This is what I would call one step up from a hole in the wall kind of place. The staff were very nice and spoke enough English to assist us and they were attentive as well. It was recommended to our family by other white folks who raved about the tortilla soup. While someone in our group did order the soup, I don't like soggy tortillas so it wasn't for me. My mother described it as having ample chicken and avocados but nothing to write home about. My stepfather ordered the coconut shrimp which surprisingly came with mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables (a plus in my book but not what I would have expected). The shrimp was very coconutty and came with a sauce that purported to be pineapple. I wouldn't say the sauce much resembled pineapple in appearance but was nonetheless a compliment to the very large and plentiful shrimp. I ordered the fish tacos, grilled, which were very disappointing. Although there were 4 tacos, of good size, they lacked in flavor and came with a sad pinch of cabbage a weird horseradish sauce. I would have preferred a fruit relish of some kind and it's too bad the fish didn't have much seasoning. The "pico de gallo" that was served as an appetizer was also really just tomatoes and onions with no "pico" and no cilantro, so that was also sad and unfortunately couldn't help to redeem my tacos. Having only tried 3 of their dishes I can't comment on the rest of the menu but I wouldn't recommend the fish tacos. One highlight that might interest others: It did look like they had an all you can eat ribs special which hungry folks might appreciate. All in all, it wasn't worth the cab ride there and back, in my opinion, but might be good for hungry folks who are nearby and not picky about their fish, or looking for something else on the menu. Certainly don't go for the ambiance, it's just a mix of plastic tables and chairs and more traditional wooden furniture. read more

We've been to Ernesto's many times enjoying the bbq ribs, tortilla soup and especially the orange chicken. Well worth the visit.

The grilled fish tacos are delicious. The house made salsa was Que Rico. The staff were friendly. I also love the open air restaurants in PV. Ernesto's did not disappoint. read more

The tortilla soup is wonderful and for the first time we had chicken fingers. They were delicious!

We had heard good things about Ernesto's and when a friend suggested meeting there for lunch on a weekday we finally tried it. It's located a block or so into Versalles from Francisco Villa, in a very nondescript area. Our visit was in late April after the tourist crowds mostly had departed which might explain why the restaurant was deserted of other customers upon our arrival. The entry gate was closed and if it weren't for a barking dog inside we would have guessed the restaurant was closed. However a proprietor showed up and let us in. The restaurant is rather basic in decor, but fairly spacious and open air, with a rooftop to keep the sun away. The menu is fairly typical with Mexican items. I started with a margarita, which seemed bargained priced compared with just about any other place in Vallarta. Well, honestly it was the worst margarita I've ever been served in Vallarta, and close to the worst margarita I've ever tasted anywhere. Not a good start. The restaurant is known for their chicken tortilla soup so I ordered a "small" sized bowl. It was quite large and delicious. Not the best in town but very satisfying nonetheless. The three of us liked our meals, which were well seasoned and flavorful. I had the Baja shrimp tacos which were loaded with good sized shrimp. A companion liked his hamburger and fries. We also enjoyed a large bowl of chips which came with a generous amount of pico. Prices were certainly fair. A sign located in the restaurant stated that they run weekly "all you can eat" rib dinners on Thursdays and Saturdays. It might be worth a return visit to try that. All in all while the food was good there are better places to enjoy a meal and drinks in this general neighborhood. read more

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We have been in Puerto Vallarta for 10 days visiting from United States California to be exact. Although it did take a little bit of work to find this place, it was totally worth it The tortilla soup is seriously the best tortilla soup I have ever had . My husband had the fajitas they were amazing, and I had the breaded shrimp, and enjoyed every single bite If I ever come back to PV, I will definitely come back to Ernesto's Good Grub. read more

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Fantastic barbecue ribs and I'm from Texas! Service was attentive. Nice mix of Mexicans and Expatriate.

Everything ......... ......................................... .................................... Service... Food Tortilla Soup.... Chili Beans..... Ribs read more

I have lived in Vallarta for 7 years. I have never been so rudely treated by a server as I was at Ernesto's. The food was good but i can get good food in so many other places. I waited 25 minutes for her to even acknowledge me. This was after waving ti her, her looking at me directly, then turning her back. I had to wipe down my table from previous people with napkins while she was taking my order and she didn't even take the dirty napkins away. When she took my order it was what do you want. No smile, sorry for the wait we are under staffed. Anything i would have been understood. Sorry, Nope their food is not worth this type of treatment. If i could have done a zero star rating i would have one star is too high. read more

I used to come here when I was a kid and my grandparents had a place here. It has definitely been reduced in size, the whole jungley area where the monkeys and cats and stuff used to be is gone. It's very clean, just eclectic-like coffee makers from home and different things used for benches in the kitchen. The bathroom has shower curtains for privacy and you can definitely see the feet, so be warned. I feel like my life came full circle, I went here as a kid and loved the tortilla soup. I took my husband back about 15 years later and it's the same and he loved it. If you ask for the hot sauce, it's hot but so tasty. This place is authentic as heck. read more

Outstanding Tortilla Soup Every time Fast friendly service Great music on Thursday night Highly recommend read more

Had a great dinner at Ernesto's on a Saturday evening. We'd heard it was primarily a locals kind of place (and it's definitely off the beaten track) but it was mostly out of towners eating there. Good casual atmosphere, great service and incredible ribs. It was an "all-you-can-eat" ribs night, but I would've disliked myself if I'd gone for a second rack. Unreservedly recommended read more

Best chicken tortilla soup I've ever had! They also have all you can eat bbq ribs on Thursdays!

This place has the best chicken tortilla soup. Mine's pretty good but hers is better. The baby back ribs are perfectly cooked and coated with a sweet BBQ sauce. Just awesome. You can't go wrong with anything here. read more

We visited Ernesto's recently and flat out loved it. Excellent service, delicious food. The tortilla soup is the best ever! https://youtu.be/XLuYLeRnqlM read more

Have heard about this place for years. A friend & I tried it last night. I went for their famous tortilla soup & my friend zeroed in on their ribs. Extremely simple place with ONE very large room. The large kitchen adjoins the eating area. Since this was my first visit, I can only assume the place has seen better days. Lots of visible clutter everywhere & several unsightly old refrigerators near the kitchen. 100% family operation complete with 2 small children chasing each other & playing among the tables. The young waiter (son or grandson or nephew) was devoid of any personality. Now to the food: famous for tortilla soup (even their WiFi password is tortilla soup). In my opinion: not so outstanding. They offer portions in small, medium & large. I ordered medium & only ate 1/2. It was SCREAMING for salt. Blah. I have had much better. My friend liked his ribs which are served with mashed potatoes & bland veggies priced at 190 pesos. They serve breakfast, lunch & dinner. I wouldn't return for either of them. read more

Great place to celebrate birthdays!the food is hit and miss. Sometimes it is delicious, other visits have been so so. The one item that is consistent and that is the tortilla soup. read more

Another fantastic evening in Nueva Vallarta with incredible food, service and music. Ernesto's whole family is wonderful and the freshly prepared food delicious! All you can eat ribs, shrimp and avocado boat that melts in your mouth and is more than enough for two is a must! Don't walk run here and enjoy the best Mexican meal ever! read more

A little hard to find, but when you find it WOW!!! Ribs were awesome, tortilla soup was probably the best we have ever seen and tasted. And I have never gotten a salad quite like the one we got the tomatoes were peeled, there was mango, oranges, craisens, cucumbers, and Lettuce, so good! A genuine friendly experience, feels like you are eating at a relatives backyard (that's a good thing) also if your uber/taxi gets lost its across the street from Servicio Pan Americano de Protección at the corner read more

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Excellent!! We've been to PV over 20 times and have never heard of this place until now; some folks at our resort recommended it to us. We went for the "All you can eat Ribs" night (Thursday), and my husband and our friends loved them. Yes, you have to eat the potato and veggies before getting more, but the portions of those items are not large at all; everyone at our table managed to get a second round of ribs. I'm not big on ribs, so opted for the shrimp fajitas. Yum!! Shrimp were fresh and perfectly cooked and served with home made tortillas. We will make this one of our regular haunts in PV! read more

My wife's family have lived and vacationed in Puerto Vallarta for the last 30+ years and this one of the restaurants they take visitors to when people are in town and looking for a place to eat. It is a Family owned restaurant with very friendly and attentive wait staff. My In-Law's also remember Ernesto very fondly, who was always watching American Football when they went in if there was a game on. Everything is made to order fresh and you can taste this in every dish we had. I didn't have it but my wife is an expert on tortilla soup and she absolutely Loved it as did everyone else that ordered it. The bowl was huge. The ribs are Great, the chips and pico de gallo is made fresh and are out of this world. I also tried their cheeseburger on our 2nd visit there (as a change of pace) which was outstanding and the fries were awesome. This restaurant is definitely one to try when you are in Puerto Vallarta. read more

Ernesto's Good Grub - A full rack of ribs - Mexican Near Me - Puerto Vallarta, JAL

Family owned business does a outstanding job. Always make room for a dinner during our stay. Tortilla soup is fabulous as well as the ribs. read more

Delicious! Even the bread was good. We were so glad to find this place after a failed attempt a few days earlier. Hard to locate, but worth it. Yummy. We got two small Tortilla soups, a garden salad, chicken strips, all you can eat ribs, and beef fajitas, a coke, & 6 bottled waters. Our bill was 915 pesos. read more

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In spite of its touristy name, Ernesto's Good Grub offers a full Mexican menu in an airy, brightly lit space on a quiet street in the Las Gracias neighborhood. Run by descendants of the founder with charming informality, this restaurant would be a good place to take a large family group or a cheerful collection of friends. (We had a good time as a couple, though, so that's fine as well.) The fish tacos were generous, the pollo al la naranja a pleasant surprise (freshly grilled chicken in a mildly sweet orangey sauce with delicious mashed potatoes and veggies). There's a poster that advertises all-you-can-eat BBQ on Thursday nights with rules that suggest it's very popular with eager all-you-can-eaters enjoying a bargain! read more

3rd year in a row! The BEST chicken tortilla soup and ribs in all of Mexico. We will be back.

amazing!!! the garlic shrimp, coconut shrimp, and tortilla soup are the best thing i've eaten in puerto vallarta. best food and best people

This is my favorite tortilla soup. I eat on n get one to go! Family business been there for years. My friend comes every season n turned me in to the fabulous food. But omg Tortilla Soupgasm read more

We were a group of 6. I didn't get my food until everyone else was done and had their food boxed. We reminded them several times that my order hadnt been received. I did not get even a Sorry until we were at the door leaving. It was not busy at the time read more

Well the ribs are fine and the tortilla soup is good but the service is atrocious. Not friendly, apathetic, going through the motions. The young blond server didn't make eye contact and seemed like she would have preferred to be anywhere else. I guess this place has had its day. read more

Great food! Do not miss this one. Great ribs and tortilla soup. Great service and friendly people.

Don't be put off by the front of the place. It was the most amazing BBQ ribs and salsa in PV. Their tortilla soup is truly great. We will be back! It is truly a great find. read more

Do yourself a favor, be a little bit adventurous, and check out this homey spot. Nothing fancy but clean, safe, and some of the most excellent ribs and the best taco soup you'll ever have anywhere. Taxis are readily available. You won't regret it. This place rocks! read more

The BEST Tortilla Soup this side of Trump's wall. We've come here every year we visit and tell everyone about it. All you can eat ribs on Thursdays, best fish tacos! All good, you can't have a bad meal read more