T-Rex Restaurant
NOTE: This restaurant recently re-opened under new management and, unfortunately, the HUGE meals are no longer. But they have been replaced by a lighter menu more appropriate to accompany the recently opened wading pool and water park just across the street. Consider this a HISTORICAL post of how things once were. Life goes on…
TREX RESTAURATE Y SODA
Did you know that Steven Spielberg included Costa Rica in the Jurassic Park script and the movie assumes that the action takes place here, on an island off our South Pacific coast? In fact the setting sequence of the movie shows Costa Rica’s Isla Del Coco which stands in for Jurassic Park’s fictional Isla Nublar. He ultimately decided not to film here due to the limited infrastructure (that was over 30 years ago). But maybe this is why the massive dinosaurs that patrol Plaza Ventanas do not seem too out of place, surrounded by towering jungle-covered mountains. They are a big attraction of Plaza Ventanas and frame one of our favorite restaurants, the aptly named T-Rex Restaurante y Soda.
TREX RESTAURATE Y SODA
If you’re ever starving and are looking for GREAT quality food at a very reasonable price, this is the place for you! T-Rex is the only restaurant I have tried, in the local area, where I had not been able to finish a full meal (a certain restaurant in Uvita comes close, but that is for another blog entry). T-Rex has since become a go-to for certain RE/MAX employees after a long day at work when massive hunger is calling but it is far too late to start a home-cooked dinner.
T-Rex is located at Plaza Ventanas, just north of the T-Rex sculpture. It is hard to miss as it sits right under the huge SUSHI sign (which refers to a different restaurant). Parking is plentiful, the huge gravel carpark in front of the restaurant never has been seen full.
A great thing about T-Rex is the ‘dog friendliness’ of the establishment – dogs are allowed inside and must be tied down. This often leads to humorous exchanges of barks between the dogs as they talk trash to each other from under the tables, and can cause a bit of commotion if a stray wonders inside. All for good laughs though.
THE SETTING, VIEW AND SURROUNDINGS
The restaurant has two open sides allowing views of the plaza and the surrounding jungle. Very often a light refreshing breeze flows through the space. At times, a real primeval view is presented especially in the wet season – low clouds and mists rolling through the surrounding hills and jungles – it makes for a surreal experience. Adding to the surrealism are the statues that surround the restaurant – the massive T-Rex stands just meters away while the equally impressive Triceratops, famous from local Instagram photos, sits at the far end of the plaza. Smaller jungle animals and long extinct dinosaurs are scattered around the carpark and vicinity of the establishment. Tropical flowers and landscape plants surround the outside walls of the open sections. Toucans, macaws and howler monkeys are often seen and heard in the vicinity, while I have also seen blue morpho butterflies shining in the distance.
THE DECOR
The inside is decorated with vivid murals of Costa Rican animals and jungle plants which blend perfectly with the surrounding plants and the palapa roof trims. The owners went out of their way to create a very nice atmosphere, capturing and reflecting the tropical surroundings of T-Rex.
THE STAFF
The staff is pleasant, attentive and helpful, never leaving you waiting for too long after taking your seat. They frequently check to make sure everything is great.
THE FOOD
The food is excellent and the portions are MASSIVE (the leftovers are often packed for tomorrow’s lunch or shared with the dog). My go-to favourite is the Cordon Bleu with a side of mashed and rosemary potatoes, and sometimes with a side of patacones (but only if I am very hungry, as they are a HUGE portion). The reviews for other dishes are equally great. Fish, meat, casado, rice and breakfast dishes are available – and kids will love the colorful menus, decorated with animals endemic to the local area.
THE DRINKS
As this is more of a quick dinner versus a long dinner or lunch restaurant for us, we had not tasted many of the drinks – although the beer is always cold and our large group who was there to watch the recent FIFA World Cup games was happy with the drink selections and quality, which included shots, beers and cocktails.
WILL WE COME BACK?
Absolutely – this restaurant has the triple combination of convenience, quality and quantity that is hard to come by in the local area – many restaurants offer great food but small portions, or offer large portions but the food is fairly average. This place is great for special occasions or sporting matches. When we are short on time, or it is late in the day, we dine here. When we are very short on time, o rit is very late, we order dinner takeaways. And I do not see that changing anytime soon!
Our local area has been declared a culinary center of Costa Rica, and the Ojochal surrounds in particular holds several restaurants that have been labeled as world-class, right here in our little jungle communities! The variety of foods, amazing ambience and decors, and great service from the dozens of local eateries add a touch of modernity and class that visitors often don’t expect to find in our area – yet here it is! Imagine living here and experiencing both the wilderness, pristine beaches, lush jungles and tropical animals AND modern luxuries and amenities that provide a sharp contrast that keeps your life here interesting, engaging and full of variety – it all starts with an email or phone call to RE/MAX We Sell Paradise – visit them here https://www.we-sell-paradise.com/.
