Café de Olla | | by
Anna Reisman - July 22, 2002. |
Over the years, certain restaurants
around Vallarta have become favorites among the locals. They have carved a name
for themselves and attracted a steady clientele through good old-fashioned hard
work and hearty food …and drinks! These are not high-class establishments
whose walls are covered with awards received from international culinary associations
and organizations. They aren't located in "privileged" spots with views
of the bay or on the beach where the waves lap at your feet. And in the case of
Café de Olla, you don't even have to put on your best attire to eat there.
But you do have to be very hungry and in season …very patient. This is because
in season, there's always a line of people on the sidewalk, waiting for a table.
Right now is the best time for you to take advantage of the
lower occupancy in town and try out this favorite for yourself. Café
de Olla has been around for a decade that I know of, perhaps even longer. The
same waiters that were there when we first arrived in Vallarta are still running
around the restaurant today, always hurrying, making sure no one has to wait for
their next course. The restaurant is open from noon to 11 o'clock at night, for
late breakfast, lunch and dinner, the latter being the most hectic time. That's
when passers-by are entranced by the whiffs of the baked potatoes and the mouth-watering
cuts of meat on the open-air grill by the sidewalk… This
place is 100% Mexican, no doubt about that. That means that besides the typical,
warm, welcoming and cozy décor, the Café offers dishes such as nopales
(cactus) with eggs, chilaquiles and molletes for breakfast. When you combine one
of those with fresh juice and coffee, it will cost you an average of $50-$60.
pesos not including tips. The lunch / dinner menu is extensive
to say the least. (They really had to work at it to fit all the choices on one
page!) The list of "starters" includes shrimp cocktails, guacamole,
Mexico's famous tortilla soup, tamales, and melted cheese dishes - among others.
Average: $40-$45. pesos. Those are followed by the Café's "favorites":
sopes and tostadas, tacos and quesadillas, excellent chiles rellenos, enchiladas
and empanadas, and of course, the overloaded "Mexican Platter" that
offers a little bit of everything - except for the kitchen sink… Naturally,
the "specialties" are the piece de resistance. There are fajitas and
bar-b-q chicken or ribs that are finger-lickin' good, octopus in garlic (my favorite),
steaks and shrimp. Average price: $90. pesos. The drinks
mixed to perfection and their servings - like those of the dishes - are huge. As
I mentioned earlier, now is the perfect time for you to see for yourself why there
are line-ups in front of the Café de Olla all winter long! Don't go on
a Tuesday because that's their day of rest, and do bring cash because they don't
take credit cards. You WILL have a great time and a wonderful meal. Enjoy! Café
de Olla is located at 168 Basilio Badillo right near the corner of Olas Altas
on the south side in the Old Town. Tel.: 223-1626. pvmomto3@hotmail.com | 
Current
Weather Report
