La Cazuela M & J — Restaurant in Isla Mujeres

I found this place off the beaten path one morning, on my way to the malecon for a run. It had been just set up for opening and looked clean, quaint and inviting. My wife and I ventured back on a Monday morning, hoping for something more local and low key. It was exactly that. I was just along for the ride, as I'm not a huge breakfast fan. However, as soon as I read the description of the House Specialties, which the restaurant is named for, I was all in.

I tried the Cazuela Contoy with Shrimp, Tomatoes and Herbs, my wife had the Cazuela Ranchera with Black Beans, Ham and Salsa. Both were really delicious, and thankfully not as huge as the dishes would make you believe. I say "dishes" because the clay dish that the Cazuela is prepared and served in, is straight out of the oven, to the point it's still bubbling and spewing steam at least three minutes after it arrived on top of a second dish, for carrying to the table. Not an easy feat mind you, when the air temperature is already in the mid-seventy range. Served with fresh corn tortillas, I ate every last bit of it.

The service was wonderful. Coffee and Juices were delicious, and do give their salsas a try. We were fairly warned which of the two was the hot one, but let your tastebuds decide. They were both nice compliments to our meals.

The restaurant is located on a somewhat busy street corner, and the day we visited, there was a pump running across the street to move some flooding from the huge rain storm the night before. Still, it was fun watching folks go by and listening to a couple of local gentlemen who appeared to be having breakfast before heading off to work. Our server was friendly, attentive and polite, and we even were paid a visit by the Owner/Chef at the end of our meal. He was very appreciative of our visit.

We will definitely head here again on...

Don't recommend. We have eaten at al natural for 2 days great portions great food great coffee. But still not great ambience roadside so this place was close by and better table seating and ceiling fans etc so we tried it. Big mistake. Kind of got that "WE GAVE YOU THE TOURIST PRICES MENU". It was double what we paid at Al natural. But not better. Horrible coffee. Wife didn't like the tea. Never offered refill until we asked for Bill. Sorry it's bad coffee and if I wanted more it was 30 minutes earlier. Never came from inside to ask is everything ok need anything refills etc. Mexican eggs was just ok. No hash browns. Toast that was barely toasted. Wife ordered crepes with fruit. Any whip cream? No. Any syrup? No. Just dry crepe with fruit. Had an off taste. Service non existent. Portions big but not tasty. Prices very high. Let's put it this way Playa norte Beach club is cheaper. Only good thing was that it was nice little tables and fans etc to give a nicer ambience whereas Al natural has none but is great in...

Well located, very attentive service, food was very good. Mexican dishes with the well known of this region habanero sauce (served on the side), we tried the breakfast cazuela which is some kind of clay plate (very hot at the moment) sides vary depending on what you order, I had the "Cazuela Ranchera" which is a couple tortillas with some refried black beans spread on top of it, a couple pieces of ham and a couple of eggs on a very tasty salsa some tomato and onions, all of this on top of the mentioned clay plate. My wife ordered the "Cazuela Holbox" which was almost same as mine minus the tortillas and the ham, plus some local cheese between the eggs and the beans and some fried plantain on the side.

Be aware!! They only accept cash, no...