For tonight I decided on a culinary adventure to El Coleguita in LaCruz de Huanacaxtle. (try pronouncing that one!) El Coleguita is a short 5 peso bus ride North of Bucerias and the local public transit deposited me right at their doorstep. It could not be easier.

So this is what you observe as you make the short march up towards El Coleguita.....a massive Spanish tree and some pickups. This is definetly going to be an adventure. (of the good kind)

You are greeted by a friendly staff, and even though I was a party of ONE, they ushered me to a 6-seat premier spot overlooking the Banderas Bay. Perhaps they thought I actually had friends. The place appeared to be about 50% full as the hour chimed 5 bells. A perfect spot to enjoy the sunset and food and beverages.
Without even asking, they brought a partially full (or empty, depending on your attitude)bottle of Don Reberto Antigua Tequiro Reserva Especial. (100% agave) I'm thinking, what's this going to cost me? But before I could answer, I filled one of the small plastic cups with the nectar of the Agave plant. Sweet! I decided to suplement the tequila with a can of Tecate cerveza with dos camarones. Naturally.

Then came the hard part.....the menu. A two-sided menu with over 15 items on each side. One quickly notes that the prices are remarkably similar....109 pesos. Really? So how does one decide? I was leaning on a recommendation from friends who had ordered and raved about the coconut shrimp. But let one not hurry....after all, you are on Mexican time. Ok, one more pour of the tequila.

The table was littered with no less than 6 types of 'hot' sauce which all seemed to be competing for the highiest Scoville number. A bag of 'chips' aka tostadas was begging to be opened just as the waiter dropped off a black bowl of Pico de Gallo......fresh salsa. (which as you know goes well with yet another sip of the Agave)

After great thought and more tequila, but not in that order, the winner was: Coco Loco! An amazing portion of coconut shrimp and fish. The slice of garlic bread, green salad, and some rice completed this gastronomical selection.
I must say that the first 20 some bites were absoluetly delicious. I counted not less than 12 nice sized camarones on top of the huge portion of fish. SWEET. The generous bowl of pineapple salsa was a perfect compliment to this dish. Wow!

Just about the time when your stomach and eyes have declared a truce and you tell the waiter "para llevar, por favor" (to go please) they bring a grilled banana and a huge glass of Kahlua & Creme. What a great way to end an incredible meal. Ok, maybe one more sip of that tequila.

But now the moment of truth for the bargain hunter in all of us.......the bill.

Let me breifly summarize the dinner.....unlimited amounts of good tequila, two Tecate's with shrimp, a cup of delicious fish soup that I failed to mention, pico de Gallo with mucho tostados, a dozen coconut shrimp, a huge portion of coconut fish, salad, rice, desert and Kahlua for: (150 pesos) $12 bucks. Did I mention the tequila? Normally, that alone would cost you 50 pesos a shot, and I know I had at least 150 pesos of tequila. (I did remember that I had taken the bus)
If you haven't guessed, I highly recommend El Coleguita for you next dining pleasure. I know that I will return....very soon. Salud!

Juan Marcos