A good place to sample Mexican fast food

I like the huaraches and alambres at Kekas Coco on the left side of Paseo de la Presa as you go toward the presa. It's past Farmacia San Francisco and a child care center but before the street Subida del Molino that goes up to the Panoramica. I'm not sure when the tiny restaurant opens but it stays open in the evenings. 3:30pm is a busy time there. Tea de limon served in a big cup for 7 pesos.

El Campanero is for more than walking

You{ll know you're on El Campanero, a sloping pedestrian street connecting Sopeña and Sangre de Cristo in Guanajuato by the archway. Now the street, with three restaurants and cafeterias, makes a fine stopping point for relaxing and sipping or eating.

Santocafe, with its outside tables on the arch, is the oldest establishment or you can sit inside with their hip, young crowd. A bit pricey but in line with the other two places along the street and with a more ample menu, meaning you can get a hot meal there. Some vegetarian options.

Farther up, you'll come to La Casona del Campanero. You'll see a passageway that leads to the patio and a half dozen shops filled with upscale crafts. A good place for coffee and, I've heard, salads.

El Kaapeh is the newest, featuring coffee, salads and breakfast. Seating is at tables or on their sofa near the coffee bar. If you're hungry, you can proceed upstairs to Doña Lety's Fonda Antigua.

Four Tasty Treats

Although sometimes this blog suggests that my Guanajuato life consists mainly of eating, that isn't true. It's just that I like to head visitors in Guanajuato to places where I think they'll eat well.
First on my list today is Truco 7, an old standby on calle Truco between the Jardin and Plaza de la Paz. Their comida is nothing special but I love (not too strong a word) their chicken sandwich, a roll filled with breast meat complemented by tomato, avocado, and a chile, removable if you're so inclined. Truco is very pleasant evenings and late mornings, the latter a popular time with university people wanting a cuppa.

Another Mexican restaurant I like is El Cerro de las Ranas on the right side of Juan Valle going toward Positos and the tunnel. It is becoming increasingly popular with Guanajuatenses so I recommend arriving before three. Dark green walls, high ceiling, efficient service for a meal that often goes beyond the usual Guanajuato restaurant fare. Today I started with chicken soup containing pieces of chicken instead of carrots and chayote, a memorable three color salad of layers of beet, jicama and carrot, a large torta of acelgas or chard in guajillo sauce (a mild tasty pepper) and as the postre, a small buñuelo or elephant ear. Agua de fruta or natural included. 40 pesos.

Four my birthday, I ordered a French chocolate cake from Veronique at La Midi in San Fernando plaza and shared it with friends. There's no need to order a whole cake though. You can cut whatever you-sized slice you want and pay by the weight.

At 6pm, I went to an art opening at the Olga Costa Museum in the white-walled gallery with white marble floors across from the older part of the museum. The paintings and installation by three Spanish women show to advantage there. They will remain for about a month. Yes, along with the interesting art there was finger-food for the occasion, antojitos from Corcho d'baco, which now has a new semi-upscale salad restaurant in a building with several galleries and shops in the Campanero (on the way to Sangre de Cristo from the main street). You order upstairs but can eat your salad in the patio if you like.

Children Take to the Streets in Guanajuato

Walking the Guanajauto streets brings unexpected rewards, like accompanying an Estudiantina made up of secondaria students from Monterrey. I was so taken with their music that when they stopped at Plaza Allend I ran ahead to Cafe Tal and brought the leader a cup of Tal coffee.

One morning about a week later, I came uon a parade down Paseo de la Presa, young students holding colorful banners with messages (in Spanish) like "Save the Planet" and "Love and Peace." They tied up traffic along this main street for almost half an hour but ni modo.

Tourism way down, two economical restaurants closed, but culture booming

My landlady has vacancies in her two temporary and usually occupied rentals, La Venta de Tobosa And Las Cruces restaurants have closed down, but Guanajuato's cultural scene is a least as busy as ever. Cine Club is offering international films Sun-Wed evenings, trumpeter Jason Pettit and his bass partner play jazz early Thursday evenings at The Capellina, theatre events are popping up, the Symphony has resumed its Friday concerts and keep an eye out for special musical offerings at the museums. AND don't forget the days long popular San Juan Days festival, starting June 24. The tourism office in Plaza de la Paz says a flyer should be available there soon.