Manix

Manix is one of Ajijic’s longest standing restaurants, in business now since 1987.

The restaurant is located in the original home of the España family which was built by José Rosario España in 1930, a decade after the end of the Mexican Revolution.

The home has seen a few renovations through the years, including the 2006 addition of a second floor. These days, there’s live music in this upper space from 7-9 p.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Some of the recipes which are used today at Manix originated with Hector’s brother, Manuel, and his mother, Doña Julia, who was a respected community activist. Hector has added some Italian and European dishes to the menu since taking over.

The restaurant has remained in family hands during its 32 years. It gets its name from the restaurant’s founder, who was given the nickname “Manix” by the few gringos living in Ajijic in the 80s. They couldn’t even pronounce “Manuel.”

Manuel, who was Juan Rosario’s oldest son, opened the restaurant in 1987 after he spent three years in the United States, where he worked in restaurants. He was a popular figure in Ajijic, where he remained for the rest of his life, always involved in the church and the town’s many holiday celebrations. He died in 2016.

Since 2006, Manuel’s brother, Hector, has been managing the restaurant, playing waiter, chef, host, and dance partner on music nights.

Manix can cater your event or host your party at the restaurant.

Hector is Ajijic’s foreign community liaison

Hector was Ajijic’s delegado from 2013 to 2015. The position, which is more or less equivalent to the town administrator, is the highest political office in a Mexican town that’s outside of the municipal seat.

He is currently Ajijic’s liaison for the foreign community, so he’s a good person to know if you need help getting something done. Hector spent a good chunk of his youth, from 12 to his early 20s, in the United States.

Hector is in charge of Ajijc’s 2019 Day of the Dead parade, which will probably start around 7 p.m. on November 2. He’s organizing a fundraiser for November 1 on the Ajijic malecón to raise money for the parade: