Cantinas in Mexico City / Salón Guerrero: Unpretentious vibes and delicious botanas
A haven in the heart of Santa María la Rivera.
By Alejandro Pohlenz
Three blocks from the beautiful Moorish Kiosk (brought to Mexico at the beginning of the 20th century), an icon of the Santa María la Ribera neighborhood, there is a classic cantina that some call an "oasis." It's called Salón Guerrero and has been operating for decades. If you want to know more about the history of Santa María la Rivera, check out our review of Coyota.
The simplicity of Salón Guerrero
I radically disagree with the comment by Susana Iglesias, a journalist for Milenio, that Salón Guerrero "preserves the elegance of now-extinct canteens." This establishment is quiet, reliable and clean, but there is nothing elegant about it. In fact, I would agree more with a user who describes it as "humble." Its simplicity or its small dimensions have nothing to do with its impeccable service. Above the bar there is an action figure that is a Predator (from the movie of the alien that kills even the cameraman) that is carrying a baby in its hand. I don't know the meaning and it's better not to look at it. Forgetting the alien, I have chatted with "El Tío" (The Uncle), a very kind bartender who has worked there for 30 years and who does not require you to order a certain number of drinks to provide you with "la botana" (snacks).
Let's eat!
And it seems essential to me to talk about the menu. Particularly, the paella a la "greeygus", which has bell peppers, the shrimp broth (essential to appease a hangover), the steak tartare with beef broth on Fridays (I don't remember having tried raw meat in any other cantina), the mojarra (tilapia), the chamorro (pork shank) with beans (that one is super typical), the spicy tuna with mayonnaise, the chicken soup with prepared sardine and the mole de olla (a type of Mexican stew).
- What we love and you should try: the mojarra.
- What we don't like so much: the paella.
- Address: Manuel Carpio 176, Santa María la Ribera, CDMX.
- Hours and days of operation: Monday to Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- Ideal for: drinks and botanas.
- Payment: cash and cards.
- Accessibility: yes.
- Parking: no.
- Reservations: no.
- Nearby public transportation: Metro San Cosme.
- Pet Friendly: no.
- Suitable to go with children: no.
- Vegan options: no.
