Located on Calle Panga in Chamizal, The Hangman Surf and Tacos has been a popular restaurant in San Jose del Cabo for almost 50 years. The restaurant’s front doors are on the corner with the figure of a body hanging from a gallows pole above them and off to the side. Entering the restaurant, you immediately experience its uniqueness. Hanging from the ceiling, posted on the walls and on stands throughout the restaurant is one of the most interesting collections of artwork, antiques, collectibles and junk that you could see in one place. In fact, over the main desk on the right at the entry is a sign that says, “Certified Junkologist.” The restaurant is family owned and operated.

The restaurant has two levels of outdoor seating – the main level and up a set of stairs in the middle of the restaurant a smaller second level. While The Hangman Surf and Tacos is known for its decorations it is also known for the spicy condiment tray that is put on the table with over 20 salsas and items to both spice up your meal and to nibble on with the crispy tortillas provided while you look at the menu. Two of the diners at our table – Tracey and Bill – love very spicy things and so they immediately asked our server to tell them which salsas were the hottest. He mistakenly thought that they wanted to avoid them but they moved them closet to their end of the table.

The two-sided menu offers Tacos, Special Tacos, Quesadillas, Vegetarian Tacos, Volcanos, Gringas, Melted Cheeses, stuffed potatoes, drinks and desserts. One of their typical starters for the table is a small bowl of bean soup. Bill, as he usually does, started with Queso Fundido, melted cheese with chorizo. The condiment tray was enough of a starter for the rest of us. For the main courses, the orders were split between tacos and stuffed potatoes. If you looked around the table, you would see Chicken Tacos (with lots of veggies), Arrachera Tacos, Sirloin Tacos, the Pork and Mushroom sauce Taco, Roasted BBQ Taco and two stuffed potatoes – one arrachera without cheese and the other sirloin with the melted cheese crust on top.

The food is great, the service excellent and the prices reasonable. If you like spice and eclectic decorations, The Hangman is a place that you have to visit.