There’s something special about seeing Belizean flavors travel beyond our borders. And now, one of San Pedro’s favorite dining spots is doing exactly that. The Fry Jack House, well known on Ambergris Caye for its creative and delicious takes on Belize’s beloved fry jacks, has officially opened a new branch in the vibrant Mexican city of Mérida, and the response so far has been fantastic.
Interestingly enough, the Mérida location was actually part of the vision from the very beginning. The owners shared that the idea for Fry Jack House originally centered around Mérida. But when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and tourism slowed down dramatically in San Pedro, their dive shop business came to a halt. Rather than sit still, they decided to bring the concept to life right here on the island first.
That decision turned out to be a great one. The Fry Jack House quickly became a favorite among locals and visitors alike, known for taking the traditional Belizean fry jack and elevating it into something a little more creative.
“Every time our friends visited, they absolutely loved the food,” the owners explained. “Rice and beans, pancakes, all of it, but above everything else, they loved the fry jacks.”
What started as simple breakfast fare soon evolved into something bigger. Instead of offering only the traditional Belizean breakfast fry jack, they began creating “deluxe” versions, experimenting with different fillings and combinations that give the classic Belizean dish a contemporary twist.
Fry Jack House Merida, NICE!
With the success in San Pedro and strong personal ties to Mérida, the time finally felt right to expand. The family already had deep connections to the city. Their children studied there, they own a home in Mérida, and their son now lives there permanently after graduating two years ago. He has since started his own business, a CrossFit gym with friends, and will even be getting married later this year.
So opening the The Fry Jack House, Merida, felt like a natural next step.
Mérida, known for its rich culture and vibrant culinary scene, turned out to be the perfect place to introduce Belizean flavors. Often described as a culinary capital of the region, the city attracts food lovers from around the world, people who enjoy exploring new tastes and creative dining experiences. And the Belizean menu seems to be fitting right in.
Just a day after opening, a local social media influencer stopped by to try the food. The team didn’t even realize who she was at first as she carefully filmed and documented every dish. Soon after, a Jamaican couple living in Mérida shared their own TikTok review, praising dishes like the stewed chicken and jerk chicken.
The feedback hasn’t stopped there.
Many visitors have come in with surprising personal connections to Belize. Some have shared stories about family members who lived in Belize or nearby Chetumal, while others remembered crossing the border to Corozal just to enjoy Belizean food.
Hearing those stories and seeing such positive reactions has been both exciting and humbling for the owners. “We didn’t expect all of this great feedback,” they said. “But it’s really nice to see people connecting with the food.”
For Belizeans, it’s a proud moment to see a beloved local dish gaining attention in another country, especially in a city as culturally rich as Mérida. The Fry Jack House is not only serving up great meals, but also sharing a small piece of Belizean culture with a whole new audience.
And if the early response is any indication, Mérida has definitely developed a taste for Belizean fry jacks.
