Oyster Grill de La Docena — Restaurant in Jalisco

We’ve been loyal patrons of La Docena in Guadalajara for the past five years, visiting regularly due to its fantastic service, superb food, and vibrant atmosphere. We’ve also dined at the Puerto Vallarta location more than six times. While the food quality and variety in Vallarta have always been below Guadalajara’s standard, this last visit was beyond disappointing due to the service.

The service was appalling, and the waitress’s condescending attitude was unacceptable. When we asked for water, she only offered bottled Aqua Panna or Hété. When I politely inquired if regular water was available, her response was dismissive and snobby, stating those were the only options. While it’s fine if complimentary water isn’t offered, the attitude with which this was communicated was rude and unnecessary.

Several menu items were unavailable, which we understand can happen. However, when we asked for recommendations or alternatives, the waitress again seemed visibly irritated, as if our questions were a burden.

The oyster fountain, which we’ve been able to choose varieties for in Vallarta in the past, was a disappointment. We were not given the option to choose this time, and to make matters worse, the fountain started dripping, soaking the table and our legs. Despite us attempting to clean the mess ourselves, the waitress merely watched until we explicitly asked for a rag to clean it up.

Adding to the poor experience, the staff frequently obstructed walkways. At one point, a waitress bumped into me while serving a dish. I instinctively apologized, feeling like I was in the way, but she turned and gave me an irritated look instead of acknowledging her mistake.

We were looking forward to dining here but decided to leave after a few appetizers and a few drinks.

As someone with over eight years of experience in hospitality, I understand that bad days happen. However, this was not just a bad day—it was a failure in professionalism and customer service.

What was most surprising was how empty the restaurant was, especially for a prime location on the malecón. By contrast, the Guadalajara location is always packed, which speaks volumes about the difference in service and quality.

This experience was so disappointing that, for the first time in our lives, we decided to tip below 5%. We typically tip 20% or more, but the service simply didn’t deserve it.

We love La Docena for its concept and quality, but this visit showed how bad service can completely ruin...

Location: Conveniently located on the Malecón Boardwalk, Oyster Grill de la Docena did not disappoint. After spending an hour shopping, we decided to grab some drinks and a bite to eat and escape the heat!

Service: We arrived shortly after they opened. We were able to choose our seats so we decided on a table with an ocean view and breeze. We were greeted by a friendly waitress who took our drink order. We received our drinks (Espresso martini , Piña colada, and a Pacifico) within five minutes. Next, we ordered our food. We received our meal within 25 minutes.

Drinks: As mentioned above, we ordered Espresso martini , Piña colada, and a Pacifico beer. My daughter had the espresso martini, two actually, I had the piña colada, and my husband had two Pacifico beers. They were all delicious!

Food: The food took awhile to come out but it was worth the wait. My husband and I ordered the ribeye burger and a side order of fries to share. Our daughter ordered guacamole and chips which she enjoyed. The burgers were truly tender and seasoned nicely. After a week of eating Mexican food, a delicious burger hit the spot!

Price: The total cost for our meal was approximately $100 US Dollars. This is for two entrees, an order of guacamole and chips, a side order of fries, three cocktails, and two beers. Considering the location, I was satisfied with the cost.

Overall Opinion: Don’t sleep on this restaurant. Give it a go if you have the time and budget. We were...

After watching a PBS special featuring this restaurant, we added it to our must-visit list for our next trip to Puerto Vallarta—and what a mistake that turned out to be.

The restaurant itself is nicely designed, and the waitstaff were friendly, though they seemed more focused on upselling than anything else. Unfortunately, the experience went downhill from there. The cocktails were watered down and lacked creativity, setting the tone for the rest of the evening. To make matters worse, obnoxiously loud dance music from next door started up, drowning out any hope of conversation at our table. Still, we stayed, hoping the food would redeem the experience.

Sadly, the food was a major letdown. The whole fish arrived smothered in an overwhelming BBQ sauce that ruined the dish, and the tuna steak was similarly drenched in sauce, completely masking its flavor. As the music grew louder and louder, we couldn’t wait to leave. The only redeeming food was the mix of 6 raw oysters - which were fine.

Adding insult to injury, the cost was outrageous for the quality. We spent nearly as much here as we did at one of the top-rated restaurants in town just two nights later, which only highlighted how overpriced and underwhelming this meal was. Save your money and go somewhere else—this place simply...