Playa Del Carmen restaurant

Old May 16th, 2017, 10:33 AM
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Playa Del Carmen restaurant

Planning to spend a day in Playa next month. What are some of your recommendations for the best authentic Mexican food?
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Old May 16th, 2017, 06:28 PM
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El Fogón. Bring your appetite and order lots of different things. Cheap! Check for hours before you go. It's right across from the Mega market.
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Old May 16th, 2017, 07:30 PM
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Carboncita's. Excellent.
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Old May 16th, 2017, 09:51 PM
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I second carboncitos. Best I've had in many Mexican trips.
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Old May 17th, 2017, 11:45 AM
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Wow good to hear, those are the two places that I have been considering. Kind of leaning towards El Fogon because the Arrachera looks awesome and it appears a little more authentic.

thanks
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Old May 18th, 2017, 08:54 AM
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El Fogon, 3 different locations available and all on 30th
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Old May 18th, 2017, 12:58 PM
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Gmo: In the off chance you decide you want a break from Mexican food, I'd recommend Manne's Biergarten for German (and other) food.
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Old May 23rd, 2017, 04:55 AM
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"Gmo: In the off chance you decide you want a break from Mexican food, I'd recommend Manne's Biergarten for German (and other) food."

Probably only have one day in PDC, and after checking out all the comments on Yelp, I am now really wanting to try El Fogon. I have heard of Manne's maybe try to stop by for a drink. Do you know where it is located?
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Old May 26th, 2017, 09:26 PM
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El Fogon is good for tacos arabe, but be aware that the locations are hot and pretty basic. And hot.

Carboncitas is a step up, much nicer service and much more diverse menu, with excellent margaritas. And much much closer to the beach so much cooler w breezes and lots of ceiling fans that actually cool the place nicely. Instead of just moving the hot air around.

Choice is yours. Both good. El Fogon is primarily a taco place, albeit a good one ( and did I mention it is very very hot).
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Old May 28th, 2017, 12:38 AM
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We were in Playa Del Carmen about 7 months ago. It has changed drastically since we were there over 15 years ago. Its really becoming the next Cancun, but much better. Its unbelievable how many condos are going up.

We ate a couple different restaurants, and would highly recommend, Catch at the Thompson Hotel. Yes they have the Thompson Hotel in Playa Del Carmen now. We stayed here, and the infinity pool is out of this world. It does get a little crowded on Saturdays, because they have a DJ and it seemed there were many locals that come.

There is another restaurant at the hotel, but I can not think of the name. Its open from morning until 5pm, and then Catch opens after that for dinner. They have a really good Shrimp Kale salad.

The best Filet mignon has to go to Harrys, which is in the Thompson Plaza below. They had to remake my steak, but once I told them to cook it a little slower, it came out perfect.

But there are an endless amount of restaurants in Playa Del Carmen, as well as nightlife.
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Old May 28th, 2017, 01:04 PM
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I think you demonstrate why it is changing since you prefer non-Mexican food and hotels. It will never be the same as Cancun for various reasons due to history and geography (ie, there cannot be a hotel zone on a peninsula just for tourists). Furthermore, Cancun was deliberately developed as a resort area, and the govt planned and funded the first hotels there for that reason. It is true there is tons of building going on there and more modern stores in the main area so it is pretty hectic now. PDC just grew naturally and got more popular due to its location and being on the coast, of course.
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Old May 30th, 2017, 07:13 AM
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Manne's is on Calle 4 nte, inland close to 15th avenue, so a ways off of 5th. May not be worth the detour on a short trip. For a drink, I'd stay on 5th Ave and people watch. Or go to one of the beach bars.
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Old May 30th, 2017, 09:44 AM
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Sorry barbarashimer, but I don't want shrimp kale salad or filet mignon, I can get that anywhere. I'm sure there are some that would appreciate that kind of food in PDC, but I want authentic Mexican food and El Fogon sounds perfect.

Yes, I know it will be hot but I live in Florida, I am used to it. It was a balmy 97 degrees here yesterday.

Bitter, do you have any insight as to where to get a really good mojito?
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Old May 30th, 2017, 07:03 PM
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Yes, For what it sounds like you are looking for , El Fogon is the ticket. Just on the outside chance you are looking for seafood, El Muella at 5th and 32nd is quite good. AS I recall, they also had fine drink offerings, so I'd guess they have good mojito.
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Old Jun 21st, 2017, 02:49 AM
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Well, we made it to El Fogon and it was everything I expected and more. Absolutely delicious! Went there around 2PM and was not at all crowded and the temperature inside was quite comfortable. I got arrachera nationale, taco el pastor, and queso fundito con pina. Lots of food and it was all wonderful. Service was great as well. We were six people and the total bill with several beers was only $65 US, quite a bargain.
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Old Jun 21st, 2017, 06:58 AM
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excellent!
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Old Jun 21st, 2017, 09:04 AM
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Yes it was Tom, If you are ever in PDC I highly recommend it.
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Old Jun 21st, 2017, 09:51 AM
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Great! Will need to try it on next trip.
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Old Jul 11th, 2017, 06:17 AM
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http://www.rickbayless.com/tv-books/...-8425cfaf-1d3a

Gmoney great review of el fogon. Thanks.

The above link is from Rick Bayless
It gives some written info about various places in the Yucatan areas. Very interesting and thought you might enjoy reading for other trips in the future.
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Old Jul 12th, 2017, 05:31 AM
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Some food porn pics of lunch:

https://s3-media1.fl.yelpcdn.com/bph...jW5SI0RA/o.jpg

https://s3-media3.fl.yelpcdn.com/bph...7e0BN5Uw/o.jpg

https://s3-media1.fl.yelpcdn.com/bph...KxqCVcAw/o.jpg
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