Culi’s Restaurant & Bar
Having recently enjoyed Dennis’ birthday dinner at Culi’s Restaurant & Bar, we knew right away our next “Bucerias Eats” was ready for telling. We later visited the restaurant and met with brothers Ulicess and Ezekiel Ramirez Sanchez. They described their family’s history; Nayarit, food, and a myriad of businesses.
When their grandparents moved to Bucerias they set down deep roots that continue to grow today.
“Our family has always been in the restaurant business,” they described, “When our grandparents moved here from Chacala about forty-five years ago, they decided to open a seafood palapa restaurant on the beach, (just north of the centro plaza), which they managed for several years.”
Today, most of the family; mom, dad, uncles, aunts, and cousins are in the business of serving food and drinks to their own customers, through Bucerias and La Cruz, all the way to Juneau, Alaska, where their mother owns an authentic Mexican restaurant.
Mexico North 
La Glorieta de Enrique and Masala 
Buclas Craft Brewery
Their grandparent’s home was where Culi’s currently sits. “That was our playground when we were kids,” says Ezekiel, pointing toward the back yard. Of the many aunts, uncles and cousins, they say, “We grew up together so they feel more like brothers and sisters.”
The affectionate nickname for Ulicess is “Culi”, and Ulicess had the idea for the restaurant. “He began to sell burritos and hamburgers at the front of the house about 15 years ago. The next day he tried and tried again. Then he’d stop for a while, then try and try again, until he did really good. All the people said where we are, the location, the neighbourhood might not work.” Ulicess trusted his product and knew the fine quality of food and service would draw customers.
“At first it was a space with a covered roof. Then columns and the roof was built and began taking the shape of the restaurant how it is now.”
Culi’s offers an international mix – Mexican, Mediterranean, Asian, and a variety of seafood.
Seating ninety people, in high season reservations are required, especially if you plan to visit on a Thursday evening when live music accompanies your meal.
Along with greeting and serving customers, Ezekiel is a sommelier. “The reason is because I love wine. I wanted to know the difference between good wines.” He continued, ” We promote the Mexican wine industry. We have a nice selection of Mexican wines and most are boutique wines with small productions but high quality.” Ezekiel also uses his trained “nose” to help their cousin Fernando and long-time friend, Pancho (a bartender at Culi’s), who produce Buclas Craft Beer. “I always have to taste it,” Ezekiel says with a wink, as if beer testing is a chore.
The new mural, covering an entire wall, was completed this past July by their cousin, whose occupation is a professional muralist. Photos of the family owned establishments, shown above, depict some of the scenes but you really must see it for yourself.
During the summer, Culi’s offers a daily three course special. It’s a chance to highlight special menu items; starters, main plates, and sweets, all at a very reasonable price. (under $25CAD, $18USD avg)
“Anything you’d like to add?” we asked. “Yes,” Ezekiel summed it up, “Bucerias is a great place to be.”
All health and safety protocols and sanitary measures are adhered to. Find Culi’s on Facebook, or phone 322 159 6929, or email restaurantculi@hotmail.com CLOSED TUESDAYS
