The building on the Ajijic pier

It was certainly there in 1995. Used to have a sign that read, Sorry - we're open!

Birdytwoshoes wrote:And now that it is solid masonry, and painted, much more rooted than the old wood building that fell into disrepair,  maybe... what...maybe they'll open a bloody Chilis or some equally abominable chain.  The current building does not not not fit in with our village.  Can't imagine any pueblo mágico evaluator, saying oh this is so charming and historical.  Sad.

I'm hoping for a Denny's...........

Or maybe a Sizzler restaurant?

Or even better for the Canucks like Bob and I, how about a Tim Horton's? We can get our double-double and a maple cruller!

Well here we go again.......I noticed someone had been slowly working on this building again. New paint and new awnings. There is now a new sign on it saying "Parrilla Argentina" opening soon.

Let's see if it flies this time.

solid masonry?

Is that a question Harry?

If is "solid masonry" then it violates federal law of only tempory structures on federal land and the Mexican community is within its' rights to demand it be torn down. Not that the law matters in Mexico!

If is "solid masonry" then it violates federal law of only tempory structures on federal land and the Mexican community is within its' rights to demand it be torn down. Not that the law matters in Mexico!

Haha......well it's been there for over 30 years so not likely to be torn down on that premise. The last guy working on it added a cement board skin so not sure if that qualifies as solid masonry. The bottom line for me is that since it is there (and not going anywhere) it may as well be open and maintained.

This is menu of the place supposedly opening on the Ajijic Pier.  

https://www.menudigital.com/restaurante/barrio-de-quilmes?fbclid=IwAR21FIXEMKSczpI0rZxN_fw1MLxPaTt4KO3WTcQJBvWWHQDhZmsC4r2vbF8

This is poster on front of Pier.

The menu looks great. Reasonably priced compared to a couple other Argentinian steak houses further up Colon. This will definitely give Tango a run if their quality compares.

Date of construction of the 'building' on the pier = late 1980s.

http://semanariolaguna.com/66384/?fbclid=IwAR1U7Y9EkkiqZhZ_tJM_NpUt27T0wJ5gVZmojkZmukWCzEKXsQNstGcKekc

REOPENING OF RESTAURANT ON THE AJIJIC PIER CAUSES MIXED OPINIONS

ADVERTISING POSTERS WITH THE LEGEND 'COMING SOON' WERE PLACED IN THE BUILDING

May 17, 2022

Pier restaurant, being remodeled for its next opening. Photo: Sofia Medeles.

Sofía Medeles.- The announcement of the forthcoming opening of a restaurant in the controversial building located on the Ajijic pier, where the boardwalk begins, has caused a stir and conflicting opinions among the inhabitants of the delegation.

On the large advertising banners placed on the property, the opening of an Argentine gastronomy restaurant is announced. This fact has upset some residents since, according to what they say, this type of poster is not allowed in Magical Towns, especially in the main square or tourist area.

For its part, the Chapala City Council has not commented on the matter and, until the closing of this edition, has not reported whether the business has the licenses and other requirements to operate, such as the safety of the diners or if it has the basic services to work.

Several ajijitecos were interviewed on the subject, most of them spoke against it, since, they agreed, it seems to them an outrage to the requests and rights of the natives, and an abuse on the part of the concessionaire, Fabio Rizzo, for appropriating the public space.

“That concession should be reviewed. Mr. Rizzo feels that he owns the federal land and believes that he is doing us a favor by letting us have a boardwalk. A business of this type and with the situation of Piedra Barrenada (tourist-gastronomic zone of San Juan Cosalá), we do not want it to be replicated in Ajijic.

What we can do as ajijitecos is to ask the authorities for support in reviewing the concession and what is allowed to be done. Something more drastic would be to campaign to avoid consumption, ”said a member of Pueblos Unidos de la Ribera, a group that has been in charge of releasing the invasions on federal land of Lake Chapala.

On the other hand, some questioned thought that, although it is not the best way to start a business, they are not opposed, since they think it is a good attraction for tourism, as well as a source of work for those who live in Ajijic. "If everything is in order, go ahead," Adan added.

Another of the topics that was constantly discussed during the interviews was that of licenses and that everything is in order in terms of services.

“Many of us want the City Council to present a position. That is, if they granted licenses because everything is in good shape, what about the issue of services? What are they going to do with the wastewater, and how is the property in terms of security?

This building was built in 1988, initially it was intended to be built on the pier, however, due to the opposition of residents of the town, the location was changed to where it is today.

The owner of the premises and the concession is the businessman Fabio Rizzo Jasso, who on several occasions has declared that his permit not only covers this area, but also three thousand 362 meters, which include part of the boardwalk and the Parque de la Amistad.

Rizzo Jasso assured that the National Water Commission (CONAGUA) granted him the authorization to use the area for 50 years. The building has had different restaurants over time; however, they all ended up closing.

Sounds like palms were crossed.
When that place opens close to the new Tango's, parking in the area will be a big problem.

I like how the article states that residents were upset because "this type of poster is not allowed in Magical Towns, especially in the main square or tourist area" yet there isn't any press on the fact that Ajijic's streets, sidewalks and general cleanliness aren't even close to PM specifications. What happened to all the State/Federal funding for PM improvement's???? That would make a good story.......

Nothing ever changes…

Well it could be magical if they cleaned it all up, re-did all the roads and fixed the sidewalks.

I hear that the Governor owns property in town. Maybe trying to push RE prices higher?

CanuckBob wrote:Well it could be magical if they cleaned it all up, re-did all the roads and fixed the sidewalks.

I hear that the Governor owns property in town. Maybe trying to push RE prices higher?

That would cost money which would decrease the amount the politicians put in their pockets.

CanuckBob wrote:I like how the article states that residents were upset because "this type of poster is not allowed in Magical Towns, especially in the main square or tourist area"

Yes, but their real gripe is against legitimizing an illegal building in the Federal Zone. Locals are fighting other illegal incursions all around lakeside. People have put up fencing and walls to cut off access to the lakefront. That is illegal. Locals are tearing down these walls/fences. Letting this pier open would be a bad precedent.

It's not about having a restaurant with a view---it's a matter of protecting the rights of everyone to access the Federal zone.

It is a similar fight to the one over the construction in the Hills above Ajijic.

I believe the owner received "Federal" permission to build that structure back in 1988 and I assume at the time the Muni issued business licenses, etc. It was sort of recently (within the past 10 years) that the Muni decided they wouldn't license it anymore which has kept it from re-opening. Of course we know that many palms were greased for the initial approvals, etc.

If they have good steaks, I for one, will welcome them. Argentina steaks are usually good and I have often been disappointed with Tango steaks. There are many restaurants in the ajijic area but a reasonably priced restaurant with a view would be a nice addition. I have never got good food at the restaurants in Chapala which have a lake view.

Here's the latest in the Laguna newspaper. This is English tanslation via Google, so use your common sense when reading.

http://semanariolaguna.com/66662/?fbclid=IwAR0RXusFqFBi4R8dWNfdUo5Lnh4S9mAR8T7-VeyYgux5vrQNymG3cwwTcqc

THE PRESIDENT OF CHAPALA, ALEJANDRO AGUIRRE CURIEL, REPORTED THAT THE OWNER DOES NOT HAVE AUTHORIZATIONS FROM THE MUNICIPALITY

May 24, 2022

Sofía Medeles.- The controversial restaurant located on the Ajijic pier, which in recent weeks has seen staff working for an upcoming reopening, still does not have the necessary licenses to operate nor have they approached the Chapala authorities.

This information was confirmed by the municipal president, Alejandro de Jesús Aguirre Curiel, who assured that no business line has been authorized.

“So far, I am not aware that they have approached, but they do not have any license”, thus ruling out an early opening.

Contrary to this, in the last three weeks, there has been activity by workers carrying out renovations, along with a large billboard, which has information about the restaurant, which reads "coming soon".

These movements have generated controversy among the ajijitecos and caused contrary opinions, among those who do not agree with the restaurant, or with the premises, and those who see it as a source of work, a tourist attraction, and that it would be better occupied than abandoned.

The 34-year-old building is located next to the Ajijic pier, and was built there due to a concession granted by the National Water Commission (Conagua) to an individual. The owner of the site and the concession is Fabio Rizzo Jasso. According to him, the concession covers 3,362 meters, including a part of the boardwalk and the Parque de la Amistad, and is authorized for 50 years.