Natasha Posted February 21, 2015 Report Share Posted February 21, 2015 Great news for those who like a good portion, great taste, huge selection, and very reasonable prices. Those here in the '90s and early-mid 2000's will remember "Alfredo's California" Restaurant, one block off the main drag in Chapala, west of the bus depot. Very "Mexican" neighborhood. Before the days when there were kazillions of restaurants to choose from, it was always packed and we went OFTEN, even tho' lived in Ajijc at the time. He opened a second location in Riberas, but was so successsful that after one year the landlord doubled the rent, and he could not afford it so had to close. Then, over time changes happened -- more selection, etc. -- and the Chapala place got smaller and less busy, although the food was still great. At one point, he finally threw in the towel, altho' wife still ran the location across from Chapala Malecon( different menu, not as good in our opinion). Now he's BACK!! -- small location between Cafe Magaña and the Veterinaria pet food store on the carretera in Riberas (in the middle of the first block east of Ladron's Vet Clinic). Don't expect frills. Don't expect your food plate converted into some kind of modern art sculpture. DO expect a humongous selection, amazing prices, good-sized portions, a daily special, plus Sunday extra-special, and friendly service . Closed Tuesdays. Open other days until 8 pm..... I THINK..... Sunday might be closed a little earlier. Also does amazing breakfasts. ENJOY! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Habacht Posted February 21, 2015 Report Share Posted February 21, 2015 We've been there more than 6 times...working thru the menu...Sunday was prime Rib.....great food Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted February 21, 2015 Report Share Posted February 21, 2015 Great history, information and extraordinary enthusiasm. But other than random Prime Rib on Sunday, what kind of food is on the menu? California pre-dates me, as I arrived in 2008. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pepez Posted February 21, 2015 Report Share Posted February 21, 2015 Travis, the menu is huge, as it was at his previous place. Everything on it from breakfast to Chinese to seafood to US "comfort food" (i.e. liver and onions, chicken fried steak, lamb chops) to pasta to....i can't remember what all. And, yes, the owner/chef says, he has the ingredients to prepare all those things on the menu. Amazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted February 21, 2015 Report Share Posted February 21, 2015 Wow. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ComputerGuy Posted February 21, 2015 Report Share Posted February 21, 2015 He was always known for his huge selection. The original place had a giant menu on the back wall. You can order just about anything that comes to mind. I was always mystified how he could keep so much inventory on hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdlngton Posted February 21, 2015 Report Share Posted February 21, 2015 I had a monte cristo sandwich there that was excellent. Fresh turkey breast and black forest ham. The menu is huge and I don't understand how he can keep so much stock in such a small kitchen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pepez Posted February 21, 2015 Report Share Posted February 21, 2015 When we were there last week, i asked him if he could actually produce anything that was on the huge menu and his answer was "Yes; why not?" Although those of us who have worked in restaurants pretty much know why not. But since he is the chef and the owner, he ought to know! Give Alfredo's California a try and see what YOU think! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wookie Posted February 24, 2015 Report Share Posted February 24, 2015 We went yesterday. We were the only customers at the time and things were so "bumpy" at first that we were thinking about putting sufficient money on the table and leaving. Just as we were thinking seriously about this our food arrived and it rescued the whole experience. We were wanting fried food so had ordered the chicken fingers, fried onion rings, french fries and fried zucchini ... I KNOW!!! Not the best well balanced meal but that is what we wanted and it was fantastically great! This is not a place to go if you are worried to much about cleanliness. We have lived here long enough that we have been able to look the other way and enjoy some places that we would not begin to tolerate in the States. However, the road right outside the door is pretty well traveled and we could not believe the number of cars that refused to stay on the road and instead drove their cars right past our table which made for several many fogs of dust. This plus the very loud children and t.v. inside the restaurant were two of the reasons we almost left. Then I went to wash my hands in the bathroom, thus passing the kitchen. This is a place where we will probably order to go next time. The food was very good though not really inexpensive especially considering all of the above. The waitress was very friendly, helpful and attentive as was the man who we are supposing is the owner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natasha Posted February 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 Hmm-mmmmmmm......... you can see the place is right on the side of the carretera but you choose to sit OUTSIDE instead of simply asking them to turn the volume down on the TV and sit inside where it's cool and not dusty? What's missing from this picture? Glad you enjoyed, even though the thought of that much fried food at once turns me green! Do give them another chance -- and try some of the other excellent selections they have to offer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lexy Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 Hmm-mmmmmmm......... you can see the place is right on the side of the carretera but you choose to sit OUTSIDE instead of simply asking them to turn the volume down on the TV and sit inside where it's cool and not dusty? What's missing from this picture? Glad you enjoyed, even though the thought of that much fried food at once turns me green! Do give them another chance -- and try some of the other excellent selections they have to offer. Natasha-- Chill. Lexy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wookie Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 It's o.k. Lexy. A lot of people jump to conclusions without asking first. The reason we ate outside was because when we stepped inside the restaurant we were quickly herded outside. We were told we would be much more comfortable outside as it was hot (which it was) inside. Also, I am sure we were escorted outside so quickly because the children (I am thinking the owner's) were running and playing all around inside. This continued the whole time we were there so the owner was right ... we were much better off being outside because even out there it was loud and the children were using the tables to play and sit. Natasha, I don't know what is missing from this picture as far as you are concerned. We were trying to be as polite as possible under the circumstances. We evaluated the dust situation and decided that we could tolerate it in order to try the food. We much preferred the dust to the children and noise ... these were our two choices as we saw them. Also, we don't make a habit of eating so much fried food but we were craving it so we did enjoy it. Natasha, thank you so much for attempting to educate us on our food choices and seating choices. However, we were not born yesterday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moderator-2 Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 Let's remember to keep the focus on posting our own reviews and respecting differing opinions rather than posting critiques of the reviews of others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natasha Posted February 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2015 Lexie --- perhaps this was a case (on my part) of " I'm sure you think you understand what I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you "heard" is not what I meant..." Luke --- your food choices are strictly your food choices. No argument there! Just made a personal observation from my side of the table. No offense meant, but rather a little "joke". I would have said the same thing to anyone seated across from me at a table, making that kind of a food order, and it would have been said with a smile, and we all would have laughed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lakeside7 Posted March 5, 2015 Report Share Posted March 5, 2015 Having read the reviews,I was turned off going inside to eat in what seemed to be a narrow corridor and the smell from the cooking was overwhelming and did not want to come out with smelling clothes.. Outside is an option but then you are covered in dust from the cars on the service road Surely the owners have a responsible for a better location..being able to prepare good food is only part of the equation for success Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MtnMama Posted March 29, 2015 Report Share Posted March 29, 2015 Husband & I stopped by today. Thank you all so much for suggesting this little treasure. I had the chicken kabobs and husband had a fancy hamberger. Both were just delicious. Mine came with soup or salad, lovely steamed vegetables and well flavored rice. Husband's burger had tons of stuff on it and tasty fries. We ate outside and the only complaint was that conversation stopped a few times due to truck noise. I figure a little dust adds minerals or maybe fiber. Service was friendly and efficient. The food was reasonably priced and attractively prepared. What's not to like? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHILLIN Posted March 29, 2015 Report Share Posted March 29, 2015 Yes the food and service is very good, and the prices are very reasonable when compared to Magana's, almost next door (edit: but Magana faithfully charges 16% tax on the bill, I didn't notice at California's). I would agree that ambience comes at a higher price. Another surprise - he has excellent taste in music. But I wanted to mention that the owner is also a professional window washer, I think it was San Francisco. This the "trade certified" type of window washer. He still washes here if anybody has some tricky windows they want to get really clean and sparkly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Habacht Posted March 29, 2015 Report Share Posted March 29, 2015 We had the bone in Prime Rib special today...with soup or salad; steamed vegatables; baked potato...130 pesos and it was worth every peso. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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