ERIZO BAJA — Restaurant in Baja California

I am a pretty big fan of ceviche and loved this restaurant so much I drove back 4 days later to attend their Oaxa-California Fest dinner during the Baja Culinary Culinary Arts Festival. Flat out, this place is amazing. There are so many unique flavors that I have not seen before. It felt like traveling, but going back to places that you know and love, only these guys know them way better than you do, and you leave loving Baja California even more.

I have come to the conclusion that these are the best tacos that I have ever had. There is a place in Guadalajara, and another in La Paz, but Erizo blew my mind two visits in a row. First visit was fried soft-shell crab tacos, and tuna chicharron tacos. This is something that I want to have in my bag of tricks; see fresh crabs at the mercado del mar and say, let's make tacos!!

I got the sea urchin and quail egg "leche de tigre" shot, and was impressed with how big and fresh the sea urchin was. I liked the presentation of the roe next to the shot glass because you actually got to see how good the local sea urchins are. Mixed cocktail was good and big. Several different local oysters, and I like that the menu changes and there are specials depending on what is fresh and in season.

My second trip was like 4 days later. On the opening day of the Baja Culinary Festival Chef Javier Plascencia held the OaxaCalifornia Fest Celebrity Chef tasting menu. There were 8 courses exciting plates like pescadillas de erizo (my new #1 favorite taco ever) and a tamal de mejillón.

If you like seafood, you have to give this...

3.5 stars, rounding up. If you didn't know Javier Plascencia's name was attached to this restaurant, it would just appear to be an average seafood bistro.

Erizo is located in a strip mall, and the layout is comfortable inside, with some TVs (there was a soccer match was on), and modern-looking decor. There were only two beers on tap -- Tecate Light and Indio. I ordered an Indio and was told they were out of it.

We ordered the mean green ceviche tostada and it was probably the best thing we had. Good balance of shrimp, mayo, lime, cucumber and heat.

My wife ordered the Marinero cocktail, it was ok, but for being priced similar to Mision 19 where it originates, it was strong however lacking the sweetness and the lime was very bitter. We also ordered the octopus taco -- something was off on that one, it had a very pungent unpleasant odor, I couldn't tell if it was from the cheese or the seafood. I did try a few pieces of the octopus and it was cooked well -- very tender, but had a very earthy, dirt flavor by itself. The tostadas on the table were kind of stale.

We also ordered the clam chowder. I was impressed with the large amount of clams in it, and they were tender and not rubbery. The soup base itself was a bit thin and on the salty side. It did however have very nice subtle buttery notes, but felt more like a chicken chowder base rather than a clam chowder.

Overall I felt like the experience was lacking. We normally go to Tras Horizonte for an elevated seafood taco experience, or Mazateno for excellent casual seafood. I feel like Erizo fell...

This review is for the evening of November 9 for dinner that ended at 815pm.

The server wouldn't let me leave without leaving extra tip on the card after providing a cash tip and showing him the cash. He went on and tried to re swipe my card 3 times and show which tip Option was avail and made us feel bad that we didn't add extra tip.

He should know that tip is an option not mandatory.

Horrible service. And won't come back.

After we gave him a percentage tip so we can leave the restaurant he shook his head in disbelief.

Don't come here. Go elsewhere for better service

It's too bad because I'm starting a new food tour company to bring Americans to TJ and enjoy the wonderful blossoming culinary scene here. This restaurant is not on my long list of places for the world to experience as much as it should be due to service.

For the record I’ve been in TJ every week for months creating relationships and visiting awesome restaurants all over TJ. From bakeries to cafes , tacos spots , cervecherias, cervercias, sit down places such as La Espadana ...and everything in between, NON of the restaurants, atleast 100 I’ve visited and documented..treated me like this. Infact service in Mexico is outstanding and impressive with genuine authentic care!

Shame on FOH management for allowing this behavior and treatment of customers to happen. One bad seed can ruin it all unfortunately.

Check my yelp review too.

Food was good. Shrimp on the mains section was a bit rubbery and dry. Tostadas are packed with flavor and fresh fish....