The Most Unique Restaurant in Mexico City - Sanborns at La Casa De Los Azulejos

Sanborns Restaurant is a well known restaurant chain throughout Mexico, but the Sanborns location in Mexico City at La Casa de los Azulejos (The House of Tiles) has such a remarkable location that it definitely warrants a visit from the Mexico City tourist.

Location and General Information

La Casa de los Azulejos is located in the Central Historic District of Mexico City D.F. Address: Madero 4 Mexico City D.F. and can be reached by Metro Bellas Artes. Admission is free into the house where there is a Candy Shop, Pharmacy and Toy Store. Operating hours are 7:00am until 1:00am. Reservations are recommended for Sanborns Restaurant, although our group did not have reservations and our wait time was only 15 minutes on a Saturday at lunch time.

A Brief History of La Casa de los Azulejos

The history of La Casa de los Azulejos is as colorful as the tiles adorning the exterior of the palace. It is believed that near the end of the 1500's the house was inhabited by Don Damian Martinez who was forced by his creditors to turn the property over to Don Diego de Peredo to satisfy a debt of 6,500 pesos. Don Diego then willed the house to his daughter Graciana who married Don Luis de Vivero the second Count of the Valley of Orizaba. History goes on to tell that several generations later one of the owners who had inherited the house and the title of Count of Orizaba had a son who was a squanderer of money. The old Count tired of his frequent squabbles with his son over his customs of high living finally told him, "Son, you will never go far in life nor will you ever build a house of tiles." This comment caused the son to change his ways and he made a promise to completely reconstruct the old house. The son was able to keep his promise and the name of the house was changed from Blue Palace to The House of Tiles.

There is a bit of controversy over the tiles and where they were made. Some believe the tiles were made in China while others claim a possibility that the tiles were made in the city of Puebla in a tile factory run by the Dominican friars in 1653. It is certain that that the bronze handrails, banisters and balconies were brought from China. These adornments inside the beautiful house are breathtaking. The giant stone fountain located in the grand patio is said to be one of a kind and is one of the principal attractions of the house.

Sanborns Restaurant at La Casa de los Azulejos

The menu included fair priced breakfast items as well as Mexican dishes including their famous green enchiladas plate. Because we dined at lunchtime I only looked over the lunch menu but basically the fare seemed to be well priced and there was a good selection. They also have English menus upon request. "Nuestra Famosos Enchiladas Verde" served with tostadas, was delicious and would make a great choice for lunch priced at 90 pesos. Service over all was excellent and for a medium priced meal with outstanding ambience I recommend this restaurant wholeheartedly.

Sources:

Information Flyer from La Casa de los Azulejos