Outback Jack's
A collection of knick-knacks and curios adopted, loved, forgotten and found hang from the ceilings, dangle from the walls and lay in small woven baskets across the tables at Outback Jack's: tarnished French horns, blue trumpets, red wagons, a cornucopia of vintage cameras and an assortment of about 10,000 pairs of vintage glasses.
read more closeThe glasses hang from ceilings and sit in the baskets at the restaurant's tables, and here's the thing about that; while waiting for the appetizer you wonder about them, before dinner you start looking through them and by the time dessert arrives you've already tried on every pair and taken silly pictures of yourself with at least half of them.
More than a colorful atmosphere, Outback Jack's is Puerto Viejo's most eccentric restaurant. Outback Jack's menu incorporates the best of Costa Rican seafood, Aussie barbeque and a handful of unique recipes. Take for instance the outback wings, $9; rolled in a homemade teriyaki sauce and complemented with a side of creamy parmesan dressing for dipping.
Wash the wings down with one of the house cocktails like the $7 margaritas or the Outback Jack Specialty, $7: a concoction devised nightly by Jack himself, a roll of the dice where you'll end up with something like our drink made with pineapple, rum, tequila, amaretto and orange juice.
Outback Jack's takes its meat seriously, serving up two huge Costa Rican-style spare ribs for the Outback roo bar ribs; $22, dry rubbed, baked, split and slathered with a secret barbecue sauce over an open flame before hitting the plate with a side of baked potatoes and sautéed vegetables. For something a little more Puerto Viejo, try the whole fried red snapper, market price, dry rubbed in herbs and spices, fried to golden perfection and served with sautéed vegetables and roasted potatoes.
For dessert, Outback Jack's wife, Penny, prepares homemade recipes so fresh and delicious you'll think it's your grandmother they've got in the kitchen. Try the brownies, $7, served with scoops of vanilla ice cream and drizzled with chocolate sauce and you'll see what we mean.
Ambiance
Outback Jack's is a bold, colorful restaurant that sets itself apart from the rest of restaurants in Puerto Viejo with its design. The bar wraps around the outer ring of the restaurant with seats on both sides. The interior, decorated with vintage collectibles, offering seating for families and couple with a view into the kitchen.
Service
Jack and his wife Penny enjoy greeting and chatting with every group that stops by. Warm and receptive, the couple makes you feel right at home.
Price
Appetizers $5-$14; Entrees $11-$23
Hours
11:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.; closed on Mondays; 7 days a week in high season (Dec.-March)
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