By Jennifer Kramer
www.bajatheothercalifornia.com
Nestled into the bustling Zona Rio neighborhood in Tijuana is a delightful space where artisan street food comes together with a casual but refined atmosphere. Food Garden, an urban street food garden complete with artisan food stalls and a seating area in the middle, is the first establishment of its type in Mexico. It presents several culinary artisans delivering fresh and delicious dishes in a relaxed and refreshing environment making it a great a place to try a smattering of the gourmet street food that Tijuana has to offer in one place. If you’re just getting into the Tijuana or northern Baja food scene, this is a great place to start.
The main outdoor seating area is fresh and inviting, well designed with wood and concrete tables and seats, bright accent colors, and beautiful tiles lining the perimeter. There’s also an indoor space with tables and restrooms. The permanent food stalls line the outdoor seating area and are mini-locations for acclaimed Tijuana restaurants established around the city.
There are currently six main food stalls (in addition to a handful of temporary vendors selling desserts and crafts that rotate in and out): Los Chilaquiles, serving up deliciously inventive flavors of the traditional Mexican chip dish; Veggie Smalls with vegetarian comfort food such as burgers, fries and hot dogs; Creperie La Luna, with gourmet sweet and savory crepes, La Taqueseria, with a variety of traditional Mexican tacos and street food; Walter, serving fish tacos and other seafood dishes; Asia de Baja, with Pad Thai and other noodle dishes that rival anything you’d find in Asia; and Hornero baking up artisan pizzas and salads.
You’ll order at the food stall and receive a number and a receipt. Take the receipt up to the Bar/cash register where you pay for your food and can purchase beverages like aguas frescas, thai iced tea and craft beer. Find a seat at a table with your number and they’ll bring you your food as soon as it’s ready. ¡Buen provecho!
If you go:
-There’s a parking lot with a guard. Parking is $5 pesos with purchase of something at the Foodgarden (take your parking ticket with you and present it at the cash register to have it validated).
-Free wifi if you ask for the password.
-Hours:
Mon – Thu: 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Fri – Sat: 9:00 am – 11:00 pm
Sun: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
Ave Rodolfo Sanchez Taboada 10650,
Zona Rio, 22010 Tijuana, BC
www.foodgarden.mx
Phone: 011-52-664-634-3527
GPS: 32.518505, -117.010586
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