Run, don’t walk with your dog to Tropico 56 – For a Fun, Pet Friendly Vibe, Great Food, and Mezcal for Malixes

Hola friends! Senorito Beauregard here, Ambassador to everything Pet Friendly in Yucatan. A few weeks ago, we received an invitation to review a restaurant and mezcal bar we had never visited. It is called Tropico 56. Now, I can’t wait to tell you about one of the most pet friendly restaurants in town, and you will love it.

Tropico 56 is a seafood restaurant, but so much more

I ride in the back of the car while my humans sit and talk and do not pay enough attention to everything we pass. I, of course, peek through the small gap they allow me to sniff through in the window. For some reason, they will not let me stick my whole head and half my body out of the car as we cruise down the Paseo.

If you are a curious type, like me, you may have noticed a pretty length of orange wall, just at the southern end of Paseo Montejo, towards Santa Ana in Centro. I took my humans behind that wall to find out where the delicious smells were coming from. As soon as we arrived, operations manager, Adolfo, greeted us with the biggest smile and a scratch behind the ear. He didn’t scratch my humans’ ears—only mine. Don’t worry.

The open and airy space has strategically placed fans and a spacious and loungy feel. It is decorated with colorful neon signs and has a lush tropical feel–almost as if you are in a gorgeous walled garden. Not just any walled garden, but a walled garden with a team of humans who genuinely want to make you feel welcome. Especially if you are a dog. Within a few seconds, Andy, our server, whom my humans described as absolutely adorable, appeared with a bowl of water and ice.

When you arrive at Tropico 56, you will see that they have a seating area right on the Paseo, with tables, chairs, and some landscaping, bringing the tropical interior garden feel streetside. Although there is plenty of seating throughout, it does not feel crowded, which is especially good for dog people, so we don’t get under anyone’s feet.

Who are the people that make Tropico 56?

Three good friends founded Tropico 56. Adolfo, who didn’t scratch my humans’ ears, had been friends with Karim since high school. When Sam married Karim, they all decided to leave the hectic big city life in Mexico City for the tranquil pace of Merida.

They decided to start a restaurant because they had backgrounds in food service and hospitality. Sam had spent time as a dive instructor on a little island in Thailand. Her vision was to create a laid-back beach bar vibe in an urban area. When they first found the property, they were a bit overwhelmed by the size, but they were super lucky to take over the space and turn it into the cool spot it is now. 

One thing I’ve learned about humans. When they are good, they seem to attract other good humans. That has happened at Tropico 56, where everyone on the team is so passionate about what they do. More importantly, they all love animals and even rescued two cats living across the street, naming them, appropriately, Gin and Tonic.

Tonic works front of house, greeting diners and amusing them with his witty antics. His sister, Gin, is more focused on office life. Together they make a great team. Did I mention that I’m scared of cats? I did try to talk to Tonic, but he gave me that big wide-eyed cat stare, and I felt it was best to walk away. Sorry folks, no quotes from Tonic.

The important stuff – The food and drink – what’s it like?

When we go to a restaurant, my humans prepare various items to keep me occupied, so once I was happily munching away on my stuffed Kong toy, my humans got to try some food and drink that our hosts recommended.

First on the list was pops de coliflor, which are, according to my humans, delectable little balls of fried goodness that melt in your mouth and entice you to eat more. They are cauliflower florets, battered, fried, and drizzled with an avocado dressing so flirtatious and tantalising that my humans were utterly distracted.

Well, they were until the craft beer and mezcal cocktail arrived. If you like artisanal beer, you will love their offerings, but I must discuss this mezcal cocktail. It’s called The Malix. If you are from Yucatan, you’ll know that malix is the common name for the mixed breed dogs you will find locally. So yeah, they love dogs.

But wait. There’s more. The proceeds from this delicious cocktail made with Montelobos Mezcal, their sponsor, grapefruit, and tonic, go to local animal shelter, Evolucion.  This is a restaurant that genuinely walks the pet friendly walk. They also chose Motelobos because the company supports wolf conservation. If dogs could swoon, I’d be swooning.

The other appetizer was a very dramatic-looking and tasting shrimp aguachile negro with chargrilled habanero. We asked Chef Charlie, who, I must admit, I have a puppy crush on, how he made it so black and delicious, and he told us his special secret is black recado. The shrimp were blanched lightly, so they still had a bite and tasted like the sea. A seafood delight that tasted like something a mermaid would eat.

Then the main courses were brought out, and they showed us how well they cater to meat lovers and vegetarians. A juicy, perfectly cooked lamb and beef burger and fresh and light falafel on a pita accompanied by a crispy Fattoush salad pleased the humans thoroughly. They even let me taste the burger, but only after rejoicing at the juiciness, which they say is the mark of a perfect hamburger. 

As a pet friendly restaurant in Merida, Tropico 56 is such a brilliant spot. I will be back, and I recommend you grab your human best friends or dog best friends and head over for the warmest greeting and the most ‘adorable’ (apparently) servers. Let’s not forget Charlie, my new chef crush, who earned his chops in Mexico City. He topped that off with a degree from the renowned Kendall College School of Culinary Arts. His seafood creations are sublime, but he knows how important it is to cater to guests of all tastes so there is something for everyone.

You can learn more about Tropico 56 on their Facebook and Instagram pages. Tell them Beaux sent you.

You’ll find their contact details on our Pet Friendly Dining List.