Teresita’s

Teresita's Panaderia y Bistro on Calle Allende in Álamos, Sonora, México. 2017 photo by Anders Tomlinson.

Here is a sign of good things to come on Calle Allende next to La Puerta Roja.

Teresita’s Panadería y Bistro is a culinary oasis off well-worn tourist trails.
Teresita’s sits on the tip of a peninsula at the confluence of three cobblestone
streets: Galeana, Niños Heroes, and Calle Allende, and barrios with both
modest homes and elegant mansions. It should be noted that nothing
is far from another place in Álamos except the new developments that
march up the surrounding hills. It is a healthy ten to twenty minute walk,
depending on the walker, from the Plaza to Teresita’s.

Entrance to Teresita's Panaderia y Bistro on Calle Allende in Álamos, Sonora, México. 2017 photo by Anders Tomlinson.

Through this portal fine food and calming ambiance awaits.

Teri Arnold is the heart, soul, owner and chef of Teresita Panaderia and Bistro.
She is a business woman who understands bottom lines, a purveyor
of good taste who lives an expressive life and a host who knows how
to throw, or cater, a party. Anders first met Teri in 1992 when he was
separated from his holiday film crew with Mexican car permit issues.
He was fortunate to catch a ride to Álamos in a diesel Mercedes-Benz with
Teri and her then husband Rudy Hale. Laughs flowed freely as the Sonoran
desert passed by and Anders’ many Álamos questions were answered.

Tourist trolley in Álamos, Sonora, Mexico with Teresita's Panderia and Bistro advertising on its back. Photo by Anders Tomlinson, 2017.

Teresita’s believes in advertising in all medias that benefit Álamos.

Teri first visited Álamos in 1979, like many who have come
to consider Álamos part of their souls, as a guest of the gracious Nuzums:
Pember, Elizabeth and Kit Nuzum. Starting with the Casa Puerta
Roja and its five charming guest rooms, beautiful gardens, pool,
libraries, art everywhere and Teri’s gourmet cooking, Teri has
contributed to Álamos for over 30 years. She followed this with the already
legendary Teresita’s Panadería y Bistro which was once an art studio that
adjoined the Inn’s courtyard. La Puerta Roja is scheduled to reopen
its red doors to the public in December 2017.

Teri Arnold's La Puerta Roja bed and breakfst, Álamos, Sonora, ´México, 1992. Photo by Anders Tomlinson.

The Red Doors that open into a tranquil yet vibrant world.


Teresita’s is a hip establishment with a cool owner and “suave” staff.
Teresita’s menu is loaded with modern and classic dishes presented
with style and grace. Great meals are enhanced with quality Teresitas’
beverages
including cocktails, handcrafted beers, licores, tequilas and
wines. Teresita’s is a gathering place for coworkers, families, old as
well as new friends and tourists seeking comfort and delectable servings.

Teresita's Panderia y Bistro. Álamos, Sonora, México. 2017. Photo by Anders Tomlinson.

It is easy to become involved with whom and what one is within this environment 

La Puerta Roja’s and Teresita’s Panadería y Bistro’s unique triangular property
was originally owned by the Almada family, followed by Levant Alcorn, who
sold it to the Pulis family from Des Moines, IA.  Jo Yelton was the owner before
it was purchased by Teri in partnership with her mother in 1987.

eresita’s Panaderia y Bistro. Álamos, Sonora México. 2017. Photo by Anders Tomlinson.

Indoor and outdoor living merge as one throughout Álamos.

Álamos, Sonora, México is a town that appreciates its food, be it in humble
or grand home kitchens, street food carts, cozy cafes or first class restaurants.
Teresita’s Panadería y Bistro is a gastronomic treasure: a delicious cornucopia
of flavors, textures, cultures, seasons, colors, nourishments and atmosphere.

Teresita’s Panaderia y Bistro. Álamos, Sonora México. 2017. Photo by Anders Tomlinson.

Large north facing windows broadcast a painter’s soft natural light.

It is easy to become involved with who and what one is with in this
environment that is both formal and casual. Here are Teri Arnold’s
thoughts about Teresita’s:

” Welcome to Teresita Panadería and Bistro in Álamos, Sonora, Mexico …
my little invention that got out of control, with the restlessness that
characterizes a child. We have evolved from selling a few baguettes a day,
a few days a week, to serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. We added a
special wine menu, full cocktail bar and craft beers. We love to make
specialty desserts such as chocolate almond torte, carrot cake with cream
cheese frosting and the classic French tarte tatin…” 

Teresita's Panaderia and Bistro in Álamos, Sonora, México, March 2017. Photo by Anders Tomlinson.

Here is where the culinary magic is created.

“…Our breakfast pastries range from warm almond croissants to
morning glory muffins, scones and sticky buns. Our house-made breads
include, of course, baguettes, but the list has grown to include Italian,
Whole-wheat walnut, Rosemary, Gluten-free and Organic Sonoran White
wheat. We are always experimenting with new ingredients that we can find
locally, or harvest, but we still work to be as local, sustainable
and organic as we can.” – Teri Arnold.

Teresita's Panaderia and Bistro in Álamos, Sonora, México, March 2017. Photo by Anders Tomlinson.

Teresita’s is known for its pastries and cake, have a slice of heaven.

Teresita’s has two special areas and menus for events: Rincon Frida-
full service for 20 people maximum and The Ramada- full service for
20 to 50 people. It is easy to picture an open-air event under a
starry Sonoran sky with scrumptious cuisine, tantalizing aromas and
sophisticated drinks. Behind the animated conversations there is a
bubbling fountain and maybe live guitars with singing.  There is a
special feeling in Álamos, Sonora, México that embraces one within
arms of contentment and good times: it comes on the wind,
a singing bird, children laughing, a friendly nod, romantic music,
caring concern, cordial acceptance and…

Teresita's Panaderia and Bistro in Álamos, Sonora, México, March 2017. Photo by Anders Tomlinson. Kitchen scenes.

Teresita’s celebrated its 6th anniversary in 2017.

During the six years that Teresita’s has been open, how often and
in how many languages has it been said “meet me at Teresita’s?”

Photos of Teri Arold in Álamos, Sonora, México. Photos by Anders Tomlinson and Claudia Karafotos. 1984 to 2017

Teri Arnold in her element: fun with people and Álamos.


The 1984 and 1995 photos were taken by Anders Tomlinson at La Puerta Roja.
The 2017 photo was taken by Claudia Karafotos at her New Year’s party
in Álamos. Partying with Teri are Philip Karafotas and Ray Auckerman.
Teri has know hardship: she has survived two airplane crashes including
one deep in the Sierra Madre Tarahuamara country enroute to Copper
Canyon that Teri survived with serious injuries. Her zest for life
and sharing quality moments with others may have been enhanced by
misfortunes she has experienced. Teri loves to laugh and smile.

Teresita’s Panadería y Bistro Serving offers dining in a 18th century
comfortable salon or out on the patio next to the fountain and rock
water wall. Teresita’s love dogs so don’t leave yours at home.
Free Wifi is available and all you can drink coffee. Enjoy!

©2017 Anders Tomlinson, all rights reserved.
All content by Anders Tomlinson unless noted.

Álamos Food Moments

During the Christmas – New Year holiday of 1992-93 a Film Crew departed San Diego
for Álamos, Sonora, Mexico. All of the crew had a relationship with the comedy,
music and travel program KBCH RadioTV which was produced in Del Mar, California.

This is the crew that captured Alamos Christmas 1992 and their hosts the Nuzums.

From left to right: Chaco Valdez, painting of Christina Vega by Jim Wilson, Anders Tomlinson,
Gary Ruble, Donna Beckett, R. L. Harrington, Robert Ganey, and the Nuzums: Jolene, Kit,
Elizabeth and Pember. At this moment they were all together and thankful.

The only woman on the crew was Donna Beckett who is amongst many things
a musician, entertainer and author of 3 cookbooks including Donna’s Favorite Recipes
of fabulous vegetarian recipes. On this trip she began a journal and here is an excerpt:

Journal of food December 1992 – 1993

I like to eat light on the road. The eight hours in the car: I carry
water, nuts, apples, bananas, fig cookies and crackers. Our first stop is
Tucson, Arizona. It helps to let all people know you are vegetarian because
while others ate: Chorizo pork I had yellow squash, zucchini, peppers,
onions, garlic in a tomato sauce rolled up in a flour tortilla.
While visiting the Tucson folks and touring the National Monument I ate
this vegetable dish for breakfast and dinner.

Puerta Roja, the Red Door, was home for a majority of the crew during their 1992 -93 Holiady film shhot in Álamos, Sonora, México. Photo by Anders Tomlinson..

La Puerta Roja Inn, Red Door, Inn was home for a majority of the crew.

Upon reaching Álamos our hostess Teri Arnold, owner of La Puerta Roja, prepared pasta
with both a meat sauce and tomato sauce. This vegetarian sauce consists of
garlic, onions and mushrooms. Wonderful with baguettes and sliced tomatoes,
sprinkled with olive oil, vinegar tamari and fresh basil leaves.

On day two we took a long hike around the city drank two glasses of water,
dried figs, and prunes and a banana with trail mix.

For dinner we went to a local woman’s unmarked restaurant where she had outdoor
dining. We had tostadas consisting of homemade tortillas vegetarian beans,
avocado, dried cheese, lettuce, tomato and topped with green tomatillo sauce.
Late-night we had papaya, pineapple juice.

It is very hot in Álamos, Sonora, México in December, so it is important to
remember to drink lots of water. We also took multiple vitamins. Afternoon hiking
took us to the mercado where fruits and vegetables abound. Afternoon snack
of prunes. Christmas eve, Teri fixed us a wonderful breakfast of cornmeal
pancakes with scrambled eggs. The pancakes were topped with cranberry sauce
sweetened with maple syrup. Scones seasoned with ginger were an
added surprise with her coffee.

In the afternoon we went to La Aduana to the miracle church where a cactus
grows out of the old church where the Virgin Mary appeared.

One day we took food out to a poor family in the mountains. There were 5 children
and three adults: mom, dad and grandpa in a small hut with a roof of twigs and cardboard
and a little metal sheeting on one side where the wind blows the hardest. I gave
the teenage girl the little blue and white shirt I was wearing. Her father gave
me two pieces of fruit from their tiny tree. The fruit is green and spiny and
cannot be eaten until it rattles when shaken. Very strange looking, it’s hard
to believe anyone would try to eat such an uninviting object. But there wasn’t
much food to be seen on their land and the well had only a foot of water in it
at the most. I ate an avocado and a roll and came back to join the team in a night
shoot in Aduana. They’ve set up a huge pipe organ upon our return, I grabbed the
leftover rice and veggies, and can of vegetarian chili- stirred and
served on a hot corn tortilla.

New Year’s Eve we started the day with water and later coffee. The Nuzums, at
Calle Comercio 2 next door to the Church, roast their own Mexican coffee beans
sprinkled with sugar. They grind them to make a very strong solution of coffee,
of which they pour ¼ cup and then add hot boiling water to make one cup. This coffee
is so good. I drank it black. It is strong, but never bitter. Off to shopping
and later stopped for a fresh squeezed orange juice. At the Mercado, we picked
up a ripe tomato and an avocado. At the bakery I bought negro pan brown
bread rolls and ginger cookies.

In the evening. I just want to relax and listen to the Mexican music coming
from the big dance downtown. There is music to be heard throughout the
city, day and night. Lovely.

Donna Beckett copyright 2017

Teresita's Panaderia y Bistro outdoor dining patio. photo by Anders Tomlinson, 2017. Álamos, Sonora, México.

Teresita’s Panaderia y Bistro outdoor dining patio.

Teri Arnold has continued her fine tradition of gourmet cooking. The studio in the
back of Puerta Roja where the film crew stayed in 1992 is now home to
Teresita’s Panaderia y Bistro which has an inviting ambiance that is
enjoyed by Álamenses as well as tourists from all over México and the world.
Anders visited Teresita’s in 2017… to see more

For more Holiday Videos filmed on this trip.

©2017 alamos-sonora-mexico.com and Donna Beckett, all rights reserved.