Los Arrieros Restaurante - EL QUELITE

On the way to El Quelite, right on the outskirts of the city, a young man gave flyers to this restaurant, Los Arrieros, and gave a quick series of spoken directions. We wanted to eat in the other more famous restaurant in the city, but we took his flyer anyway. We parked near the Plaza and walked a short walk through the pretty little town. We went back to the more famous restaurant and could not get a table for at least one hour, each table was filled and there was a long line ahead of us, it was definitely busy because it was so famous. We decided not to wait there and instead it was about Los Arrieros. It is deeper into the city, about 2 blocks from the Plaza over a small bridge, on the same side as the more famous restaurant. Written signs showing the way helped us know that we are going in the right direction. What a charming scene! Much less tourist than the most famous place. It was like we were going to a friendhouse to eat. Los Arrieros is covered, but open air along the sides. There are ceiling fans overhead to move the air (it is hot in July! . A sweet hen went around the tables that were looking for crumbs while a rooster was hanging around the edge of the restaurant. The ladies here were so friendly and welcoming and wear regular clothes (in contrast to fantasy matching outfits. We immediately felt a good decision to come here instead. The food was excellent! We ordered 2 mocajets that came to our table to only generate heat. A mocajet had super delicate Lengua and the other had 3 large shrimps with beef and chicken, both had a piece of fresh cheese, a grilled Mexican green onion and jalapeno and fresh tomatoes. We also ordered the Quail, the perfectly grilled and quite tasteful, it was amazing! Each duck started with chips, fresh cheese and several salsas, then came a small yummy gordita. After the ducks we served a dish of delicious creamy pineapple cutard... it was the perfect sweet end to a great meal. Our invoice totaling around $10.00 US per person including drinks! Unbelievable! Of course we were so happy with the service, the meal and the environment that we left a great tip to make the ladies deserve it! Wait an hour or more! Bathrooms are clean. There are many parking spaces on site. Try Los Arrieros in El Quelite, it is worth looking!

We have eaten in several restaurants in El Quilite over the years, but Los Arrieros was the hands down the best. It is very well located at the end of the city where you can reach a bridge. It is beautifully decorated in an old building with many interesting artefacts and lots of fresh air. We ordered a dinner to split between us, and were brought an appetizer each and a nice dessert, as well as the best Arrechera I had at the age. The appetizer and dessert were free. The service was wonderful and the prices were fantastic. Besides, the lemonade I ordered was made fresh.

We took the short driver from Mazatlan to El Quelite, as we had said it was a picturesque little town. It was fabulous. The city itself was so colorful. So many different buildings of bright colors. We decided to eat something, so we went to Los Arrieros. The food was great. The young lady who was our server did an excellent job, even if we had a little speech problem. She worked out everything right. Not only the food good, her service was great. The whole experience was above all we had expected. And so cheap. We were all filled for about $20.00, including a drink each. Wonderful!

It was nice to come from the hectic of Mazatlan and into the quiet landscape. We drove our own car, but I heard there is a bus or tours available, and the region is safe for this type of travel. We strolled the street of the sleepy city, bought a few drinks and let us in for a nice lunch. The restaurant was light and airy with a waterfall in the middle for ambience and the bathrooms were clean. The menu was offered in Spanish or English, although the waitress only spoke Spanish. (Not a problem). The Mocajete was exactly what I had been looking for, and the other dishes also looked delicious. The yarn dish was 130 Pesos, about $6.50 US with the current exchange. You can't go wrong!

El Quelite, a world apart out in the countryside, is an easy drive or local bus ride from Mazatlan and a great half day excursion. The publicity and tour buses have always gone to Meson de Los Laureanos, but Arrieros is cheaper, better and super friendly. Head two blocks further down from the Plaza on main street and you will see it easily. They also have billboards on the street. All the mains I have tried have been great and are accompanied by a generous plate of totopes (chips , pico de gallo, country cheese and salsa. Then they bring one mini gordita for each diner. And afters are a complimentary dish of lovely custard. I bravely chose the quail one visit, which was unbelievably flavorful, if a bit of a pain to eat. Be prepared to get your fingers greasy and suck bits of meat of the bone and crunch a few of the latter. I ordered it off the Spanish language menu. Be careful of the English menu if you are not sure what quild means : . The shrimp molcajete is sumptuous. And at current rates everything is barely over five dollars. Ridiculous. The garden setting is beautiful and peaceful (but watch out for Sunday afternoon mariachis and the service efficient and very friendly. They are number two in town, so try harder.