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Asad & Nermeen, August 2009
“maurice! thanks for the best belizean food ever! we enjoyed coming by your place a few times last week. give us a
ring if you are ever passing through NYC!”
asadh79 NYC, August 2009
“Best food on the island”
The most authentic and delicious food you will find in Caye Caulker. Maurice is the guy who owns this place and
cooks...went to culinary school in Chicago and been back in Belize for the past 10 years. Totally laid back - its
basically the backyard to his home with a grill outside and the kitchen in his home.
If you go at night, don't worry about the baby lizards on the ceilings or the crabs running around on the sand...they
won't bother you. Just enjoy the best food in Caye Caulker. My wife and I hung out with Maurice and ate at his place
at least 3-4 times over the weeklong vacation we took in Caye Caulker.
“maurice! thanks for the best belizean food ever! we enjoyed coming by your place a few times last week. give us a
ring if you are ever passing through NYC!”
asadh79 NYC, August 2009
“Best food on the island”
The most authentic and delicious food you will find in Caye Caulker. Maurice is the guy who owns this place and
cooks...went to culinary school in Chicago and been back in Belize for the past 10 years. Totally laid back - its
basically the backyard to his home with a grill outside and the kitchen in his home.
If you go at night, don't worry about the baby lizards on the ceilings or the crabs running around on the sand...they
won't bother you. Just enjoy the best food in Caye Caulker. My wife and I hung out with Maurice and ate at his place
at least 3-4 times over the weeklong vacation we took in Caye Caulker.
AnnieBBoston, july 2009
“loved it”
The food was great. Maurice was very personal and funny. It is very relaxed. We did not have a long wait, but
we got there on the early side for island time. The food is all fresh and we found spices and vegetables there
that we did not find in other places. I would higly recommend it. I agree that the atmosphere may not be for
everyone, but I found it delightful
Scott Newdick, May 2009
“Willy Man! I got bored a while ago and remembered my trip down to Belize and the one that struck me the
most was. Wish Willy, Just wanna Thank you man, you treated me well. Maybe next time u can show me how
to really fish. haha.”
“loved it”
The food was great. Maurice was very personal and funny. It is very relaxed. We did not have a long wait, but
we got there on the early side for island time. The food is all fresh and we found spices and vegetables there
that we did not find in other places. I would higly recommend it. I agree that the atmosphere may not be for
everyone, but I found it delightful
Scott Newdick, May 2009
“Willy Man! I got bored a while ago and remembered my trip down to Belize and the one that struck me the
most was. Wish Willy, Just wanna Thank you man, you treated me well. Maybe next time u can show me how
to really fish. haha.”
The beams, february 2009
I’ve read numerous reviews on the restaurants of Caye Caulker, and “Wish Willies” was definitely one of
the places I wanted to visit. I was glad to see that it was just right around the corner from our house. In
addition to being a colorful character, Willie was described by many as one of the best cooks on the
island and his food was bargain priced. One reviewer said once they ate their first meal there and didn’t go
anywhere else the rest of their stay.....
.......when we returned to our table Willie was playing golf in the sand and he invited the girls to join him
while he waited for the lobsters to be prepared. We had a great time hanging out and chatting with Willie
while he entertained the girls playing golf. Paige even managed to get a hole-in-one. When the fire was
just right he buttered up two lobsters and slapped them on the grill. Ten minutes later he brought out two
delicious BBQ’d lobster dinners with coconut rice and julienned veggies. Everything was great. Even more
amazing was the sweet and tender BBQ’d shrimp that he brought for the girls. They’ve had a few bites of
shrimp before, but I never saw them devour any like this. They cleaned the plate and even asked for more.
It was an all around fun experience. We’ll be back for sure.
I’ve read numerous reviews on the restaurants of Caye Caulker, and “Wish Willies” was definitely one of
the places I wanted to visit. I was glad to see that it was just right around the corner from our house. In
addition to being a colorful character, Willie was described by many as one of the best cooks on the
island and his food was bargain priced. One reviewer said once they ate their first meal there and didn’t go
anywhere else the rest of their stay.....
.......when we returned to our table Willie was playing golf in the sand and he invited the girls to join him
while he waited for the lobsters to be prepared. We had a great time hanging out and chatting with Willie
while he entertained the girls playing golf. Paige even managed to get a hole-in-one. When the fire was
just right he buttered up two lobsters and slapped them on the grill. Ten minutes later he brought out two
delicious BBQ’d lobster dinners with coconut rice and julienned veggies. Everything was great. Even more
amazing was the sweet and tender BBQ’d shrimp that he brought for the girls. They’ve had a few bites of
shrimp before, but I never saw them devour any like this. They cleaned the plate and even asked for more.
It was an all around fun experience. We’ll be back for sure.
Jos Offermans, September 2009
“Sawadee (our Dutch travel organisation) recommended Wish Willy and we stayed there all evening
enjoying the excellent food. 10 persons had the same diner, everything for everybody. Compliments”
Lyndon, August 2009
“Hey it is lyndon, was there a few week ago. Hope all is well with u guys. thanks for the nice food and
great vibe... miss the combo plater. tell ras creek we said hi and thanks for the ride around the island.
take care !”
“Sawadee (our Dutch travel organisation) recommended Wish Willy and we stayed there all evening
enjoying the excellent food. 10 persons had the same diner, everything for everybody. Compliments”
Lyndon, August 2009
“Hey it is lyndon, was there a few week ago. Hope all is well with u guys. thanks for the nice food and
great vibe... miss the combo plater. tell ras creek we said hi and thanks for the ride around the island.
take care !”
Travelblog, february 2009
While on Caye Caulker, some people I met suggested we go to eat at this place called wish willy’s.
The restaurant was just a guys front lawn with benches to sit down. He grilled in the front yard and your
menu was whatever he was cooking that day. That food was in some ice chests outside and the grill
looked like the last time it was cleaned was when this island was still a British colony. I wasn’t happy.
But I didn’t want to be a pain to my new friends and cause a scene. I played it safe and got the chicken. It
was one of the best meals I had ever had. I went back the next day for more.
So don’t be afraid to try new things. You never know what you are missing by judging on appearances.
I almost missed good food and you should never miss good food.
While on Caye Caulker, some people I met suggested we go to eat at this place called wish willy’s.
The restaurant was just a guys front lawn with benches to sit down. He grilled in the front yard and your
menu was whatever he was cooking that day. That food was in some ice chests outside and the grill
looked like the last time it was cleaned was when this island was still a British colony. I wasn’t happy.
But I didn’t want to be a pain to my new friends and cause a scene. I played it safe and got the chicken. It
was one of the best meals I had ever had. I went back the next day for more.
So don’t be afraid to try new things. You never know what you are missing by judging on appearances.
I almost missed good food and you should never miss good food.
Brett, february 2008:
If you were to eat at only one place in Caye Caulker, it should be Wish Willy. Truth be told I didn't have lobster at this
funky gem, a place so unassuming and informal I hesitate to call it a restaurant. There is no written menu, and you
dine seated at mismatched picnic tables scattered around a grill outside the chef's bungalow, all while listening to
a delightfully eclectic playlist. I'm confident that anything that the dreadlocked local celebrity chef Maurice Moore
cooks — lobster included — will be as delicious as the gingery shark he prepared for my travel companion and
me. To give you an idea of how laid back this place is, when I mentioned that I was opening a restaurant, Maurice
put me to work julienning the chayote, pumpkin, and carrots that served as our dinner's side dish. Off Front Street
near the Split.
If you were to eat at only one place in Caye Caulker, it should be Wish Willy. Truth be told I didn't have lobster at this
funky gem, a place so unassuming and informal I hesitate to call it a restaurant. There is no written menu, and you
dine seated at mismatched picnic tables scattered around a grill outside the chef's bungalow, all while listening to
a delightfully eclectic playlist. I'm confident that anything that the dreadlocked local celebrity chef Maurice Moore
cooks — lobster included — will be as delicious as the gingery shark he prepared for my travel companion and
me. To give you an idea of how laid back this place is, when I mentioned that I was opening a restaurant, Maurice
put me to work julienning the chayote, pumpkin, and carrots that served as our dinner's side dish. Off Front Street
near the Split.
Saanddk, february 2008:
Our second favourite place was a restaurant (and I have to use that term "restaurant" loosely) slightly
off the beat and track, called "Wish Willy´s". It was basically set in the back yard of a local Rasta guy´s
(called "Maurice"?!) house, consisting of a few benches and tables in amongst the usual stuff you´d
find in the back garden (like old cars, washing lines, kids toys - things like that). Maurice would
basically walk up to the table and tell you what he was cooking that evening, you´d accept and provide
input on any cooking preferences (spices, fried, grilled, etc), and then wait in anticipation to see what
was presented before you. We ended up with more lobster but it was done to perfection and cost us a
fraction of what our valentine meal had cost us. A completely different eating experience, but would
def recommend it to anyone who plans on visiting this place.
Our second favourite place was a restaurant (and I have to use that term "restaurant" loosely) slightly
off the beat and track, called "Wish Willy´s". It was basically set in the back yard of a local Rasta guy´s
(called "Maurice"?!) house, consisting of a few benches and tables in amongst the usual stuff you´d
find in the back garden (like old cars, washing lines, kids toys - things like that). Maurice would
basically walk up to the table and tell you what he was cooking that evening, you´d accept and provide
input on any cooking preferences (spices, fried, grilled, etc), and then wait in anticipation to see what
was presented before you. We ended up with more lobster but it was done to perfection and cost us a
fraction of what our valentine meal had cost us. A completely different eating experience, but would
def recommend it to anyone who plans on visiting this place.
Al & Sue Johnson, 2006:
That evening we had dinner at Wish Willy. We'd walked by there a few times and always decided to pass. Beer
bottles still on the tables in the morning. Chairs and tables looking like they might collapse. All in all not impressive.
We went anyway. Willy (turns out his name is really Maurice) came out to wait on us. He doesn't have a menu and we
didn't know what to get for an appetizer. He said he'd make us something and left. He came back with Red Snapper
in a tangerine sauce with pita bread. Tasted wonderful.
Presentation was good too. Dinner was lightly battered, grilled conch. Also very good. We found out later that there's
more to Willy than meets the eye. He's actually been trained as a chef! All together, it was a very good dinner at a
more than reasonable price. At one point, they ran out of Belikin and had to send the beer bike out to replenish the
stock. Shortly after, the beer bike came back with a case of beer on the handlebars. I'd never seen a beer bike before
but we were sure happy to see that one.
Al & Sue Johnson, 2007:
The food was good everywhere we went. We ate at Wish Willy twice and had great meals both times. We’ve gotten
to where we tell Maurice to fix us something and just go with it. New paint on the tables and some new chairs.
Pretty much the same ambience as before.
That evening we had dinner at Wish Willy. We'd walked by there a few times and always decided to pass. Beer
bottles still on the tables in the morning. Chairs and tables looking like they might collapse. All in all not impressive.
We went anyway. Willy (turns out his name is really Maurice) came out to wait on us. He doesn't have a menu and we
didn't know what to get for an appetizer. He said he'd make us something and left. He came back with Red Snapper
in a tangerine sauce with pita bread. Tasted wonderful.
Presentation was good too. Dinner was lightly battered, grilled conch. Also very good. We found out later that there's
more to Willy than meets the eye. He's actually been trained as a chef! All together, it was a very good dinner at a
more than reasonable price. At one point, they ran out of Belikin and had to send the beer bike out to replenish the
stock. Shortly after, the beer bike came back with a case of beer on the handlebars. I'd never seen a beer bike before
but we were sure happy to see that one.
Al & Sue Johnson, 2007:
The food was good everywhere we went. We ate at Wish Willy twice and had great meals both times. We’ve gotten
to where we tell Maurice to fix us something and just go with it. New paint on the tables and some new chairs.
Pretty much the same ambience as before.
Question posted by harhailla.harhaluuossa to food & drink:
So Taksi Putra has challenged me to a 'chili-off' in Central America (Mexico, Guatemala, Belize) this summer. What
should we eat and where? Higher on the Scoville the better. Anything east of Baja is fair game. If it sounds tasty and is
super-hot, we'll hunt it down. Specific restaurants / neighborhoods to go to? We're not looking only for Central American
food; simply the hottest. Note: We're pretty resilient to capsacin and super-mobile - suggest away!
Answer posted by picklebird April 15:
I got it. We just got back from Belize and on Caye Caulker, there is a chef by the name of Maurice who has a restaurant
called Wish Willy's. He makes his own hot sauce with fresh local chilis. He brings it to the table in a large bottle. It's
different every time (we had one red and one green.) You would think because the bottle is so big that it can't possibly be
that hot-- but it is (the red one especially). We actually saw someone run out of the restaurant because she was in so
much pain. Maurice is a great guy too. I am willing to bet that if you told him about this he'd concoct something for you.
Oh, and the food to put the hot sauce on is great too. It is an outdoor place where he just grills fresh fish, etc. in his front
yard and all meals are <$10 ($15BZ, I think). Wash it all down with a Belikin or two or three.
So Taksi Putra has challenged me to a 'chili-off' in Central America (Mexico, Guatemala, Belize) this summer. What
should we eat and where? Higher on the Scoville the better. Anything east of Baja is fair game. If it sounds tasty and is
super-hot, we'll hunt it down. Specific restaurants / neighborhoods to go to? We're not looking only for Central American
food; simply the hottest. Note: We're pretty resilient to capsacin and super-mobile - suggest away!
Answer posted by picklebird April 15:
I got it. We just got back from Belize and on Caye Caulker, there is a chef by the name of Maurice who has a restaurant
called Wish Willy's. He makes his own hot sauce with fresh local chilis. He brings it to the table in a large bottle. It's
different every time (we had one red and one green.) You would think because the bottle is so big that it can't possibly be
that hot-- but it is (the red one especially). We actually saw someone run out of the restaurant because she was in so
much pain. Maurice is a great guy too. I am willing to bet that if you told him about this he'd concoct something for you.
Oh, and the food to put the hot sauce on is great too. It is an outdoor place where he just grills fresh fish, etc. in his front
yard and all meals are <$10 ($15BZ, I think). Wash it all down with a Belikin or two or three.
rshields, december 2007
"outstanding"
Eating at Wish Willy's is like going to a friend's house for dinner. Only instead of eating at the dining
room table, you eat in the front yard. The chef/owner, Maurice, cooks up a wide range of seafood
dishes, always fresh, and never more than $10 US. Over the course of a week, I had lobster teriyaki,
chilled stone crabs, and grilled snapper, lobster, and amberjack, among other things. Not once was I
disappointed.
"outstanding"
Eating at Wish Willy's is like going to a friend's house for dinner. Only instead of eating at the dining
room table, you eat in the front yard. The chef/owner, Maurice, cooks up a wide range of seafood
dishes, always fresh, and never more than $10 US. Over the course of a week, I had lobster teriyaki,
chilled stone crabs, and grilled snapper, lobster, and amberjack, among other things. Not once was I
disappointed.
Beth & Lauren, July 2007
For our second night in Belize, we decided to go to Wish Willy’s, one of our favorite “restaurants.” Wish Willy’s is
owned by a guy name Maurice who grew up in Chicago but moved to Belize 8 years ago and never plans on
leaving. The restaurant is actually at his house, where he has several tables set out for people on his lawn. For
$7.50, he barbecues, grills, marinates, and cooks up a variety of foods depending on what he picked up in the
market that day. His newest happy addition was all-you-can-drink free rum drinks from 6-8pm.
Lauren and I rushed to get there early for the rum drinks, and we were pleased when Maurice recognized us. He
brought us some rum punches and we relaxed, knowing that dinner might be a while. The dinner was, as
always, amazing. It included whole shrimp that were marinated in molasses, rice and steamed veggies (which
meant we could eat them!), whole fish that was incredibly tasty and tender and BBQ chicken.
The next night, our last night in Caye Caulker, we went back to Wish Willy’s for dinner. Maurice sat down and
chatted with us for a while. When we shared our sadness about the forever-lost Bailey’s Coladas specials, he
told us he’d make us his special Pina Colada. He returned with the most smooth, creamy pina colada we ever
had, and he shared his secret recipe with us!
For our second night in Belize, we decided to go to Wish Willy’s, one of our favorite “restaurants.” Wish Willy’s is
owned by a guy name Maurice who grew up in Chicago but moved to Belize 8 years ago and never plans on
leaving. The restaurant is actually at his house, where he has several tables set out for people on his lawn. For
$7.50, he barbecues, grills, marinates, and cooks up a variety of foods depending on what he picked up in the
market that day. His newest happy addition was all-you-can-drink free rum drinks from 6-8pm.
Lauren and I rushed to get there early for the rum drinks, and we were pleased when Maurice recognized us. He
brought us some rum punches and we relaxed, knowing that dinner might be a while. The dinner was, as
always, amazing. It included whole shrimp that were marinated in molasses, rice and steamed veggies (which
meant we could eat them!), whole fish that was incredibly tasty and tender and BBQ chicken.
The next night, our last night in Caye Caulker, we went back to Wish Willy’s for dinner. Maurice sat down and
chatted with us for a while. When we shared our sadness about the forever-lost Bailey’s Coladas specials, he
told us he’d make us his special Pina Colada. He returned with the most smooth, creamy pina colada we ever
had, and he shared his secret recipe with us!
