Munkey Munchies: Jolly Roger

By David Hernandez

High & welcome back Happy Munkey Family to the latest installment of Munkey Munchies! For 420 we had to do something special so this month we took our munchie pick international to the beautiful country of Costa Rica for my favorite meal; Chicken Wings! I know what you are thinking, “Costa Rica & Chicken Wings, David must be HIGH!”, but yes you heard correctly! During my trip last month nothing satisfied my tropical munchies like the chicken wings atop the mountain at Jolly Rogers in Dominicalito! While Costa Rica had nothing but nonstop delicious and fresh food to offer, thinking about the wings at Jolly Rogers has me opening up Google flights to plan my return. During my two weeks in Costa Rica I ate here three different times and here is why…. What truly set it off for me was not just the food but the journey to even get to Jolly Rogers.

While most restaurants in Dominical are nestled in the unpaved jungle hillside off the main road, the trip up to Jolly Rogers is notoriously known for its steep incline. So for my first time, we said a stoned prayer, made a right at the entrance sign, and pushed our little 2- wheel drive stick shift Toyota we named “Carlita” up the jungly hillside. As my girlfriend (who I am convinced is an Ice Road Trucker) skillfully shifted between gears on nearly vertical hills, I sat passenger packing rosin hits in the Puffco. After the almost 15 minute drive up the hill, we pulled into a lowkey parking lot with 4 parking spaces and a life-changing view of the sun beginning to set on the Pacific Ocean.

Before getting out of the car we took another hit from the puffco and then walked into the tiny open-air bar. We were greeted by the bartender who told us to “sit anywhere” so we made a b-line to the high top tables overlooking the sun setting on the jungle. After spacing out into the view for a few minutes, the munchies that drove me up the hill started to roar! Almost instantly I locked eyes with the wooden menu hanging above the bar. Their menu consisted of the quintessential Game Day schmorgesborg, burgers, fries, onion straws, nachos, and just about 20 different chicken wing flavors, but my heart wanted nothing but wings. Scanning the flavors unable to narrow it down any more than three, I chose spicy maple brown sugar, Habanero Hallaboy, and the Hot Honey Garlic. Waiting for the wings I watched the sunset and even got the pleasure of seeing two colorful toucans chase each other from tree to tree. Our three orders of wings came out all at the same time, the sauce glistening in the sun. Each wing was healthily massive and with my first bite of the hot honey garlic wing I was certain that I was devouring the tastiest piece of chicken I have ever eaten. From the freshness of the meat to the dynamic flavors of each sauce, I was blown away it took me this long to eat something this fucking good!

After my girlfriend and I nearly destroyed every piece, we were tempted to stomach an additional order but decided to plan our return instead. If you find yourself in the Dominical, Costa Rica don’t play yourself, and make sure you check in at Jolly Rogers to handle all your chicken wings and munchie needs!

Have a happy, high, and munchie filled 420!