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Boquete Panama restaurateur Chris Young shares how he went from broke expat with $400 in his pocket to building some of the top restaurants in Panama, including Christopher’s Steakhouse, ranked #1 in Boquete. In this Real Expats interview, hosts Melissa Darnay and Stacey Jenks explore Chris’s inspiring journey of grit, reinvention, and culinary success in Panama’s mountain town of Boquete.

Chris Young arrived in Panama in 2010 with no visa, no safety net, and plenty of challenges. Instead of leaving, he doubled down on determination and built a culinary footprint across Chiriquí. From Big Daddy’s Grill to Boulder 54, Tapout Sports Zone, Big Daddy’s Beach Club, and his newest ventures—Christopher’s Steakhouse and Pollo Loco—Chris has shaped the dining scene in Boquete and beyond.

In this special Real Expats episode filmed in Boquete, you’ll learn:

✅ How Chris turned $400 into a thriving life in Panama
✅ The hardest challenges he faced starting over as an expat
✅ What makes Boquete’s food and community so unique
✅ Why Christopher’s Steakhouse is Boquete’s #1 restaurant on TripAdvisor
✅ How he and his fiancée are building Boquete’s dental tourism industry
✅ Advice for expats who want to launch a business in Panama

If you’ve ever dreamed about moving abroad, starting fresh, or building a business in Panama, Chris’s story will inspire you. His journey proves that grit, determination, and having a dream can change everything.

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Watch the VIDEO version of this episode: 

📌 Don’t miss this chance to see how life in Boquete, Panama offers opportunity, community, and the possibility of reinvention.

#boquete #panama #choosepanama #melissadarnay #thepanamapodcast #expatlife #expatstories #panamarestaurants #panamaexpats #livinginpanama

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Stay tuned for more stories of adventure, relocation, and life in Panama. For more information, resources, and to connect with our community, visit our website at www.ChoosePanama.com. Until next time ... Cheers!