Papagayos Clásico Cantina & Grill

Food was horrible. I ordered a shrimp taco. The shrimp was gummy cocktail shrimp. The fish used in the cocktail was questionable. Asked for water and was told they only serve soda or liquor. I have never had a meal at a restaurant where the establishment could not provide water.

Slim (sultry Lauren Bacall in the movie ‘To Have and Have Not’): «You don’t have to say anything, and you don’t have to do anything. Not a thing. [pauses, as leaving] Oh, maybe just whistle. You know how to whistle, don’t you? [wry smile] You just put your lips together … and blow.» [the male audience melts]
—-By now, you know the game: I start with a quote, and follow it with a relevant review point (prefixed by « — -»).
So, for the movie quote above …
According to the online dictionaries, ‘papagayos’ in Spanish means either ‘chatter like parrots’* or the name of the violently strong wind blowing from the mountain pass on the Pacific coast of Nicaragua and Guatemala, especially on the Gulf of Papagayo. — -
* «deja de repetir todo lo que digo como un papagayo» (meaning «don’t just repeat what I say parrot-​fashion»)
—-Besides movie quotes, this review will also repeatedly use terminology related to wind.
Many places have blown through this location, and the building reflects the history. For example, it still has the remnants of Long John Silver’s drive-​through path in the parking lot, and the place still looks like the previous Papagayos Cabaret gentlemen’s club from the outside. —-
From Wikipedia, on Papagayo: «It is notable for causing a pronounced increase in upwelling of cooler, nutrient-​rich waters on the Pacific coast which in turn supports an abundance of sea life. The wind and upwelling are together referred to as a Papagayo event.»
—-That upwelling event and blowing may have been why the Cabaret chose that name.
The place is still oriented to guys (the place’s middle name), and mainly those who work with their hands. (Note that the website retains the middle name of the Cabaret.) — -
Eddie: «I’ve been figuring, them guys don’t think that I’m wise, but they was trying to get me drunk. [laughs]
They don’t know me, do they, Harry?» [Hiccups]
—-The bar is the main focus here, with food to keep people watching Spanish ESPN sports channel on the 42″ TV’s and drinking. But they do have a kid’s menu. — -
Slim: «I’m hard to get, Steve. All you have to do is ask me.» [Steve is played by Humphrey Bogart]
—-Location: Getting here is a breeze (one block off of I-​45) — -
Capt. M. Renard: «By the way, what are your sympathies?»
Steve: «Minding my own business.»
—-Atmosphere: Lots of wind-​ows to look out of. There was no music, just a low volume on the TV. Only a few customers are present. — -
Slim: «Who was the girl, Steve?»
Steve: «Who was what girl?»
Slim: «The one who left you with such a high opinion of women.»
—-Complimentaries were disappointing:
Soup: watery, salty, one slice of carrot, one slice of celery, a few leaves of cilantro
Chips y Salsa: red and green, both small serving and mild (no gust-​o); chips were dry, thick & crispy. —-
Slim: «Give her my love.»
Steve: «I’d give her my own if she had that on!»
—-Menu has a good appearance. It contains typical selections of Mexican food, along with burgers, wings and steaks. Seafood selection is typical of this area. You won’t need windstorm insurance. The prices are competitively low. $ 6 lunch M-​F daily specials.
My Lunch: Thursday’s Daily Special, Taco Frontera Plate: 4 beef tacos, with a side of beans (no guacamole or pico de gallo, just grilled onions). It had plenty of beef, chopped into half-​inch pieces, had a good grill flavor, not overcooked, but not tender… like a truck taco. — -
From Wikipedia: «Wind is the flow of gases on a large scale»
—-The beans were plain and less tasty than surrounding places. — -
Peter, Paul & Mary: «The answer is Blowin’ in the Wind»
—-Where is my check?
Service was slow and waitresses had poor English skills — -
Steve: [Angrily] «Shut up, both of you! Get down on that deck flat! You want to save France. I want to save my boat!»
—-Parking is in a private lot, but most spots are in retreat from the front, and thus, somewhat out of sight. I was worried about someone breaking into my car, but no problem. — -