I love stopping in here for a drink or two or... well ... easy to get comfortable here and stay a while. I believe it's the oldest bar around here. Quite the celebrity have dropped in for a drink ... which they proudly display framed pics of some of these! I prefer bar seating but tables are great if you are with a group. In the past I have always ordered from the drink specials menu... you can get lit with a pretty small bar tab if you do that. On this visit I had a Don Julio blanco margarita and it was probably one of the best margaritas I've ever had! It was simple and not too sweet. Service is prompt and efficient and friendly. They do have snacks for sale ... but I didn't get anything on this visit. Till next time read more

Nice low key bar with German style interior. Although it is a dive bar expect that there can be a wait on weekend nights. The prices are very reasonable. I personally like the Tamarind Margarita. read more

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I liked this place, it is one of the older bars downtown and has a nice ambiance with lots of wood and old pics and a jukebox along the wall. It's divey in a good way and the bartender was friendly and attentive. They serve your standard beers and tequilas here. The Mezcal is the only stuff they serve that stateside folks may have not tried. The relaxed and casual atmosphere and it's location had me come back a few times over the course of my trip. Really good place to unwind after cruising the strip. read more

A bar that has been open since 1957! Yes please. A bar that has been visited by the All Mighty, Legendary...Anthony Bourdain double YES please! Classy, Classic old school furniture, an updated Juke box, anything you can imagine that is classic, it is here! Well poured drinks. I got a margarita and a cosmo and none of them disappointed, wow! Staff is friendly, fun and active. I would love to spend an entire evening here, which I will, when time permits. Go go go! read more

Dandy del Sur - Dive Bars Near Me - Tijuana, BCN

Came here for some day drinks. The bartender was extremely kind and helpful. Drinks were great! She also gave us a recommendation for tacos, and the tacos were amazing as well! Will definitely come back next time. I am in TJ. read more

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First visit to Tijuana and this was our first stop. Friendly and familiar, the cantina had that retro style I'd expect to find in a classic neighborhood bar. The beers were cheap and cold. The bar snacks interesting and on point, especially the veggie chicharrones. The lighting dim. The decor time period dated. Laid back and local vibe, welcoming to all. We came here for the Astronaut shots. Totally take em. Check out other reviews for a description. I was told not to talk about em but they're mentioned in almost all the reviews. Go get em! This is a great spot to stop and kick it in TJ. It was a pretty short ride from the border. Totally worth it. read more

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Stopped by for some drinks & we loved it. It's a classy chill bar, they have the music thing you can request songs on. Drinks are reasonable as well read more

Dandy del Sur - Dive Bars Near Me - Tijuana, BCN

Good dive in the heart of TJ. No fuss, no frills. Staff are attentive and polite, you can tell this establishment has been a staple for a long time. read more

What a wonderful little place. It is quiet and inexpensive. I didn't see any other americans in the place and that was totally fine. The beer i ordered was less than $2 and the shots of Mezcal were around $3. It was a perfect little bar to have a drink before we went to Tacos El Paisa at Las Ahumaderas.. read more

The best way to visit Tijuana is with Yelp Elite friends that love to eat and drink. One of the stops made was to Dandy del Sur. Of the bars that we went to, Dandy del Sur was by far my personal favorite - off the beaten path and non-pretentious. Everything is there to have a good time and not a lot of nonsense. I guess it could be a "dive" bar... but honestly, it wasn't too "divey". There is "supposedly" a cat that has his own seat at this bar... but rumor has it that the cat hasn't been to the bar in a while. Who knows?!? Drinks were strong. No complaints. Instead of bar nuts, they serve "chicharrón". YUM! I'll definitely be back when in Tijuana! read more

Dandy del Sur - Shots! - Dive Bars Near Me - Tijuana, BCN

If Anthony Bourdain is a fan then, why not follow suit? Dandy Del Sur is a great dive bar with a cat for a mascot, offers microwaved jerky as a snack and is serving an amazing delicacy known as the Astronaut shot. This place is the real deal, no bullshit attitudes, just a kick back staff that's willing to give you the business if you're a jerk, so check the attitude at the door. The drinks are very reasonable, and the barflies are great for tips regarding secret spots for local fare. We sat at the bar and were greeted with a smile and drinks. The bartenders offered us some microwaved beef jerky with salt, lemon juice, and the hot sauce; it sounds weird, but this went great with the beers. After a while she offered us Astronaut shots, which will lift up the most hungover person in your group. It's a mix of instant coffee, sugar, and Tequila and that's all I will tell you. You'll have to get the full experience yourself. Like I said before this is one of many bars that Anthony Bourdain likes to frequent when visiting Tijuana. There's even a picture of him on the wall hanging out with the owners. How cool is that?! Come to TJ they said; it will be fun they said. Well, guess what, I did and it was! read more

Dandy del Sur - The man himself. - Dive Bars Near Me - Tijuana, BCN

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- the oldest bar in tijuana - Of course, you have to have a drink here - its an anthony Bourdain favorite - Fantastic margarita, even tho they use the most bottom shelf tequila you ever did see - The tequila is strong. My friend got trashed over half a cup - not much English is spoken here, but all you need to know is margaritas and you'll be fine - margarita is only 3usd (60 pesos) - They make drinks to go (Idk the Mexican open container laws, but if they are stringent, the bartenders did not seem to care) read more

I come to Tijuana quite often but never really have time to come out and sit at a dive bar, I mostly come and enjoy the fabulous restaurants that Tijuana has to offer all around town. This place has been on my to go list for awhile and we'll I finally made it out here, took an Uber down from Zona rio and immediately fell in love with this place, classic look with the neon lights outside , very old inside, loved the decor , loved the history, so I pretty much loved everything about this place right off the bat . I ordered up a nice cold beer , the beers are only 2.00 dollars, incredible, the bartender lady was friendly, fast and the people inside were all cool, just chilling , enjoying this historic establishment . I did end up having the microwaved bag of beef jerky with some lemon and salsa on it, tasted good. Above all I especially enjoyed the many old and historical pictures that they had all up on the walls, history definitely lives here . I will absolutely come back and loved the fact that Anthony Bourdain himself once came in here . This place rocks, long live Dandy Del Sur Cantina . read more

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Going off the beaten path sometimes leads to what is usually referred to "hidden gems." They really aren't, but it's nice to suddenly "discover" something. This cozy little dive bar off Revu has much of the basics and service is on par with attentive dudes making sure that your martini glass or beer bottle isn't empty. If you're looking for sanctuary from the madness of the the tourist trap, then stop by and relax with the locals for a bit. read more

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The first time I went here a few months ago I thought it was just alright, a regular bar, albeit on the quirky and beautiful side. The ceilings are covered in cool ghostwriting and have antique looking chandeliers. My recent trip to Tijuana this past weekend brought me here for the second time, and now I get it! Dandy is definitely a terrific local hangout where you could spend most of your night. I know because we did over the weekend on our recent group trip! They have drink specials daily including 2 for 1 deals which ends up being like $2 per cocktail. I tried a very fruity s*x on the beach (it was light on alcohol). One of their signatures here is the tamarind martini. You also should try the free spicy chicarronnes which taste so fresh and are delicious! Good service sitting at one of the many little tables next to the bar, or you can find a spot at the bar and get taken care of by pretty friendly bartenders who are pretty much bilingual. The highlight of our recent 2+ hour stint here was spotting an older woman sitting at the bar, and then realizing that she was in a photo on the wall with TV foodie/traveler Anthony Bourdain. We introduced ourselves to Aida, and she was happy to take a photo with us, and then another photo, and then another and then another. There were over a dozen of us there and we were all excited to meet the famous owner of the establishment. Tip: check out the bathrooms which have low saloon style doors, but don't peek over into the next stall! read more

Dandy del Sur - Dive Bars Near Me - Tijuana, BCN

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Yelp gives this place a lot of business! And I hope they love when 30 of us fill their bar. I was told this was the "Nunus" of TJ. Yeah the feel and look of the bar, it wasn't as crowded as Nunus until we made our way through. We Americans love to drink and be loud... And that's exactly what we did... Drink specials will keep you at 2 drinks for about $5! They are cocktails and pretty weak and sweet. And then don't forget the free shot of tequila. That will get you a good drunken buzzness. Yes you may be saying who likes tequila? And low grade tequila that is?! But it's free so open your throat and swallow it like no tomorrow. Be careful, you lose track of time and shots and drink specials... The whole night you'll probably spend less than $20 but then realize where all your money go? You probably ended up buying rounds for everyone! The owner of the bar was here too. Or at lease we thought it was her. She looked the same in the pics! Definitely a dive bar in TJ, come with a group of friends. They are nice and you'll enjoy your time. read more

Let us all pay homage to Dandy del Sur! - Oldest bar in Tijuana - The original cantina on what is now called "La Sexta" - Favorite bar of celebrities and average Joes like you and me - Home to Daniela, the house gato - 2 for 1 specials that can't be beat - Plenty of cold cerveza - Best of all, friendly locals mixed with well-behaved tourists I speak for many when I say that a trip to TJ isn't quite complete without at least one round at El Dandy. Better make that two if you're taking advantage of the 2 for 1 deal. How about three? Maybe El Dandy is ironically named. It ain't fancy. It basically represents what is all too rare these days: an old-fashioned bar with good service, cheap drinks, a fun atmosphere, and a cool, eclectic crowd. Don't forget to ask for chicharrones. I've heard that they're vegetarian, but you may want to ask just to make sure. If you're feeling carnivorous, get the carne seca. The jukebox takes dollar bills. Honestly, I'm not sure about pesos. Play "Echoes" for me! read more

No visit to Tijuana is complete without a stop into Dandy del Sur! It is arguably the best bar in the entire city! It's dark and retro so you lose all track of time, but don't worry, you don't need no stinkin' time when you are in this bar! Your experience will be complete with AMAZING drink specials, a poly-dactyl bar cat, some of the best snacks ever (seriously) and a sweet jukebox kickin' out some old school tunes. For drinks, I always go for the Tamarindo Martini which is occasionally on the 2 for 1 drink special of the day but, even when it is not, will only set you back about 25 pesos a pop - not a bad deal! Be careful, these are SUPER drinkable so don't be alarmed by how many you'll probably drink. I mentioned a cat and no, I was not joking. There is an alley cat that calls Dandy home and wanders in and out as she pleases. She has 6 toes on each paw and she's really friendly! If you don't look for her towards the back of the bar, you probably won't even notice she's there. Dandy also has some of the best bar snacks I've ever experienced to satisfy your drunk munchies. They offer chicharron snacks (the fake stuff, not the real stuff) covered in delicious hot sauce, popcorn, beef jerky in a delicious gravy that they warm up, and Japanese peanuts that are basically just fried peanuts. They also have a selection of chips and candy that you can purchase, if you'd rather. We ALWAYS come to Dandy when we are in TJ and as long as it's there, we will be coming back! read more

Dandy del Sur - Tamarindo Martini - Dive Bars Near Me - Tijuana, BCN

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Dandy was one of a few stops during a night out in TJ. What a great bar! Cheap drinks with daily specials ~ mostly buy one get one or two free!! The chicharrones were addicting!!! What a perfect snack to go with our drinks!! Bathrooms were clean Servers were very attentive Owner was parked at the corner of the bar observing all of us patrons, nice lady! FREE wifi!! Doorman gave us the code when we asked You have to try the astronaut shot!! read more

Dandy del Sur - Cheap drinks!! - Dive Bars Near Me - Tijuana, BCN

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After all these years, Dandy del Sur is still the best dive bar in Tijuana. The staff always nice and friendly, there tends to be ample seating for large groups, the prices are right, and it's just downright cozy. It's the kind of place where everyone knows your name, and it's a welcome stop every time I'm south of the border. If you're visiting, be sure you take time to stop by. You'll be glad you did. read more

PROS: If you merely like dive bars in general - you would love this one. Cheap strong drinks that flow like the river, friendly staff, warm atmosphere, and some of the coolest locals from TJ! Not only would I have spent multiple days there on my solo trip this go around - I also would've spent some time there when I return in July, BUT... CONS: I stayed for 3 days at a Hotel literally one block away. My second night I finally made it here to pre-game. As I walked out the bar headed back to my room (Hotel Rio Rito) ONE BLOCK AWAY - the Mexican police (Policía Municipal) stopped me and nicely ROBBED ME OF $250 USD ($50 in my pocket and $200 in my left shoe). It makes you wonder if someone might've set me up inside knowing I was alone because it happened so sudden and smooth. I'll be returning to TJ for 7 days in July but not this area LITERALLY because of the corrupt police EVERYWHERE!!! They will absolutely see you going in or coming out of this bar, and remember...THIS IS A SIDE STREET!!! If a cop stop you - please do the following: LIVESTREAM on FACEBOOK OR INSTAGRAM, ETC!!! FACETIME SOMEONE OR EQUIVALENT AND HAVE THEM RECORD!!! Those dirty SOBs will literally make you delete any recording so you have to GO LIVE!!! I traveled solo for 10 days throughout Baja California and it absolutely hurts me how Mexican people are depicted in the media (I'm a black man so I understand US propaganda), because the people of Mexico are absolutely some of the most beautiful people in the world! I felt safe throughout TJ, Rosarito, Popotla, Los Algodones amongst the people...literally even amongst the "bad guys"...LITERALLY! The Mexican police (Policía Municipal) are literally the most dangerous people towards tourist and they made me hate the country for a second because of that...I was hurt, but that was quickly overpowered with all the love from the people which is truly mutual! YOU SEE THEM, AND THEY SEE YOU (Policía Municipal)! YouTube search when a protestor in Guadalajara set a cop on fire to understand the level of corruption. read more

It's a local dive bar. I don't think this place would have been put on the map if it weren't for Anthony Bourdain. Either way, this happened to be one of the places along our 'dandy' little tour of Tijuana for the day. When you walk in, you will immediately see the lady who owns it where she can always be seen near the entrance, on the far left of the bar. She has an impressive blonde (or simply light colored) afro. This is definitely a dive bar, no questions asked. At the far end of the bar, you'll find a few of the gringo regulars. The crowd is fairly nonchalant. There is a jukebox as well as a picture of Anthony Bourdain. They have a very good selection of alcohol as well as cocktails, but the good menu sits somewhere up above towards the back of the bar. They have specials where you order 2 or 3 drinks for the price of one. The good menu is generally high above the back way by the TV. Pro's: - The drinks are cheap - The drinks are delicious - The people are nice - It's near Revolucion. - They speak and understand English for those who have trouble with Spanish Con's: - There is currently infrastructure work all over the front entrance of the bar. I honestly wish I could spend more time here. read more

After a day of being barraged by loud shop owners, paying for overpriced tacos, and getting cornered by roaming mariachi bands, a visit to Dandy del Sur can be a much need refuge. This is a dive bar right off the main drag of downtown Tijuana. And like any good dive, the decor is worn in and full of dimly-lit charm. And, most importantly, the drinks are good and cheap. Between bottles of Sol and 2-for-1 brandy campechanos (brandy, soda water and cola), I convinced myself to try an astronaut shot. Down went the tequila followed by a lime wedge covered in sugar and instant coffee. Bitter, sweet, sour, all in one. Interesting. Try one. Settling at the bar, early Beatles played on the jukebox. A polite, nicely dressed bartender promptly served drinks and Japanese peanuts to snack on. A few patrons talked quietly on one side of the bar. The frizzy haired owner sat at her post on the other end. She graciously thanked guests as they left. No sign of the bar cat this time. That's reason enough for another visit, right? Sure. But the $12 tab makes any decision to return that much easier. read more

Dandy del Sur - Astronaut shot prep - Dive Bars Near Me - Tijuana, BCN

This place does not look like any of the other bars on the avenida revolución. My boyfriend had beers all night and I had two margaritas and a tamarindo martini. It has a nice vibe. It's not too loud, you're able to keep a conversation without having to scream or anything. There's a juke box and they have a pretty large selection of songs to chose from. It looks a little sketchy from outside but feel safe once you're inside. ++++Restrooms are clean read more

Dandy del Sur - Dive Bars Near Me - Tijuana, BCN

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One of the best dive bars in the TJ area. The prices are fair and you'll have a great time, as the servers, bar staff and atmosphere is very welcoming. The music they were playing was actually really good as well. This is one of the bars that Anthony Bourdain visited, so I needed to go. It was well worth it. read more

We rolled in here around 3:00 or 4:00pm last weekend and liked it so much that we ended up returning for more drinks again around 9:00pm. This place is Anthony Bourdain approved and it's easy to see why... Nestled about a block off of the main drag, Dandy del Sur was dubbed by our group as the "Nunu's of TJ" due to it's dark demeanor and cozy local vibe. There is a fully loaded juke pumping out great music (both English and Spanish) and small bites offered from the bartender throughout your visit. They know how to make some quality cocktails here and we were even put in our place when we ordered a little known "astronaut" shot with tequila rather than vodka. "It's not an astronaut with tequila, hombre!" Great prices, and a very friendly place just down the street and around the corner - I can't wait to go back! read more

Man, this place rules. I've had the esteemed pleasure of going to this bar on countless occasions but, my last visit was just epic. Cheep beers, good tequilas and creative little bar snacks make this a must stop when in TJ. The best part though is the shot they are know for, The Astronaut. What is it you ask? Well, you pick your brand of tequila and it's accompanied with a lime wedge that you dip in coffee grinds and sugar. This may sound strange but, you take the lime before the shot and it's frickin delicious!!! Make this place one of your first stops before an epic night out in TJ. You'll want to remember it... read more

Dandy del Sur - Astronaut shot - Dive Bars Near Me - Tijuana, BCN

While San Diegan's are getting excited about a new cat cafe where you have to purchase a coffee so that you can stand in line for a 20 minute chance to pet cats, the smart ones are in TJ at Dandy del Sur. Dandy's has a full time bar patron named Danielle. She's got 4 legs, a billion extra toes (polydactly) and loves to be pet and scratched. Not only do you not have to stand in line to pet Danielle, you can have a beer or cocktail while you do. Cat Cafes are so 2014. Cat Bars are the next craze. You heard it here first folks. In addition to a rad bar cat, Dandy's has some of the best service in the area. Beers are a great price, mezcal shots are over-abundant and the snacks are top notch. The seats feel kinda tiny and close, but I think it helps make the place feel more intimate. I wouldn't count it as a negative, I just don't think we have as many dive bars that are also lounge-y so it was new to me. If this place was any closer, I'd be here everyday, until I make the move to TJ, monthly visit will have to do! read more

Dandy del Sur - Danielle, the bar gato! - Dive Bars Near Me - Tijuana, BCN

Dive Bar !! Great local bar off the strip. There is no music just a quiet bar that feels like your in the 70's . This spot has been here for 70 years and was one of the original TJ bars... come pay respect beers are 1$ !!! We met the owner and she is a local legend.... read more

Dandy del Sur - Dive Bars Near Me - Tijuana, BCN

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A dive bar just off Avenida Revolución with endless charisma. Dark and cramped in nature the place is a must visit for reasonably priced drinks, great service and addicting bar snacks. Patrons are mostly friendly locals. The bathrooms are clean but the swinging doors are bizarrely short. We love to drink late into the night here. Dandy rocks! read more

Cheap Tamarindo Martinis...(like under 2 bucks) and the specials (2 for1 drinks). The wifi made it 5 star because now that there is Uber TJ, i can get a car without needing a cellular connection. Truly an institution. not a divey place, has a small sign up front, otherwise you could miss it. I have been to TJ 3x and I have been to Dandy 3 x now. I might say it's my regular hangout before or after. There are other drinks but since I enjoy tamarindo martinis, I will keep having them here. I have seen the polydactyl cat. I have met the wonderful and welcoming (but quiet) owner. If this is your first time and want a quieter place to hang out, this is your spot! read more

If i lived in TJ this bar would be one of my hangouts. Just off the main drag of TJ. Great prices on the booze and they had free chicharrons. Yvonne was all about the wifi but I'm surprised in our states of inebriation anyone was able to read the wifi password. We basically took over this bar with the 18 of us. But they were accommodating, sweet and a lot of fun. We will definitely be back on our many more to come UYE TJ!!!!! read more

El Dandy is definitely an OG bar; it has been around for decades (1957). We were so lucky to stumble across this dive bar after my refusal to go into any place where they were begging us to go in and no Wi-Fi. As soon as I walked in I'm all Yass Papi Yass!!! And even better they had Wi-Fi; I swear I heard angels doing a grito for a minute. It kind of reminded me of a dive bar from my hometown of Salinas, The Harmony could have sworn those bartenders were the same too. =) If I lived here I would have this on my rotation for places to hang out. They served everything including these delicious tamarindo martinis! They were only like $4 bucks for two....ding ding ding. Winner! The wait staff was redic, we had to hombres waiting on us hand and foot, they were just there for us. Mind you there were a bunch of us too and they made accommodations for us to sit in a big circle. Bathrooms were clean and smelled like bleach which is always better than the alternative. They have free Wi-Fi, free chicharron, cool jams on the juke box, hombres at your disposal and yummy drinks. What else do you need? Protip: Just go there read more

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Amazing place, very peculiar, good diffrent drinks. Its a most in Tijuana

I came here on a random Saturday to just have drinks and chill, and I must say that I love the vibes! I saw this place online as an Anthony Bourdain recommendation, and it doesn't disappoint! If you're looking for a super crazy, dance club environment, this wouldn't be your spot. It is the definition of a dive bar, but it's close to the main drag, so you should start here and then go to the craziness! Definitely have to get a classic margarita on the rocks. Super strong and so DELICIOSO!! read more

Tucked away just off Revolucion... this warm and inviting bar is just what the doctor ordered for your warm up to the rest of the day/evening. Drinks are very reasonably priced, service is great and the atmosphere is on par with other welcoming dive bars you might be familiar with in the states. Use your Spanish (no matter how bad) to gain the respect of the bartender, and they will make sure your glass never goes empty! Enjoy! read more

Great after hours bar for even greater . Tamarindo Martini's. Also there's Wi-Fi available so you can check in. And you can't forget about the cat, so make sure to stop by and say hello to the kitty while refreshing your parched mouth with a good Tamarindo Martini read more

Dandy del Sur - Tamarindo Martini's - Dive Bars Near Me - Tijuana, BCN

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Dandy Del Sur is a legend of a bar. Favorited by Anthony Bourdain, or as I like to call him "Tony". This is the most comfortable bar in TJ, almost like the warm feeling one would get if there were a real life Cheers. I always walk in, not knowing anyone, in a foreign country, yet feel welcomed. But that also may be the warm and fuzzy feeling I get from the ample drinks I consume. Dark, nestled just off the street, Dandy's owner is the amazing older woman sitting at the end of the bar with a tall grey perm just gazing about the crowd. She always keeps a watchful eye, probably putting together her story of your life. I'm not entirely sure if this place was her creation from the beginning, and she's usually too intimidating to approach. So I may never know. 4 things you need to know about Dandy's and what you need to ask for. 1. Ask for an Astronaut shot. These are not disgusting and gut wrenching. You will sincerely thank me or this. 2. Ask for the Carne Seca and Chicharrones 3. There used to be a cat that slept on the bar and he had extra toes on each paw. 4. Get a paloma- They're Buy 1 get 1. read more

Oh man, what can I say abut Dandy del Sur that I really truly remember well? I have no idea. Other than I love it and it's a fun dive bar in T.J. It happens to be one of our usual stops when we collect a big group of friends and hit the boarder for a day/night of crazed bar hopping. The staff here are really cool. I don't know how they put up with us. Not that we are tremendously unruly but we are loud and drink a bit and we are plentiful. Every time we do our thing in T.J. we never miss this spot. It's made an unforgettable impression on our hearts. Try the Astronautica, Astronomica, Andromeda, Anti Pasta, Anbalambadingdong... I don't know what it's called but it matters not - they will know what you mean if you say anything close to any one of those words. It's a shot of tequila a lime wedge and a bowl with one side sugar and the other coffee crystals. If you start to burn out a little or just want a little pick up get this. Dip one side of the lime wedge in sugar, the other side in the coffee crystals, throw the tequila down the hatch and suck on your wedge. DO IT!!! read more

For some reason I thought I had already reviewed this place but I guess not and I'm truly disappointed at myself for taking so long to review it. Pretty much this is place you need to be when you como for a visit in my beloved Tijuana aka TJ. No matter your social status, preferences or if you're a local or tourist... at Dandy's everyone has a great time and high fives each other when you're here. This place has a special place in my heart, I mean my dad used to bring my mom here on their dates and now my husband and I come here and enjoy drinks with our friends. So... yes everything you have read about this place is true : Anthony Bourdain coming here, the cat that sits on the bar stools, the Cantina vibe, the red neon signs, the juke box, the 2 for one tamarindo martinis, the carne seca snacks and the chicharrones de harina ... all true. But if I were you I would and see for myself what this place is all about!!! Have fun and a martini or two for me!! read more