Olé Olé Mexican Restaurant

The term “destination restaurant” usually also means “big bucks restaurant.” But among restaurants in San Miguel de Allende, Ole Ole proves that a “destination restaurant” can be unpretentious, inexpensive, delicious and a whole lot of fun all at the same time.Ole Ole is one of my favorite places to take out-of-town friends—if only to watch their faces when they walk into this homage to the “Fiesta Brava,” the traditional world of bullfighting.

The owner is a true bullfightaficionado, a lover of the sport, the art, the dance that is the Fiesta Brava. The first thing you see on entering is a huge stuffed bull just inside the door, usually draped with a matador’s magenta capa.. Just try to stop yourself from petting him. Go on, I dare you!Must Like Red…The next thing you’ll see is…red.The tablecloths, the archway—with a little yellow and orange and green thrown in for accent. And the walls…they’re also mostly red, but you won’t see much of them because they’re covered floor to ceiling with bullfight memorabilia. There are dozens of bullfight posters, paintings and photos of famoustoreros, crossed banderillas with their colorful curled paper ends. A suit of lights. And bulls. Lots of bulls—well, their heads anyway—mounted high on the walls gazing down at you.If you let the idea of eating beneath the gaze of a creature several times larger than you put you off, you’ll be missing out on one of the best meals in San Miguel de Allende.

The menu is strictly limited and not a good option for vegetarians. This place is about meat, and especially fajitas. You can order beef, chicken, shrimp or ostrich fajitas or a combination or all of them. They come with corn or flour tortillas, tangy house-made salsas, and vegetable garnish. Another option is brochettes on skewers, same meat choices, or a deliciousarrachera, a kind of very tender skirt steak. Portions are huge and filling and prices are very reasonable. You can easily eat a full meal for under ten bucks, and that makes this one of the best value-for-money restaurants in San Miguel de Allende.It’s Not All FajitasA fine appetizer is the classic queso fundido. The gooey warm melted cheese scooped up with fresh corn tortillas is Mexican comfort food at its best. They also serve excellent guacamole, mushrooms al ajillo (read garlic), and chistorra sausage.Insiders Tip: Be sure to leave room for the mango mousse for dessert. Fabulous. And don’t forget to use your San Miguel VIP Club card.

Olé Olé restaurant was founded by a grandfather who later passed it on to his son. It’s located in the heart of the Centro, just a few blocks from the Jardin Principal. The theme is obvious as soon as you come in—honoring the bull. At the entrance there is a metal bull hanging over the doorway, waiting to welcome you in.

The atmosphere is fresh and amiable, and within there is artwork on display from several well-known artists. The menu consists of many expected ítems such as quesadillas made with either corn or flour tortillas either with melted cheese, mushrooms cooked with garlic, onion and sliced chiles all accompanied by guacamole. There is also chistorra with garlic, onion, and Serrano chiles. They have beef or chicken fajitas, but also offer a vegetarian version which comes with mushrooms, zucchini, carrot, onions, and tomatoes all sauteed in olive oil. All the fajitas are marinated in a special house sauce and served over sliced onions and peppers, also accompanied by guacamole.

There is also a special dish that can be prepared with shrimp; chicken and beef; grated cheese; as well as one called “taurina” that is made with beef and grated cheese. The same combinations can be used for brochettes which are all accompanied by vegetables.

Olé Olé isn’t only about good food. They make some of the best margaritas in town and won first place for this several years ago. But if margaritas are not your thing, they do have other drinks such as lemonades, beer, “cielo rojo,” red and white house wines and sangrias.

Wed to Sun 1pm to 9pm

Loreto 66, zona centro.415 688 1219