As a member of the Long Beach Racers, a local grass roots off road racing team, I get to travel all over the Baja Peninsula. I have been fortunate enough to travel and eat in places from La Paz to TJ and everywhere in between. On our most recent trip we traveled south of the border to compete in the 44th annual Baja 1000, the largest continuous off road race in the World. Before the race started we spent a few days in Ensenada and visited a few of my favorite places.
First up is Papas Rellenas. When my buddy Nick took me here for the first time about 6 years ago it was simply a little trailer parked in a lot with a makeshift building built around it. As a matter of fact if you did not watch where you were walking you could trip over the hitch which was uncovered on the floor. Since then they have built a real building and even put in a restroom, but still cook in the original trailer inside the big building. When you pull into the lot you will see the advertisement for all different kinds of dishes that they make here. The common ground is that they all start with a foil tray filled with mashed potatoes – I know sounds strange but you have to try it.
I like to get the Papas Gringas. Starting with the aforementioned tray of potatoes, they then cover the potatoes with Carne Arrabiata (marinated pork), cheese, and pineapple. It is to die for!! As accoutrement to the dish there are all different kinds of fresh salsas, chilies, and guacamole to pile on top. I usually take the roasted chili salsa, some guac, and hot salsa then mix it all together and get after it. They make it with all kinds of other meats, combinations of different meats and toppings. Whatever you would think would be good, they have it. If you are not into getting one of the signature dishes you can also get tacos and quesadillas. One of the other offerings that we ordered up was the real version of Jalape̱o Poppers. Fresh Jalape̱o chilies stuffed full of cheese then wrapped with bacon and fried РI ate as many as I could.
The second place that I wanted to mention was Kikis. This is LBR’s favorite place to have Breakfast in the city. The restaurant is nice and from what I am told is where the who’s who of Ensenada has their Desayuno. There are plenty of choices on the menu but most of us are choosing between Chorizo (Mexican Breakfast Sausage scrambled with Eggs) and Machaca (Shredded Beef and peppers scrambled with Eggs). All the breakfast dishes are served with either a quesadilla or chacarron (Pork Skin in a broth) for a kind of appetizer. From there you are delivered your huge plate of food – Not even I can finish. They also have a wonderful HOT salsa to garnish and the best flour tortillas you have ever had – super thin and plenty of lard. I like to make myself little burritos with the beans, machaca, and salsa. Sometimes I feel like if it was not for the drive I would be going there on Sunday mornings.
Mexico is a fantastic place to expand your palate. The food is very fresh and the flavor is like nothing you can get this side of the border. Get to Ensenada and go on a food adventure, you will not be disappointed.
Until Next Time, Keep Eating Long Beach,
Cliv