El Loco, Surry Hills

I noticed a few people tweeting and writing about El Loco so looked it up to see what all the fuss was about. I found out that El Loco cantina “is the first stage of what will be the next addition to the Merivale family of restaurants – an authentic Mexican restaurant.” I was intrigued, especially when I saw the menu with $5 taco’s (with the most expensive dish being $15). I immediately contacted the restaurant to see if I could eat anything and was delighted to find that the taco’s and corn chips were gluten free!My friend and I therefore organised to head down one Tuesday night. We started with the Corn Chips with guacamole and salsa and a Classic Margarita. I absolutely loved the guacamole with the chips. The salsa was ok but I could have done with two lots of guacamole instead! The margarita was also good although it went down way too quickly!

Corn Chips with guacamole and salsa

Classic Margarita Corn Chips with guacamole and salsaClassic MargaritaFor our mains we decided to order two tacos each, I went for the Al Pastor Taco (spit roasted pork with pineapple salsa) and the Camaron Taco (prawn, salsa verde and pico de gallo). My friend also went for the Al Pastor however for his second choice he chose the Queso de Soya (chilli marinated tofu with pico de gallo).We also decided to get another drink, this time going for the Jalapeno Margarita (yes you read right!). Both of my taco’s were delicious and the marinated tofu taco also got the thumbs up (I am not quite sure if I have labeled the taco’s properly as they look rather similar!).

“Al Pastor” – spit roaster pork, pineapple salsa

“Camaron” – prawn, salsa verde, pico de gallo

“Queso de Soya” – chilli marinated tofu, pico de gallo “Al Pastor” – spit roaster pork, pineapple salsa“Camaron” – prawn, salsa verde, pico de gallo“Queso de Soya” – chilli marinated tofu, pico de galloI wasn’t sure about the Jalapeno Margarita but knew I had to give it a try. However I loved it! The Jalapeno gave it a great kick.

Jalapeno Margarita Jalapeno MargaritaBecause there are only three cocktails on the menu we decided we better try the third one, the Pink Cuco (El Locos house slushy of El Jimador Tequila, pink grapefruit and lime juices, homemade coriander and raw ginger syrup). I thought having coriander in a cocktail was quite strange but amazingly it worked really well. I made sure I mixed it in quite well to get the full flavour.

Pink Cuco Pink CucoThe place was buzzing for a Tuesday night and I am aware that it gets quite packed on the weekend.El Loco is situated at the back of the Excelsior Hotel and according to the website the Mexican cantina was built in seven days.

The kitchen The kitchen

El Loco inside

Buckets for cutlery

One of the funky lights El Loco inside Buckets for cutleryOne of the funky lightsDo you like checking out new restaurants? Or do you tend to stick to your favourites?