Save Gaby's Restaurant in PV

Chef Julio, who embodies Gaby's Restaurant's essence, has served the community in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico since 1989. Shockingly, he faces the threat of closure due to numerous baseless complaints from foreign residents who have decided to file a lawsuit against the restaurant because they do not like the live Mexican music that plays throughout the day.

We are raising money to help Chef Julio and his family fight the gentrification taking over their family restaurant and home. All donations will go directly towards helping Julio's legal fees, as well as, helping to keep his employees (servers, chefs, and musicians) while they go through this lawsuit.

Music embodies the spirit and soul of the country, connecting generations and communities with its joyful melodies and heartfelt lyrics. As an immigrant in this country, I refuse to stand idly by as cultural intolerance threatens to silence the beautiful sounds of Mexico. Please donate if you can, but a share is just as valuable. Thank you all so much!

Chef Julio's Viral TikTok

Petition to Save Gaby's Restaurant

They want to close my restaurant,

yes, that’s right; they want to suspend my operating license. Well, let me tell you; a couple of retired Americans, with a lot of money and a lot of arrogance, started an administrative process against my company to shut us down, and do you know why? Because of the music played at the restaurant, Mexican and Spanish music. Their complaints include alleging that our music deteriorates their quality of life as retired American expats .

This place has been around for over 35 years since my mom started it with my dad; they sold sandwiches(tortas ) (tacos ) (comida corrida ), juices, and smoothies. Over the years and with much effort, we have managed to establish ourselves as a traditional Mexican restaurant. Throughout the years, we’ve had pianos, marimbas, trios, duets, and I’ve allowed any musician who asks to play a melody for the customers in exchange for a coin or tip. We have never received any complaints from our long-standing neighbors until these Americans appeared. Recently, they bought a house right next to mine, I repeat, right next to a Mexican cuisine restaurant operated by a Mexican family.

They believe that the solution to their problems is to definitively put an end to my operations, without caring about my heritage, my parents’ efforts, my staff who work with me, my suppliers, my customers, and especially the musicians, who I must say are the most outraged. I won’t allow it. I won’t allow anyone, foreign or not, to harm my people.