Don't wait any longer, treat yourself to a banquet of shrimp! | | by
Ana Luz Velázquez - May 20, 2002. |
Breaded
shrimp, beer shrimp, grilled shrimp, Imperial shrimp, boiled shrimp, rice, vegetables.
This is not a list of the dishes on the Shrimp Factory's menu, it's just what
I ate last Thursday. No, wait, I wasn't being a glutton,
it's just that Marcelo López, the handsome manager of The Shrimp Factory
invited me to get to know his restaurant and its offerings. One of the waiters
suggested I try some of each style, and they brought me three of each and, well,
I admit, I accepted them all. There were a lot of tourists there that day, so
I only got to chat a few minutes with Marcelo. He managed to tell me that he arrived
in Puerto Vallarta 8 months ago from Mazatlán where he'd been working for
the Shrimp Factory there for 7 years and they sent him here to open the Vallarta
branch a mere 6 months ago. The original idea of the concept's
creators back in 1989 was to sell shrimp to take out, but their success in Mazatlán
was such that the place was turned into a restaurant. And now we have it here,
in a spacious place, well lit and although simply decorated, it is quite pleasant,
relaxed, with a high ceiling where there are enough fans to cool off the customers
quite adequately. The red and blue of the tablecloths and the wall décor
make it very attractive. You can see the mascot everywhere,
a cute, happy shrimp complete with bib and fork. It may be depicted with sunglasses
or wearing a charro sombrero, or even as part of a Mariachi band in one corner
where customers can add their "distinguished autograph" on the walls. It
is obvious that the restaurant specializes exclusively in shrimp and lobster prepared
according to traditional recipes, well presented, generally tasty, accompanied
by special sauces. You can also buy shrimp and lobster by weight, and there are
specials every day, just ask your waiter for them. The
menu may not be extensive, but it can satisfy the whims of the customers. The
portions are generous and you leave satisfied. To whet your appetite, there are
appetizers like guacamole served with nacho chips, fish sticks/fingers and delicious
shrimp and fish taquitos. I was able to taste them due to the kindness of one
of the waiters… I said no when it came time for desserts. Whew! That was
enough! To drink, there are sodas, shakes, Margaritas, Tequilas, vodkas, Cognac,
etc. And there are also the house specialties: the Bulldog (a combination of Tequila,
limeade and beer), the Mangorita Gold (Tequila and mango), and the No Panties
made with gin, vodka, tequila, rum, a little lime and orange juice which my waiter
told me it wasn't a strong drink. Oh no? If you try one, let us know! The
average price for a shrimp dish -usually consisting of 5 shrimp- is $158. pesos
or $17. U.S. Large shrimp go for $154. pesos per pound while the jumbo cost $218.
per pound. The Shrimp Factory has branches in Mazatlán,
Sinaloa; Cabo San Lucas in Baja California with the third and newest being the
one right here in Vallarta, open every day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at 237 Ignacio
L. Vallarta Street on the South Side, tel.: 222-2365 analuz@pvmirror.com |
Current
Weather Report
