Choco-Banana and Jumping Ship.

Although I've been in Vallarta for many years, there always seems to be something new to try as was the case last night when a group of us hit a spot called "Banana Cantina."

"Banana Cantina" is located above the old "Choco-Banana" location just up the street from La Palapa. It's a hip little spot with some interesting decor and a really tasty menu of offerings including a variety of original salads and some fabulous looking coconut shrimp. It's a good place to check out if you're looking for something comfortable and not too pricey. The place has somewhat of an interesting history and my husband and I play a small role in that history.

Many, many years ago a woman jumped ship here in Puerto Vallarta. I can't remember her name but she was a crew member aboard the Cruise Ship "Canaval" originally from England and she was just having so much fun on the weekly calls to this destination that she decided to ignore the boarding call. Shortly after jumping ship she developed an enterprising idea in an effort to provide an income for herself. She was soon seen all over town with a cooler over her shoulder going from business to business offering her homemade chocolate covered frozen bananas. Well, at the time I recall Vallarta hadn't seen anything like her or her product so her fame grew quickly. One day we were driving by and she asked us for a ride and we obliged. She had been at our ranch a few times to party and ride the horses so we knew her story. Well, that sidewalk business grew into a fixed restaurant called "Choco-Banana"which still operates and I heard she eventually sold that business for a pretty penny to as American couple and the new owners opened up the more expansive sit-down eatery above the original.
That's the history of Choco-Banana/Banana Cantina here in Vallarta.