Guadalajara, and the area within a couple of hours of the city in its state of Jalisco, is a winter vacationer’s paradise. Warm, balmy days in the mid-70s to low 80s, slightly cooler nights good for a stroll, and plenty of attractions.
I meant to start writing about our wonderful visit there much earlier, but soon after our return, I got felled by some sort of flu. (NOT the dreaded corona virus, I promise – there are still plenty of nasty old garden variety flus out there to content with.)
Now, I am looking over the photos and remembering the great time we had, and especially all the delicious meals. Instead of a lot of writing about the food, here is a photo gallery and commentary about some of our many tasty experiences.
Most of these food adventures were led by our friend Gaby and her dad and sometimes her mom. They never steered us wrong! Second day (I was too tired to document the first though wish I had), breakfast on the road to Lake Chapala. The cafe had a French name but the food was all local! 
My birthday dinner – seafood on the shores of Lake Chapala, Mexico’s largest lake. 
No, the shrimp are not from the lake…but they were very fresh. The coast is only a few hours away and seafood is very popular even inland. 
Another lakeside resaturant (different lake, same feel) and more shrimp! 
Tasty stand on a side street of Tonales. 
Typical condiments at small stands which feature tacos, quesadillas and other snacks and lunch items 
Along with your tastes of tequila on a factory tour (in Tequila of course), you get to taste roasted agave. Sort of like a very sweet and stringy pineapple. 
Meat in its juices is a popular dish. 
Tortillas (always corn) and condiments (limes, salsas of various heat) along with MEAT! 
We took a cooking class; here our instructor Naomi had all the ingredients laid out in a colorful array awaiting our lesson. 
Fish tacos, and so much more. We certainly left full to the brim. 
Another mostly meat meal at a delicious authentic cantina (singers offering off-key serenades and all) in Zapopan. This one includes four kinds of meat, melted cheese, guacamole and salsas. I lost count of the number of tortillas I wrapped it in and gobbled down! 
Many flavors of agua fresca to choose from in Zapopan. 
And, last but not least, one must try the “drunken sandwich” – more meat, this time on bread. 
And dunked in a liberal amount of hot sauce. It’s a thing that they say you have to try in all the guide books, but the locals like our friend Gaby and her parents discourage it.
OK, so for some mysterious reasons the captions (though I can see them in post editing mode) are not showing up on this post. So, here they are until I figure this problem out:
- Most of these food adventures were led by our friend Gaby and her dad and sometimes her mom. They never steered us wrong! Second day (I was too tired to document the first though wish I had), breakfast on the road to Lake Chapala. The cafe had a French name but the food was all local!
- My birthday dinner – seafood on the shores of Lake Chapala, Mexico’s largest lake.
- No, the shrimp are not from the lake… but they were very fresh. The coast is only a few hours away and seafood is very popular even inland.
- Next day, another lakeside restaurant (different lake, same feel) and more shrimp!
- Tasty lunch stand on a side street of Tonales, where we visited many crafts shops for souvenirs.
- Typical condiments at small stands which feature tacos, quesadillas and other snacks and lunch items.
- Along with your tastes of tequila on a factory tour (in Tequila of course), you get to taste roasted agave. Sort of like a very sweet and stringy pineapple.
- Meat “in its juices” is a popular dish and it is delish!
- Tortillas (always corn) and condiments (limes, salsas of various heat) along with MEAT!
- We took a cooking class; here our instructor Naomi had all the ingredients laid out in a colorful array awaiting our lesson.
- Fish tacos, shredded pork roast cooked in banana leaves, chorizo and potatoes… oh my, we were so full by the end of the class!
- Another mostly meat meal at a delicious authentic cantina (singers offering off-key serenades and all) in Zapopan. This one includes four kinds of meat, melted cheese, guacamole and salsas. I lost count of the number of tortillas I wrapped it in and gobbled down!
- Many flavors of agua fresca (a refreshing fruit drink) in Zapopan.
- And, last but not least, one must try the “drunken sandwich” – more meat, this time on bread.
- And dunked in a liberal amount of hot sauce. It’s a thing that they say you have to try in all the guide books, but the locals like our friend Gaby and her parents discourage it.