El Brujo Vallarta — Restaurant in Jalisco

I trekked to this gem on the advice of my hotel concierge and he was spot on. I asked him for a place that served good local food at not too exorbitant prices and he right away said "El Brujo". The restaurant is located on a fairly high traffic street but a bit away from the main tourist attractions. It took about 20 minutes to walk at a leisurely pace from my hotel on the Playa de los Muertos. Upon arriving, the host was very attentive and friendly, and seated me right away - it was not busy at all, being the rainy season. My server took my drink order right away and shortly thereafter, another server brought some chips and salsas to the table. He warned me that one or another was spicy - I did not see where he pointed as I was studying the menu. None of the salsas was spicy, but they were delicious. (Note: I may be less sensitive to capsaicin - I eat peppers right out of the garden that are hotter than jalapeños without blinking) My entree was the "4 de Septiembre", which was a fish filet stuffed with shrimp and covered in a luxurious cheese sauce. It was delicious! This was one of the more expensive items on the menu and my bill was a little over $22 USD after processing charges on my Visa card. Well worth the walk!

Update: I made a second trip to El Brujo and got the same great service, as well as another delicious meal. This time I had the Drunk Arrachera (skirt steak) and it was out of this world too! This was probably the best food I had on my...

We had been here twice before and were not thrilled, but decided to give it another try, and unfortunately we were again not thrilled and will not return. The atmosphere is quite nice and while the food has potential, I liked my shrimp but my spouse disliked his Santa Cruz speciality, resulting in 3* overall for food. Service is where we were unhappy. Specifically, my spouse ordered 2 appetizers... an empanada as a starter and the tuna carpaccio as a main. We were only told 20 minutes later no tuna was available, at which point he wanted to cancel the appetizer but was told "it was already prepared and too late". We again told the waiter the late update changes the entire meal order but all we got was a blank stare and the appetizer was delivered 30 seconds later. The waiter clearly did not seem to care that it is unreasonable to make a change that late and when the bill came we stated we should not be charged, but again had another blank stare. We left a low tip as a consequence and were rewarded with a very dirty look. Our issue was not that they ran out of a dish but rather they should tell us right away so that we can adjust the order. It is not about the cost, but rather the principle that they don't take accountability for their mistake, and then charge us anyway. Three strikes... we...

My partner and I recently enjoyed a delightful dining experience at your restaurant. The menu, while featuring a strong emphasis on seafood which I thoroughly appreciated, also offered a satisfying selection of non-seafood options, much to my partner's delight. I opted for the whole fried fish, which was prepared with a perfectly crisp exterior. It was accompanied by a generous portion of rice and beans, as well as a refreshing side salad dressed with a light and flavorful vinaigrette. My partner selected the chicken fajitas, which arrived sizzling on a hot platter and were generously loaded with tender meat, vibrant peppers, and onions. The accompanying handmade tortillas were a delightful touch. To complement our meals, I indulged in one of your signature rum-based cocktails. It was expertly balanced, perfectly chilled, and elegantly garnished with a dried citrus wheel. My partner opted for a refreshing seasonal agua fresca, I believe it was made with lime. Beyond the exceptional food, we were truly impressed by the outstanding service. Every member of your staff was incredibly kind and greeted us with genuine warmth and hospitality. We highly recommend your restaurant and look forward to...