A Valentine Story That Wants to be Told: Bud, Geraldine and Archie's Wok Archie's Wok
go to original February 14, 2013

February 14, 1939. It was—yes—a blind date. Bud, dashing, dynamic journalism graduate at the University of Nebraska, meets beautiful, demure Geraldine.

Love-smitten, he waltzes her through a romantic 3-month courtship until May, when his adventurous spirit calls him to "go west, young man, and seek your fortune!"

Six months of tender love letters ensue, during which Bud has landed a contract selling ads for a Los Angeles newspaper, rented a small flat, and then daringly proposes marriage to Geraldine.

On a freezing December morning, Gerry bravely packs a small suitcase and shyly boards the Union Pacific railroad in Nebraska, venturing alone into an unknown world. Due to family misfortune during the Depression, not even her dear mother can accompany her. Bud and Gerry are married quietly on December 29 in a small chapel at Forest Lawn.

Driven by passion and guided by a strong work ethic, Bud surpasses all expectations at the newspaper; then in wartime he enters the defense production industry and eventually becomes president of a formidable corporation. With great business acumen, he later purchases a bankrupt foundry and builds a modest empire.

What does this have to do with Archie’s Wok? Bud and Gerry are my mother and father. Their blind date on Valentine's Day, 1939, led to a marriage that endured and flourished for 72 years, until Bud passed on at 95 in 2011.

His adventurous spirit led them to Quimixto, where Archie and our family lived during Archie's years as chef for John Huston. My father's clear-sightedness and generosity helped enable Archie's Wok to bud and blossom. And my mother's philosophy on marriage: "you just take the bitter with the batter."

As you see, there's more to our history at Archie's Wok than just great flavors.

Archie's Wok invites you to be our Valentine on February 14! We will offer our famous Margarita Apasionada—the Passionate Margarita, 2 x 1, and a taste-teaser to begin your meal. Some favorite special dishes will accompany our regular menu. I raise my Margarita glass to Bud and Geraldine, my favorite romantic pair!

Archie's Wok is located at Francisca Rodriguez 130, right down the street from the new Los Muertos Pier in Old Town Puerto Vallarta. Telephone is (322) 222-0411 and email is info@archieswok.com.