While the rest of the country is awash in tamales, gallo pinto and casados for days, the Caribbean coast is still the place to discover something different, especially when it comes to cuisine. At the Lizard King Resort in Puerto Viejo de Limon, the Mexican restaurant's classic menu has been enhanced with the addition of specials such as jumbo shrimp burritos and churro french toast, two of our new favorites. Churro French Toast — Photo courtesy of Sophia Lamonica

Named after the family's original roll-up burger diner in a suburb of San Jose, Costa Rica in the 1980's, Pinky's is the Lizard King's homage to tradition with its simple, made-to-order menu items and more affordable prices; adding a creative spin in the form of special ingredients, ranging from local cacao to organic golden bananas to homemade apple-pie syrup. Pinky's Pancakes — Photo courtesy of Sophia LaMonica

Some days it's the jumbo shrimp which was recently swimming in the nearby sea; on others, it' a fresh crop of pineapples with flavor unlike any other. There's no saying for sure when papayas could be replaced by pork chops, so for those in Costa Rica with a hankering for a sumptuous short stack, seek out Pinky's at the Lizard King and get some while it's hot.