It’s two o’clock in the afternoon and the waiters do not stop bringing plates full of snacks to the tables. Guacamole, cream of eggplant, chayitas, sikil pak and more of the usual stews to “nibble” with an iced cold beer.
From the kitchen, the exquisite Queso Relleno aroma escapes, this is one of the most demanded dishes by customers at “Colonos”, and not many restaurants in Mérida can brag about being around for 50 years.
“Colonos”, located in front of the Colonia Alemán Park, is a must for both locals and tourists. Celebrities such as writer Elena Poniatowska, as well as politicians, musicians and actors have passed through the door of “Colonos”.
But most of all, what you see here are Families, whole families, grandparents, parents, uncles and aunts, children by the dozen.
Besides, many of the waiters at “Colonos” have been working here for over 25 years. They know the particular tastes of regular customers, and they attend everyone with joy, care and dedication, in fact they love to see new faces.
The menu has been changing over the years and it has been recently renovated, and the place now opens for breakfast too.
“Colonos” started in 1969 when Don Juan Puigserver Cazola decided to start a new adventure after retiring. Initially, it was a palapa with 40 tables, 160 chairs and two pianos. The place was blessed by the then parish priest of the Colonia Aleman church (Sacred Heart), presbyter Antonio Pech Navarro.
“Colonos” was one of the first restaurants in Mérida to have a children’s playground and a large palapa, which had to be replaced after the fire that started in the legendary Cinema Maya back in 1992. The fire spread to several neighboring businesses, among them “Colonos”, so the place had to be remodeled.
Juan Carlos Puigserver Correa, the third generation of owners of “Colonos”, took the reigns of the project just three years ago. Some renovations and new dishes were added to the menu, but always keeping the excellent kitchen and waiters staff.
Colonos continues to position itself by being recognized nationally for its participation in the Yucatan week in Mexico City at the Palacio de los Deportes, as well as at the GDP Fair in San Sebastian and the Expo Vive Yucatán at the Siglo XXI convention center
Throughout 2019 “Colonos” is celebrating its 50th anniversary with promotions and specials all year long and during the holidays, and the big anniversary celebration will be in November.
“Colonos” opens every day from 12 to 6 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays, you can have breakfast from 8 a.m. s and the place is open until 6:30 p.m.
TYT Newsroom with information from yucatan.com.mx