The Tequila Reef venue has been operating on Soi 7 for
four years, but changed ownership recently. As we had not experienced the
latest incarnation, the management suggested that it was time the Dining Out
team re-visited. We agreed and on our Saturday evening, this place was
jumping!
By car, come down the one-way Soi 7 from Pattaya Second
Road, look out for the entrance to the parking area behind the beer bar
complex (after the Pig and Whistle on the left) and for 20 baht you can
leave your vehicle attended.
Tequila Reef is on the right side of the road and is well
illuminated, so you will not go into a beer bar by mistake; however, the
restaurant does have a bar running all the way along the back wall, so if
you are thirsty, you will not be left to die of dehydration! Several of the
regulars are part of the Martini Club - after six Martini’s you get your
own personalized Martini glass! Some have even managed it in one night.
There are a few tables outside for the nicotinics, but
inside is where the action and the over-the-top decor are found. There are
not too many surfboards on the ceiling restaurants.
Around the walls are alcoves for dining and a couple of
free-standing tables as well. “You gotta have fun staff,” said Bob
L’Etoile, one of the owners, and the Tequila Reef service girls are
certainly all bubbly bundles of Joy (and Bun’s and Mai’s and
Mayuree’s)! If you don’t believe me, order a ‘Shaken Margarita’ and
see what happens at the table!
The menu has moved towards a more global focus with a
Mexican flavor, with the addition of ribs, hamburgers and steaks. Appetizers
range from B. 95-125 with all the usual Mexican favorites such as
quesadillas, nachos and taquitos as well as potato skins and a shrimp
cocktail.
Soups, chili and salads are next (B. 95-175) including
their award winning Texas Crash and Burn Chili Con Carne.
Steaks are around the B. 300 mark, chicken and duck B.
165-225 and the BBQ ribs B. 215/335 for half or full slab. Then there are
dedicated Mexican items with most under B. 200, burgers B. 110-130, desserts
and a Thai favorites menu generally under B. 100.
The separate drinks list has local beers at B. 65 a
bottle, Margaritas from B. 120 and even ‘Erotic’ drinks!
We had a good selection of dishes, starting with the
suggested prawn cocktail. It arrived ‘looking’ like the usual prawns in
a parfait glass with a small container of sauce, but the sauce was simply
‘Kapow’ sensational! Made from a horse-radish base (probably a third
cousin to the Japanese Wasabe) this is ‘muled’ in from America. In fact
the sauce was so good I wouldn’t let the girl take it from the table!
Other items were the ‘Reefer Madness’ appetizer
sampler with cheese nachos, quesadillas, wings and taquitos, which did give
us the opportunity to try many items. We also had the Mexican style skirt
steak with cheese enchilada and Mexican rice and beans, sizzling fajitas and
the BBQ ribs. The ribs, in particular, were the largest and best I have
tried in Pattaya - absolutely huge and you could use a spoon to get the
meat, and a great caramelized sauce.
There was no doubting the fact that Tequila Reef offers
its patrons the opportunity to get wrecked! From the Six Martini club,
through to the Micheladas and high end (any end?) Tequilas and the
‘Shaken’ Margaritas, Tequila Reef has that side of the action covered.
Factor in some great fun food with good-sized portions and it is difficult
to go past this place. Take a bunch of buddies and hit it hard one night.
But don’t worry, if you haven’t got any buddies, they’ll find some for
you. It’s a fairly gregarious crowd that frequents the place! Highly
recommended.
Tequila Reef, Soi 7 Pattaya Beach Road (about 30 meters from the Beach
Road end), Central Pattaya, telephone 038 414 035. Parking behind the beer
bar complex on the other side of the street. Open noon till midnight seven
days. Web www.tequilareef.com
