Riquisimo Ribs; Toño and Laura create another delectable option in La Cruz; finger-licking ribs!
I know I’m not alone in saying that Toño’s ribs are finger-licking, lip-smacking, melt-in-your-mouth yummy! My father-in-law remarked after an evening of all-you-can-eat ribs “These are the best ribs I’ve had in my whole life!” Las Costillas de Toño owners, Juan Antonio Ortega and his beautiful wife, Laura Mendoza, serve guests with love.
Toño has lived in La Cruz all his life and Laura moved here from Puebla seventeen years ago. They met at Enrique’s Glorieta restaurant where Laura was a waitress. They have two wonderful children, Tonito and Elizabeth. Laura and Toño love their families, our town and the tranquility, beauty and kindness of the people. They are grateful that they are surrounded by a large family in the town of the cross.
When Toño was about thirteen he left high school and went to work in a restaurant where barbeque ribs (and many other items) were prepared. That job lasted approximately seven years and when they closed the restaurant he knew the recipe and was a master at barbecuing ribs. His brother-in-law Alfredo asked him to work with him making the finger-licking ribs which Toño was eager to do. That was about eight years ago and the success of rib night is undeniable.
Along with working with his sister Marichuy and bro-in-law Alfredo at the Treehouse Bar, Laura and Toño cater small events for friends and family. People requested them personally and they created a home service, including delivery both in La Cruz and in Bucerias. When a friend asked if they could put a table out at their family home to eat there and enjoy the ribs more often they answered “Why not?” Their first Saturday they put two tables out… and then five tables were filled. Then the next Saturday they were filled again. They made a decision to continue this business and were thrilled when the municipality decided to redo the street. Now they are on the newest and nicest street in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, what a blessing! They have great clientele and will open more in high season but in the rainy season they’re only open Saturdays for six hours. Their clientele includes locals, both Nationals and Expats, and tourists too. People are welcome to bring their own alcoholic beverages.
They enjoy most seeing people happy and satisfied with their ribs and when guests tell them that they liked their dinner very much. Toño said “We aspire to be one of the most sought after BBQ rib restaurants in the bay!”
They like the growth of La Cruz, especially the marina and the main entrance to town and all of the wonderful people it brings. Toño’s favorite water sport is surfing but he says he’s not very good at it. They both love cooking at home and one of their favorite recipes is ‘ceviche de pescado en cuadrito’ which translated is fish ceviche that instead of being ground the fish is cut into tiny squares. They’d like La Cruz to always celebrate the traditions of our town; the parades, the charrería (dancing horses), the festivals… and to always keep the tranquility of our quaint fishing village.
Their wish for La Cruz, forevermore, is always to be a clean town with all basic services, bringing lots of tourism so that businesses prosper providing locals with all the work they choose. “We want all to give good service to tourists and, of course, we always want our town very safe.” Both Laura and Toño agree their greatest pride is their family and with their efforts, little by little they are moving forward everyday. They thank all who support them, and La Cruz in general, attracting more tourists to visit and enjoy the gastronomy that they prepare with much love to please their customers.
Enjoy finger-licking ribs at Camarón #55 in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle. Between Calle (streets) Dorado y Pez Vela.
To confirm they’re open call 322 132 5541 or check their facebook page Las Costillas De Toño.
