During my recent visit to Chihuahua, Mexico, I sampled a variety of tasty cuisine at restaurants ranging from trendy to basic. The quality they all had in common was the delicious flavor of the food. Here are some of my favorite restaurants in Chihuahua, as well as some top recommendations from local experts. (I’ll be posting more Chihuahua travel tips here on LatinFlyer.com, as well as providing extensive coverage about the destination on TravelAge West, where I also write about Mexico travel every month.)
Burritos El Arrancón: It’s far from elegant, but this very basic eatery serves very delicious, very chihuahuense burritos — so good, in fact, that I happened to meet the governor of the state of Chihuahua when I was there. Try an especially mouthwatering burrito montado (which comes with cheese on top).
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El Rodeo: You might feel like you’ve stepped into the old west when you enter this long-running favorite Chihuahua restaurant, which has been in business since 1972. Generous servings of beef are the favored dish here, although they serve chicken and salads too.
Época: Situated in a shining glass building in the upscale Juventud neighborhood, Epoca is an upscale eatery with big windows, an extensive cocktail list, a well-dressed clientele and (on some nights) live music. Chic Mexican cuisine as well as international creations are the top picks here.
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La Calesa: This long-running upscale favorite features an international menu that emphasizes steaks, and conservative decor enhanced by occasional live music.
La Casa de los Milagros: Pancho Villa and his cohorts may have spent some free time at this historic mansion, which houses a bar and restaurant. The century-plus architecture provides a perfect backdrop for savoring typical Mexican dishes and enjoying live music.
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La Casona: Set in a lovely 19th-century mansion, La Casona provides an impressive dose of elegance for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with steaks, seafood and pasta accompanied by a sizable wine menu.
Mesón de Catedral: Set in a modern building next to the Chihuahua city cathedral, Méson de Catedral provides a lovely view of the historic downtown.
Go to the 2nd floor of this modern building to find the best vista in Chihuahua. With a terrace overlooking the city’s cathedral, this upmarket place is worth spending a little extra on: try the fish fillet stuffed with peppers or the beefsteak with giant shrimp in red wine dressing. There’s live music on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.
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Mochomos Riqueza Sonorense: Stylishly presented Mexican fusion cuisine is the draw at this upscale restaurant, with ribeye steak and tuna tartar among the offerings. A 14-person private dining room is available for groups. (This restaurant also has locations in Mexican cities including Monterrey, Querétaro and Hermosillo.)
For more information about Chihuahua, visit the state’s tourism site or the Mexico Tourism Board site.