Before I tell you about this magical hidden place in Tijuana, let me ask you a question, have you ever had Pulque? Or better yet, do you even know what Pulque is? Pulque is an alcoholic beverage with a thick consistency brewed since pre-hispanic times. Pulque, just like Tequila, comes from agave and maguey, and it honestly does not look like any other beverage you may have tasted before.

Now this brings me a lot of doubts because in my experience, Pulque is something very characteristic in southern Mexico, there is nothing like it in the north, which is why I was really surprised when I made a visit to the "Plaza Fiesta" planning on enjoying a local home brew festival, that I found this pulqueria. A few years ago I was lucky enough to live in the City of Mexico and Pulquerias where I would spend many of my afternoons, I could not pass up the opportunity to drink pulque again without having to travel.

Now normally when someone thinks about a pulqueria the first thing that comes to mind is a Mexican film from the 1920s, a wooden cantina and the mariachi playing to the light of gas lamps, "Zenzontle Bar" reinvents this concept completely, given that it maintains the essence of what makes authentically Mexican and injects a bit of the modern age, which goes from the ambiance, the drinks (they have a very complete mixology), the music, and the pulque, because as one of the owners of "Zenzontle", Gerardo Valenzuela, explained to us, his version of Pulque is more commercial in the sense that it is lighter for inexperienced palates.

Another characteristic of the pulque they sell is that it's known as being "cured", referring to the fact that it's pulque with fruits added to them (or vegetables in some cases) to create specific flavors. The process of making pulque is a craft, which is why it is highly recommended that you take an adventure and try something you will not be able to find anywhere else, unless of course you travel to southern Mexico.

"Zenzontle Bar" is located at "La PlazaFiesta", in the area of Zona Rio Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, it is 5 minutes away from the border. You owe it to yourselves to try this excellent authentic Mexican beverage, you will not regret it.

*Map and Directions here

Jorge.Guevara@sandiegored.com

Daniel.Aguilar@sandiegored.com