This is truly a hidden gem. Open for three years, Traspatio is located on Guirraro, a one-way U-street just north of the highway at the first light north of Walmart (turn right at the OXXO at the end of the first block after leaving the highway). If the sign was standing on the corner by the OXXO, it would be almost impossible to find. But boy was it worth it.

The restaurant is truly a backyard setting. Open from 5:30 to 10:00pm, tables are placed in a backyard setting with great outdoor lighting, heaters and light jazz playing through the speakers. At one end is a large grill, on which almost everything is prepared. The menu has a great range of options – from bruschetta and empanadas, to salads, tacos, Mac & Cheese and risotto. From the grill come steaks, chicken, ribs, octopus and more. Side dishes include roasted potatoes, grilled vegetables and even a baked potato.

We ordered our drinks and were presented with a basket of grilled bread and a bowl of tapenade as an amuse compliments of Traspatio. It was delicious. We ordered the Caesar salad to start. The romaine lettuce was grilled, there was crunchy bacon (also prepared on the grill) and three pieces of garlic bread with a creamy traditional Caesar dressing. Amazing! Beth ordered the Baby Back Ribs with grilled pineapple and the roasted potatoes as her side dish. I ordered both the Portobello Mushroom risotto and the Portobello Mushroom tacos (sticking with my current plant-based diet).

There were six ribs in the Baby Back Rib slab with great BBQ sauce. Beth loved it. There were three tacos. The large portobello mushrooms were sliced and cooked on the grill along with large green onions on corn tortillas. The tacos were served with a small salad and two small bowls – guacamole and a hot salsa – to add to the tacos. The mushrooms were unbelievable.

Those same grilled mushroom slices were added to the risotto (not just small chopped up mushroom pieces). It was creamy. I had over ordered and so some tacos and risotto came home for dinner the next day. We finished off our meal with their brownie and vanilla ice cream desert (I did sneak a taste of the ice cream even though it is not on my vegan diet).