Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – When you’ve been a resident of Puerto Vallarta for a while, there’s one restaurant that stands out as a true icon of relaxed dining: Nacho Daddy. This place has become a go-to spot for a diverse range of customers, especially those gringos seeking a Tex-Mex twist on Mexican dishes or the comforting taste of Southern home cooking.
Over time, I’ve witnessed its evolution, from its original location to its current spot down the street, and even the transformation of its casual cabaret upstairs into a full-blown showroom showcasing incredible talent on many evenings. One of the partners, Sean Moore, fronts the house band. Talk about a multi-talented team! While the new showroom can accommodate a larger crowd, I can’t help but reminisce about the old space with that towering tree sprouting up through it. Ah, the bittersweet consequences of progress!
I must confess, I’m one of those diners who discover a favorite dish at a restaurant and become creatures of habit, sticking to that one choice time and time again. So, when I decided to review Nacho Daddy, I didn’t deviate a hair from my routine.
To start, my partner and I decided to share the Country Fried Chicken ($250 pesos). I can still vividly remember the first time I saw it on the menu many years ago – it used to come with French fries. Now, that simply wasn’t my style, so I approached the other partner, Tammy Caruthers Prust, and asked if they had mashed potatoes.
Sadly, they didn’t. Tammy dashed across the street to Steve’s (may it rest in peace) and managed to borrow some. Ever since, those mashed potatoes have joined an incredibly sizable chicken breast, perfectly fried and accompanied by a heavenly cream gravy. And let’s not forget the mouth watering fried corn-on-the-cob. Best in town!
Up next, we dove into the Taco Salad ($200 pesos). Now, you can choose your protein – chicken, shrimp, beef, or veggie – but I have my favorite, so ground beef it was. Picture a colossal, crispy taco shell overflowing with layers of perfectly seasoned beef, refried beans, rice, lettuce, and tomato. And as if that weren’t enough, they crown it with another taco shell, topping it all off with guacamole and sour cream. But here’s the secret to elevating this masterpiece: slather on their house salsa and generously sprinkle some red onions. That, my friends, is taco salad heaven right there.
Nacho Daddy’s bar, nestled at the front of the restaurant, is a prime spot for savoring a drink (and a meal) while observing the ebb and flow of the street. However, I must bring up a tiny gripe: their rendition of the Cadillac Margarita, the perfect companion to our chosen dishes, doesn’t quite hit the mark. At its price point, I expect a touch of pizzazz, but it doesn’t quite deliver.
Now, here’s the thing: Nacho Daddy isn’t the place you visit for a transcendent gastronomic experience. It’s more like stepping into the home of an old friend who will go to great lengths to make you feel welcome, no matter how many times you’ve been there. You will always see at least one of the partners there, if not both.
This hands-on approach for so many years has been remarkable. What sets them apart is their unwavering consistency – in the quality of their food, the service they provide, and above all, the warm hospitality you feel from the moment you walk through their doors.
I give Nacho Daddy:
Basilio Badillo 287, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380
Open: 11 AM to 12 AM Tues-Sat; 11 AM to 11 PM Sun; Closed Monday
Reservations: 322-688-5566
I welcome your comments or suggestions of restaurants to try at TheHungryCriticPV(at)gmail.com.
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