Kiki creates seafood in the waterfront town of La Cruz.

Enrique Garcia or as we call him, Kiki, is customer focused and loves serving others. Self-taught in the kitchen with help from his wife Sara, evolving into owning his own restaurant, Mariscos El Kiki, came naturally. Many locals know him from when he worked serving and creating pizzas at Philo’s, then serving at Britannia Pub (where Sara worked making the meals).

He opened his first restaurant, Mariscos El Kiki, in 2014 specializing in ceviche; his own unique creation, which is still the most ordered item on the menu!! He uses many different fish for his ceviche depending on what is most fresh that day; Dorado, Sierra, Bota, so many great fish he told me. The menu has grown specializing in food from the sea of our waterfront village. Customers favourite meals are Aquachile, Shrimp wrapped in bacon filled with Marlin and cheese called Camaron Mamia as in wrapped like a mummy, Cucaracha (crispy) shrimp, Tuna Sashimi – which is what I had and was delicious and tacos; hubby Chris tasted the Marlin, Shrimp and Dorado tacos and loved them all.

Marlin, Shrimp and Dorado Tacos

Shrimp wrapped in bacon filled with Marlin and cheese called Camaron Mamia as in wrapped like a mummy

Tuna Sashimi

Having such great success in that original location that when the building owner wanted the space back Kiki decided to turn the lot beside his house into a restaurant. Same name, same great food and service and easier to walk to… who could ask for anything more! It’s located at #4 Pámpano between Sierra and Coral across from the primary school.

Born in Tepic and growing up in Guadalajara, Kiki arrived in La Cruz at nineteen years of age with his family. One of 10 children his mother was ready to settle into a slower lifestyle and his dad had just retired from banking. Kiki’s mom hails from the Martinez family from La Cruz so they knew many people. His father continued to work selling shoes at the local tienges as they settled into the Tizate area of La Cruz.

Kiki’s meant for this business and he loves all aspects from bookkeeping to serving to his true love; his zen zone, cooking. At this moment his clientele is mostly Mexicans yet Kiki told me “More and more tourists and expat locals are visiting everyday!” In my mind, if the majority of diners are Mexican he’s definitely doing something correct; good value and great food! The restaurant has about fifty seats and can accommodate seventy to one hundred people. Kiki invites you to let him create a party for you and your friends.

Kiki’s wife Sara was born and raised in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle and she too comes by cooking naturally. Her family, the Columba’s, have a restaurant, fishing boats and are fishermen too! Kiki says he likes going fishing with his brother-inlaw’s. Beyond that the only water activity he likes doing is swimming.

Sara and Kiki have two sons, young men; Oscar is twenty-four and is in the Tourism business and Enrique (Kiki Jr) is nineteen and wants to be a doctor.

Son Enrique helping in the Kitchen

When I asked him if he cooked at home, Kiki barreled laughed and stated “NO, we always go out for dinner on our day off, we don’t want to cook anymore.”

Kiki and his family do as much for the town as they can contributing to the Amigos de La Cruz via recycling, offering their services, son Enrique dancing at various events and more.

Some of the changes that have taken place in La Cruz he likes and others he doesn’t. Kiki does like that the changes and the Sunday market bring more people and that helps business. If he had a magic wand he’d make all the streets great. Kiki would always keep the Glorieta (circle at Langosta and Coral) with the beautiful cross made from the Huanacaxtle tree. He also loves the town plaza and the events that take place there.

When I asked what one thing do you think people ‘about town’ don’t know about you, I was surprised to hear that Kiki has had many health challenges. He told me that in 2002 he had cancer and was in the hospital for six months. He had to have both chemo and radiation to beat it and was grateful to Philo who helped him greatly. Then in 2008, scar tissue close to the heart resulting from the cancer caused a heart attack. Then just last July he had a stroke and after two and a half months of therapy he’s healthy again. Nothing keeps Kiki down!

His favourite quote, which isn’t surprising is:

“No hay mal que por bien no venga”

which doesn’t translate well but means;

“Out of the bad always comes good.”

Kiki told me “ I’m inspired by and most proud of my family and especially this – he points to mom and son in the kitchen – that we get to work together. I live in this beautiful tranquil town with great music every night where we can walk in safety everywhere we want to go! The people of the town are happy and most of the original families are still living here. I love my life!”

Visit Kiki and his family, you’ll be glad you did. Mariscos El Kiki menu prices are in pesos!