When foodie influencer Jenn Baluch visited the southwestern Mexican state of Jalisco in February, her 103,000-plus Instagram followers came along, scrolling through every taco de canasta she ate and every carajillo she drank. Baluch, who manages her @tastesofaz account along with social media for local restaurants including Dahlia Tapas Tequila & Wine and Il Bosco Pizza, was happy to return to one of her favorite locales. “It has some of the best hospitality you will find anywhere,” she says. “I’ve been to Europe and all these other places, and I still always think Mexico has the nicest people.” She shares her favoritos from her trip to Guadalajara and Tequila.
Porfirio’s Guadalajara
Baluch likens this scene-y restaurant, with its clamorous volume and dramatic food delivery, to Toca Madera. “What I loved about that one is they have a lot of dishes that are based on their presentation,” she says, like a miniature bicycle holding a basket of tacos, mimicking the city’s bike-borne taco peddlers. And dessert? A churro cart, also in the style of street vendors. porfirios.com.mx/en
Tortas Toño
Guadalajara is known for tortas ahogadas, meaty sandwiches made with birote bread and “drowned” (ahogada) in a vinegary red chile or tomato sauce. Baluch lightly coated her pernil torta with the fiery condiment. “A lot of people, in [response to] my pictures that I posted, were like, ‘You didn’t put enough sauce on it!’” she says with a laugh. “I was like, ‘Well, I didn’t want to eat a soggy sandwich.’” tortastono.com.mx
Tequila Tres Mujeres
On a day trip to the famed Tequila, Baluch toured this woman-owned distillery specializing in the city’s eponymous spirit. She was partial to the sweet, caramelized notes of the reposado – and the pretty tequileria’s Instagram-ready photo op. “They had all these starry lights over the barrels, and you could pose in there with the barrels on each side, and it looked like you were under the stars.” tequilatresmujeres.com.mx
Cantaritos El Güero
Things got un poco loco at this agave-fueled bacchanal, an outdoor complex with taco stands, live bands and a bar pouring dangerously strong drinks into huge ceramic pots – jumbo versions of clay jarritos de barro, earthen mugs designed to keep drinks cold. “It’s basically a Paloma,” Baluch says of the mix of fresh grapefruit and orange juices and Squirt, into which the bartenders pour an entire bottle of tequila. “It was a fun experience, to see it from social media to real life.” cantaritoselguero.mx
NEW AROUND TOWN: NORTH PARK
There are some interesting new things popping up in San Diego’s North Park neighborhood. Don’t miss out on these sights and bites on your next visit.
31THIRTYONE
Michelin-starred chef Drew Deckman’s first restaurant in the United States is strongly committed to sustainable dining, with a menu featuring ingredients sourced from local farmers, including mains like carnaroli risotto, Wolfe Ranch quail and Hokkaido scallops. Visitors can dine at the rooftop bar to enjoy the San Diego sunshine, with tables on a first-come, first-served basis. the3131.com
Leila
This restaurant is the latest from San Diego hospitality group CH Projects and pays homage to co-founder Arsalun Tafazoli’s Persian roots with food and flavors from the Middle East. Try the joojeh chicken kabob (marinated with saffron, turmeric and yogurt), tah dig (crispy basmati rice) and Turkish coffee. Reservations are recommended. leilanorthpark.com
Mid-CityGO
Want to explore beyond North Park? Check out the new, free, electric ride-share service running to City Heights. The app was designed to offer on-demand shuttles between the neighborhoods as part of a larger environmental initiative to reduce emissions and expand access to public transport. midcitygo.com
– Lex Doig
