Friends for Ladies Lunch

Today we were once again off to the Golden Zone for ladies lunch. 

We took the bus into the Golden Zone and  got off at the Panama bakery and from there it was a short walk down Garzas and then a left on Laguna to arrive at the restaurant.  The street is being redone but it wasn’t an issue. 

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When we arrived our table was reserved with this very special sign! 

Not a huge group today.

Here is why we have the special Welcome Lady’s lunch sign.  That’s our young Mexican friend Ishmael who works here at Friends in the back giving us the peace sign.  He used to wait tables at the Last Drop where we play bingo and he even called bingo at one time.  When he found out we were coming to lunch “Izzy” as he is called here asked if he could change his shift and be our waiter.  This sweet young man just loves all his “ old ladies!….my words not his!”   He had some issues in the past but has turned his life around and is now working here in the daytime and going to school at night.  We are all so pleased for him! 

As we perused the menu Ishmael took our drink orders.  Friends is owned by Canadians and has a very North American comfort food menu which is a change from our usual Mexican fare.  Daily dinner specials include things like cabbage rolls and mashed potatoes.  If you feel like a break from a completely Mexican menu and need a touch of home this is the place to come.  Plus you can watch sport on TV while you eat!

This large mural was on the wall in black and white so I flipped the picture to black and white so the guy on the bottom right would fit into the picture!

A great Canadian sports bar with lots of  memorabilia, t-shirts and flags for decor.

On Wednesday afternoons they even play hand and foot canasta like we do on Tuesdays in the park.  We were invited to play as it’s a drop in affair.   Bingo, karaoke, poker and nightly entertainment from Tuesday to Saturday. 

This is my pina colada.  Delicious.

          

Ruth said I should have my picture taken since the glass matched my shirt!

Ruth’s hand is outstreched towards Ishmael as she hands him a 500 peso note. 

Our friends Frank and Sandi left for Phoenix on Monday.  Sandi usually comes to lunch on Wednesdays and also to Bingo on Thursday nights.  Ishmael has a special place in Sandi’s heart and she is so proud that he is going to school that she wanted to give him a special gift to help out.  At first he didn’t want to take it but we convinced him that it would really hurt Sandi’s feelings if he didn’t.  Nice gesture don’t you think! 

And now for the food!  This is Karin’s shrimp avocado salad.  Looks good to me.

Ishmael is getting ready to serve us.

That’s Angie on the front left and she just dropped over the table to say hi.  She comes to lunch and bingo sometimes but today she is playing hand and foot.

Jeannette’s shrimp and chips with gravy….how Canadian is that!

Pat had fish and chips but….no gravy.

I had a hankering for beef today so I ordered the Angus beef-dip sandwich and it turned out to be delicious.  We haven’t eaten hardly any meat this winter and this was just what I wanted. 

Both Sharen and Sue had tacos.  They weren’t what they expected as they were on flour or harina tacos and they had a lot of what appeared to be thousand island dressing in them.  They did admit they should have asked for corn tortillas but they are used to getting them without asking.  I do find that I will usually be served a flour tortilla in a more gringo style restaurant such as this is. 

Looks good just not what they expected.

Sharen said they could use a little hot sauce as well which is of course a personal preference. 

One of the owners stopped by on her way out the door and said she hoped we had enjoyed our food and that we’d return again some time.   A nice personal touch.  I told her that we’d given her a thumbs up!   A good restaurant with a varied north american menu, good service and excellent food.  A decent choice any day of the week!

Next week…..?