REVIEW: Karne Garibaldi in Guadalajara

Often times when I’m in a city regularly, I develop a few favorite places.  Despite being fairly adventurous at trying new places and things, when you find a favorite it’s sometimes hard to try something new.

Karne Garibaldi (website is in Spanish) in Guadalajara, Mexico is one of those favorite places.  When I’m in Guadalajara, the assumptions is that I’ll be having at least one meal at Karne Garibaldi.  And I’ve never gone wrong with that decision.

To “get” the concept of this restaurant, you have to let go of what you assume typical Mexican food is like.  What passes for typical in the US, is not typical when actually in the country.  It’s not necessarily better or worse, it’s just different.  But if you don’t let go of your preconceived expectations, no matter when you go to eat, you’ll be disappointed.

One of the claims to fame of Karne Garibaldi is its Guinness Book of Records (1996) entry for the fastest service.  Indeed, as the hostess in walking you to your table a group of waiters will appear bearing appetizers to get you started.  It’s plates full of warm fresh tortillas, grilled onions, refried beans with bits of corn in it (which is available to purchase by the can), other condiments (chopped green onions, radishes), and some salsa.  In many cases, these appetizers are on the table before your entire party has even been seated.  Chips and guacamole must be ordered separately, and guacamole is not always available  – but really, don’t bother – you’ll be just fine without it!

Once seated, waiters are there to take your order immediately.  If you want time to have an ice cold beer and chat, order them and ask for a little more time.  By default they are prepared to get you in and out in a hurry, but they are more than accommodating if you ask them to slow down the pace.  I’d recommend a cold Negro Modelo (ask for a frosted mug) first thing, and placing your order when it arrives.

What should you order?  That’s easy, keep reading —

Deciding what to order is easy, and be prepared for it to arrive at your table seconds after you gotten the words out of your mouth.  Ordering is basically all about size, as one item dominates the menu – carne en jugo (beef in juice).  This is basically a tasty beef stew, cooked in its own broth and flavored with bacon, beans, tomatoes, and spices.  There are a few other items on the menu, but I’ve never ordered them.  The reason I go here is for the carne en jugo.  Orders come in sizes ranging from extra small to extra large, and I recommend choosing your size and then get ready to dig in.

When your carne en jugo arrives there are a couple of ways to eat it.  Tourists (and there are usually not a lot in the restaurant) tend to scoop the meat out of the juice, drop it into a tortilla, add a few condiments and eat it like a taco.  Sure, I tried it like that the first couple times as well.  But after going there with some local friends, I’d like to think that I’ve learned better, and now eat it like a local.  Locals eat is as a soup or stew, adding a variety of condiments to the meat and broth, including radishes, chopped onions and salsa.  Then roll up a tortilla in one hand, and eat it as you would a piece of bread, and use a spoon to enjoy every bite of the carne en jugo.  You can also add the grilled bulb onions, although they are sweet and yummy eaten plain.

The service is not just fast, but also attentive.  An empty mug will get a request if you’d like another.  When the tortillas or refried beans run low, they’ll be replenished without prompting.  The service in unobtrusive, but I like chatting with the servers and asking them their favorite things to do in their city.  There are times when I’m there every week, and it’s nice when they start to remember me.

My recommended order would be a medium, with a couple beers.  The price for that will vary based on the exchange rate, but that order with a generous tip will come in around $6.  I always have leftovers, and they are extremely gracious about packing them up and including all the extras (usually replenished).

I frequent the location across the street from Plaza del Sol (Mariano Otero 3019, Zona Plaza del Sol),although there are other locations around the area.  Hours are 11 am – 11 pm every day but Sunday, when it closes at 6 pm.  Credit cards are accepted.  Casual dress is okay, but be aware that casual by Guadalajara standards is more dressed up than by US standards.

I enjoy this place.  And it’s not a tourist restaurant, despite the whole Guinness record thing.  The majority of the patrons are locals.  The staff does not speak much English, although they do a great job of communicating.  The language difference is not a problem, and you’ll be fine.  Just remember, you’re in Mexico and it’s expected that people will speak Spanish!

I’ve yet to find anywhere here at home where they serve carne en jugo, so I think this is just a Guadalajara specialty.  I’d love to get my fix a little closer to home,though.

Photo credits:  personal collection