Don't expect a quiet romantic setting. They exist in Tijuana, but you will have to look hard. You can, if inclined, mix with the American marines and sailors in the rowdy discos and strip joints along and just off the main street. If you like to dance and drink, visit Carlos n Charlies bar, disco dance and join in wet tea-shirt contests with very pretty TJ girls. There's a local custom where a waiter will tip back your head and hold your nose while his assistant pours tequila down your throat from two bottles until you can swallow no more.
Festivities start around noon and finish very late.
Restaurants abound, and the food is good authentic north Mexican. In the central district great seafood and excellent steaks are served. There are hundreds of smaller cafes and restaurants in the area, many of them featuring open air dining with roving groups of Mariachi players. If you are an adventurous or iron-stomached eater, hamburgers, hot dogs, and burritos are served from small portable ovens on almost every corner. My favorite place is Tijuana Tilly's, in the Fronton Palacio on Ave Revolucion, a huge old place with televised horse racing and Jai Alai games upstairs.