Friday, April 21, 2017

The evolution of Bobo’s almost gourmet Bar & Grill

Bobo's Bar & Grill on Matamoras in Centro
Bobo’s Bar & Grill started as a pocket-sized, take-out location on Isla Mujeres; a place with fish so fresh it was swimming an hour before it hit the plate, and chips so yummy we couldn’t stay on our diets.

Now it’s a two-level eatery that spills out on to the street, with a quirky wooden sign ‘torn’ in half. 

On one building the sign reads Bo, and on the adjacent building Bo’s. The sign is a humorous improvisation to placate a neighbour.

Cocktail time with friends
In the summer of 2009, Brian Kerr leased the former location of Lolo Rapido on Matamoras Avenue in Centro. Employed as a wine sommelier at Sutton Place in Vancouver BC, Brian discovered this little piece of paradise while on vacation. He decided to take the plunge, to be an entrepreneur. Isn’t that every man’s fantasy? To be self-employed on a tropical island in the Caribbean Sea?

In the beginning the business was primarily take-out, until Brian managed to squeeze a couple of tables and eight chairs along the edge of the narrow, busy street.  Then he expanded to a neighbouring property to include a bar with additional seating, and the two-part Bobo’s sign. 

The newest expansion - upper level
A year later Ben Coleman and his partner Vicki Dupuy became entwined with island life. The boy from Birmingham Alabama and the girl from New Orleans had originally met at a Saint’s football game in her home town.  

Both worked for ATT, Ben in outside sales and Vicki as a manager.  Frequent visitors to Isla Mujeres, and regular patrons at Bobo’s they struck up a friendship with Brian Kerr.

One Sunday afternoon while immersed in the warm Caribbean water at Playa Norte, near Fenix Restaurante, Vicki asked Ben that life-changing question.

“Why can’t we live here six months a year?”

Almost gourmet!
Becoming partners with Brian Kerr in 2013, Ben and Vicki moved to Isla Mujeres and became full-time islanders. Bobo’s Bar & Grill went through another transformation. 

The rooftop junk-collecting, storage-area was converted into comfortable open-air seating. More stools were added along the upper edge giving patrons a view of the action on Matamoras Avenue.  The kitchen was re-done, and the downstairs bar enlarged, just a little.

Next, mixologist Lory Manzo was hired to update the beverage menu and train the bar staff. Bright and bold murals were painted by islander Barbara Siebenlist Palomar.  

Summertime special drink

And on Wednesdays and Fridays live music is provided by The Caribbean Beats Band.  With the recent addition of Chef Nick Altringer from Minneapolis, the modest little fish and chip take-out has become in Ben’s words, almost gourmet, and a very happening place. 

Check out their signature drinks and their tasty new menu.

We’re still fans of the fresh fish and chips.

Hasta Luego
Lynda & Lawrie




Summertime a muddled cucumber and vodka-based drink with a splash of Tabasco, adding extra spice and flavor.  It has become a favorite for Bobo’s regulars.



Fresh and Tasty it is a muddled mint and cucumber with brown sugar, vodka-based drink, topped with sprite and soda water.  


~

Treasure Isla - perfect read for a rainy day.


Treasure Isla is a humorous Caribbean adventure set on Isla Mujeres, a tiny island off the eastern coast of Mexico. Two twenty-something women find themselves in possession of a seemingly authentic treasure map, which leads them on a chaotic search for buried treasure while navigating the dangers of too much tequila, disreputable men, and a killer. And there is a dog, a lovable rescue-mutt.

$2.99 USD on Amazon e-books.  
Free App available for download, to read on any electronic device.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Was not sure what the connection was between Ben, Vicky and BoBo's. Did they become partners of Ben's?

Lynda & Lawrie said...

Oh sorry, I thought it was fairly clear in the article, Brian Kerr started Bobo's in 2009. Ben and Vicki joined as partners around 2013. Cheers L

Unknown said...

Tell us more about the sign and the neighbors!

Lynda & Lawrie said...

Apparently the neighbours didn't want the sign to span the entrance way .... so Brian designed it in two pieces.

Unknown said...

Such a great success story! You're making us hungry over here in Minneapolis!!💜

Lynda & Lawrie said...

Lo siento! (I'm only a little sorry ..... ) Cheers Lynda

Unknown said...

Hi! Someone put your blog on a list of Mexico blogs worth reading on Pinterest. I run a Facebook group called Blogging Mexico... with the idea of having a single stop to check for new blog posts about Mexico. I would like to invite you to post current and new blog posts. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1596121287353178/

Lynda & Lawrie said...

Hi Leigh Ann - yes, I know your blog extremely well, but sometimes I am not sure that Isla-centric posts would appeal to your readers. I'll post my link on your blog if you think it's a good fit. Cheers Lynda

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