Discover the traditional Merendero Tino
The Magical Town of Santiago is a top choice for a weekend road trip. It’s hard to resist a drive through the town center, past the Cola de Caballo, and along the Los Cavazos shopping district, among other attractions. But a great place to start this tour is at one of Santiago’s all-time classics: the Meredero Tino.
But why is it so popular? Well, because it’s one of the best restaurants for lunch and dinner, offering all the flavors of the region—just as it should be.
The lunches are delicious. The machacado with egg is one of the best in Nuevo León, and paired with their flour tortillas, it’s a real treat. You can also order a mixed plate: half a serving of machacado and half a serving of barbacoa. It’s a great Nuevo León-style breakfast. And of course, you can round it out with some frijolitos con veneno, gorditas de manteca, or melted cheese with chorizo. Or, you can try the different dishes made with the region’s dried beef, such as atropellado, caldillo, or carne seca montada.
In the afternoon, things are just as good. The classic roast pork is always a winner—they prepare it incredibly well here. We also recommend ordering the pork shank or trying two house specialties: the chile regio and the chile de arrachera, which are a northern-style take on chile relleno, but instead of being breaded, they’re grilled—the first stuffed with green chilaquiles and a fried egg, while the second is stuffed with grilled arrachera steak. It’s not only traditional, it’s also innovative—just as it should be in Nuevo León.
Whether you’re just starting your trip, looking for a place to eat after exploring the “Magical Town” of Santiago, or simply craving the authentic flavors of Nuevo León, El Tino is one of those restaurants that’s well worth a visit. And if it seems a bit far, don’t worry—they have other locations in the Monterrey metropolitan area, though without the magical tour of the town.
Here is the location on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/MAtaL7w2oWvsASdb8.
If you'd like to see their full menu and find out about their other locations, you can visit www.merenderotino.mx. You can also visit our section Where to Eat to see more amazing restaurants in Nuevo León.
