Joe Jack's Fish Shack

Joe Jack's Fish Shack is a casual seafood restaurant on Basilio Badillo in the Zona Romántica (Romantic Zone) of Puerto Vallarta, in the Mexican state of Jalisco. Basilio Badillo is one of the neighbourhood's best-known dining streets, lined with restaurants, galleries and cafés a short walk from Playa Los Muertos, and Joe Jack's is a popular, informal stop for visitors who want fresh fish without a formal setting. The restaurant's focus is on local catch from the Pacific coast, prepared in straightforward ways that suit the relaxed resort atmosphere.

Fish tacos, priced around MXN 190, are the best-known order: grilled or battered fish on warm tortillas with cabbage, salsa and lime. Fish and chips, at about MXN 290, offers a more familiar option for visitors from English-speaking countries, with crisp battered fish and fries. The menu also features shrimp dishes, ceviche, burgers, salads and daily specials based on the catch, with portions that are generous and suitable for sharing. Prices are in the $$ range, which is moderate for a Puerto Vallarta tourist district.

The dining room is informal, with a beachy, shack-style decor, tables close together and a lively, sociable mood. Noise levels are moderate to high at peak times, and dress is casual, with shorts and sandals normal. Beverages include cold Mexican beer, margaritas, micheladas and fresh fruit waters, and the bar side of the restaurant is often busy in the evening.

The restaurant is open daily from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Reservations are generally not taken and walk-ins are the norm, so a queue can form at peak dinner hours, particularly in the winter high season from December to April. Arriving at lunch or in the late afternoon is the easiest way to avoid a wait. The location is a short walk from the Los Muertos pier and the Malecón, which makes it convenient to combine with a beach day or an evening stroll.