Membrillo Cocina — Restaurant in Jalisco

Delicious food and great service, but I did have concerns about biological hazards.

I found this place while staying at a boutique hotel a couple of blocks away. I came three times for breakfast during my stay. The staff at this place is friendly, courteous, and attentive for which they deserve the amount of the tip I always gave them. The garden-like atmosphere also makes for a lovely experience while you enjoy your meal. The coffee at this place is the same as in the surrounding places; well-made and delicious. The chilaquiles were amazing. I ordered a different type every morning, and I was never disappointed. It was refreshing drinking freshly made juices from real fruits and vegetables, rather than from concentrates like many places in the United States. Orange juice that tastes like an actual orange rather than a concentrate with preservatives, was always a special treat for me at this place. That, combined with the outstanding customer service, made for a nice, relaxing experience every morning. I hope to eat here again when I come back early next year, as long as the biohazard concerns are addressed.

Now that I have described the food and service, I would like to address the biological health hazard concern that I noticed every morning. While enjoying my breakfast, a young woman in a white car would park directly in front, she would let her white herder mix-breed dog out of the car to roam freely, and then carelessly walk into the restaurant, leaving the dog to do as it pleased. The dog would run from table to table, urinating on the chairs and plants while the young woman was inside. I had to shoo the dog away more than a few times because he wanted to pee at my table while I ate. At first, I thought it was a one-time fluke and ignored it, thinking the young woman was a careless dog-owning customer, until I noticed it was a daily thing. Since no one ever said anything, I assumed the young woman was the owner, partial owner, or at least related to the owner(s) in some way. Do not get me wrong, I love dogs, as I own a dog boarding business, and I plan to bring my Australian Shepherd with me next time I visit this dog friendly city, but I do not allow my dog to urinate or defecate in areas where food is being served, prepared, or eaten, knowing that this is a huge biological hazard. This is not an exaggeration; if you read why pets are not allowed inside some restaurants, and why health departments have closed restaurants in the past for this very reason. There is no explanation that will justify this unhygienic practice of letting dogs loose where food is being served or prepared. Not understanding this and telling someone to go elsewhere if they don't like it would also be a poor business practice and can jeopardise a business.

I really did enjoy the food and wanted to give this place a five-star review, but I can't ignore the serious health hazard caused by the careless attitude toward animals roaming free and expelling waste in restaurants while people are eating. Not only does this risk the health of guests, but also risks a business closure if someone were to get sick from this.

This review is not meant to talk negatively about a business, but it is meant to make readers aware of what to expect so that they can decide for themselves if they are willing to risk their health if they have illnesses of their own that may be aggravated by certain unhygienic practices. It is a biological hazard because that is how animal waste is filed by health...

Avoid Membrillo because someone in charge allows their dog to roam and urinate in the espresso bar and seating areas. My husband and I ate at there many times times during our 4 day stay in Guadalajara early Nov 2025 because we loved the food, service, and that the cafe was open 24 hours, BUT we noticed the dog our last two visits. The first time, my husband and I were eating brunch at a table located a few feet from the public sidewalk. A woman and her cute little white border collie with black spots arrived around the same time we did. At first, we saw the dog roam the surrounding area (sidewalks, houses), but then the dog returned and was roaming the restaurant seating area, unsupervised. Within a few minutes, the dog made its way over our table, lifted its leg, and peed/marked on a plant just inches from my foot! It almost peed on me! We thought it was annoyingly gross, but we were sitting near the public sidewalk (fair game?) and assumed that the woman was a customer that did not care or know how to control their dog. However, the very next morning, I went to get coffee around 6:30 am, and sat at the table closest to the espresso bar and kitchen in order to quickly get my coffee to go. I was half asleep and half paying attention, but did notice the same woman and dog were there. The dog came up to me and rubbed against my leg, an obvious "ask" for petting. I obliged and the dog left. A minute later, the dog returned, lifted its leg, and peed on a chair inches from my foot. Then, I noticed the dog roamed within the espresso bar area, where food and drinks were being prepared for me and other customers. That none of the three employees and cook present at the time attempted to shoo or keep the dog away from the espresso bar or seating areas made it clear that the woman dog owner was in charge (owner? manager?). I am a dog owner, and would NEVER allow my dog to urinate/mark anywhere near food, other people, or especially in a restaurant!!! That is really unsanitary and extremely unexpected in what was otherwise a really nice cafe that served excellent food with genuinely warm and welcoming service. The cafe proprietor should know better! Until dogs are prohibited from roaming and urinating the restaurant, I suggest...

UPDATED: I got the WORST food poisoning of my life from this place. I had the grilled chicken salad. They clearly did not clean and disinfect the lettuce properly, and I ended up with severe gastroenteritis. Luckily I'm fine now, but it took 1 week for me to feel like normal once more.

I called them multiple times to warn them so that they would not poison another customer, but no one answered.

You guys need to do better.

Original review (written hours before the onset of food poisoning):

This bistro is absolutely gorgeous. Very friendly and efficient service. An old, French colonial house opens up to an impressive open atrium with beautiful foliage and nice sitting options for socializing, co-working, and enjoying the sun beams that make their way through the canopy. The coffee is very decent, and the desserts are well-made. I highly recommend this place.

And the cat that is always sleeping here is so funny. He acts like he's part of the decor. Cherry on top...