Sometimes when you’re traveling you make some really great morning plans and then you end up closing down the bar and eating tacos out of your purse on a curb while waiting for your Uber and those awesome morning plans start to look a lot less appealing.
Such was the case with our trip to Tecate. Jessica and I had made plans to day trip south of the border during my time in San Diego and scheduled a noon tour at the Tecate Brewery. The alarm rang way too early and way too loudly, but I somehow pulled myself out of bed, deliriously packed a bag, and slumped into the passenger seat as Jessica navigated us through San Diego County for what turned out to be one of the weirdest day trips ever.
Touring the Tecate Brewery
The whole reason we chose to visit Tecate as opposed to Tijuana was a chance to visit the Tecate Brewery, which brews not only its namesake beer but also Dos Equis, Bohemia, Sol, and Superior. After having to stop a few times on the way, we found ourselves running and little late and walk-jogged the 3/4 of a mile from the border to the brewery where we found our guide and tour group waiting for us.
The free 30 minute tour began with a short video and then continued on into the brewery. Our guide explained the history of Tecate beer, from its small beginnings to eventually being bought by Heineken International in 2010. Unfortunately photography was not allowed on the tour, but we made our way through each step of the brewing process and ended up back in the beer garden where we were each given a free beer. Well, everyone except me. I chose to chug water and catch up on some sleep.
(For more information about the brewery tour, including contact information to make a booking, check out this site.)
Recovery Tacos
As lovely as the beer garden was, I needed to eat. (And get away from anything alcohol related.) It was time for tacos. We asked the bartender for a recommendation and without hesitation he said “Los Amigos”. I’m not sure if his immediate response was because it’s the best tacqueria in town or the only place in town, but off we went.
The speciality at Los Amigos, like most places in the region, is carne asada. We had this marinated, charred beef in both a taco and quesadilla. The tacos were bigger than anything I’d seen south of the border, but with fresh guacamole and some extra spicy hot sauce, they were just what I needed. Washed down with a big glass of homemade horchata and I was ready to explore.
The Tiny Town of Tecate
Tijuana is the Mexican border town that gets the majority of the visitors and the majority of the press. Tecate is less hedonistic city for American border jumpers and more sleepy border town filled with Mexican cowboys listening to mariachi music in old Ford pickups.
As partying was the last thing on our minds, we weren’t sad to find the town of Tecate a lot calmer than we’d expected. We were surprised, though, to find that there was about zero to see. The town’s main square was completely boarded up and under construction and after a few quick laps of the downtown we realized we had kind of seen it all and walked back to the border.
Walking Across the Tecate Port of Entry
I grew up 30 miles from an international border. I’ve walked between countries before. But despite of all this, walking between Mexico and the United States felt kind of bizarre. To get to the border from San Diego you drive through a bunch of winding mountain roads and end up in this tiny rundown town comprised of a few parking lots, trailers, a junk yard, and a gas station that appears to have not been remodeled since the 60s.
We parked in one of these lots, walked about 500 feet to the border, walked through a metal detector, and bam- we were in Mexico. No passport control. Nothing.
On the way back we knew to expect a slightly more serious endeavor only to find it pretty much deserted. While most border crossings prohibit photography, there was no around so we snapped a few pics. And took a selfie.
Inside the actual building, there were 2 people in front of us in line, a far cry from the hours of waiting I’ve heard about to cross from Tijuana. When the border control agent asked me what I was going in Mexico I stammered out a “uhhh, I came here to eat tacos” and laughed. She seemed pleased with that answer and then spent some time talking to me about writer living in the city before wishing us a pleasant day. If you’ve ever entered the United States, as either a citizen or foreign national, you know that this sort of friendliness in and of itself is rare.
Back on American soil, we climbed back into the car for a short nap before making our way back into San Diego and laughing about what a strange it had been.
What has been your strangest travel experience?
“After having to stop a few times along the way…” HMM I WONDER WHY?!
LOLZ What a day!
Jessica Wray recently posted..Ultimate Guide to Packing for a Trip to Brazil
FOR SNACKS AND GAS OBVI
Oh man! We drove into Mexico and I think it was maybe even weirder than going by foot, because much like the pedestrian crossing, there was no border control for the cars either! I kept telling Tony I thought we had gotten into the wrong lane or something because we didn’t have to show our passport to anyone until we were 21 km into the country (and really, we could have just zoomed past the checkpoint to get our tourist cards and anything… but we did not!). Definitely the weirdest border crossing, especially when compared to the Canada/U.S. border, which I have crossed MANY times.
(Also, going to Mexico to eat tacos? Definitely not a bad reason!)
Steph (@ 20 Years Hence) recently posted..On Not Writing
Yeah, I grew up in Detroit and crossed into Windsor numerous times and I think that’s what made this even weirder. I can’t imagine just driving straight through! I guess you can stay as long as you want?? lol
A brewery tour hungover sounds ROUGH. But tacos are a good cure for most anything, so I think it’s totally legit to travel to Mexico for great ones. When I flew back to the US from Ireland, I actually had a really nice agent work with me. It was the first time that’s ever happened! I was through the line way before the rest of my family. I guess they are out there.
Amanda I Chasing My Sunshine recently posted..Being a Beginner Outdoors
Tacos are the cure for all. I’ve never had a good experience with border control at an American airport so I’m glad to hear that there are some not assholes out there!
Ohh, I’m definitely familiar with those already-planned morning afters! Both brutal and just ridiculous enough to make a good story.
Also, tacos are an amazing reason to go to Mexico.
Nikita recently posted..Snapshots From Český Krumlov
Agreed. A month later I’ve finally forgotten how much pain I was in and can laugh at the ridiculousness of it all!
I hate beer with such a fervent passion — THE SMELL — and smelling/being around beer is my absolute hell when hungover. So lots of empathetic vibes. But carne asada tacos and quesadilla… well, I live in Switzerland now and guess which country has THE WORLD’S WORST MEXICAN FOOD. So, mad jealous vibes too
michelle marie
http://www.wherewevegone.com
Michelle Marie recently posted..budapest, hungary – on foot in the jewish quarter and downtown pest + thermal baths
haha I love beer but when violently hungover it’s definitely not great. Especially at a brewery. The whole town smelled like fermenting yeast. You would’ve loved it
But yeah, Europe in general has some pretty awful Mexican food. I remember how painful it was. I’m sorry!
Haha this looks like a blast! I have only crossed that border once by foot and I don’t really recall because I was just in it for the underage drinking aspect. Random enough- I was at a Mexican restaurant here in Frankfurt last night and I asked if they had any Mexican beer (because their menu stated they had Dos Equis, Corona, and Tecate) and they told me they got rid of the Tecate and Dos Equis because they are American beers. WTF. Needless to say the Mexican food was absolutely appalling. Guess their burritos and enchiladas scream authentic Mexican but an actual Mexican beer doesn’t. Sorry to vent- I should show them this post for proof that those beers are not American lol.
Like your redesign by the way!
Megan recently posted..Gyor, Hungary – The Charm in Visiting a Place You Know Nothing About
haha I used to cross into Canada from Detroit for some underage drinking, but it was always in a car and they were actually kind of strict. And seriously, I get why Mexican food is bad outside of the US but it still manages to shock me every single time. I really like how they think those beers are American…I guess if it’s not German they don’t care