La Ola Rica
A trip to San Pancho is not complete without going to La Ola Rica. The dedication of Triny and Gloria shows in everything from the eclectic decor to the warm and friendly wait staff. The chipotle mushrooms, the cream of poblano soup, and the guajillo sizzling shrimp are just the beginning of the well thought out menu featuring fresh local ingredients from the land and sea. House specialties include BBQ ribs, coconut shrimp, carne asada, pasta primavera, pizzas, and an assortment of fresh salads and seafood. La Ola Rica opens Tuesday through Saturdays at 6 pm
Desserts are made in house and the molten cabernet chocolate cake with Blue Bell ice cream is a must try!
Concierge.com’s insider take:
Although Puerto Vallarta’s hungry masses have plenty of choices right in town, they’ll happily drive 30 minutes north to the town of San Pancho (a.k.a. San Francisco) to swoon over the hearty offerings at La Ola Rica: coconut shrimp with mango sauce, pasta primavera, barbecued pork ribs. The owners opened the café in 1996 as a dessert and coffee house and have expanded over the years as their fans demanded more choices to go with all those pitchers of frosty margaritas (the pasta primavera was the first dish they introduced). The dining room now fills a half-block-long stucco building festively decorated with Frida Kahlo posters, colored lights, and plenty of pink bougainvillea. There’s live music some nights, and reservations are advised in winter.—Maribeth Mellin
Open Mondays through Saturdays 5:30 to 11 pm, November through July.
