For lunch? How about shrimp, rice, beans and a salad - muy buen!

Most of the old fish taco stands have been moved off the Malecon. Acollection can be found in the Plaza Maristacos at the south end,towards the Costa Azul Hotel. The very first shop on the left hand side as you face the plaza does the best fish and shrimp soup in San Felipe. Between the Beachcomber and the Rockodile,Conchita's is highly recommended. Sit on the upstairsbalcony and watch the passing show. (The venerable Tony's restaurant closed in November 2006 and will be missed.)

The freshly fried shark meat or shrimp tacos are still unsurpassedfor taste. The small bowls of condiments at each stand provide red andgreen chile salsas, chopped vegetables, limes, onions andmayonnaise-type sauces so you can individually tailor your meal. Bottlesof red pepper sauces are also at hand for true fire eaters. Two fishtacos and a cold beer or soda are inexpensive and make a healthy lunch.Squeeze lots of lime juice on your tacos and on the rim of the beerbottle. Shrimp cocktails and ceviche are also very popular and beeftacos are available at most stands.

Other popular and cost-effective places to eat include Rosita's and Rice and Beans (your hosts are Rigoberto and Ricardo Romo and they do anexcellent fish stew and have a consistently good menu), Chencho's (try the Oaxaquenos eggsfor breakfast), the restaurant at BajaMar Restaurant & Taco Factory (wonderfulshrimp dishes and tacos for $1.00) and Oceano China (just north of the Red Lobster)forChinesefood. For a real local treat try the birria or huevos rancheros atLoncheria Las Chabelas on Av. Mar Caribe at Calle Manzanillo (in theshadow of the Baja Celular tower). This little gem of a restaurant isonly open for breakfast and lunch and gets very crowded.

If you have a craving for a good pizza or a typical American mealcheck out Ted's Los Arcos restaurant at the entrance to town. Manyresidents from El Dorado dine there and it is a good place to meetretired ex-pats and join in the karaoke.

For the special splurge dinner (allow $30+ per person) try theexcellent filet mignon and other prime steaks at El Nido (closedWednesdays), the Red Lobster (in the very center of town), Baja Mar (for a great Margarita with your seafood),and Juanito'sCantina (at El Dorado Ranch). The patio at the El Cortez hotel is also awonderful location for a beachfront lunch or dinner in the warmerweather.

Freshly cooked food is unlikely to cause you any intestinaldiscomfort. However, if the worst does happen, visit Tavo at BoticaSagrado Corazon (the drug store next to the bank) and he will dispensesome elixir to clear up the problem. Remember that the most importantsingle step you can take to ensure hygiene is to wash your handsfrequently. Always do this before sitting down to dine and alwayssqueeze lime juice over the rim of bottles before drinking fromthem.

Incidentally, when you dine in any restaurant, do not hesitate totell them if you want them to use little or no salt. Many dishes comehighly salted if you do not express a preference. Salt on the rim of theMargarita glass is traditional but you can always clear a little sectionto drink from with your napkin if it appears excessive.

Health tip: Check the rest rooms of a restaurant before you eat there. If they do not have soap and towels then give them a miss. If there is no soap, the employees are not satisfactorily washing their hands before handling food. Don't hesitate to inform management of any unsanitary conditions.