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Café La Especial

4.4 (34 reviews)
ModerateMexican
Closed 8:00 am - 10:00 pm

Café La Especial Photos

CAFÉ LA ESPECIAL ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Good for kids
Good for groups

Recommended Reviews - Café La Especial

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Complimentary chips & salsa
Anu M.

When my husband and I came here for dinner on a Sunday we got seated immediately. It wasn't overly crowded, but there were a few patrons. For drinks, we ordered a margarita and a freshly squeezed orange juice. Both were good. We were served complimentary chips & two varieties of salsa. The salsas were good, one was spicy and the other was milder. The chips were way too oily though, didn't like them. For entrees, we ordered #5 (tacos al vapor with beans and guacamole) and #1 (enchilada, Taco and tamale). Both the dishes were just okay. The tacos were too oily. Overall, decent food, but nothing that will make you wanna come back for more.

What dinner for two cost.
Estebam F.

The arracheta special is the way to go. The meat is so juicy and so good. It's only like $9.00.

Sopes
G. G.

This was the anchor restaurant, down the stairs, from the taco take out window on Ave. Revolucion from 1952 to 2009 ( See YouTube, Adios Café La Especial ). It was always one of my favorite restaurants in T.J. and I was very disappointed when they closed. I tried the new location today, owned by the same family, and it is still very good and inexpensive. The Mexican food at the old location was always consistent and good and it tastes as I remember it. Typical Mexican faire, they also serve breakfast and offer full bar.

Eddy I.

Best spot to eat in Tijuana. The tacos so vapor are a must try. This spot gives you a high end restaurant experience without breaking your wallet

Queso Fundido

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10 months ago

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4 years ago

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

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3 years ago

Food is delicious and the service is very friendly and attentive. The ambiance is old style Mexico with live music in the afternoons

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10 years ago

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4 years ago

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10 years ago

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10 years ago

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12 years ago

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10 years ago

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9 years ago

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9 years ago

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11 years ago

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8 years ago

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12 years ago

!Los mejores tacos dorados en la Zona Gastronómico, ese! ¡Viva la corazón de Tijuana!

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11 years ago

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9 years ago

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11 years ago

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11 years ago

This place has terrific food feel as if your grandmother is in the kitchen cooking again excellent.

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Café La Especial Reviews in Other Languages

Review Highlights - Café La Especial

I still remember the tacos al vapor from those days--they were unforgettable!

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People searched for Mexican 160 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

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Restaurante Caesar's - Cesar Salad

Restaurante Caesar's

4.5(751 reviews)
2.8 kmZona Centro
$$

The best Caesar Salad you will ever have is here. They invented it. They serve it table side with…read morethe freshest ingredients. If you like a great salad, this is a must for you. The place itself is super pretty and very clean and comfortable. It is not cheap, but it is fairly priced. I put this in the fine dinning category. The service is perfect. Everyone is so very nice. You will be happy here. They have some of the best Italian pastas I have ever had. We love their PENNE A LA ARRABIATA and their FETUCCINNI CARBONARA. You might think you are in Italy. It is just so good. Their fish dishes are also great. We love the RISOTTO DE MARISCOS and their SALMÓN WELLINGTON. You just can't go wrong with anything you order. Their desserts are the bomb. They have a great corn cake and a wonderful chocolate mousse. At least one is a must. Have the best time.

The food is Awsome and price was great, but my waiter sucks! Short and of bald head short Waiter. I…read morealways have to ask for water refilled. The Resturant wasn't even busy at all around 4pm. The staffs was all talking stories amongst themselves! They just walk by my table and see the empty glass and don't even filled it until I asked. When I got the bills, the waiter told me we charge a 25% service charge here. I'm thinking, " What service??!‍" I didn't say anything and just pay the 25% service charged. Once again, the food was amazing, but their waiter is too arrogant!

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Restaurante Caesar's - Outdoor Seating

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Inside Vibes

Marenca - Mulli y Teotihuacán

Marenca

4.5(279 reviews)
0.8 kmZona Río
$$

Highly recommend. Not only was the food amazing but the service was top notch. Everyone was very…read morefriendly from the moment we walked in.

If you are looking for a different type of place for breakfast in Tijuana, you will discover the…read morename, Marenca. The Zona Rio location has a small dining area, that is very popular with both the locals and visitors. It is easy to see why. Their menu does not over dose on the standard morning and afternoon items that you would find anyplace. However, this is the first restaurant I've been to in Tijuana, that does not have an English menu.... so I had to labor through the Spanish menu. But, they do have unique dishes, thus making the visit adventurous, because it is difficult to choose. I went back and forth, and finally settled for their 3-egg omelet with asparagus and sheep cheese. It came with refried beans, strings of carrots and beets, small fired up tostadas and fresh tortillas (both blue and yellow corn). A small side of soggy chilaquiles was also served. A small flavorful salsa tray is also provided with 3 options, ranging from mild to hot. The asparagus spears were thin, cut up into small pieces and sautéed with mild spices. The outer egg covering soft and not overdone. If anything, there was too much sheep cheese, in certain portions of the omelet. I say this because it was an asparagus omelet, and it, instead of the cheese, should have been the star. Still, it did not take away from the other commendable aspects of the complete entree and its accompaniments. Before the meal, a small refreshing fruit plate is served. Coffee and overall service here, was mucho excellente.

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Marenca - Indide

Indide

Marenca - Caserola de Barbacoa

Caserola de Barbacoa

Marenca - Fruit salad for breakfast

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Fruit salad for breakfast

Café La Especial - mexican - Updated July 2026

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