Budget Restaurants in Guanajuato, Mexico 2008 Edition

A year ago, I wrote about five budget restaurants in Guanajuato, Mexico. As two of these restaurants have closed and other restaurants have opened, here is my updated list of economical restaurants.

Closed Now or Soon Will Be:

El Burladero has closed but the owners may open again in another location. The owner of El Abue is planning to close his restaurant in the Baratillo and reopen on Mercer Island near Seattle. It may be worth walking through the Baratillo to see what will be in its place.

Up and Running:

LAS DELICAS: You may not be coming to Guanajuato for Japanese food but if you change your mind there's a small restaurant with a Japanese owner off Plaza San Fernando. From the center of the plaza take the second left and you'll font the restaurant on the left. Comida corrida and a la carte. I haven't been there yet but have heard the food is authentic and tasty. Small portions. Comida about 40 pesos.

EL MOLINO: My current favorite, for its nutritious, tasty comida corrida. This is on the walking street Campanario between Sopena and Sangre de Cristo. An attractive place with royal blue tablecloths and brick arches. To give you an idea of my recent meal there, it started with a large serving of steamed vegetables with a light topping of dressing, a potato-tuna "croquette" the size of a roll, a bowl of stewed apple and nopal pieces (tuna), also a fruit drink and bread. Two choices of first and second course. Currently 40 pesos.

LA OFELIA: a small, cheerful restaurant with patio as well as indoor dining. Unless the restaurant has a new cook, I prefer other places for a comida corrida, but friends who've been there recently like the guacamole and enchiladas. Not open Sunday evenings. On the right going up Paseo de la Presa near the little store labeled Frutas y Verduras.

Another inexpensive restaurant with indoor or outdoor dining is LA FONDA ANTIGUA near Bancomer on Juarez below Plaza de la Paz.

LAS CRUCES: This restaurant on Sangre de Cristo going toward Embajadoras is popular with students so it's good to get there at 2pm. Currently (during vacation time) open only Tues-Thurs for comida. Noted for the excellent soups that start the meal. Generous portions. 40 pesos. Open for breakfast too.

YAMUNA: a Mexican-Hindu vegetarian restaurant up Calle del Sol from the Post Office continues to give the option of comida with or without soup (45, 35 pesos respectively). Includes dessert.

LA CASA DE MARILU, Juan Valle 4, is open some weekdays for a vegetarian meal: soup, salad, main dish, usually dessert.

CAFE DE LA PRESA: soup (nothing special), generous main course and fruit drink. About 40 pesos. There's also a salad bar at the same price. A favorite place for regulars from UG's Music School and the Government Building nearby. Cheerful red and yellow décor.

EL MIDI continues to be excellent for a cold lunch editerranean style, priced per 100 grams and for its delicious fruit drinks, for example lemon-cucumber. In Plaza San Fernando. Open some evenings with hot specialties as well.

TRUCO 7 : You're likely to have to wait a while to be seated and the a la carte menu is better than the comida, but this tried and true favorite of Guanajuato people and visitors is a dip into the local culture. Located near but not on The Jardin, it's also a popular place for coffee between 11-1.