Did Mexicans Invent Brunch?
(Evidence Suggests Yes.)
Mexicans are hardworking, fun-loving folks. As a result, come the weekend, nobody is up before 10 or out of the house before noon—unless it’s for Sunday church. Ergo: Mexicans invented brunch. If only based on the hours alone.
I slept in late today, and woke up craving a classic American breakfast—think Denny’s, but with thicker bacon and fresher eggs. Enter: Freddy’s Túcan, a family dining spot that serves up American classics (which, ironically, includes French toast), Mexican specialties, and a mixología of cocktails that could empty a Liquor Barn.
The staff was incredibly kind and thoughtful from the start. The hostess greeted me in English, asking if I preferred menus in English or Spanish, and whether I wanted the breakfast or lunch one. My inner Libra answered: Los dos. (Both.)
Once seated, I scanned the menu—omelets, benedicts, pancakes, waffles… and then there it was: The Túcan Slam.
New Phrase of the Day:
🍳 Eggs over easy = Huevos volteado suave (literally, “eggs turned smooth”)
☀️ Sunny-side up = Huevos sin volteado (“eggs not turned”)
I went with the bacon option (though chorizo and smoked ham were tempting). The dish came with hash browns—a rare find in Mexico. Not quite as crisp, but every bit as flavorful as back home.
For my carb indulgence, I chose the waffle with strawberries, and asked for whipped cream—crema batida. What arrived wasn’t the usual aerosol fluff but thick, freshly whipped cream, sweetened with love and served in a little ramekin.
The portions? Truck Stop–sized. Built to satisfy the heartiest American appetite. And they didn’t skimp on the sides: two salsas—one I affectionately dubbed “gringo” and the other “HOT.”
The coffee was strong and smooth—no cream or sugar needed. And the Mexican Mule I ordered gave my taste buds a zingy wake-up call.
A Few Dining Differences in Mexico:
🧽 Clean-As-You-Go Table Service
Your server clears the table in real time. Done with the butter, jam, toast plate? Off it goes. Empty coffee cup? Cleared. It’s attentive, courteous, and keeps the table—and the service—moving smoothly.
👜 Purse Stands Are a Thing
They’re like tiny coat racks, just tall enough to hang your purse beside your chair. At first, I thought, “What a dream for a pickpocket!” But I’ve come to love not having to surrender a chair to my bag. Plus, if someone did try to swipe it? That wrought-iron stand makes a great blunt weapon. Good luck with that, amigo.
So if you find yourself in Puerto Vallarta, craving a Yankee Hangover Helper, you know where to go and what to do:
Order your eggs your way
Hang your purse like a local
Ask for la cuenta (the check)
Pay con ApplePay (yes, they bring the machine to your table)
Add a tip—propina—of 10, 15, or 20%
Take leftovers para llevar (to go)
And then go take a nap. It’s still brunch o’clock.
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Like this if you got hungry . Already booking your flight to Puerto Vallarta for breakfast on the beach? Share this with your brunch besties and get group rates!
In the mean time practice saying Desalmuerzo. It means Brunch in Spanish!