Tortillería Las Brisas

In the heart of La Ventana, where tradition meets daily sustenance, Tortillería Las Brisas stands as a testament to family dedication and craftsmanship. This yellow building, now a cornerstone of the community, began with a fisherman’s pivot to tortilla making, transforming his expertise from the sea to the essential staples of Mexican cuisine. Under the leadership of Esme, alongside her daughter, aunt, and sister, this family enterprise has grown into a vital part of La Ventana’s culinary landscape. Their dedication to quality and tradition spans nearly two decades, supplying residents, visitors and restaurants with freshly made corn and flour tortillas daily.

The process of creating these fundamental flatbreads reveals the careful attention to detail that sets their products apart. Corn tortillas follow a pure, simple recipe: just corn and water, free from preservatives or additives. The flour tortillas require a more intricate approach, with precise measurements of Manteca and careful attention to rising times, resulting in the perfect texture that local customers have come to expect. Before the pandemic, their service extended throughout La Ventana with a mobile delivery system, complete with recorded announcements that became a cherished part of the community’s daily rhythm. While those delivery days have passed, the yellow building continues to serve as a gathering point where customers can witness the artistry of tortilla making firsthand. Esme, drawing from years of experience, suggests enjoying their corn tortillas with fresh fish tacos, while their flour tortillas perfectly complement beef or fish machaca. 

The true beauty of Tortillería Las Brisas lies in its role as more than just a business – it’s a place where three generations work in harmony to maintain the high standards established by Esme’s father. When visiting La Ventana, a stop at the yellow building offers more than just fresh tortillas – it provides an opportunity to witness and support a family’s dedication to their craft, preserving traditional methods while serving their community with pride and care.

📸: Nery, Briseyda, Esme, and Elena

⏰ : Everyday 6am – 2pm

Español

En el corazón de La Ventana, donde la tradición se une al sustento diario, la Tortillería Las Brisas se erige como testimonio de la dedicación familiar y la artesanía. Este edificio amarillo, ahora piedra angular de la comunidad, comenzó con el giro de un pescador hacia la fabricación de tortillas, transformando su experiencia del mar en los alimentos básicos esenciales de la cocina mexicana. Bajo el liderazgo de Esme, junto con su hija, su tía y su hermana, esta empresa familiar se ha convertido en una parte vital del paisaje culinario de La Ventana. Su dedicación a la calidad y la tradición se extiende a lo largo de casi dos décadas, abasteciendo diariamente a residentes, visitantes y restaurantes con tortillas de maíz y harina recién hechas.

El proceso de creación de estos panes planos fundamentales revela la cuidadosa atención al detalle que distingue a sus productos. Las tortillas de maíz siguen una receta pura y sencilla: sólo maíz y agua, sin conservantes ni aditivos. Las tortillas de harina requieren un enfoque más intrincado, con medidas precisas de Manteca y una cuidadosa atención a los tiempos de fermentación, lo que da como resultado la textura perfecta que los clientes locales esperan. Antes de la pandemia, su servicio se extendía por toda La Ventana con un sistema de reparto móvil, con anuncios grabados que se convirtieron en una parte muy apreciada del ritmo diario de la comunidad. Aunque esos días de reparto ya han pasado, el edificio amarillo sigue siendo un punto de encuentro donde los clientes pueden presenciar de primera mano el arte de hacer tortillas. Esme, basándose en años de experiencia, sugiere disfrutar de sus tortillas de maíz con tacos de pescado fresco, mientras que sus tortillas de harina complementan a la perfección la machaca de ternera o pescado. 

La verdadera belleza de la Tortillería Las Brisas reside en que es algo más que un negocio: es un lugar donde tres generaciones trabajan en armonía para mantener los altos estándares establecidos por el padre de Esme. Al visitar La Ventana, una parada en el edificio amarillo ofrece algo más que tortillas frescas – ofrece la oportunidad de presenciar y apoyar la dedicación de una familia a su oficio, preservando los métodos tradicionales mientras sirven a su comunidad con orgullo y cuidado.

⏰ : Todos los días de 6am a 2pm

Renaissance Coffee Box

Under a sheltering tree sits Renaissance Coffee Box, where a metal box has transformed into a cozy new gathering place, adding another delightful option to this quirky little town’s vibrant coffee scene. Since December 2023, this welcoming nook has been serving delicious specialty coffee. The story of Renaissance started with a chance meeting at a coffee shop two years ago, when life took Carlos and Alex in different directions – Carlos with his coffee mastery and Alex crafting travel experiences in Denver. But in that classic La Ventana way where everyone somehow finds their way back, they reconnected when Carlos was putting his coffee dreams into action.

When he shared his vision for Renaissance Coffee Box (a dream sparked by a school exchange program that showed him Baja Sur would be his future home), Alex didn’t just see a business opportunity – he saw something special. He joined the venture, bringing his expertise in travel and experience planning, and somewhere between the planning and the pouring, their business partnership blossomed into a love story.

Carlos is someone who brings together serious professional barista expertise with generations of coffee knowledge from his Mayan family in San Cristóbal, Chiapas. He designed their space the way most good things happen in La Ventana – by working with what nature gave them. They built around the existing tree instead of removing it, creating a natural gathering spot where every other Sunday, the café transforms into an “Après Kite” pop-up. Picture folks gathering over house-made plant milks, innovative non-alcoholic elixirs, and meticulously crafted coffee drinks. It’s become the kind of place where community happens naturally and that’s largely thanks to Alex’s vision to create meaningful experiences.

Between pours, Carlos and Alex converse with friends, while their coffee-colored dog Maple welcomes everyone who stops by. Here, you’ll find more than just your morning brew – you’ll discover a space where passion meets purpose, and where two dreamers are building something authentic in a town that embraces the unexpected.

Hours: Everyday 7-1 (Except Tuesday), Sunday special hours 7-4

Location: Across from the gas station and Oxxo (just look for the metal box with the big tree)

Carlos & Alex

Spanish 

Bajo un árbol protegido se encuentra Renaissance Coffee Box ☕ : una caja metálica que se ha transformado en un nuevo y acogedor lugar de reunión, añadiendo otra deliciosa opción a la vibrante escena cafetera de esta pequeña y peculiar ciudad.

Desde diciembre de 2023, este acogedor rincón sirve algo más que café de especialidad, aunque hablemos del café por un momento. Cuando conoces a Carlos, estás conociendo a alguien que reúne una seria experiencia profesional como barista con generaciones de conocimiento del café de su familia maya en San Cristóbal, Chiapas. 

La historia de Renacimiento comenzó con un encuentro casual en una cafetería hace dos años, cuando la vida llevó a Carlos y Alex en diferentes direcciones – Carlos con su maestría en el café y Alex creando experiencias de viaje en Denver. Pero en esa forma clásica de La Ventana en la que todo el mundo encuentra de alguna manera su camino de vuelta, se volvieron a conectar cuando Carlos estaba poniendo sus sueños de café en acción. Cuando compartió su visión de Renaissance Coffee Box (un sueño despertado por un programa de intercambio escolar que le mostró que Baja Sur sería su futuro hogar), Alex no sólo vio una oportunidad de negocio – vio algo especial. Se unió a la aventura, aportando su experiencia en la creación de experiencias significativas, y en algún lugar entre la planificación y el vertido, su asociación empresarial floreció en una historia de amor.

Carlos diseñó su espacio como la mayoría de las cosas buenas ocurren en La Ventana: trabajando con lo que la naturaleza les ofrecía. Construyeron alrededor del árbol existente en lugar de quitarlo, creando un punto de encuentro natural donde cada dos domingos, el café se transforma en un «Après Kite» pop-up. Imagínate a gente polvorienta reunida en torno a leches vegetales caseras, innovadores elixires sin alcohol y bebidas de café meticulosamente elaboradas. Se ha convertido en el tipo de lugar donde la comunidad surge de forma natural.

Entre cafés y conversaciones, Carlos y Alex atisban ballenas que saltan y rayas que se elevan, mientras su perro Maple, de color café, da la bienvenida a todo el que pasa por allí. Aquí encontrará algo más que su cerveza matutina: descubrirá un espacio donde la pasión se une al propósito, donde una caja metálica se ha convertido en un lugar de reunión y donde dos soñadores están construyendo algo auténtico en una ciudad que acoge lo inesperado.

Horario: Todos los días de 7 a 1 (excepto los martes), domingos en horario especial de 7 a 4.

Ubicación: Frente a la gasolinera y Oxxo (busca la caja metálica con el gran árbol)

La Pescadería Perla

In a region abundant with fresh seafood, finding the perfect fish can be overwhelming. But in El Sargento, La Pescadería Perla, owned by Claudia, stands out as a trusted local institution.

This family-owned store traces its roots back to April 2007, when Claudia’s father, Pantaleon Calderon Geraldo, a member of the ejido and part of the founding families of La Ventana, started a modest fish trading business. A skilled fisherman known for his impressive catches, he saw an opportunity to serve his community by selling fresh fish from local fishermen directly from his backyard.

The business underwent a transformational change when Claudia and Poncho decided to bring new energy and vision to the family enterprise, combining the finest seafood with genuine customer service.

While fresh seafood remains the core of their business, La Pescadería Perla has evolved to meet the growing needs of the diverse La Ventana community. Poncho and Claudia have carefully expanded their inventory to include hard-to-find specialty items typically found only in larger cities, becoming a vital source for specialty groceries. Poncho personally makes weekly trips to Cabo or La Paz, often fulfilling special requests from customers looking for specific items.

The store has become more than just a market, Poncho is always delighting in interactions with tourists and exchanging languages from Spanish to English. As the windy season brings more visitors, Claudia and Poncho’s enthusiasm for community connection grows stronger. They value the relationships they build with their clientele, finding joy in their customers’ genuine interest and kindness.

Although Claudia’s father passed away 8 years ago, his legacy lives on through the thriving business his daughter and son-in-law have cultivated. Each year brings new additions to their shelves, with an ever-growing selection of unique, high-quality products. Whether you stop in for fresh fish fillets or are looking for specialty cheese, you’ll be greeted with a warm welcome and a bright smile from Claudia, Poncho, and likely other members of this dedicated family.

Hours: Monday to Saturday: 8am-5pm, Sunday: 9am-3pm

Location: Going north on the main road it is on your left, before you head down the hill to the police station. Across the street from the new bike hub.

Poncho and Claudia
Pantaleon Calderon Geraldo

Español

En una región abundante en mariscos frescos, encontrar el pescado perfecto puede ser abrumador. Pero en El Sargento , La Pescadería Perla, propiedad de Claudia, se destaca como una institución local de confianza. Esta tienda familiar tiene sus raíces en abril de 2007, cuando el padre de Claudia, Pantaleon Calderon Geraldo, miembro del ejido y parte de las familias fundadoras de La Ventana, comenzó un modesto negocio de comercio de pescado (ver diapositiva 3). Un pescador hábil conocido por sus impresionantes capturas, vio la oportunidad de servir a su comunidad vendiendo pescado fresco de los pescadores locales directamente desde el patio trasero.

El negocio experimentó un cambio transformador cuando Claudia y Poncho, Decidieron Aportar nueva energía y visión al negocio familiar, combinando los mejores mariscos con un servicio al cliente genuino.

Aunque los mariscos frescos siguen siendo el núcleo de su negocio, La Pescadería Perla ha evolucionado para satisfacer las crecientes necesidades de la diversa comunidad de La Ventana. Poncho y Claudia han ampliado cuidadosamente su inventario para incluir artículos especializados difíciles de encontrar que típicamente sólo se hallan en ciudades más grandes.Se han convertido en una fuente vital para comestibles especializados. Poncho personalmente realiza viajes semanales a Cabo o La Paz, a menudo cumpliendo solicitudes especiales de clientes que buscan artículos específicos.

La tienda se ha convertido en más que un simple   el mundo, encantado de interactuar con turistas intercambindo idiomas de español a ingles. A medida que la temporada de vientos atrae a más visitantes, el entusiasmo de Claudia y Poncho por la conexión comunitaria se fortalece. Valora las relaciones que construye con su clientela, encontrando alegría en su interés genuino y amabilidad.

Aunque el padre de Claudia falleció hace 8 años, su legado vive a través del negocio próspero que su hija y yerno han cultivado. Cada año trae nuevas incorporaciones a sus estantes, con una selección cada vez mayor de productos únicos y de alta calidad. Ya sea que te detengas a comprar filetes de pescado fresco o que busques queso especializado, serás recibido con una cálida bienvenida y una brillante sonrisa de Claudia, Poncho, y probablemente de otros miembros de esta dedicada familia. (translation by Andrea Puebla)

Horas: Lunes a sábado: 8am – 5pm, Domingo: 9am – 3am

Ubicación: Yendo hacia el norte por la carretera principal está a su izquierda, antes de bajar la colina a la estación de policía. Al otro lado de la calle desde el nuevo centro de bicicletas. 

Oscarito’s

For anyone who has spent time in La Ventana, Oscaritos has likely been a part of that experience. This family-owned grocery store, a long-time staple of the community, boasts the widest selection of household items in the area. Whether you need to stock up on groceries, water, cash, or cleaning supplies, Oscaritos is the go-to spot for just about anything.

Founded 17 years ago by Armida and Oscarito himself, the store initially occupied a small space attached to the church, run by Armida and her mother. It offered only a limited selection of items. When prompted to change locations due to ownership issues, the family purchased the site we know today as Oscaritos.

The business continues to be a family affair, with cousins, sisters, and brothers all playing a part in keeping the store clean, well-stocked, and efficiently run. They’ve even expanded to a second location, Star Market (Oscaritos 2), in El Teso, owned by Armida and her brother.

From the moment you step inside, you’re greeted by familiar faces and a warm atmosphere. Armida and her family are among the original residents of La Ventana, born and raised here. She loves running the business, interacting with tourists, and the central role Oscaritos plays in the community.

When asked about her favorite aspects of La Ventana, Armida doesn’t hesitate to mention the beautiful beach right on their doorstep. She also cherishes the calm and relaxed atmosphere of the town, which perfectly complements the welcoming vibe of her family’s beloved store.

Open: Oscaritos: Everyday, 8am – 10pm, Star Market: Everyday, 7am – 10pm

Location: On the main road heading towards the hot springs, on your right while going north. 

Pictured in this photo: América, Míriam, Anicia, Roto, Lupita, Armida, Oscar

En Español

(translated by Andrea) Para cualquiera que haya pasado una temporada en La Ventana, es probable que Oscaritos haya sido parte de esa experiencia. Esta tienda familiar ha sido un pilar de la comunidad desde hace mucho tiempo, pues presume de tener la selección más amplia de artículos para el hogar en la zona. 

Ya sea que necesites hacer las compras de la casa, garrafones de agua, efectivo o cualquier producto básico de limpieza, Oscaritos es el lugar indicado para casi cualquier cosa.

Fundada hace 17 años por Armida y el mismo Oscarito, la tienda inicialmente ocupaba un pequeño espacio adjunto a la iglesia, operando la tienda podías encontrar a Armida y a su madre. Ofrecía solo una selección limitada de artículos. Cuando se les pidió cambiar de ubicación debido a temas de propiedad, la familia compró el sitio que hoy conocemos como Oscaritos.

El negocio sigue siendo un asunto familiar. Primos, hermanos y hermanas juegan un papel importante para mantener la tienda bien surtida, limpia y funcionando eficientemente. Lo han hecho con tal éxito, que se han expandido a una segunda ubicación, Star Market (Oscaritos 2), en El Teso, manejada por Armida y su hermano.

Al entrar a Oscaritos, serás recibido por caras conocidas y una atmósfera cálida. Armida y su familia son residentes originarios de La Ventana, nacidos y criados allí. Le encanta manejar el negocio, interactuar con los turistas y el papel central que Oscaritos juega en la comunidad.

Cuando le preguntamos sobre sus aspectos favoritos de La Ventana, Armida dijo que su insuperable favorito es la hermosa playa justo en la puerta de su casa. También valora mucho la calma y el ambiente relajado del pueblo, que complementa perfectamente la vibra acogedora de la querida tienda de su familia.

Horario: Oscaritos: Todos los días, de 8am a 10pm, Star Market: Todos los días, de 7am a 10pm.

En esta foto aparecen: América, Míriam, Anicia, Roto, Lupita, Armida, Oscar

Baja Bites

Known most famously for their mouth-watering fish tacos and tantalizing chili oil, Baja Bites has become quite a poppin lunch spot in La Ventana🤙🌶️🤤💥.

Paula and Alex, the owners, are both originally from different parts of Mexico and just like many of us, they met doing windsports in 1982 in Cancun. Quickly, they quickly fell in love and then with this town for its proximity to the outdoors. They now call this place home. Their favorite thing being that they can step out their front door to go biking and fishing. They are especially grateful for La Ventana’s chill vibe.

The two of them opened Baja Bites officially in 2017 out of a small trailer with a shark mouth painted on the front of it (see slide 4). You may remember that in the beginning there were just three taco options: yellowtail, shrimp, and marlin. Now, the menu features not only various taco options but also soups, salads, and baked goods. Although Alex can’t decide between the yellowtail or Tuna taco being his favorite item on the menu, he can confidently say that he is dedicated to serving good, fresh and local fish. 

Come and see for yourselves! Make sure to bring along your pup and Alex will surprise them with a generous serving of fish. The Baja Bites team is always ready to greet you with a warm smile and excellent service! 

The Crew, left to right: Roman, Angel, Paula, Alex & Mona.

⏰Open Mon – Sat, 11am-3:30pm

📍In El Teso next to KM0 & Diamanté reality. 

Mariscos El Cone

Announcing: Meet the Owner series! 👫

Join us as we share the stories of LV local restaurants and businesses. We will be interviewing owners over the next few months and finding out all about their choices to create these epic spots!

To kick start things off, we will begin with Mariscos El Cone! 🐠🍤🎣🐡🐟

Packed every night of the wind season with chatter of friends and families diving into the rich dishes, Mariscos Al Cone is known and loved by all. What some may not know is that the Mariscos Al Cone we see today is much different than the original restaurant Raymundo and Neyreda started eighteen years ago. Both born and raised in El Sargento, Raymundo and Nereyda have deep ties to this town and community. He is a longtime fisherman, and at the beginning of their gastronomic journey, they would catch goats on the island to sell the meat in Machaca burritos. Her goal was always to start a business, so they took what they knew and created this delicious seafood restaurant!

Their son, Hernan, is also an active part of this business and can be seen onsite more often than not. Hernan found it impossible to select a favorite dish, instead he let me know the most popular dishes: Camarones Rellenos, Pescado a la plancha and Tataki. A first stop for many expats and a longtime spot for many locals, there isn’t a disappointing dish on the menu.

Regulars may be familiar with William, their sweet 14-year old dog, who can be seen lounging out front (slide 4) or beside your table with eyes for whatever you have in front of you. Like William, Hernan loves that La Ventana is such a tight knit community, where people are familiar and deeply connected to each other. When stepping foot into their restaurant, we can see the strong community crystal clear. Come for a happy hour, stay for dinner and meet the whole town!

⏰ Open Monday – Saturday 8am – 9pm, Sundays 8pm – 8pm

📍 Located: on the main road directly across the street form Delfines mercado.
Try their new dish: Lobster 🦞

Road Runners

With the stars, the weather, the reptiles, and the creatures of the underwater reefs all getting regular airtime on the Ventana View, I think that it is only fair that our feathered friends get some attention too. And I cannot think of a better subject to start with than the greater roadrunner! Believe me, they look nothing like that bird (Beep Beep!) featured in the long-running Warner Brothers cartoon series! In fact, they look a lot like a highly emaciated light brown chicken with a long skinny tail! Roadrunners reach two feet from sturdy bill to white tail tip, with a bushy blue-black crest and mottled plumage that blends well with dusty shrubs. While they occasionally take flight for short distances, boy, can they run! They have been clocked at speeds up to 26 miles per hour or 42 kilometers an hour, the fastest on record for any flying species on the planet. When they run, they place their head and tail parallel to the ground and use their tail as a rudder to help change direction. While we have had them the odd time showing up briefly in our backyard here in the Baja, I have not yet found a way to entice the little rascals with food. However, I do know they like human chow because I saw one hanging around a wee fast-food tent where the cook was throwing out scraps near the Cabo airport. These monogamous birds lay three to six eggs in thorny platform nests lined with everything from grasses to feathers to snakeskins. And yes, roadrunners do kill and eat rattlesnakes (sorry, Chance!). They usually work in pairs with one distracting the serpent while the second bird moves in for the kill. Their scaly legs and feather coat make it hard for the snakes to land any bites. However, roadrunners mainly subsist on a diet of insects, spiders, lizards, and any other small creatures they can catch. The oldest roadrunner on record to date made it to seven years old, but I suspect that they can live longer than that. They are one of my favourite birds down here in Mexico, always giving me a thrill when they dart across the road in front of me. david.bird@mcgill.ca