Puerto Vallarta Restaurant

I will say right from the outset that this restaurant has pretty good food, and I was not disappointed when I had eaten here several times. The menu has a decent selection of items though I am guessing this place is more geared to a Spanish speaking population due to the menu being written in Spanish. The waitstaff is pretty helpful in explaining what is what which is a major help in figuring out what to order.
One thing I had noticed at this place was how deserted it is, and all the times I had eaten here I was the only customer! The waitstaff is all right, and they are attentive until they bring the food around. After all, the waitstaff is no where to be found. It does get frustrating when one needs a refill or the check only to have to play «Marco Polo» with the employees at this restaurant. Because this restaurant does not seem to get a lot of business it seems like it is not well stocked on some items. I remember this restaurant ran out of ground beef one time I had gone there which is like a Burger King running out of Whoppers!
Overall, while I think the food and facilities at this restaurant are pretty good the service here does leave a lot to be desired which is why I had chosen only two stars for this place. It really is a pity that the waitstaff was not more attentive because if it were not for that, then I would have gladly recommended this place to anyone for pretty good Mexican food at a reasonable price.

PROS: Seafood dishes, friendly service, horchata, free ceviche/​salsa/​chips
CONS: Non-​seafood dishes, no other customers, no air-​conditioning, high prices
I was pleasantly surprised by the food but it was a little unsettling to be the only customers for dinner. So far, this is the best Mexican food I’ve had since I moved here. Unfortunately, I need a cheaper restaurant to get my Mexican food fix.

Food was pretty good but the service was awful. We went on a Friday evening at 7:30 and it was dead. Just us and a couple folks not eating at another table.
The karaōke guys had the music so loud the tables were shaking. We couldn’t talk at all. The waitress had an awful grimace on her face the whole time. Food took a long time and after sitting there with empty plates for half an hour, I had to go ask her for a check. She said nothing and just dropped it on the table and scowled at us. We never got even a single refill. She never said hello. We didn’t get out of the place until 9;30. The whole time, the cook stared at us from the kitchen like we were the first white people he ever saw! The waitress spent most of her time jaw jacking with the other table. Here’s the rub, if you want a private Mexican club house for Mexicans only and don’t want gringos coming in, make it private. But you know what would happen if Mexicans got snubbed at an Applebee’s! I live here. You put a restaurant a mile from my house. You’re open to the public. You’re doing business in my country. So don’t give me attitude when I come in and give you $ 50 for your product. Call it what you want, but I’ll take my money elsewhere.

Go for the Carné Asada a la Tampiqueño. Also, their hot red sauce is the best around, it comes alongside 3 other salsas/​salsas with their tortilla chips. There are a ton of mexican options in the area, but Puerta Vallarta stands alone.

A little over a year ago, I had occasion to visit Puerto Vallarta in Mexico for the first time, over a brief, 3 day weekend.
With this year’s return trip postponed, I’ve been pining for even the smallest of taste of the sights, smells and genuine warmth (both of the sun, and the residents) of that fair and distinctive city.
In discovering the recently opened Puerto Vallarta Restaurant in Mundelein this evening, my wish was granted.
Whilst I do not know this establishment’s origin; I’ve already discovered it to be a fine example of authentic Mexican cuisine and geniality; far superior to other, more well-​known Mexican cuisine favorites in the near vicinity.
Upon our arrival, the restaurant was deserted except for its expectant wait-​staff. Our hostess greeted us with a genuine smile, and seating us swiftly not far from the center dance floor.
As we perused our menus, we immediately noted a variety of fish and beef entrees, with a healthy selection of traditional dishes. We immediately received complimentary chips and salsa, and were delighted to have 4 different salsas to sample. (mild green pepper & onion, hot red pepper «morita», a modest yet delectable tomato onion & cilantro mix, and a quite surprising peanut & red pepper blend, that complemented our Spanish rice rather well.)
My friend and I discovered we were suddenly in the mood to abandon our original selection of tacos (offered at a very modest price) for full entrée’s of carne asada skirt steak. My friend selected a seafood and beef combo (skirt steak with shrimp, scallops and calamari) and I chose the skirt steak with grilled cactus, Mexican Cibola, and guacamole.
We were each pleasantly surprised by small bowls of chicken pasta soup (on the house) with a mildly spicy taste, and more full of meat than broth.
Yet our entrees proved to be the most decadent, and satisfying. Each arrived with salad, Spanish rice, beans, poblano peppers and slices of orange. Each steak was cooked to perfection, and each plate was more than our stomachs could partake; we both walked out with hefty «to-​go» boxes.
It is worthy to note that this restaurant opened approximately 3 months ago, and is awaiting receipt of its liquor license, which my friend advised was hard-​to-​come by in Mundelein. Yet there is plenty of seating, a reasonably sized dance floor, and surely the most pleasant, and attentive wait-​staff we’ve found in all of our northwest suburbia culinary outings.
Our own waiter was not lacking in attentiveness, or genuine interest in our dining experience. When pressed for question on the ingredients of our salsas, he kindly obliged by double-​checking with the chef. He appeared quite often to inquire as to our needs, but not often in the manner that is an inconvenience. Certainly, he gave me permission to use his name in this review. Despite being a recently hired employee to the Puerto Vallarta Restaurant, you would do well to ask to be seated in Juan’s section for he will attend to your every request and need.
My friend and I will most assuredly visit this restaurant again, and soon, once our 3^rd dining partner returns from her current visit to the actual city of Puerto Vallarta in Mexico. We suspect, upon her return, that her opinions of this establishment’s worthiness of greater patronage will match our own.
Despite the current lack of a liquor license, this is a restaurant that deserves to be visited, and repeatedly, simply for it’s delicious fare, and most accommodating (and cheerful) staff. Upon our departure this evening, we were able to express appreciation not only to the attentive Juan, but to our hostess, chef and kitchen staff. Where else (but in Mexico perhaps) can one feel like one has had a fully well-​rounded, delightfully attended, and most-​delicious dining experience?
«thumbs-​up!» as my friend would say!