Deep in the heart of Valle de Guadalupe lies an unassuming, welcoming restaurant – famed for its mouth-watering food. This authentic little restaurant (IMHO) deserves the unofficial award for the best breakfast in Valle de Guadalupe.
Our first visit to La Cocina de Doña Esthela was somewhat accidental. We rolled into Valle de Guadalupe, feeling pangs of hunger. Our hostess recommended we take the kids for a short walk over to a neighboring restaurant – conveniently located a couple of fields distance away from our RV Park.
Off we sauntered and quickly arrived at what looked more like someone’s ranch than a restaurant. Although let’s face it – with a heart-warming name that translates to ‘Mrs. Esthela’s Kitchen’ I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised. Once inside, we were ushered in to sit near the tortilla-making area.
It didn’t take too long before the heavenly aroma of fresh corn tortillas had taken effect and we hurriedly ordered a smorgasbord of food. Prices were cheap compared to what we were accustomed to at home, so as far as we were concerned, it was game on.
No sooner had we placed our order than our children had left the building. They had spied the farm animals and a large playground located behind the restaurant and made a beeline for them. It was at this very moment, I mentally decided that even if the food wasn’t that good, I was officially loving this restaurant.
(No doubt all parents of small children will understand what I mean ;-))
With efficient service to boot, our table was soon filled with the most incredible authentic Mexican food I have ever eaten. I’m not ashamed to confess that I ended up ordering more food-to-go, so the gift of Doña Esthela could keep on giving after we left the building.
Breakfast Menu
Red / Green Chilaquiles
Fried tortillas with melted cheese soaked in green or red tomato sauce, served with refried beans: $90 pesos / $4.53 US*
* Upgrade your chilaquiles by adding chicken or bacon: $120 pesos / $6.04 US
Sausage & Eggs
2 scrambled eggs with sausage & refried beans: $85 pesos / $4.28 US
Ham & Eggs
2 scrambled eggs with ham & refried beans: $85 pesos / $4.28 US
Bacon & Eggs
2 scrambled eggs with smoky bacon served with refried beans: $98 pesos / $4.93 US
Eggs a la Mexicana
2 scrambled eggs served with stewed vegetables & refried beans: $85 pesos / $4.28 US
Eggs Albañil
2 eggs beaten and stewed in a rich spicy tomato sauce, served with refried beans: $95 pesos / $4.78 US
Lesley’s Combo
2 eggs cooked to your preference served with shredded beef, chorizo & refried beans: $120 pesos / $6.03 US
Machaca with Vegetables / Eggs
2 eggs cooked to your preference accompanied with shredded stewed beef, served with fresh vegetables & refried beans. $125 pesos / $6.30 US
Chorizo with Eggs
2 scrambled eggs with homemade pork chorizo sausage & refried beans: $120 pesos / $6.03 US
Jose’s Combo
2 eggs cooked to your preference with green or red chilaquiles, Machaca & beans: $120 pesos / $6.03 US
Nopales with Eggs
2 scrambled eggs with rich, juicy, stewed nopales, served with vegetables & refried beans: $98 pesos / $4.93 US
Eggs Rancheros
2 eggs cooked to your preference served on top of golden tortillas, covered with ranchero sauce & refried beans: $98 pesos / $4.93 US
Omelettes
Stuffed with ranchero cheese, served with your choice of maximum 2 stews & refried beans all bathed in a delicious tomato sauce:
Nopales, spinach or zucchini: $95 pesos / $4.78 US
Ham, sausage or bacon: $95 pesos / $4.78 US
Machaca, chorizo or chicharron: $115 pesos / $5.79 US
Any other extra: $15 pesos / $0.75 US
Vegetarian Omelette
Stuffed with fresh cheese, zucchini, spinach, mushrooms, bathed in a delicious tomato sauce, all steam-cooked: $115 pesos / $5.79 US
Single Hotcake
1 classic flour pancake served with honey and butter: $80 pesos / $4.02 US
Special Hotcakes
2 classic flour pancakes served with your choice of 2 eggs, bacon, sausage or fruit: $115 pesos / $5.78 US
House Specials
Borrego Tatemada
Delicious tatemada dried lamb served with consommé:
1 full order: $210 pesos / $10.56 US
1/s order: $140 pesos / $7.04 US
Borrego en su jugo
Delicious lamb meat seasoned Doña Esthela-style cooked underground, served in its juice. Served with homemade beans: $150 pesos / $7.55 US
Borrego Tacos
Served with lamb tatemada with your choice of flour or corn tortilla: $50 pesos / $2.52 US
Corn Hotcakes
Simply delicious – made with fresh corn: $85 pesos / $4.28 US
Beef Birria Tatemada
Served shredded alongside its consomme, straight from the pot: $210 pesos / $10.57 US
Beef Birria en su Jugo
Delicious beef, seasoned Doña Esthela style, cooked underground, served in its own juice & homemade beans fresh from the pot: $150 pesos / $7.55 US
Eggs Machaca
2 scrambled eggs mixed with dried shredded beef Sinaloa style & served with refried beans: $125 pesos / $6.29 US
I’d also like to offer an honorable mention of the house Gorditas. They are out of this world – choose any filling. We loved their hot chocolate and the Cafe de Olla was outstanding.
Maybe it’s because all the food and drinks are homemade, or perhaps it’s due to everything is served on or in hand-crafted Mexican pottery. Whatever the case is, this place holds a firm first place for the best breakfast in Valle de Guadalupe.
La Cocina de Doña Esthela is no joke, people.
It’s the epitome of all great things that ever came out of Mexico. The aroma of freshly prepared corn tortillas will never leave me. Taking a stroll around the farm grounds while you’re digesting your meal. Letting the kids go explore the playground in the back yard.
Try hard to restrain yourself from ordering every single thing from their menu. Doors open at 8am for breakfast and patrons can also enjoy a lunch or early dinner.
Don’t go for breakfast on a Monday – La Cocina de Doña Esthela is closed and it’s worth noting that they close at 5pm sharp each day. For other inquiries, call them at +52 646 156 8453.
La Cocina de Doña Esthela is a ‘must-do’ meal during your stay in Valle de Guadalupe.
** Please note – the prices listed in the menu were converted in January 2021 and are subject to fluctuation depending on the time of your visit
