Owners Harald and Rossanna Rudel are a bit of Aruba that you'll cherish forever. Enter the cozy dining room and you are greeted by Rossanna (Roxy). Her warm smile makes you feel as if you have known her all your life and Wacky Wahoo's is a place you've been coming to for years. Harald is hard at work in the kitchen, getting ready to make your favorite meal. He'll come out to your table, making sure that you are as comfortable as if you were having dinner at an old friend's home. And what a meal he's prepared for you!
Just imagine fresh fish caught that morning from the sparkling clear waters off the Aruban coast. Add to that imported Argentine meats, hand selected by the chef. Mix delicately with the herbs, spices and traditional ingredients of the Caribbean and finally combine it all with the knowledge and skill of a European trained chef. The result is a menu of dishes that can not be found anywhere else on the island - or the world for that matter. Aruban dishes are infused with a touch of Spain or Portugal. Old favorites from neighboring islands are, perhaps, given a new twist with splash of a wine from Germany or a hint of seasonings reminiscent of Italy. A truly unique blend of international styles and ingredients will leave your belly full, your taste buds in awe and your dining psyche blissfully content.
Harald was born and raised in Germany. Training as a master chef, he was exposed to a myriad of European cuisines. As a part of his education, Harald worked for the Cunard Cruise line and on one particular cruise, Aruba was one of the ports of call. With a few hours of free time available, Harald and a friend took time to take relax and enjoy Aruba's hospitality. It was during that short visit that Harald would meet Roxy.
A few years later, Harald and his friend had completed their Masters courses and were sitting around discussing where they would like to go. Both were enamored by the warmth of the Caribbean and decided that the most beautiful of the islands was Aruba. In 1992 they returned to pursue careers as Master Chefs. Harald became the head chef at newly opened Gasparitos and worked there for five years before taking the head chef position at the Buccaneer in 1997. He also looked up Roxy upon his return and they were soon wed.
Looking for the freshest ingredients, Harald had become friends with the fishermen that used the docks at Hadi Curari, located a short walk up the beach north of the Holiday Inn. Beside the docks for the fisherman's boats, there was a building they used to store their gear and clean up after a long day out at sea. After a hard day's work they would sit and socialize - a few cold beers, old tales and the hot gossip of the day. In 1997 they asked Harald if he would be willing to cook for them, perhaps a BBQ on Sunday afternoons. He agreed and it soon became a popular weekly event for locals and knowledgeable tourists alike. So popular, in fact, that he soon started preparing dinners on Friday and Saturday nights - supplied with fresh fish from the morning catch.
In 1999 the Marriot began developing the area near Hadi Curari. When the last phase of the project was started in 2005, the Marriot offered to build a new pier and building for the fishermen. While the area was closed so it could be razed and rebuilt, Harald decided it was time to start a new restaurant that he could truly call his own. With a repertoire of favorite dishes from the old Hadi Curari, along with new creations sure to please the palate, Harald left the Buccaneer and Wacky Wahoo's was born.
Stop by for some evening for a truly memorable dinner you'll tell all your friends about.