Tijuana, MX - LCdH Update, Stem Cells, 98-Point Taco, & Zona Norte.

[LaoFan]

Just went to TJ for the 1st time and figured I'd drop a field report.

Was down for a stem cell injection in my knees (will post about this separately).

Stayed in Zona Río, which is basically America. Also couldn't believe how quick the drive was from SAD airport. The clinic picked me up and I was in Tijuana without stopping or getting out of the car once in 30-min. There was an Office Depot right beside my hotel. Great restaurants. Safe. Lots of medical tourism.

View from the room:

LCdH Tijuana:

This place has been shit on universally...but I'm a curious guy.

I actually had a good time. Decent stocked humidor full of interesting stuff available for sale.

Would I be rushing there to buy a year's supply of boxes...nahh. Not after what I saw in some pics. But snagging a couple sticks on vacation. Easy. Staff gave me 20% of sticker price and all the smokes were well taken care of and smoked perfectly.

Smoking (in general):

Mexico's recently got some of the strictest smoking rules in the world. They reminded me multiple times at the hotel...shouldn't even smoke on the balcony. Certainly not happening in restaurants. But as with most places with these rules, there's always places to smoke and more importantly, most people don't seem to care.

Restaurant Highlights:

Hotel Caesar. Wild that the Caesar was invented in Tijuana. The place has charm. Great design. Cool they make the salad at your table. Decent salad.. solid cocktail. Worth a punt.

Tacos El Franc

Not a word of exaggeration...the Adobada (marinated pork - reminded me a bit of Char Siu w/ a liquid guacamole on a corn tortilla) was the best taco I've ever had in my life. And at $2.06 a pop...I had 6.

The Asada and the Lengua were superb too.

Safety:

I'm 81 countries deep and basically ignore all travel advisory warnings. They're so full of 💩. People around the world are generally caring and hospitable. Don't be dumb and you'll be fine (have had my share of being dumb but I wouldn't blame a country for my lapses in general travel intelligence).

I thought I'd check out Zona Norte.

Sheesh...things are rough and at least 5x I had my guard up wondering wtf I was doing. It wasn't 'til after that I realized all the people that go there take a cab direct from location to location. I walked all of Avenida Revolución. The first half is fairly tame and touristy. The second half of that street isn't recommended. The people at the clinic thought I was a nut job but I'm pretty sure most of them wear helmets when they go for walks in the park.

There are military trucks with a dozen troops in the back with machine guns driving around everywhere. I'm sure if things pop off, it gets ended real quick, but not exactly a spot I'd be walking around again. Definitely trouble - good and bad - if you're looking for it on a boys trip (saw some people neck deep), but wasn't that type of trip for me.

Tucked my watch into my pocket early on in the walk...

Transportation:

Don't mess with cabs. Ubers are easy (although an Uber Black isn't going to happen), friendly, and cheap.

Payment:

As with most countries that take USD, avoid it like the plague when it comes to cash. Pay in local currency or you'll get ripped a new one. Everywhere takes card, pick MXN.

[tbelle7]

Nice post.

[WestCoastSmokin]

Great post! Was very curious about the LCDH in Tijuana, did some of the stuff in the humidor look sketchy? I still don’t think I’ll be doing a quick trip to the store though. Regarding TJ in itself, it’s a very dangerous city, I believe it was rated #1 most dangerous city in the world in 2018 and 2019. I’m glad you had a safe trip there and were staying in a nicer area in TJ, usually the tourists areas are safe. Yes NEVER take a cab anytime in Mexico, Uber is safer. The only thing I miss about TJ is the tacos haha! Loved the post man! 

[chasy]

@LaoFan dude you gotta do more write ups. They are great, I’m assuming (forgive me if I’m off) that you’re a North American living in mainland China and building a place in Costa Rica. Clearly you’re not afraid of a bit of adventure. Keep them coming!!’

[El Presidente]

Great writeup! 

Best wishes for the proceedure! 

[Cestis4]

Very nice write up ! Ty !  

[LaoFan]

15 hours ago, chasy said:

@LaoFan dude you gotta do more write ups. They are great, I’m assuming (forgive me if I’m off) that you’re a North American living in mainland China and building a place in Costa Rica. Clearly you’re not afraid of a bit of adventure. Keep them coming!!’

Canadian - have a condo down in Tamarindo and we're building out 13 lots in Playa Negra. Tamarindo write-up coming next. Pura Vida!

[Havanaaddict]

I have been to all those spots in TJ many times many years ago. We used to go down there a few times a month to play golf in Ensenada at Hotel Real del Mar Golf Resort. We would stop back in TJ for dinner & cigars, I have sat in that front patio of the LCDH many many times! Hong Kong club Ooh fancy😂 I have walked Avenida Revolución many times (daytime safer) I never really had a problem, but I too am a little crazy😂 Great write up 👏 

 

[Lucas Buck]

Outstanding, thanks!

[Dmex]

I'm originally from LA, and TJ was my backyard for many years. I've been to that LCDH and there used to be another place many years ago on the Revolution that was run by a Cuban guy Rudy, La Villa del Tabacco I believe. Rudy has since passed away and I heard the Villa closed shop many years ago. Great write up. I know most of these places and I have walked all of Tijuana including Zona Norte. For the most part people aren't looking for trouble but definitely it's important not to look like a target, like in any country. Of note I'm going to Costa Rica next Month for the first time, staying in Playa Negra, then will be in San Jose for a couple days before I hop over to Cartagena Colombia. I think San Jose has a LCDH, maybe will do a write up. Thank you for sharing  your experience. 

[Vetteman]

Interesting post! Thank you.

[Havanaaddict]

2 hours ago, Dmex said:

I'm originally from LA, and TJ was my backyard for many years.  I've been to that LCDH and there used to be another place many years ago on the Revolution that was run by a Cuban guy Rudy, La Villa del Tabacco I believe.  Rudy has since passed away and I heard the Villa closed shop many years ago. 

I remember Rudy Shop you are correct with the name, used to love to sit in his shop and smoke cigars with him. Very chill atmosphere knowledgeable guy. May he rest in peace.

[yuppie]

Did any of the prices jump out at you?

[LaoFan]

3 hours ago, Dmex said:

I'm originally from LA, and TJ was my backyard for many years.  I've been to that LCDH and there used to be another place many years ago on the Revolution that was run by a Cuban guy Rudy, La Villa del Tabacco I believe.  Rudy has since passed away and I heard the Villa closed shop many years ago.  Great write up.  I know most of these places and I have walked all of Tijuana including Zona Norte.  For the most part people aren't looking for trouble but definitely it's important not to look like a target, like in any country.  Of note I'm going to Costa Rica next Month for the first time, staying in Playa Negra, then will be in San Jose for a couple days before I hop over to Cartagena Colombia.  I think San Jose has a LCDH, maybe will do a write up.  Thank you for sharing  your experience. 

DM me if you need anything in Playa Negra. Check out my post from there.

[LaoFan]

37 minutes ago, yuppie said:

Did any of the prices jump out at you?

Not particularly - pretty standard. 

[Dmex]

19 hours ago, Havanaaddict said:

I remember Rudy Shop you are correct with the name, used to love to sit in his shop and smoke cigars with him. Very chill atmosphere knowledgeable guy. May he rest in peace.

I used to do the same. He had a fun shop, at that time I was just getting into cigars, were talking pre 9/11 so over 25 years ago. I would always bring back a couple bags of Cubita coffee from their shop, whole bean. I would start most morning in Tijuana at Rudy's. Cheers brother. 

[Dmex]

17 hours ago, LaoFan said:

DM me if you need anything in Playa Negra. Check out my post from there.

Thank you!! I already scoped that post lol. Will keep you posted if I find any shops worth visiting. 

 

Cheers,

Dan

[Havanaaddict]

15 hours ago, Dmex said:

I used to do the same. He had a fun shop, at that time I was just getting into cigars, were talking pre 9/11 so over 25 years ago. I would always bring back a couple bags of Cubita coffee from their shop, whole bean. I would start most morning in Tijuana at Rudy's. Cheers brother. 

Lol same here would always pick up Cubita coffee and back then I was smoking Cuaba Divinos and I thought I was the shit! 🤣

 

[Zonum]

Great post. A lot of good information too. I have been wanting to check out this LCDH. I have read good reviews on yelp. I will visit it soon and will make a post too.