This was a great place for safe, delicous Mexican home cooking. Follow the Rio Cuale only a couple blocks from the Malecon and, at the end of Calle Encino, go up the stairs. If you pass a couple other small cafes, you'll reach the Iguana Cafe (I can't remember the actual name, but this is what we called it since you can watch iguanas and birds in the trees from there).
The owner started working there at 5 when his mother saved enough from her market stall to buy the place. He speaks English and happily accommodates special requests. Our daughters were able to eat traditional american breakfasts, my husband had menudo and I had traditional specialties like chicken mole and beef stew (birria). The smoothies, coffee, and freshly squeezed orange juice were delicious and only 20-30p. We are careful about where we drink fresh juice, but you can see them cook so we knew it was safe.
We were treated very well and by the third breakfast there the owner not only remembered that my daughter liked her eggs sunny side up with browned bacon and refried beans, but that she requires a spoon to eat them. French toast wasn't on the menu but they made some specially for my other daughter and it was delicious. We never spent more than 15 usd for brunch for four. Many locals frequent the place but there was always enough space by the window for us. It is a lovely, clean place to relax and enjoy Mexican hospitality. read more