Bendita Hambre: The New Veracruz Style Restaurant

Have you heard about panuchos, a la tumbada style rice or the picadas veracruzanas? These and other antojitos mexicanos (traditional Mexican dishes) are being served at Bendita Hambre, a new restaurant in town.

There’s a popular saying in the state of Veracruz (located in Eastern Mexico, along the coastline of the Gulf of Mexico) that goes Solo Veracruz es bello (Only Veracruz is beautiful). Well, folks that are not familiar with this colorful region of Mexico, may very well fall in love with it simply by visiting this new restaurant in El Pitillal and trying its traditional cuisine, which is not commonly found in Vallarta.

Originally from Veracruz, owners, Fany Judith Morales Candelario and Nahum Josue Cerón Ambros, moved to Puerto Vallarta six years ago and even though this is the first time they open an eatery, their passion for food comes from family: “the idea started because as people from a different part of the country, we constantly miss our cuisine and the flavors of specific dishes we grew up with. We wanted to bring to Vallarta something representative of our state and share it with locals,” mentions Fany.

If you are considering a stroll around El Pitillal, one of the most traditional neighborhoods in the city, consider a stop in this restaurant for an energetic breakfast or a succulent meal.

5 Dishes Not to Miss at Bendita Hambre

1. Montuleño Style Eggs – Order For Breakfast!

Two fried eggs served over a tortilla spread with refried black beans and a slice of ham, covered with salsa roja and grated cheese. Served with two slices of plantain.

The well-balanced combination of sweet and salty flavours is remarkable!

2. Veracruz Style Bream

Choose to enjoy this flavorful fish chipotle style, lemon and chile style, fried or garlic. Served with refried black beans and rice.

3. Antojitos

If you wish, you can order different antojitos, or bite-size items, such as traditional panuchos, tostadas and picadas veracruzanas to share with your friends and family:

Panuchos: Fried tortilla filled with refried black beans served with cream, cheese, lettuce, tomato, avocado slices and chicken.

Picadas veracruzanas: Handmade tortillas spread with salsa, mole or refried black beans, served with, cheese, cream and chicken.

Empanadas: Filled with cheese or meat and covered with cream, lettuce, cheese and salsa.

Tostadas veracruzanas: Fried tortilla spread with refried black beans or mole poblano and served with lettuce, tomato, cheese, cream and avocado slices.

Clockwise from top left: panucho, tostada veracruzana, picada served with salsa roja, picada served with salsa verde and empanadas veracruzanas.

4. Shrimp Cocktail

Unlike most shrimp cocktails available at seafood restaurants in Puerto Vallarta, Veracruz style cocktail is served with a special sauce known as Salsa Bruja (prepared with spices such as laurel, rosemary and black pepper) and ketchup.

5. A la Tumbada Style Rice

Stewed rice, shrimp, octopus and fish fillet served in shrimp stock.

Antojitos Dinner

Every Sunday from 7 – 11 pm, Bendita Hambre restaurant offers a special menu featuring antojitos ranging from $10 – $20 pesos. See the dishes below:

• Panuchos $15
• Tostadas $15
• Cheese and meat empanadas $12
• Fried cheese tacos $8
• Chiles rellenos $15
• Cheese stuffed yellow plantain balls $10
• Beverages: fresh fruit water / coffee / soft drinks

How to Get There?

Bendita Hambre is located at 605 B Fidel Velázquez in the Vida Vallarta neighborhood. You can get there by driving along Francisco Villa Avenue in direction to El Pitillal neighborhood and turn right at José González Gallo Avenue (right in front of the Macroplaza shopping mall). Then, drive straight ahead a few more blocks until you reach Fidel Velazquez Avenue and turn left. Bendita Hambre is half a block from that point.

Bendita Hambre opens from Monday to Saturday from 8 am – 6 pm, and Sundays from 7 to 11 pm (Antojitos dinner). You can find more information about the restaurant and its menu on its Facebook Page.

Please don’t forget to mention VallartaLifestyles.com if you visit Bendita Hambre!