Guadalajara, Mexico October 2023

Posts
10/2/2023 (Mon)
Condo
22:00 Pig's Pearls
10/3/2023 (Tue)
09:00 Leonela Cafe Bistro
14:00 Cerveza Loba
19:30 Tonel de Diógenes
20:30 Lucha Libre
10/4/2023 (Wed)
12:00 Tlaqapque
12:30 Casa Fuerte
20:00 Alcalde
10/5/2023 (Thu)
12:00 Mercado Corona
13:00 Museo Cabañas
19:00 Xokol
20:00 De La O Cantina
10/6/2023 (Fri)
08:00 Café P'al Real

10/2/2023 (Mon)
Condo [Directions]
High 84 degrees

The Airbnb was spacious and modern but lacked air conditioning. Note for the next Airbnb stay in a warm city - make sure to check the AC button. Otherwise was nearly perfect for us - a central location near great coffee shops, fast and reliable internet access and a gym inside the building.


Pig's Pearls [Directions]
22:00 Beers and burgers

After our late flight, we needed to get dinner. Pig's Pearls was close and had good reviews, so it was an easy pick. The maple bacon burger was good. The portabello burger was the best Jen had ever eaten. A great craft beer list also helped with a really nice start to our trip.


10/3/2023 (Tue)
Leonela Cafe Bistro [Directions]
09:00 Cute cafe and breakfast spot

I don’t know if anyone has done a study of independent cafe density but I suspect Guadalajara is among the highest in the world. And they’re all great. We walked a few blocks looking for a place and this was the first (open) one we found. We had delightful french toast and chilaquiles with coffee. I'd highly recommend except Guadalajara is full of great cafes.


Cerveza Loba [Directions]
14:00 Craft Brewery with a great restaurant

Every time I go to Guadalajara, I go to Loba. It's right in the heart of the city, has great beer, and maybe even better food. Today we had tuna sashimi (really more of a tiradito), a tomato salad, a couple of goses, a beautiful gin cocktail and a carajillo. Not a bad way to spend lunch.


Tonel de Diógenes [Directions]
19:30 Small bar with Spanish inspiration

We stopped here for a bite and drinks before lucha libre. The house IPA and aparol spritz were both solid. For snack we got tasty roasted peppers and lovely Serrano ham.


Lucha Libre [Directions]
20:30 Mexican Wrestling

Tuesday nights are the night to see the Luchadores in Guadalajara. It did not disappoint. The crowd was rowdy, the chants were profane, and the wrestlers were pretty good actors. We got front-row seats ($500 pesos each) and got to see the action up close and personal, including Fantastico "pounding" on Dark Magic's head on the seat next to us. literally 6 inches away.


10/4/2023 (Wed)
Tlaqapque [Directions]
12:00 Arts district

Jen might have a purse problem. I really like cute purses and there were way too many adorable choices here. I also bought a shirt. Other tempting items include glassware and fine art. There is evidently a blown glass market nearby that is open on Wednesdays and Sundays. Unfortunately, we learned about it from our taxi driver on the way to the airport.


Casa Fuerte [Directions]
12:30 Beautiful restaurant

We were hungry and trying to fit in a quick meal between conference calls. We stumbled on Casa Fuerte and could not have been more delighted. You step into the shaded courtyard of a beautiful mansion. We were seated next to a charming fountain by extraordinarily accommodating waiters who allowed me to practice my Spanish with them as they handed us complimentary Margheritas. Because we hadn't done any previous research and the restaurant is in a tourist location, I was highly skeptical about the quality of the food. The prices were also fairly low, about 120 Pesos per vegetarian option, so I ordered 3 in the hopes that I would like one. I could not have been more wrong. All three of my vegetarian choices (guacamole, salad, and a cheese-stuffed pepper) were very tasty and some of the best food that I ate in the city. Ben also enjoyed his dish. I had to take a call and the wait staff allowed Ben to work at the table for an hour during a non-busy time of the day.


Alcalde [Directions]
20:00 High-end restaurant

10-course tasting menu with some of the most beautiful (and delicious) food in Guadalajara.


10/5/2023 (Thu)
Mercado Corona [Directions]
12:00 Market with a large variety of vendors including food, produce, and clothing

Our Uber driver said this was the place to go for torta ahogada. We were not disappointed. Ben got a great (properly served in a plastic bag) torta and Jen had spicy and crunchy vegetarian tacos.


Museo Cabañas [Directions]
13:00 Beautiful museum with Orozco murals

Due to constantly rotating exhibits, this is a museum you can come back to again and again. It was Ben's third visit and he still enjoyed it.


Xokol [Directions]
19:00 Restaurant passionate about corn.



De La O Cantina [Directions]
20:00 Mexican Tiki Bar



10/6/2023 (Fri)
Café P'al Real [Directions]
08:00 Cute Breakfast Cafe

Best coffee that Ben had on the trip. My almond milk latte was solid. They have a large selection of egg dishes.