I am always a bit hesitant about restaurants like this in Mexico.
Are you just walking into a tourist trap with crummy food and expensive prices?
We already had a less than great experience at the Blue Shrimp our first night here. After a long day of travel we were thirsty and hungry and wanted to enjoy our first Mexican sunset. Regardless of quality or cost.
Maybe you can actually get a decent food experience at an establishment not geared toward the locals?
Joe Jack’s does get a 4.6 out of 5 on Google, with over 2600 reviews. To me that is pretty positive.
However The Blue Shrimp also gets a 4.3, with roughly the same amount of reviews.
So it is with some trepidation we decide we will give Joe Jack’s a try.
You will find Joe Jack’s right in the heart of the Zona Romantica.
Right next to Pancho’s if you want something more authentic.
And right across the street from the Margarita Grill if you just need a really big drink. I suspect you will find us there later.
Speaking of a drink, it seems the cerveza scene is improving here in Mexico. Thankfully.
I mean Corona and Pacifico are fine enough, but I would enjoy a good micro brew over a plain Mexican beer any day.
The Latina Agave ale is a great choice, especially if you’re avoiding gluten.
It’s a full bodied amber ale with a slight sweetness and subtle fruit flavours. Very refreshing.
Unfortunately their version of a mojito isn’t very good.
For me, a good mojito has to find that perfect balance of mint and sweet. Not the easiest thing to do.
To achieve that I always infuse my simple syrup with mint, eliminating the guess work when mixing the cocktail.
The bartender tonight did not achieve that balance, not being sweet enough.
Merilynn decided on the beet salad for food, a meal she seems to gravitate to.
The flavours were quite good. We love goat cheese which adds a nice creaminess,and the toasted pecans gave it a good textural component.
My complaint here would be the arugula. Or more specifically the dressing. The arugula was drowning in it. The dressing itself had nice flavour, it just needs way less of it.
I decided to splurge and got the whole grilled red snapper.
Deboned tableside by our server, expertly I might add, this was one of the best entrees I’ve eaten in a while.
It was well cooked, and the garlic, chili lime butter added a nice bite to the fish.
The rice and beans were good, though I would have preferred refried.
Make no mistake about it, Joe Jack’s Fish Shack is not a local eatery. It is meant for tourists and it has tourist prices.
If you are looking for something truly authentic you should keep looking.
7/10