The Hole in the Wall

One of the fun things about Costa Rica is discovering new places to eat.  It seems as though around every turn in the road (and there are many), someone has stuck a little family restaurant.  You never know what you are going to find inside. 

We drive by Equus several times a week on the way to Arenal and Ken kept saying "It looks like a hideout for the Hole in the Wall Gang", which you older readers will understand. However, it is the place for the best barbeque around.  Built directly into the

hill, while you're waiting for your order you can climb up the natural stone steps and explore the paths ascending the side of the mountain A couple of hundred meters up you come to a disco with 3 levels of dance floor and a bar built of wood and stone.  The wood pile out front supplies the brick and stone oven.  The chef climbs up the rocks to the top of the oven to cook your meal then hands it down to the waiter below. 

While they didn't exactly break the bank on the furnishings, the food is delicious and the cervasa (beer) is ice cold.

 Another favorite place is a little cafe just down the road.  It's basically the front patio of the family's home and may or may not be open when you pass by, but they make the best fried chicken and home made burgers.  Our favorite mid-day snack is the nachos mixtos (pictured here).  Hand made nachos with refried beans, pulled chicken and beef, a ton of cheese from the local dairy, fresh tomatos from the garden and big smiles from the family, all for under  $5 for the two of us.