Mayor Claudia Agatón Muñiz kicked things off at 2 PM. After that, the celebration rolled non-stop until 10 PM.
Meanwhile, three stages kept everyone moving. Takón Machín, Grupo Claytons, and Mariachi Ensenada played throughout the afternoon. Then, at 8:30 PM, Elefante brought the house down.
In addition, families enjoyed a kids’ zone, folkloric dancers, and DJ sets.
When someone recommended “Yatai” to us, I expected a fancy restaurant tucked away in Ensenada’s downtown. Maybe soft jazz. Maybe a waitlist. Instead, I found a carreta—yes, a literal street cart. But don’t let that fool you. This cart packs more fire (sometimes literally) than many fine-dining kitchens.
Yatai, which in Japanese means “mobile food stall,” is led by chef David Lara and Marco Antonio Salinas. Although it may appear modest, what’s happening behind the counter is far from ordinary. Chef David trained in Mexico, but his culinary compass points straight to Japan. In fact, he’s even performed ronqueos—the knife skills required to break down a whole bluefin tuna. It’s not just impressive; it’s sacred in Japanese seafood culture.
Chef David Lara shows off his yanagiba—Japan’s blade of choice for slicing sashimi with surgical precision and serious style
One Meal, Many Surprises
My husband Oliver and I chose Yatai to celebrate our wedding anniversary. At first, we weren’t even sure we’d found the right place. After all, you don’t expect high-end omakase under a tarp. But there it was—and as soon as we sat down, the team welcomed us with a complimentary sake. A small detail, but a thoughtful one. And yes, it was real Japanese sake (they even showed us the bottle).
We ordered the omakase—a Japanese tradition where the chef decides what you’ll eat. It translates to “I leave it up to you,” and when you leave it to Chef David, you’re in expert hands. He watched us as we tasted, quietly noting our reactions to guide the next course. That night, I discovered I like sea urchin more than I ever thought possible.
For our third experience, we brought Chef David and Marco to our home for a larger family gathering. Since Yatai only has six seats and we were a group of ten, this setup made more sense. That time, we had tuna from Bluefina. Every dish felt intentional, fresh, and beautifully executed. Here’s what we enjoyed during that experience:
Seaweed salad
Oyster with negitoro (minced tuna belly + green onion)
Kampachi nigiri
Akami nigiri (lean tuna)
Chutoro nigiri (medium fatty tuna)
Truffled tuna tartare
Seared salmon nigiri
Toro nigiri with truffle paste
Spicy onion hand roll
Truffle hand roll
Miso soup
Eel with foie gras
Yes, you read that last one right. Eel. With foie gras. It sounds insane—but it tastes like silk and smoke with a hint of “this is your new favorite dish.”
The Secret Is in the Ingredients
While the presentation wows, it’s the ingredients that make Yatai unforgettable. Every element is fresh, often local, and carefully selected. Take the oyster, for example. It came from Bahía Falsa in San Quintín—a great origin on its own. But the way it was prepared? That turned it into the best oyster I’ve ever eaten. The tiny flower on top wasn’t just decoration. It was flavor. It was purpose.
Then there’s the value. In a town where food prices keep climbing “Valle-style,” Yatai remains grounded. Chef David delivers top-tier ingredients without the high-end ego. And when you’re feeding a family of six like mine, that matters.
A Gringo Gazette North special ops unit (armed with chopsticks, forks, and questionable self-control).
Chef David isn’t just slicing fish—he’s crafting memories, quietly building something special under that awning. So if you find yourself lucky enough to land a seat at Yatai, don’t ask for the menu. Just let go. Trust the chef. Let the food speak.
After all, not every treasure sparkles on the outside. Some smell like seared toro… and taste like love.
Welcome to Sabor Patrol—the section where we hunt down everything worth tasting in Baja and beyond. No five-star rating scales. No white tablecloth snobbery. Just real stories, unexpected finds, and flavor with zero filter.
Whether it’s sushi served under a tarp or ribeye that makes grown men cry, we’re chasing the unforgettable—one bite at a time. Sometimes it’s sizzling. Other times it’s hidden behind a handwritten menu taped to a cooler. Either way, we’ll find it.
Of course, not everything lives up to the hype. If it’s overrated, we’ll let you know—gently. (Maybe.)
Dust off your patience—roadwork is back in town. The City of Ensenada just kicked off a major pavement rebuild on the Ensenada-Tecate highway, right between the El Sauzal traffic node and Emiliano Zapata Street. And yes, it’s going to slow you down—but there’s light at the end of the construction zone.
Mayor Claudia Agatón Muñiz says the project will tear up and replace over 5,200 square meters of crumbling roadway with tough-as-nails hydraulic concrete. It’s the kind of stuff that lasts—and at 25 centimeters thick, it’s built to take a beating from Baja’s relentless traffic and heat.
The price tag? A cool 8.8 million pesos, coming straight from the federal fund known as FORTAMUN—the Fund for Strengthening Municipalities. And while detours and traffic jams are guaranteed, the city insists it’ll be worth it once the pavement’s done and smooth sailing returns.
In the meantime, the mayor’s asking drivers to take it easy, drive carefully, and expect slowdowns. With heavy equipment, lane closures, and inevitable backups, she recommends giving yourself a little extra time to get where you’re going—and maybe leave the road rage at home.
While this stretch is under the knife, the city says the long-term payoff is fewer potholes, smoother drives, and better flow between Ensenada and Tecate. So next time you’re stuck behind a bulldozer in Sauzal, just remember: you’re helping build a better commute. Eventually.
Ensenada is stepping up big time in the fight against plastic waste. On Friday, May 9, local officials and Coca-Cola México celebrated the grand opening of the new PetStar Collection Center, a project that could help keep up to 52 million plastic bottles a year out of landfills, the ocean, and just about everywhere they shouldn’t be.
The idea is simple but powerful: collect bottles here in Ensenada, send them off to PetStar’s state-of-the-art recycling facility in Toluca, and turn them into brand-new bottles—all without adding a single ounce of new plastic to the planet.
Jaime Cámara, founder and CEO of PetStar, explained that the bottles will be converted into food-grade recycled resin. That resin will then be used by Corporación del Fuerte, one of Coca-Cola’s bottling partners, to produce new bottles. The goal? A closed-loop system with zero carbon footprint and zero need for new plastic.
It’s a big win for Baja California’s environment and a proud moment for Ensenada, which is now part of one of the largest food-grade recycling efforts in Latin America.
This move isn’t just about cleanup—it’s about transformation. That empty soda bottle you toss into a bin today could be back on a store shelf tomorrow, fresh and ready for another round. It’s smart, sustainable, and exactly the kind of forward-thinking the world needs more of.
Recycling just got a lot more real—and a lot more local.
If calling 911 in Ensenada lately has felt like shouting into the void, you’re not imagining it.
The FGEBC (Baja California’s State Attorney General’s Office) confirmed on Thursday that the 911 emergency line is having technical issues. Calls may not go through, and if they do, don’t expect the usual speedy response.
The Citizen Security Secretariat says it’s working with C5 command centers to fix it. But until then, they suggest using the “911 Móvil BC” app. Here’s the catch: that app has a lovely 3.0 out of 5 stars on the App Store. So… good luck.
#911 Movil BC App
For now, authorities advise calling local emergency numbers directly if the line fails. And yes, they’re thanking you for your patience while they figure this mess out.
Ensenada Celebrates Tuna Day with Free Family Event
This Saturday, May 3, Ensenada is throwing a party for one of our favorite sea creatures — the tuna.
From 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the Caracol Science Museum will host a free event full of tasty food, hands-on activities, and cool facts. The star of the show? The bluefin tuna. The event also celebrates the reopening of the exhibit“Aleta Azul: El Atún del Pacífico.”
#Aleta Azul (Bluefin)
One highlight is the ronqueo demonstration — the traditional art of filleting bluefin tuna. An expert from Baja Aqua Farms, along with chef Miguel Bahena, will show the process live. It’s a mix of tradition, precision, and culinary skill you rarely get to see.
#filleting bluefin tuna
Throughout the day, guests can also enjoy educational talks, raffles, fun stations for kids, and plenty of food. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re a seafood fan, science lover, or just looking for a fun way to spend your Saturday.
The event is organized by the Caracol Museo de Ciencias, with support from Baja Aqua Farms and Bluefina. Best of all, admission is free.
🐟 Come celebrate one of Baja’s greatest catches — and yes, we mean that literally.
This morning in Ensenada, a bus got stuck in a dip at the intersection of Calle Ruíz and Ámbar, causing a serious traffic slowdown.
According to witnesses, the driver didn’t notice the shallow but sneaky dip in the road and ended up wedged halfway in. It’s the same dip locals have warned about before, but this time it trapped a whole bus. A backhoe was brought in to help, followed by a cement truck attempting to assist.
As of 9:20 a.m., the bus was still there, with just one police officer managing the chaos. Drivers in the area reported long delays and confusion.
📍If you’re headed through this part of town, take another route. And if you’re behind the wheel of a larger vehicle — slow down and stay alert, especially on familiar streets. You never know when a “little dip” turns into a big problem.
Photos taken on the scene show the unusual rescue effort in action. We’ve posted them below.
🚨 When buses bounce into dips, we bring you the bumpy details — only at the Gringo Gazette North.
Today, April 23, is World Book Day, and there’s no better excuse to open a book—and help someone in the process.
📚 Join the 2025 Reading Marathon
Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial has launched its annual Reading Marathon to promote literacy and support vulnerable communities. It’s simple: for every 20 minutes you read or listen to a book and log at maratondelectura.com, a book gets donated to a child in need.
Penguin Random House Publishing Group
🗓️ Active until April 30, 2025, the campaign features:
Dozens of eBooks and audiobooks.
Categories like Must-Reads, LGBTQ+, Inspiring Authors, and even Horror or BookTok picks.
Featured titles include Matilda, The Fault in Our Stars, La Tumba, and Game of Thrones.
Over 61,000 minutes have already been logged, turning reading time into real impact.
How to join:
Register on the site.
Choose a book.
Read or listen for 20+ minutes.
Log your time.
Share it on social media to inspire others.
📖 Baja Celebrates Too
The Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC), one of the region’s top public universities, is hosting local events in Ensenada.
📍 April 23 at 1:30 PM – Valle Dorado campus
📍 April 24 at 11:00 AM – Biblioteca Central Ensenada, UABC Campus Sauzal (There’ll be a book-themed quiz and even some Starbucks. Yes, please.)
UABC is hosting local events in Ensenada
UABC is hosting local events in Ensenada
🎉 How to Celebrate
Join the Marathon – Your reading minutes can donate books.
Attend a Local Event – Book fairs, quizzes, and more.
Ensenada has taken a significant step toward sustainable tourism
On April 21, Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda gave out ten electric carriages to local drivers. These will replace the old horse-drawn ones.
The new rides carry four passengers. They’re quiet, eco-friendly, and best of all, no horses needed.
The state invested 2.75 million pesos through its Department of Economy and Innovation. Officials also plan to install charging stations across town.
#MarinaDelPilar And Claudia A
This move follows a new law in Baja California. It bans animals from pulling carriages for tourism. It also recognizes animals as living beings, not property.
“This is a big day,” said the governor. “We’re ending horse-drawn rides and moving to clean, modern transport—without losing our charm.”
The change didn’t happen overnight. Authorities worked with drivers to find solutions. Now, drivers get to keep their jobs—and horses get to rest.
Jenny de la Cruz, speaking for the group, thanked the state for helping them modernize. She said the change protects a tradition that’s been part of Ensenada for over 40 years.
So yes, you can still ride through Ensenada’s scenic streets. But now, the wheels are quiet—and the animals are free.
Here at the Gringo Gazette North, we love when old traditions meet new ideas. Especially when everyone wins—including the horses.
Planning a stroll down Ensenada’s tourist zone? Better start looking at the sidewalk colors, not just the wine list.
New rules are now in effect: green curbs mean you can only park for two hours. Yes, two. After that, move it or risk a fine. The city made the change after businesses complained that some folks were parking all day. We get it—those tacos are hard to leave.
White curbs? Those are only for loading and unloading tourist buses. Don’t even think about parking your SUV there while grabbing souvenirs.
Why all the paint? Because Ensenada, like most beautiful places, has a parking problem. Officials want to keep traffic flowing and tourists happy. Rotating cars more often means more chances to find a spot—at least in theory.
Parking along Ensenada’s tourist zone—especially Calle Primera—is still a challenge. But with new two-hour zones and clearer curb markings, things are expected to improve. Just keep an eye on the sidewalk colors before you park!
This isn’t just for locals. Expats and visitors are affected too. So, next time you head downtown, keep an eye on the curb. Green? Set a timer. White? Drive away slowly and act innocent.
Local police say they’ll enforce these changes. Whether that means tickets or just warnings remains to be seen. But hey, better safe than booted.
At the Gringo Gazette North, we’re here to help you park smart, not pay dumb. Watch the colors and enjoy Ensenada—just not from behind the wheel too long.
