Best Lower Californian Foods
Quesabirria is a popular Mexican street food dish, a fusion between birria (a traditional Mexican meat stew) and quesadillas. The dish originates from Tijuana and typically consists of large tortillas filled with birria-style cooked meat (usually beef) and a generous amount of melted cheese.
The tortillas are cooked on the stove until the cheese melts and the outside of the tortilla becomes crispy. Quesabirria is often accompanied by a side of broth, or consomé, for dipping, adding another layer of flavor to the dish.
OTHER VARIATIONS OF Tacos
MAIN INGREDIENTS
The iconic Caesar salad was named after its creator Cesare (Caesar) Cardini, an Italian immigrant who lived in San Diego but, circumventing Prohibition laws in the United States, operated a popular restaurant in Tijuana, just south of the Mexican border.
Back then, in the 1920s, during the Prohibition era, Tijuana was flourishing as many Californians, including Hollywood jet set, would often drive over to party and enjoy the good life. And just like it was the case with many other world-famous dishes, Caesar salad was invented through sheer ingenuity and improvisation.
MOST ICONIC Caesar salad
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Pepinos rellenos de camaron is a traditional dish originating from Baja California. The dish is usually made with a combination of cucumbers, shrimps, cream cheese, lemon juice, hot peppers, salt, pepper, and paprika. The seeds and flesh are scooped out of the cucumbers, and they're laid out vertically on a platter.
The cucumbers are filled with a mixture of shrimps, cream cheese, lemon juice, hot peppers, salt, pepper, and paprika. The platter is usually garnished with leftover shrimps and it's then served as an appetizer.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Langosta de Puerto Nuevo is a traditional lobster dish originating from Puerto Nuevo in Baja California. The dish is usually made with a combination of lobster, butter, salt, pepper, and oil or lard. The lobster is cut in half, seasoned with salt and pepper, and then fried in a mixture of butter and oil or lard until golden brown on both sides.
Once done, the lobster is often served with rice and beans and a dip consisting of tomatoes, garlic, salt, and bird’s eye chili peppers. Tortillas and lemon wedges are typically served on the side as well.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Caldo queso is a traditional soup originating from Baja California. It’s usually made with a combination of potatoes, onions, cheese such as Monterey Jack, tomatoes, jalapeños, chicken stock, corn oil, salt, and pepper. The potatoes, onions, tomatoes, and hot peppers are cooked in oil over low heat.
The chicken stock is seasoned with salt and pepper and brought to a boil. Diced cheese is then stirred into the stock along with the vegetables, and the soup is then served in individual bowls while piping hot.
Best Lower Californian Food Producers
Hoteles & Viñedos del Valle de Guadalupe refers to the unique combination of boutique hotels and vineyards in the Valle de Guadalupe, Baja California, Mexico. This wine region is renowned for its world-class wineries, luxurious accommodations, and farm-to-table gastronomy.
Visitors can enjoy wine tastings, vineyard tours, and breathtaking views of the valley, all while staying in eco-friendly, design-focused hotels. It's a top destination for wine lovers and those seeking a blend of relaxation, nature, and culinary excellence.
AWARDS
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - Grande Médaille d'or
2024, 2021, 2019
BEST Hoteles & Viñedos del Valle de Guadalupe Wines
AWARDS
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - Grande Médaille d'or
2019
BEST Vides y Vinos Californianos SPR de RL Wines
AWARDS
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - Grande Médaille d'or
2024
BEST Llano Colorado Wines
AWARDS
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - Grande Médaille d'or
2024
BEST Bajalupano Wines
AWARDS
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - Grande Médaille d'or
2023
BEST Finca El Empecinado Wines
AWARDS
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Gold
2022
BEST Monte Xanic Wines
Cervecería Wendlandt is a renowned Mexican craft brewery known for producing high-quality, innovative beers. Based in Baja California, the brewery specializes in creating a wide range of beer styles, including IPAs, stouts, and lagers, with a focus on using locally sourced ingredients.
Their beers are celebrated for their bold flavors, craftsmanship, and unique combinations of hops, malt, and spices. Cervecería Wendlandt is committed to pushing the boundaries of craft brewing, consistently delivering exceptional brews that appeal to both beer enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike.
BEST Cervecería Wendlandt Beers
La Moderna, established in 1920, is a leading Mexican food company renowned for producing high-quality pastas, cookies, and flours. La Moderna was founded in 1920 by the Vendrel brothers and Don Alberto A. Henkel. Since then, it has grown to operate a vast network of grain silos, mills, pasta factories, and bakeries, primarily in Mexico.
La Moderna's commitment to quality and innovation has solidified its position as a staple in Mexican households and a notable player in the global food industry.
BEST Pastas La Moderna Pastas
Best Lower Californian Food Products
AWARDS
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - Grande Médaille d'or
2019
AWARDS
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - Grande Médaille d'or
2019
Zeus Tinto 2017 has aromas of fruits such as cherries, plums, blackberries and notes such as cinnamon, nutmeg, wet earth, coconut, chocolate and coffee. It has a medium-high attack, present tannins, acidity and alcohol in balance with a prolonged aftertaste.
Goes well with duck, marbled meats, beef stews, black mole, fig pie and chocolate desserts.
AWARDS
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - Grande Médaille d'or
2021
The 2020 vintage showcases the region's unique terroir, with a bouquet of dark fruits like blackberries and plums, complemented by notes of oak, vanilla, and spices. The wine is well-structured with smooth tannins, offering a full-bodied experience with a lingering finish.
It pairs well with grilled meats, hearty dishes, and aged cheeses, making it a versatile choice for wine enthusiasts.
AWARDS
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - Grande Médaille d'or
2024
In appearance it presents an attractive deep plum red color with violet tones, it is a clean and bright wine. The nose is extremely elegant, with notes of ripe red and black fruits such as strawberries, cherries, currants, blackberries, cassis, fine aromas of tobacco, wet earth, chocolate, coffee, caramel, vanilla, spices such as pepper and cinnamon with a pleasant floral finish provided by the varietal.
In the mouth it has a high attack, a high astringency that blends perfectly with a balanced acidity, it has a present alcohol and a prolonged aftertaste.
AWARDS
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - Grande Médaille d'or
2024
AWARDS
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - Grande Médaille d'or
2024
AWARDS
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - Grande Médaille d'or
2024
AWARDS
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - Grande Médaille d'or
2023
AWARDS
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Gold
2022
Harry Polanco is a distinctive beer from Cervecería Wendlandt. This American IPA is known for its rich hop aroma, featuring dominant citrus and tropical notes, complemented by a malt backbone that adds balance. The beer is refreshing with a medium to high bitterness, making it an excellent choice for IPA lovers who enjoy a bold, hoppy flavor profile.
Its popularity stems from the combination of great taste and quality, which is a hallmark of Wendlandt Brewery.
TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. For the “Top 13 Lower Californian Foods” list until March 05, 2025, 1,067 ratings were recorded, of which 744 were recognized by the system as legitimate. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.