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You can start a heated debate in Vallarta by asking what the best place for shrimp is. Our favorite is Mauricio’s located on the highway to Las Palmas. It’s a half a block from the back entrance to the new Home Depot. Mauricio’s is one of the spots we always go to with out-of-town visitors. It has great food and a lot of local color. Many tourists go but it isn’t the least bit touristy.
You certainly don’t go to Mauricio’s for elaborate decor. It’s as basic as it gets. A palapa roof, cement floors, and plastic tables and chairs with Pepsi logos. You go for the food. It’s plentiful and tasty. Although the place basic, it’s kept very clean. The kitchen is open so you can watch how they prepare the food.
Mauricio’s is open from 11:00am until 7:00pm and I believe they are closed on Mondays. Around 2:00pm it fills up. Sundays are the busiest and the most fun because they have strolling musicians all afternoon. At peak hours you will have to wait a few minutes to get a table but you never have to wait very long. Their service is very efficient.
You won’t leave Mauricio’s hungry. As soon as you sit down they bring you a smoked marlin tostada and a cup of shrimp soup. Plus, there are plenty of chips and salsa.
Big Tasty Shrimp Plate at Mauricios Restaurant Puerto Vallarta
This time we ordered the #3 Combination: spicy shrimp (a la diabla), breaded shrimp, and garlic shrimp. Be sure to asked for peeled shrimp if you don’t like to peel your own. On the combo plates about half of the shrimp is unshelled.
The portions are large. The #3 combo had approximately 35 good-size shrimp. We always split an order between the two of us. The plate is much larger than it looks in the picture.
Fried Banana and Kahlua for Dessert at Mauricios Puerto Vallarta
For dessert they bring you a fried banana drizzled with condensed milk and a Kahlua and cream. Personally, I find the fried bananas disgusting but most people seem to love them.
Bag of dried shrimp given free to customers at Mauricios Puerto Vallarta
In addition to all the food, we were also given a one pound bag of beady-eyed dried shrimp to take home courtesy of the house.
Free Pineapples at Mauricios Shrimp Restaurant Puerto Vallarta
On your way out you can grab a free pineapple to take with you.
Rooster at Mauricio's Shrimp Restaurant in Puerto Vallarta
Roosters wander around the restaurant and they appear to be pets. We chased this one all over the restaurant trying to get a picture of it.
Mauricio’s is a great deal in my book. Here’s the breakdown of everything we got:
1 Pepsi
1 Mineral water
2 Smoked marlin tostadas
2 Cups of shrimp soup
1 #3 Combination Plate
1 One pound bag of dried shrimp
1 Pineapple
2 Totally stuffed people
Grand total $146 pesos which is about $14 dollars.
More seafood restaurants you might like:
El Colera Seafood Downtown Puerto Vallarta
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Paula Cunningham 12.13.07 at 1:02 pm
This place looks great! We always rent a car and head north from the airport, but I’ld like to give Mauricio’s a try. Is the Las Palmas you refer to the Hotel Las Palmas in the Hotel Zone? So far my favorite shrimp has been at Kokobongos in Chacala.
Douglas 12.13.07 at 1:17 pm
Las Palmas that I referred to is a town past Ixtapa. When you head north from the airport you will see Home Depot on the right hand side. It’s about two minutes up the highway. Get off the highway at Home Depot and make a right one block to the highway to Las Palmas. Make another right on the highway to Ixtapa and you will see Mauricio’s on the right hand side. The rear entrance to home depot is on the highway to Las Palmas. It’s a good reference point.
I have never been to Kokobongos. One of these days I’ll give it a try. Chacala is fantastic.
Chuck Fesperman 12.17.07 at 3:45 pm
I will definitely try it. The best restaurants are always the ones that the locals know and love. I try to stay away from all of the “tourist trap” places. Thanks for the info.
Douglas 12.17.07 at 4:13 pm
Tourists do go there. In fact, I have even seen tour buses unloading people. The good thing is that even though it is on the tourist’s radar Mauricio’s has not become a “tourist trap.” It’s remained the same as always. That’s why they are really successful. Good food, great, prices, and great service. We always leave very full and happy.
Glenn 02.12.08 at 6:08 pm
Gonna be in P.V. in a couple of weeks and will definitely be going to Mauricio’s.
Have been there twice (once for lunch and once for dinner) and have not been disappointed.
A great place and make sure you have a Tecate.
Douglas 02.12.08 at 10:43 pm
I forgot to mention the Tecates in the post. Mauricios serves a can of Tecate beer with three shrimp on top with limes and salt on the side. I wouldn’t mind one right now.