Address: 64 Foveaux Street, Surry Hills, Sydney
Translations: El Loco = The Madman or Loco = Crazy!
However you want to translate it the word CRAZY is definitely what i felt when I first entered El loco.
Having only heard about this place online through blogs and vegetarian sites, I thought I was going to a restaurant.. or a burrito bar. I had no idea the main entrance was via the corner pub, and that I would have to elbow my way through one pub to reach the Mexican cantina. But, it was well worth it.
Order: Queso de Soya- Chilli marinated tofu, pico de calo
Corn chips with guacamole and salsa
Drink: Corona
Three words to describe: Spicy, cheap, Japanese-Mexican fusion. A little more than three words, but they're what popped into my head.
Let me explain:
- Spicy- found both the salsa dip and taco, the spice has a little more heat than your usual Mexican meal. I'm not exactly sure what the ingredients are, but it looks and tastes a little like shichimi, a japanese chilli. So beware of the bite!
- Japanese-Mexican fusion- Not only does the food have an asian influence, the layout of the restaurant/bar is like an izakaya. A Japanese bar that serve tiny/handheld snacks.
- Cheap- each dish was $5.
- Tofu was soft and soaked up the salsa chilli.
- Fresh food made to order.
- Atmosphere- try and find the DJ spinning tracks.
- Three bites and you're out. Servings are small, don't go on an empty stomach.
- Only one taco option for vegetarians, an extra for pescetarians.
Value for money: Although everything is $5, keep in mind that tacos are snack size. Two taco's won't quiet equal a burrito or kebab in fullness. So again don't visit on an empty stomach otherwise or your taco total could be costly.
Would i return: Yes,the meal and atmosphere were ideal for a night out with friends. The one taco option is very limiting and is the real reason for the score below. Perhaps with a few more choices it would have pushed it up much higher.
OVERALL SCORE 6/10
