| Ocho
Tostadas - 35
Years of seafood tradition amongst locals.
By The Editor - Leer en Español
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| Freddy's Ocho Tostadas |
When it is about seafood, there exists a tradition
among the locals to go eat at Ocho Tostadas. This place is a typical
restaurant where the speciality is "ceviche" and seafood cocktails, with the peculiarity that here there
are called "cazuelas". In 1969 Andres and Jacinto Macedo started the business with a stand in
the street, situated behind the hotel Rosita. Eventually only Jacinto continued
with the business and his sons Memo, Alfredo (Freddy) and Arnold integrated
themselves and learned little by little. By 1982 the family decided to
give up the stand to establish themselves in a larger place in what is
known today as the district of Versalles. In those days many people thought
it was a mistake to move since the new address was located outside what
was considered the city limits then. At present Ocho Tostadas serves as
a reference point in the Hotel zone.  Invited
by a friend in 1985 or 1986 I visited the place for the first time, and
since then I was fascinated. I remembered when we arrived, before anything
else my friend ordered some beers and some ceviche tostadas "as
a starter" (that's what we say in Mexico at the beginning of what
we know will be a great meal). Immediately we were served real cold beers,
which attracted my attention because until that moment I had not known
a place where the beers were served so cold. I had not even finished my
first sip when the tostadas arrived decorated with juicy slices of avocado.
Simply delicious!
We then ordered a combined seafood cocktail, and once
more I was surprised: it was served in an earthenware casserole with generous
portions of shrimp, octopus, callo de hacha and snail. What I enjoyed most
was that the seafood was cooked "al dente", with a special consistence that permits
to savor it with outstanding joy. While I was eating I was already thinking
about whom I would take to eat at this place.
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| Freddy |
From that moment on I became a regular client, like the majority, especially
because since my first time - aside from the food - Freddy and Arnold have
made me feel not only as a special client but as part of the family.
I dare to say that there is not one local who ignores the existence of Ocho
Tostadas. I think its success is mainly due to the following:
- It does not matter at what time you get there, the
beers are always wonderfully cold.
- The seafood is always fresh and first
class.
- The flavor of the tostadas and cazuelas is always the same.
- The show of throwing away the seeds of the avocados is very entertaining.
- The dessert - home-made caramel custard - is delicious!
- The owners are always in their restaurant, receiving and serving their
clients personally.
Ocho Tostadas is usually most busy between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m., which is the
hour when Mexicans usually have lunch. While visiting any of the 3 restaurants
during the week allow yourself to perceive the atmosphere that exists between
the locals during lunch break of a normal work day. Visiting during the weekend
is another thing!
The visitor of Ocho Tostadas, besides offering an encounter with the traditional
costal flavor, will find himself surrounded by locals generating a unique
and contagious atmosphere.
Ocho Tostadas - Versalles
Niza 132 corner with Lucerna
Open Monday to Saturday
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|
Freddy's Ocho Tostadas |
Ocho Tostadas - Stadium
Río Guayaquil 413 corner with Ecuador, Col. Lázaro Cárdenas
(behind the sports stadium)
It is attended by Freddy and Cynthia his wife.
Personally that is the one I visit most of the time. Freddy has integrated
warm food and amongst my favorite orders are steamed shrimps which
is served in an earthenware plate accompanied by a special sauce "aguachile" (chilewater)
which is really deliciously hot. It is open from 11:00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. Closed on Tuesdays Tel.: 222-7691
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|
Arnoldo's Ocho Tostadas |
Ocho Tostadas - Marina
Calle Quilla
corner with Proa, Local 28 & 29
Marina Vallarta
It is attended by Arnold. It is always a pleasure to visit Arnold, depending
on the season he surprises us with fresh oysters served in an avocado-onion-coriander
salad, accompanied by a special soya sauce that spurs you on to continue
eating.
Open every day from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tel.: 221-3124
I say that whoever comes to Vallarta and has not eaten at Ocho Tostadas, cannot
say that he knows Puerto Vallarta.
The Editor
editor@pvmirror.com
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