Ernesto’s Good Grub

Well the ribs are fine and the tortilla soup is good but the service is atrocious. Not friendly, apathetic, going through the motions. The young blond server didn’t make eye contact and seemed like she would have preferred to be anywhere else. I guess this place has had its day.

My wife’s family have lived and vacationed in Puerto Vallarta for the last 30 years and this one of the restaurants they take visitors to when people are in town for a visit.
It is a Family owned restaurant with friendly and attentive wait staff. My In-Law’s also remember Ernesto very fondly, who was always watching American Football when they went in if there was a game on.
Everything is made to order fresh and you can taste this in every dish we had.
I didn’t have it but my wife is an expert on tortilla soup and she absolutely Loved it as did everyone else that ordered it. The bowl was huge.
The ribs are Great, the chips and pico de gallo is made fresh and are out of this world. I also tried their cheeseburger on our 2^nd visit there (as a change of pace) which was outstanding and the fries were awesome.
This restaurant is definitely one to try when you are in Puerto Vallarta.

Well, it’s definitely off the beaten track for me because I can count the number of times I go North of the Rio Cuale each trip on the fingers of one hand but Ernesto’s is always a «must do» for my November posse. It’s way to heck and gone out towards Cosco a block off the main drag and it’s «simple» to put it mildly.
Family owned and operated little open patio place complete with grandkids and animals wandering about. You probably don’t want to look to closely at the kitchen. I did once and the wall was um «moving». Ernesto was (died a while back) an American expat gone native and quite the character. I remember him sitting watching TV in a full restaurant with a rifle across his lap. His family still runs the joint as far as I can tell.
They have two big claims to fame. The tortilla soup which is more of the «thick variety» not brothy. Even the small is huge — you’ve been warned. Many times a medium bowl was dinner for me. And, the all you can eat ribs on Tuesdays. A) I hate them because they aren’t smoked and to me that’s a waste of good pig. But B) Lots of my friends think they’re great. Just be aware if you go on the «all you can eat night» that the list of rules is long and they watch you — no sharing, have to eat the potatoes and veggies before you can get more ribs, no doggie bags, yadda yadda. Some of the other food is more to my liking. One of the sons is a fisherman and if they’ve got fresh tuna have them grill you a steak over the open fire — delish. And, the club sandwich, of all things, is terrific. Full bar and decent margaritas.
So, it’s a unique experience and if you can go with the flow you might be a fan. It certainly will not cost you an arm and a leg and you’ll leave full — that’s for sure. We cab it out from the Zona Romantica (about $ 100 pesos — yikes) and then take the bus back (always an adventure). I’d say you should do it once and take it from there.