Food in Tijuana
 

My husband and I will be visiting Tijuana for a few hours next week. I LOVE Mexican food. Is there anything that is safe to eat? I know that vegetables and tap water are out. Are dairy products ok? What about a margarita? This will be on the first day of a 2 week trip so I don't want to take any chances.

It's all safe to eat. As a college student, we'd cross the border from SD to Tijuana regularly for food and drink, and we never ran into a problem.

Loved the tacos el pastor from the stands -- 2-3 for a dollar. Don't miss the horchata, agua fresca stands -- huge cup for two people -- one dollar.

There are many seafood places that serve buckets of spiny lobster at reasonable prices.

I eat in TJ all the time. I have friends who live there and we eat at taco stands and in restaurants. I do not drink tap water or have ice in my drinks just as a precaution. Most places are used to this, even with locals.
Last time I went they took me to this really good mole place. Also they next morning we went to a 'healthy' food place across from a bull fighting arena.
I will get the names of the places and post tomorrow.
:)

Assuming you are driving across the border...it could take you a few hours to get back into Calif! Well maybe not quite that long, but a long wait. Be sure to figure that in to your plan. And also, if you have never driven across the border in Tijuana, be prepared...it is a mass of many lanes of unorganized cars merging into way fewer cars as you get closer to the actual guard area and there are hundreds of elderly, children, women locals panhandling and they come right up to the car. I know that might sound un "PC" but it is true. I am used to this as having lived near NYC for most of my life, but it is still a fact. And I was worried more than once that the children were going to get hit by cars.

Debi

Oh God, definitely leave the car on the U.S. side, plus you can do duty free shopping on the U.S. side before walking across the border.

Cabs are plentiful on the other side if you dont want to walk, but it's an interesting if not a rather hectic walk. TJ isn't a pleasure destination, really -- but it's an intesting border town with everything that comes with it -- good and bad. Luckily, good food is a part of that package.

Do NOT drive in TJ. Park on the US side and take the bus (non stop) across to the main drag (Revolution St). You can then shop, eat, and walk (about a mile) back to the border.

Restaurants in the touristy area are very safe and okay to eat at. Margarita's are definitely okay.

p.s. if you do decide to drive (for some crazy reason) you must have Mexico insurance.

Thank you! We planned on leaving the car in the US and walking over the border.
I am so happy to hear that the food will be safe! My husband and mother-in-law have been driving me crazy about getting sick in Mexico! I almost feel like they are going to jinx me.

Hey Kerry392.
Just wanted to give you a heads up on TJ to eat..food is overall safe to eat and they have some of the best Chinese Restaurants.. One of the best Seafood Restaurants is La Costa right in the heart of Revolution avenue..
Also, the wait to get back into the States via walking can take up to 2 hours so please be prepared and have a valid ID..
Just please be careful, Tijuana is not what it used to be and it can be a very dangerous place.
Have fun in San Diego!