Beyond his culinary endeavors, Huynh is dedicated to community involvement. He quietly supports many community endeavors including RISE children's shelter, the SPCA PV (pet shelter), Vallarta
Gay+ Community Center, Vallarta School for Girls, Women's Shelter, Vallarta Abuelos, Vallarta Cares (formerly Vallarta Food Bank) and others.
PUERTO VALLARTA GAYS: The Puerto Vallarta Gays: Best of Awards, initiated by local entrepreneur Jet De La Isla, celebrates individuals and businesses that enhance the city’s LGBTQ+ scene. This year’s ceremony featured various categories, including Best Cocktail Bar awarded to La Noche, Best Male Strip Club to Wet Dreams, and Best Gay Hotel to Casa Cupula.
Following an open nomination period and a final round narrowing down the top three contenders in each category, winners were announced by hosts Alison Lo and Father Chaka Paradise. The night featured music by DJ Jameson Rabbit and was proudly sponsored by Dog & Cat and ThrIVe MedSpa.
“I wanted to make a big impact in the community. When Let’s Pho moved into town, everyone welcomed us with open arms. We are here today because of the support we received from this beautiful place we call home,¨ he said.
Huynh’s dedication to authentic Vietnamese cuisine and community engagement has solidified Let’s Pho as a notable establishment in Puerto Vallarta’s diverse culinary landscape.
Best of Awards Winners and Finalists A dedicated committee—consisting of Philip Weir, Alison Lo, and John Ramsey—oversaw the nomination and voting process to ensure fairness and transparency. “It was an absolute pleasure to witness the community come together for this celebration of the best in Vallarta’s LGBTQ+
scene,” Jet said. “We are what makes Vallarta an international gay destination, and this is just the beginning.” The event was co-produced by Johnny Paraiso Productions, alongside the incredibly talented performers Eva Jimenez, Chris Lopez, Evita Loca, and Maru Prado Conti.
SECOND ANNUAL BEST OF GAYS AWARD FINALISTS AND WINNERS
BEST COCKTAIL BAR Winner: La Noche Finalists: The Corner Bar, La Cantrina Cantina BEST GOGO Winner:Juan Pablo King Finalists: Adam @ STUDS, Carlos Alberto Camerago BEST MALE STRIP CLUB Winner: Wet Dreams Finalists: Anthropology, 69 BEST GAY BOAT TOUR Winner: Jet’s: Naked Beach & Private Boat Tours Finalists: Diana’s, Tamale’s Tours BEST GAY CLUB Winner: La Noche Finalists: Paco’s Ranch, STUDS BEST BEAR BAR Winner: STUDS Finalists: Amigos, Diablitos BEST DRAG BAR Winner: Paco’s Ranch Finalists: CC Slaughters, La Noche BEST DJ Winner: Oscar Rubio @ La Noche Finalists: Tamale Ringwald, Hoolio Kmacho @ Industry/Mantamar BEST GAY HOTEL Winner: Casa Cupula Finalists: Almar Resort, Blue Chairs BEST GYM Winner: Big Apple Finalists: Vallarta Fitness, The Fit Club
BEST GAY-OWNED RESTAURANT Winner: Daiquiri Dick’s Finalists: Let’s Pho, Frida’s Kitchen
BEST VOICE Winner: Effie Passaro Finalists: Cecile, Mama Tits
BEST POOL CLUB Winner: Casa Cupula Finalists: Mantamar, Sapphire
MOST INFLUENTIAL Winner: Javier Jimenez Finalists: Paul Crist, Jet De La Isla
BEST BEAUTY SPA Winner: Acqua Spa for Men Finalists: Metamorfosis Day Spa, ThrIVe IV & MedSpa
QUEER ACTIVIST OF THE YEAR Winner: Victor Espindola Finalists: Ulises: Culi Paradise, Alvaro Martinez aka Chaka Of Paradise
BEST PHOTOGRAPHER Winner: Omar Rodriguez Finalists: Ezequiel Lozano, Al Salcido
BEST GAY CHEF Winner: Charlie (Let’s Pho) Finalists: Pepe & Charlie, Roman Ventura
BEST DRAG QUEEN Winner: Miss Conception Finalists: Sutton Lee Seymour, Mama Tits BEST GAY REALTOR Winner: Kevin Victor Finalists: Enrique Fragoso, Derek BEST SWIMWEAR Carkner Winner: Blondies Finalists: Mistr Bear, Boutique Amsterdam Puerto Vallarta BEST LGBT+ HAIR STYLIST Winner: Chavita De La Cruz Finalists: Christian Junco, Javier BEST FASHION STORE Martinez Winner: Boutique Amsterdam Puerto Vallarta Finalists: Blondies, Angel’s Store TRANS ACTIVIST OF THE YEAR Winner: Karla Macedo Juarez BEST LESBIAN/QUEER PERFORMER Finalists: Las Gemelas, Lorena Barajas Winner: Eva Jimenez Finalists: Lady Zen, Diego Guerrero HOTTEST BARTENDER Winner: Victor (STUDS) BEST ACT/PERFORMANCE Finalists: Eduardo Lekker @ Winner: Miss Conception Cantrina Cantina, Alonso (La Noche) Finalists: Boys On Fire, Beyonce: The Tribute BEST ADULT CONTENT CREATOR Winner: Woody Fox BEST THEATER Finalists: Toñito Castañeda, Michael Winner: The Palm Cabaret Lucas Finalists: Act II, Teatro Vallarta
14 outandaboutpv.com
BEST GAY COUPLE Winner: Tamale & Sugarbaker Finalists: Alex Baor + Sebastian Coronel, Alberto Cuevas and Jerry Jones HOTTEST GAY OF VALLARTA Winner: Kevin Victor Finalists: Jorge El Chulo, Rashid L’Alvarz BEST LGBT+ WAITER Winner: Victor @ Studs Finalists: Sergio Ramos @ Corner Bar, Edward Lucker (La Catrina Cantina) BEST LGBT+ MAGAZINE/GUIDE Winner: Out & About Puerto Vallarta Finalists: GayGuide Vallarta, Gay PV Guide BEST TACOS Winner: Pancho’s Takos Finalists: Tacos Soñorita Olas Altas, Don Chava Taqueria Cantina BEST HAPPY HOUR Winner: CC Slaughters Finalists: STUDS, Blondie’s Slushbar BEST LGBT+ OWNED ART GALLERY Winner: Casa Cupula Finalists: Galeria Browne, Qulture TRANS RISING STAR Winner: Las Gemelas The awards showcased the best of Puerto Vallarta’s LGBTQ+ scene, highlighting the businesses, individuals, and talent that make the city an internationally recognized gay destination.
