Worth the wait - and the drive – this family business has been pleasing the people for more than 20 years

The first time I went to El Cuchupetas – or was taken, actually, to lunch with a group of girlfriends – I didn’t know what to expect. Piled into the car, we trundled gaily up Highway 15, out of town, past the airport exit and over a narrow bridge that straddled a then-dry riverbed. In the small, crowded town of Villa Union, we turned right onto a (thankfully) paved road and headed into what seemed to be a neighborhood.

Why cook a big holiday meal when a plethora of local restaurateurs are happy to do it for you?

Many of Mazatlán’s restaurants, at hotels and otherwise, offer special Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve dinners and events. Do make your reservations early and do show up – nothing irritates a chef or owner more than no-shows on holidays, when every minute and every entrée is accounted for. Think about how it feels when you have a dinner party and someone you’ve invited never arrives and never calls – it leaves everyone in limbo.

A tale of bagels, seafood and lucho libre

Cousins, best friends and native Mazatlecans Chuy Velarde and Tato Rico had an idea. They wanted to go into business together and both thought a restaurant was just the thing. Chuy wanted a bagel shop: “El Santo Bagels.” Tato thought a ceviche place: “La Panga Ceviche.” Neither wanted a hot kitchen.