Write On!

              The instruments call back and forth until, when the child is found', the
music switches to a happy upbeat interlude by the whole band. This is the
place for pifia coladas and, surprisingly, one of the few restaurants that offers
Mexican entertainment.
For the best ribs in North America ( really) you must try the NoName
Cafe. Order the full rack and share because it is large! Read all the great
signage painted around the entry and enjoy the fun menu. Watch for Fidel,
one of the waiters who can, and usually will, dance. About twenty televisions
will assure that you can watch all the big games in this noisy rock and roll
sports bar. They serve great strawberry margaritas, but their drinks, especially
beer, are expensive.
Sombrero Bay is the prettiest restaurant I've seen in Mazatlan. The
menu is written in Spanish but the waiters are very helpful, i tried the Polio
Verde ( chicken in green sauce) and found it delicious. Prices reflect the classy
decor, up to $ 75 per couple for dinner and drinks is possible, and I suggest
you make reservations. Nice background music is provided by a marimba
band.
La Mission is the place to meet any Canadians in town. Dick Damron
and his band from Alberta entertain there every Monday night so drop in to say
' hello'.
Some of the following information may be of help when eating out.
You will probably have to ask the waiter to bring your bill. They feel that
bringing the bill before you ask is insulting and insinuates that they want you to
leave, so they wait until you ask. Local drinks; rum, tequila, kahlua, beer, and
fruit drinks called frescos are very inexpensive but imports, such as scotch and
Canadian rye are pricey, and coke and/ or coffee is about the same price as
beer. Mexicans seldom drink coffee except in the morning so, at many of the
smaller more traditional places, you will likely get instant if you order it later.
There are two breweries and most restaurants and bars sell just one. i drink
Pacifico ( made in Mazatldn) if available and Dos X's ( pronounced Dose
Eckees) in the other places. I don't like Corona, although many people do.
Always ask for limes and squeeze one in your beer... nice taste! If you choose
to hire wandering musicians to sing to you in a bar or restaurant, try to find a
group of at least three and ask for ' Song of Mazatlan'. They usually charge
20- 30 pesos, but negotiate. You can start at 10 am ( at Coral Reef, for
instance) and for the rest of the day travel around finding some place that is
selling cheap drinks; the Happy Hour Stroll.
Be careful with your health, of course, but don't be paranoid. All
restaurants in Mazatlan use bottled water in food, drinks and ice cubes so be
comfortable eating or drinking. I suggest you carry waterless hand sanitizer
and a few sheets of toilet paper, as bathrooms often have no soap or paper.
Wash your hands often as we have little immunity to the different bacteria
found in Mexico and treat any injury immediately as the heat and humidity
encourages infection. If needed, the very modern and efficient Sharps Hospital
is just minutes from the tourist zone.