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TACOS/LOCAL CUISINE
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The spots in this category are different from “Local Cuisine” in that they will tend to be smaller restaurants, and most often they will have a bit more of a local feel with a casual menu. This is not a bad thing by any means, so often these little restaurants harbor some of what may be your fondest memories of the island. The following are some island favorites and consistent performers for the somewhat adventurous palette.

EL PUEBLITO RESTAURANT AND BAR
Located right before the entrance to Garrafon Reef Park on the west side of the island. This is a rustic, charming and simple local spot with a few plastic tables and basic but great Mexican food. The view of the ocean is beautiful through the trees and you’ll feel like you’ve come to Mexico, which you have. It’s reminiscent of what Isla was like years ago: a soothing and quiet rest stop under the shade of several small trees. A wonderful stop for a cold drink and an appetizer before you head back towards town or proceed around the island. (Southern end of the island right before you reach Garrafon snorkel park on the inland side) - $

MAR CARIBE
Small, with 2 pool tables in back, (I love the pool table thing here in Isla), but anyway, the local food is excellent. Great tacos, fresh and warm tortillas and very tasty and economical fish dishes, Mar Caribe is a good option for the tight budget. (Hidalgo between Mateos and Matamoros) - $

COCKTELERIA PICUS RESTAURANT
Two doors south of the Contoy pier on the main drag, Picus is popular with locals and tourists alike. Excellent and reasonable ceviche and Mexican food explain the popularity with locals, and the casual and quaint atmosphere draws in the curious tourist. The service is great and friendly and the seafood is as fresh as it gets at this wonderful little island hangout. (On the beach on Rueda Medina just north of the main ferry pier) - $$

LA SUSANITA
This is home cooking that’s economical, basic and tasty with tacos, burritos and a variety of other traditional Mexican dishes. You will be eating in the front room of a home, so don’t mind the family and kids going back and forth, they won’t bother you; it only adds to the interesting nature of the meal. A tiny bit of Spanish helps to understand the menu that changes daily and they are often out of things -- just go with the flow. Usually only open from 4-9 pm, but that can change too. No beer or alcohol at last check. My pink plastic plate was cracked and the old metal Kimberly-Clark napkin dispenser was rusty but the tacos were cheap, good and very simple. This is a decent greasy place for the adventurous or the budget traveler who might not care about service. The young girl who served as my waitress was nice enough but since I think her mom was making her do this and she would rather have been out with her friends, her interest level was minimal at best. I was pleased that by the end of the evening I actually got her to crack a smile! (Juarez between Madero and Morelos) - $

TAQUERIA EL PAISANO
Quiet, simple and a very good restaurant away from the tourist strip. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, the pork, beef or chicken tacos are filling and come with three per order. A nice spot for a quiet breakfast and hot coffee, and it’s one of the cheapest places for a cold beer. It hasn’t been open long but when I met the owner; his personality gave me the confidence that it would be around for a while. I hope so. They have an array of chile sauces and other condiments that you can apply to your meal yourself, sort of a salad bar of 8-10 choices. The breakfast is good, the “divorce eggs” in particular or try one of the omelets or the fruit salad with yogurt and granola. Paisano is located on a lovely side street across from one of the prettiest homes in this residential corner of north Isla. (Juarez, just north of Abasolo) - $

TAQUERIA GLENSSY
This is a wonderful and inexpensive little food cart with 4-5 tables along the street at the quiet north end of Avenue Hidalgo. It’s always busy here well into the evening as they serve up great tacos, quesadillas, guacamole, hambuergesas and even hot dogs. Feel free to sit at one of the few tables if one is open or have them wrap your meal up and take it home with you. (NE corner of Hidalgo and Mateos) - $

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