Restaurant of the Month: Buddy's in Progreso

Each month Yucatan Today visits a restaurant in order to describe what it has to offer. This is not a review; it is a summary of the menu, service, ambience, prices, and opening hours.

April 2008

Cuisine: Seafood and international. Specialty of the house: seafood platter. Popular dishes: chicken fajitas, beef tacos, Buddy's fillet, BBQ ribs. Ambiance: indoors, casually funky, or outdoors under the palapas on the beach. Setting: indoor or outdoor dining, all with a fantastic view of the sea and Progreso pier. Seating: inside: 100, on the beach up to 50. Schedule: 8 am - 8 pm. Avg. price x 2 incl. 2 drinks: $300 pesos. Location: on the seaside boulevard malecón in Progreso, between 76 and 78. Credit Cards: Visa and MC. Parking: on the street. Reservations: no.

For many years the only thing you could eat in Progreso was some version of fish - fried fish, fish fillet, ceviche, shrimp cocktails, etc. Eight years ago, Dutchman Remko Sterk aka as Buddy, arrived to Progreso and saw there was a need for some variety on the menus.

With that in mind, the malecón saw the opening of Buddy's Seafood and Steak House Restaurant Bar and a menu that included nachos, chicken tacos, pastas and spaghettis and garlic bread, BBQ ribs, hamburgers, and of course, a good variety of seafood dishes with the traditional ceviches, cocktails, fillets, shrimp and soups. Buddy says that if "it is fresh and we have it, we'll prepare it." So, this means that sometimes they have things that aren't on the menu. Ask your waiter.

Buddy's is a happening place with a nice mix of locals and ex-pats. Buddy's is not a fancy place so you can go there in your shorts and/or bathing suit. This is where you will find good home cooked food in a relaxed atmosphere.

If you have a boat, Buddy's is a good place to arrive by sea. Anchor out front or pull up on the beach and sit under a palapa where you can have a great meal as you enjoy the view of the water and your boat.

Buddy is also known for being a great source of info on the area...he says he's kind of like the yellow pages... he knows a lot so invites you to pick his brain over a meal.