Puerto Vallarta Restaurant Takes Over Bertucci's Spot In Danbury

DANBURY, Conn. -- If you're in the mood for some Mexican cuisine — and a little entertainment — check out Puerto Vallarta, which just opened a new location at 98 Newtown Road in Danbury.

Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton, Puerto Vallarta owner Esaul Rodriguez and his wife, attend the ribbon cutting of the restaurant in Danbury, which offers Mexican food.
Photo Credit: *contributed*

Puerto Vallarta, a Mexican Restaurant, recently opened on Newtown Road in Danbury.
Photo Credit: *contributed*

Sandra Diamond Fox

11/18/2016 4:30 p.m.

The restaurant occupies the former space of Bertucci’s, which closed its Danbury location earlier this year. Puerto Vallarta is just down the road from the 99 Restaurant & Pub, which opened earlier this year in the Holiday Inn. A Texas Roadhouse restaurant is also under construction on the same busy stretch of Newtown Road.

Puerto Vallarta, which serves lunch and dinner, also has locations in Avon, Middletown, Newington, Orange and Southington.

The huge menu offers a large variety of enchiladas, fajitas and burritos, in addition to beef, chicken and pork dishes.

Some of the items on the menu include:

Mexican quesadilla: Two large flour tortillas filled with melted Monterrey Jack and cheddar cheese, tomatoes, onions and a choice of shredded chicken, ground beef, “picadillo” (shredded beef) or homemade chorizo.
Taco ensalada: Served in a flour tortilla shell with a choice of chicken, ground beef, “picadillo” (shredded beef) or beans; topped with cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole, sour cream and Pico de Gallo.
Enchiladas rancheras: Two traditional style enchiladas (choice of chicken, ground beef, or “picadillo” (shredded beef) marinated in Guajillo style sauce.
Pierna de puerco: Very lean pork loin marinated in a blend of spices, cooked on the grill and served on a bed of sautéed onions, jalapeños and Mexican potatoes. Comes with rice, whole beans, guacamole, sour cream and tortillas.

While patrons are eating, they can enjoy Mexican dancers who come around and perform to traditional music.

Owner Esaul Rodriguez was born in Jalisco, Mexico. At age 16, speaking no English, he moved to Seattle to work in his uncle's Mexican restaurant. He moved up from bus boy to waiter, then to cook.

In 1991, at age 21, he opened a Mexican restaurant in Oregon with his brother, Juan. In 1999, after buying and transforming the former Edelweiss restaurant in West Hartford Center, he opened his first Puerto Vallarta restaurant.

Puerto Vallarta, at 98 Newtown Road in Danbury, is open from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Sundays to Thursdays and from 11 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays. Catering and online ordering is also available.

For more information, call 203-826-9884 or click here.

Click here to follow Daily Voice Danbury and receive free news updates.