Pátzcuaro does not offer fine dining, but there are a number of restaurants where one can eat a tasty and enjoyable meal. From time to time we need a fix at the Pemex (gas station) restaurant--although it really sits behind the gas pumps and its official name is the Camino Real. No restaurant in the area turns the quantity of food that does the Camino Real. It caters to Mexican families and people who want to eat their comida (the mid-afternoon main meal) out during the work day, as well as serving copious breakfasts and brunches, and lighter food in the early evening. One can rely on food that is varied, tasty and always fresh.
There are several choices of comida of the day, which is a menu consisting of a soup, choice of a second dish such as rice or pasta, choice of one of several main courses, and a small, flavorful dessert. The cost per person is $55 pesos, about US$5.00. The comida is ready early, by about 1:30 pm, and the lunch rush hour starts at 3:00 pm. On Sundays it is very difficult to get into the Camino Real.
Today the Camino Real offered Beef Lips.
"Solo labios de res?" I queried.
"No, señora, the dish includes cheeks as well as lips."
So Glen and I both lunched on Tarascan soup, Beef Lips braised in a tangy sauce, rice, salsa, rolls, tortillas, and a sweet-tart mini serving of tamarind pudding.
The Beef Lips were luscious. The Camino Real scored again.
2 comments:
El Camino Real, at the Pemex station, is also one of our stalwart favorites. The conejo al ajillo (rabbit in garlic oil with chile guajillo) is tops. The soups are very good, although I don't like their Sopa Tarasca. For that matter, I don't like it in most restaurants here.
We ate at the Camino Real as part of our tour, from Morelia to Patz and a few other places.December '06
We all enjoyed the food as well as the ballet that was the service staff.
Lots of fun.
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