Retire Early Lifestyle
Retirement; like your parents, but way cooler

In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this financially independent lifestyle, they invite you to take advantage of their wisdom and experience.

The 5 Best Food Joints

Chapala, Mexico

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli

The Lake Chapala area has several towns that dot the coastline of the lake. Each has their own personality and each offers reasons one might choose to live there.

Being a popular retirement destination, dining options heads the top of the list for expats.

Chapala has grown over the years with more eateries, and below we are suggesting these 5 Best Food Joints in town for you to try.

Chapala's Fonda

This little corner restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating has been here since 1986. They consistently serve up tasty Mexican food that is clean, fresh and has quality. Owned by a family we know very well, we have seen their children grow up, get married, and have children of their own.

Through the ups and downs of life, this restaurant remains open daily and is dependable to deliver a good meal. Located in the Chapala Plaza.

Milanesa de Pollo

This is a terrific local dish that many restaurants serve, but somehow Chapala's Fonda makes it the best. This full plate, accompanied by fresh hot tortillas runs under $4USD.

Open Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, Every day of the week.

IL Giardino

This restaurant, located on the main street Franciso I. Madero in Chapala, continues to delight and surprise. Their menu has expanded greatly since they first opened a few years ago. Besides their wood fired pizzas, they serve cuts of angus beef, an attractive selection of seafood, pastas, chicken, hamburgers, salads, gyros, chicken wings and pastry.

Open every day, they offer daily promotions and will deliver the food to your home!

Once we were with a group at one of the local cantinas, and they delivered pizza and shrimp to the bar! Another round of beer and we all had dinner.

Robalo (Sea Bass) in orange sauce

This restaurant also seems to be consistent in quality and taste. This plate is of tasty, moist Sea Bass with pasta and fresh vegetables and runs about $5USD.

The stress of living in the States can take its toll on your health. People say that living in Chapala adds ten years to your life and we believe it. The relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle, clean air, great food, friendly people and just plain fun is bound to extend your life.

What are you waiting for?   Keep your retirement dreams alive.
Many North Americans have already made the move. 

Jonhy's Place

Located near the corner of Francisco I. Madero and Gonzales Gallo, in front of the malecon, Jonhy's Place is also worth a stop. Open daily, Breakfast Lunch and Dinner they have a good selection of food choices, beers, and a liquor bar.

Indoor, outdoor seating and pleasant atmosphere. There are two beautiful hand painted murals of Chapala inside, and the owner enjoys jazz, so often she will have a mixed jazz rotation playing from the speakers.

Standard Mexican Margarita

They make some of the best Margaritas around, and at some point you must have one! The serving is generous, and in no time at all, you will know you are in Mexico!

Mixed Brochettes

Jonhy's Place has a good selection of chicken, meats, and seafood. This is an order of the mixed brochettes with chicken, shrimp, bacon, beef, onion, and bell pepper. Billy can eat both brochettes, but I usually take one home.

They are so delicious!

La Casita del Molcajete

Located at the end of the malecon at Gonzales Gallo is a group of restaurants. You will have your choice of very delicious meals from any of these places, but we have chosen La Casita del Molcajete for the unusual local dish of the same name.

Served in a volcanic stone mortar this dish comes bubbling to your table accompanied by fresh hot tortillas.

Mixed Molcajete

There is enough in this mortar to easily serve three people. This particular dish has chicken, pork, beef, and shrimp along with onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, and of course... CHEESE!

You cannot touch the mortar at this point, as it is oven hot. Place the contents of the mortar into a tortilla and enjoy.

The cheese continues to bubble long after it is delivered to your table, and the crusty cheese that has hung onto the mortar has a special flavor all its own.

Restaurant - Bar Cozumel

A couple of doors down from La Casita del Molcajete is this locally famous restaurant, the Cozumel.

Indoor, outdoor seating, you can have a lovely view of the lake from here while you enjoy your FREE Margaritas and wine.

No kidding.

When you order a meal, the Margaritas and wine are included at no extra charge.

We recommend the shrimp wrapped in bacon, the arrachera, the trout almandine and the shrimp empanizado.

Lots of good food choices, and in the evenings, (due to the free Margaritas and wine) you can see Gringos dancing to live music.

It's a fun place!

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About the Authors

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli are recognized retirement experts and internationally published authors on topics of finance, medical tourism and world travel. With the wealth of information they share on their award winning website RetireEarlyLifestyle.com, they have been helping people achieve their own retirement dreams since 1991. They wrote the popular books, The Adventurer’s Guide to Early Retirement and Your Retirement Dream IS Possible available on their website bookstore or on Amazon.com.

Retire Early Lifestyle appeals to a different kind of person – the person who prizes their independence, values their time, and who doesn’t want to mindlessly follow the crowd.

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