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Archie's Wok

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KathyinLA
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4 out of 5
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5
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Editor Pick

Archie's Wok

  • May 1, 2008
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Andariega from Boca de Tomatlan, Mexico
Archie's Wok

Archie's Wok has been around for many years, quite an achievement in this neighborhood of fickle tastes. It was originally opened by Archie, John Houston's chef during the filming of The Night of the Iguana. The food and service have been consistently good over the years.

We arrived not very hungry, having already eaten appetizers next door at Pekin. The restaurant was full, as is usual, but the hostess managed to find us a table in the garden area, right next to the tiny stage. The music was just starting; it was a harp player.

It took a long time for our waiter to acknowledge us but once he realized we were there the service was impeccable. None of us had been here for a few years. Things hadn't changed much - full tables, soft Asian decor, cool garden seating out back, soothing music and heavenly aromas. Yes, it still smelled the same. The menu was still the same too, a combination of Chinese, Thai and Filipino dishes and moderately expensive prices with the food always worth the cost. If you have children you will be brought crayons and a drawing of a fish. These pieces of art become the covers of the menus.

We decided to share an assortment of appetizers knowing full well that in Sails world "sharing food" meant "more for me". The Pork and Vegetable Lumpia came with a sweet and sour sauce and hot mustard. The lumpia was crisp and the sauce was wonderfully tangy. The Fried Calamari was very tender and very tasty. It came with two incredibly good, vinegary sauces, one sweet and one salty, and a dab of wasabi. The Chicken Satay was also very good and accompanied by a Thai coconut peanut sauce and a wonderful sweet cucumber sauce. We then ordered another round of the same; Sails hadn't gotten his fare share. The appetizers were terrific; the sauces were incredible.

We sat around, listening to calming music, and feeling ridiculously full. We eventually left but vowed not to let so much time pass between visits.

A word of warning – If you are ordering to go, do not get the lumpia. I took an order home to Pablo. I raved about it. He opened the box. Inside were three flat, soggy lumps. He threatened me, something about cruelty to the bed ridden.

Sails said, "Great food, tangy sauces, good service. I even liked the flute and harp"

sample menu
Chinese Sesame Cucumbers............39 pesos/US$3.75
in vinegar, sesame oil and black sesame seed marinade
Asian Gazpacho with Cilantro Cream............49 pesos/US$4.70
aromatic, cooling and slightly spicy
Drunken Noodles............132 pesos/US$12.60
Thai rice noodles with shrimp and squid,
spicy green chile, shrimp paste and fresh basil
Sizzling Fish in Banana Leaves............155 pesos/US$14.75
Vietnamese style, mahi-mahi filet bathed in lemon grass,
cilantro, shallots, garlic and chile then wrapped
in banana leaves and grilled
Beef Tongue in a Thai Coconut Sauce............209 pesos/US$19.90
cooked in coconut milk with basil, peanuts and Thai red curry

Archie's Wok is open 2:00 pm to 11:00 pm Monday through Saturday. Visa and MasterCard are accepted. There is live music Thursday through Saturday, in the evenings.

Directions - Archie's Wok is on Francisca Rodriguez between Olas Altas and the beach. From the southwest corner of parking/plaza Lazaro Cardenas (the ocean is to the west) head south along Olas Altas for three blocks, go right on Francisca Rodriguez a half block. The restaurant is on the left.

From journal Romantic Asian Dining

Archie's Wok

  • February 9, 2005
  • Rated 5 of 5 by garyrbeck from San Francisco, California
Open 2-11pm, Closed Sundays and in September

Hungry for Asian cuisine? In 1986, the personal chef of John Huston founded this place that features a combination of Thai, Filipino, and Chinese cuisines reflecting his heritage. Now his widow Cyndi Alpenia, trained chef son Sergio, and lovely daughter Kyoki run it, and the food is very good.

Fork-tender beef tongue is a simple dish in coconut milk and mild spices 195p; sizzling mahimahi fillet in banana leaves, lemongrass, garlic, chilies, and cilantro 135p; Chinese sesame cucumbers 38p; crisp spring rolls, lumpia 365p; chicken sate 365p; shrimp coconut soup 65p; Thai hot and sour soup 55p; red or green curry chicken 140p; ginger stir-fried vegetables with chicken 77p or beef 85p; pad thai 120p; pancit 85-95p; lime cheese pie 48p; triple chocolate fudge brownie 42p; and exotic drinks, such as the mint cascade drink 28p.

There is sometimes the live quiet, soothing music of D'Rachael on vocals, harp, and flute (now Thursday to Saturday, 7:30pm to 10:30pm.) Ceiling fans and lovely plants abound.

From journal Gary's Puerto Vallarta Travels

Archie's Wok

  • March 12, 2004
  • Rated 4 of 5 by MNBigRedFan from Buffalo, Minnesota
This is the restaurant run by John Huston's former personal chef's daughter and wife. The atmosphere was quaint, intimate and very romantic. Make sure you sit on the patio in the open air.

The food was very good. The Mahi-Mahi was excellent and the shrimp-fried rice was well above average. The service was much better than we found in other places in PV.

Definitely eat here while in PV.

From journal Great Week in Puerto Vallarta

Archie's Wok

  • January 30, 2003
  • Rated 1 of 5 by dalefried from Medford, New York
I wish I could tell you about this restaurant. It was recommended by the manager of Hotel Plaza Pelicanos, and it is listed in the Fodor's guidebook. I was looking forward to eating here. We asked a group of cab drivers if they could take us there, but they didn't know where it was. One cab driver offered to take us. It is supposedly in Viejo Vallarta, which is farther away from downtown. The cab driver just left us on the street corner of Francisco Rodriguez and told us to walk to the end of the block. We walked down the uneven cobblestone street and didn't see the restaurant. We were across the street from a beach where locals and stray dogs hang out and a pier. I asked workers at the pier if they know where Archie's Wok is, but they didn't. I saw a policeman and asked where it is, and he didn't know either. We later saw more policemen with sub-machine guns and asked them. They didn't know where it was either, but they suggested we walk around aimlessly in a strange neighborhood where nighttime was imminent and they were arresting someone! We quickly took a cab out of there! I later found out that the restaurant closes during slow season (Sept-Oct). I am still surprised that no one heard of it if it is supposed to be such a good restaurant.

From journal Paradise in Puerto Vallarta

Archie's Wok

  • August 1, 2002
  • Rated 4 of 5 by KathyinLA from Los Altos, California
We weren't expecting good Asian food in Mexico, but we loved Archie's Wok. What a refreshing change!

Archie's has an eclectic menu featuring a blend of cuisines from China, Thailand, India, Singapore, and the Philippines. Archie's is also vegetarian and kid friendly! Our favorite dish was the curry chicken.

To top that off, the atmosphere is relaxed and the service amicable, yet attentive. Sit in the peaceful interior garden. As you're enjoying your Tsingtao beer, have your kids decorate an Asian design. These little masterpieces of little visitors from throughout the world grace the walls of and menu covers of the restaurant.

The restaurant comes with a history too. Archie was John Huston's former cook. His wife continues the tradition of providing Puerto Vallarta with a tasty Asian alternative.

Situated in the Restaurant Row area south of the Rio Cuale, Archie's is in a convenient location. In fact, after your meal, walk down the block and check out the action at Los Muertos Pier. Then, take your leisurely evening promenade along the beach to return to the Malecon as you watch the sunset.

If you are craving wonderful Asian food that's also easy on your pocketbook come to Archie's Wok.

From journal Hot Fun in the Sun in Puerto Vallarta

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