Puerto Vallarta

Daiquri Dick’s, a Vallarta Classic Reimagined

December 08, 2022

The evening of this Monday December 5 of was a splendid setup for the celebration of Daiquiri Dick’s on the Beach grand reopening. After several months closed, the beloved restaurant came back to life in its new phase under new management and plenty of novelties. Here is how I lived it.

Daiquiri Dick’s was reopening, I heard. Not something I was willing to miss, so I was happy to be summoned to the great occasion. Monday evening, they said. And Monday evening it was.

The celebration kicked off at 6:00 pm. Guests started gathering as the doors opened and let them into the new space. Staff walked around in their sailor attire offering refreshments and helping you get settled at the tables scattered around the ample spaces.

People gathered in Daiquiri Dick's reopening

The changes were noticeable. You could feel the new vibe of the restaurant as you strolled about. The crowd was growing thicker by the minute, as friends came by to congratulate the new owners.

I had the opportunity to talk to Javier Martinez, the local expert in the new management group. He was understandably beaming, a big smile on his face as he said:

We are very happy to be here today. We have a double celebration, the 50^th anniversary and an open invitation to the public to come and taste the new specialties we have created along with the super classic Daiquiri Dick’s dishes we have kept in our menu.

Our chefs Wayne Elias and Chris Diamond have a lot of experience in high-level cuisine, having catered for Elton John’s AIDS Foundation Oscar Gala for the last 20 years.

On his side, chef Chris Diamond told me:

This is a dream come true. I have been in the restaurant business all my life, and always wanted to have a restaurant on the beach. I came to Daiquri Dick’s the first time I was in Puerto Vallarta years ago and fell in love with it. Now, I have the opportunity to bring my expertise down here. I believe people will love the modern flare of the restaurant as we hope to be here for a long time.

Both Javier and Chris agreed on their recommendations: the birria taco is bound to be the star of the menu. And it surely seemed so if we must judge by the time guests began to try them. Tacos literally flew into their mouths!

People gathered in Daiquri Dick's reopening

Worth mentioning is the design and decoration of the new spaces. Remodeling was the work of architect Javier Moreno Reyes, who wanted to blend the beach and the architectural spaces into one single body.

It is all about the organic elements: tile, ixtle thread, flagstone… they all create a communion with the sand and sea.

According to Javier, the next step is the beach club, which he promised would be ready by the end of the week.

three men posing for the camera at Daiquri Dick's reopening

At 8:00 sharp, the traditional ribbon cutting took place. Emotions ran high as a new era was kicked off at that very moment, the moment of Daiquiri Dick’s 50^th anniversary and the start of its new era. Claps and hoorays were heard and congratulations exchanged. Afterwards, the party went on, food and drinks flowed generously, music was hip and loud, and everybody had a great time.

All in all, it was a promising evening. Laughs and hugs abounded. Everybody seemed content to have the old Daiquiri Dick’s back in its new conception. As I said, promises were sensed… promises of great food, great times and good vibes.