Baja California

Get ready for "The Best of Baja 2014"

Vote for your favorites of this year

The year is almost over and so it's time to honor those who've piqued our interest, with this year's edition of "The Best Of Baja" and you, the reader, have the power in your hands to vote your favorites to win this award. Starting now, the voting begins to pick the very best Baja California has to offer when it comes to eating and drinking, so go ahead and start spreading the news and make sure your favorite wins.

EATING

    FOOD TRUCKS:
HUMO
HUMO

Food trucks are the latest craze on the Tijuana food scene. It has become an alternative for young entrepreneurs, allowing them to be more experimental and innovative with their food proposals, while bypassing the expenses and commitments of a traditional storefront. These newer efforts are what we had in mind for the nominees, seeing as how in the past year we have had an amazing selection pop-up around the city. This isn't to say that we don't enjoy the traditional office lunch, but the game has been seriously upended

by these new offers.

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Nominees: Humo (TJ), Don Ramen (TJ), Maquina 65 (TJ), The Rib Shop (TJ), Kokopelli (TJ), El Truck Nuestro (TJ), Las Picuditas (TJ).

    STREET FOOD:
La Guerrerense
La Guerrerense

As we mentioned above, Street Food has always played an important role in the day to day Baja Lifestyle. Although everyone is excited about the proposals food trucks are bringing to the table (heh), there is still the ongoing debate amongst locals of where to get the best street-style comfort food. Because nothing beats going to your classic taco or seafood stand, getting the familiar taste of tradition. In keeping with that, the nominees are highly respected by both everyday people and some of the most experienced culinary experts and tastemakers.

Nominees: Caldos Don Tony (TJ), La Guerrense (ENS), Tacos El Yaqui (RSA), Tacos El Francés (TJ)

    HIGH END DINING VALLE DE GUADALUPE:
Finca Altozano
Finca Altozano

The Valle de Guadalupe wine region is quickly becoming the worlds newest luxury destination. There has been a constant opening of boutique hotels and restaurants, both of which get multiple mentions in the international media. Of course, as locals, we knew the enchantments of this region from the get go, and glad that our little slice of mediterranean paradise is garnering the attention it deserves. This was one of our most debated list of nominees internally, since the restaurants vary as much as the personalities of the chefs behind them, offering the true cuisine d'auteur experience.

Nominees: Fuego, Corazón de Tierra, Deckman's, Finca Altozano, LAJA

    HIGH END DINING TJ:
Caesar's
Caesar's

Tijuana's high-end cuisine and dining options have gone through a sort of evolution in the past 5 or 6 years. Italian or French were the common and overused themes in Tijuana's more expensive restaurant scene of the old days but those traditions have been given new cooking techniques, ingredients and a over all more local based gastro-experience. Some of the excellent nominees are well known to TV/ news articles, some are true classics in the city, and all of them share true culinary delight.

Nominees: Misión 19, Caza Club, Casa Plascencia, M Capaceta, Caesar's, La Querencia

    OUTSTANDING NEW FOOD PATIOS:
Colectivo 9
Colectivo 9

One of the new phenomenons here in TJ are the food patios. Lots that have been modified to fit several food trucks and food stands, with a shared dining area. These trendy new food-court style venues not only shine because of the individual food options, but because of the natural collaborative quality and pairings these places have to offer. Where else can you get fresh seafood and savory smoked meats a few feet away from each other?

Nominees:Colectivo 9, Telefónica GastroPark, Estación 55, Food Garden, Kitchen Bulevard TJ

BEST OVERALL RESTAURANT:

Manzanilla
Manzanilla

It's easy to visit, and exquisite, to taste all the great restaurants in Baja but it's quite difficult to choose a clear cut winner. Tijuana, Tecate, Valle de Guadalupe and Ensenada all want to claim the throne of the who is the Best of Baja but only you, the ever loyal patrons of these culinary delights can choose your favorite. Provecho!

Nominees:La Justina (TJ), Misión 19 (TJ), Laja (Valle), Corazón de Tierra (Valle de Guadalupe), Manzanilla (ENS), Verde y Crema (TJ), El Lugar de Nos (TKT)

DRINKING

    BEST CRAFT BEER BAR:
1994 Bar
1994 Bar

The west coast craft brew movement has extended down south to the coast of Baja, and boy have we ran with it. To accompany the great new brewing houses, craft beer bars have sprung all around the state, from bars in Tijuana that sell only in-house made drafts, to venues in Ensenada that offer the best from all over the state . These casual, comfy venues are a great place to have a long conversation with a friend or significant other, while enjoying the best of what Baja California's craftsmanship has to offer.

El Local (TJ), Wendlandt (ENS), BCB Tasting Room (TJ), Mamut (TJ), Beer Box (TJ), 1994 Bar (TJ)

    BEST DIVE BAR:
El Dandy del Sur
El Dandy del Sur

It's later than you should be out, it's smokey and the jukebox is playing Narco Corridos classics from Chalino Sanchez. The cliche Mexican dive bar is alive and well but in some cases has reinvented itself, like Mezcalera, sparking a new era of nightlife in the city. Whether it's in Tijuana's Centro, Calle Sexta and Zona Norte districts or somewhere in Ensenada, you could find gritty dive bar gems in Baja. Dirty lil' bars that the region is famous for have evolved from their roots, some have changed clientele from dirty old drunk men to hipsters, students, artists and musicians. One thing remains the same, these bars are the most entertaining way to finish the night on the town.

Nominees:La Mezcalera (TJ), Tropics Bar (TJ) Zebras/La Ladrillera (TJ) El Zacazonapan(TJ), Nelsons (TJ), La Política Alegre (ENS), El Dandy del Sur (TJ)

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