy “lower the bar” Mexican style with Noe and the Classics playing music to groove to. Cover: 30 pesos, includes botanas. Reservations at (376) 766-1360.
The Beer Garden (Chapala Malecon) will comply with the wishes of the Presidencia Municipal (city hall) and close early on September 15. They will, however, open on September 16 to celebrate in style with banda music and all the trimmings.