JPinBC

Hi everyone, here is the dining 'out' part of our two most recent Vallarta stays (Nov-Dec, '09, and Apr-May, '10 -- 4+ weeks each stay). For each location, I have included a 'mini-review' - with an address (plus, a little "locating help"), and some info about 'what' we had to eat, and the 'cost' of such. Note - all prices are expressed in pesos (as 'p'), and of course, could/may have changed since we were there -- an 'asterisk' before a restaurant's name means it was 'new-to-us', and tried for the first time.

We returned to a few favourite and/or previously-tried restaurants during these stays, and in addition, continued to try more 'new' (to us) places. As usual, many restaurants had to be excluded, as there is only so much dining out that we can do during a stay, and still be able to enjoy the individual experiences. So like previous stays, we balanced dining 'out', with dining 'in', but did get out to as many restaurants as we felt we could manage.

1. Breakfasts.

-- Dianita (south side, Francisco Madero 243, near corner with Ignacio Vallarta) -- small, Mexican breakfast and comida corrida lunch place - one of our favourite breakfast spots in the south side of town. We had: chilaquiles with eggs (45p), with egg and ham or bacon (48p), omelettes, with mushroom & cheese (42p), orange juice (15p) - frijoles, a little lettuce & tomato, toast, and basket of tortillas included with each dish, and liver & onions (45p) - yup, for breakfast, and more than once too, for my travelling partner, not me, and she loved them every time!! Good, tasty, well-prepared food, and friendly service -- Anna and her staff do it well!!

-- *Loncheria Las 3 BBB (south side, Basilio Badillo 414, a couple of blocks east of Insurgentes) -- a small, colourful, 'mom & pop' type Mexican diner, serving breakfast and lunch fare. We had: omelette, with ham & cheese (42p), frijoles, lettuce and tomato, and basket of tortillas provided with our order, orange juice (15p). Cute and colourful little place, very friendly and courteous owners. 'Pop' told us 'Mom' makes the best tortas (sandwiches) in the south side (though we never got to try them). Found out the "3 BBB" designation translates to -- 'bueno' (good), 'bonito' (pretty), and 'barato' (cheap). We thought this little Mexican place was well-named, and enjoyed our dining experience there.

-- Planeta Vegetariano (downtown, Iturbide 270, a short block north of the church, and a few steps 'up' from Hidalgo) -- vegetarian fare (served buffet style) - a "big favourite" breakfast spot of ours on past trips, and much-enjoyed again. We had (sampled from the following selections): cut fruit (cantaloupe, papaya, pineapple, and apple), yogurt (and various 'toppings' - granola, coconut, nuts & seeds, and etc.), hot cereal, hotcakes (buckwheat), nopales (a tasty cactus dish), chilaquiles (with all the 'toppings' available - red onion, a tasty ranchero cheese, sour cream, etc.), frijoles (dark and so delicious!!), tofu dishes (resembling eggs and meat, and very tasty), juice (somewhat "weird-looking", but sure good tasting), coffee/tea, a wonderful, nutty, multi-grain bread, and crispy tostados. Everything well-prepared and presented (50p). Planeta Vegetariano is a small, colourful and cute place, with friendly service, and good food. It's open daily, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, each 'all-you-can-eat' buffet style, from 8:00am to 10:00pm. In our opinion, one of the best breakfast values in Vallarta!!

-- * Restaurant Mi Suegra (south side, Francisco Madero 213, near Pino Suarez) - a small, Mexican family-style restaurant, offering breakfast, comida corrida lunch, and dinner. We had: orange juice (15p), chicken enchiladas, w/beans (45p), eggs & bacon, w/chilaquiles and beans (a 'special', 40p), plus basket of tortillas. Everything (food and service) was fine (but will admit to enjoying the breakfast fare across the street at Restaurant Lylybell more, but the latter was closed at the time).


2. Morning and/or Evening Snacks.

-- D'Mike (south side, Olas Altas, near corner with Rodolfo Gomez, adjacent the La Piazzetta Restaurant) - hot-dog stand - serving up 'the' best "dogs" in Vallarta!! - the wieners are wrapped in cheese and bacon, the buns warmed, and they can be stuffed with all the trimmings you wish (17p). D'Mike is a favourite evening snack spot of ours!!

-- *Peter & Carmen Tacos (south side, Manual M. Dieguez, just west of Olas Altas, across from the south side of Playa Los Arcos Hotel) -- taco stand, with some limited seating. tacos (9p), quesadilla al pastor (20p). Nice people, decent street-stand food.

-- Vicky's Tamales y Atole (downtown, corner of Independencia and Hidalgo, just below the entrance to the church - service from the window of a restaurant on Sunday mornings) - we enjoyed the tamales here last year, but not this year - we each tried two kinds - the tamales had rather thick and dry corn masas, with little to no fillings.


3. Dinners.

-- Alaska's Diner (south side, Lazaro Cardenas 515, a few blocks east of Insurgentes, just beyond Naranjo). International and "comfort/trailer-food" fare - neighbourhood diner, with small bar by the tiny kitchen - owner, Roger Wark (from Juneau, Alaska) at the helm. We had: chicken wings - good, and spicy-hot (50p), shepherd's pie - served in a bowl (50p), cole slaw (15p), beer (20p). A sort of "old-time" diner-type environment, with juke-box, and old tv shows on the tube - little decor other than navigation charts on the walls. Inexpensively-priced, half-decent food, and neighbourhood "feel" to the place. We found food portions to be somewhat smaller this year (when compared to last fall, when we ate there three times), and the meat and cheese in the shepherd's pie to be very skimpy (when compared to our past experiences). There are two menus - one offers fish and meat 'entree' dishes, the other, the sort of "comfort/trailer" food that we had. We dined at the Alaska's Diner early in our stay this year, and did not "feel" a particular desire to return a second time.

-- Cafe Bohemio (south side, Rodolfo Gomez 127, west of Olas Altas, between La Piazzetta Restaurant and the San Marino Hotel) - a bistro-style restaurant/bar - we have known owners/hosts Sol and Chris (and most staff) for several years, and have always enjoyed dropping in to see them, sampling some of the current food offerings, and generally just enjoying "what's happening" in this small, casual, friendly, courtyard restaurant. We have probably tried most of the offerings on the menu, at one time or another, during our last dining experience there, it was: meatloaf (89p), ribs (99p), rib eye steak (100p), NY steak (100p) (inexpensive and good steaks!!). Good food, and so very reasonably-priced, served up in a most-friendly and welcoming environment. Sol and Chris, and staff continue to do it well!! We, and so many other Vallarta travellers know this - it tends to fill up most evenings!!

-- Cafe Roma (downtown, Encino 287, along north side of the Rio Cuale, between Ignacio Vallarta and Insurgentes street bridges) - a restaurant/bar with a neighbourhood 'feel' - Italian fare - Fox & Cheryl's place - we have been going there for several years, and know they do it good!! We have tried much of their menu, during our last visits, it was: lasagna (89p), calzone (109p), and pizza (119p) -- and as always, good food, drink, and service, and the the friendly hosts. It's a place that always beckons a return visit!!

-- * Casa de Tandoor (south side, Olas Altas 356, just to the north of Playa Los Arcos Hotel, near the corner with Basilio Badillo). Indian cuisine - and what a great little place!! Very small, a few stools at the bar inside, and six tables "for-two" on the sidewalk outside. Good, very tasty food (and drinks), well-prepared and presented, with very friendly and accommodating service. We had: mango lassi drink - sweet yogurt and mango blended together, cool and so good!! (30p), butter chicken - boneless tandoori chicken, simmered in a creamy house ('medium hot') curry sauce, with freshly-baked naan bread, cumin-seasoned rice, and house (cucumber and etc.) salad (85p), shrimp wrap (two on a plate) - shrimp, cilantro, mint, onion, and tomato, 'wrapped' in naan bread, w/house salad (75p). Yum ... and big thumbs up to everything!!! We (with friends) dined there twice during this year's stay, and wished we had done more!!

-- Cenaduria Celia (south side, Lazaro Cardenas 506, just to the east of Naranjo, across the street from Alaska's Diner). Cena, Mexicana Casera -- a Mexican family-dinner place - a dining highlight of our stay last fall, an even bigger favourite of ours during this year's stay (we dined there three times - and could easily have enjoyed more!). The bottom line: well-prepared, tasty food, very generous portions, inexpensively-priced, with friendly, and very accommodating service. Our kind of place!!! We had: pig's feet - several, good-sized 'knuckles' served on a hot & very tasty (chili-based) sauce, with some veggies (50p), beef enchiladas - four large, and well-stuffed on a plate, w/sauce, salad & cheese (45p), perchuga - chicken breast and potatoes (half-order, 55p), beer, w/chips and salsa (15p), and the creamiest and best-tasting flan anywhere, each spoonful such a delight to savour (15p). Celia opens sometime 'after/around' 6pm during standard-time months, and 7pm during daylight-time months, and is open to about open to 11pm. Our kudu's to La Familia Palos for doing what they do so well!!

-- Cuale's Bistro Bar (south side, Aquiles Serdan 194, half-block east of Los Muertos beach and Vista del Sol condo's) - a small restaurant/bar - open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (except Sunday), we have done dinners only. Very tasty, well-prepared and presented fare, with good, friendly service, and so reasonably-priced. We have had: house salads (45p), 3-cheese lasagna (85p), linguini, with seafood (price ?), rib eye steak (195p), and 'Chef Specials' - seafood-stuffed fish (dorado, 150p, basa, 135p) - the meals included appetizers of toasted, crusty bread, with a pate of eggplant and black olives, and the entrees included either small, side salad or veggies (a colourful mix of shredded red & green peppers, carrots, and beets). Good food, well-prepared and presented, and cordial service.

-- * El Bacalao (south side, Basilio Badillo 200, at corner with Pino Suarez). Fish/seafood - our "last" dinner in town this past stay, and it was sure a good one!! A modern and clean-looking, pleasant 'open-air' kind of place, with both inside and outside seating (the latter on the Pino Suarez side only) - offering both 'high' tables & stools, and regular tables and chairs. We had: margarita's ('the' best during our stay!!), w/salsa and chips - for she, mango-flavoured, for me, standard, on-the-rocks, with salt & lime (58p), guacamole - creamy-smooth style (58p), a free appetizer of tequila shrimp - two skewers of three shrimp per each - sizzling hot & spicy, and so good!!, garlic shrimp, w/a large green salad for she (148p), and garlic/butter fish fillet, w/a large green salad for me (108p) - along with a basket of garlic bread. Yum ... and "wow", were we full after all that good stuff!!! A nice spot - good food, very well-prepared and presented, with good, friendly and efficient service - and all served up at a very moderate cost.

-- * El Colera (south side, Lazaro Cardenas 542, near Camichin, just before the "Municipal Market"). Fish and seafood. Very 'local' in nature and ambiance - including the busy street, and extremely loud juke box to adequately drown out any hopes for decent personal conversation while there!! We had: coconut shrimp, w/rice and small salad (99p), a fish ceviche tostado (9p), fish fillet, w/rice and small salad (80p). The food was nicely-presented, the ceviche appetizer good, but the entrees themselves were over-cooked and dry. Maybe this was due to the 'late' time we got there to eat (6pm, they close at about 7pm), or maybe they were just having a bad day - whatever, we felt no desire to return for a second try (based on this experience).

-- El Mole de Jovita (south side, Basilio Badillo 220, a block+ east of Olas Altas, across the street from Asadero's) - small, colourful, serving inexpensively-priced, well-prepared, Mexican fare. We had: 'range plate' - a combination plate of food offerings: a large tostado, two tacos, a sopa, and two enchiladas, with pork, chicken, and/or fish as the "meats", and cheeses, lettuce, tomato, and other ingredients providing the additional fillings, sauces, and flavours (70p), and enchiladas (chicken & pork) covered with mole sauce (70p). Warm and friendly owner, and well-prepared, tasty food.

-- Gilmar (south side, Francisco Madero 418, a couple of blocks east of Insurgentes, across from Fonda La Esperanza). Mexican fare, meat, fish/seafood. A well-enjoyed dining spot during our fall stay - a bit of a disappointment this past trip, with it's higher prices, poorer food preparation, and significantly reduced portions - certainly not what we had anticipated or expected. We had: the grilled arrachera (beef) steak as the entree each time last year, and it was so good, and filling - below par (in both preparation and portion-size) this time. As last year, the serving of the entree was preceded with the making of a 'traditional-style' salsa at our table - ingredients added one at a time to a large volcanic-material bowl, and in turn, ground with a large pestle - the resulting salsa is warm, due to the hot, grilled tomatoes added - and served to us that way, along with heated nacho chips - the making is always fun to watch, and the resulting salsa a very tasty pre-dinner treat with a cold drink (beer, 22p) - but there were three of us at the table for dinner this time, and the serving size was too small. The steak came with a quesadilla, some re-fried beans, and guacamole (125p) - but unlike last year (for the same plate, priced lower at 110p), all portions on the plate this time (including the steak) were small -- the whole plate looked more like an appetizer (and went down like one as well!!), than the same dinner entrees we had so enjoyed (twice) last year!! I cannot complain about the slightly higher price, but I can, when it's combined at the same time with food portions cut so drastically! We chose not to return for a second time.

-- * Los Panchos (downtown, Libertad 159, couple of blocks north of the parking garage). Small, colourful, Mexican family-style diner - found during a "where-to-dine" walkabout early one evening during our past stay. We had: shrimp tacos - four on the plate (65p), shrimp ceviche, w/tostados (60p), beer (15p). Good portions and presentations, the food though, was not too our liking (much too salty and 'acidic' tasting -- my ceviche was "swimming" in salty, lime juice!!), and about half way into our meals, we had had enough, and gave up. The service was friendly, and the owner thought his food was the "best" around - it was not to our liking. A return visit was not in order.

-- Los Tres Delfines (south side, Manual M. Dieguez 183, a few feet from Casa Dona Susana, and across the street from Los Arcos Suites). Mexican and International fare. Tenor's place has been our 'first-night in town' dining spot for the past few years, and it was again these two trips. However, we were only able to dine there twice during this past stay (as compared to the more usual three or four times per stay), as Tenor closed for the "summer season" rather early this year. A shame, as the two meals we did have there this time, were amongst the most-enjoyed during our stay. We had: the chicken fajitas 'special of the day' the first time (100p), and the bbq ribs 'special of the day' the second time (100p) - each were very good, tasty, and cooked and presented well - each meal included a free margarita, with nachos & salsa, and with each entree, a small salad, veggies, frijoles, and basket of toast and/or tortillas. Always good food, well-prepared, friendly, good service, served up in a small, pretty outside courtyard setting. Nice, friendly people we know and like, and for us, our dining 'home away from home' for the past several years. Our kudu's to Tenor, and all, for what they do, and how they do it!!

-- * Margarita Grill (south side, Pino Suarez 321, at the corner with Basilio Badillo). Mexican/Tex-Mex fare, meat, fish/seafood. A quite large-sized, open-air, well-shaded place, with a very "tropical-looking" setting and ambiance (and especially nice looking in/under evening light conditions). Good, varied menu, with a couple of daily specials (posted on a chalk board near the entrance to the restaurant, and easy to see from the sidewalk). We had: mango margaritas (55p), w/chips & salsa, bbq pork chops (a 'special' of the day) - two large (and thick) chops, w/mashed potatoes and steamed veggies (140p). Tasty, well-prepared, and definitely a large portion!! We enjoyed our meal and dining experience, and had some 'take-home' for sandwiches the next day, and some great bones for a couple of neighbourhood dogs as well (who loved them)!!

-- Pietro (downtown, Zaragoza at Hidalgo, a block west of the main Plaza, and block south of the church). Italian restaurant. Had dinner with friends last fall: lasagna (72p), breaded beef cutlet (84p), beer (20p) - basket of garlic toast served with our pre-dinner beverages. Decent food, in a rather nice setting.

-- Que?Pasa (south side, Aquiles Serdan 625, several blocks east of Insurgentes, 'up' near the Lazaro Cardenas bridge over the Rio Cuale) - neighbourhood restaurant/bar - well-worth the walk to get there (easier via taxi, if the walking is not desired). Great hamburgers, but most recently, we did the Thursday bbq rib special (100p) - baby-back ribs, sweet corn-on-the-cob, and potato salad, and we were not disappointed -- everything was well-prepared and tasty!! We really liked and enjoyed the decor and ambiance of the place (many renovations since we were there last) -- with all the brick and Mexican colours, it was bright and colourful, and really had a comfortable "feel".

-- * Taqueria Fonda "El Buen Gusto" (south side, Francisca Rodriguez 157, next to Metamorfosis Day Spa, just 'up' a few feet from Olas Altas). Mexican fare/fish/seafood - open for breakfast, comida corrida lunch, and dinner. A recent re-opening this year of a restaurant that was a past favourite of ours several years ago - before it had to close (the location became an evening 'club/bar' for a while). The Mexican family place we used to know and really enjoy, is back, and we wish them well. We had: for me, three fish tacos - each included a very lightly-battered and grilled fish fillet (not fish flakes or small 'pieces' experienced elsewhere), nested on some lettuce and tomato, on freshly-prepared and made tortillas - they were fresh, light, and tasty (40p) -- for her, a hamburger (she likes Mexican burgers!!), it was huge, and included some very well-made home-style-cut french fries (45p) - and we (a threesome at the time) shared some great guacamole made to order (40p). Fresh and tasty food, with preparations totally made-to-order (as can be), and inexpensively-priced.

-- Tony's Please (south side, Lazaro Cardenas 446, two blocks east of Farmacia Guadalajara and Insurgentes) -- Mexican fare, meat, fish/seafood. A favourite of ours during several past stays - Tony and his staff do it good - it has always been a pleasure for us to dine there, and our dining experiences there during these two past stays were no exception. We had: breaded veal cutlets, w/veggies and fries (98p), filet mignon, w/gravy and mushrooms (140p), tampenque steak plate - a Mexican plate with beef steak, and "all the rest" that comes on a typical Mexican plate (125p) -- each meal included nachos and salsa with our pre-dinner beverage, plus, a salad, and small loaf of (freshly-baked and warm) bread. As during previous visits, Tony (the friendly owner) served us. The food was tasty, and well-prepared, and we left absolutely nothing on our plates each of the several times we dined there!! Tony's Please is a popular restaurant with locals, ex-pats, and us too!!

-- * Victor's Bar & Grill (south side, Pino Suarez 232, between Lazaro Cardenas and Francisco Madero, near Parque Cardenas). Owned and operated by Victor Escalante - it opened in August, 2009. Some may remember Victor from his days at Cafe Roma - he was the "card trick" waiter there a few years ago. His place is cozy and very small, with only three tables and a few bar stools. The food is mostly diner-style "comfort food" - pizza, chili dogs, sloppy joes, hamburgers, sandwiches, and even poutine! We enjoyed our dining experience at Victor's - it worked for us, for what we wanted one evening during our most recent stay, and we enjoyed seeing Victor and talking with him once again. We had: DosXX amber beer (18p), clubhouse sandwich & fries (55p), salisbury steak & mashed potatoes (80p). Yum - comfort food!! We wish Victor well, and the best of luck with his little place.

That's about it for the dining 'out' part of our two most recent stays. We had fun dining around, enjoyed several 'new-to-us' places, some familiar favourites and previously-tried places, had a few minor "blips" (minor disappointments) along the way, but in summary, we can look back with mostly very fond memories of our dining experiences. And I think we show that dining in Vallarta can be done quite inexpensively -- without "breaking one's bank", so to speak!!

With our good wishes to all, for "good, happy, healthy, and inexpensive" dining in Vallarta. Cheers, and happy travelling everyone.

suze

WOW what a wonderful write up!! Thank you so much. honestly I haven't been to PV in a couple years now and the only ones I know of on your list are Cafe Roma & D'Mikes -lol!
but I really appreciate your time in getting this all down and including the address, location, prices and other details are fantastically helpful.

Percy

yes..... Wow !!!

SusanInToronto

Suze, are you travelling somewhere else now? I know you're a huge fan of PV.

suze

Yes I'm branching out ;-)
in the past couple years I've been twice to Waikiki/Honolulu on Oahu, Cabo San Lucas Mexico once, and most recently just got back from a great 10-day trip to Negril Jamaica.
I still love Vallarta dearly but after 19 trips there am checking some other places out for my beachy vacations. But don't worry... I'll be back. If I was looking for a place to live full or part-time, PV is still high on my list of favorites.

JPinBC

Thanks suze, appreciate your comments!! ... do hope others will find the info helpful.
Happy thoughts of dining out in Vallarta!!

tenthumbs

wow, JP, great post! I'm going in Feb 2011 and will definitely try out a few of these! Thanks for all of the details.

suze

Then I'll add my suggestions that are "missing" from the OP.

breakfasts: Fredy's El Tucan at Posada Roger hotel (corner of B. Badillo & I. Vallarta)

late lunch: Cafe de Olla (B. Badillo)

dinners: La Piazetta (Olas Altas), Red Cabbage (Remance), River Cafe (isla cuale), Fajita Republic (B. Badillo)

sports bar: Il Torrito

JPinBC

tenthumbs .... thanks for the feedback - appreciated!! Happy thoughts to your trip in Feb 2011!! We hope to be there for another month's stay in May.
Cheers!

jetsetj

not to hijack your thread, but... Suze, do any of your new places compare to PV??

jetsetj

oh, and... JPinBC... thanks for the wonderful thread and info. Invaluable.

tenthumbs

suze~Cafe de Olla is on our list! What do you like about it?

suze

jetsetj~ Every place is different. I really don't "compare" when I travel. There are some things I like better about Jamaica and Hawaii, and some things I like better about PV.

tenthumbs~ I like Cafe de Olla for the menu, atmosphere, and friendly waiters. I also like, especially on weekends, it gets a mix of toursts and Mexican families both. It is often WAY to crowded in the evenings, people lined up on the sidewalk, so I never go for dinner. The best time for me is say around 2pm for a late lunch (sopitas and a margarita or two) on my way home from the beach.

tenthumbs

Thanks, suze...it's always helpful to know WHY someone likes (or dislikes) some place.

suze

de nada. Usually my reasons are the same. And most of the PV recommendations I have been to many many times (so I'm not making a 1-visit observation). If the food's good and they are NICE to me... I'm in


Same street Joe Jack's Fish Shack is my other favorite. Eat up on the rooftop patio. The mojitos are ta die for.

tenthumbs

Good food, good service, reasonable prices are my main criteria.
I'll have a mojito for you while I'm there.... only 155 more days!

JPinBC

Heh, it's good to see the chatter about dining - Vallarta's such a great place for dining 'out' - so many options, all kinds of cuisine, and offerings in every price bracket. Want 'the' best in gourmet … it's there, want simple Mexican fare … it's there, and there's just about thing else in-between!!

We have tried a good many restaurants over the years, and many during each stay, regardless, it's still just a "drop in the bucket" of what's available!! Looking forward to doing our thing again, and soon I hope!!

Cheers to dining in Vallarta everyone, and happy to be able to contribute to the cause!!

jetsetj

tenthumbs,
80 days and counting here.
I will try that mojito too. People say I make fabulous ones, so I will be happy to compare.