El Bajío Mexico City Review: Best Local Breakfast

Experience Authentic Mexican Home Cooking at El Bajío

When you travel to Mexico, trying authentic local food is an absolute must. While searching for the best restaurants in Mexico City, you might notice that the recommendations can be surprisingly limited, likely because many travelers tend to head straight to coastal resorts like Cancún. But if you want to venture beyond standard street tacos and dive deep into traditional Mexican home cooking, this spot is for you.

El Bajío is a highly respected, clean, and reliable restaurant chain in Mexico City. I visited their Polanco location, which was conveniently close to my hotel, but they have several branches across the city.

It is an excellent choice for a hearty breakfast, offering guaranteed quality and a clean, comfortable dining environment.

El Bajío Polanco Operating Hours

While El Bajío has multiple branches, here are the hours for the Polanco location:

• - Weekdays: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM

• - Saturday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM

• - Sunday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Most branches open around 8:00 AM for breakfast, but hours can vary slightly by location. I highly recommend checking Google Maps before you head out.

(Walking to El Bajío in Mexico City for an early morning breakfast)

I first discovered El Bajío during a business trip to Mexico when a local colleague took me here for lunch. I fell so in love with the food that I promised myself I would bring my husband here to try it. During our recent trip to Mexico City, we skipped our hotel breakfast and headed here right at opening time!

The El Bajío Menu

While they do have English menus available, keep in mind that the waitstaff might not speak fluent English. Pointing to the menu items to order works perfectly fine and is a great way to communicate.

You can check out their full menu online via their official website:

View the El Bajío Menu

They feature distinct menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We specifically came to try Chilaquiles, a beloved Mexican breakfast staple.

As soon as we sat down, the server brought over a traditional clay pot and asked, "¿Quiere chocolate?" (Would you like hot chocolate?). We happily agreed, and they served us fresh, rich hot chocolate right at the table.

They also presented a tray filled with delicious-looking Mexican pastries. We picked a few to try, including a wonderfully sweet corn cake. Just a quick heads-up: these pastries are charged individually, they are not complimentary! But they are absolutely worth it.

They also bring out a standard bread basket, though these tend to be a bit dry compared to the fresh pastries on the tray.

Our traditional drinks arrived in beautiful, artisanal Mexican clay cups: Atole and Café de Olla.

Atole is a traditional, warm Mexican beverage thickened with corn masa. It has a slightly thick, comforting texture and a smooth corn flavor. They offer a "Flavor of the Day" Atole, and on our visit, it was pineapple. My husband still talks about how much he misses this drink!

Café de Olla is a traditional spiced Mexican coffee brewed with cinnamon and raw cane sugar (piloncillo). If you enjoy spiced, sweet coffee, you will absolutely love this.

I ordered the Chilaquiles Verdes (with green salsa) topped with a fried egg.

My husband opted for the Chilaquiles Rojos (with red salsa) and added crispy chicharrón (pork crackling) as a topping. Look at how incredibly hearty and generous these portions are!

Chilaquiles consist of lightly fried corn tortilla chips (totopos) simmered in salsa, then topped with fresh Mexican cheese, sour cream, and your choice of protein or eggs. The green salsa version is my absolute favorite, and it makes for an incredibly satisfying breakfast.

How to Order Your Chilaquiles:

First, choose your salsa base (red or green), and then select your toppings. You can add eggs, pork crackling (chicharrón), carnitas, or barbacoa (shredded beef). Customizing your toppings makes for a rich, filling meal!

The dish is typically served with a side of refried beans (frijoles), a staple in Central and South American cuisine. There is also a spicy green salsa on the table if you want to add an extra kick, along with fresh white cheese.

El Bajío Pricing and Final Verdict

Compared to local street food stalls, El Bajío is slightly more upscale and priced accordingly. However, if you are looking for a spotless restaurant with guaranteed taste, excellent service, and authentic flavors, it is worth every penny.

A standard plate of Chilaquiles starts at around ~$6, with prices varying based on your chosen toppings. The Atole of the Day is around ~$2, and the Café de Olla is also about ~$2.

If you are planning a trip to Mexico City, El Bajío is a must-visit spot for an unforgettable, authentic breakfast experience!