Cabo Gluten Free

I went to Cabo with my boyfriend Josh at the end of April for (gluten free) food, drinks, and fun in the sun. We opted to stay in San Jose del Cabo instead of Cabo San Lucas. San Jose del Cabo is much more low key than crazy party central Cabo San Lucas. We preferred the vibes of San Jose, filled with art, narrow streets, and small restaurants and boutique hotels. 

Featured:
Drift Hotel
La Lupita Taco and Mezcal
12 Onzas Tap House
​Mariscos El Chino
Mixology 
El Catrin, Tacos Y Mas

Day 1

Late Lunch with Grasshoppers 
Restaurant: La Lupita

Once we got settled into our hotel room, we strolled over to La Lupita Taco and Mezcal. After being seated, the waiter brought an array of sauces and corn chips to the table and asked if anyone at the table had any food allergies. I said I was "allergic to wheat", my go to phrase I tend to use more often rather than try to explain what Celiac disease or gluten free is. The waiter asked, "Are you gluten free?" and I said yes way too excited, because I wasn't expecting them to know or understand. He walked me through the menu of what I could eat, which was pretty much everything as long as corn tortillas were used.

We ordered the "Taste of La Lupita" appetizer, which included sikil pak (a pumpkin seed & tomato dip), guacamole, grasshoppers, corn chips and blue corn tortillas. We also ordered two tacos, one short rib and one beef tongue.

This was my first time trying grasshopper and it wasn't as crazy of an experience as one would expect. Smaller grasshoppers were used and they were "broken" up so it wasn't whole grasshopper bodies chilling in the bowl. It made it easier, mentally and physically, to eat. I don't know if I ate it "properly" (Is there a proper way to consume grasshopper?), but I took a corn tortilla and filled it with guacamole, dip, grasshopper, and hot sauce and stuffed my face with it. The grasshopper was crispy, had a mild salty taste, and was delicious with the dip, guacamole, and sauce.

The tacos were delish. Both were succulent, juicy, and the meat was so tender it practically melted in your mouth.

We finished the meal off with Cuish mezcal, a perfectly smoky mezcal. It was served with delectable orange slices. It was a better way to conclude the meal than a traditional dessert, in my opinion.

Late Night Snack
Restaurant: 12 Ounza ​

As per the recommendation of bartender Gil of La Lupita, we went to 12 Onzas, a bar and restaurant down the street. On Wednesdays they had a two for one taco plate specials.

We walked up these grand stairs and walked into an unassuming, quaint space with a bar at the far end.

We sat down at the bar and ordered two taco plates, one chicken and one beef, after ensuring with awesome bartender Ivan that it was prepared gluten free.

Gil of La Lupita came and we all enjoyed mezcals and tequila shots, while listening to a piano player play and sing into the early hours of the morning. 

Day 2

Drifting down to Breakfast
Featured: Drift Hotel

After FINALLY rolling out of bed late morning, we made our way down to the hotel's mezcal bar to enjoy the hotel provided breakfast. The (gluten free) spread included cheese, sliced meats, papaya, and sliced banana. The highlight of the breakfast was the freshly squeezed orange juice. OMG. It was amazing. I swear the oranges in Mexico are perfectly sweet.

We changed after breakfast and lounged by the plunge pool for the afternoon before venturing out for more eats after getting hungry two hours later. So typical me. Always hungry.

Lunch 1 - Stuffed goodness 
El Catrin, Tacos Y Mas

Across the street from our hotel was a colorful taco spot where we ordered some corn tortilla tacos and a stuffed bell pepper dish. Unfortunately the shrimp taco I ordered was breaded, so Josh ate the tacos while I patiently waited for the stuffed bell pepper dish. The stuffed bell pepper was better than expected, oozing with cheese and stuffed with tender beef. I scarfed that down faster than I wish to admit.

We were still a hungry and a hotel employee had suggested a seafood spot down the street for oysters and ceviche. 

Lunch 2 - Because I'm a fat ass and I love seafood
​Restaurant: Mariscos El Chino ​

Mariscos El China is an unassuming "shack" at the outskirts of the San Jose del Cabo historic district. The "walls" consisted of wire fencing and green mesh and the roof was made of straw. I think many people would be put off by this, but all I could think was "SCORE!", hoping for an authentic, local experience.

We took a seat at a high top and the waiter promptly came over with the menu. I explained to him I was "wheat free" in my broken Spanish and he understood. We ordered a dozen oysters, ceviche, and a marlin taco. 

​The ceviche was DA-LICI-OUS!!! It was shrimp, octopus, cucumber, onions, and tomatoes. I'm particular about my octopus, preferring it as tender as possible, and it was melt in your mouth tender. The sauce was a light citrus "dressing" and enhanced, rather than overpowered, the fresh seafood. The oysters were succulent and salty and the marlin taco was perfectly seasoned and juicy.  ​

Food Cart
Featured: Drift Hotel Food Cart ​

After our (sea)food coma nap, we headed downstairs to the hustle and bustle of our hotel courtyard. Every Thursday and Saturday, Drift San Jose opens it's doors to the public so both tourists and locals alike can enjoy their mezcal bar and food cart. We took a seat at the wooden bar stools and ordered some mezcal inspired drinks. I had a mezcal margarita and “Mezcanela”, mezcal, cinnamon, orange and bitters with Sal de Gusano mezcal, a spicy Oaxacan delicacy of toasted agave worms and smoked sea salt.

Next was the food cart. As per usual, I explained my gluten free diet and the cook suggested the arrachera (skirt steak) sans bread. The meat was tender and perfectly seasoned. After stuffing our faces with meat and finishing our drinks, we headed out for the Thursday night art walk.

Art Walk

Every Thursday, San Jose del Cabo hosts an art walk, where the downtown historic area turns into an art aficionados dream. All the galleries stay open late and you can stroll in and out taking in the art pieces. If you have money to spare, all the art is available for purchase.

Since we started late, from napping a wee bit too long, we were only able to browse a few galleries, before meeting Gil to go to the speakeasy bar. ​​

Secret Bar
​Featured: Mixology ​

One of the amazing bartenders at Mixology

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Gil took us to Mixology, a speakeasy tucked away behind a restaurant. Stepping into the outdoor courtyard transported you into a fantastical dream. The stage was lit up with purple lighting and the walls with red lighting. Red lanterns hung from the trees above the high top tables. The bar was filled with an assortment of mezcals and tequila. Watching the bartenders mix, stir, and shake cocktails was a show in itself. On stage a band and a singer with a voice of an angel played English, Spanish, and French songs until the early morning. We enjoyed music and mezcal cocktails until the place closed down. 

Day 3

​Vegan and gluten free 
Restaurant: Chula Vegan 

Per the recommendation of some gluten free bloggers, I visited Chula Vegan, a 100% vegan café and restaurant.

I introduced myself to the owner and told her about Travel Far Gluten Free and my desire to film at her restaurant. (Video coming soon!) She gladly agreed and walked me through the entire menu of what was gluten free, which was a lot. I settled on the avocado/hummus toast, chilaquiles, while Josh ordered the raw pad Thai.

I love avocado toast! Chula Vegan spread hummus on theirs which provided flavor and texture. The arugula on top provided a fresh, peppery flavor.

The chilaquiles were well spiced and the sauce over the crispy corn chips were wonderful.

Of course I tried Josh's raw pad Thai as well (yea for sharing!) and the spiralized cucumber and carrots was crunchy, fresh, and fun to enjoy.

We washed down our meal with kombucha.

Day Club
Featured: Omnia and Marciosa El Chino (again) ​

For shits and giggles we went to Omnia, a day club by the beach. There's an Omnia in Las Vegas (where I live full time… well when I'm not traveling), but the one in Las Vegas is a nightclub.

After a 25 minute walk from the historic district and clearing security, we found a spot to chill pool side. The drinks were expensive, especially for Mexico, but I finally caved and got one of the way overpriced coconut drinks. It was delicious, fun, but maybe not worth the $36 price tag. It made for a cute photo op though!

On our way back to the hotel we stopped by Maricosa El Chino again, because we couldn't get enough of their delicious seafood. I also had a mincheladas and asked them to replace the beer with tequila. It was basically a spicier, tastier bloody Maria.

We ordered two dozen oysters and a couple of marlin tacos to enjoy with the drink.

Once we got back to the hotel we collapsed in bed for a nap after a day in the sun and from eating way too many oysters.

Farewell

We met up with Gil of La Lupita and Ivan of 12 Ounces for more tacos, drinks, and to say our farewells as we left early Saturday morning.

We bid farewell for now, but I have a funny feeling we'll be visiting again. 
​
Dedication
This blog post is dedicated to Josh, my #1 adventure buddy who acted as my photographer and videographer the entire trip. Gil of La Lupita for befriending us, showing us around, and for your beautiful personal gifts. And of course Ivan of 12 Onzas for drinks, laughs, and great stories.

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